Dallas Pierson
Name: Dallas Pierson
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-547-8359
Website: dallaspierson.com
Facebook: Dallas Pierson
Candidate Bio
I have been a part of Oakdale for over 30 years, living in the city and working in or near it at 3M, Imation, and Kodak for over 40 years. My experience in research and innovation gives me a broad range of knowledge, skills, and a “can do” spirit which I hope to apply for your benefit on the City Council. I graduated from Iowa State University in Mathematics and Physics. From University of Minnesota with Electrical Engineering and a concentration in Computer Science. I worked at 3M and Imation in Research and Development on many product development projects, learning skills of reliability engineering, project management and continuous improvement. Working with teams to reach consensus and solutions to complex problems that worked, met timelines and came in on budget. At Kodak I developed software products for color management. I also often provided IT support for my colleagues in our group in Oakdale. In all cases the important steps in getting things done well, were always working together as a team of people from many different areas and needs, for a common goal. A lesson I learned well.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale?
I believe the overall business climate in Oakdale to be good. The business park plans for Hwy 5 site need revitalization. Revitalization of other business sites (HyVee) with the help of the City has been a success for the City that must be continued. Ways to help businesses succeed and start operations in Oakdale must continue to be explored.
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, Oakdale?
The City Councils role is a crucial component. Business retention visits to “check in” with businesses and discuss what the City can do to help their success. I will strongly support this. Economical and reliable transportation systems around the city and the ability for employees and customers to get to the businesses are critical. Reasonable regulations that do not inhibit the needs for business, while still addressing and maintaining the needs and quality of life for the citizens.
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 Oakdale?
The Community Development Department and Economic Development Commission are tasked with that currently, and should be supported and directed to make sure those needs are met. Adding additional staff would seem to put an undue burden toward increasing taxes for business and homeowners alike in a smaller city.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Oakdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Oakdale 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?
No I do not support a City defined minimum wage. It would simply create too many problems for our local businesses.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (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 Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Public safety is always a strong concern on the part of both homeowners and businesses. Of course the bulk of the cities response comes from the Police and Fire departments. Open and constant communication, and support from the City Council, with the experts in the Police force and Fire Department is paramount to maintaining and improving our safety and security. Partnerships with the County departments on issues like the Human Trafficking problems are also very important.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Responsible budgeting, maintaining and improving the amenities for our citizens and the business environment for our businesses, without significant increases in property taxes. Keeping a balance between needs and wants to assure we keep the budget in control for the benefit of the taxpayers, not to take them for granted.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
The relationship has many facets and the question is not clear. I hope and plan that we can grow both bases organically, without increasing taxation on either. Both constituents are important to the health of the city, and we cannot take advantage of either.
9. What will you do to expand Oakdales tax base?
Increasing business and home bases within reasonable density guidelines that maintain the character of Oakdale. We have a number of good development sites within Oakdale for new business locations. Making the business climate attractive to them is a certain goal of mine. We are also in the process of guiding development on a 200 acre site for mixed residential that will be developed over the next 5 to 10 years.
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?
Supporting great schools and training opportunities is crucial for everyone in Oakdale. The City remains a partner to help and assist where needed with ISD622. Washington County Workforce Center is a great partnership with the city to aid workers.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Oakdale Public Schools?
Providing school safety throughout the Police and Fire departments. Working with the schools for appropriate land use and building improvements are also key roles for the City Council.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Water quality and supply will continue to be a top priority for the City. We will need to replicate the water purification system we have for our current wells, for any new wells, as part of the 3M Settlement. Or we could become part of a regional water system.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Maintaining programs to help citizens improve and maintain Oakdale’s aging housing.
These are key to keeping Oakdale an attractive place to live and work:
Public safety, people must feel safe in their homes and businesses
Responsible budgeting and planning.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Maintaining our roads and infrastructure remains our top transportation priority. Improving availability of buses or other modes will still depend on good roads. I would strongly support improving bus routes availability to more of our city. Improving transportation around the city, to get to businesses and express buses etc, I believe is important to a significant and growing number of our citizens.
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?
I am always I favor of partnerships with neighboring communities and jurisdictions that help Oakdale reduce costs and provide better services. Support partnerships with Police and Fire are great examples. Oakdale has been cautious about adding services, and continued caution is a good measure.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
It would be an honor and privilege to serve on the City Council to help continue moving us forward and continuously improve our quality of life, while keeping the spirit of the city we love.
