2021.12.09 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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�i BRIGHTON Council Worksession December 9, 2021 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle Councilmember Graeme Allen Councilmember Pam Axberg Absent: Councilmember Emily Dunsworth Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust Guests in Attendance: Ralph Delong, Ruben Vazquez, Robert Buck, Sanja Obradovic, Thomas Quayle, Tim McQuillan, Monica Garcia -Perez, and Gene Delaune Equity Commissioner Interviews Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Ralph Delong for coming in and applying for this position. 1 Councilmember Axberg asked Mr. Delong to explain how both your personal and professional experiences will help him be an effective member of the Equity Commission, if appointed. Mr. Delong stated reported he has been a resident of New Brighton since 1987 and has had several children that went to Irondale High School. He noted he attended the University of Minnesota where he received a PhD in Physics. Given the environment, he decided this was not the area he wanted to stay in and then went to dental school and got his DDS and special degree in orthodontics. After graduating from school he joined the faculty in dental school and became a developer and director of a premier international research center. He reported he brings this up because people come from all around to visit this research center. He indicated he spent 35 years with the research center and was chair of the department for 20 years. He stated as the chair he learned how to work with groups, dealing with HR issues, budgeting, and to problem solve. He noted he also chaired a strategic planning committee. He believed these traits were all very important to a committee like this. He noted he knows how to do data analysis and assess information. Councilmember Abdulle asked what are some specific goals Mr. Delong hopes to accomplish by serving on New Brighton's Equity Commission. Mr. Delong responded he does not like the term equity. He feared that this term has taken on a negative connotation due to politics. He stated this bothers him, because he believes people need to be treated equally. He commented his goal would be to see that this committee does not make the same mistakes the government has made. He described how he was bothered by how farmers have been treated. He wanted to see the City treating all populations equally and to see that the City was reaching out to new groups. He believed if the City ' were to do this, and to apply policies to all groups, the City would be better off without creating animosity between groups.