Andrea Date
Name: Andrea Date
Public Office Sought: Washington County Commissioner-District 5
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (651) 983-0290
Campaign Website: AndreaDate.com
Twitter handle: n/a
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/andreadatewoodburycitycouncil
Candidate Bio
I was elected to the Woodbury City Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Some issues I’ve been most passionate about include implementing planned unit developments (PUDs), re-development of aging/obsolete infrastructure, ensuring our zoning promotes a variety of housing choices, and ensuring every resident has access to high-quality parks and trails. I have represented Woodbury on several regional committees including the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Gold Line Corridor Management Committee, and the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission.
Prior to serving on the Woodbury City Council, I served on the Woodbury Parks and Natural Resource Commission and the Woodbury 2040 Comprehensive Planning Task Force. I am also a graduate of the Woodbury Citizen’s Academy.
I grew up in St. Paul and have been a Woodbury resident since 2011. Since 2015, I have worked as a Research Director for a market research company. Prior to that, I worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource as a Planning Director. I have a B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College and a M.S. in Natural Resource Science & Management from the University of Minnesota.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in Washington County and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
A robust and thriving business community is critical to the quality of life of Woodbury residents and Washington County. Woodbury has emphasized attracting medical businesses which has led to hundreds of high-quality, professional jobs in Washington County. It has also brought higher-quality entry level jobs. The shops, restaurants, and local businesses that provide for our resident’s needs allow Washington County to truly be a place where residents can live, work, play and enjoy life.
What role do you think the county should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Washington County?
The most important role of the County is to continue doing ‘core’ businesses well, for example regional parks, public libraries, and transportation infrastructure that make the county a desirable place for both workers and the companies that provide living wage jobs close to home. Low and stable property tax rates is key to ensuring Washington County remains a destination of choice to live, work and play now and in the future.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Washington County (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a policy on the many types of businesses in Washington County and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I believe these initiatives are best handled at the state level where consistency can be established from municipality to municipality. I have built strong relationships with representatives at the state legislature and would actively work with them to understand how proposals such as these would impact local businesses.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
Improving the connectivity of our regional transit system will allow for employees who do not live in Washington County to access our cities easier. When our businesses have a greater need for employees than our existing population, we must make it easier for employees to commute to our workplaces.
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?
I was born and raised in Saint Paul and am a graduate of Como Park High School. It saddens me to see my former city suffering from increased property crime, gun fire, and murder rates. And unfortunately, Washington County is not immune to increasing crime as well. We must recognize that any solution requires a multi-pronged effort. We need to ensure that police officers and public safety have the resources, training, and support they need to be effective. This includes resources for community policing and de-escalation training. We also need to implement creative solutions such as integrated mental health into public safety. This is a program I’m proud to have supported in Woodbury and will support for all of Washington county. This program does double duty by diverting the mentally ill from the criminal justice system and frees up police officers to fight crime.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
I am a strong proponent of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) that allow the city to design growth that integrates a variety of housing, recreational opportunities, and transportation from a holistic, strategic perspective.
I am also a strong proponent of housing choice. That means, that I will promote PUDs, zoning, and planning that integrate a variety of housing types (e.g. single-family, townhomes, apartments, senior living, income-adjusted, etc.) within our city.
Finally, we also have a homeless crisis. I believe the role of Washington County is to ensure a basic safety net that includes emergency shelter for individuals facing homelessness and will work to ensure these needs are met.
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 need to have a long-term vision for transportation that includes vehicles, bikes & pedestrians, and public transportation. The shifts in transportation due to COVID-19 also tell us that this vision must be flexible and adaptable over time. But we are already seeing a return to work in the Twin Cities, so we need to recognize that a need to travel efficiently from one place to another will always be a key component of quality of life.
What are your priorities for the county’s budget?
Long-term fiscal sustainability is critical. As a Woodbury Councilmember I have gone through 6 budget cycles and have always had a pay-as-you-go philosophy. Each cycle, we are faced with difficult, sometimes painful, tradeoffs that balance the need for critical services with the need for affordability of taxes for individuals. As a county commissioner I will continue to prioritize maintenance of infrastructure (which is cheaper in the long run than replacement), seek grants & outside funding, and support a healthy, steady, predictable budget.
