Andi Moffatt
Name: Andi Moffatt
Public Office Sought: Lauderdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-430-4094
Website: andimoffatt.org
Facebook: Andi Moffatt for City Council
Candidate Bio
My husband and I have lived in Lauderdale for 19 years. We loved the city when we first moved here and continue to enjoy the sense of civic pride, fiscal responsibility, and community. I am proud of what our community of 2,400 people can do together – the dog park; the Day in the Park; the Farmers’ Market; Halloween Event; and infrastructure projects.
I have a Biology degree from St. Catherine University and am employed at a civil engineering company where I manage the environmental group. My experience working with numerous communities in my professional capacity gives me a strong understanding of local government and infrastructure projects. I have helped other communities develop policy and ordinances on environmental and storm water issues and I bring this experience to benefit the City of Lauderdale. I was appointed to City Council in January 2017 to fill a vacancy. Since that time, I have worked with Staff and Council on some of our Ramsey County Roads, including Eustis Street north of Larpenteur, as part of the street turn-back process.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Lauderdale?
Lauderdale is mostly a residential small town located between larger cities. We have a small but strong business community including commercial and industrial businesses. Less than 10% of our city includes commercial and industrial business. We also have some small business owners creating startup companies. Our business climate is steady.
2. 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, Lauderdale?
The city’s job is to promote a safe environment to work, live and play. Our opportunities for new business relate to future redevelopment. Through our 2040 Comprehensive Plan process, the city is setting the stage for these future redevelopment opportunities that would continue to support small business and economic growth within the community. Currently, the Lauderdale Business Community supports approximately 600 jobs. The city holds regular discussions with our businesses to listen to what is affecting them, including control of graffiti, traffic access, or future growth plans. Through land use, zoning and public safety, the city can promote the growth of small business and support existing businesses
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in Lauderdale?
While this would be a laudable goal, I would not support this because of the size and tax base of the city. Hiring staff would mean needing to increase the tax levy to pay for this new hire. I would not support raising taxes to pay for a position like this since I do not think it would result in a significant increase in the tax base for the community. I would, however, be open to working with a consultant or in collaboration with surrounding communities to provide this type of service to fulfill Lauderdale’s needs.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Lauderdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Lauderdale and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
I would need more information about how the change in pay could affect businesses within Lauderdale. I would also need more information about how a patchwork of pay across many cities would affect the businesses in town.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Lauderdale (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Lauderdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Employment-related proposals have not been a known issue within Lauderdale. Neither businesses nor employees have raised this as a concern within the city. With a small community, more review on how these policies would affect and relate to businesses that may have locations in other cities would be needed.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
The city held listening sessions in 2016 after the shooting in Falcon Heights and continued to engage the community on aspects of policing. I support the implementation of the results from the Department of Justice’s Collaborative Reform Initiative that the St. Anthony Police Department initiated in 2016. Recently, the police developed a strategic vision, including community partnerships and inclusion for the communities that they serve. Continuing to listen and engage the community as well as the police is my strategy to address public safety concerns.
The city has worked with the SAPD to address street racing that occurs in the area in the summer. Through support by the City Council, the police have worked with other law enforcement in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Ramsey County to address the street racing and create a deterrent for this activity in our community.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We are a small community with a limited tax base. At the same time, we have infrastructure to maintain with our streets, storm sewer, and parks. My priority is to complete an agreement with Ramsey County that meets the needs of the residents regarding the proposed turn-back of Eustis Street north of Larpenteur Avenue and also Roselawn Avenue west of Fulham St. I would only support an agreement that allows us to bring those streets into conformance with our other residential-style streets. Overall, my priorities within the budget are to smartly plan for future infrastructure maintenance by planning early for these expenditures so large changes in taxes are not needed.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
On City Council, I have worked to balance providing services to the community with maintaining a tax levy that does not excessively burden our residential or commercial tax base but still provides for economic development within the community.
9. What will you do to expand Lauderdale’s tax base?
Expanding the city’s tax base is not a goal unto itself for me. Providing quality services to our residents and businesses within the tax base that we do have is my goal. Being fiscally smart on what the city can and cannot take on is important in managing the city’s budget.
I do support state legislation that would expand Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) funding to cities like Lauderdale (cities with populations less than 5,000 are not eligible for MSAS) and/or to permanently fund the Small Cities Assistance Account that was created by the Legislature in 2015 to assist small cities with our street improvement projects. This change would greatly assist Lauderdale in funding future infrastructure projects like streets, storm water systems, and utilities.
