MISSION
OF
METRO CITIES

"To serve as the primary representative of the collective interests of all metropolitan cities on metropolitan issues and statewide issues with unique metropolitan significance."


WHAT IS METRO CITIES

The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities "Metro Cities" is a service and lobbying organization for cities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Membership is open to cities in the seven-county metro area that are members of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC).Current membership includes 86 cities, which are home to more than 90 percent of the metropolitan area population.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

Metro Cities is served by a four person staff and governed by a Board of Directors of local officials from member cities. The Board includes a president, vice president, past president and 16 directors serving staggered two-year terms. Each class of city must be represented on the Board and the distribution of directors is consistent geographically with city membership.

RELATIONSHIP TO LMC & METRO AGENCIES

Metro Cities is affiliated with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), but neither duplicates nor competes with the LMC. Metro Cities has a separate, distinct mission. The primary difference between the LMC and Metro Cities is the Metro Cities' involvement with the Metropolitan Council and metro issues. The LMC has no involvement with metropolitan related issues. Metro Cities constantly monitors the Council and its activities, alerts member cities of pending decisions or actions and reacts as appropriate to protect the metro cities' interests.

POLICY AND CONSENSUS DEVELOPMENT

Perhaps the most important function for Metro Cities is providing a forum for consensus-building and developing an understanding of other cities' problems, concerns and points of view. Metro Cities is well suited for these tasks since its membership includes the central cities, as well as all types and sizzed of suburban and free-standing communities. Metro Cities is the only general purpose metro wide city organization.

MAJOR PURPOSES

Metro Cities has several major purposes and functions:

1) Represents metro city interests before the Metropolitan Council on pertinent issues such as the Regional Blueprint, growth management, comprehensive land planning and zoning powers.

2) Represents metro city interests at the Legislature on issues that impact the metro area such as metro governance, metro land planning and the Livable Communities Act.

3) Represents metro city interests at the Legislature on statewide issues that have a metro impact such as water management, transit funding and TIF, and takes positions on some statewide issues such as the LGA formula and property taxes.

4) Provides unique services like the License & Permit Fee Survey, MN Local Government Salary & Benefits Survey, and provides staff support for the Metropolitan Area Management Association (MAMA).