SF 2490

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 05/06/2021 07:43am

A bill for an act
relating to the Metropolitan Council; modifying governance of the Metropolitan
Council; eliminating the Transportation Advisory Board; creating a technical
advisory committee; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 3.8841,
subdivision 9; 15A.0815, subdivision 3; 473.123; 473.146, subdivisions 3, 4;
repealing Laws 1994, chapter 628, article 1, section 8.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 3.8841, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Powers; duties; Metropolitan Council appointments oversight.

The
commission must monitor appointments to the Metropolitan Council and may make
recommendations on appointments deleted text begin to the nominating committee under section 473.123,
subdivision 3, or to the governor before the governor makes the appointments deleted text end new text begin to the
appropriate appointing authority as described in section 473.123 new text end . The commission may also
make recommendations to the senate before deleted text begin appointments are presented deleted text end new text begin the governor's
appointment is presented new text end to the senate for its advice and consent.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 15A.0815, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Group II salary limits.

The salary for a position listed in this subdivision shall
not exceed 120 percent of the salary of the governor. This limit must be adjusted annually
on January 1. The new limit must equal the limit for the prior year increased by the percentage
increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers from October of the
second prior year to October of the immediately prior year. The commissioner of management
and budget must publish the limit on the department's website. This subdivision applies to
the following positions:

Executive director of Gambling Control Board;

Commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation;

Commissioner, Bureau of Mediation Services;

Ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities;

Ombudsperson for corrections;

deleted text begin Chair, Metropolitan Council;
deleted text end

School trust lands director;

Executive director of pari-mutuel racing; and

Commissioner, Public Utilities Commission.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 473.123, is amended to read:

473.123 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

Subdivision 1.

Creation new text begin ; membership new text end .

new text begin (a) new text end A Metropolitan Council with jurisdiction
in the metropolitan area is established as a public corporation and political subdivision of
the state. It shall be under the supervision and control of deleted text begin 17 deleted text end new text begin a chair appointed as provided
in subdivision 4, and 28 new text end members, all of whom shall be residents of the metropolitan area deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin
and who shall be appointed as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) a county commissioner from each of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott, and
Washington Counties, appointed by the respective county boards;
new text end

new text begin (2) two county commissioners from Hennepin County appointed by the county board,
one of whom must represent a ward that is predominantly located within the city of
Minneapolis, and one of whom must represent a ward that does not include the city of
Minneapolis;
new text end

new text begin (3) a local elected official appointed from each Metropolitan Council district by the
municipal committee for the council district established in subdivision 2b;
new text end

new text begin (4) the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) one person to represent nonmotorized transportation, appointed by the commissioner
of transportation;
new text end

new text begin (6) one person to represent freight transportation, appointed by the commissioner of
transportation; and
new text end

new text begin (7) one person to represent public transit, appointed by the commissioner of
transportation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The local elected offices identified in paragraph (a) are compatible with the office
of a Metropolitan Council member.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding any change to the definition of metropolitan area in section 473.121,
subdivision 2, the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council is limited to the seven-county
metropolitan area.
new text end

Subd. 2a.

Terms.

new text begin (a) new text end Following each apportionment of council districts, as provided
under subdivision 3a, deleted text begin council members must be appointed from newly drawn districts as
provided in subdivision 3a. Each council member, other than the chair, must reside in the
council district represented. Each council district must be represented by one member of
the council. The terms of members end with the term of the governor, except that all terms
expire on the effective date of the next apportionment. A member serves at the pleasure of
the governor. deleted text end new text begin the municipal committee for each council district shall appoint a local elected
official who resides in the district to serve on the Metropolitan Council for a four-year term.
The terms of members appointed by municipal committees are staggered as follows: members
representing an odd-numbered district have terms ending the first Monday in January of
the year ending in the numeral "1" and members representing an even-numbered district
have terms ending the first Monday in January in the year ending in the numeral "3."
Thereafter, the term of each member is four years, with terms ending the first Monday in
January, except that all terms expire on the effective date of the next apportionment. A
member's position on the Metropolitan Council becomes vacant if the member ceases to be
a local elected official or as provided in chapter 351, and any vacancy must be filled as soon
as practicable for the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment. new text end A
member shall continue to serve the member's district until a successor is appointed and
qualified; except that, following each apportionment, the member shall continue to serve
at large until the deleted text begin governor appoints 16 council members, one deleted text end new text begin municipal committee for the
council district appoints a member new text end from deleted text begin each of deleted text end the newly drawn council deleted text begin districts deleted text end new text begin district new text end
as provided under subdivision 3a, to serve terms as provided under this section. The
appointment to the council must be made by the first Monday in March of the year in which
the term ends.

