The Metropolitan Council on Wednesday began outlining strategies for diversifying its workforce and boosting equity across its ranks in line with a broader push spearheaded by Gov. Mark Dayton.

Council members at a Committee of the Whole meeting expressed strong support for a more intentional approach to inclusion, noting racial and gender gaps in the agency’s 4,000-strong workforce. The aim mirrors a state-level diversity and inclusion council launched by the Dayton administration last year.