[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Good evening. Tonight is Monday, July 27th. This is a special study session of Minnetonka City Council. Uh we'll call this meeting to order and we'll do introductions. Uh Sarissa, why don't you start? >> Sarissa Seriky, senior management coordinator. >> Brian Damon, assistant city manager. >> I'm [cough] Jeff Werd, ward two. >> Kimberly Wilburn, at large. >> Paul D'Amelio, ward three. >> Rebecca Schack, mayor. >> Kizzy Colley, ward four. >> Deb Calvert, at large seat A. >> Patsy Foster Bolton, ward one. >> [clears throat] >> Hi. >> No. >> Julie Wischnack, city >> Oh, that's good. >> Great. >> All right, thanks everybody. Just very briefly before we start, we're here for interviews for what will be one or two plan open planning commission seats. So, we will do the interviews. We will start We've got four questions per applicant. Is that right? Um and so, I'm just going to give everybody an opportunity to ask questions going in a line and some people will go go first and some people go second. And provide your written feedback, anything that you'd like me to consider when considering this appointment. And you know, we can use that information in making I'll make the recommendation and then ultimately the council will approve. If for whatever reason we have two openings and we don't feel comfortable with both candidates, we'll regroup at that point. So, please indicate your feedback on the form and you'll turn that in to me at the end of this meeting. All right. So, um Teresa's going to go get our first applicant, who's Jordan Lambert. Did I miss anything, Miranda? Hi, come on in. We'll get y'alls You're all set up right there. >> I love the fever and a little more casual study there. >> Yes. So, and you're right. As you mentioned Well, you're getting settled, I'll just give you a little overview. This is very casual. You uh um we've got just the few questions for you and we'll take some notes and ultimately we'll collate that information and then make some decisions on who we're going to appoint and somebody will be in touch with you within the next several days about the decision. Um so, we'll introduce ourselves very briefly first and we'll start with Amanda. >> Hi, I'm Amanda Maxwell. I am the council member for Ward 2. I was the chair of the Planning Commission last year and I've been on the Planning Commission since 2020. >> I'm Ken Willcox, I'm at large which means I represent the whole city. >> I am Paula Ramaley and I represent Ward 3. >> Rebecca Shack, I'm the mayor. >> Kizzy Cocklin, Ward 4. >> Deb Calvert, at large seat A. >> Patsy Foster Bolton, Ward 1. >> And the rest of the folks in the room are city staff and you'll get to know them a few and up on the Planning Commission. So, um we'll just go right down the line the line with our questions and Amanda, do you want to go ahead with the first question? >> Sure. Uh please tell us about yourself and what in your background makes you the right person for this position. >> So, I am a mother of three. I was born and raised in Minnetonka and my husband grew up in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and then moved here when he was 11 years old so he grew up here as well. Um we both love Minnetonka. We met in high school and it's it was always our end goal to live in Minnetonka and there's never a talk to live anywhere else. Um unfortunately, when the time came to buy our first home, we couldn't find anything that we could afford in Minnetonka. So, life brought us to South Minneapolis um and happenstance how things work out um we ended up in Minnetonka about 3 years ago. We found an affordable home just one street over from where I grew up. Full circle, things are working out the way they're meant to be. Dating back to 2020, thanks to wonderful AI and aligning with my interests, City of Minnetonka and what all of you wonderful folks have been doing over the years kind of just started popping up on my phone. More signs and regarding buckthorn and brush and our trees and uh various things, what you guys have with the marsh and the comprehensive plan. So, it's been on my radar for quite a while, what everyone's been doing and about right around the time we actually bought our house, so 4 years ago, my husband fortunately got a promotion at work, which allowed me to cut back and spend more time with my kids and focusing on more of my interests and much of that was community service in our South Minneapolis home cuz my kids still go to school there. Likewise, how it happened, they started school before we found the house here. So, I became PTA president at that school. Not something that I have sought after, but was asked by the current president to take on the role which quickly spiraled to looking at the bigger picture of how everything is interconnected. We had a wonderful social emotional wellness committee, wonderful equity committee, but they weren't talking and weren't aligning. And so, the first thing I did was bring us all together so we could meet at the table and discuss things, and we all had the same goal, but we're working separately. So, I I appreciate that the City of Minnetonka focuses so much on environment, DEI initiatives, and how everything overlaps cuz that's how it should be for it to be efficient and circling back to planning commission, I uh I'm actually part of the QuickTrip proposed development. And though I had already had planning commission on my mindset 3 years prior to that, it really solidified the importance of this to me and how much what one seemingly small decision can impact the greater overall environmentally speaking, DEI, uh and it just kind of showcased that