Lisa Eng-Sarne
Name: Lisa Eng-Sarne
Public Office Sought: West St. Paul City Council - Ward 3
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-757-7090
Website: lisaforweststpaul.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lisaforweststpaul
Candidate Bio
I have been serving on the West St. Paul City Council since 2019. I do my homework, show up, and find fast results for my constituents. My project management, local government, conflict resolution, public relations, and communication experience make me the candidate who can help bridge division.
To heighten the city’s visibility, I’m active with the League of Minnesota Cities as a member of the Improving Local Economies Committee. I have participated in annual conferences, leadership trainings, and the Minnesota Cities Day on the Hill. I serve as the council liaison to the West St. Paul Environmental Committee.
From 2006-2011, I worked at the Minnesota Senate and now use my experience to testify for West St. Paul in legislative committees around critical infrastructure needs. I helped drive approval of our local option sales tax, which now funds critical road repairs.
From 2008-2019, I was a member of the Minnesota RollerGirls (Minnesota Roller Derby), an all-volunteer organization where I served in leadership and raised impactful amounts of money for our charity partners. I’ve lived in West St. Paul for almost 10 years and plan to keep building a community that represents the incredible people who live here.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Not ranked in order of importance: maintaining high-quality and efficient city services for citizens and businesses, repair and improvement of aging infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, wastewater systems, etc.), and community development that fosters greater inclusion, participation, and consensus.
How would you characterize the business climate in West St. Paul and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We are a geographically small city with a bustling business climate. With little developable land left, we do well by focusing on supporting our already-existing businesses. Our businesses not only support quality of life in West St. Paul, but as a hub where communities beyond our own come here to meet their needs. Robert Street and Smith Avenue businesses are accessible via public transportation and their success is critical for the region. This means access to healthy food, places to get your vehicle serviced, medical and health facility access, entertainment, and other essential needs are all met in West St. Paul. A healthy business climate leads to a more vibrant city.
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, West St. Paul?
The city has worked with new and expanding businesses to provide grants that support growth and their ability to stay in our community. During COVID-19 and a potential economic downturn, it will be especially important to maintain open communication with local businesses and make adjustments to local code that may hinder their success.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in West St. Paul (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 West St. Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Understanding impact of our ordinance and policy choices is critical. I would like to work closely with our local business organizations to better understand impact on them around a number of issues – including minimum wage and sick time. This would include consulting local business organizations, chambers of commerce, and independently owned businesses.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I think it is important to approach every conversation around these important topics with an open mind and zero defensiveness about where we have been or where we are going. There is not a universal solution to these issues, but they are intertwined.
Public safety – I will support our innovative partnerships, focus on and fund mental health services, and consult those who provide those services and are deeply ingrained in the needs of the community. Our police department has been open to discussion around areas we can work on to build public trust with the community.
Housing – it is important to say yes to density that helps solve the growing issue of homelessness and housing availability. West St. Paul was recently named #1 on the Star Tribune’s hot housing list and I will continue to make choices that support housing expansion.
Transportation – I will continue to look at our transportation systems holistically and equitably, and develop meaningful relationships that keep West St. Paul top of mind for improvements. It is important that we think beyond cars as the only mode of transportation and look at the connectivity of our sidewalks, the safety of pedestrians, and create opportunities for safe biking and accessible transportation for all abilities across the city.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The priority is to continue to provide top-quality city services while paying off debt from essential Robert Street repair and improvement. We have managed to shave time off of the projected retirement of debt while still building a vibrant community. We are also utilizing a pay-as-you-go model for street improvements, funded by the local option sales tax, and see that as a huge help in making needed improvements without having a negative impact on budget.
What will you do to expand West St. Paul’s tax base?
I will continue to be an unapologetic booster for West St. Paul, promoting and showing pride in our local establishments – generating outside interest and interest within our community. I have supported and will continue to support the development of new businesses, redevelopment and expansion of current businesses, and the city providing assistance where we can to make it easier to come here and stay here. This can be done and has been done through opportunities such as forgivable loans that reduce blight and increase the value of the surrounding properties.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I will strengthen my relationship with the local school board so we can ensure we are supporting complimentary policy and infrastructure choices. As a council member, this means prioritizing safe routes to school, filling gaps in sidewalks and trails, and listening to feedback from educational institutions.
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?
I do not see the need to cut back on services West St. Paul provides and we take great pride in our snow plowing, park maintenance, emergency services, and community events and outreach. Running a lean and efficient city, we can still look to expand our strategic and effective partnerships in order to better serve the people who live in West St. Paul and throughout Dakota county.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in West St. Paul?
Being an approachable and empathetic council member who can foster and encourage the difficult discussions around inequities is key (including structural racism and a recognition of the barriers women and minorities face). Building trust, celebrating milestones, and communicating about opportunities for things like small business grants, are all part of the role I see myself filling.
What further policies can West St. Paul adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
West St. Paul answered the call from local businesses during COVID-19 to make fast adjustments to help them operate more efficiently while meeting state health guidelines. With the size of this city, we can pivot to the needs our businesses are calling for and I commit to being open to dialogue that continues these improvements. We can provide further support through EDA grants and being a helpful guide in accessing COVID-19 relief funds. The city has made applying for funding accessible to our businesses and we will continue to innovate in our communication. I also am on the LMC Improving Local Economies Committee (focused on COVID-19) and will be learning what cities across Minnesota are doing to help their businesses recover.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
West St. Paul voters, please reach out to me with questions or requests to meet ([email protected]). I ask for your vote in the upcoming election and thank you!
