2021.03.23 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

community involvement. Matt Johnson stated he was the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director in Roseville and has had this position for the past eight years. He indicated there were opportunities for him to partner with New Brighton. He explained he has worked in some form of recreation for the past 20 years. He noted he has a Masters Degree in Parks and Recreation Administration. He stated he had two daughters, ages six and four. He commented his daughters love to be active in the community. He reported he has lived in the community for the past 11 years. He indicated he values being able to participate in the City and bring his skill set to the community. Councilmember Allen asked what topics Mr. Johnson was interested in addressing in the next couple of years. Mr. Johnson stated he was passionate about equity and explained a community that yields diverse interests is a better community for him to raise his children in. He believed a rising tide raises all boats. He commented the equity and environmental pieces were very important to him and he understood the PREC Commission was interested in pursuing these points in the coming months and years. He discussed the value of having a first class parks system in drawing people to the community. He stated the tools were in place in New Brighton to really hit this out of the park. 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 Mr. Johnson what he would do if he disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. Mr. Johnson indicated this was a challenge. He stated he works in city government and he was an empathetic person. He commented he would reach out to a staff member, perhaps Director Fink, and express his concern. He understood the importance of serving at the Council's pleasure and explained his comments would be respectful of moving the City in the right direction. He stated he has seen cities where there is fighting and less productive methods of communication. He indicated he was proud of how well the City Council works together and appreciates how well disagreements are managed and viewed as an opportunity for growth. He stated he has always worked well with City staff. Councilmember Dunsworth requested Mr. Johnson to speak to the City's biggest opportunity and biggest challenge in addressing inclusion in New Brighton. Mr. Johnson explained the challenge was hearing the voices and seeking them out in creative manners. He stated it was not sufficient to send a letter out inviting people from the public to provide feedback at a meeting. He indicated if the City was serious about the work of reaching all populations, staff will have to get creative in order to meet people where they are at and he understood this took time, energy and effort. He believed parks and recreation programming was a way to create equity and community. He encouraged the city to create and provide programs that reach all populations. He stated this would create a stronger community overall. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Mr. Johnson 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 John Dubose. Councilmember Abdulle asked Mr. Dubose to provide the Council with a brief history on his background and community involvement. John DuBose stated he entered the military in 1997, volunteered at the schools and used his GI Bill to become a teacher. He noted he served in Panama, Iceland, Belgium working in CSI (Community Support Initiative) working to increase access to facilities. He explained his wife is a teacher in Belgium. He reported he has