Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) commissioners are accepting applications for a vacant commissioner position following District 2 Commissioner Becka Thompson’s resignation effective 11:59 pm on Oct. 3, 2025.
“Commissioner Thompson was an intelligent, creative and passionate Park Board Commissioner who cares deeply about Minneapolis and its world-class park system,” said MPRB President Cathy Abene. “I appreciate the time we served on the Board together and thank her for her service to the city.”
Applications to fill the vacant District 2 Commissioner position that serves North Minneapolis are due at 12 pm on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Applicants must live in District 2.
Dates and Deadlines
Any eligible resident of District 2 is invited to apply for the Commissioner position by completing and submitting an online or print application by 12 pm, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
Commissioners will select an applicant to fill the vacancy at the Nov. 5, 2025 MPRB Meeting. Read the Selection Process section below for details on how that will work.
The individual selected for the open position will be sworn in no later than Nov. 19, 2025 and serve the remainder of the four-year term, ending Jan. 2, 2026.
All upcoming MPRB Meetings are scheduled in the second-floor Board Room at Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis MN 55411.
How to Apply
Online Application
Click the link above and fill out the online application. Use this link to share the online application: www.minneapolisparks.org/commissioner-application
Mail or Drop Off Paper Application
Paper applications may be picked up and/or dropped off in person at MPRB Headquarters during regular building hours, which are Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm, except Monday, Oct. 13, the building is closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Paper applications can be delivered by postal mail or in person to: Commissioner Application, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 2117 West River Road N, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Use the link below to print an application.
District 2 MPRB Commissioner Printable Application
Email Application
Eligible residents can also print the paper form, scan it, and email to commissionerapp@minneapolisparks.org.
Selection Process
In cases where vacancies exist, the Minneapolis City Charter Section 6.3c states that the “Board, with at least six affirmative votes, may fill any vacancy in its membership.” MPRB commissioners discussed the appointment process at the Oct. 9, 2025 MPRB meeting and determined the following, via Resolution 2025-218:
A balloting process will take place at the regular meeting of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on November 5, 2025.
During the first round of balloting, each commissioner has two votes. The Board Secretary will compile vote results and applicants receiving votes will move forward in the selection process.
During the second round of balloting, each commissioner has one vote. The Board Secretary will compile vote results and applicants will be removed from consideration if they receive no votes.
Following the second ballot, commissioners will discuss and may nominate an applicant from the remaining candidates. Nominations must be seconded to be voted on. The Board Secretary will conduct a roll call vote where commissioners vote their top choice by voting with that applicant’s name. If a nominee does not reach the six-vote threshold, that nominee is still eligible in subsequent rounds of nominations. If additional rounds are needed, commissioners will discuss how to proceed.
Once a nominee reaches the six-vote threshold, they will be appointed to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as the District 2 Commissioner. They will be sworn no later than Nov. 19, 2025. All current commissioner terms expire on January 2, 2026.