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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />April 27, 2020 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Absent: Councilmember Mary Burg <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: Ben Jones, Ruben Vazquez, Bob Benke, Tim McQuillan <br /> <br /> <br />Interviews with Applicants for City Council Vacancy <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson explained the purpose of this meeting was to interview candidates for the open City Council <br />seat. She noted the first interview would be of Ben Jones and she welcomed him to the meeting. <br /> <br />Ben Jones thanked the Mayor. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson reported Councilmember Jacobsen would be reading the seven questions for the interview of <br />Mr. Jones. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked what motivated Mr. Jones to apply to become a City Councilmember. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones stated he was passionate about public service and has worked his entire career in the public/non- <br />profit sector. He explained he waited tables for a little bit after college. He was interested in public policy and <br />studied this as an undergrad and in law school. He stated he loves New Brighton and he has been following <br />the City government. He indicated he would love to give back to the community and would be excited to be a <br />part of the process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated one of the most important actions the City Council does was approve the <br />annual budget. He asked what Mr. Jones philosophy would be when it comes to developing and approving the <br />annual budget. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones commented the budget was a long term process, an annual matter. He stated the budget has <br />ramifications going forward and he believed a holistic approach had to be taken. He indicated an annual <br />budget should not be a one-off thing, but rather was an ongoing process. He explained the budget should <br />inform everything the Council does. He stated cost benefit analysis would have to occur and he could not <br />come in with a preconceived notion of what the right amount of taxes or spending would be. He reported the <br />benefits to the community would have to be considered, along with the costs. He stated this would be the <br />process and philosophy he would take. He indicated he does not deal with budgets in his professional career, <br />but stated he has served on the St. John’s parish finance commission. He explained this has given him a little