PROVIDENCE — City Council President Peter S. Mancini on Monday named eight members of a newly formed council commission to come up with a way for the city to collect financial compensation from major tax-exempt institutions.

He tapped Michael S. Van Leesten, president of the community development firm the Van Leesten Group, as chairman of the commission, which also includes representatives from the business community, tax-exempt institutions, community organizations, labor unions, the council and the mayor’s office.

Last year, Van Leesten headed the council’s three-person board to review the city’s response to the Dec. 13, 2007, snowstorm that caused widespread gridlock during rush hour in the Providence area.

Van Leesten has worn a variety of hats over the years, including head of the city Planning and Development Department, chairman of the Providence Black Repertory Company, Chairman of the R.I. Home Mortgage & Finance Corporation (now Rhode Island Housing), and director of public affairs for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Mancini’s other appointments include:

•Camille F. Vella-Wilkerson, a human resources and personnel training consultant

•Francis Smith, executive director of the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation

•Steven Smith, president of the Providence Teachers Union and a former state representative

•Daniel Egan, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

•John Sutherland, chief financial officer of the CARE New England Health System, which includes city medical facilities Butler Hospital and Women & Infants

•City Councilman Luis A. Aponte, a Democrat representing Washington Park

•State Rep. John M. Carnevale, a Democrat who represents District 13 (Providence and Johnston).

Mayor David N. Cicilline also has an unnamed appointee.

The goal of the Commission to Study Tax Exempt Institutions is to mitigate the institutions’ impact on the city’s tax base by coming up with a program similar to a payment in lieu of taxes that has support from community groups and nonprofit institutions.

“Tax-exempt institutions in Providence are an integral part of the culture, creativity, economy and research-and-development activities that make our city great,” Mancini said. “Yet the financial benefit from these activities goes directly to the state, while the continued expansion of tax-exempts in Providence constricts the city’s tax base and limits our ability to raise revenue.”

pmarcelo@projo.com

Correction: A headline on an earlier version of this report incorrectly attributed the branch of city government appointing the panel.