Agenda Packets - 1990/06/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities is now in its 16th year. During relatively short existence, the Association has experienced many diffi-. •its culties and challenges. Examples include the 1976 Metropolitan Land Planning Act and the more recent debates over local government aid. Despite predictions for the demise for general purpose organizations like the Association, the AMM is now at an all-time high of 68 member cities, repre- senting over 90 percent of the population in the seven-county metropolitan area. The cities of the region apparently believe that they are getting a good value for their membership dollars. However, despite the successes of the past, the twelve members of this years Mission and Membership Services Task Force have concluded that this is no time to rest on our laurels. We face challenges from other city lobbying groups whose interests are contrary to those of the metropolitan area, as well as a generally hostile attitude by the State legislature toward cities. At the same time, the complexity of governing the metropolitan area is increasing geometri- cally, meaning that it is more important than ever to work together if we are to effectively serve the citizens of our respective communities. The Task Force concludes that in order to remain viable and relevant, the AMM must become more proactive, more collaborative, more focused and more assertive. The AMM provides the only meaningful vehicle for the cities of the metropoli- tan area to express in a united voice-the important perspective of local govern- ment. The issues at stake are simply too important to abandon the playing field and leave all the important decisions to others. Association was originally formed out of several metropolitan area splinter •The groups who had originally felt that they had little in common, but came to realize that the things they did have in common were far more than those that divided them. The challenges of today are certainly no less thanthose that faced our cities in the past. Our test will be whether we can continue to be an effective voice for the collective interests of the cities in this metropolitan area, and to pass that test will require two things: 1. A renewed ability and commitment to come together through our com- mittees and 19-member Board of Directors to reach a consensus on the critical issues that face us. 2. The ability to effectively, and with a united front, promote the policies we do adopt to the Governor, the legislature, the Metropolitan Council and the regional operating agencies. The Mission and Membership Services Committee feels that the recommendations set forth in this report will set us well on a course to accomplishing just that. We commend it for your consideration and thoughtful action. 110 - 16 -