Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Community Conversation and Listening Session <br />July 7, 2020 <br />6:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Councilmember Nasreen Fynewever <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Tony Paetznick, Jennifer Fink, Craig Schlichting <br /> <br />Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. <br /> <br />Community Conversation and Listening Session: <br /> <br />City Manager Massopust introduced himself to the public and noted all City directors were on this call along <br />with all City Councilmembers. He thanked the public for attending this meeting and stated he looked forward <br />to hearing from those present. He reported the goal for this meeting was to hear and listen to the members of <br />the community about the guiding question, which was “How can New Brighton be made a more safe, <br />welcoming and equitable for all?” He asked everyone to remain on mute until called on by the moderator. He <br />explained this meeting was being recorded because a quorum of the City Council was present which meant <br />meeting minutes had to be drafted. He indicated Ruben Vazquez would be serving as the moderator for this <br />community conversation. <br /> <br />Ruben Vazquez introduced himself to the community and noted he has been a resident of New Brighton for the <br />past 13 years. He stated he has a personal interest in living in a community that was safe, welcoming and <br />equitable. He noted he works for YWCA Minneapolis and was the Vice President of Racial Justice and Public <br />Policy. He explained his job was to engage the community to have conversations that were difficult and <br />uncomfortable. He stated his goal would be to have a conversation tonight in order to inform future policy <br />decisions. He encouraged residents to keep all of the comments made this evening confidential and treated with <br />respect. He recommended that all statements be made as “I” statements and that people do not speak for others <br />or other groups. He requested all comments be made honestly and that people listen with curiosity. Lastly, he <br />asked for the public to be patient with the technology that was in place to allow for this virtual meeting. <br /> <br />City Manager Massopust explained all questions raised through the listening session would be responded to on <br />the City’s Listening portion of the website. <br /> <br />Discussion included: <br /> Mary Kunesh Podein stated she would like to see first responders having a relationship with the <br />community in order to allow for comfortable conversations to be h eld. This would allow for voices to <br />be heard in difficult times. In addition, this would assist in building trust in the community. First <br />responders could spend more time on foot walking through the community and making contact with the <br />public in local parks. Special events at local parks would assist with building personal relationships.