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<br /> <br />Mr. Melquist commented he could be a tactical resource and would be a good resource on the transportation <br />side of Planning Commission decisions. He stated he understood thee Comprehensive Planning process. He <br />explained he was interested in growing the City’s bicycle networks. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked why he would be a good person to represent the community and advise the City Council. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist indicated he has done public input meetings for his job and was familiar with City and County <br />meetings. He stated he was interested in helping New Brighton out based on the experience he had. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked what brought Mr. Melquist to New Brighton. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist commented he liked the area as it was between his job and his wife’s job. He noted he was <br />married in Silverwood Park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked what the most important responsibilities a commission member had to the <br />community. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist stated he believed it would be important to have the City’s interests in mind, with respect to the <br />Comprehensive Plan. Also, he believed it would be important to show up, be at meetings on time and for him <br />to do his homework prior to the meetings. <br /> <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 and questioned if this would change if it <br />was a life-long friend. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist indicated he would hear the person out and state he would get back to them. He would try and <br />follow up with staff in order to provide the person with an answer on why things were the way they were. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson reported each commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council. She <br />asked how Mr. Melquist would respond if he disagreed with a policy or Ordinance already in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist stated he would bring this up to the Commission and see what everyone’s feelings were and go <br />from there. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked what the City’s biggest challenges were. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist commented he believed the City’s biggest challenges were how the roadways split the <br />community. He stated economically, he was pleased the Silver Lake Mall area was thriving. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked if he was interested in land uses and variances; economic programs, <br />retention and development; the impact of recreation on the community; or the impacts of public safety. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist indicated he was most interested in land uses. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson discussed the process the Council would be following for the committee member <br />appointments. She thanked Mr. Melquist for his interest in serving and asked if he had any questions. <br /> <br />Mr. Melquist asked if the City’s Comprehensive Plan has been finalized by the Met Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson stated the Comp Plan has not been approved by Met Council but was under review at this time.