Mark Landis
Name: Mark Landis
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-402-9279
Facebook: Mark Landis for Oakdale City Council
Candidate Bio
Resident since 1993, Graduate St. Cloud State University Business. Occupation Financial
Advisor 1992- Present.
Experience: Oakdale City Council Member (Incumbent), Environmental Management Commission (city council liaison), Economic Development Commission 1995-2016 (chair 14 years), Washington County Housing & Redevelopment Authority 2012-2014 (Chair 2014), Citizens Advisory Commission for ISD #622 School District strategic planning 2016, Community Advisory Commission for Oakdale Comprehensive Plan (3 x). Numerous other sub-committees within Oakdale.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale?
Strong. Also, Oakdale has great potential for growth. We have done a number of re-development projects which attracted Park Tool, Hy-Vee, The Waters Senior Living, Hardee's, to name a few.
We also have new business partners with Slumberland at their 4Front Technology and Office Campus, Bus Rapid Transit with Housing and Retail located at Helmo and 4th Street, and a new Housing Development 3M Foundation Property.
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, Oakdale?
As the former Chair of the Economic Development Commission, we have had great commissioners who have been very active in the business community as well as the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce. We have a great staff in our Community Development Department led by Bob Streeter and his staff. We implemented a Business Retention and Expansion program a number of years ago. We also have designed a succession plan as employees retire or separate from service. Oakdale is business friendly!
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 Oakdale?
We have a dedicated staff that has been focused on all of the above as noted in the previous question. In our next budget, we have dedicated funds for Economic Development. The city has also hired a full time Communications Specialist to promote Oakdale and keep our residents informed about up coming events and important information.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Oakdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Oakdale 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?
No, I do not support this. This is a State directive NOT Local Government.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (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 Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No, I do not support this. This is a State directive Not Local Government.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
I have always been a strong supporter of public safety for all residents and businesses in our city. A number of years ago, we started a formal program for annual rental and business visits from Police and Fire to make sure Rental Properties were up to code; this also kept both departments familiar with the properties. The same was done with our business partners. It has been very well received. Police and Fire have been very active in the city educating residents of all ages in the importance of safety; some examples include Neighborhood Watch, Touch a Truck, Annual Neighborhood night out , and actively working in our schools. City Council has provided proper funding for both departments to have the proper tools, equipment and training. We are adding an addition to our Police Department which will provide indoor parking for all police vehicles, and an in-house training facility. We need to provide these amenities for future hiring. Also, we will continue to support the county wide program Citizens Against Sex Trafficing (CAST).
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Fiscal Responsibility (low taxes)
I have worked with our Finance Director closely looking at all options for projects to present options for council to consider on our major city projects. I plan on continuing this going forward.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
I believe that we are very fortunate to have a very good mix of both a Residential and Business tax base. We will continue to insure this with our development projects in the future.
9. What will you do to expand Oakdales tax base?
Future developments coming in our city include the 4 Front Technology and Office Campus, Market place Business Park, Redevelopment Projects, 3M Property (housing), Bus Rapid Transit including Retail and Housing.
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?
Continue working with ISD#622 with programs they have in place and are adding related to the post k-12 program called Pathways. Also continue our educational partnerships with Century College, ISD #916 , Washington County Workforce and the CDA, MN Deed, whom we have been a key partner.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Oakdale Public Schools?
I believe we need to be very supportive of our School District and provide the needed public safety services required. They have their own elected officials separate from the city. They are also governed through the State Education Department.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Environmental Management (water quality). The 3m Settlement is in the beginning stages of discussions for a solution. With no disbursement of funds for a few years, I believe a regional line makes sense. The question is: Who pays maintenance costs going forward? You can refer to our city web site for information on the settlement.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Quality of Life for All Residents and Business partners
2. Development Projects (stay on budget)
3. Economic Development: retain and expand
14 . What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Continue our Annual Road Maintenance Program, and completion of the Bus Rapid Transit Station for all residents.
