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It Metropolitan Council <br />Frequently Asked Questions <br />What is the Metropolitan <br />Council? <br />0 The Metropolitan Council is <br />a regional government agency <br />created by the Minnesota State <br />116 Legislature in 1967. It serves <br />Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloom- <br />ington and [83 other comm- <br />unities spread across Anoka, <br />Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, <br />Ramsey, Scott and Washington <br />Counties, a land area of about <br />2,975 square miles with a <br />population of 2.85 million. <br />More facts about the region. <br />The Council establishes policies <br />for the region's growth. Policy <br />plans adopted by the Council <br />address the region's forecasted <br />needs for transportation, <br />aviation, water resources, and <br />parks and open space. The <br />Council also provides essential <br />regional services, including bus <br />and rail transit, paratransit <br />services for people with <br />disabilities, and wastewater <br />collection and treatment. More <br />about the Council's role in the <br />region. <br />u. Why do we need regional <br />government? <br />Communities in the region can <br />be more effective when they <br />work together. Since its incep- <br />tion, the Council has success- <br />fully addressed significant <br />challenges related to air and <br />water pollution, polluted land, <br />transit management and <br />regional growth. Working <br />together achieves economies of <br />scale that cut costs; legislative <br />mandates help the Council and <br />the region more fairly distribute <br />resources, solve problems that <br />cross jurisdictional boundaries <br />and share information. More <br />about the Council's history. <br />Who makes governing <br />decisions? <br />The 17- member Metropolitan <br />Council board has 16 members <br />who each represent geographic <br />districts and one chair who <br />serves at large. They are all <br />appointed by and serve at the <br />pleasure of the governor. The <br />State Senate confirms Council <br />member appointments. See <br />biographies of current Council <br />members. <br />How is it funded? <br />Property taxes fund about 10% <br />of the Council's operating <br />budget. User fees provide <br />about 42% of Council <br />revenues, and state and federal <br />funds are about 46% of <br />revenues. (About 2% came <br />from other sources.) The <br />Council's 2008 operating <br />budget was $482 million. The <br />Council held property taxes <br />flat between 2003 and 2008. <br />When and where does the <br />Council board meet? <br />The Council normally meets at <br />4 p.m. on the second and fourth <br />Wednesday of each month at <br />the Council's central office at <br />390 N. Robert St., St. Paul. See a <br />map with driving and parking <br />information. <br />Several committees of the <br />Council also meet regularly. See <br />a current schedule of meetings, <br />upcoming public hearings and <br />other events. <br />How can I get involved? <br />Citizens can stay informed <br />about regional issues through <br />the Council's publications, <br />newsletters and website, attend <br />Council and committee <br />meetings, and serve on Council <br />advisory committees. <br />How do 1 contact Council <br />members and staff? <br />Staff and Council members <br />can be reached by e -mail using <br />this model: name.surname@ <br />rnetc.state.mn.us. For phone <br />numbers, call 651- 602 -1000. <br />Metropolitan Council • 390 Robert St. N. • Saint Paul MN 55101 • Website: www.metrocouncil.org <br />651 - 602 -1000 • TTY: 651 -291 -0904 • Data Center: 651 -602 -1140 • E -mail: data.center metc.state.mn.us <br />