2017.02.14 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilmember Bauman asked why Ms. Wagner felt she would be a good person to represent the community and advise the Council. Ms. Wagner stated she had an extensive background in City issues and used to be a lobbyist. She understood the business perspective of a City. She did not want to be a part of the politics portion of the City but was looking to help. She explained she was involved with her neighbors and had a great network of friends in the area. She appreciated the New Brighton Exchange development and liked to know what was going on in the community. She believed she was a good person that would be able to convey messages to the community. Councilmember Strub asked what Ms. Wagner believed were the three most important responsibilities a commission member has to the community. Ms. Wagner thought listening and trying to get a sense of the community was important. She did not know how much contact people would have with her. She also believed it would be important to serve as the conduit to help the Council. Lastly, she believed public service and community involvement were important. Councilmember Jacobsen asked how Ms. Wagner would handle a situation where someone contacted her voicing opposition to an item being discussed at your commission. He questioned if this would change if this person was a family member or close friend. Ms. Wagner stated she would listen to the individual, ask for their feelings and logic in order to try and get to the heart of the matter. She commented that if she did not agree, she would be respectful in the difference of opinion, but would encourage the give and take. She believed it was important to respect others feelings. She did not believe her response would change if this was a long-time family member or close friend. Mayor Johnson asked how Ms. Wagner would respond if she disagreed with the City's policies or regulations. Ms. Wagner indicated she would not be hesitant about saying something should be reconsidered. She did not believe a knee jerk reaction was necessary. It was something she would want to investigate the matter in order to fully understand the situation. She would like to have thoughtful dialogue and conversation about the matter with the Council. Mayor Johnson asked how Ms. Wagner would represent herself in the public if there was something she disagreed with. Ms. Wagner believed she would be honest stating this was the rule or policy the City has in place and while she may not agree, this was the direction the City was moving forward. She stated she would present the facts and information surrounding the matter. Councilmember Bauman stated based on how long Ms. Wagner has lived in New Brighton, she questioned what the biggest challenges were for the City. Ms. Wagner indicated her daughter was in 8th grade in High View and she saw there was trouble for the new people coming into the community adapting and vice versa. She believed New Brighton was an aging community. She had concerns with the speed of traffic in her neighborhood, which was a livability issue. Councilmember Strub asked which of the following strikes her as the most interesting: land use and variance, economic programs, business retention and redevelopment, impacts of recreation in the community, or the impacts of public safety services.