Bob Willmus
Name: Bob Willmus
Public Office Sought: Roseville City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-633-4601
Website: www.BobWillmus.com
Facebook: Roseville Council Member Bob Willmus
Candidate Bio
Background/Community Involvement:
• 4th generation, 45 year resident of Roseville
• Wife Debby, Children Nicky, Katy & Dan
• Bachelors Degree St. Cloud State University Real Estate /
Finance, minor Economics
• Current City Council Member
• RAMS Theater / Roseville Youth Basketball Assoc. Volunteer
• Park & Rec. Commission – Roseville HRA – Roseville EDA
• Member Parks Master Plan Citizen Advisory Team
• Member Roseville 2025 Visioning Committee
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Roseville?
I would characterize the business climate as quite healthy. Roseville is perfectly positioned in the central metro area. Roseville’s proximity to both Saint Paul and Minneapolis provides advantages in accessibility over that of other communities. Regional transportation, employment, shopping, dinning, entertainment, recreation and housing are all located within or very near Roseville. Roseville also has a very committed staff and current city council that understands and supports our business community. A few years ago, I proposed eliminating the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and replacing it with and Economic Development Authority (EDA). The Roseville EDA is continuing serve our residents but is now able provide greater support for our business community than would have been possible through the HRA.
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, Roseville?
Through the EDA Roseville has been able to be more proactive in marketing the city to the larger business community. As noted earlier, Roseville is positioned very well within the greater metro area. This combined with Roseville’s balanced approach to regulation, taxation, community expectations and vision has resulted in a very diversified commercial sector within the community. Roseville is also more proactive in assisting our existing and potential new businesses with access to county assistance programs, State Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) programs. All these items noted will provide greater opportunity for growth of our area 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 Roseville?
I think we are ahead of many communities in that we already have a committed Community Development, EDA and senior staff such as the City Manager that understands the role a healthy business community plays in the overall health of Roseville.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Roseville? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Roseville 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 think this is an issue best addressed on a state-wide level or at the very least, a regional level. As I noted earlier Roseville has a very diversified commercial sector and I think it would prove very difficult for some of our business to adjust to. If there was an effort to increase the minimum wage in Roseville I certainly would look to mitigation measures to assure we are not unduly harming our business community.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Roseville (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 Roseville and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?’
Similarly to my response on the minimum wage question, I believe that broader employment related proposals are best addressed at the state or regional level.
6. How would you support tourism and its economic impact on the City of Roseville? How would you increase the number of visitors to our destinations (creating a ‘downtown’ walkable area, producing wayfinding and welcome signage, etc.)?
The Roseville Visitors Association works very closely with the local business and the city in efforts to attract visitors to the area. Visitors are very important to health of our local economy. I will always be supportive of initiatives that will foster positive visitor experiences. Small things like walkability and wayfinding can have a very positive impact on visitors.
Public safety
7. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Roseville is fortunate to have excellent public safety personnel. From our top police and fire administrators to the rank and file, they understand community service. Both police and fire have been very proactive with community outreach and education. Getting our public safety staff out into the community to meet and greet those they serve has proven very valuable to building strong bonds between the citizens, business owners, police officers and firefighters alike.
Budget
8. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The annual budget process and setting of the tax levy are one of the most important functions of local government as all municipal services are allocated based upon these processes. I seek to maintain emergency services, public works, parks & recreation service levels in a manner that is consistent with the community’s vision and needs.
9. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Having a healthy commercial and residential tax base is vital for a strong community.
Roseville residential property owners have benefited from the strength of the commercial tax base in that the commercial properties typically pay a greater share of the tax levy. Over time this allocation of the levy share will fluctuate slightly but I do think it is fair to say that the commercial sector has helped offset the levy impacts of residential properties over time.
Maintaining a healthy tax base of both sectors is vital so that we do not see a large shift with one sector paying a disproportionate share of the levy. As a city it is important to keep a strong focus on economic development initiatives that will grow our tax base.
10. What will you do to expand Roseville’s tax base?
Expanding the tax base is dependent upon several items. We need to have adequate well-maintained infrastructure. Accessibility to varied modes of transit. Zoning and regulatory controls that support and accommodate changing market and community needs. Working together with other governmental agencies to accommodate and support growth is critical as well. We also must have leadership that understand the importance of supporting efforts to grow the tax base as it is critical to the future viability of the community. Supporting efforts focused on business retention and expansion through the EDA is certainly something I have been an advocate of.