Public Office Sought: West St. Paul City Council - Ward 3
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-757-7090
Website: lisaforweststpaul.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lisaforweststpaul
Candidate Bio
I have been serving on the West St. Paul City Council since 2019. I do my homework, show up, and find fast results for my constituents. My project management, local government, conflict resolution, public relations, and communication experience make me the candidate who can help bridge division.
To heighten the city’s visibility, I’m active with the League of Minnesota Cities as a member of the Improving Local Economies Committee. I have participated in annual conferences, leadership trainings, and the Minnesota Cities Day on the Hill. I serve as the council liaison to the West St. Paul Environmental Committee.
From 2006-2011, I worked at the Minnesota Senate and now use my experience to testify for West St. Paul in legislative committees around critical infrastructure needs. I helped drive approval of our local option sales tax, which now funds critical road repairs.
From 2008-2019, I was a member of the Minnesota RollerGirls (Minnesota Roller Derby), an all-volunteer organization where I served in leadership and raised impactful amounts of money for our charity partners. I’ve lived in West St. Paul for almost 10 years and plan to keep building a community that represents the incredible people who live here.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Not ranked in order of importance: maintaining high-quality and efficient city services for citizens and businesses, repair and improvement of aging infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, wastewater systems, etc.), and community development that fosters greater inclusion, participation, and consensus.
How would you characterize the business climate in West St. Paul and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We are a geographically small city with a bustling business climate. With little developable land left, we do well by focusing on supporting our already-existing businesses. Our businesses not only support quality of life in West St. Paul, but as a hub where communities beyond our own come here to meet their needs. Robert Street and Smith Avenue businesses are accessible via public transportation and their success is critical for the region. This means access to healthy food, places to get your vehicle serviced, medical and health facility access, entertainment, and other essential needs are all met in West St. Paul. A healthy business climate leads to a more vibrant city.
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, West St. Paul?
The city has worked with new and expanding businesses to provide grants that support growth and their ability to stay in our community. During COVID-19 and a potential economic downturn, it will be especially important to maintain open communication with local businesses and make adjustments to local code that may hinder their success.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in West St. Paul (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 West St. Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Understanding impact of our ordinance and policy choices is critical. I would like to work closely with our local business organizations to better understand impact on them around a number of issues – including minimum wage and sick time. This would include consulting local business organizations, chambers of commerce, and independently owned businesses.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I think it is important to approach every conversation around these important topics with an open mind and zero defensiveness about where we have been or where we are going. There is not a universal solution to these issues, but they are intertwined.
Public safety – I will support our innovative partnerships, focus on and fund mental health services, and consult those who provide those services and are deeply ingrained in the needs of the community. Our police department has been open to discussion around areas we can work on to build public trust with the community.
Housing – it is important to say yes to density that helps solve the growing issue of homelessness and housing availability. West St. Paul was recently named #1 on the Star Tribune’s hot housing list and I will continue to make choices that support housing expansion.
Transportation – I will continue to look at our transportation systems holistically and equitably, and develop meaningful relationships that keep West St. Paul top of mind for improvements. It is important that we think beyond cars as the only mode of transportation and look at the connectivity of our sidewalks, the safety of pedestrians, and create opportunities for safe biking and accessible transportation for all abilities across the city.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The priority is to continue to provide top-quality city services while paying off debt from essential Robert Street repair and improvement. We have managed to shave time off of the projected retirement of debt while still building a vibrant community. We are also utilizing a pay-as-you-go model for street improvements, funded by the local option sales tax, and see that as a huge help in making needed improvements without having a negative impact on budget.
What will you do to expand West St. Paul’s tax base?
I will continue to be an unapologetic booster for West St. Paul, promoting and showing pride in our local establishments – generating outside interest and interest within our community. I have supported and will continue to support the development of new businesses, redevelopment and expansion of current businesses, and the city providing assistance where we can to make it easier to come here and stay here. This can be done and has been done through opportunities such as forgivable loans that reduce blight and increase the value of the surrounding properties.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I will strengthen my relationship with the local school board so we can ensure we are supporting complimentary policy and infrastructure choices. As a council member, this means prioritizing safe routes to school, filling gaps in sidewalks and trails, and listening to feedback from educational institutions.
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?
I do not see the need to cut back on services West St. Paul provides and we take great pride in our snow plowing, park maintenance, emergency services, and community events and outreach. Running a lean and efficient city, we can still look to expand our strategic and effective partnerships in order to better serve the people who live in West St. Paul and throughout Dakota county.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in West St. Paul?
Being an approachable and empathetic council member who can foster and encourage the difficult discussions around inequities is key (including structural racism and a recognition of the barriers women and minorities face). Building trust, celebrating milestones, and communicating about opportunities for things like small business grants, are all part of the role I see myself filling.
What further policies can West St. Paul adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
West St. Paul answered the call from local businesses during COVID-19 to make fast adjustments to help them operate more efficiently while meeting state health guidelines. With the size of this city, we can pivot to the needs our businesses are calling for and I commit to being open to dialogue that continues these improvements. We can provide further support through EDA grants and being a helpful guide in accessing COVID-19 relief funds. The city has made applying for funding accessible to our businesses and we will continue to innovate in our communication. I also am on the LMC Improving Local Economies Committee (focused on COVID-19) and will be learning what cities across Minnesota are doing to help their businesses recover.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
West St. Paul voters, please reach out to me with questions or requests to meet ([email protected]). I ask for your vote in the upcoming election and thank you!