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<br /> <br />Mayor Johnson thanked Mr. Vazquez for his time and commented further on the process that would be <br />followed for the City Councilmember appointment. <br /> <br />Mr. Vazquez stated if he were appointed he wanted the Council to understand that he would not be coming in <br />to try and fill Mary Burg’s shoes, but rather would be working to fill his own shoes. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson thanked Mr. Vazquez for making this statement. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson welcomed Bob Benke to the Zoom meeting. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked what motivated Mr. Benke to apply to become a City Councilmember. <br /> <br />Mr. Benke stated he appreciated Mary Burg’s work all these years. He understood there was a vacancy and <br />that this was during a very critical time for the City due to the pandemic. He indicated the Council would be <br />faced with making difficult decisions. He explained he had experience with this before as he has worked with <br />and for the City for the past 50 years. He reported he understood City financing and stated he had sent a <br />financial model to City staff on how the City could plan to recover from this pandemic. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated one of the most important actions the City Council does was approve the <br />annual budget. She asked what Mr. Benke’s philosophy would be when it comes to developing and approving <br />the annual budget. <br /> <br />Mr. Benke explained the Council would have to be setting priorities. He indicated some governmental <br />agencies were putting staff on furlough and other tough choices were being made. He stated the City had been <br />financially sound due to the strength of the economy, however this was changing. He commented dealing with <br />the economic impacts will be critical along with making priority choices for the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated besides COVID-19, what issues does the City need to address in the near <br />term. <br /> <br />Mr. Benke stated overall things were in good shape. He understood economic development and <br />redevelopment efforts continued for the City. He indicated the City had a great park system and water supply <br />and both of these had to be protected. He explained the environment was another issue that was broader than <br />New Brighton but was a role the City Council could play. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth asked what issues the City has long-term. <br /> <br />Mr. Benke encouraged the Council to build on what it has in order to bring about recovery. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated the City Council currently enjoys a strong working relationship with each <br />other. She indicated it would be important to appoint someone who can work in such a manner. She asked <br />how Mr. Benke would develop and maintain strong and productive working relationships with the Mayor and <br />City Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Mr. Benke indicated he was familiar with the five City Councilmembers. He reported he had a positive track <br />record for 22 years when he served with the City. He stated he has worked with other committees and <br />organizations that had troubles. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated City Councilmembers have to work through conflict from time to time. She <br />asked how Mr. Benke would approach conflict with a fellow Councilmember.