The Metro Council wants the public to comment on three options for redrawing the boundaries of Council districts. Every ten years, following the completion of the U.S. Census, the Metro Council is required to evaluate whether each of its six districts are of relatively equal population and adjust the district boundaries as necessary to provide for equal representation.

Kathryn Harrington's District 4 needs to shrink, Carlotta Collette's District 2 must grow. Also, council discusses whether search for COO should be local or national.

The Council consists of 28 business leaders, community nonprofit representatives, educators and former elected officials. The group was assembled through a lengthy process involving Metro staff and representatives from the Initiative's steering committee, five of whom are also on the Council.

Hello, readers,

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Metro employees  at an all-staff meeting, and was so impressed by their talent and skills.  One of the topics we covered that I want to share with you is “Opt In”, the new online public opinion panel Metro has launched.  It's just one of the ways Metro leads the nation in public service, and it's an incredibly innovative and essential tool for garnering public involvement and collecting the views and values of our constituents. Please sign up and help us reach the 10,000 participants we hope to engage by October of this year.  I also encourage Metro staff to join, and to pass along the message to friends and colleagues outside the agency, who are eligible for prize drawings.  I look forward to hearing the views of Opt In members about our region’s future, and I hope I can count on you all to give your honest views.  Let's help continue to shape this region we all love.

Metro Council will decide whether to hold a candidate forum for applicants for District 6 vacancy. Form must be mailed or dropped off in person by Feb. 9.