Brenda Holden
Name: Brenda J. Holden
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-618-2333
Campaign Website: Brenda4ardenhills.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page:
Candidate Bio
My family moved to Arden Hills over 40 years ago. I joined the City Council in 2003 and have had the privilege to serve for the past 21 years. My participation on boards include: TCAAP Joint Development Authority and TCAAP Energy Resiliency Committee, Lake Johanna Fire Department Board, Northeast Youth and Family Services Board, Minnesota Advisory Council on Patient Safety, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon for Veterans and their families. I championed the creation of a long-term maintenance program that systematically reviews roads, trails, parks, sewer systems, water infrastructure, City facilities and equipment to reduce costs. I advocated for long-term budget planning and transparent, understandable financial documents. I was instrumental in developing our City’s annual 10-year budget cycle plan. I worked with local businesses during COVID and the Lexington Ave reconstruct. I worked to get state bonding and grants for City projects and added 7.2 miles of trails in the last 10 years. I understand the City process, history, networks, and have the ability to partner with others. I retired as Director of Operations of the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System. Arden Hills and its residents are my main concern.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I am committed to true transparency in governance, seeking open discussion at Council meeting of all City issues including TCAAP. I support community engagement, resident participation in meetings, and inclusiveness in City committees. I believe City committees should include all elected officials, not just limited to a few Council Members, which ensures balanced government and attendance. Council should set aside money for future cash expenditures on infrastructure rehab, rather than significant and costly borrowing for those needs. Maintaining our assets and having a pay-as-you-go strategy has allowed the City to achieve a AAA bond rating and to take advantage of joint opportunities as they arise as well as keeping the City financially sound. I want to bring these important principals forward so the future of Arden Hills remains sound and does not fail for succeeding generations. I believe the City should continue to participate in collaborative ventures with other governments and entities to reduce costs across the board.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
1. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons. - I support the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons development, understanding this is a unique opportunity to benefit current and future residents and businesses. It is vital that the development is fiscally sound, avoids burdening current taxpayers, and does not jeopardize our City’s financial stability. TCAAP must use innovative environmental practices. Since TCAAP is the creation of a completely new area, the expenses for roads, utilities, and affordable housing, as well as mixed housing types are significant. There is an expectation that some state bond money may be available. Without state funding, the county would need to bond at significant expense, or the project could be postponed. 2. Aging infrastructure. - Maintenance and upgrading of the City’s aging infrastructure must be a priority, in order to avoid expensive reconstruction, which should only be used as a last resort. Reconstruction costs of recreation courts, sewers, roads, city buildings, city facilities, trails and parks are double the cost of maintaining them. Maintenance also reduces City insurance premium cost. Maintenance protects the environment from compromised sewer pipes, water pipes, and storm drainage systems leakage. City maintenance must continue to use environmentally safe practices. 3. Public Safety. - Our City has many state and county roads thru it. Additional trail segments must be added, City roads now have a 25 mph speed limit. A new fire station and movement to some full-time staffing will reduce response time to AH residents, City should encourage the Sheriff’s development of a mental health response unit.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Arden Hills?
The development of the TCAAP property. It is a unique opportunity that can benefit current and future residents and businesses if done correctly. There is only one chance, the City cannot “go back” and correct mistakes as has been stated by some current elected officials. It is vital that the development be truly vetted to not put the City or the current residents at risk. Currently, according to financial review, TCAAP will not expand the City’s tax base. If not properly planned, developed, or financial reviewed there is the potential that current Arden Hills’ will need to pay for the development for years to come, thus ignoring or deferring issues that must be addressed in our existing developed portion of Arden Hills or increase taxes significantly.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
While small cities can take the initiative, costs can be prohibited to develop programs alone. I support keeping taxes affordable so businesses with good jobs are secure within our community. Multi-sector collaboration is necessary for environmentally related issues. I encourage workforce development by supporting the School District programs such as STEM and earning college/higher education credits in high school. The policy rationales for such programs educate a wide range of workers. The 2023-2024 legislative session passed many new regulations for businesses. This did increase cost for businesses and employees. Benefits were mandated and regulations on how businesses run their benefits were passed. This will reduce businesses abilities to be competitive with online businesses. Price increases will be passed through to consumers. New taxes decrease buying power but hopefully will be offset by raising minimum wage as well as wages in general.
