Jake Ingebrigtson
Name: Jake Ingebrigtson
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council - Special Election, 2-Year Seat
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-216-3343
Website: www.jakeforoakdale.com
Twitter: @foroakdale
Facebook: Jake for Oakdale City Council
Candidate Bio
I am a small business owner and have served on the Oakdale Planning Commission since July, 2016 and have been the chairman since January, 2017. As a small business owner, I understand the impact government regulation has on a business, and I feel I’m fully prepared to make policy decisions at a local level that will be in the best interests of both businesses and residents in Oakdale. As a member of the Planning Commission, I have been quickly brought up to speed on the current happenings in the business community within the city. This will allow me to hit the ground running if I am elected.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul and a Mini-Masters Certification in Project Management from the University of St. Thomas.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale?
I would characterize the business climate in Oakdale as positive. As a member of the Planning Commission, I have had the opportunity to talk with both people doing business in Oakdale and people who were seeking to do business in Oakdale. The overall attitudes of these people were overwhelmingly positive.
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?
OakdaIe’s Economic Development Department has done a very good job marketing the city and seeing that businesses and employees want to stay. I would certainly like to see that continue. I think the City Council’s role in attracting and retaining jobs and businesses should be limited. What this means is the city should not be drafting ordinances or enacting policy dictating what businesses should or should not do in regards to their operations or employees.
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?
I feel additional hiring would be unnecessary. I believe our Economic Development Department has a good grasp on all aspects of business development and retention.
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?
I will vehemently oppose any proposal to increase the minimum wage in Oakdale. If the City of Oakdale wishes to remain competitive in terms of attracting and retaining businesses, we must avoid increasing regulation.
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?
I do not support any other specific employment-related proposals. Business regulation needs to be held to a minimum if we want to attract and retain businesses in Oakdale. Each business has unique needs, and what may be good for one business may be bad for another. Whenever possible, city leadership should allow business owners to decide what is best for their businesses.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
My strategy to address public safety concerns is to ensure our Police and Fire Departments have the resources they need to maximize their effectiveness. This includes, but is not limited to, training, equipment, and man power. Communication between residents and city staff is crucial to make sure we are fully leverage these resources, and in an oversight role I will do my part to make sure this is happening.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for the city budget are twofold. First, I want to make sure we are constantly differentiating between needs and wants. This will make difficult budgeting decisions easier to make. Second, it is vital that our critical services (needs) are fully funded.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
I am in favor of a fair relationship between the two. Oakdale is full of residential property, and we need to recognize that businesses residing in Oakdale can be impacted negatively if the relationship between the two becomes unfair.
9. What will you do to expand Oakdales tax base?
City leadership is currently working on a major development behind the Slumberland headquarters that will offer up to 1,410 additional housing units. As a City Council member, I will do everything in my power to ensure this project moves forward. Beyond this project, expanding Oakdale’s tax base will rest largely on the recruitment and retention of businesses as Oakdale is almost completely developed.
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?
The city is currently in partnership with the Washington County Workforce Center Business Services to provide personalized services for workforce hiring and training needs. I will seek to continue this partnership. The city is also looking into adding a law enforcement training facility. This would provide opportunities to partner with K-12 and post-secondary institutions to help those who are interested in or seeking a career in law enforcement.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Oakdale Public Schools?
I see the Council’s role as mainly an oversight body. Not oversight of the schools themselves, but oversight of the public safety aspects. While the school district is a separate entity governed by a separate board, it is the responsibility of the Oakdale Police and Fire to provide services to the schools located in Oakdale as those services are needed. In addition, situations may arise where the School District may need support from the city. I will do my part to provide that support whenever possible.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I believe the biggest challenge facing the city is the aging housing stock. Fortunately, the city has done a good job addressing it through numerous city loan programs that allow homeowners options to finance updates to their homes. I am committed to making sure these programs continue and would also consider ways to expand the current programs.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
I think the city’s top transportation related priority is the Bus Rapid Transit project. I will support the project under the premise the City of Oakdale bears absolutely no cost for infrastructure and maintenance.
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?
There are no services currently provided by the city that I believe should be cut back or eliminated. I am always open to new opportunities to share services with other entities as long as a major positive economic benefit to the City of Oakdale exists.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Yes. I have 3 young children who will grow up in the City of Oakdale, so it is very important to me that Oakdale continues to be a great place to live and raise kids!
