Jennifer Santini
Name: Jennifer Santini
Public Office Sought: Woodbury City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-492-1844
Website: www.jennifersantini.com
Candidate Bio
I am a passionate public servant and have spent the past eight years serving on the Woodbury Economic Development Commission (and previously, the Woodbury Business Development Committee) and most recently, chairing our 2040 Comprehensive Plan Task Force. Throughout this volunteer work, I have taken the time to learn how our city infrastructure works and the challenges we will face as the city continues to develop.
I will bring the knowledge and experience of a small business owner, a mother and an attorney to the Woodbury City Council. I relate to the stresses many local business owners and entrepreneurs face and know the need to ensure businesses have community support, access to resources, and guidance for opportunities to be successful. As a mother, I want to ensure the community in which my children are raised is safe, inclusive, and provides opportunities and amenities to live a healthy and active lifestyle. My law degree and years of legal advocacy for families and businesses also provides me with the expertise to be an effective member of our city council. Every day, I seek to understand all sides of an issue, listen and engage others, do my research, and ultimately make educated decisions to solve problems that face my clients.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Woodbury?
Woodbury is a vibrant community for the business community. The city is home to many well-established, successful, and growing businesses. However, some business owners struggle to find and access resources to move them to the next level of growth. They are in need of additional workspace and find it difficult to hire and retain qualified employees. Woodbury recognizes the importance of economic development and I hope to continue the city’s efforts to support the business community.
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, Woodbury?
I think Woodbury should ultimately be an active facilitator in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses. There are a lot of resources and programs already in place available to business owners on a regional, state and national level. However, at the city level I think we can be better at guiding residents and business owners to these programs and creating partnerships between local businesses and with the city so they can find the support needed to grow and succeed.
Woodbury should not duplicate the efforts of other levels of government. The city has been successful at assessing when it should take the lead on initiatives and when should it support the efforts of others already doing what is needed. The city has been a strong supporter and partner with the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce (having two members of the city concurrently serving on the Chamber’s board) and I believe a continued strategic partnership between the two entities is productive. Additionally, Washington County has hired an Economic Development Director as well as instituted the Open to Business program. These efforts also serve the residents of Woodbury and I hope to strengthen those partnerships. Woodbury should regularly communicate with the new county director and advocate for Woodbury businesses.
Woodbury should continue to find opportunities to promote our business community and advertise all of the assets it can contribute to successful businesses. We must also continue to maintain strong relationships with our developers, property managers, business brokers, and realtors to help partner in the promotion of Woodbury to businesses and clients looking to move their companies.
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 Woodbury?
I would support the hiring of a business advocate as a member of the City’s senior staff – if I felt that such a position was needed, resources were available, and the residents and business community in Woodbury showed strong support for it. However, I think there are already resources in place that address these issues, roles and tasks within city staff currently, as well as through Woodbury’s Economic Development Commission and the County’s Economic Development Department.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Woodbury? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Woodbury 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 believe the issue of minimum wage is an issue to be decided at the state level. However, if elected, I will always listen to the residents and businesses of Woodbury and will consider proposals regarding the minimum wage that the community advocates. Although at this time, I do not believe the City of Woodbury should proactively set forth such a proposal.
With that said, as a small business owner, I believe it is important to support our employees and ensure they are able to support themselves and their families. As a business owner, I understand that fair compensation for all employees produces a productive workforce for our community and, in the long run, is better for our economy.
If Woodbury residents proposed such an increase to the minimum wage, I would certainly want to dive deeper into the economic impact on businesses, its workers, and the residents of Woodbury – not only in the short term but certainly long term.
Should a minimum wage increase pass at the state or local level, I would consider proposals to help mitigate any negative consequences on businesses. Many local business owners are doing their best to support their employees and communities. I would work to ensure businesses have the opportunity to thrive in Woodbury despite changes in the minimum wage. It is important for members of the community to support local businesses to ensure this can happen.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Woodbury (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 Woodbury and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
My answer is similar to that above. At this time, I do not think that implementing employment-related policies is role of the City Council, but instead should be addressed by the state legislature. However, again, there are more factors that need to be evaluated in considering individual proposals.
The City Council’s role should instead be to assist businesses in understanding the effects of such proposals on the specific business, the lives of the workers and the overall impact on Woodbury. For example, studies have shown that when sick people go into work – they can end up costing the business more money in the long run because they can spread illnesses and cause more people to take time off. As a business owner, I have found that providing our employees with flexibility has allowed us to retain strong employees – again, increasing our productivity.