new text begin (b) The terms of members appointed by county boards are staggered as follows: members
representing the counties of Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey, and Scott have terms ending the first
Monday in January of the year ending in the numeral "1," and members representing the
counties of Carver, Hennepin, and Washington have terms ending the first Monday in
January of the year ending in the numeral "3." Thereafter, the term for each member is four
years. A member's position on the Metropolitan Council becomes vacant if the member
ceases to be a local elected official or as provided in chapter 351, and any vacancy must be
filled as soon as practicable for the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial
appointment.
new text end

new text begin (c) An individual appointed by the commissioner of transportation under subdivision 1
serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Municipal committee in each council district. new text end

new text begin The governing body of each
home rule charter or statutory city and town in each Metropolitan Council district shall
appoint a member to serve on a municipal committee for the council district. If a city or
town is in more than one council district, the governing body must appoint a member to
serve on each council district's municipal committee. A member appointed to a council
district's municipal committee must reside in the council district. The municipal committee
must meet at least quarterly to discuss issues relating to the Metropolitan Council. Municipal
committee meetings are subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, chapter 13D.
new text end

Subd. 3.

deleted text begin Membership; appointment; qualifications deleted text end new text begin Compensation new text end .

(a) deleted text begin Sixteen
members must be appointed by the governor from districts defined by this section. Each
council member must reside in the council district represented. Each council district must
be represented by one member of the council. deleted text end new text begin In addition to any compensation as a local
elected official, the council shall pay each member of the council other than the chair at the
rate of $55 per day spent on council activities authorized by the council.
new text end

(b) deleted text begin In addition to the notice required by section 15.0597, subdivision 4, notice of
vacancies and expiration of terms must be published in newspapers of general circulation
in the metropolitan area and the appropriate districts. The governing bodies of the statutory
and home rule charter cities, counties, and towns having territory in the district for which
a member is to be appointed must be notified in writing. The notices must describe the
appointments process and invite participation and recommendations on the appointment. deleted text end new text begin
In addition to any compensation as a local elected official, the council shall pay the chair
$40,000 per year plus reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses as approved by the
council.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) The governor shall create a nominating committee, composed of seven metropolitan
citizens appointed by the governor, to nominate persons for appointment to the council from
districts. Three of the committee members must be local elected officials. Following the
submission of applications as provided under section 15.0597, subdivision 5, the nominating
committee shall conduct public meetings, after appropriate notice, to accept statements from
or on behalf of persons who have applied or been nominated for appointment and to allow
consultation with and secure the advice of the public and local elected officials. The
committee shall hold the meeting on each appointment in the district or in a reasonably
convenient and accessible location in the part of the metropolitan area in which the district
is located. The committee may consolidate meetings. Following the meetings, the committee
shall submit to the governor a list of nominees for each appointment. The governor is not
required to appoint from the list.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) Before making an appointment, the governor shall consult with all members of the
legislature from the council district for which the member is to be appointed.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) Appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent of the senate as
provided in section 15.066.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (f) Members of the council must be appointed to reflect fairly the various demographic,
political, and other interests in the metropolitan area and the districts.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (g) Members of the council must be persons knowledgeable about urban and metropolitan
affairs.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (h) Any vacancy in the office of a council member shall immediately be filled for the
unexpired term. In filling a vacancy, the governor may forgo the requirements of paragraph
(c) if the governor has made appointments in full compliance with the requirements of this
subdivision within the preceding 12 months.
deleted text end

Subd. 3a.

Redistricting.

The legislature shall redraw the boundaries of the council
districts after each decennial federal census so that each district has substantially equal
population. Redistricting is effective in the year ending in the numeral "3." Within 60 days
after a redistricting plan takes effect, the deleted text begin governor deleted text end new text begin municipal committees new text end shall appoint
members from the newly drawn districts to serve terms as provided under subdivision 2a.

Subd. 3e.

District boundaries.

Metropolitan Council plan MC2013-1A, on file with
the Geographical Information Systems Office of the Legislative Coordinating Commission
and published on its website on April 9, 2013, is adopted and constitutes the redistricting
plan required by subdivision 3a. The boundaries of each Metropolitan Council district are
as described in that plan.

Subd. 4.

Chair; appointment, officers, selection; duties and compensation.

(a) The
chair of the Metropolitan Council shall be appointed by the governor as the deleted text begin 17th deleted text end new text begin 29th new text end voting
member thereof by and with the advice and consent of the senate to serve at the pleasure
of the governor to represent the metropolitan area at large. Senate confirmation shall be as
provided by section 15.066.

The chair of the Metropolitan Council shall, if present, preside at meetings of the council,
have the primary responsibility for meeting with local elected officials, serve as the principal
legislative liaison, present to the governor and the legislature, after council approval, the
council's plans for regional governance and operations, serve as the principal spokesperson
of the council, and perform other duties assigned by the council or by law.

(b) The Metropolitan Council shall elect other officers as it deems necessary for the
conduct of its affairs for a one-year term. A secretary and treasurer need not be members
of the Metropolitan Council. Meeting times and places shall be fixed by the Metropolitan
Council and special meetings may be called by a majority of the members of the Metropolitan
Council or by the chair. The chair and each Metropolitan Council member shall be reimbursed
for actual and necessary expenses.

