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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />February 28, 2023 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas <br /> Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br />Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br /> <br />Absent: Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: Gary Bank, Pauline Alfors, Zoey Tenenbaum, Eric Nelsen, Jamie Scott, Jason <br />Steffenhagen, and Paul Zisla <br /> <br />Commission Applicant Interviews <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Gary Bank for coming in and applying for this position. She asked Mr. Bank <br />to provide the Council with a brief history on how his personal and professional experiences will help him be <br />an effective commissioner, if appointed. <br /> <br />Mr. Bank stated he has a variety of experiences in live. He indicated he was in the master naturalist volunteer <br />program. He explained he has a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park administration, a bachelor’s degree in <br />psychology and a master’s degree in teaching. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked what motivated Mr. Bank to continue serving on a City Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Bank explained he was retired and he enjoys doing volunteer service. He stated he was fascinated by the <br />plans the City had for its parks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Axberg stated each Commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council <br />that comply with policies, rules or ordinances already adopted by the City Council. She asked Mr. Bank what <br />he would do if he disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Bank indicated he hasn’t seen anything, any policies or concerns that were unusual to him. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle requested Mr. Bank speak to the City’s biggest opportunity and biggest challenges in <br />New Brighton. <br /> <br />Mr. Bank stated his neighborhood was very quiet and he appreciated that. He explained he did not see any real <br />challenges, but he understood the City had to be alert to thefts and other crime that was occurring. He believed <br />the City had the protect and preserve its greenspace. He stated he appreciated the programming being provided <br />by the Parks and Recreation Department. <br />