Doug Fromm
Name: Doug Fromm
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-434-9063
Campaign Website: dougforwsp.com
Twitter handle: @DougFromm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dougfrommforwsp
Candidate Bio
I am the current chair of the West St. Paul Charter Commission, where I have been a member since 2013. Previous to that I served on the West St. Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for 6 years. I have also served as an election judge for almost two decades, most of that time as a Head Election Judge. I have also served as a youth leader, including about 15 years as scout leader. I believe that I have excellent listening and collaboration skills that are essential to working on a City Council. I am willing to think “outside the box” to find solutions to difficult problems. I feel that I have a very good understanding of the issues facing West St. Paul, and in particular, Ward 1.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
If I am honored and entrusted by the residents of Ward 1 to be one of their representatives to the West St. Paul City Council, I would work hard to effectively communicate with my constituents, ward 1 business owners, and my fellow councilmembers. I believe in collaborating with others to seek impactful and equitable solutions. I also believe in working hard and being well prepared for all meetings. I promise to do all of the above if elected.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My main priority would be to engage ward 1 residents and businesses to determine their concerns. Some specific priorities that ward 1 residents and business owners have already suggested to me that should be addressed would include:
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in West St. Paul?
The biggest challenge that West St. Paul faces is that the city is mostly developed. It’s challenging to grow when most of our land that we want and could develop already is. However, there are opportunities to redevelop and revitalize areas of our city that are either under utilized or vacant.
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?
Local governments should look for business partners to help address housing needs. We are already doing this in West St. Paul. The city has worked with a number of developers to add both rental and owner occupied housing. I would support further city-business initiatives to both add and revitalize housing.
Providing access to education, both trade school and college, to more young people will almost certainly increase the number of skilled workers available for businesses to hire. This is being tackled on the state legislative level, but certainly local leaders can provide input.
How would you characterize the business climate in West St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in West St. Paul?
Recent city business surveys and personal discussions with local business owners indicate that the business climate in West St. Paul is good. I know there are some exceptions and I would be happy to meet with any business owner that feels otherwise and work with city staff to address any concerns. However, we have had numerous new businesses opening up in the past few years, which would indicate that the business climate in West St. Paul is good. The city government should continue to communicate with our business community to seek ideas on how we can further improve the business climate in West St. Paul. Continuing to update and improve infrastructure, looking for budget efficiencies to keep our property tax increases as low as possible, and working with businesses to continue to revitalize commercial and retail properties are some of the ways we can accomplish this.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I support fully funding our Police department. Even adding officers as the budget allows. As I have spent time listening to the Ward 1 residents I believe that most of the residents feel that the West St. Paul Police and South Metro Fire departments have done a great job reaching out to and positively interfacing with our community. The main concerns I hear about include traffic safety issues ( such as excessive speeding) and retail theft issues. I know the West St. Paul PD is working to address these issues and I would support them.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
West St. Paul is nearly fully developed. There are a few properties, for instance the old YMCA property, that can be redeveloped and revitalized. In recent years the city has worked with businesses to add quite a few apartments and townhomes on such properties. I would continue to seek areas where we can add housing as appropriate in our neighborhoods. I also want to be mindful and help preserve the character of each neighborhood too. The city should look at ways we can help revitalize our existing home stock too.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
In ward 1 several recent projects have both improved roads and added new sidewalks and bike paths. I will continue to advocate adding and improving sidewalks where it makes sense within our budget. The priority will be adding any new sidewalks and bike paths during full road reconstruction, as this is the most economically efficient way to do so.
Following and taking part in the MNDOT Hwy 3/South Robert St. study to access and improve safety for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers. It is likely that recommendations for improvements to Rober St. will be made and acted upon in the next few years. I plan to take an active role in these discussions and advocate for safety improvements that constituents in ward 1 have and will tell me are important to them.
Some Ward 1 residents have told me that they feel unsafe crossing some intersections, especially at the new roundabouts on Oakdale Ave and Robert Street in general. I would work with city and county staff to see what we can do to make these crossings safer.
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?
I have already been attending city council open work sessions regarding our upcoming budget. Besides looking for spending efficiencies, I will work with our legislative and county representatives and other entities to look for additional funding for key projects.
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?