though uh you guys are doing things in such a great manner, there's always room for improvement and I think I can bring that additional viewpoints to the table, um given that I've been raised in Minnetonka and I've now returned and I'm now a mother and seeing things from a different perspective and I'm also on the state's PTA board and through being at the national PTA convention and communicating with the DEI board of the national PTA, uh we have now formed and I'm now the chair of the DEI for Minnesota State PTA. Um so, I think I can bring that perspective. I'm also a Hennepin County recycling ambassador. Um so, one of the things that came to mind when QuickTrip was brought out, and I felt that the planning commission, as well as city council, everyone brought up really good questions and a really good perspective. One thing that was not brought up that stood out to me is the amount of black plastic that would be consumed by that store. And it's not common knowledge that black plastic is not recyclable. Um so, it's just little details like that that is not necessarily clear to everyone, cuz you don't know what you don't know and it's just happens to be an interest of mine. I also have a background in construction and business. I grew up in a family of builders, growing up with that and had summer jobs. Professionally, I am actually a patient advocate. So, when someone is having a health crisis and they're not feeling their voice is heard, I come to the table and help communicate with the doctors and figure out what's going on. And thankfully, I'm proud to say that many of my clients they were looking at a few months to a year, and many of them lived 8 9 years thanks to being that voice for them and looking at all time and looking at things from a different perspective and taking a step back and looking at them from all angles, which I think is important for all elements, especially planning commission. Every decision has a ripple effect and yeah, it's important. >> Great. We'll move on and we've just got 10 minutes slated, so we'll we'll try to get through these next three questions in the in the remaining time. >> Really? Go ahead. They're like, "Oh, this is a big big thing is for in 10 minutes." But >> Yeah, a lot of Yeah, [laughter] yeah. All right. The The Planning Commission holds public hearings on land use items, during which the public provides feedback that may be positive or negative and may differ from staff recommendations and or commissioner's opinions. What is your approach when trying to make difficult decisions? >> So, thankfully, that's what I do professionally is deal with difficult situations every day and often times people that are not happy and go into it with kind of emotions on their sleeve. And when that's the case, it's hard to be able to hear what you're saying. So, I'm used to working in those circumstances. Thankfully, that is what I excel in is being the neutral, calm, and seeing things from all perspectives. And often times it's the case of we all have the same goal and we're saying the same things, we're just not necessarily hearing it that way. It's just a matter of listening and then responding and speaking and going from there. I think a lot of times it's people are quick to react. And it's an emotional situation and we're talking about people's homes and you know, they invest a lot into them and there's a lot to that. So, it's it's an emotional thing understandably for the people that reside in front of the planning commission and I think sometimes they can lose sight too that you guys are here for the right reasons and you're here to help. And often times I think it can be seen in a negative way. So, I just commend you guys for what you're doing cuz it's not an easy position to be in. So. >> Excellent. All right, Pa. >> All right, the city emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in our body of work. How do you think this intersects with the work of the planning commission? >> Um I think, you know, it's full circle. They all impact one another. Another thing, again, just cuz of we're all familiar with it, that stood out to me regarding QuickTrip. And again, it's one of those things that you don't know unless life has you've experienced it. There was talk about it would be beneficial to have lower cost food next to over proceeding low-income apartments. In reality, there's a lot of research that talks about how that's actually an injustice to those in low-income community and that attributes to health risks and attributes to them eating poorly, whereas we should be offering them fresh food offerings. That is a particular niche area where there's tons of fast food, plenty of fast food in that exact area. Unfortunately, to find healthy food, the only option is Panera and that's not necessarily in everyone's budget. So, I I think it's something to be looked at. On the surface, you wouldn't think it's an equity issue, but it is when you're putting unhealthy food in front of low-income families and not offering them alternative solutions. So, I think I can offer that perspective of sometimes it seems like we're doing right by giving them affordable options, and we're not looking at we're not giving them healthy options, which then lead to XYZ for health effects, which I bring in that health care side of things and the medical side of things. