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