Lisa Eng-Sarne
Name: Lisa Eng-Sarne
Public Office Sought: West Saint Paul City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-757-7090
Website: lisaforweststpaul.squarespace.com
Facebook Page: Lisa Eng-Sarne for West St. Paul City Council - Ward 3
Instagram: @lisadiamondrough
Candidate Bio
I have years of public policy, marketing, project management, and public relations experience.
I worked at the Minnesota Senate as Legislative Assistant to Senator Jim Metzen. This role taught me how to create effective policy, serving the Business, Industry, and Jobs Committee. I learned that to represent constituents of West St. Paul, the senator’s office had to listen to the needs and opinions of the citizens that lived there.
After the senate, I developed my public relations, marketing, and policy skills – all of which can be leveraged to draw new development to West St. Paul and better communicate with constituents. It is a priority of the city to tell our story and develop a strong brand that drives development, and I’m the candidate who can do that!
Currently, I am a project manager; ensuring projects are delivered on-time, on budget, and of the highest quality for clients. This work includes management of internal resources and teams. For the entirety of my career, I have also been a leader of the Minnesota RollerGirls, leading my team to world championships and multiple local championship titles. This has made me ready to be a leader who can rally this community!
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in West Saint Paul?
I would characterize the business environment as good, growing, and with great potential. There is demand to have diverse and quality business not only on Robert Street, but also within walkable distance to people’s homes across the city. The demand is there and we can work hard to meet it. I enjoy visiting many of the local and family-owned spots throughout West St. Paul and I’d like to create more opportunity for others to build their business here.
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, West Saint Paul?
We have a great deal of potential and obligation to attract and retain jobs and business in West St. Paul. We must be better about telling our story. It is a huge selling point that we are a first ring suburb that sits directly next to the state capitol, and housing developers and new businesses should be clamoring for space along Robert Street, and elsewhere throughout the city. I am confident that I can be a dynamic ambassador for our city, telling that story, and showing the value of building here.
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 West Saint Paul?
If the city is willing and has room in the budget for such a role, I believe it would benefit West St. Paul in immediate and long-term growth. Constituents may feel these duties are currently assigned to another city position and I would want to get a sense for that.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in West Saint Paul? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in West Saint Paul 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 everyone deserves a living wage, the current minimum wage is not enough to meet the cost of living in the metro area. Ideally, a minimum wage increase would happen at the state level and would put all Minnesota cities on a level playing field. I would like to meet with local business owners to get a better understanding of their perspective and reservations, but a wage increase is necessary to improve lives and offer humane treatment for workers.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in West Saint Paul (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 West Saint Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I think it is important for me to spend time with local business to understand their perspective and ability to implement policies such as these. Clearly decisions like this would impact business’ operations and their bottom line, so it would be crucial to understand the impacts changes like this would have.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
I think building trust between law enforcement and the public will improve public safety. Additionally, if we promote a culture of respect, community, and looking out for our neighbors, the issue of safety can be a shared one.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Both are integral in growing West St. Paul. Commercial property taxes and the attraction of new business allows for property taxes to remain consistent. Property taxes allow the city to reliably plan and budget for the future. Combined healthy and sustainable residential and commercial property taxes allow us to maintain and improve the city.
9. What will you do to expand West Saint Paul’s tax base?
There is so much potential for us to recruit, retain, and expand business in West St. Paul. I think the city has been lacking dynamic ambassadors who can get out and tell our story, build a brand, and set a tone that welcomes new business. This is an incredible place to live, but is somewhat under the radar. Let’s change that.
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?
We can be very deliberate about the message we are sending to the schools regarding what the workforce needs are projected to be. There will be high demand for workers in the trades as boomers leave the workforce – this must be communicated to our schools.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to West Saint Paul Public Schools?
