2017.03.07 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Johnson and the rest of the Councilmembers welcomed Stephanie Malone. Councilmember Strub asked Ms. Malone to provide the Council with a brief summary of her background and any involvement she has had in the community. Stephanie Malone stated her family moved to New Brighton after intentionally planning out where they wanted to raise their children. She explained she moved to the City a year and a half ago and built a home in the Enclave. She discussed the reputation of the community. She noted she grew up in International Falls but moved to the cities for college. She studied public health in college but her career, prior to having children, was in non-profit fundraising. She stated she has been seeking civic engagement opportunities noting this behavior was demonstrated by her parents. She indicated she was appointed to the Lino Lakes YMCA and was also serving on the Advisory Committee for the Early Childhood Education Board in the Mounds View School District. She explained she enjoyed getting to know her neighbors now that she was home with her children. Councilmember Strub commented that he met Ms. Malone at National Night Out and thanked her for her involvement in this event. Mayor Johnson asked why Ms. Malone applied to serve on a City commission. Ms. Malone stated she had a passion for community well-being and community building. She explained she had an area of interest in poverty and racial inequities. She indicated she admired the City's public safety model and was impressed by the City's approach and forward -thinking. She stated because she was not working at this time, she was looking to get involved in something vocationally. She believed that with her work experience, she had a lot to contribute. Councilmember Bug asked why Ms. Malone felt she would be a good person to represent the community and advise the Council. Ms. Malone understood she was a newcomer to New Brighton. However, she was interested in learning perspective from her neighbors in order to present this to the City. She stated she was very invested in preschool and would continue to be involved in the Parent Advisory Committee. She also had experience professionally in knowing community resources. Councilmember Jacobsen asked what Ms. Malone believed were the three most important responsibilities a commission member has to the community. Ms. Malone understood the position had a great deal of responsibility. She recognized there were a limited number of positions available. She believed important discussions would be held by Commission members that would help or provide perspective to the City Council. She understood it would be important to show up at meetings and for her to do her homework. Secondly, she believed a Commission member should be fair. Lastly, she thought it would be important for a Commission member to bring forward fresh ideas or a new voice. Councilmember Strub asked how Ms. Malone 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. Malone stated she had a great deal of experience with this and understood everyone's perspective was valid. She explained she would seek to understand and respected the fact that someone voiced their opinion.