Workforce development
10. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Lauderdale does not have K-12 or post-secondary educational institutions.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Lauderdale Public Schools?
The city is within ISD 623, Roseville Public Schools. There are no public schools within Lauderdale. However, providing for quality, affordable education for all students is important to the wellbeing of our cities and state.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I would not call it a challenge, but rather an opportunity. Our biggest opportunity is the redevelopment of the former Chinese Christian Church site in the middle of the city. After this property remained on the market for an extended period without selling, the city purchased this site in 2017 and is actively pursuing options for redevelopment. It is my hope that senior housing will be developed on this site so that aging residents in our community, who can no longer remain in their homes, will have an option for senior living within their hometown, near their friends and family.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Maintaining and Improving Roads and Infrastructure: I will continue to support the city’s efforts in the turn-back of Eustis Street north of Larpenteur to improve the drive-ability and walkability of this street.
Improving Housing Stock: With the development of our Comprehensive Plan this year, the diversity of our housing stock is evident. We have a wide range of housing from apartments, townhomes, and single-family residences. With the age of many of these structures, maintaining safe places for renters, landlords, and owners is important. I will continue to support maintenance of our housing stock through the city’s rental ordinance, home improvement permitting and inspections, and code enforcement.
Community Redevelopment: As discussed above, redevelopment of the Chinese Christian Church is a wonderful opportunity for our community to not only improve a portion of our city, but also to provide opportunities for our residents to age in their hometown near friends and family.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
My top transportation priority is continuing to work with Ramsey County on a successful turn-back of Eustis Street north of Larpenteur Avenue to bring that road up to our local residential street standards to improve walkability and drive-ability.
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
The city currently shares services with Falcon Heights Fire and St. Anthony Police Department. These arrangements provide financial benefits to all cities involved and provide an efficient way to provide public service to the community.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Since my appointment to City Council in January 2017, it has been truly rewarding to serve the residents of Lauderdale. I would be honored if the citizens would give me the opportunity to continue to serve in this capacity and I look forward to meeting with residents and continuing to hear their concerns and goals for the community during the coming months.
Public Office Sought: Lauderdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-430-4094
Website: andimoffatt.org
Facebook: Andi Moffatt for City Council
Candidate Bio
My husband and I have lived in Lauderdale for 19 years. We loved the city when we first moved here and continue to enjoy the sense of civic pride, fiscal responsibility, and community. I am proud of what our community of 2,400 people can do together – the dog park; the Day in the Park; the Farmers’ Market; Halloween Event; and infrastructure projects.
I have a Biology degree from St. Catherine University and am employed at a civil engineering company where I manage the environmental group. My experience working with numerous communities in my professional capacity gives me a strong understanding of local government and infrastructure projects. I have helped other communities develop policy and ordinances on environmental and storm water issues and I bring this experience to benefit the City of Lauderdale. I was appointed to City Council in January 2017 to fill a vacancy. Since that time, I have worked with Staff and Council on some of our Ramsey County Roads, including Eustis Street north of Larpenteur, as part of the street turn-back process.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Lauderdale?
Lauderdale is mostly a residential small town located between larger cities. We have a small but strong business community including commercial and industrial businesses. Less than 10% of our city includes commercial and industrial business. We also have some small business owners creating startup companies. Our business climate is steady.
2. 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, Lauderdale?
The city’s job is to promote a safe environment to work, live and play. Our opportunities for new business relate to future redevelopment. Through our 2040 Comprehensive Plan process, the city is setting the stage for these future redevelopment opportunities that would continue to support small business and economic growth within the community. Currently, the Lauderdale Business Community supports approximately 600 jobs. The city holds regular discussions with our businesses to listen to what is affecting them, including control of graffiti, traffic access, or future growth plans. Through land use, zoning and public safety, the city can promote the growth of small business and support existing businesses
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in Lauderdale?