The school district is its own entity and I would respect that. However, the roads we build, the paths that lead to the schools, the stoplights, the safety of the city, these all affect our students. If we are succeeding as a city, the schools have a better chance at succeeding as well. We can support schools and their programming, we can collaborate, and we can make decisions that give our young people the most opportunities for a bright future.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I think West St. Paul’s biggest challenge is also West St. Paul’s biggest opportunity, and that is development. We need to attract new business to fill spaces left empty for years, and we need to develop affordable housing for our aging population. As mentioned, we can do this by telling our stories and focusing on outreach to those we see making these developments in other first-ring suburbs. The more we are known, the more desirable it will become to build here.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Road safety and easy access around Robert Street is always a concern that needs to be kept up with, no matter what improvements are made. We need to make sure pedestrians and cyclists have safe roads and paths. Demand to live in West St. Paul will be increasing, and the demographic that moves here will need safe transportation options, beyond personal vehicles. Let’s make it safe for everyone.
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 don’t see anyone spending wastefully or without careful consideration at this time. However, I do see opportunity to share or at least collaborate more with our neighboring South St. Paul and Mendota Heights – we are neighbors and not adversaries, after all.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I can earnestly say that I would look forward to being a positive voice for the people of Ward III and would hope that this approach would be shared all members who are elected. We have an opportunity to build one of the best communities in the metro area – one with more affordable housing, beautiful parks, safe roads, and local businesses that flourish.
The city council is here to work for you and represent you, the citizens of West St. Paul. I operate with transparency, honesty, enthusiasm, and moxie. I’d love to see more teamwork on the council and if chosen, I would look forward to building the team up.
If you vote for me, you will get representation with experience but without bias or self-interest. I hope you vote for me in the primary on August 14 and again in the general on November.
Public Office Sought: West Saint Paul City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-757-7090
Website: lisaforweststpaul.squarespace.com
Facebook Page: Lisa Eng-Sarne for West St. Paul City Council - Ward 3
Instagram: @lisadiamondrough
Candidate Bio
I have years of public policy, marketing, project management, and public relations experience.
I worked at the Minnesota Senate as Legislative Assistant to Senator Jim Metzen. This role taught me how to create effective policy, serving the Business, Industry, and Jobs Committee. I learned that to represent constituents of West St. Paul, the senator’s office had to listen to the needs and opinions of the citizens that lived there.
After the senate, I developed my public relations, marketing, and policy skills – all of which can be leveraged to draw new development to West St. Paul and better communicate with constituents. It is a priority of the city to tell our story and develop a strong brand that drives development, and I’m the candidate who can do that!
Currently, I am a project manager; ensuring projects are delivered on-time, on budget, and of the highest quality for clients. This work includes management of internal resources and teams. For the entirety of my career, I have also been a leader of the Minnesota RollerGirls, leading my team to world championships and multiple local championship titles. This has made me ready to be a leader who can rally this community!
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in West Saint Paul?
I would characterize the business environment as good, growing, and with great potential. There is demand to have diverse and quality business not only on Robert Street, but also within walkable distance to people’s homes across the city. The demand is there and we can work hard to meet it. I enjoy visiting many of the local and family-owned spots throughout West St. Paul and I’d like to create more opportunity for others to build their business here.
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, West Saint Paul?
We have a great deal of potential and obligation to attract and retain jobs and business in West St. Paul. We must be better about telling our story. It is a huge selling point that we are a first ring suburb that sits directly next to the state capitol, and housing developers and new businesses should be clamoring for space along Robert Street, and elsewhere throughout the city. I am confident that I can be a dynamic ambassador for our city, telling that story, and showing the value of building here.
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 West Saint Paul?