Workforce development
11. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Through the Roseville Business Council, we have engaged the business community, and our schools, in highlighting the importance of the trades. Adequate vocational education options will be a necessity for our local area and region to continue growing. Local skilled labor is in short supply, we must support efforts to expand this sector of the workforce. I have been pleased to see that both Mounds View and Roseville Schools are taking the initiative and reinvesting in vocational training within their respective curriculums.
12. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Roseville Public Schools?
The city does not have a direct role with our area schools as they are governed independently from the city. That said, the city of Roseville has a long history of collaboration with our schools in efforts to benefit our mutual constituencies, examples would be use of shared facilities supporting recreation and educational opportunities. In recent years the city has been more proactive in reaching out to our area schools in support of workforce development opportunities. In the coming years I would like to see us expand on the work we have started in this area.
Other
13. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Balancing the community’s expectations regarding tax levels and infrastructure needs in the coming years. We need to continue to work with the taxpayer to properly allocate funding for city services and infrastructure in a manner that meets the expectations and needs of the taxpayer.
14. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
• Approaching the annual budget and tax levy process in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Maintaining Emergency Services, Public Works, Parks & Trails in a manner that is consistent with the community’s vision and needs.
• Continuation collaborative efforts between the City of Roseville and our numerous school / community / civic organizations.
15. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Long term priorities would be continued support for MnPass lanes on both I-35w and Hwy 36. Also, extension of the A-Line north to Arden Hills and the Rice Creek Commons area. Short term priorities would be to fill the existing gap in East-West routes throughout the community. One possible solution may be to expand circulator routes within the city.
16. 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?
I’m always open to discussing our current levels of service and types of programs we provide the community. I would encourage those reading this to contact the council if they have thoughts about programs and or services they feel should be reduced or eliminated.
There are always opportunities to explore and encourage collaborative efforts not only among units of government but to civic and community groups as well. Roseville staff, with the support of the current council, has been very proactive in engaging other entities in efforts to provide benefits to residents and businesses through collaboration. The city of Roseville participates in joint efforts with other communities at all levels. Public Works, Emergency Services, Parks & Recreation, Engineering, Finance & Information Technology all work with other communities or governmental units in an ongoing effort to improve the efficiency of programs and services provided to the taxpayers of Roseville.
17. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Thank you for the opportunity to participate and for SPACC’s effort to educate the voter!
Public Office Sought: Roseville City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-633-4601
Website: www.BobWillmus.com
Facebook: Roseville Council Member Bob Willmus
Candidate Bio
Background/Community Involvement:
• 4th generation, 45 year resident of Roseville
• Wife Debby, Children Nicky, Katy & Dan
• Bachelors Degree St. Cloud State University Real Estate /
Finance, minor Economics
• Current City Council Member
• RAMS Theater / Roseville Youth Basketball Assoc. Volunteer
• Park & Rec. Commission – Roseville HRA – Roseville EDA
• Member Parks Master Plan Citizen Advisory Team
• Member Roseville 2025 Visioning Committee
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Roseville?
I would characterize the business climate as quite healthy. Roseville is perfectly positioned in the central metro area. Roseville’s proximity to both Saint Paul and Minneapolis provides advantages in accessibility over that of other communities. Regional transportation, employment, shopping, dinning, entertainment, recreation and housing are all located within or very near Roseville. Roseville also has a very committed staff and current city council that understands and supports our business community. A few years ago, I proposed eliminating the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and replacing it with and Economic Development Authority (EDA). The Roseville EDA is continuing serve our residents but is now able provide greater support for our business community than would have been possible through the HRA.
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, Roseville?
Through the EDA Roseville has been able to be more proactive in marketing the city to the larger business community. As noted earlier, Roseville is positioned very well within the greater metro area. This combined with Roseville’s balanced approach to regulation, taxation, community expectations and vision has resulted in a very diversified commercial sector within the community. Roseville is also more proactive in assisting our existing and potential new businesses with access to county assistance programs, State Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) programs. All these items noted will provide greater opportunity for growth of our area 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 Roseville?
I think we are ahead of many communities in that we already have a committed Community Development, EDA and senior staff such as the City Manager that understands the role a healthy business community plays in the overall health of Roseville.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Roseville? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Roseville 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 think this is an issue best addressed on a state-wide level or at the very least, a regional level. As I noted earlier Roseville has a very diversified commercial sector and I think it would prove very difficult for some of our business to adjust to. If there was an effort to increase the minimum wage in Roseville I certainly would look to mitigation measures to assure we are not unduly harming our business community.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Roseville (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 Roseville and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?’