While this would be a laudable goal, I would not support this because of the size and tax base of the city. Hiring staff would mean needing to increase the tax levy to pay for this new hire. I would not support raising taxes to pay for a position like this since I do not think it would result in a significant increase in the tax base for the community. I would, however, be open to working with a consultant or in collaboration with surrounding communities to provide this type of service to fulfill Lauderdale’s needs.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Lauderdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Lauderdale and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
I would need more information about how the change in pay could affect businesses within Lauderdale. I would also need more information about how a patchwork of pay across many cities would affect the businesses in town.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Lauderdale (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Lauderdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Employment-related proposals have not been a known issue within Lauderdale. Neither businesses nor employees have raised this as a concern within the city. With a small community, more review on how these policies would affect and relate to businesses that may have locations in other cities would be needed.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
The city held listening sessions in 2016 after the shooting in Falcon Heights and continued to engage the community on aspects of policing. I support the implementation of the results from the Department of Justice’s Collaborative Reform Initiative that the St. Anthony Police Department initiated in 2016. Recently, the police developed a strategic vision, including community partnerships and inclusion for the communities that they serve. Continuing to listen and engage the community as well as the police is my strategy to address public safety concerns.
The city has worked with the SAPD to address street racing that occurs in the area in the summer. Through support by the City Council, the police have worked with other law enforcement in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Ramsey County to address the street racing and create a deterrent for this activity in our community.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We are a small community with a limited tax base. At the same time, we have infrastructure to maintain with our streets, storm sewer, and parks. My priority is to complete an agreement with Ramsey County that meets the needs of the residents regarding the proposed turn-back of Eustis Street north of Larpenteur Avenue and also Roselawn Avenue west of Fulham St. I would only support an agreement that allows us to bring those streets into conformance with our other residential-style streets. Overall, my priorities within the budget are to smartly plan for future infrastructure maintenance by planning early for these expenditures so large changes in taxes are not needed.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
On City Council, I have worked to balance providing services to the community with maintaining a tax levy that does not excessively burden our residential or commercial tax base but still provides for economic development within the community.
9. What will you do to expand Lauderdale’s tax base?
Expanding the city’s tax base is not a goal unto itself for me. Providing quality services to our residents and businesses within the tax base that we do have is my goal. Being fiscally smart on what the city can and cannot take on is important in managing the city’s budget.
I do support state legislation that would expand Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) funding to cities like Lauderdale (cities with populations less than 5,000 are not eligible for MSAS) and/or to permanently fund the Small Cities Assistance Account that was created by the Legislature in 2015 to assist small cities with our street improvement projects. This change would greatly assist Lauderdale in funding future infrastructure projects like streets, storm water systems, and utilities.
Workforce development
10. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Lauderdale does not have K-12 or post-secondary educational institutions.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Lauderdale Public Schools?
The city is within ISD 623, Roseville Public Schools. There are no public schools within Lauderdale. However, providing for quality, affordable education for all students is important to the wellbeing of our cities and state.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I would not call it a challenge, but rather an opportunity. Our biggest opportunity is the redevelopment of the former Chinese Christian Church site in the middle of the city. After this property remained on the market for an extended period without selling, the city purchased this site in 2017 and is actively pursuing options for redevelopment. It is my hope that senior housing will be developed on this site so that aging residents in our community, who can no longer remain in their homes, will have an option for senior living within their hometown, near their friends and family.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Maintaining and Improving Roads and Infrastructure: I will continue to support the city’s efforts in the turn-back of Eustis Street north of Larpenteur to improve the drive-ability and walkability of this street.
Improving Housing Stock: With the development of our Comprehensive Plan this year, the diversity of our housing stock is evident. We have a wide range of housing from apartments, townhomes, and single-family residences. With the age of many of these structures, maintaining safe places for renters, landlords, and owners is important. I will continue to support maintenance of our housing stock through the city’s rental ordinance, home improvement permitting and inspections, and code enforcement.
Community Redevelopment: As discussed above, redevelopment of the Chinese Christian Church is a wonderful opportunity for our community to not only improve a portion of our city, but also to provide opportunities for our residents to age in their hometown near friends and family.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
My top transportation priority is continuing to work with Ramsey County on a successful turn-back of Eustis Street north of Larpenteur Avenue to bring that road up to our local residential street standards to improve walkability and drive-ability.
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
The city currently shares services with Falcon Heights Fire and St. Anthony Police Department. These arrangements provide financial benefits to all cities involved and provide an efficient way to provide public service to the community.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Since my appointment to City Council in January 2017, it has been truly rewarding to serve the residents of Lauderdale. I would be honored if the citizens would give me the opportunity to continue to serve in this capacity and I look forward to meeting with residents and continuing to hear their concerns and goals for the community during the coming months.