If the city is willing and has room in the budget for such a role, I believe it would benefit West St. Paul in immediate and long-term growth. Constituents may feel these duties are currently assigned to another city position and I would want to get a sense for that.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in West Saint Paul? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in West Saint Paul 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 everyone deserves a living wage, the current minimum wage is not enough to meet the cost of living in the metro area. Ideally, a minimum wage increase would happen at the state level and would put all Minnesota cities on a level playing field. I would like to meet with local business owners to get a better understanding of their perspective and reservations, but a wage increase is necessary to improve lives and offer humane treatment for workers.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in West Saint Paul (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 West Saint Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I think it is important for me to spend time with local business to understand their perspective and ability to implement policies such as these. Clearly decisions like this would impact business’ operations and their bottom line, so it would be crucial to understand the impacts changes like this would have.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
I think building trust between law enforcement and the public will improve public safety. Additionally, if we promote a culture of respect, community, and looking out for our neighbors, the issue of safety can be a shared one.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
- Attracting and retaining businesses – including Robert Street redevelopment. Focusing on transparency and long-term and strategic planning for expansion.
- Transportation safety and development (this includes road, bike, and pedestrian options) and with that, transparency and communication regrading progress.
- Establish West St. Paul as an up-and-coming desirable place to live, with fantastic amenities and close to the city hub where a great deal of the metro population works. We know how great it is to live here, let’s spread that word and use it to grow. There are many new creative solutions that we can be tapping into, including boosting stories of things that are going well.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Both are integral in growing West St. Paul. Commercial property taxes and the attraction of new business allows for property taxes to remain consistent. Property taxes allow the city to reliably plan and budget for the future. Combined healthy and sustainable residential and commercial property taxes allow us to maintain and improve the city.
9. What will you do to expand West Saint Paul’s tax base?
There is so much potential for us to recruit, retain, and expand business in West St. Paul. I think the city has been lacking dynamic ambassadors who can get out and tell our story, build a brand, and set a tone that welcomes new business. This is an incredible place to live, but is somewhat under the radar. Let’s change that.
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?
We can be very deliberate about the message we are sending to the schools regarding what the workforce needs are projected to be. There will be high demand for workers in the trades as boomers leave the workforce – this must be communicated to our schools.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to West Saint Paul Public Schools?
The school district is its own entity and I would respect that. However, the roads we build, the paths that lead to the schools, the stoplights, the safety of the city, these all affect our students. If we are succeeding as a city, the schools have a better chance at succeeding as well. We can support schools and their programming, we can collaborate, and we can make decisions that give our young people the most opportunities for a bright future.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
I think West St. Paul’s biggest challenge is also West St. Paul’s biggest opportunity, and that is development. We need to attract new business to fill spaces left empty for years, and we need to develop affordable housing for our aging population. As mentioned, we can do this by telling our stories and focusing on outreach to those we see making these developments in other first-ring suburbs. The more we are known, the more desirable it will become to build here.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Maintenance and improvement of current infrastructure – let’s take care of what we have so we can all be safe and enjoy the journey.
- Safety – ensuring police and fire are properly funded, while increasing trust between these services and the public.
- Business development – increase the tax-base so we can build greater amenities for the people of West St. Paul
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Road safety and easy access around Robert Street is always a concern that needs to be kept up with, no matter what improvements are made. We need to make sure pedestrians and cyclists have safe roads and paths. Demand to live in West St. Paul will be increasing, and the demographic that moves here will need safe transportation options, beyond personal vehicles. Let’s make it safe for everyone.
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 don’t see anyone spending wastefully or without careful consideration at this time. However, I do see opportunity to share or at least collaborate more with our neighboring South St. Paul and Mendota Heights – we are neighbors and not adversaries, after all.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I can earnestly say that I would look forward to being a positive voice for the people of Ward III and would hope that this approach would be shared all members who are elected. We have an opportunity to build one of the best communities in the metro area – one with more affordable housing, beautiful parks, safe roads, and local businesses that flourish.
The city council is here to work for you and represent you, the citizens of West St. Paul. I operate with transparency, honesty, enthusiasm, and moxie. I’d love to see more teamwork on the council and if chosen, I would look forward to building the team up.
If you vote for me, you will get representation with experience but without bias or self-interest. I hope you vote for me in the primary on August 14 and again in the general on November.