Working collaboratively with our partners

Since the members of the current Council took office in 2003, we have placed high priority on working collaboratively with local government officials and listening as well as talking.

Our members long have recognized that our success as an agency hinges on building and maintaining effective working relationships with cities and counties, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the other governmental agencies and key stakeholder groups.

That’s why Regional Administrator Tom Weaver and I meet annually with each of the seven metro county boards, monthly with the commissioner of transportation and regularly with groups such as the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities.

Several months ago, we tried something new. My Council colleagues and I began holding a series of 13 “District Dialogues” with local officials and legislators throughout the metro area. These meetings have provided an opportunity for us to talk about the Council’s priorities and hear about local concerns on a wide range of issues – from highways and transit to planning and parks.

This fall, we also transformed the Council’s annual retreat into a listening session. We invited three panels of elected officials – state legislators, county commissioners and mayors – to talk about what the Council is doing well and what we could improve upon.

The feedback from local officials has been largely positive. They seem genuinely appreciative that we would take the time to come to them – in locations ranging from Prior Lake to Forest Lake to Waconia.

While we have many bright Council members and staff, we’re smart enough to recognize that we don’t have all the answers.

Peter Bell

October 2008