2020.04.28 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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She reported the City would play an important role with other governmental organizations in the coming months. Councilmember Jacobsen asked what issues the City has long-term. Ms. Axberg commented economic impacts would be both short term and long term. She thought how the community addresses diversity and diverse citizens was another issue the City could address. She stated as the City thinks of socio economic and racial issues, she encouraged the City to bring together cross sections of people to enhance the community. Councilmember Jacobsen stated the City Council currently enjoys a strong working relationship with each other. He indicated it would be important to appoint someone who can work in such a manner. He asked how Ms. Axberg would develop and maintain strong and productive working relationships with the Mayor and City Councilmembers. Ms. Axberg stated she would lean on a piece of advice that she received that relationships matter. She explained research has shown that if people have relationships in place it was more easy to assume positive intent. She indicated she received advice early in her career that richer conversations are held when relationships are in place. She commented further on the value of getting to know people personally and professionally in order to gain trust and hear opinions. She stated if the Council has this type of environment, members would be able to share their opinions and decisions would be made with support from the group going forward. She indicated relationships matter to her and opens and fosters collaboration. She valued giving people the space to be heard. She noted she spoke with Mary Burg about this role and she believed it was important that there was collaboration along the way and that people valued opinions. Councilmember Jacobsen stated City Councilmembers have to work through conflict from time to time. He asked how Ms. Axberg would approach conflict with a fellow Councilmember. Ms. Axberg stated everyone has conflict from time to time, even if it respectful conflict. She indicated conflict was not a bad thing, however one choses to respond to conflict can be good or bad. She explained she has dealt with a great number of conflicts throughout her career. She discussed the importance of getting to the root or driver of the conflict and what solutions can be heard. She understood that in the end not everybody would agree with the solution. Councilmember Jacobsen questioned what Ms. Axberg’s approach would be to work effectively with City staff. Ms. Axberg stated she understood she would have a lot to learn as a City Councilmember. She knew she would be taking an advisory role as a Councilmember and would want to be a mentor where she has expertise. She indicated she would let the City leaders do their job and she would work to be a resource and would advise. She explained she would also serve as a communicator for the decisions that have been made by the City Council. She commented on the importance of informing the public as to the why decisions are made. Councilmember Jacobsen asked where Ms. Axberg thought the City Council could improve the most and how would you assist in improving that area. Ms. Axberg commented there is nothing that jumps out to her where the Council was lacking. She indicated she would come into this group with curiosity and to learn. She stated she would bring a unique combination of for profit and non-profit experience and reported she cares deeply about issues surrounding youth. She explained she would want to ask insightful questions that helps advance the thinking of the Council in order to