BL2026-1355 Substitute - Metropolitan Council Office

This post was requested by CM Sheri Weiner regarding the substitute sponsored by CM Toombs to BL2026-1355 concerning the Metropolitan Council Office. The substitute referenced below is linked here.

Colleagues,

I support this ordinance because it does something very important at a very critical time—it brings clarity, structure, and stability to the Metropolitan Council Office.

At its core, this is not about personalities or politics. It is about ensuring that the legislative branch can function as it was intended—independent, well-supported, and governed by clear lines of authority.

I want to offer a perspective from outside of government for just a moment. In my professional work as a business consultant over the past 20-plus years, I have worked with organizations facing very similar challenges—where roles are unclear and lines of authority are blurred.   In every case, the organizations that stabilize and succeed are the ones that clearly define responsibilities, separate governance from operations, and remove interference that creates confusion and inefficiency.  That is exactly what this substitute does.

It reinforces a proper division of duties. It makes clear that operational oversight of the Council Office rests with the Director, and that the office is accountable to the Council as a body—not subject to the direction of any one elected official outside of what is authorized by Charter and Code.  And I want to be very clear—this is not a new concept. This is how the system was designed to work. Right now, we are in a moment where ambiguity has created tension and an escalating situation that is not serving this body, our staff, or the public. This ordinance provides a reset. It creates clarity where there has been confusion and establishes boundaries that allow everyone to operate in their proper role.

That matters—for our staff, who deserve consistency and protection.
It matters for this Council, so we can function effectively and collaboratively.
 And it matters for the public, who expect this legislative body focused on governing—not internal conflict.

This is a step toward diffusing a situation that will only continue to escalate if we do nothing. It offers offering a path forward grounded in structure, accountability, and respect for the institution.

We are not picking sides and are reinforcing the framework that allows this body to do its work—by design.   Amendments may arise as the work of the Executive Committee moves forward and that’s ok.  I would encourage my colleagues to support this substitute without deferral so we can move forward—together—with clarity, stability, focus and a sense of peace.