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council - Special Election, 2-Year Seat
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-216-3343
Website: www.jakeforoakdale.com
Twitter: @foroakdale
Facebook: Jake for Oakdale City Council
Candidate Bio
I am a small business owner and have served on the Oakdale Planning Commission since July, 2016 and have been the chairman since January, 2017. As a small business owner, I understand the impact government regulation has on a business, and I feel I’m fully prepared to make policy decisions at a local level that will be in the best interests of both businesses and residents in Oakdale. As a member of the Planning Commission, I have been quickly brought up to speed on the current happenings in the business community within the city. This will allow me to hit the ground running if I am elected.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul and a Mini-Masters Certification in Project Management from the University of St. Thomas.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale?
I would characterize the business climate in Oakdale as positive. As a member of the Planning Commission, I have had the opportunity to talk with both people doing business in Oakdale and people who were seeking to do business in Oakdale. The overall attitudes of these people were overwhelmingly positive.
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?
OakdaIe’s Economic Development Department has done a very good job marketing the city and seeing that businesses and employees want to stay. I would certainly like to see that continue. I think the City Council’s role in attracting and retaining jobs and businesses should be limited. What this means is the city should not be drafting ordinances or enacting policy dictating what businesses should or should not do in regards to their operations or employees.
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?
I feel additional hiring would be unnecessary. I believe our Economic Development Department has a good grasp on all aspects of business development and retention.
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?
I will vehemently oppose any proposal to increase the minimum wage in Oakdale. If the City of Oakdale wishes to remain competitive in terms of attracting and retaining businesses, we must avoid increasing regulation.
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?
I do not support any other specific employment-related proposals. Business regulation needs to be held to a minimum if we want to attract and retain businesses in Oakdale. Each business has unique needs, and what may be good for one business may be bad for another. Whenever possible, city leadership should allow business owners to decide what is best for their businesses.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
My strategy to address public safety concerns is to ensure our Police and Fire Departments have the resources they need to maximize their effectiveness. This includes, but is not limited to, training, equipment, and man power. Communication between residents and city staff is crucial to make sure we are fully leverage these resources, and in an oversight role I will do my part to make sure this is happening.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for the city budget are twofold. First, I want to make sure we are constantly differentiating between needs and wants. This will make difficult budgeting decisions easier to make. Second, it is vital that our critical services (needs) are fully funded.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
I am in favor of a fair relationship between the two. Oakdale is full of residential property, and we need to recognize that businesses residing in Oakdale can be impacted negatively if the relationship between the two becomes unfair.
9. What will you do to expand Oakdales tax base?
City leadership is currently working on a major development behind the Slumberland headquarters that will offer up to 1,410 additional housing units. As a City Council member, I will do everything in my power to ensure this project moves forward. Beyond this project, expanding Oakdale’s tax base will rest largely on the recruitment and retention of businesses as Oakdale is almost completely developed.
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?
The city is currently in partnership with the Washington County Workforce Center Business Services to provide personalized services for workforce hiring and training needs. I will seek to continue this partnership. The city is also looking into adding a law enforcement training facility. This would provide opportunities to partner with K-12 and post-secondary institutions to help those who are interested in or seeking a career in law enforcement.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Oakdale Public Schools?
I see the Council’s role as mainly an oversight body. Not oversight of the schools themselves, but oversight of the public safety aspects. While the school district is a separate entity governed by a separate board, it is the responsibility of the Oakdale Police and Fire to provide services to the schools located in Oakdale as those services are needed. In addition, situations may arise where the School District may need support from the city. I will do my part to provide that support whenever possible.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I believe the biggest challenge facing the city is the aging housing stock. Fortunately, the city has done a good job addressing it through numerous city loan programs that allow homeowners options to finance updates to their homes. I am committed to making sure these programs continue and would also consider ways to expand the current programs.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Advocating for a safe Oakdale - I am committed to continuing the trend of Oakdale being a safe place to live and do business. Public safety and low crime rates are a major priority and it will always be a major consideration when any proposal is made to the city council if I am elected.
- Parks and Trails - Oakdale has many great amenities. With the 3M site development, there is also an opportunity for more. I will advocate to take full advantage of those opportunities. I will also place an emphasis on increasing the walkability throughout Oakdale.
- Advocate for the prosperity of Oakdale Residents and Businesses - I will take a two pronged approach:
- I will advocate for responsible spending, budget, and taxation proposals.
- I will advocate for a business friendly environment in the city of Oakdale.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
I think the city’s top transportation related priority is the Bus Rapid Transit project. I will support the project under the premise the City of Oakdale bears absolutely no cost for infrastructure and maintenance.
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?
There are no services currently provided by the city that I believe should be cut back or eliminated. I am always open to new opportunities to share services with other entities as long as a major positive economic benefit to the City of Oakdale exists.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Yes. I have 3 young children who will grow up in the City of Oakdale, so it is very important to me that Oakdale continues to be a great place to live and raise kids!