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March 23, 2021 Page 2 of 10 <br />committees, along with the public safety and judiciary committees. She stated a big priority to her was <br />education. She commented she would be presenting a bill before the education finance committee on <br />compensatory funding this week, along with a veteran's restorative act bill. She encouraged residents to reach <br />out to her at any time with questions. <br />Senator Mary Kunesh-Podein thanked the Council for their time. She noted she was the senator for this <br />district that represented New Brighton, St. Anthony, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, Fridley, and Spring Lake <br />Park She reported she was a 20+ year New Brighton resident and previously served on PREC. She explained <br />she served on the education K-12 policy and finance committee. She indicated she also serves on the <br />redistricting committee and the forestry and mining committee. <br />Councilmember Allen asked if the governors executive order regarding evictions would remain in place in <br />2021 and questioned if the legislature was discussing this matter. Representative Feist explained the judiciary <br />committee has been discussing this matter, along with bills regarding tenant rights. She noted these debates <br />have been pretty contentious. <br />Representative Bemardy reported the House was focusing on housing and has a committee to end <br />homelessness. She explained this committee has received top priority from the caucus. She stated she was <br />very proud of the work being done to address this issue. <br />Senator Kunesh-Podein commented housing was a topic that everyone was talking about and if the <br />emergency powers were to go, Minnesota would be in a big hurt. She discussed how difficult it was to find <br />truly affordable housing. She feared that if evictions were allowed at this time, the rate of homelessness <br />would greatly increase. She understood the State and the County were working diligently to provide rental <br />assistance. She was hopeful there would be an agreement by the time of the legislative session to address the <br />housing needs. <br />Councilmember Abdulle thanked the elected officials for their time this evening. He appreciated hearing <br />about all of the different initiatives that these representatives were fighting for. He was pleased by the fact <br />there was a focus on homelessness and housing. He commented on the value of keeping people in their <br />housing or on a path to homeownership. <br />Representative Feist noted she had a conversation recently with a landlord who applied for assistance from <br />Ramsey County. She encouraged the City to keep in mind that rental assistance was available from the <br />County. <br />Councilmember Axberg thanked the representatives for their time. She asked how the City Council could be <br />working better with local representatives to serve the community. Representative Bernardy explained there is <br />really strong working relationship between the New Brighton City Council and local representatives. She <br />discussed the recent projects and bills that had been completed due to the collaborative efforts between the <br />City and local representatives. She noted her relationship with the County was also strong. <br />Senator Kunesh-Podein encouraged residents to also reach out to local representatives with any ideas, <br />concerns or comments they may have. She noted she, along with Representative Feist and Representative <br />Bemardy would be holding town hall meetings once a month to keep constituents informed. She indicated <br />the next town hall meeting would be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 on Facebook live. <br />Representative Feist thanked the Council for allowing her to speak this evening and encouraged the public to <br />reach out to her. She explained she loved hearing from the diverse voices in the community. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked all three representatives for coordinating their schedules in order to attend <br />this meeting. <br />Consent Agenda <br />1. Consider Approval of Payments of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)13007-13032, ACH <br />Payments 12991-13027 & Vouchers 159699-159714 for a total of $1,757,607.48. <br />Approve City Council Minutes: <br />a. January 19, 2021 City Council Worksession Minutes. <br />b. March 2, 2021 City Council Worksession Minutes. <br />Consent Agenda <br />1. Consider Approval of <br />Payments ofEFT 13007- <br />13032, ACH Payments <br />12991-13027 & Vouchers <br />159699-159714. <br />2. Approve City <br />Council Minutes: <br />a. January 19, 2021 <br />Worksession Minutes. <br />b. March 2, 2021 <br />Worksession Minutes. <br />c. March 9, 2021 <br />