Council Chair launches “District Dialogues”

Events aimed at increasing contact with local officials

Metropolitan Council members will hold meetings with state and local officials in individual and groups of Council districts or sub-regions starting in June.

Chair Peter Bell established the meeting series to increase dialogue between the Council and elected officials. Each meeting will include a customized briefing by the Chair and/or Council members, followed by an extended question-and-answer period. Participation will be limited to invited city, council and state officials, who will be asked to RSVP.

Peter Bell

“Our partnerships with communities are critical to our work planning for the efficient growth and vitality of the metropolitan area,” Bell said. “We think these dialogues will be a good opportunity to talk frankly with our partners about important regional and local issues, outside of the sometimes pressured atmosphere of decision-making meetings and hearings.”

The meetings will include a half-hour presentation by the host Council member(s) and a half-hour question-and-answer period. Registration, refreshments and networking begin half an hour preceding the published meeting time.

The following dialogues have been scheduled to date:

AUGUST 20, 2008 UPDATE: Some meeting dates and locations have changed since this story was posted. SEE THE LATEST LIST OF MEETINGS.

Washington County – Thursday, June 19, 8:30 a.m. - Washington County Service Center, Forest Lake, hosted by Districts 11 and 12 Council Members Georgie Hilker and Sherry Broecker.
Anoka County (joint meeting with Anoka County Officials Group) – Wednesday, July 30, 6 p.m. – Running Aces Harness Park, hosted by Districts 9, 10 and 11 Council Members Natalie Haas Steffen, Kris Sanda and Georgie Hilker.
Council District 6 (District 6 suburbs) – Tuesday, Aug. 19, 10:30 a.m. – Golden Valley Library, hosted by District 6 Council Member Peggy Leppik.
Carver County – Thursday, Sept. 4, 8:30 a.m. – Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, hosted by District 4 Council Member Craig Peterson.
Ramsey County suburbs – Tuesday, Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m. – Maplewood Community Center, hosted by Districts 9 and 11 Council Members Kris Sanda and Georgie Hilker.
Council District 1, Minnetrista and St. Bonifacius (joint meeting with Northwest Hennepin League of Municipalities) – Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Rogers Community Center, hosted by Districts 1 and 4 Council Members Roger Scherer and Craig Peterson.
Minneapolis – Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m., Minneapolis Central Library, hosted by District 6, 7 and 8 Council members Peggy Leppik, Annette Meeks and Lynette Wittsack.
Council District 2 - portions of Hennepin & Ramsey Counties - Tuesday, Oct. 7, 8:30 a.m. - Brooklyn Park City Hall, hosted by Dist. 2 Council Member Tony Pistilli.
Dakota County – Tuesday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m., Burnsville City Hall, hosted by District 15 and 16 Council Members Daniel Wolter and Brian McDaniel.
St. Paul (Districts 13 and 14) - Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m. - Rondo Community (Library) Outreach Center, hosted by Council Members Kirstin Beach and Richard Aguilar.