How would you characterize the business climate in Arden Hills and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Arden Hills?
Past business surveys revealed that businesses seem to be content except for traffic issues. Most appreciate the low taxes and excellent services provided by the City. Currently, there is limited opportunity for business to expand that want to remain in Arden Hill. To assist business development, I have voted to lower the amount of office space in buildings and allow higher ceilings in buildings to meet the need of new businesses. I regularly visit businesses to talk about their future plans and try to assist those looking for new locations in Arden Hills. Networking with area businesses is important and these conversations were used when creating the Arden Hills’ Business Retention and Expansion program. I am an active member of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. I voted to fund the “Welcome back to Lexington” Program. The City should be open to pursuing brownfield grants with businesses but should not take on the risk and responsibility alone. Cities should actively “sell” their City and local environment and plan and create amenities that businesses want for employees. The sell could include options for the City to retain jobs and to ensure businesses can expand and provide services necessary for assisting businesses actively seeking new locations
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Continue to work with the Sheriff Department so it proactively engages with all in our community, is transparent and provides information, while maintaining a high expectation of professionalism and ongoing training. Support Sheriff Department in training for dealing with mental health, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. I support the new Lake Johanna fire station located in Arden Hills to ensure faster response times for our residents. I also support the move to increase full-time fire staff to ensure staffing on all shifts, stabilize costs of hiring and training new firefighters. I know respond time is critical in both fires and medical emergencies. Our first responders can make all the difference in the time before an ambulance arrives.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Most Cities in the metro have continuing concern about the amount of affordable housing in their community and their goals in this area. The Met Council’s most recent affordable housing study shows that approximately 40% of the houses in Arden Hills are considered affordable. Arden Hills had 3,277 housing units, 1,298 of which fall within the category of affordable housing. Of those1,298 affordable units, 347 (27%) are affordable at 80%of Area Median Income (AMI), 468 (36%) are affordable of AMIs between 60% and 31%, and 483 units (37%) are affordable at AMIs less than 30%. It is difficult to introduce additional housing in a community that is built out. The TCAPP/Rice Creek Commons project will bring additional affordable housing to the City. The number of affordable units and the level of affordability is being planned and negotiated by Ramsey County and the Developer. The goal is to have at least 20% of the development affordable. These affordable units will become a reality when the County and developer reach an agreement, and the County begins to sell the vacant land to the developer to begin construction. I believe Homeownership should be the priority. This can be accomplished through the use of Community Land Trusts (CLT). CLT provides mortgages for structure only, not the land, thus reducing the mortgage ask. The home then remains affordable if the owner was to sell it. People want to be able to look out their windows and see their children playing in their yard. Apartments do not add a sense of community like housing neighborhoods.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I would continue to document the need for and seek out grants, state bonding dollars, safe routes to school, Met Council and other funding. Safety is a priority, however our City is divided by state highways and county collector roads. I have worked with the past Councils to add pedestrian push button crossing walks on several county roads. I have worked to secure funding for 7.2 miles of trails in the last 10 years. More trail segments are needed. Trails cost about $1.5 million a mile, and the City’s total budget has been roughly $5 million. The 2020 Council reduced the speed limit to 25 mph on City roads, which has made a difference in safety. I will continue to hold meetings with the county, Sheriff and Lake Johanna Blvd residents for safety on that county road. The City finally received a commitment from the county to help reduce speeding on Lake Johanna while a proper trail is being planned. I have pushed for the City to have trail projects designed and shovel ready if funding becomes available. I have earnestly and continually requested the Met Council for addition bus routes in our community. I believe a City circular bus would help community members get to health appointments and do grocery and retail shopping.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
Arden Hills did not place the temporary funding into our long-term budget. The City used the money towards our aging water and sewer infrastructure. These funds allow the city to hold down costs for future water and sewer costs.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
Since Arden Hills is a smaller City (population 10,000), I believe that most policy initiatives should be implemented on a more region-wide basis. I would take a balanced approach to any regional proposals and consider all perspectives to make sensible decision. The State should concentrate on state-level administration, policymaking, and regulation. I believe my City should focus on managing public services, budgeting, ordinances, zoning and our comprehensive plan.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-618-2333
