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<br /> <br />taste of what it would be like on the City Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated besides COVID-19, what issues does the City need to address in the near <br />term. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones indicated this was a good questions. He commented there was a lot going on in the City. He <br />believed New Brighton was at a transition point. He noted the community was largely developed in the 1960’s <br />and 1970’s. He stated a lot has changed since then and the City’s infrastructure was showing its age. In <br />addition, there was turnover with its residents. He explained as the City adapts to that change, this issue has a <br />lot of facets. He wanted to see the City ensuring the right infrastructure was in place and the right systems in <br />place to deliver or upkeep the infrastructure. He stated the City has some naturally occurring affordable <br />housing and it would be important for the City to keep these units updated without losing the affordability. He <br />commented it would be important to maintain the diversity of the housing stock while maintaining the <br />suburban small town community that has become New Brighton. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked what issues the City has long-term. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones stated long-term the City should look to expand the business and commercial areas of the <br />community. He explained this would expand the tax base. He indicated the community was always looking <br />for more restaurants and better shopping choices. He understood this was difficult to deliver because the City <br />was fully built out, but over the long-term the City could make choices to channel its growth to improve on <br />some of those things. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated the City Council currently enjoys a strong working relationship with each <br />other. He indicated it would be important to appoint someone who can work in such a manner. He asked how <br />Mr. Jones would develop and maintain strong and productive working relationships with the Mayor and City <br />Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones explained this was a crucial question. He stated first off he would have to be nice and treat others <br />the way he would want to be treated. He believed this was the way it was in any working environment. He <br />indicated he was a nice person and he gets along well with others. He commented he would have to take the <br />work of the Council as a collaborative thing and through discussion better decisions would be made. He stated <br />empirically, diverse groups make better decisions. He indicated he was not perfect and he never has been. He <br />explained he has worked for the Council before and it was not a perfect relationship. He explained has worked <br />to be friendly and outgoing both in his professional life and in the community. He assumes the best in <br />everyone’s motives and their contributions to the process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated City Councilmembers have to work through conflict from time to time. He <br />asked how Mr. Jones would approach conflict with a fellow Councilmember. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones commented first he would take a step back. He stated he would evaluate the conflict or <br />disagreement. He would assume the best in everyone. He explained he would want to communicate well <br />through an exchange of views, whether or in person or in writing. He understood disagreements happen. He <br />discussed how he managed a disagreement at work with his supervisor in a positive manner. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen questioned what Mr. Jones’ approach would be to work effectively with City staff. <br /> <br />Mr. Jones explained listening would be valuable. He stated from his observations of the City Council both <br />listening to staff and asking staff questions was key. He believed that any encounter with staff was a learning <br />opportunity. He commented he or the City Council should not be directing staff. He commented this would