Kassim Busuri - Saint Paul Ward 6

Name: Kassim Busuri
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-327-0488
Campaign Website: neighborsforbusuri.com
Twitter handle: @busuri4ward6
Facebook Page : @neighborsforbusuri
Candidate Bio
- Earned a BS in Political Science from the U of M as well as an MS in Education and
Leadership from MSU-Mankato
- Worked in paid as well as volunteer roles to connect and integrate Somali people into mainstream society
- Served as a Community Ambassador and a Youth Violence Prevention Consultant.
- Mentored numerous at-risk young people successfully encouraging them to become active, involved, and responsible adults
- Own and operate my own business
- Currently serving on the Saint Paul City Council as the interim Councilmember representing Ward 6.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Saint Paul?
The business climate is good but, as with most things, has room for improvement.
Business, especially small businesses, are the backbone of Saint Paul’s economic engine. The Mayor and City Council make many decisions that have a direct impact on these businesses. Most of our elected officials have never owned their own business, had to make payroll, held employee’s economic futures in their hands, or were responsible for knowing and complying with the many laws at the municipal, state and federal level. For that reason, I would like to include give business owners a greater voice earlier on in the process for decisions that impact them directly such as minimum wage, ESST, taxes, parking changes, and assessments. I would also work to streamline the permitting process and assign a dedicated liaison to walk them through the City’s processes.
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, and retain existing businesses in, Saint Paul?
In today’s competitive marketplace, attracting and retaining employees is a challenge. The City has been and must continue to make itself a fun place with activities, events, and amenities that draw in not only customers, but also prospective employees. We need to create a business climate where employers feel valued and help them keep costs low by maintaining reasonable tax rates and quality municipal services.
In the downtown area we must promote a variety of housing, transportation, and parking choices to allow employees freedom and flexibility in entering and leaving the area.
I have personally made it my mission to network with prospective developers and employers and help them find suitable sites for building and creating new jobs for our residents that pay a reasonable wage.
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 Saint Paul?
Yes. I think this is a key role of our Planning and Economic Development Department and a position like this could and should certainly be created there. Finding sites, providing funds to incentivize new jobs, and helping make Saint Paul businesses competitive would be a benefit to all.
4. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Saint Paul (such as mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Saint Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
There are no specific employment-related issues proposals that I am working on at this time. However, I believe that all ordinance changes that impact, or have the potential to impact, our business community should be broadly presented to business community at large as well as vetted before a chosen body of interested business people, such as the Business Review Council. I believe that the Council often has the best of intentions when creating new ordinances but sometimes do not foresee all potential effects. More eyes from a variety of sources, earlier in the process, may slow the process itself, but in the end, it would make for a better outcome.
5. Would you support modifying or repealing the new earned sick and safe time or minimum wage ordinances that apply to the city? If so, how?
To think that our current systems and ordinances are, and will remain, perfect would be arrogant. I am always willing to review any proposals that have the potential to improve on these issues and would welcome ideas from colleagues, staff, business leaders and employees. We have great corporate citizens in Saint Paul. I want to continue to be fair to them but also to ensure that employees are treated fairly and have a reasonable chance to prosper for their efforts.
I am unaware of any such proposals at this time.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Simply arresting and locking up our youth is, short-sighted, expensive and does not work. I am a strong proponent of the Saint Paul Police Department and community policing as a whole. As a Community Ambassador, I approached at-risk youth with respect and treated them as individuals with their own specific needs. Getting to know them and helping them reach their goals was a key to aid them on the path to becoming good, productive citizens and not a drain on society.
Businesses can also have a positive impact on public safety, while helping themselves as well as these same youths. This can be accomplished through the development of programs and fellowships where youth can learn job skills and begin to see their future as one of responsible citizenship and a hope for prosperity. I have experienced this myself as a youth and am a strong proponent of its value.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for the city budget are public safety, road conditions, and planning for Hillcrest Golf Club. As our city grows every year we need to make sure we have enough public safety personnel to deal with the increased calls for help. Our roads are in the worst conditions they have ever been and will continue to worsen if we don’t do something about them now. Planning for the Hillcrest Golf Club which has the potential of bringing in 5 million in tax revenue is very important to the city.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes? (Commercial taxes as the source to reinvest improving the commercial sector and residential taxes as the source to reinvest in the neighborhoods.)
