2021.03.23 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

past 15 years. She indicated this work allowed her to work with non -profits, small business and women of color to elevate their voices in the community. She stated this was the reason she decided to do something like this because it was not something she had ever done before. She commented she was very excited to have her voice heard and to have her neighbors voice heard. Councilmember Allen asked what motivated Ms. Bakken to serve on a City Commission. Ms. Bakken stated she has been raised to be very active in government and to participate in government. She indicated her husband challenged her to do something about this, to show up and to do something about it. She hoped to dip her toe in City government a little bit and to participate more than just having conversations at home. Councilmember Axberg stated each Commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council that comply with policies, rules or ordinances already adopted by the City Council. She asked Ms. Bakken what she would do if she disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. Ms. Bakken explained she currently works at Target doing marketing. She discussed how she worked cross - functionally across teams and noted this sometime led to conflict. She indicated dialogue was important, especially when this dialogue was open and honest. She believed there was an opportunity within government to bring voices together if something needs to change. She was hopeful that these conversations could be done in a respectful manner in order to bring about positive change. Councilmember Dunsworth requested Ms. Bakken to speak to the City's biggest opportunity and biggest challenge in addressing inclusion in New Brighton. Ms. Bakken stated there was a big opportunity there. She commented bringing conversations outside the home to the public was one way and another was for people to see themselves in government. She indicated this was a big deal. She noted she was Mexican and had all kinds of backgrounds in her and it was important to her to show her girls that anything was possible, even if this meant opening yourself up to something that was new and scary. She commented further on the gap of opportunities and it was her hope one of the best pieces of government would be to solve these problems and solving for inclusion. Councilmember Dunsworth asked which Commission Ms. Bakken was interested in serving on. Ms. Bakken explained she had a heart for parks and recreation as a young mom. She noted she was an avid park goer and she believed one of the best parts of this community was its parks. She discussed how parks have been a source of community to her. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Ms. Bakken for coming in and applying for this position. She noted City Clerk Spangrud would be in touch with further information on how the Council was moving forward. She explained the next person to be interviewed was Leah Kuipers. Councilmember Abdulle asked Ms. Kuipers to provide the Council with a brief history on her background and community involvement. Leah Kuipers stated her husband has served on a Commission. She indicated this was her first time applying to serve on a Commission. She commented she has a passion towards medicine along with the safety and security of her neighborhood. She reported she works as a family medicine provider in the north metro and has a large patient population from newborns through 102. She stated a large part of what she gets to do professionally is helping people to access resources that are available to all individuals. She commented she was excited to see