Public Safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
We have a strong public safety department and residents should feel comfortable approaching our officers when they or someone they know need help. I certainly support an adequately funded public safety department to protect our residents, but securing public safety requires a community wide effort.
The residents of Woodbury need to be the stewards of the community. To do so we must focus on building a better sense of community. The stronger the sense of community that is created, the more invested residents will be to one another and protect and respect one another. We must partner with schools to ensure students are learning such respect for themselves, their peers, others in the community and our environment – and to carry this foundation forward as they become citizens of the world. Ensuring free or low-cost recreational programing is offered to families provides children with the opportunities to interact with others in the community and make positive connections. Woodbury should regularly connect with school districts for earlier identification of issues facing children and families so that such issues can be mitigated before they escalate.
I also support a coordination of efforts between the city, county and state public safety officials and law enforcement to address larger regional issues, maximize resources and ensure the goals of protecting the public do not end at the city boundaries.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The first priority is to ensure that the fundamental needs of the Woodbury, such as infrastructure and public safety, are in balance with services, programs and amenities that make Woodbury great. We must ensure that the city’s revenues are allocated in a structurally balanced way. City planning efforts must reflect our priorities as well as the budget constraints we face. It is my priority to ensure that Woodbury uses taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively – and that budget cuts, if any, do not prevent priority services or programs from functioning properly.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
All property taxes are essentially a payment for services. Nearly half of the city’s budget is funded by property taxes, which also fund our school systems. It is critical for policy makers to both understand the value of services and infrastructure that residents and businesses use and the burden that the cost of these public goods has on local property taxes. We must continue to serve and attract residents and business to Woodbury by balancing the costs of high quality services with the strain property taxes can place on economic development. Assessments of property values must be reasonable and responsive to appeal.
9. What will you do to expand Woodbury’s tax base?
If we continue to responsibly manage and plan for Woodbury’s growth, the tax base will expand with it naturally without the need for any specific proposal. However, it is important to analyze, on a case-by-case basis, whether there are strategic measures (such as TIF or tax abatement) needed to assist in the progress of any such development as Woodbury continues to grow.
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?
One of the biggest issues I face as a business owner is finding employees who have the right education, a strong work ethic, and an understanding of how businesses operate. Effective education must begin before kindergarten to see successes later in grade school. I also believe there should be more opportunities for schools to implement internship or apprenticeship programs to help students gain hands-on experience to create a more educated workforce. Woodbury schools should find partners within the community and county to encourage such programming.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to public schools in Woodbury?
Given that there are three school districts within Woodbury, serving the children and families of Woodbury, it is important for the City Council to serve as a liaison between the three districts to ensure all children and families are being afforded the same opportunities, quality of education, and attention to their needs – regardless of where in Woodbury they live.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
For the most part, the biggest challenge facing Woodbury is not a terrible problem to have. The city is experiencing growth and development that has strained our infrastructure and environment. To continue our success, we must strategically plan for the next chapter of our community’s growth. We must 1) maintain and improve our infrastructure with a proactive mindset versus reacting to failures in any given system; and 2) creatively and cooperatively plan how we will provide alternatives to lessen the strain the growth of the city has created.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
• Supporting economic growth in Woodbury
• Preserving and protecting our environment and resources
• Providing a safe and welcoming community
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
While it is better for Woodbury’s economy and for less traffic congestion for its residents to commute within the city for work – it is not the current realty. A large proportion of Woodbury residents commute to other cities for their jobs so we must continue to advocate for more efficient and accessible public transportation options for its residents and visitors – particularly as the Gold Line BRT project continues to evolve. Related to that, Woodbury is certainly seeing an increase in traffic within city limits and should continue to address demands on our roadways by creating easier means and alternative routes to move traffic through the city.
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 think Woodbury needs to maintain a strong relationship with the County’s Economic Development Director and its work on stimulating businesses in the region. A stronger Washington County – and not just Woodbury – is beneficial for all.
We must also engage more residents in our advisory commissions. Diverse perspectives are critical in our decision making to ensure that the demographics of our residents are adequately represented.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Woodbury is a great community but changes in our demographics, environment and economy require that we remain committed to protecting the interests and needs of all residents. I am the right candidate to help guide Woodbury through its next level of growth.
