Julie Strahan

Name: Julie Strahan
Public Office Sought: Roseville City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (612)460-7503
Website: strahan4roseville.com
Twitter handle: @strahan4R
Facebook page: @strahan4Roseville
Candidate Bio
I have lived in Roseville with my family for 17 years. I worked as a Children's Church Choir director for 8 years at St. Rose and 2 years at Resurrection Lutheran. I have participated in Roseville school PTSA and Band Booster committees, League of Women Voters, Do Good Roseville, a Housing Advocacy group, and have served as a coordinator on my block. I believe strongly in connecting people to services and others who might help in their situation. I maintain friendships and relationships across political lines, and seek to truly understand the lives of others. I hold an undergraduate degree in Gerontology from the University of MN, a K-12 Teaching license, and a Masters in Teaching. I hold certificates in Leadership and Management, Nonprofit Administration, and Equity and Diversity. I have assisted in start-up of several small businesses and orginated many job roles, including my current role as a Human Resource Manager in a Dementia Care organization. I have been on the board of nonprofit organizations, including serving as Board chair of an arts organization. I am a lifelong learner and active listener. I believe all of these experiences and skills will serve me very well as a member of the Roseville City council.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Prior to Covid, I would have responded, Passing a Human Rights Ordinance, Enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act in our city, and Diversifying appointments to the City commissions. However, in light of the COVID pandemic, impending recession, and unrest following the killing of George Floyd, these most pressing items have changed. It will be of top importance to revise the budget in light of the economic downturn, to review policing practices and engage in community conversations around safety (as the Roseville City Council is already commencing this week), and addressing the disparity in services provided to citizens within Roseville. The pandemic and closure of schools has displayed the need for public supports in food security, housing supports, and access to healthcare. Even more than this, priorities often shift based on pressing needs that present themselves. As I learned from teaching, you may still hold something of great importance, but may need to act on something else more urgently based on the situation.
How would you characterize the business climate in Roseville and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Local business people have shared that they feel supported in their decision to establish in Roseville. There is a good mix of retail with big box stores and small business. However, the economy and changes in consumer behavior have taken a toll on many longtime Roseville businesses - with Pier One, World Market, Baker’s Square all closing, and others like JCPenney declaring bankruptcy. It will be imperative that the city continue to find creative solutions to fill these vacant storefronts to maintain the vitality of the region. As one of the most visited shopping centers in MN, Rosedale and the stores nearby are an important part of Roseville that must be considered - in planning, in evaluating tax base, and in future development. It is vital that the city partner with these malls so that there is a cohesive plan for the city, not a series of piecemeal decisions.
Currently, the Visit Roseville trade group has a link directly from the city website and is promoted in the quarterly city newsletter sent to each home. I think it would be very helpful if ALL City businesses would be afforded the chance to have a list of their services as a link from the City website, possibly for a small fee. A number of Roseville businesses do not have a website but are still important members of the Roseville business community. A nonprofit organization that serves the community might be willing to compile and maintain such a list, if the Council were to see value in this service.
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, Roseville?
