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worked in Shakopee 14 to 16 hours a day. He explained he was now retired and worked now with the Can Do <br />K -9's. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked why he had decided to apply to serve on a City Commission. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated he wanted to be part of the City and could share his wealth of knowledge and experience <br />as a Commissioner. He indicated he was not interested in running for office. <br />Councilmember Allen asked why he would be a good person to represent the community and advise the City <br />Council. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated he has been in New Brighton for 30 years and could represent the senior part of the <br />community. He explained he and his wife like the area and want to remain in the community. He indicated <br />this was a concern to him as he was looking for affordable senior housing in New Brighton. <br />Mayor Johnson asked what the three most important responsibilities a commission member had to the <br />community. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated the community and who he was representing was important whether this was the school <br />district or seniors. He stated next would be loyalty to the community and last would be consistency. <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked how he would respond if a member of the community were to contact him <br />expressing opposition to an item being addressed by your commission. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated he would listen to them. He commented he may not have all the answers, but would <br />allow someone to express their opinions and encourage them to bring the concern to the Commission. <br />J <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked if these actions would change if it was a lifelong friend. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated he would still bring the concern to the Commission, even if he disagreed. He explained <br />the Commissions acted as a sounding board for the community and there was an obligation to hear the <br />concerns of the public. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen reported each commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City <br />Council. He asked how Mr. McQuillan would respond if he disagreed with a policy or Ordinance already in <br />place. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated several years ago one of his service dogs was attacked by a pitbull. He explained this <br />created great fear in the dog. He described how he worked with the Public Safety Department to get the City's <br />problem dog Ordinance changed. He commented he would follow the City's Ordinances even if he disagreed <br />with them. He indicated Commission members were expected to make recommendations to the City Council. <br />Councilmember Allen asked what the City's biggest challenges were. <br />Mr. McQuillan stated the older part of New Brighton needed regeneration. He anticipated that the City would <br />have to address this along with affordable housing as baby boomers move out and retire. <br />Mayor Johnson asked if he was interested in land uses and variances; diversity and accessibility; economic <br />programs, retention and development; the impact of recreation on the community; or the impacts of public <br />safety. <br />