Public Office Sought: Woodbury City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-492-1844
Website: www.jennifersantini.com
Candidate Bio
I am a passionate public servant and have spent the past eight years serving on the Woodbury Economic Development Commission (and previously, the Woodbury Business Development Committee) and most recently, chairing our 2040 Comprehensive Plan Task Force. Throughout this volunteer work, I have taken the time to learn how our city infrastructure works and the challenges we will face as the city continues to develop.
I will bring the knowledge and experience of a small business owner, a mother and an attorney to the Woodbury City Council. I relate to the stresses many local business owners and entrepreneurs face and know the need to ensure businesses have community support, access to resources, and guidance for opportunities to be successful. As a mother, I want to ensure the community in which my children are raised is safe, inclusive, and provides opportunities and amenities to live a healthy and active lifestyle. My law degree and years of legal advocacy for families and businesses also provides me with the expertise to be an effective member of our city council. Every day, I seek to understand all sides of an issue, listen and engage others, do my research, and ultimately make educated decisions to solve problems that face my clients.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Woodbury?
Woodbury is a vibrant community for the business community. The city is home to many well-established, successful, and growing businesses. However, some business owners struggle to find and access resources to move them to the next level of growth. They are in need of additional workspace and find it difficult to hire and retain qualified employees. Woodbury recognizes the importance of economic development and I hope to continue the city’s efforts to support the business community.
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, Woodbury?
I think Woodbury should ultimately be an active facilitator in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses. There are a lot of resources and programs already in place available to business owners on a regional, state and national level. However, at the city level I think we can be better at guiding residents and business owners to these programs and creating partnerships between local businesses and with the city so they can find the support needed to grow and succeed.
Woodbury should not duplicate the efforts of other levels of government. The city has been successful at assessing when it should take the lead on initiatives and when should it support the efforts of others already doing what is needed. The city has been a strong supporter and partner with the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce (having two members of the city concurrently serving on the Chamber’s board) and I believe a continued strategic partnership between the two entities is productive. Additionally, Washington County has hired an Economic Development Director as well as instituted the Open to Business program. These efforts also serve the residents of Woodbury and I hope to strengthen those partnerships. Woodbury should regularly communicate with the new county director and advocate for Woodbury businesses.
Woodbury should continue to find opportunities to promote our business community and advertise all of the assets it can contribute to successful businesses. We must also continue to maintain strong relationships with our developers, property managers, business brokers, and realtors to help partner in the promotion of Woodbury to businesses and clients looking to move their companies.
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 Woodbury?
I would support the hiring of a business advocate as a member of the City’s senior staff – if I felt that such a position was needed, resources were available, and the residents and business community in Woodbury showed strong support for it. However, I think there are already resources in place that address these issues, roles and tasks within city staff currently, as well as through Woodbury’s Economic Development Commission and the County’s Economic Development Department.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Woodbury? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Woodbury 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 believe the issue of minimum wage is an issue to be decided at the state level. However, if elected, I will always listen to the residents and businesses of Woodbury and will consider proposals regarding the minimum wage that the community advocates. Although at this time, I do not believe the City of Woodbury should proactively set forth such a proposal.
With that said, as a small business owner, I believe it is important to support our employees and ensure they are able to support themselves and their families. As a business owner, I understand that fair compensation for all employees produces a productive workforce for our community and, in the long run, is better for our economy.
If Woodbury residents proposed such an increase to the minimum wage, I would certainly want to dive deeper into the economic impact on businesses, its workers, and the residents of Woodbury – not only in the short term but certainly long term.
Should a minimum wage increase pass at the state or local level, I would consider proposals to help mitigate any negative consequences on businesses. Many local business owners are doing their best to support their employees and communities. I would work to ensure businesses have the opportunity to thrive in Woodbury despite changes in the minimum wage. It is important for members of the community to support local businesses to ensure this can happen.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Woodbury (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 Woodbury and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
My answer is similar to that above. At this time, I do not think that implementing employment-related policies is role of the City Council, but instead should be addressed by the state legislature. However, again, there are more factors that need to be evaluated in considering individual proposals.
The City Council’s role should instead be to assist businesses in understanding the effects of such proposals on the specific business, the lives of the workers and the overall impact on Woodbury. For example, studies have shown that when sick people go into work – they can end up costing the business more money in the long run because they can spread illnesses and cause more people to take time off. As a business owner, I have found that providing our employees with flexibility has allowed us to retain strong employees – again, increasing our productivity.