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Based on your understanding of the commission, what do you think will be an individual challenge for you and the challenge for the group, and how do you propose overcoming the challenges? >> Yeah. Uh well, I've sat in on a handful of planning commission meetings ever since you were elected to your new position. I knew there was a position open. I sat in a handful of meetings, and I've got to say I'm really fascinated with the planning commission the way they speak to one another and the questions they ask. I've actually worked with Commissioner Chair uh for a holding swap that Alex started with David through Hennepin County. Uh so, I've worked with her personally, and I think there's a good rapport of the group that's there, so I don't foresee there being issues. If there is, I think communication style it will be worked through. One question that I have you know, the city has the recommendation of what they would like to see. Is the council and the commissioner, are they given more details as to why than the reasoning why they are approving and what why the recommendation is such? >> The We all get a very detailed, and it's public as well, but you kind of you have to go to the website and get a staff report that supports whatever the staff's recommendations are, yeah. >> Which I read before. I was curious if there would be even more details possibly or >> Uh depending on each project, some projects will start, as you saw, a concept plan, and and that's a very ideation stage, and then through the through the planning process they'll work with staff, and then that if it turns into a proposal, that'll come to us in often times two meetings. They also go to the planning commission. So, there's a lot of discussion and robust conversation, but the public sees everything that the that the city council or the planning commission sees regarding projects. All right. Well, thank you so much for being here. Really appreciate it and for your interest and your engagement. It sounds like you do great work in the community, so really appreciate it. Well, excellent. Well, you'll hear hear from one of us very soon. Thanks for taking the time and braving the We usually do these in the winter, and so usually people are braving a different kind of weather, but >> [laughter] >> All right. Have a good day. >> Thank you, guys. >> You too. Thanks again. >> Thanks for coming. >> And I promise I'm usually not so long-winded. >> Oh, no. Don't don't sweat it at all. It's good to know. Come on in. Hi. Welcome. You can take a seat, and there's a microphone right there. Um well, as you're getting settled, I'll just give you We've just got a few questions for you. We'll run down the while the line will start start here with Kizzy in just a moment, and we've got about 10 minutes. So, not a not a ton of time. Um Um but first we'll introduce ourselves. So, Amanda. >> Hi, I'm Amanda Maxwell. I'm the council member from Ward 2, and I was the chair of the Planning Commission last year. I've been on the Planning Commission since 2020. >> Hi, I'm Kimberly Wilburn. I'm one of our at-large council members, which means I represent the whole city. >> I am Paula Rummeli, and I represent Ward 3. >> I'm Rebecca Schack. I'm the mayor. >> Kizzy Copeland, I represent Ward four four. >> I'm Deb Calvert. I'm a City Council at large in Seat A, and also a former plan planning commissioner vice chair. >> Hi, I'm Patsy Foster Bolton in Ward 1. >> All right. Well, we'll get right into it. So, Kizzy, you want to start with the first question? >> Yes, please tell us about yourself and what in your background makes you the right person for this position. >> [clears throat] >> All right. Um thank you guys for having me. My name is Cindy Ali. Um I have a background in public policy and public health with a minor communication. I currently work with the City of Minneapolis uh in the Neighborhood Safety Department as a public health specialist working with a lot of gun violence. Um I was the manager of the program right now, but prior to that, I worked in the City of Minneapolis in community as an outreach worker. So, I believe that my background in community and government and being a public servant makes me a good fit for this role. I also like to add that I just became a Minnetonka resident last year. I bought my first home. >> Awesome. >> I've always been involved in the war, so I'm really excited to get involved and see what I know in the past I've always been doing a lot of dedication and community work with my job, but now living here, I want to be able to kind of get my feet wet, get in here, and try to do something for myself and my own community and not just where I work. >> Awesome. Well, welcome to Minnetonka. We're really glad to have you. Deb, you got the next question? >> Sure. The Planning Commission holds public hearings on land use items, during which the public provides feedback that may be positive or negative and may differ from staff recommendations and or commissioner's opinions. What is your approach when trying to make difficult difficult decisions like that? >> I think it's really important to keep a level head. I've been in a lot of meetings where either I was on the receiving end or and I feel like being calm and collected is really important in this work. Not everybody has ideologies and especially even maybe on the board you might not agree on certain things but being sure that you have your team's back and understand that at the end of the day city policies is first and your team and your work that you're doing is a part of so just hearing what the community has to say and not taking it to heart but at the same time have your facts and making sure that you understand what you're speaking on. If you only go out there and speak on things that somebody fact checks you and next thing you know there's a back and forth happening. So I just want to make sure like that team and myself keeps a level head, listen to what the people