Amber Urlacher
Name: Amber Urlacher
Public Office Sought: Mounds View City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-859-9082
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: @citycouncilchick
Candidate Bio
I hope to bring a fresh voice and helping hand to the community I have enjoyed for the last 5+ years. I am a licensed realtor and a partner/owner of a local real estate team. I understand the importance of affordable housing, the strain of high property taxes, the benefits of clean public spaces, the need for proper infrastructure, community services and robust diverse businesses.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I would like to study the data on hand to make sure we are meeting the needs of our current residents but also our city’s future fluctuating population. I want to make sure we have the budget to address our infrastructure needs and that our businesses and community spaces are needing the needs of our residents so we can keep more of our tax dollars local and draw in outside patrons to help our businesses flourish.
How would you characterize the business climate in Mounds View and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Our small businesses are the backbone of our community. They support our local school sports, sponsor various fundraising events, provide quality services, and help sustain our local economy. I would like to see our vacant buildings filled with thriving new businesses for our community to enjoy.
What role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Mounds View?
Local businesses are a reflection of our community and having a close community allows businesses to fill local needs and fine tune their niches. Most workers and businesses are just looking for some place that feels relevant, vibrant, and that allows them to feel impactful in some way. We need to encourage the sharing of information, current resources, business referrals and financial support options to those starting out and those in need.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would like to see local businesses partnering and communicating with our local high schools to meet potential part time employees to allow for open dialog to help both employers fill part time vacancies and that would also allow high schoolers to keep up with course load & extra curricular activities. I would also like to see local job fairs to introduce the community to open positions as well as new career opportunities.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Mounds View (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Moundsview and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not support any of the above mentioned employment related proposals in Mounds View. While I do want to see our residents making a healthy and livable wage, I do not think that should be regulated at such a local level.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
Because of our proximity to major roads and highways, we face more of a challenge - those committing crime in our community now have an easy route to exit more quickly. We need to lean on our law enforcement and our Police Chief to ensure our police force is well trained and well supported by the community and that they have the resources they need to be able to do their job safely and effectively.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
This is a topic near and dear to my heart for many reasons! Home prices have increased exponentially in the metro area over the last several years and the term “affordable housing” can mean a lot of different things to many different people. Currently, many cities offer grant and loan programs to help people purchase homes separate from MN Housing Down Payment Assistance. I would like to look more into how these programs could be implemented more within our city as well as making sure our residents know about our revitalization/repair grants available to help with big ticket repair items. I also believe that our apartment complexes need to be following state and/or local requirements to ensure our renter’s homes are being maintained properly and in good repair. I support the city’s ongoing process to allow accessory dwellings so families can expand their multigenerational housing options.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
We are fortunate to have access to major roads & in great proximity to both of our major cities. I would want to make sure our public transportation is meeting the needs of our residents, as it is a vital service to so many. I also want to make sure our community keeps our bike trails and walking paths in good repair so that we can continue to enjoy the nature trails and lakes we have to offer.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Much like my answer to #2, I want to make sure our budget is addressing current infrastructure needs and preparing us for future needs. I also want to make sure our city is being fiscally responsible with our residents' hard earned tax dollars.
What will you do to expand Mounds View’s tax base?
The most effective way to expand our tax base is to continue to bring more businesses & consumers into Mounds View.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I am incredibly proud to be in one of the top rated school districts in the state - one that my children enjoy! I want to see our residents support our schools and teachers and make sure they have the resources they need. I believe our businesses need to be speaking to our schools and educational institutions to showcase all of the professions and industries that are available right where we live. I understand that college is not the right path for everything and that there are so many trade school and apprenticeship options available to people that can lead to high paying jobs with excellent benefits, our younger generation just needs to have access to all the information available on these different industries and paths to be able to make the right decisions for their future.
Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share with other entities? I don’t believe cutting services are the answer, but I’m always open to working with other local cities to be able to find joint services that we can all benefit from.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Mounds View?
I personally believe that when you get where you are going, one must turn around and help the next in line. As a woman business owner, I understand the importance of networking and of attending mastermind groups to make sure you can always be learning from others. I would love to see our minority and women owned businesses be able to learn from one another so that together we can all grow. I believe that the city sets the tone in helping foster those introductions and interactions with local businesses so that we can all do better together.
What further policies can Mounds View adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The city can make sure to keep up to date on any continued state or federal resources that may still be available to businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
My husband and I enjoy our hobby of “urban homesteading”, and we consider ourselves to be fortunate to be able to use our property to feed our family and share our surplus with our friends and neighbors - Mounds View allows us that opportunity! I want to continue to make sure Mounds View works for their residents and can continue to meet the needs of its future generations.
