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<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 Ms. Scott what <br />she would do if she disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. <br /> <br />Ms. Scott explained she enjoys learning and being challen ged. She stated she would talk to people and figure <br />out why certain perspectives were in place. She indicated she would want to gain multiple perspectives and <br />would then work to bring everyone together to come up with a vision or strategy in partnership with others in <br />order to move the plan forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle requested Ms. Scott speak to the City’s biggest opportunity and biggest challenges in <br />New Brighton. <br /> <br />Ms. Scott explained she comes with no agenda. She indicated she visits neighborhood Facebook sites and <br />noted she was interested in housing, zoning and development, along with how public safety was integrated into <br />these plans. She commented on how water quality was a concern for her. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Ms. Scott for coming in and applying for this position. She noted City Clerk <br />Spangrud would be in touch with further information on how the Council was moving forward. She explained <br />the next person to be interviewed was Jason Steffenhagen (via Zoom). She asked Mr. Steffenhagen to provide <br />the Council with a brief history on how his personal and professional experiences will help him be an effective <br />commissioner, if appointed. <br /> <br />Mr. Steffenhagen stated personally he and his wife have adopted two boys, one from Ethiopia and the other <br />from Haiti. He explained being parents of these two young men has challenged him on how to best raise two <br />young black men, which involved great deal of learning and growing. He commented on a professional level <br />he worked at Bethel for seven years and now was a local pastor. He discussed the diversity work he has been <br />involved in with interfaith committees and noted he has led book studies on how to be an antiracist. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked what motivated Mr. Steffenhagen to want to continue serving on a City <br />Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Steffenhagen explained when the group was started last year he was chosen for a one year term. He stated <br />he has lived in New Brighton for eight years and he loves his neighbors, along with his neighborhood. He sees <br />this position as a manner in which he can have an impact on the community. He discussed the personal and <br />systemic work that needs to be done to address diversity and inclusion. <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. <br />Steffenhagen what he would do if he disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Steffenhagen reported he believed the City has been more than welcoming of his questions and concerns. <br />He believed there was a tactful and respectful manner in which to address concerns. He was of the opinion the <br />Equity Commission has been a welcoming space over the past year, even when people have not always agreed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle requested Mr. Steffenhagen speak to the City’s biggest opportunity and biggest <br />challenges in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Mr. Steffenhagen stated the most challenging aspects are how we learn the stories that are most <br />underrepresented in the community. He appreciated how the Council has tried to bring these stories to light, <br />but he wanted to see the City continue to work on building trust with the community. He stated once this trust