Campaign Website: Brenda4ardenhills.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page:
Candidate Bio
My family moved to Arden Hills over 40 years ago. I joined the City Council in 2003 and have had the privilege to serve for the past 21 years. My participation on boards include: TCAAP Joint Development Authority and TCAAP Energy Resiliency Committee, Lake Johanna Fire Department Board, Northeast Youth and Family Services Board, Minnesota Advisory Council on Patient Safety, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon for Veterans and their families. I championed the creation of a long-term maintenance program that systematically reviews roads, trails, parks, sewer systems, water infrastructure, City facilities and equipment to reduce costs. I advocated for long-term budget planning and transparent, understandable financial documents. I was instrumental in developing our City’s annual 10-year budget cycle plan. I worked with local businesses during COVID and the Lexington Ave reconstruct. I worked to get state bonding and grants for City projects and added 7.2 miles of trails in the last 10 years. I understand the City process, history, networks, and have the ability to partner with others. I retired as Director of Operations of the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System. Arden Hills and its residents are my main concern.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I am committed to true transparency in governance, seeking open discussion at Council meeting of all City issues including TCAAP. I support community engagement, resident participation in meetings, and inclusiveness in City committees. I believe City committees should include all elected officials, not just limited to a few Council Members, which ensures balanced government and attendance. Council should set aside money for future cash expenditures on infrastructure rehab, rather than significant and costly borrowing for those needs. Maintaining our assets and having a pay-as-you-go strategy has allowed the City to achieve a AAA bond rating and to take advantage of joint opportunities as they arise as well as keeping the City financially sound. I want to bring these important principals forward so the future of Arden Hills remains sound and does not fail for succeeding generations. I believe the City should continue to participate in collaborative ventures with other governments and entities to reduce costs across the board.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
1. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons. - I support the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons development, understanding this is a unique opportunity to benefit current and future residents and businesses. It is vital that the development is fiscally sound, avoids burdening current taxpayers, and does not jeopardize our City’s financial stability. TCAAP must use innovative environmental practices. Since TCAAP is the creation of a completely new area, the expenses for roads, utilities, and affordable housing, as well as mixed housing types are significant. There is an expectation that some state bond money may be available. Without state funding, the county would need to bond at significant expense, or the project could be postponed. 2. Aging infrastructure. - Maintenance and upgrading of the City’s aging infrastructure must be a priority, in order to avoid expensive reconstruction, which should only be used as a last resort. Reconstruction costs of recreation courts, sewers, roads, city buildings, city facilities, trails and parks are double the cost of maintaining them. Maintenance also reduces City insurance premium cost. Maintenance protects the environment from compromised sewer pipes, water pipes, and storm drainage systems leakage. City maintenance must continue to use environmentally safe practices. 3. Public Safety. - Our City has many state and county roads thru it. Additional trail segments must be added, City roads now have a 25 mph speed limit. A new fire station and movement to some full-time staffing will reduce response time to AH residents, City should encourage the Sheriff’s development of a mental health response unit.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Arden Hills?
The development of the TCAAP property. It is a unique opportunity that can benefit current and future residents and businesses if done correctly. There is only one chance, the City cannot “go back” and correct mistakes as has been stated by some current elected officials. It is vital that the development be truly vetted to not put the City or the current residents at risk. Currently, according to financial review, TCAAP will not expand the City’s tax base. If not properly planned, developed, or financial reviewed there is the potential that current Arden Hills’ will need to pay for the development for years to come, thus ignoring or deferring issues that must be addressed in our existing developed portion of Arden Hills or increase taxes significantly.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
While small cities can take the initiative, costs can be prohibited to develop programs alone. I support keeping taxes affordable so businesses with good jobs are secure within our community. Multi-sector collaboration is necessary for environmentally related issues. I encourage workforce development by supporting the School District programs such as STEM and earning college/higher education credits in high school. The policy rationales for such programs educate a wide range of workers. The 2023-2024 legislative session passed many new regulations for businesses. This did increase cost for businesses and employees. Benefits were mandated and regulations on how businesses run their benefits were passed. This will reduce businesses abilities to be competitive with online businesses. Price increases will be passed through to consumers. New taxes decrease buying power but hopefully will be offset by raising minimum wage as well as wages in general.
