Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any person whose employment by, or assumption of a position as an appointed or elected officer of, the city of Minneapolis, any of the boards, departments, or commissions operated as a department of the city of Minneapolis or independently if financed in whole or in part by funds of the city of Minneapolis, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, or Special School District Number 1 if the person is not a member of the Teachers Retirement Association by virtue of that employment or position, initially commences on or after July 1, 1979, is a member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association unless excluded from membership under section 353.01, subdivision 2b.