I’d like to explore creative options for filling existing vacancies in area strip malls. I appreciate the creative ideas generated for Rosedale and I think the city leadership could do even more to create a city center, something Roseville currently lacks. I would like to explore using strip malls as a co-working space or a nonprofit hub, much like the nonprofit hub along University Avenue near Raymond. With the convenience of the A Line bus nearby, Har Mar or Rosedale is ideally situated for such creative ideas. As the pandemic and economic downturn play into future plans, it is important to assess what services are lacking. Keystone Community food shelf left Roseville several years ago, leaving a hole in the supportive framework of the community. Sheridan Story partnered with Roseville during the pandemic and Keystone is now partnering with Roseville Public Schools. It is important that these vital services are encouraged to remain to serve the people of Roseville. See additional ideas under #11.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Roseville (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Roseville and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I support a $15 minimum wage and municipal safe and sick time, like those mandated in adjacent St. Paul and Minneapolis. Mandatory scheduling notice is also important. We border both cities and should be able to afford our lowest paid workers the same protections they receive in the adjacent cities. I am the Human Resource Manager for a small employer in Minneapolis and I note that the increase in wage shas helped with retention. While we may pay more hourly, we are paying far less to recruit, train, and enrich new employees that we did previously. While slightly more expensive, it is also helpful to know that my organization is contributing to the economic health of our 55 employees.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I think it is important to review the budgets of all departments, but especially public safety to ensure that the whole community is protected and well served. I look forward to the upcoming 3-part series that the City of Roseville is holding with the Roseville schools and the Roseville PD. I think it is essential that the city knows what the needs are of the people they serve. In a recent conversation with Chief Mathwig, I learned about #8canwait and Lights On! program, set in place to proactively police the Roseville community. I appreciate the innovation and interest in continuing to evolve as a department.
According to the Ramsey County Commissioner and State Legislator that I spoke with, Roseville needs to take a more active role in addressing housing issues in our shared jurisdictions. Roseville needs to better enforce code violations and hold landlords responsible. In the 2040 Roseville plan, there was a pledge to create more affordable housing and this should be the lens that each planning and construction project is evaluated through first - not after all other plans have been made. Roseville is fortunate to have a transit hub, a rapid bus line, and several park and rides. Even though ridership has been greatly curtailed during the pandemic, we must not remove our support of these essential services. We must continue to evaluate transportation that enables those who lack cars or access to essential services, an opportunity to fulfill their basic needs.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
It is imperative that we ensure that families living at or below the poverty line do not bear the brunt of the economic downturn. We must evaluate the entire budget and, based on how current services are supporting our community given the situations arising in 2020, determine the best plan of action.
Currently, many new city buildings often sit empty, even prior to Covid there was a very low usage rate. Either more services need to be decentralized from Fairview Community Center or resources allotted to the parks need to be reviewed so that more of the city population is able to utilize the buildings and services.
The City pays a great deal of money on quarterly mailings for the parks and community education – the council should be comparing this against other ways to deliver information that are more cost effective and more in demand in our digital environment? The parks need to allot more funds for scholarships or actively solicit these from the community in order to meet the needs of those who wish to participate.
What will you do to expand Roseville’s tax base?
I think it is important to fill the empty storefronts in area strip malls.
There should be development of mixed income multi-family housing instead, or in addition to, senior complexes. At some point, if not already, we will have more senior housing available than there is a need for.
Attract and retain businesses that wish to headquarter in Roseville. We already have many mid-sized employers within our boundaries, and we have robust schools and services to offer to their employees. It will be important to retain NOAH (Naturally-occurring affordable housing) to maintain that mix of housing that keeps us an attractive home to employers.
Seek out and develop ideas for renewable or green energy businesses that capitalize on our proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a former teacher, I watch closely the workings of the School Board and ISD 623 and have friends on the School board and who are professors at Roseville colleges. I think it is very important that the city find ways to support the families of all students in the Roseville district - schools that provide services that serve families, like food shelves and social services, often see the greatest achievement and realize decreases in achievement gaps across racial lines. The businesses and colleges of Roseville may be willing to more actively partner with ISD 623 if systems were established that encourage their participation – work-study partnerships and internships would help local students matriculate into the community. The business community of Roseville is diverse and many of the populace is highly educated and could provide excellent mentoring opportunities as an extension for work programs, especially at FAHS, the alternative learning high school in Roseville.
Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Eliminated - I would need to seriously review the budget in light of expected shortfalls in tax revenue and evaluate essentials. Because needs are varied and personal concerns dependent on personal experience, this is likely a set of global reductions and not just one or two departments.
Added - I would like to continue to develop resources for the Rice and Larpenteur corridor, especially in partnership with Ramsey County and adjacent jurisdictions.
