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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />March 10, 2020 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Mary Burg <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: Gary Bank, Jack Winkels, Liza Allen, Eric Nelson, and Ezekiel Agnossou <br /> <br />Advisory Commission Applicant Interviews <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson welcomed Gary Banks. She asked Mr. Banks to tell the Council a little bit about himself and <br />his experiences in the community. <br /> <br />Gary Banks stated he was retired at the time. He explained he served in the Navy during Vietnam and retired <br />from the Coast Guard. Since that time he went to school to become a teacher and taught English in Kenya with <br />the Peace Corps for two years and served as a substitute teacher. He indicated he also taught driver’s ed. He <br />commented he has not had a lot of community involvement in New Brighton noting he moved to the City in <br />2004. He stated now he does volunteer work. He reported he volunteered at the Springbrook Nature Center <br />and was a master naturalist. He noted he also volunteered at the fix it clinics and every Saturday he volunteer <br />at Springbrook teaching wildlife classes. He indicated he also does volunteer drivers ed with the Jeremiah <br />Program. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked Mr. Banks what motivated him to apply to serve on a City Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Banks indicated he saw the posting in The Bulletin and explained he was a Parks and Recreation guy. He <br />stated he had a bachelors degree in Park and Recreation Administration. He commented he was interested in <br />the outdoors and this motivated him to apply. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked Mr. Banks what view he has as the role of the Commissioner in the Council/ <br />Commissioner relationship. <br /> <br />Mr. Banks stated he was uncertain. He presumed it was to work together to keep New Brighton on the right <br />track, to serve the public, and gain people’s input. He believed the role of the Parks and Recreation was to <br />provide recreational activities that people of all ages can enjoy and to meet what they want to do. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen stated each Commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council <br />that comply with policies, rules or ordinances already adopted by the City Council. He asked Mr. Banks what <br />he would do if he disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. <br />