Metro Council Chair Charlie Zelle to Resign from Position
Charlie Zelle Steps Down as Metropolitan Council Chair
Charlie Zelle, who has been chairing the Metropolitan Council since his appointment by Governor Tim Walz in 2020, will step down from his role on September 10, 2025. Governor Walz announced this news in July 2025.
During his tenure, Zelle has overseen regional planning and major transit projects, including the Green Line light-rail extension. He has also supported other transit and regional parks initiatives. Zelle was credited for securing funding for and advancing the Green Line light-rail extension, which is set to open in 2027.
However, the Met Council has faced calls for reform from critics. They argue that the Met Council, as an unelected decision-making agency, is not accountable to voters or communities. Critics also cite cost overruns and delays related to the Southwest light rail, also known as the Green Line extension, as a reason for reform.
The specific successor to Charlie Zelle has not been named yet. The Governor or the Council will likely announce a replacement closer to the transition date. The Met Council will determine interim leadership plans following Zelle's departure.
Zelle's strategic vision has steered the Met Council through unprecedented challenges and laid the groundwork for prosperity, according to Met Council spokesperson Terri Dresen. Zelle's statement praises the Met Council's work on equity, resiliency, innovation, and climate change, and its build-out of transit.
Before his appointment to the Met Council, Zelle served as the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation under Governor Mark Dayton. He also served as the chair, president, and CEO of Jefferson Lines bus service.
The Met Council oversees regional planning and development, including land use, wastewater, and transportation. The Met Council-run regional transportation agency, Metro Transit, has faced challenges with crime, poor public perception, and a slow return of ridership after the pandemic.
The Met Council's 2025 budget was $1.6 billion. The Green Line light-rail extension, regional transportation challenges, calls for reform, and criticisms against the Met Council were not mentioned in the current paragraph.
Zelle was not available for an interview on Tuesday. The Metropolitan Council will continue its work in regional planning and development, and the search for a new chair will commence in the coming months.
- The Green Line light-rail extension, a major transit project overseen by Charlie Zelle, is set to open in 2027, demonstrating his significant impact on rail infrastructure.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation, Zelle secured funding for the Green Line light-rail extension, showcasing his involvement in transportation matters beyond his role as Metropolitan Council Chair.
- Critics have questioned the accountability of the Met Council as an unelected decision-making agency, raising concerns about matters such as bus transportation and regional parks, which are part of the council's oversight responsibilities.
