Minnetonka invites residents to classes on how the city operates, and people actually show up. And often they emerge with a favorable opinion of the city, surprised by how much they learned.

Twenty to 30 Minnetonka residents a year attend a series of free winter tutorials on such topics as the city budget, how the water system works, when the SWAT team responds and how the city operates the fitness center.

"I learned how our storm water flows to Minnehaha Creek and then on to the river,'' said Madalyn Loe, a longtime Minnetonka resident who joined the sessions last winter.

The classes, known as a Citizens Academy, are a public relations tool many cities use to strengthen ties to the community.

It's an idea that is spreading among local governments.

Hopkins offers similar classes. Eden Prairie and Plymouth have police academies. Maple Grove, Minnetrista and Mound start with a look at City Hall, then focus on the police department.

Minnetonka began its classes in 1998 to educate residents about city government.

"We want people to know that we are just people working here at the city and working to serve their needs,'' said Jacque Larson, Minnetonka community relations manager. Department heads or appointed staff lead the classes, and they enjoy meeting residents in a setting in which the residents are not upset or lodging a complaint, she said.

Hopkins began its Citizens Academy in 2000. "Cities are always looking for ways to let their residents know what is going on,'' said Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie. "It has gotten us members of boards and commissions as well as council members.''

Participants in Minnetonka's session last winter said they were surprised by how much they learned.

"I was amazed at the number of recreational facilities and the equipment they have,'' said Ward Jones, who has lived in the city for 17 years.

Raymond Vaughn, who moved to Minnetonka three years ago, said "I didn't realize how high-tech the city is.''

Said Loe: "It was terribly interesting. I didn't know they had a SWAT [Special Weapons and Tactics] team in Minnetonka.''

The name -- Citizen Academy -- makes the class sound dry, Loe said, but "it was filled. Everybody had a good time. They should have a snazzier name for it.''

Class members saw fire gear, toured the city's ice rinks and workout center and were shown how police make DWI arrests.

"It is always interesting to see the behind-the-scene type of things,'' Loe said. "The next time, I think there are going to be some of my friends in there. I think people are tired of hearing me talk about it.''

Jones signed up for the class to see how the city is spending his tax dollars and was satisfied that he is getting his money's worth.

He said he liked seeing the pride the managers take in their jobs.

"The people in the water department were so excited to show you how they took care of the water towers to make sure people have the water pressure.''

Vaughn, the newcomer to the city, took the class to find out how government works in Minnetonka. He said he just likes to learn.

"If I could just be a student forever, I probably would. There is so much to learn, so much to do.''

Susan Brandt enrolled in the class to stay busy in the winter with an activity she could do with her husband.

"I saw this and I thought it would be good for my husband and I to learn more about the city since we have lived here for 30 years.''

She has encouraged everyone on her block to take the class.

Asked what she learned, Brandt said: "You don't have to be afraid of the city officials. They are just ordinary people. I had never met a lot of the officials, but when they get up there and talk, they are just ordinary people like we are.''

People leave the classes with a positive image of the city, said Hopkins' Genellie.

"After every session we do an evaluation. To me it's remarkable how much they really enjoy these sessions and how much they think they get out of them.''

Minnetonka's next set of classes will start Jan. 29. Hopkins classes will start Feb. 28. Both cities have signup information on their websites.

Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711