Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board opens applications for At-Large Commissioner vacancy

Applications are due at Noon at Thursday, Nov. 9; Special Meeting of Board of Commissioners held Monday, Nov. 13 to fill vacancy

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) commissioners are accepting applications for a vacant commissioner position following At-Large Commissioner and Vice President Alicia Crudup’s resignation effective Oct. 30, 2023. Crudup recently married and moved outside of Minneapolis, and as a result she is no longer eligible to serve as an MPRB commissioner.

“Alicia was a forthright, honest and direct spokesperson for the underserved and underprivileged residents of the city of Minneapolis and brought a valuable and important perspective to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board,” said MPRB President Meg Forney. “I can’t thank her enough for her service and dedication to the people of Minneapolis and our park system.”

The MPRB is accepting applications to fill the vacant At-Large Commissioner position that serves the entire City of Minneapolis. The individual selected for the open seat will serve the remainder of the term, starting Nov. 15, 2023, and ending Jan. 2, 2026.

Any eligible resident of Minneapolis is invited to apply for the vacant At-Large Commissioner position by completing and submitting an online or print application by Noon, Thursday, Nov. 9.

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 Nov. 1 MPRB meeting and determined the following, via Resolution 2023-210:

Application Process

• Any eligible resident of Minneapolis can apply for the position by completing an application by Noon, Nov. 9, 2023.
• Anyone who applies for the vacancy is encouraged to attend a public meet-and-greet with other applicants and commissioners from 5-6 pm, Monday, Nov. 13, at Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55411. The meet-and-greet is open to the public.
• Immediately following the meet-and-greet, a Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners will convene at 6 pm in the Board Room at MPRB Headquarters to fill the vacancy. The Special Meeting is open to the public.

Selection Process

• During the Special Meeting to fill the vacancy, a balloting process will narrow the field of applicants being considered. Each commissioner will have two votes in the initial round. Any applicant receiving votes will move forward, and any applicant not receiving votes will be removed from consideration.
• A second round of balloting will take place on the remaining applicants. This time each commissioner will have one vote. Any applicant receiving votes will move forward, and any applicant not receiving votes will be removed from consideration.
• Following the second ballot, commissioners will discuss and may nominate an applicant from the remaining candidates. Nominations must be seconded to be voted on.
• After nominations conclude, a roll call vote will be held, in which commissioners vote their top choice by voting with that person’s name.
• If a nominee does not reach the six-vote threshold, that nominee will remain eligible in subsequent rounds of nominations.
• Once a nominee reaches the six-vote threshold, they will be appointed to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as an At-Large Commissioner. They will be sworn in at the Nov. 15 MPRB meeting.