Here, there was a question raised about Met Council density expectations and/or "quotas."
Ms. Steffen has said to me a few years ago during the one phone conversation we had, that the Met Council is reactive to local leadership aims, not proactive in enforcing quotos or specific activity. My understanding is a general expectation of Met Council, last go round, was an aim or plan for a citywide average density of three housing units per acre; stated at the start.
What Met Council was said to require was never put on paper in black-and-white, and the link person then between the city and Met Council, James E. Norman, spoke to Met Council people then, without council members speaking directly to Met Council staff.
So there then was an information filter between those with jurisdiction for voting a plan, and those with oversight authority.
I most strongly urge the present council, this time around, to get from the very start a quota or any other litmus test rule the Met Council might have, and get it in writing this time; to avoid any sense of arm-wrestling with a ratchet.
Oral representations of intermediaries carrying messages back and forth present a possibility of error and miscommunication that is not needed or useful in so serious a matter as formulating a comprehensive plan.
If there are actual "black letter" Met Council criteria the city MUST meet, then get them set out, black letter, in writing. If the process is free of any such deal-definers or deal-killers, target densities or such, then get that committment in writing. But define the ground rules before the dog and pony shows, because the shows can only be of use if citizens know and restrain their thinking to within "ground rule" requirements, if any.
Indeed, make all Ramsey -vs.- Met Council dealings be in writing.
It is how misunderstanding and rancor can best be avoided.
I remember looking at Ramsey council minutes from several decades ago, where "correspondence" was cited and identified of record. And I said, "Wow, what a fine idea."
One can argue things are bigger now and what was feasible then is somehow infeasible now, but it sure looked wise to me when I saw it; and it made me wonder why it stopped and who killed the practice.
