2020.03.10 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Allen asked Ms. Allen what motivated her to apply to serve on a City Commission. Ms. Allen reported she was interested in becoming more involved in the community and being a new mom she wanted her daughter to see what it meant to be involved in local government. Councilmember Dunsworth asked Ms. Allen what view she has as the role of the Commissioner in the Council/Commissioner relationship. Ms. Allen explained as a Commissioner the group was to guide or help the City Council in decision making that were best for the community. Mayor Johnson stated each Commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council that comply with policies, rules or ordinances already adopted by the City Council. She asked Ms. Allen what she would do if she disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. Ms. Allen stated she would find out why the Ordinance was in place to learn more about it. She would ask questions and would not try and change it. Mayor Johnson asked what Ms. Allen would do if she disagreed with a policy or Ordinance that was going to go into place. Ms. Allen indicated she would have to work with the group and not everyone may have the same conclusions. She stated sometimes people had to agree to disagree and the majority would rule. Councilmember Burg asked Ms. Allen based on how long she has lived in New Brighton and what she knew about the community, what she sees as the City’s biggest challenge. Ms. Allen explained the City was growing and there was new housing going up. She appreciated the parks in the community and the new MNPASS lane that was going in. She believed housing would always remain a challenge especially affordable housing. She thought traffic would be a challenge for the City with the construction on I-35W but commented the new lights were working out well. Councilmember Jacobsen asked Ms. Allen which Commission strikes her as the most interesting. Ms. Allen stated she was most interested in economic development and park and rec. Mayor Johnson discussed the process the Council would be following for the committee me mber appointments. She thanked Ms. Allen for her interest in serving and asked if she had any questions. Ms. Allen thanked the Council for their time. Mayor Johnson welcomed Eric Nelson. Councilmember Allen asked Mr. Nelson to tell the Council a little bit about himself and his experiences in the community. Mr. Nelson stated he has only lived in New Brighton for a year and one-quarter. He indicated he was living in South Minneapolis and wanted to get out of the city to a community that had more walkability and good schools. He reported he does not have an extensive background in this community but has worked in