In general, I believe that city governments should lead on areas where the scope of impact is completely within its boundaries. These include maintaining safe roadways, public safety, maintaining great parks, city infrastructure, and other amenities. This can include setting a higher minimum wage for businesses completely located within the city boundaries. I believe the Uber/Lyft wage debate is unique and should be addressed at the state level with input from local leaders, Uber/Lyft and the drivers themselves.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-434-9063
Campaign Website: dougforwsp.com
Twitter handle: @DougFromm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dougfrommforwsp
Candidate Bio
I am the current chair of the West St. Paul Charter Commission, where I have been a member since 2013. Previous to that I served on the West St. Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for 6 years. I have also served as an election judge for almost two decades, most of that time as a Head Election Judge. I have also served as a youth leader, including about 15 years as scout leader. I believe that I have excellent listening and collaboration skills that are essential to working on a City Council. I am willing to think “outside the box” to find solutions to difficult problems. I feel that I have a very good understanding of the issues facing West St. Paul, and in particular, Ward 1.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
If I am honored and entrusted by the residents of Ward 1 to be one of their representatives to the West St. Paul City Council, I would work hard to effectively communicate with my constituents, ward 1 business owners, and my fellow councilmembers. I believe in collaborating with others to seek impactful and equitable solutions. I also believe in working hard and being well prepared for all meetings. I promise to do all of the above if elected.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My main priority would be to engage ward 1 residents and businesses to determine their concerns. Some specific priorities that ward 1 residents and business owners have already suggested to me that should be addressed would include:
- Address affordable housing issues in West St. Paul. This includes addressing affordability concerns of both current renters and homeowners and folks looking to buy or rent new homes and apartments.
- Work to engage underrepresented communities. In particular I would like to see a greater level of diversity on our city committees and commissions. West St. Paul is making good progress here, but more work needs to be done.
- Continue to address infrastructure issues in West St. Paul, but be mindful of budget concerns and their impact on already rising property taxes. This will include working with Dakota County, the State of Minnesota, and other entities to seek alternative sources of funding for specific projects.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in West St. Paul?
The biggest challenge that West St. Paul faces is that the city is mostly developed. It’s challenging to grow when most of our land that we want and could develop already is. However, there are opportunities to redevelop and revitalize areas of our city that are either under utilized or vacant.
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?
Local governments should look for business partners to help address housing needs. We are already doing this in West St. Paul. The city has worked with a number of developers to add both rental and owner occupied housing. I would support further city-business initiatives to both add and revitalize housing.
Providing access to education, both trade school and college, to more young people will almost certainly increase the number of skilled workers available for businesses to hire. This is being tackled on the state legislative level, but certainly local leaders can provide input.
How would you characterize the business climate in West St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in West St. Paul?
Recent city business surveys and personal discussions with local business owners indicate that the business climate in West St. Paul is good. I know there are some exceptions and I would be happy to meet with any business owner that feels otherwise and work with city staff to address any concerns. However, we have had numerous new businesses opening up in the past few years, which would indicate that the business climate in West St. Paul is good. The city government should continue to communicate with our business community to seek ideas on how we can further improve the business climate in West St. Paul. Continuing to update and improve infrastructure, looking for budget efficiencies to keep our property tax increases as low as possible, and working with businesses to continue to revitalize commercial and retail properties are some of the ways we can accomplish this.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I support fully funding our Police department. Even adding officers as the budget allows. As I have spent time listening to the Ward 1 residents I believe that most of the residents feel that the West St. Paul Police and South Metro Fire departments have done a great job reaching out to and positively interfacing with our community. The main concerns I hear about include traffic safety issues ( such as excessive speeding) and retail theft issues. I know the West St. Paul PD is working to address these issues and I would support them.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
West St. Paul is nearly fully developed. There are a few properties, for instance the old YMCA property, that can be redeveloped and revitalized. In recent years the city has worked with businesses to add quite a few apartments and townhomes on such properties. I would continue to seek areas where we can add housing as appropriate in our neighborhoods. I also want to be mindful and help preserve the character of each neighborhood too. The city should look at ways we can help revitalize our existing home stock too.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
In ward 1 several recent projects have both improved roads and added new sidewalks and bike paths. I will continue to advocate adding and improving sidewalks where it makes sense within our budget. The priority will be adding any new sidewalks and bike paths during full road reconstruction, as this is the most economically efficient way to do so.
Following and taking part in the MNDOT Hwy 3/South Robert St. study to access and improve safety for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers. It is likely that recommendations for improvements to Rober St. will be made and acted upon in the next few years. I plan to take an active role in these discussions and advocate for safety improvements that constituents in ward 1 have and will tell me are important to them.
Some Ward 1 residents have told me that they feel unsafe crossing some intersections, especially at the new roundabouts on Oakdale Ave and Robert Street in general. I would work with city and county staff to see what we can do to make these crossings safer.
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?
I have already been attending city council open work sessions regarding our upcoming budget. Besides looking for spending efficiencies, I will work with our legislative and county representatives and other entities to look for additional funding for key projects.
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?
In general, I believe that city governments should lead on areas where the scope of impact is completely within its boundaries. These include maintaining safe roadways, public safety, maintaining great parks, city infrastructure, and other amenities. This can include setting a higher minimum wage for businesses completely located within the city boundaries. I believe the Uber/Lyft wage debate is unique and should be addressed at the state level with input from local leaders, Uber/Lyft and the drivers themselves.