I would like to find a way for the public buildings in Roseville to better serve more of the community. This could result in a savings to the city if rental fees were more frequently collected on these often vacant sites.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Roseville?
The city could provide tax financing to encourage minority and women owned businesses to relocate to Roseville. Providing a list of minority owned businesses through the City website would also be important as more people seek to support minority-owned business.
There needs to be a better mix of ethnicity and gender on appointed city commissions. If women and minorities see they could help shape Roseville, more women and minorities may be willing to consider Roseville in their development plans.
The city could pass a Business Diversity Ordinance to preserve the mix of business types and the diversity of ownership. The city could set aside space for new businesses in area developments, vacant strip malls or other locations across the area and show preference to local businesses when leasing city-owned property.
The City council could establish permit fee waivers and expedited timelines for projects deemed needed in the city. In addition, they could create economic development incentives for minority and women owned businesses.
The Council could cultivate a small business navigator or small business commission to guide new business owners in a “start-up” phase, possibly even serving as a model to other business districts.
Finally, the council could facilitate partnerships with community banks to provide access to capital for small businesses.
What further policies can Roseville adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
They could create a list of businesses on their website, not just for the trade organization, visitroseville, but for all businesses to help amplify their presence to the community.
The Council needs to seek out another print media source to alert the community of local government decisions and activities, and for people to gather information.
The prior Lillie newspaper did a good job of promoting local businesses through their annual “best of Roseville” nominations and winners. I learned of, and continue to frequent, many businesses through these forums.
Provide Short term or long term tax breaks for companies that stay in operation with all of their employees, with preference to businesses that did not receive the Payroll Protection Plan through the Federal government.
Take on citywide broadband and other services that local area businesses could buy in to at a cost savings.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have developed or assisted with start-up of numerous small businesses in my career, including a medical management company and a medical practice. I am fiscally prudent, but very concerned about the welfare of others, and in providing a place that is welcoming to all who live in Roseville. I believe these values make be ideally suited to serve in the Roseville City Council.
Public Office Sought: Roseville City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (612)460-7503
Website: strahan4roseville.com
Twitter handle: @strahan4R
Facebook page: @strahan4Roseville
Candidate Bio
I have lived in Roseville with my family for 17 years. I worked as a Children's Church Choir director for 8 years at St. Rose and 2 years at Resurrection Lutheran. I have participated in Roseville school PTSA and Band Booster committees, League of Women Voters, Do Good Roseville, a Housing Advocacy group, and have served as a coordinator on my block. I believe strongly in connecting people to services and others who might help in their situation. I maintain friendships and relationships across political lines, and seek to truly understand the lives of others. I hold an undergraduate degree in Gerontology from the University of MN, a K-12 Teaching license, and a Masters in Teaching. I hold certificates in Leadership and Management, Nonprofit Administration, and Equity and Diversity. I have assisted in start-up of several small businesses and orginated many job roles, including my current role as a Human Resource Manager in a Dementia Care organization. I have been on the board of nonprofit organizations, including serving as Board chair of an arts organization. I am a lifelong learner and active listener. I believe all of these experiences and skills will serve me very well as a member of the Roseville City council.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Prior to Covid, I would have responded, Passing a Human Rights Ordinance, Enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act in our city, and Diversifying appointments to the City commissions. However, in light of the COVID pandemic, impending recession, and unrest following the killing of George Floyd, these most pressing items have changed. It will be of top importance to revise the budget in light of the economic downturn, to review policing practices and engage in community conversations around safety (as the Roseville City Council is already commencing this week), and addressing the disparity in services provided to citizens within Roseville. The pandemic and closure of schools has displayed the need for public supports in food security, housing supports, and access to healthcare. Even more than this, priorities often shift based on pressing needs that present themselves. As I learned from teaching, you may still hold something of great importance, but may need to act on something else more urgently based on the situation.
