Dayton Reappoints Munt to Met Council

Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed Jennifer Munt to another term as the Metropolitan Council’s District 3 representative, Dayton’s office announced Friday.

Munt—whose district includes Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka and several Lake Minnetonka communities—started serving on the council in March 2011.

She grew up in Minneapolis but moved to Minnetonka’s Beachside community more than 15 years ago. Although she's a Minnetonka resident, she also prides herself on her connections to Hopkins. 

During her first visit to the Hopkins City Council, she said she considers Hopkins to be her community. She was drawn in by the close proximity of Mainstreet and the way that she can develop a relationship with a local shop.

“At Nelson’s Meat Market, they know what cuts of meat I like," she told council members during the June 2011 meeting. "If I go to the hardware store, they remember what color I painted my living room, and I love that about our community.”

Munt has served as the executive director of the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association and was the outreach coordinator for the Metropolitan Council. She's currently the public affairs director for AFSCME Council 5. 

In her time on the council, she’s been a tireless advocate for the Southwest Light Rail Transit project and has made numerous talks to bolster public support.

That should have come as no surprise since much of her career has been rooted in transportation. Before being elected to the Council, she worked as the communications director on the Hiawatha Light Rail project. She was president of Transit for Livable Communities, a nonprofit that advocates for a balanced transportation system, and now serves as its secretary.

“Residents of our region deserve more and better transportation choices that provide convenient and affordable access to jobs, education, recreation, goods and services,” she’s quoted on her Met Council bio. “Our greatest challenge will be providing affordable transportation and housing options to an aging and changing society. This will require strong regional coordination to develop a shared vision, investment strategy and cost-effective development practices.”