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<br /> <br />community services since 2004 as a librarian. He explained this type of work allows him to see what types of <br />clubs and social organizations are available. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked Mr. Nelson what motivated him to apply to serve on a City Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson stated he was interested in land use and its implications on a community. He noted he has worked <br />as a heritage officer in the past where he worked to strike a balance between present and past needs. He <br />indicated he was drawn to strategic planning and “geeked out” over Comprehensive Plans. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked Mr. Nelson what view he has as the role of the Commissioner in the Council/ <br />Commissioner relationship. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson explained this was a question he had for the Council. He asked if the Coun cil saw Commissioners <br />serving as a citizens advisory board or in a more technocratic model, getting into the nitty gritty details to <br />provide specific voice. He stated he saw both methods as being valid, but understood the tenor was set by the <br />City Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson reported all of the above was correct. She discussed how the Commissions served the City <br />Council in an advisory capacity while also providing feedback and recommendations on certain topics. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen explained Commissioner Ghouse completes surveys in her neighborhood and brings <br />this feedback to the Public Safety Commission. He stated he views the City’s Commissions as an extension of <br />the City Council that was meant to represent the entire community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg 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. She asked Mr. Nelson <br />what he would do if he disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson commented the Commission is tasked with following current policy structure. He indicated it was <br />not within the Commission’s purview to push back against this policy, especially not in a public venue. He <br />could see working with the liaison if there was a specific point or concern. Otherwise, he did not believe it <br />would be appropriate. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked Mr. Nelson based on how long he has lived in New Brighton and what he <br />knew about the community, what he sees as the City’s biggest challenge. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson indicated the biggest challenge was the City was being absorbed as an inner ring suburb and there <br />was a danger New Brighton would lose its unique identity. He believed this unique identity was what made <br />community. He feared if civic pride was lost the community would lose an intangible way of bringing people <br />together. He stated even though the community was nearly built out, there was pressure from the Met Council <br />to increase density and this would impact how the community looks and feels. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked Mr. Nelson which Commission strikes him as the most interesting. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson stated he was most interested in land use and then economic development. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson discussed the process the Council would be following for the committee me mber <br />appointments. She thanked Mr. Nelson for his interest in serving and asked if he had any questions. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson stated he had no further questions and thanked the Council for their consideration.