When they first moved to town 12 years ago, Rebecca Schack and her husband were excited to live near Minnetonka’s growing network of parks, trails and open spaces.

“That’s what brought us to the community, but what has kept us here are the people we encounter whether we’re playing pickleball or participating in a class at one of our city facilities,” she said.

Schack will succeed Brad Wiersum as mayor at the beginning of the year. Growing up, she didn’t necessarily dream of being mayor, but she was one to raise her hand when committees were formed and decisions needed to be made.

“The decision to run for mayor was easy since Minnetonka is such a well-run, well-respected city,” Schack said. “My No. 1 priority is to keep Minnetonka on the great track it’s been on for decades.”

Schack joined the planning commission in 2017 and also worked on the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan Committee. The experience prepared her well for the city council’s current rewrite of Minnetonka’s zoning code.

“While it’s not super glamorous work, it’s the most important work that’s going on. We have an opportunity to make things more straightforward for our residents and potential developers and to simplify the complicated issues of zoning.” That will include reaching agreement on where housing density is and isn’t appropriate and how to handle sustainability and environmental issues.

Schack said she is excited to help guide Minnetonka’s stewardship of its network of trails, parks and open spaces. The completion of a trail segment along Minnetonka Boulevard will eventually make it possible to bike along a trail from one end of the city to the other.

“We’re starting to see those connections come together and it’s really exciting,” she said. “It’s been really cool to see what we’ve been able to do with a relatively modest amount of money.”

As she becomes mayor, Schack said she is grateful to previous leaders who have set the city up to be financially stable and a place where people really enjoy living. She is also looking forward to working with her fellow council members.

“We have such a high level of professionalism that we’re able to be really effective,” Schack said.

Schack will be sworn into office at the Monday, Jan. 12 city council meeting.