Similarly to my response on the minimum wage question, I believe that broader employment related proposals are best addressed at the state or regional level.
6. How would you support tourism and its economic impact on the City of Roseville? How would you increase the number of visitors to our destinations (creating a ‘downtown’ walkable area, producing wayfinding and welcome signage, etc.)?
The Roseville Visitors Association works very closely with the local business and the city in efforts to attract visitors to the area. Visitors are very important to health of our local economy. I will always be supportive of initiatives that will foster positive visitor experiences. Small things like walkability and wayfinding can have a very positive impact on visitors.
Public safety
7. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Roseville is fortunate to have excellent public safety personnel. From our top police and fire administrators to the rank and file, they understand community service. Both police and fire have been very proactive with community outreach and education. Getting our public safety staff out into the community to meet and greet those they serve has proven very valuable to building strong bonds between the citizens, business owners, police officers and firefighters alike.
Budget
8. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The annual budget process and setting of the tax levy are one of the most important functions of local government as all municipal services are allocated based upon these processes. I seek to maintain emergency services, public works, parks & recreation service levels in a manner that is consistent with the community’s vision and needs.
9. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Having a healthy commercial and residential tax base is vital for a strong community.
Roseville residential property owners have benefited from the strength of the commercial tax base in that the commercial properties typically pay a greater share of the tax levy. Over time this allocation of the levy share will fluctuate slightly but I do think it is fair to say that the commercial sector has helped offset the levy impacts of residential properties over time.
Maintaining a healthy tax base of both sectors is vital so that we do not see a large shift with one sector paying a disproportionate share of the levy. As a city it is important to keep a strong focus on economic development initiatives that will grow our tax base.
10. What will you do to expand Roseville’s tax base?
Expanding the tax base is dependent upon several items. We need to have adequate well-maintained infrastructure. Accessibility to varied modes of transit. Zoning and regulatory controls that support and accommodate changing market and community needs. Working together with other governmental agencies to accommodate and support growth is critical as well. We also must have leadership that understand the importance of supporting efforts to grow the tax base as it is critical to the future viability of the community. Supporting efforts focused on business retention and expansion through the EDA is certainly something I have been an advocate of.
Workforce development
11. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Through the Roseville Business Council, we have engaged the business community, and our schools, in highlighting the importance of the trades. Adequate vocational education options will be a necessity for our local area and region to continue growing. Local skilled labor is in short supply, we must support efforts to expand this sector of the workforce. I have been pleased to see that both Mounds View and Roseville Schools are taking the initiative and reinvesting in vocational training within their respective curriculums.
12. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Roseville Public Schools?
The city does not have a direct role with our area schools as they are governed independently from the city. That said, the city of Roseville has a long history of collaboration with our schools in efforts to benefit our mutual constituencies, examples would be use of shared facilities supporting recreation and educational opportunities. In recent years the city has been more proactive in reaching out to our area schools in support of workforce development opportunities. In the coming years I would like to see us expand on the work we have started in this area.
Other
13. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Balancing the community’s expectations regarding tax levels and infrastructure needs in the coming years. We need to continue to work with the taxpayer to properly allocate funding for city services and infrastructure in a manner that meets the expectations and needs of the taxpayer.
14. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
• Approaching the annual budget and tax levy process in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Maintaining Emergency Services, Public Works, Parks & Trails in a manner that is consistent with the community’s vision and needs.
• Continuation collaborative efforts between the City of Roseville and our numerous school / community / civic organizations.
15. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Long term priorities would be continued support for MnPass lanes on both I-35w and Hwy 36. Also, extension of the A-Line north to Arden Hills and the Rice Creek Commons area. Short term priorities would be to fill the existing gap in East-West routes throughout the community. One possible solution may be to expand circulator routes within the city.
16. 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?
I’m always open to discussing our current levels of service and types of programs we provide the community. I would encourage those reading this to contact the council if they have thoughts about programs and or services they feel should be reduced or eliminated.
There are always opportunities to explore and encourage collaborative efforts not only among units of government but to civic and community groups as well. Roseville staff, with the support of the current council, has been very proactive in engaging other entities in efforts to provide benefits to residents and businesses through collaboration. The city of Roseville participates in joint efforts with other communities at all levels. Public Works, Emergency Services, Parks & Recreation, Engineering, Finance & Information Technology all work with other communities or governmental units in an ongoing effort to improve the efficiency of programs and services provided to the taxpayers of Roseville.
17. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Thank you for the opportunity to participate and for SPACC’s effort to educate the voter!