How would you characterize the business climate in Arden Hills and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Arden Hills?
Past business surveys revealed that businesses seem to be content except for traffic issues. Most appreciate the low taxes and excellent services provided by the City. Currently, there is limited opportunity for business to expand that want to remain in Arden Hill. To assist business development, I have voted to lower the amount of office space in buildings and allow higher ceilings in buildings to meet the need of new businesses. I regularly visit businesses to talk about their future plans and try to assist those looking for new locations in Arden Hills. Networking with area businesses is important and these conversations were used when creating the Arden Hills’ Business Retention and Expansion program. I am an active member of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. I voted to fund the “Welcome back to Lexington” Program. The City should be open to pursuing brownfield grants with businesses but should not take on the risk and responsibility alone. Cities should actively “sell” their City and local environment and plan and create amenities that businesses want for employees. The sell could include options for the City to retain jobs and to ensure businesses can expand and provide services necessary for assisting businesses actively seeking new locations
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Continue to work with the Sheriff Department so it proactively engages with all in our community, is transparent and provides information, while maintaining a high expectation of professionalism and ongoing training. Support Sheriff Department in training for dealing with mental health, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. I support the new Lake Johanna fire station located in Arden Hills to ensure faster response times for our residents. I also support the move to increase full-time fire staff to ensure staffing on all shifts, stabilize costs of hiring and training new firefighters. I know respond time is critical in both fires and medical emergencies. Our first responders can make all the difference in the time before an ambulance arrives.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Most Cities in the metro have continuing concern about the amount of affordable housing in their community and their goals in this area. The Met Council’s most recent affordable housing study shows that approximately 40% of the houses in Arden Hills are considered affordable. Arden Hills had 3,277 housing units, 1,298 of which fall within the category of affordable housing. Of those1,298 affordable units, 347 (27%) are affordable at 80%of Area Median Income (AMI), 468 (36%) are affordable of AMIs between 60% and 31%, and 483 units (37%) are affordable at AMIs less than 30%. It is difficult to introduce additional housing in a community that is built out. The TCAPP/Rice Creek Commons project will bring additional affordable housing to the City. The number of affordable units and the level of affordability is being planned and negotiated by Ramsey County and the Developer. The goal is to have at least 20% of the development affordable. These affordable units will become a reality when the County and developer reach an agreement, and the County begins to sell the vacant land to the developer to begin construction. I believe Homeownership should be the priority. This can be accomplished through the use of Community Land Trusts (CLT). CLT provides mortgages for structure only, not the land, thus reducing the mortgage ask. The home then remains affordable if the owner was to sell it. People want to be able to look out their windows and see their children playing in their yard. Apartments do not add a sense of community like housing neighborhoods.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I would continue to document the need for and seek out grants, state bonding dollars, safe routes to school, Met Council and other funding. Safety is a priority, however our City is divided by state highways and county collector roads. I have worked with the past Councils to add pedestrian push button crossing walks on several county roads. I have worked to secure funding for 7.2 miles of trails in the last 10 years. More trail segments are needed. Trails cost about $1.5 million a mile, and the City’s total budget has been roughly $5 million. The 2020 Council reduced the speed limit to 25 mph on City roads, which has made a difference in safety. I will continue to hold meetings with the county, Sheriff and Lake Johanna Blvd residents for safety on that county road. The City finally received a commitment from the county to help reduce speeding on Lake Johanna while a proper trail is being planned. I have pushed for the City to have trail projects designed and shovel ready if funding becomes available. I have earnestly and continually requested the Met Council for addition bus routes in our community. I believe a City circular bus would help community members get to health appointments and do grocery and retail shopping.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
Arden Hills did not place the temporary funding into our long-term budget. The City used the money towards our aging water and sewer infrastructure. These funds allow the city to hold down costs for future water and sewer costs.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
Since Arden Hills is a smaller City (population 10,000), I believe that most policy initiatives should be implemented on a more region-wide basis. I would take a balanced approach to any regional proposals and consider all perspectives to make sensible decision. The State should concentrate on state-level administration, policymaking, and regulation. I believe my City should focus on managing public services, budgeting, ordinances, zoning and our comprehensive plan.