Metropolitan Council votes to authorize settlement in Maple Hill Estates litigation after closed session

The Metropolitan Council on June 10 closed part of its meeting under Minnesota's Open Meeting Law to discuss attorney-client privileged matters related to business item 2026-112, the Maple Hill Estates litigation settlement, and subsequently authorized staff to finalize a settlement.

Chair Hutchinson identified the item on the agenda and the council voted to close the meeting under Minnesota Statutes section 13D.05 subdivision 3(b) for attorney-client discussions; Council Member Lilligrin moved the closure and Council Member Jenkins seconded the motion. The council returned to open session at 5:06 p.m.

Upon reopening, the council considered the Maple Hill Estates Litigation Settlement and moved to "authorize the regional administrator to negotiate and execute a settlement agreement in the Maple Hill Estates litigation." A motion to approve the proposal was seconded, members voted "I" on a voice vote and the chair declared the motion carried; the meeting minutes recorded no opposed votes.

The council did not provide details of the settlement terms during the open session; staff described the vote as authorization for the regional administrator to negotiate and execute a settlement agreement. No formal roll-call vote or dollar amounts were read into the public record during the open session.

The council then moved on to the information item of the day, a DBE re-evaluation briefing.