What will you do to expand Washington County’s tax base?
I support smart, orderly growth. Woodbury will see growth through at least 2040, which will ensure that our tax base expands at a steady pace. At the same time, we must actively work on re-development opportunities that will ensure our tax base grows in areas where aging/obsolete infrastructure may otherwise depress tax base growth opportunities. New growth must complement, not compete with our existing community.
During my time on the Woodbury City Council, I have seen the re-development of City Place, the development of the Northeast business quadrant, and implementation of the Phase II development Master Plan. All of these items expand the tax base for Washington County while enhancing the quality of life for the county.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce? Woodbury is a destination of choice in the Twin Cities Metro Area. Residents move here for the abundant parks and trails, well-managed development, roads, and infrastructure, and excellent schools. Through guided development, Woodbury has become a medical office destination. These positions retain highly educated residents in Woodbury. We are currently working on developing the Northwest corridor business development area. This area will bring highly educated and highly skilled professional careers to Woodbury. These work sites will also bring entry-level and less skilled jobs, allowing greater opportunity for all.
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Washington County is a large geographic area with strong local governments. We should always look for opportunities for partnership and shared services that could result in efficiencies and cost savings.
What is the role of the County Board in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Washington County?
The role of the county is to support all businesses owners and foster a supportive community environment. We should continue to work closely with our Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and other Washington County-based Chambers, to understand the unique needs of minority- and women-owned businesses to ensure that they have the resources they need to be successful.
What further policies can Washington County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
We can help businesses connect to federal, state, and county funding. We also can explore local grants and loans to fill gaps for our local businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am proudly running as a non-partisan candidate because I want to serve all Woodbury residents. I hope that you will value my experience and passion for public service and do me the honor of representing you.
Public Office Sought: Washington County Commissioner-District 5
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (651) 983-0290
Campaign Website: AndreaDate.com
Twitter handle: n/a
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/andreadatewoodburycitycouncil
Candidate Bio
I was elected to the Woodbury City Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Some issues I’ve been most passionate about include implementing planned unit developments (PUDs), re-development of aging/obsolete infrastructure, ensuring our zoning promotes a variety of housing choices, and ensuring every resident has access to high-quality parks and trails. I have represented Woodbury on several regional committees including the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Gold Line Corridor Management Committee, and the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission.
Prior to serving on the Woodbury City Council, I served on the Woodbury Parks and Natural Resource Commission and the Woodbury 2040 Comprehensive Planning Task Force. I am also a graduate of the Woodbury Citizen’s Academy.
I grew up in St. Paul and have been a Woodbury resident since 2011. Since 2015, I have worked as a Research Director for a market research company. Prior to that, I worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource as a Planning Director. I have a B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College and a M.S. in Natural Resource Science & Management from the University of Minnesota.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Being a strong voice and advocate for Woodbury residents by ensuring county projects within Woodbury boundaries and/or county/city joint projects provide clear benefit to Woodbury residents. Several projects on the horizon include the Central Park/RH Stafford Library, Environmental Center, and annual road infrastructure improvements.
- Clean and sustainable drinking water by working with the City of Woodbury to remove PFAS from our water through building a permanent water treatment facility and working with state and federal agencies to obtain grants to cover any funding gaps that the 3M settlement funds do not cover. I will continue to advocate for treatment to the level of zero-detect and am committed to finding resources to do so.
- Enhancing Parks and Natural Resources access and amenities by implementing needed improvements to Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Cottage Grove Ravine Park and exploring options to develop additional park opportunities in Woodbury.
How would you characterize the business climate in Washington County and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
A robust and thriving business community is critical to the quality of life of Woodbury residents and Washington County. Woodbury has emphasized attracting medical businesses which has led to hundreds of high-quality, professional jobs in Washington County. It has also brought higher-quality entry level jobs. The shops, restaurants, and local businesses that provide for our resident’s needs allow Washington County to truly be a place where residents can live, work, play and enjoy life.
What role do you think the county should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Washington County?
