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Commission. <br /> <br />City Manager Lotter discussed the electronic packet delivery system that was used by the City for commission <br />meetings. He explained commissioners are encouraged to review the packet information prior to each meeting. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson commented further on the importance of the Public Safety Commission and the contributions <br />they were making to the community. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson welcomed Bret Fynewever and asked Bret to tell the Council a little bit about himself and his <br />experiences in the community. <br /> <br />Bret Fynewever stated he has 25 year’s experience in the business and technology industry. He indicated he <br />worked as a consultant and team leader working to assist businesses to build technology solutions. He <br />explained he worked with people collaboratively to find these solutions. He noted he currently worked for US <br />Bank as a software development manager to fight financial crime. He discussed how he was leading a new <br />team to improve processes and quality of services. He reported noted he has a computer science degree and an <br />MBA. He stated his community involvement over the years has been through his church. He noted he was the <br />leader of a boys’ club at his church and has also been an adult leader/teacher and deacon at his church. He <br />stated his wife had inspired him to consider serving the City. He commented he has lived in New Brighton for <br />six years now and was well established in the schools. He indicated he would be making New Brighton his <br />home for many years going forward and he would like to make an impact on the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked why he had decided to apply to serve on a City Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Fynewever explained he has had a long-time interest in urban planning and economic development. He <br />stated this was an area that interested him. He viewed this position as a way of getting off the sidelines and <br />becoming more involved. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked why he would be a good person to represent the community and advise the City <br />Council. <br /> <br />Mr. Fynewever reported he had experience in the business and technology world may assist the City. He <br />stated his nature was very collaborative and solution oriented. He indicated he likes to bring consensus to <br />issues. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked what the most important responsibilities a commission member had to the community. <br /> <br />Mr. Fynewever stated this would be to act in an advisory capacity to the Council. He commented assisting <br />with decision making would be important and understood he had to learn how all of this functioned. He <br />indicated he was a dad of three boys and owned a home in New Brighton. He believed he had a stake in the <br />community, believed this was a great community for him to raise his family and he wanted to see New <br />Brighton thrive. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen 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 /> <br />Mr. Fynewever commented he would want to know general guidance on how this should be handled. He <br />stated he was typically very cautious around communication. He would want to understand the expectations <br />from the Council for how this should be handled while at the same time understanding residents should be able <br />to have a voice. He explained he would encourage the individual to express their opinion at a public meeting.