How would you characterize the business climate in Roseville and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Local business people have shared that they feel supported in their decision to establish in Roseville. There is a good mix of retail with big box stores and small business. However, the economy and changes in consumer behavior have taken a toll on many longtime Roseville businesses - with Pier One, World Market, Baker’s Square all closing, and others like JCPenney declaring bankruptcy. It will be imperative that the city continue to find creative solutions to fill these vacant storefronts to maintain the vitality of the region. As one of the most visited shopping centers in MN, Rosedale and the stores nearby are an important part of Roseville that must be considered - in planning, in evaluating tax base, and in future development. It is vital that the city partner with these malls so that there is a cohesive plan for the city, not a series of piecemeal decisions.
Currently, the Visit Roseville trade group has a link directly from the city website and is promoted in the quarterly city newsletter sent to each home. I think it would be very helpful if ALL City businesses would be afforded the chance to have a list of their services as a link from the City website, possibly for a small fee. A number of Roseville businesses do not have a website but are still important members of the Roseville business community. A nonprofit organization that serves the community might be willing to compile and maintain such a list, if the Council were to see value in this service.
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, Roseville?
I’d like to explore creative options for filling existing vacancies in area strip malls. I appreciate the creative ideas generated for Rosedale and I think the city leadership could do even more to create a city center, something Roseville currently lacks. I would like to explore using strip malls as a co-working space or a nonprofit hub, much like the nonprofit hub along University Avenue near Raymond. With the convenience of the A Line bus nearby, Har Mar or Rosedale is ideally situated for such creative ideas. As the pandemic and economic downturn play into future plans, it is important to assess what services are lacking. Keystone Community food shelf left Roseville several years ago, leaving a hole in the supportive framework of the community. Sheridan Story partnered with Roseville during the pandemic and Keystone is now partnering with Roseville Public Schools. It is important that these vital services are encouraged to remain to serve the people of Roseville. See additional ideas under #11.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Roseville (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Roseville and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I support a $15 minimum wage and municipal safe and sick time, like those mandated in adjacent St. Paul and Minneapolis. Mandatory scheduling notice is also important. We border both cities and should be able to afford our lowest paid workers the same protections they receive in the adjacent cities. I am the Human Resource Manager for a small employer in Minneapolis and I note that the increase in wage shas helped with retention. While we may pay more hourly, we are paying far less to recruit, train, and enrich new employees that we did previously. While slightly more expensive, it is also helpful to know that my organization is contributing to the economic health of our 55 employees.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I think it is important to review the budgets of all departments, but especially public safety to ensure that the whole community is protected and well served. I look forward to the upcoming 3-part series that the City of Roseville is holding with the Roseville schools and the Roseville PD. I think it is essential that the city knows what the needs are of the people they serve. In a recent conversation with Chief Mathwig, I learned about #8canwait and Lights On! program, set in place to proactively police the Roseville community. I appreciate the innovation and interest in continuing to evolve as a department.
According to the Ramsey County Commissioner and State Legislator that I spoke with, Roseville needs to take a more active role in addressing housing issues in our shared jurisdictions. Roseville needs to better enforce code violations and hold landlords responsible. In the 2040 Roseville plan, there was a pledge to create more affordable housing and this should be the lens that each planning and construction project is evaluated through first - not after all other plans have been made. Roseville is fortunate to have a transit hub, a rapid bus line, and several park and rides. Even though ridership has been greatly curtailed during the pandemic, we must not remove our support of these essential services. We must continue to evaluate transportation that enables those who lack cars or access to essential services, an opportunity to fulfill their basic needs.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
It is imperative that we ensure that families living at or below the poverty line do not bear the brunt of the economic downturn. We must evaluate the entire budget and, based on how current services are supporting our community given the situations arising in 2020, determine the best plan of action.
Currently, many new city buildings often sit empty, even prior to Covid there was a very low usage rate. Either more services need to be decentralized from Fairview Community Center or resources allotted to the parks need to be reviewed so that more of the city population is able to utilize the buildings and services.