One of the ways for our city to grow and to have developers become interested in developing our vacant lands is to make sure we as a city have something to offer to them. With the plan to add 1000 homes and 1000 jobs at the Hillcrest Golf Club, which would mean an addition of 5 million dollars in added tax revenues from that development alone. Both residential and commercial taxes are crucial to closing the city spending deficit and reinvesting back into the commercial sectors and the neighborhoods.
9. What will you do to expand Saint Paul’s tax base?
The easiest and fastest way to expand our tax base is to divest ourselves of all the properties that are currently owned by the City and HRA. I have asked for and received a comprehensive list of these properties in my Ward. I have been actively working to market those properties to developers who will create jobs and much needed housing with the added benefit of making these parcels tax producing once more.
Another exciting way I plan to expand Saint Paul’s tax base is to work with the Saint Paul Port Authority on the development of Hillcrest Golf Club into light industrial, residential, and commercial space. Accomplishing this is my top priority.
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?
Costs for post-secondary schools are continuing to rise faster than the cost of living. Students entering college often graduate with a staggering debt that prevents them from forming new businesses or eliminate them from the purchase of housing. Not all students can or should pursue college degrees. There is a severe shortage of people in the trades and that will impact our workforce and overall development for years to come.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to public schools in Saint Paul?
We need to provide a safe environment - free from crime, and well-maintained roads that are cleared of snow in the winter which would allow children to be transported easily to and from their desired school. If we achieve this, the Saint Paul Board of Education working with the Superintendent can focus better on the job of educating our children.
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 apparent disconnect between the leadership and our citizens. This disconnect became readily apparent most recently by the Council’s inaction after being presented with a petition containing more than 6000 validated signatures asking for the new Organized Trash Collection system to be placed on the ballot for a public vote. As the Councilmember representing Ward 6, I have been listening to my constituents and doing my best to make the City work for them.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- The redevelopment of Hillcrest Golf Club
- The development of additional housing
- Public Safety
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
We need to not only Improve the base condition of our roads through well thought out, fully funded maintenance plan. We also need to develop options for multi-modal transportation and more smart parking spaces.
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 not aware of any unnecessary services at this time.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have worked hard to be a strong voice for my constituents while serving on the Saint Paul City Council. I have the skills, experience, and drive to work with them to make Saint Paul - and more specifically - the East Side, a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-327-0488
Campaign Website: neighborsforbusuri.com
Twitter handle: @busuri4ward6
Facebook Page : @neighborsforbusuri
Candidate Bio
- Earned a BS in Political Science from the U of M as well as an MS in Education and
Leadership from MSU-Mankato
- Worked in paid as well as volunteer roles to connect and integrate Somali people into mainstream society
- Served as a Community Ambassador and a Youth Violence Prevention Consultant.
- Mentored numerous at-risk young people successfully encouraging them to become active, involved, and responsible adults
- Own and operate my own business
- Currently serving on the Saint Paul City Council as the interim Councilmember representing Ward 6.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Saint Paul?
The business climate is good but, as with most things, has room for improvement.
Business, especially small businesses, are the backbone of Saint Paul’s economic engine. The Mayor and City Council make many decisions that have a direct impact on these businesses. Most of our elected officials have never owned their own business, had to make payroll, held employee’s economic futures in their hands, or were responsible for knowing and complying with the many laws at the municipal, state and federal level. For that reason, I would like to include give business owners a greater voice earlier on in the process for decisions that impact them directly such as minimum wage, ESST, taxes, parking changes, and assessments. I would also work to streamline the permitting process and assign a dedicated liaison to walk them through the City’s processes.
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, and retain existing businesses in, Saint Paul?
In today’s competitive marketplace, attracting and retaining employees is a challenge. The City has been and must continue to make itself a fun place with activities, events, and amenities that draw in not only customers, but also prospective employees. We need to create a business climate where employers feel valued and help them keep costs low by maintaining reasonable tax rates and quality municipal services.
In the downtown area we must promote a variety of housing, transportation, and parking choices to allow employees freedom and flexibility in entering and leaving the area.
I have personally made it my mission to network with prospective developers and employers and help them find suitable sites for building and creating new jobs for our residents that pay a reasonable wage.
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 Saint Paul?
Yes. I think this is a key role of our Planning and Economic Development Department and a position like this could and should certainly be created there. Finding sites, providing funds to incentivize new jobs, and helping make Saint Paul businesses competitive would be a benefit to all.
4. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Saint Paul (such as mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Saint Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
There are no specific employment-related issues proposals that I am working on at this time. However, I believe that all ordinance changes that impact, or have the potential to impact, our business community should be broadly presented to business community at large as well as vetted before a chosen body of interested business people, such as the Business Review Council. I believe that the Council often has the best of intentions when creating new ordinances but sometimes do not foresee all potential effects. More eyes from a variety of sources, earlier in the process, may slow the process itself, but in the end, it would make for a better outcome.
5. Would you support modifying or repealing the new earned sick and safe time or minimum wage ordinances that apply to the city? If so, how?
To think that our current systems and ordinances are, and will remain, perfect would be arrogant. I am always willing to review any proposals that have the potential to improve on these issues and would welcome ideas from colleagues, staff, business leaders and employees. We have great corporate citizens in Saint Paul. I want to continue to be fair to them but also to ensure that employees are treated fairly and have a reasonable chance to prosper for their efforts.
I am unaware of any such proposals at this time.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Simply arresting and locking up our youth is, short-sighted, expensive and does not work. I am a strong proponent of the Saint Paul Police Department and community policing as a whole. As a Community Ambassador, I approached at-risk youth with respect and treated them as individuals with their own specific needs. Getting to know them and helping them reach their goals was a key to aid them on the path to becoming good, productive citizens and not a drain on society.
Businesses can also have a positive impact on public safety, while helping themselves as well as these same youths. This can be accomplished through the development of programs and fellowships where youth can learn job skills and begin to see their future as one of responsible citizenship and a hope for prosperity. I have experienced this myself as a youth and am a strong proponent of its value.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for the city budget are public safety, road conditions, and planning for Hillcrest Golf Club. As our city grows every year we need to make sure we have enough public safety personnel to deal with the increased calls for help. Our roads are in the worst conditions they have ever been and will continue to worsen if we don’t do something about them now. Planning for the Hillcrest Golf Club which has the potential of bringing in 5 million in tax revenue is very important to the city.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes? (Commercial taxes as the source to reinvest improving the commercial sector and residential taxes as the source to reinvest in the neighborhoods.)
One of the ways for our city to grow and to have developers become interested in developing our vacant lands is to make sure we as a city have something to offer to them. With the plan to add 1000 homes and 1000 jobs at the Hillcrest Golf Club, which would mean an addition of 5 million dollars in added tax revenues from that development alone. Both residential and commercial taxes are crucial to closing the city spending deficit and reinvesting back into the commercial sectors and the neighborhoods.
9. What will you do to expand Saint Paul’s tax base?
The easiest and fastest way to expand our tax base is to divest ourselves of all the properties that are currently owned by the City and HRA. I have asked for and received a comprehensive list of these properties in my Ward. I have been actively working to market those properties to developers who will create jobs and much needed housing with the added benefit of making these parcels tax producing once more.
Another exciting way I plan to expand Saint Paul’s tax base is to work with the Saint Paul Port Authority on the development of Hillcrest Golf Club into light industrial, residential, and commercial space. Accomplishing this is my top priority.
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?
Costs for post-secondary schools are continuing to rise faster than the cost of living. Students entering college often graduate with a staggering debt that prevents them from forming new businesses or eliminate them from the purchase of housing. Not all students can or should pursue college degrees. There is a severe shortage of people in the trades and that will impact our workforce and overall development for years to come.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to public schools in Saint Paul?
We need to provide a safe environment - free from crime, and well-maintained roads that are cleared of snow in the winter which would allow children to be transported easily to and from their desired school. If we achieve this, the Saint Paul Board of Education working with the Superintendent can focus better on the job of educating our children.
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 apparent disconnect between the leadership and our citizens. This disconnect became readily apparent most recently by the Council’s inaction after being presented with a petition containing more than 6000 validated signatures asking for the new Organized Trash Collection system to be placed on the ballot for a public vote. As the Councilmember representing Ward 6, I have been listening to my constituents and doing my best to make the City work for them.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- The redevelopment of Hillcrest Golf Club
- The development of additional housing
- Public Safety
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
We need to not only Improve the base condition of our roads through well thought out, fully funded maintenance plan. We also need to develop options for multi-modal transportation and more smart parking spaces.
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 not aware of any unnecessary services at this time.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have worked hard to be a strong voice for my constituents while serving on the Saint Paul City Council. I have the skills, experience, and drive to work with them to make Saint Paul - and more specifically - the East Side, a great place to live, work, and raise a family.