CMAL Annual Meeting and Updated County Governance Positions

Get involved with CMAL! 
  ● Attend the Annual Meeting -- where a position will be adopted based on the  CMAL County Government Study
 ● Consider becoming a delegate to this Council – learn about metro area issues
 
60th Annual CMAL Convention
Saturday May 14, 2022, 10 am- Noon
Keynote Speaker: Building the Region’s Transit Network
by Met Council Member Deb Barber
Business Meeting immediately follows
Click here >>> Meeting Zoom Link
Or for hone connection, dial in at 312.626.6799   Meeting ID: 817 6461 0814       Passcode: 939193
 
All League members and guests are welcome to attend this virtual meeting:
--Following the keynote speaker, this year’s agenda will feature the update to the County Government Position. All 19 metro leagues have now reviewed and submitted member votes on the consensus questions following the 2022 CMAL Study on County Government.   You can find the study at this link.  
 
During the meeting, delegates to CMAL will vote on updating the County Government Position -- found at the end of this post. Karen Schaffer, President of CMAL, will then provide press releases about the County Government Study and new Position to area media. 
 
Interested in Metro Area Issues?  Consider Being A CMAL Delegate
LWV ABC is allowed two delegates to the Council of Metro Area Leagues. CMAL holds quarterly meetings presenting programs especially focused on topics related to living in the Twin City metro region. All league members are welcome to attend programs, but only delegates may vote or serve on the board. Votes occur on bylaw amendments, position changes and whether to support new studies. Currently, there is an open one-year board position with CMAL. Nineteen leagues compose CMAL. Our website has listed recent programs. Meetings occur on Saturday mornings. Learn more on our CMAL website page: CMAL Positions | LWV ABC  If  you have questions, please contact Gretchen or Julie at [email protected] .
 
 
CMAL Proposed County Government Position 2022
CMAL supports measures to ensure accountability and visibility of county government.  (1975, 2022)
CMAL believes that accountability and visibility of a governmental body, such as a county, are obtained by:

• Effective communication of its policies and procedures to residents of the jurisdiction;
• Public access to the budget process where priorities and policies are set, including an opportunity for the public to give timely and meaningful input;
• Offering members of the public opportunities to provide timely and meaningful input into policy development, county initiatives and capital projects, including, by way of example, one-on-one meetings with county commissioners, virtual and in-person town meetings, and open houses;
• Provision of ample and easily accessible notice of the location, time, date and agenda for county board meetings, county board committee meetings, county board work sessions and county advisory committee/commission meetings;
• Posting on its website minutes or discussion notes from county board meetings, county board committee meetings, county board work sessions, and county board advisory committee/commission meetings;
• Posting on its website video recordings of county board meetings and county board committee meetings;
• Dissemination of information on the procedures for appointment to advisory committees/commissions, as well as posting the number of members for each committee/commission and the identity of current appointees;
• Ensuring public access to county board meetings, county board committee meetings, county board work sessions and county advisory committee/commission meetings, plus the opportunity for members of the public to make public comment at county board meetings and county board committee meetings;
• Regular communication between county government and municipalities and between county government and other levels of government.

 
CMAL also recognizes the responsibility of residents to become adequately informed.
CMAL views the Metropolitan Council as the regional planning and coordinating body, while the counties are viewed as administrators, implementers and enforcers of regional policy.  CMAL believes that counties should be involved in the initial planning and policy-making stages of Metropolitan Council activities in order for counties to carry out their eventual implementation. 
CMAL supports measures to improve cooperation and communication between the Metropolitan Council and county government in the metropolitan area. 
CMAL believes that county government should post general information on its website about funds received from or through the Metropolitan council and how such funds are used.