(c) Each member of the council shall attend and participate in council meetings and meet
regularly with local elected officials and legislative members from the council member's
district. Each council member shall serve on at least one division committee for
transportation, environment, or community development.

(d) In the performance of its duties the Metropolitan Council may adopt policies and
procedures governing its operation, establish committees, and, when specifically authorized
by law, make appointments to other governmental agencies and districts.

Subd. 8.

General counsel.

The council may appoint a general counsel to serve at the
pleasure of the council.

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Authority to vote; quorum; votes required for action. new text end

new text begin (a) The chair and
members appointed by the counties and municipal committees may vote on all matters
before the council. The commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee and
the three members appointed by the commissioner may vote only on matters in which the
council is acting as the metropolitan planning organization for the region as provided in
section 473.146.
new text end

new text begin (b) A quorum is a majority of the members permitted to vote on a matter. If a quorum
is present, the council may act on a majority vote of the members present, except:
new text end

new text begin (1) if a quorum is present, the council may adopt its levy only if at least 60 percent of
the members present vote in favor of the levy; and
new text end

new text begin (2) if a quorum is present, the council may adopt a metropolitan system plan or plan
amendment only if at least 60 percent of the members present vote in favor of its adoption.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in
paragraph (b), this section is effective January 1, 2022, and applies in the counties of Anoka,
Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. Metropolitan Council members
serving on the effective date of this section shall continue to serve until members are
appointed from districts by the municipal committees as provided in this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Subdivisions 1, paragraph (c), and 2b are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 473.146, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Development guide; transportation.

The transportation chapter must include
policies relating to all transportation forms and be designed to promote the legislative
determinations, policies, and goals set forth in section 473.371. In addition to the
requirements of subdivision 1 regarding the contents of the policy plan, the nontransit
element of the transportation chapter must include the following:

(1) a statement of the needs and problems of the metropolitan area with respect to the
functions covered, including the present and prospective demand for and constraints on
access to regional business concentrations and other major activity centers and the constraints
on and acceptable levels of development and vehicular trip generation at such centers;

(2) the objectives of and the policies to be forwarded by the policy plan;

(3) a general description of the physical facilities and services to be developed;

(4) a statement as to the general location of physical facilities and service areas;

(5) a general statement of timing and priorities in the development of those physical
facilities and service areas;

(6) a detailed statement, updated every two years, of timing and priorities for
improvements and expenditures needed on the metropolitan highway system;

(7) a general statement on the level of public expenditure appropriate to the facilities;
and

(8) a long-range assessment of air transportation trends and factors that may affect airport
development in the metropolitan area and policies and strategies that will ensure a
comprehensive, coordinated, and timely investigation and evaluation of alternatives for
airport development.

The council shall develop the nontransit element in consultation with deleted text begin the transportation
advisory board and deleted text end the Metropolitan Airports Commission and cities having an airport
located within or adjacent to its corporate boundaries. The council shall also take into
consideration the airport development and operations plans and activities of the commission.
The council shall transmit the results to the state Department of Transportation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022, and
applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 473.146, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Transportation planning.

(a) The Metropolitan Council is the designated
planning agency for any long-range comprehensive transportation planning required by
section 134 of the Federal Highway Act of 1962, Section 4 of Urban Mass Transportation
Act of 1964 and Section 112 of Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973 and other federal
transportation laws. The council shall assure administration and coordination of transportation
planning with appropriate state, regional and other agencies, counties, and municipalities.

deleted text begin (b) The council shall establish an advisory body consisting of citizens and representatives
of municipalities, counties, and state agencies in fulfillment of the planning responsibilities
of the council. The membership of the advisory body must consist of:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency or the commissioner's designee;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) one member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission appointed by the commission;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) one person appointed by the council to represent nonmotorized transportation;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) one person appointed by the commissioner of transportation to represent the freight
transportation industry;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (6) two persons appointed by the council to represent public transit;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (7) ten elected officials of cities within the metropolitan area, including one representative
from each first-class city, appointed by the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (8) one member of the county board of each county in the seven-county metropolitan
area, appointed by the respective county boards;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (9) eight citizens appointed by the council, one from each council precinct;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (10) one elected official from a city participating in the replacement service program
under section 473.388, appointed by the Suburban Transit Association; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (11) one member of the council, appointed by the council.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The council shall appoint a chair from among the members of the advisory body.
deleted text end

new text begin (b) The council must establish a technical advisory committee to provide technical
expertise to the council on transportation issues. The technical advisory committee must be
composed of professional staff from local governments and agencies involved in
transportation in the metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022, and
applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Laws 1994, chapter 628, article 1, section 8, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2022.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: 21-01465

Laws 1994, chapter 628, article 1, section 8

Sec. 8. new text begin SALARIES OF MEMBERS. new text end

new text begin Until changed in law after recommendation by the compensation council as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 15A.082, the chair of the metropolitan council shall receive a salary of $52,500 per year, and the other members shall receive a salary of $20,000 per year. new text end