The City pays a great deal of money on quarterly mailings for the parks and community education – the council should be comparing this against other ways to deliver information that are more cost effective and more in demand in our digital environment? The parks need to allot more funds for scholarships or actively solicit these from the community in order to meet the needs of those who wish to participate.
What will you do to expand Roseville’s tax base?
I think it is important to fill the empty storefronts in area strip malls.
There should be development of mixed income multi-family housing instead, or in addition to, senior complexes. At some point, if not already, we will have more senior housing available than there is a need for.
Attract and retain businesses that wish to headquarter in Roseville. We already have many mid-sized employers within our boundaries, and we have robust schools and services to offer to their employees. It will be important to retain NOAH (Naturally-occurring affordable housing) to maintain that mix of housing that keeps us an attractive home to employers.
Seek out and develop ideas for renewable or green energy businesses that capitalize on our proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a former teacher, I watch closely the workings of the School Board and ISD 623 and have friends on the School board and who are professors at Roseville colleges. I think it is very important that the city find ways to support the families of all students in the Roseville district - schools that provide services that serve families, like food shelves and social services, often see the greatest achievement and realize decreases in achievement gaps across racial lines. The businesses and colleges of Roseville may be willing to more actively partner with ISD 623 if systems were established that encourage their participation – work-study partnerships and internships would help local students matriculate into the community. The business community of Roseville is diverse and many of the populace is highly educated and could provide excellent mentoring opportunities as an extension for work programs, especially at FAHS, the alternative learning high school in Roseville.
Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
Eliminated - I would need to seriously review the budget in light of expected shortfalls in tax revenue and evaluate essentials. Because needs are varied and personal concerns dependent on personal experience, this is likely a set of global reductions and not just one or two departments.
Added - I would like to continue to develop resources for the Rice and Larpenteur corridor, especially in partnership with Ramsey County and adjacent jurisdictions.
I would like to find a way for the public buildings in Roseville to better serve more of the community. This could result in a savings to the city if rental fees were more frequently collected on these often vacant sites.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Roseville?
The city could provide tax financing to encourage minority and women owned businesses to relocate to Roseville. Providing a list of minority owned businesses through the City website would also be important as more people seek to support minority-owned business.
There needs to be a better mix of ethnicity and gender on appointed city commissions. If women and minorities see they could help shape Roseville, more women and minorities may be willing to consider Roseville in their development plans.
The city could pass a Business Diversity Ordinance to preserve the mix of business types and the diversity of ownership. The city could set aside space for new businesses in area developments, vacant strip malls or other locations across the area and show preference to local businesses when leasing city-owned property.
The City council could establish permit fee waivers and expedited timelines for projects deemed needed in the city. In addition, they could create economic development incentives for minority and women owned businesses.
The Council could cultivate a small business navigator or small business commission to guide new business owners in a “start-up” phase, possibly even serving as a model to other business districts.
Finally, the council could facilitate partnerships with community banks to provide access to capital for small businesses.
What further policies can Roseville adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
They could create a list of businesses on their website, not just for the trade organization, visitroseville, but for all businesses to help amplify their presence to the community.
The Council needs to seek out another print media source to alert the community of local government decisions and activities, and for people to gather information.
The prior Lillie newspaper did a good job of promoting local businesses through their annual “best of Roseville” nominations and winners. I learned of, and continue to frequent, many businesses through these forums.
Provide Short term or long term tax breaks for companies that stay in operation with all of their employees, with preference to businesses that did not receive the Payroll Protection Plan through the Federal government.
Take on citywide broadband and other services that local area businesses could buy in to at a cost savings.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have developed or assisted with start-up of numerous small businesses in my career, including a medical management company and a medical practice. I am fiscally prudent, but very concerned about the welfare of others, and in providing a place that is welcoming to all who live in Roseville. I believe these values make be ideally suited to serve in the Roseville City Council.