Public Office Sought: Mounds View City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-859-9082
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: @citycouncilchick
Candidate Bio
I hope to bring a fresh voice and helping hand to the community I have enjoyed for the last 5+ years. I am a licensed realtor and a partner/owner of a local real estate team. I understand the importance of affordable housing, the strain of high property taxes, the benefits of clean public spaces, the need for proper infrastructure, community services and robust diverse businesses.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I would like to study the data on hand to make sure we are meeting the needs of our current residents but also our city’s future fluctuating population. I want to make sure we have the budget to address our infrastructure needs and that our businesses and community spaces are needing the needs of our residents so we can keep more of our tax dollars local and draw in outside patrons to help our businesses flourish.
How would you characterize the business climate in Mounds View and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Our small businesses are the backbone of our community. They support our local school sports, sponsor various fundraising events, provide quality services, and help sustain our local economy. I would like to see our vacant buildings filled with thriving new businesses for our community to enjoy.
What role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Mounds View?
Local businesses are a reflection of our community and having a close community allows businesses to fill local needs and fine tune their niches. Most workers and businesses are just looking for some place that feels relevant, vibrant, and that allows them to feel impactful in some way. We need to encourage the sharing of information, current resources, business referrals and financial support options to those starting out and those in need.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would like to see local businesses partnering and communicating with our local high schools to meet potential part time employees to allow for open dialog to help both employers fill part time vacancies and that would also allow high schoolers to keep up with course load & extra curricular activities. I would also like to see local job fairs to introduce the community to open positions as well as new career opportunities.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Mounds View (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Moundsview and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not support any of the above mentioned employment related proposals in Mounds View. While I do want to see our residents making a healthy and livable wage, I do not think that should be regulated at such a local level.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
Because of our proximity to major roads and highways, we face more of a challenge - those committing crime in our community now have an easy route to exit more quickly. We need to lean on our law enforcement and our Police Chief to ensure our police force is well trained and well supported by the community and that they have the resources they need to be able to do their job safely and effectively.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
This is a topic near and dear to my heart for many reasons! Home prices have increased exponentially in the metro area over the last several years and the term “affordable housing” can mean a lot of different things to many different people. Currently, many cities offer grant and loan programs to help people purchase homes separate from MN Housing Down Payment Assistance. I would like to look more into how these programs could be implemented more within our city as well as making sure our residents know about our revitalization/repair grants available to help with big ticket repair items. I also believe that our apartment complexes need to be following state and/or local requirements to ensure our renter’s homes are being maintained properly and in good repair. I support the city’s ongoing process to allow accessory dwellings so families can expand their multigenerational housing options.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
We are fortunate to have access to major roads & in great proximity to both of our major cities. I would want to make sure our public transportation is meeting the needs of our residents, as it is a vital service to so many. I also want to make sure our community keeps our bike trails and walking paths in good repair so that we can continue to enjoy the nature trails and lakes we have to offer.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Much like my answer to #2, I want to make sure our budget is addressing current infrastructure needs and preparing us for future needs. I also want to make sure our city is being fiscally responsible with our residents' hard earned tax dollars.
What will you do to expand Mounds View’s tax base?
The most effective way to expand our tax base is to continue to bring more businesses & consumers into Mounds View.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I am incredibly proud to be in one of the top rated school districts in the state - one that my children enjoy! I want to see our residents support our schools and teachers and make sure they have the resources they need. I believe our businesses need to be speaking to our schools and educational institutions to showcase all of the professions and industries that are available right where we live. I understand that college is not the right path for everything and that there are so many trade school and apprenticeship options available to people that can lead to high paying jobs with excellent benefits, our younger generation just needs to have access to all the information available on these different industries and paths to be able to make the right decisions for their future.
Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share with other entities? I don’t believe cutting services are the answer, but I’m always open to working with other local cities to be able to find joint services that we can all benefit from.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Mounds View?
I personally believe that when you get where you are going, one must turn around and help the next in line. As a woman business owner, I understand the importance of networking and of attending mastermind groups to make sure you can always be learning from others. I would love to see our minority and women owned businesses be able to learn from one another so that together we can all grow. I believe that the city sets the tone in helping foster those introductions and interactions with local businesses so that we can all do better together.
What further policies can Mounds View adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The city can make sure to keep up to date on any continued state or federal resources that may still be available to businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
My husband and I enjoy our hobby of “urban homesteading”, and we consider ourselves to be fortunate to be able to use our property to feed our family and share our surplus with our friends and neighbors - Mounds View allows us that opportunity! I want to continue to make sure Mounds View works for their residents and can continue to meet the needs of its future generations.