Committee of the Whole on the Road

The Metropolitan Council is hitting the road to connect directly with the communities we serve!

Met Council Member Robert Liligren represents Metropolitan Council District 6, covering the southern portions of Minneapolis. This part of the region has the highest transit use per capita and offers valuable lessons about how thoughtful planning and investment connects people to opportunity.

We will reflect on transformative historical projects such as Midtown Exchange, examine emerging opportunities for transit-oriented development, and discuss how people-centered partnerships expand access, strengthen communities, and build a prosperous region for generations to come.   

What to Expect

• 4:30 p.m. – Open house to meet and mingle with community leaders, local policymakers, and Metropolitan Council Members. Learn about our work across the region and how we are advancing a more inclusive, sustainable seven-county metropolitan area.
• 5:00 p.m. – Committee meeting followed by a conversation hosted by civic educator and entertainer Tane Danger. Featuring Metropolitan Council Members and community voices, the discussion will explore how the Twin Cities region sets an example for what happens when transit, bike trails, and destinations are aligned to create connected communities empowered to thrive.

Speakers 

• Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley

  Commissioner Conley works to change systems at the macro level, both at the state and county, in ways that are holistic, person-first and seamless. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from St. Catherine University and Master’s degree in Public Administration from Hamline University. Commissioner Conley was the first African American elected to the Hennepin County Board. Her top priority is including the voices of our families and communities in every decision the County makes that impact our lives. Commissioner Conley continues to focus on housing as a fundamental human right, eliminating race-based disparities in Hennepin County. Read Commissioner Conley's bio

• Chief Executive Officer Travis Earth-Werner, American Indian Community Development Corporation

  Travis Earth-Werner oversees the coordination, integration, and delivery of all programs, contracts and related services, promotes collaborative relationships between program areas and ensures that the expectations of funders, partners, constituents, clients, and other stakeholders are consistently met. Travis has been with AICDC since 2010, he has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Dependency and is an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Learn more about AICDC

• Russ Adams, Manager of Recovery Initiatives, Lake Street Council

  Russ Adams works at the intersection of policy advocacy and public engagement, to accelerate commercial corridor rebuilding initiatives as the area recovers from the Civil Unrest damage following the murder of George Floyd. The Lake Street Council is a non-profit organization that engages, serves, and advocates for the Lake Street corridor in south Minneapolis and its neighborhoods. It is a national model for economic development, local businesses technical assistance, and corridor-wide recovery & place-making. Russ also served as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability from 1995 thru 2019. Learn more about Visit Lake Street

• Met Council Member Robert Lilligren

  Met Council Member Robert Lilligren, representing southeastern portions of Minneapolis, brings a wealth of housing, transportation, and community-driven development expertise to the Met Council. He’s been committed to equity, inclusive decision-making, and collaboration during his extensive record of public service, including 12 years as Minneapolis City Council Vice President and as a leader with various city commissions. As the first Tribal member on the Met Council and CEO of the Native American Community Development Institute, Lilligren is deeply committed to equity-centered regional growth. Read Council Member Lilligren's bio

• Met Council Member Yassin Osman

  Met Council Member Yassin Osman, representing areas of north Minneapolis, is committed to building an equitable and prosperous region for all through his work. He believes that authentic stakeholder and community engagement, based on accountability, active listening, and responsiveness, are key to ensuring that all voices are heard and represented in the Met Council’s work. Council Member Osman owns and operates a small logistics business, where he manages logistics operations and resolves conflicts between contractors and customers. Read Council Member Osman's bio