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-547-8359
Website: dallaspierson.com
Facebook: Dallas Pierson
Candidate Bio
I have been a part of Oakdale for over 30 years, living in the city and working in or near it at 3M, Imation, and Kodak for over 40 years. My experience in research and innovation gives me a broad range of knowledge, skills, and a “can do” spirit which I hope to apply for your benefit on the City Council. I graduated from Iowa State University in Mathematics and Physics. From University of Minnesota with Electrical Engineering and a concentration in Computer Science. I worked at 3M and Imation in Research and Development on many product development projects, learning skills of reliability engineering, project management and continuous improvement. Working with teams to reach consensus and solutions to complex problems that worked, met timelines and came in on budget. At Kodak I developed software products for color management. I also often provided IT support for my colleagues in our group in Oakdale. In all cases the important steps in getting things done well, were always working together as a team of people from many different areas and needs, for a common goal. A lesson I learned well.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale?
I believe the overall business climate in Oakdale to be good. The business park plans for Hwy 5 site need revitalization. Revitalization of other business sites (HyVee) with the help of the City has been a success for the City that must be continued. Ways to help businesses succeed and start operations in Oakdale must continue to be explored.
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, Oakdale?
The City Councils role is a crucial component. Business retention visits to “check in” with businesses and discuss what the City can do to help their success. I will strongly support this. Economical and reliable transportation systems around the city and the ability for employees and customers to get to the businesses are critical. Reasonable regulations that do not inhibit the needs for business, while still addressing and maintaining the needs and quality of life for the citizens.
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 Oakdale?
The Community Development Department and Economic Development Commission are tasked with that currently, and should be supported and directed to make sure those needs are met. Adding additional staff would seem to put an undue burden toward increasing taxes for business and homeowners alike in a smaller city.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Oakdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Oakdale 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?
No I do not support a City defined minimum wage. It would simply create too many problems for our local businesses.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (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 Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Public safety is always a strong concern on the part of both homeowners and businesses. Of course the bulk of the cities response comes from the Police and Fire departments. Open and constant communication, and support from the City Council, with the experts in the Police force and Fire Department is paramount to maintaining and improving our safety and security. Partnerships with the County departments on issues like the Human Trafficking problems are also very important.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Responsible budgeting, maintaining and improving the amenities for our citizens and the business environment for our businesses, without significant increases in property taxes. Keeping a balance between needs and wants to assure we keep the budget in control for the benefit of the taxpayers, not to take them for granted.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
The relationship has many facets and the question is not clear. I hope and plan that we can grow both bases organically, without increasing taxation on either. Both constituents are important to the health of the city, and we cannot take advantage of either.
9. What will you do to expand Oakdales tax base?
Increasing business and home bases within reasonable density guidelines that maintain the character of Oakdale. We have a number of good development sites within Oakdale for new business locations. Making the business climate attractive to them is a certain goal of mine. We are also in the process of guiding development on a 200 acre site for mixed residential that will be developed over the next 5 to 10 years.
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?
Supporting great schools and training opportunities is crucial for everyone in Oakdale. The City remains a partner to help and assist where needed with ISD622. Washington County Workforce Center is a great partnership with the city to aid workers.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Oakdale Public Schools?
Providing school safety throughout the Police and Fire departments. Working with the schools for appropriate land use and building improvements are also key roles for the City Council.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Water quality and supply will continue to be a top priority for the City. We will need to replicate the water purification system we have for our current wells, for any new wells, as part of the 3M Settlement. Or we could become part of a regional water system.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Maintaining programs to help citizens improve and maintain Oakdale’s aging housing.
These are key to keeping Oakdale an attractive place to live and work:
Public safety, people must feel safe in their homes and businesses
Responsible budgeting and planning.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Maintaining our roads and infrastructure remains our top transportation priority. Improving availability of buses or other modes will still depend on good roads. I would strongly support improving bus routes availability to more of our city. Improving transportation around the city, to get to businesses and express buses etc, I believe is important to a significant and growing number of our citizens.
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?
I am always I favor of partnerships with neighboring communities and jurisdictions that help Oakdale reduce costs and provide better services. Support partnerships with Police and Fire are great examples. Oakdale has been cautious about adding services, and continued caution is a good measure.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
It would be an honor and privilege to serve on the City Council to help continue moving us forward and continuously improve our quality of life, while keeping the spirit of the city we love.