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The Twin Cities metropolitan region is home to a majority of the state’s population and <br />is poised for significant growth in the next two decades. The region faces significant <br />challenges and opportunities, the responses to which will determine the future success <br />of the region and its competitiveness in the state, national and world economies. <br />The Metropolitan Council manages the growth of the metropolitan region, and cities <br />are responsible for adhering to regional plans as they plan for local growth and service <br />delivery. <br />The region’s cities are the Metropolitan Council’s primary constituency, as regional and <br />local growth are primarily managed through city comprehensive planning <br />implementation and the delivery of public services. To function successfully, the <br />Metropolitan Council must be accountable to and work collaboratively with city <br />governments. <br />The role of the Metropolitan Council is to set broad regional goals and provide cities <br />with technical assistance and incentives to achieve the goals. City governments are <br />responsible for and best suited to provide local zoning, land use planning, <br />development, and service delivery. Any additional roles or responsibilities for the <br />Metropolitan Council should be limited to specific statutory assignments or <br />authorization and should not usurp or conflict with local roles or processes unless such <br />changes have the consent of the region’s cities. <br />Metro Cities supports an economically strong and vibrant region, and the effective, <br />efficient, and equitable provision of regional infrastructure, services, and planning <br />throughout the metropolitan area. <br />Metro Cities supports the provision of approved regional systems and planning that are <br />provided more effectively, efficiently, or equitably on a regional level than by individual <br />local units of government. <br />The Metropolitan Council must involve cities in the delivery of regional services and <br />planning, be responsive to local perspectives on regional issues and be required to <br />provide opportunities for city participation on Council advisory committees and task <br />forces. <br />The Metropolitan Council must involve cities at all steps of planning, review and <br />implementation of the regional development guide, policy plans, systems statements, <br />and local comprehensive plan requirements to ensure transparency, balance and <br />Council adherence to its core mission and functions. These processes should allow for <br />stakeholder input before policies and plans are released for comment and finalized. <br />Any additional functions for the Metropolitan Council should not be undertaken unless <br />authorized specifically by state law. <br />MA-1 GOALS AND PRINCIPLES FOR REGIONAL GOVERNANCE <br />61