The Metropolitan Council is doubling down on its efforts to cement ties between regional policymakers and local leaders and their communities. As the primary drivers of the Met Council's board activities, council members are stepping out of the boardroom and into local jurisdictions, engaging in direct dialogue to understand and collaboratively address pressing regional concerns.
From crafting strategies for the Blue Line Extension project to creating the 2050 regional development guide, the council's reach spans a multitude of civic endeavors. Community relations specialists Michael Sund and Elias Montesa are the key facilitators in this initiative, providing a bridge for council members to connect with city officials and the public, the Met Council reported.
Under the guidance of Met Council’s director of Community Relations, Sam O’Connell, the council is pushing forward with its vision for a region that boasts vitality, equality, and resilience. "Met Council members are committed to working together with our partners to build a vibrant, equitable, and resilient region, which is the vision guiding us as we plan for 2050," O’Connell stated, as per Met Council, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in tackling issues like water supply, transit security, and affordable housing.
The Met Council also offers Local Planning Assistance teams that work closely with city and county staff on technical details of regional policy. However, Sund and Montesa's roles are distinct; they focus on aiding Council members in forging partnerships and facilitating policy dialogues. To promote transparency and accountability, Michael Sund and Elias Montesa stand ready to assist with concerns and foster relationships with local government bodies, according to the Met Council announcement.
If you're looking to get in touch with Met Council members, your go-to contacts are Sund for members including Deb Barber, Anjuli Cameron, and Peter Lindstrom, reachable at [email protected], and Montesa for council members like Toni Carter, Dr. Gail Cederberg, and Wendy Wulff, available at [email protected]. For general inquiries, Community relations manager Sam O’Connell is at your service and can be contacted at [email protected]. More details on council district mapping and member profiles are available on the Met Council website.
