2017.03.14 Combined - Laserfiche WebLink

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economic programs, business retention and redevelopment, impacts of recreation in the community, or the impacts of public safety services. Ms. Valdez stated she was mostly drawn to public safety but stated she could serve in another area if the Council believed she would be a good fit. Mayor Johnson asked if Ms. Valdez would be interested in serving in a community engagement committee. Ms. Valdez indicated she would be very interested in serving in this capacity. Mayor Johnson asked if Ms. Valdez had any questions for the Council. Ms. Valdez questioned how long she would sit on the Commission. Mayor Johnson stated the position would be a three-year term and noted the group met approximately 10 times per year. Ms. Valdez asked what would be expected of her. Mayor Johnson indicated Ms. Valdez would be expected to be in touch with the community and its wants, to be a participant at meetings and to be prepared. Ms. Valdez questioned what topics the Public Safety Commission addressed. Councilmember Strub discussed several issues that have been addressed recently by the Public Safety Commission such as body-worn cameras. Mayor Johnson encouraged Ms. Valdez to contact the City with any further questions he may have. She thanked Ms. Valdez for coming forward and being willing to serve the City. Mayor Johnson and the rest of the Councilmembers welcomed Tanya Kessler. Councilmember Bauman asked Ms. Kessler to provide the Council with a brief summary of her background and any involvement she has had in the community. Tanya Kessler explained she was born in New Brighton and moved away for college where she lived in Duluth and Minneapolis. She stated she purchased her parent’s home in New Brighton when she was 30. She reported she was the school bus scheduler for Minneapolis Public Schools. She stated she worked with traffic and safety issues on a daily basis, noting she worked along with the SRO’s. This led her to want to get involved in preemptive efforts to get police involved with children, while also addressing overall safety issues in the community. She noted she also served as the treasurer and concessions manager for her daughters ’ sports teams at Irondale High School. She commented she was inspired by Councilmember Strub’s work in the community. Councilmember Strub asked why Ms. Kessler felt she would be a good person to represent the community and advise the Council. Ms. Kessler stated she knows the community. She knows a lot of people in the community and has public safety experience.