Minnetonka Community Commission
Minnetonka Community Commission
- David Hakensen
- Member
- Eduardo Jimenez
- Member
- Michael Kelly
- Member
- Paul Kobs
- (Not pictured)
- Member
- Suraj Kurtakoti
- (Not pictured)
- Member
- Robbie Rosenthal
- Member
- Paul Thyren
- Member
- Laura Stotts Gorans
- Member
- Anne VanHorne
- Member
- Barb Westmoreland
- Member
- Courtney Wieden
- Member
- Melissa Williamson-Herren
- Member
- Jacque Larson
- Community relations manager
- Staff liaison
In March 2005, a dedicated group of volunteers began meeting to plan the city of Minnetonka’s 50th anniversary activities for 2006. Over the following 18 months, this committee had great success in creating mutually beneficial partnerships among the city, school districts, community and faith organizations, and businesses. Once the 50th anniversary activities were complete, there was a desire to continue these partnerships and to engage the community in meaningful activities. This led to formation of the Minnetonka Community Commission, which was established by the Minnetonka City Council in February 2007 with the primary responsibility of fostering partnerships that encourage community engagement.
The commission will:
- Develop an outreach program to communicate and explore areas of mutual interest with appropriate constituency groups, such as community organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses;
- Communicate with the city’s varied ethnic communities and explore ways to be responsive to their needs;
- Review and make recommendations about how the city communicates with, and provides programming to, the rental housing population;
- Explore ways that businesses in the city can become more involved with the city;
- Participate in city recognition programs, if appropriate;
- Evaluate city-sponsored community events and recommend how these might be improved and better reach the city’s various constituencies;
- Develop an outreach program to better inform the city’s school districts about the city’s activities and to look for areas of mutual interest;
- Seek ways to connect volunteer opportunities in the city with residents and other constituent groups; and
- Identify ways to raise resident awareness of city-sponsored cultural activities.
The commission will consist of 12 members, who will to the extent possible include representatives of local school districts, the business community, youth (under 18), community and faith organizations, the rental community and ethnic/immigrant populations. The commission will meet at least monthly. Each member will serve a two-year term.
Members are appointed by the mayor, and approved by the city council. Potential members will be asked to complete a boards and commissions application and submit it to the city. Applicants will then be interviewed in person by Mayor Jan Callison and David Hakensen. For more information, contact staff liaison Jacque Larson at jlarson@eminnetonka.com or 952.939.8207.