The most important role of the County is to continue doing ‘core’ businesses well, for example regional parks, public libraries, and transportation infrastructure that make the county a desirable place for both workers and the companies that provide living wage jobs close to home. Low and stable property tax rates is key to ensuring Washington County remains a destination of choice to live, work and play now and in the future.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Washington County (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of a policy on the many types of businesses in Washington County and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I believe these initiatives are best handled at the state level where consistency can be established from municipality to municipality. I have built strong relationships with representatives at the state legislature and would actively work with them to understand how proposals such as these would impact local businesses.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
Improving the connectivity of our regional transit system will allow for employees who do not live in Washington County to access our cities easier. When our businesses have a greater need for employees than our existing population, we must make it easier for employees to commute to our workplaces.
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?
I was born and raised in Saint Paul and am a graduate of Como Park High School. It saddens me to see my former city suffering from increased property crime, gun fire, and murder rates. And unfortunately, Washington County is not immune to increasing crime as well. We must recognize that any solution requires a multi-pronged effort. We need to ensure that police officers and public safety have the resources, training, and support they need to be effective. This includes resources for community policing and de-escalation training. We also need to implement creative solutions such as integrated mental health into public safety. This is a program I’m proud to have supported in Woodbury and will support for all of Washington county. This program does double duty by diverting the mentally ill from the criminal justice system and frees up police officers to fight crime.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
I am a strong proponent of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) that allow the city to design growth that integrates a variety of housing, recreational opportunities, and transportation from a holistic, strategic perspective.
I am also a strong proponent of housing choice. That means, that I will promote PUDs, zoning, and planning that integrate a variety of housing types (e.g. single-family, townhomes, apartments, senior living, income-adjusted, etc.) within our city.
Finally, we also have a homeless crisis. I believe the role of Washington County is to ensure a basic safety net that includes emergency shelter for individuals facing homelessness and will work to ensure these needs are met.
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 need to have a long-term vision for transportation that includes vehicles, bikes & pedestrians, and public transportation. The shifts in transportation due to COVID-19 also tell us that this vision must be flexible and adaptable over time. But we are already seeing a return to work in the Twin Cities, so we need to recognize that a need to travel efficiently from one place to another will always be a key component of quality of life.
What are your priorities for the county’s budget?
Long-term fiscal sustainability is critical. As a Woodbury Councilmember I have gone through 6 budget cycles and have always had a pay-as-you-go philosophy. Each cycle, we are faced with difficult, sometimes painful, tradeoffs that balance the need for critical services with the need for affordability of taxes for individuals. As a county commissioner I will continue to prioritize maintenance of infrastructure (which is cheaper in the long run than replacement), seek grants & outside funding, and support a healthy, steady, predictable budget.
What will you do to expand Washington County’s tax base?
I support smart, orderly growth. Woodbury will see growth through at least 2040, which will ensure that our tax base expands at a steady pace. At the same time, we must actively work on re-development opportunities that will ensure our tax base grows in areas where aging/obsolete infrastructure may otherwise depress tax base growth opportunities. New growth must complement, not compete with our existing community.
During my time on the Woodbury City Council, I have seen the re-development of City Place, the development of the Northeast business quadrant, and implementation of the Phase II development Master Plan. All of these items expand the tax base for Washington County while enhancing the quality of life for the county.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce? Woodbury is a destination of choice in the Twin Cities Metro Area. Residents move here for the abundant parks and trails, well-managed development, roads, and infrastructure, and excellent schools. Through guided development, Woodbury has become a medical office destination. These positions retain highly educated residents in Woodbury. We are currently working on developing the Northwest corridor business development area. This area will bring highly educated and highly skilled professional careers to Woodbury. These work sites will also bring entry-level and less skilled jobs, allowing greater opportunity for all.
Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Washington County is a large geographic area with strong local governments. We should always look for opportunities for partnership and shared services that could result in efficiencies and cost savings.
What is the role of the County Board in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Washington County?
The role of the county is to support all businesses owners and foster a supportive community environment. We should continue to work closely with our Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and other Washington County-based Chambers, to understand the unique needs of minority- and women-owned businesses to ensure that they have the resources they need to be successful.
What further policies can Washington County adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
We can help businesses connect to federal, state, and county funding. We also can explore local grants and loans to fill gaps for our local businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am proudly running as a non-partisan candidate because I want to serve all Woodbury residents. I hope that you will value my experience and passion for public service and do me the honor of representing you.