have to say, understand and really just listen with like open heart, understand what's happening but always have your information on deck when you need it just in case. >> Excellent. Very good. Patsy. >> The city emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion in our body of work. How do you think this intersection intersects with the work of the planning commission? >> So I like the planning commission what I've heard about it, what I've heard in different environments I've been in. They're like kind of the heart of the whole like the city so just like presentation parts like planning and community developments are all something that the planning commission overlooks. And when we consider the diversity, equity and inclusion I really like when we talk about a very beautiful place to live and the community is amazing and what there's been done in the past can be going well. I believe that what prompts people when they come and live here. At the same time, like things change often, and just being aware of things as they change, I feel that sometimes people don't think that their voices are heard as much. Um just going out there, I'm not sure how the planning commission here works, but just know if there's a development that needs to be made, just go out and talk to the community around it. Talking to the business owners nearby, asking their opinions on what's going on. I think it's important because some people may not be able to come and voice their opinions in the council chambers or something. But, you know, just checking out in your little time of your day, just look around and see for yourself so that once you're looking at the ordinances and different things that the city has, you could also use that information, like, "Hey, we've heard from multiple neighbors and multiple business owners in the area that such and such has been having a problem." Then maybe how does this coming to change might be a problem for the community as a whole. But, I always feel like a lot of people don't know um when these stuff are happening, and I tell my kids a lot, "Not everything on the website is going to be seen. Not everything that you post on social media is going to be seen. You see, half of stuff in my department I didn't know until I started working in it. So, until you're in it and seeing what's happening, you really don't know what what is happening." And I feel like it's like my first time seeing a lot of your faces, but I didn't know there was a city council here. I come here to this building often, but this is my first time seeing you guys, too, you know, so it's on both of us guys to try to get out there and meet the community as well. >> Great. All right, I'll take the last question. Based on your understanding of the commission, what do you think will be an individual challenge for you and also a challenge for the group? And then how do you propose overcoming the challenges? >> So, for myself, it's definitely going to be getting to know more about the planning commission and what is happening in the zone. I know that different commissions like public health and safety are definitely things throughout different cities, but different cities have different ways of doing things. So, I'm the terminology, like really just studying up on it. Um I looked at some of the meeting minutes and the agendas from the past meetings and just finding out more of like how you guys do it. You guys have agendas set for higher or just learning more about how City of Mankato does the planning commission. And really learning and taking the time out of my day and just figuring things out. And if I do join it, like really just getting in track, getting to know everybody that's on the team, just building that community here. Um as for a whole is really um I'm not sure if this happens here, but I've seen in the past a lot of like butting heads Um so just building a relationship with each other, understanding that we're all here for greater good of the community. But just like developing that communication and that um I mean I don't know, just getting to know people I think is really important, but the community is changing, there's a lot of changes in the nearby communities as well and there's a lot of things that have been happening with the youth and also really understanding um what's happening in the future, but specifically like the planning because I think in my mindset I'm a lot of like City of Minneapolis or um public health and safety, this is Okay, this is the topics that we need to figure out where the scoreboard is going this week and like talking about it and really having my mind here and the way to overcome that I think is just to talk about it. Um I don't know how long, when I looked online there's different meetings um hours, some will go for like 15 minutes, some will go for 2 hours. So just having that mindset of hey, this one takes some time out of my day, but if I just put my heart to it and really understand it um I would love to make a difference in my community in any way I can and just being a part to work with great people in the community and just trying to be present I guess. >> Great. Well, thank you so much. Thanks for coming in and we're going to make decisions soon. So somebody will be in touch with that decision one way or another. And um thank you for your interest and also again welcome to Minnetonka. All right, take care. >> Sorry, I was talking really fast. >> Oh, no, no, no, no. We appreciate it. >> 10 minutes. >> [laughter] >> hot day >> Well done. >> Okay, Council, thank you. We'll adjourn this meeting and we will move on over to Council Chambers for the regular meeting. >> How was everything?