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<br /> <br />Ms. Tenenbaum stated she would bring this up to staff and ask to place an item on a future agenda. She would <br />want to see the Commission discuss this concern in order to create an action plan on how to address the matter. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle requested Ms. Tenenbaum speak to the City’s biggest opportunity and biggest <br />challenges in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Ms. Tenenbaum indicated the idea of sustainability versus providing opportunities was an opportunity for New <br />Brighton. She wanted to see the City doing exciting things without hurting the environment. She explained she <br />wanted to see the City getting teenagers involved in this effort. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Ms. Tenenbaum for coming in and applying for this position. She noted City <br />Clerk Spangrud would be in touch with further information on how the Council was moving forward. She <br />explained the next person to be interviewed was Eric Nelsen. She asked Mr. Nelsen to provide the Council <br />with a brief history on how his personal and professional experiences will help him be an effective <br />commissioner, if appointed. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelsen explained he has worked in public service for the past 20 years, mostly as a library administrator <br />for the County and State. He indicated he has seen how government can work in peoples lives, which also <br />made serving on the Planning Commission enjoyable for him. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked what motivated Mr. Nelsen to want to continue serving on a City Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelsen stated he was a relatively new resident to New Brighton, noting he moved to the community in <br />2018. He believed serving on the Planning Commission was a way he can give back to the community. <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. Nelsen <br />what he would do if he disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelsen explained he believed this was best addressed internally. He understood he may have different <br />opinions, but his job was to operate within the established rule set. He indicated he would bring concerns to his <br />Council Liaison or City staff. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle requested Mr. Nelsen speak to the City’s biggest opportunity and biggest challenges <br />in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelsen reported he was drawn to the community because it was a very attractive place to live, was well <br />connected to transportation, and has a good sense of community. He believed the challenge would be to <br />maintain a civic identity while balancing the concerns of residents who have lived here for generations. He <br />anticipated communication with the public would also be of the utmost importance going forward. He <br />indicated people would continue to want to move into New Brighton, which was becoming increasingly <br />difficult due to the lack of available housing stock. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Mr. Nelsen for coming in and applying for this position. She noted City <br />Clerk Spangrud would be in touch with further information on how the Council was moving forward. She <br />explained the next person to be interviewed was Paul Zisla. She asked Mr. Zisla to provide the Council with a <br />brief history on how his personal and professional experiences will help him be an effective commissioner, if <br />appointed. <br /> <br />Mr. Zisla explained he worked as a city planner before attending law school. He indicated he worked for a law