Public Safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
We have a strong public safety department and residents should feel comfortable approaching our officers when they or someone they know need help. I certainly support an adequately funded public safety department to protect our residents, but securing public safety requires a community wide effort.
The residents of Woodbury need to be the stewards of the community. To do so we must focus on building a better sense of community. The stronger the sense of community that is created, the more invested residents will be to one another and protect and respect one another. We must partner with schools to ensure students are learning such respect for themselves, their peers, others in the community and our environment – and to carry this foundation forward as they become citizens of the world. Ensuring free or low-cost recreational programing is offered to families provides children with the opportunities to interact with others in the community and make positive connections. Woodbury should regularly connect with school districts for earlier identification of issues facing children and families so that such issues can be mitigated before they escalate.
I also support a coordination of efforts between the city, county and state public safety officials and law enforcement to address larger regional issues, maximize resources and ensure the goals of protecting the public do not end at the city boundaries.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The first priority is to ensure that the fundamental needs of the Woodbury, such as infrastructure and public safety, are in balance with services, programs and amenities that make Woodbury great. We must ensure that the city’s revenues are allocated in a structurally balanced way. City planning efforts must reflect our priorities as well as the budget constraints we face. It is my priority to ensure that Woodbury uses taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively – and that budget cuts, if any, do not prevent priority services or programs from functioning properly.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
All property taxes are essentially a payment for services. Nearly half of the city’s budget is funded by property taxes, which also fund our school systems. It is critical for policy makers to both understand the value of services and infrastructure that residents and businesses use and the burden that the cost of these public goods has on local property taxes. We must continue to serve and attract residents and business to Woodbury by balancing the costs of high quality services with the strain property taxes can place on economic development. Assessments of property values must be reasonable and responsive to appeal.
9. What will you do to expand Woodbury’s tax base?
If we continue to responsibly manage and plan for Woodbury’s growth, the tax base will expand with it naturally without the need for any specific proposal. However, it is important to analyze, on a case-by-case basis, whether there are strategic measures (such as TIF or tax abatement) needed to assist in the progress of any such development as Woodbury continues to grow.
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?
One of the biggest issues I face as a business owner is finding employees who have the right education, a strong work ethic, and an understanding of how businesses operate. Effective education must begin before kindergarten to see successes later in grade school. I also believe there should be more opportunities for schools to implement internship or apprenticeship programs to help students gain hands-on experience to create a more educated workforce. Woodbury schools should find partners within the community and county to encourage such programming.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to public schools in Woodbury?
Given that there are three school districts within Woodbury, serving the children and families of Woodbury, it is important for the City Council to serve as a liaison between the three districts to ensure all children and families are being afforded the same opportunities, quality of education, and attention to their needs – regardless of where in Woodbury they live.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
For the most part, the biggest challenge facing Woodbury is not a terrible problem to have. The city is experiencing growth and development that has strained our infrastructure and environment. To continue our success, we must strategically plan for the next chapter of our community’s growth. We must 1) maintain and improve our infrastructure with a proactive mindset versus reacting to failures in any given system; and 2) creatively and cooperatively plan how we will provide alternatives to lessen the strain the growth of the city has created.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
• Supporting economic growth in Woodbury
• Preserving and protecting our environment and resources
• Providing a safe and welcoming community
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
While it is better for Woodbury’s economy and for less traffic congestion for its residents to commute within the city for work – it is not the current realty. A large proportion of Woodbury residents commute to other cities for their jobs so we must continue to advocate for more efficient and accessible public transportation options for its residents and visitors – particularly as the Gold Line BRT project continues to evolve. Related to that, Woodbury is certainly seeing an increase in traffic within city limits and should continue to address demands on our roadways by creating easier means and alternative routes to move traffic through the city.
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 think Woodbury needs to maintain a strong relationship with the County’s Economic Development Director and its work on stimulating businesses in the region. A stronger Washington County – and not just Woodbury – is beneficial for all.
We must also engage more residents in our advisory commissions. Diverse perspectives are critical in our decision making to ensure that the demographics of our residents are adequately represented.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Woodbury is a great community but changes in our demographics, environment and economy require that we remain committed to protecting the interests and needs of all residents. I am the right candidate to help guide Woodbury through its next level of growth.