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 would not eliminate any of the city services that are vital and have perceived value to all that use them.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have spent the past 25 plus years working hard for our resident and business partners.
My goal is to enhance the quality of life in Oakdale. We have built a strong base; now we need to look into the future to make Oakdale a desirable and attractive place to live, work, play and stay.
I would be humbled by your vote on Tuesday, November 6th!
Vote Mark Landis Oakdale City Council!
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-402-9279
Facebook: Mark Landis for Oakdale City Council
Candidate Bio
Resident since 1993, Graduate St. Cloud State University Business. Occupation Financial
Advisor 1992- Present.
Experience: Oakdale City Council Member (Incumbent), Environmental Management Commission (city council liaison), Economic Development Commission 1995-2016 (chair 14 years), Washington County Housing & Redevelopment Authority 2012-2014 (Chair 2014), Citizens Advisory Commission for ISD #622 School District strategic planning 2016, Community Advisory Commission for Oakdale Comprehensive Plan (3 x). Numerous other sub-committees within Oakdale.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale?
Strong. Also, Oakdale has great potential for growth. We have done a number of re-development projects which attracted Park Tool, Hy-Vee, The Waters Senior Living, Hardee's, to name a few.
We also have new business partners with Slumberland at their 4Front Technology and Office Campus, Bus Rapid Transit with Housing and Retail located at Helmo and 4th Street, and a new Housing Development 3M Foundation Property.
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, Oakdale?
As the former Chair of the Economic Development Commission, we have had great commissioners who have been very active in the business community as well as the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce. We have a great staff in our Community Development Department led by Bob Streeter and his staff. We implemented a Business Retention and Expansion program a number of years ago. We also have designed a succession plan as employees retire or separate from service. Oakdale is business friendly!
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 Oakdale?
We have a dedicated staff that has been focused on all of the above as noted in the previous question. In our next budget, we have dedicated funds for Economic Development. The city has also hired a full time Communications Specialist to promote Oakdale and keep our residents informed about up coming events and important information.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Oakdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Oakdale 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?
No, I do not support this. This is a State directive NOT Local Government.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (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 Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No, I do not support this. This is a State directive Not Local Government.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
I have always been a strong supporter of public safety for all residents and businesses in our city. A number of years ago, we started a formal program for annual rental and business visits from Police and Fire to make sure Rental Properties were up to code; this also kept both departments familiar with the properties. The same was done with our business partners. It has been very well received. Police and Fire have been very active in the city educating residents of all ages in the importance of safety; some examples include Neighborhood Watch, Touch a Truck, Annual Neighborhood night out , and actively working in our schools. City Council has provided proper funding for both departments to have the proper tools, equipment and training. We are adding an addition to our Police Department which will provide indoor parking for all police vehicles, and an in-house training facility. We need to provide these amenities for future hiring. Also, we will continue to support the county wide program Citizens Against Sex Trafficing (CAST).
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Fiscal Responsibility (low taxes)
I have worked with our Finance Director closely looking at all options for projects to present options for council to consider on our major city projects. I plan on continuing this going forward.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
I believe that we are very fortunate to have a very good mix of both a Residential and Business tax base. We will continue to insure this with our development projects in the future.
9. What will you do to expand Oakdales tax base?
Future developments coming in our city include the 4 Front Technology and Office Campus, Market place Business Park, Redevelopment Projects, 3M Property (housing), Bus Rapid Transit including Retail and Housing.
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?
Continue working with ISD#622 with programs they have in place and are adding related to the post k-12 program called Pathways. Also continue our educational partnerships with Century College, ISD #916 , Washington County Workforce and the CDA, MN Deed, whom we have been a key partner.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Oakdale Public Schools?
I believe we need to be very supportive of our School District and provide the needed public safety services required. They have their own elected officials separate from the city. They are also governed through the State Education Department.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Environmental Management (water quality). The 3m Settlement is in the beginning stages of discussions for a solution. With no disbursement of funds for a few years, I believe a regional line makes sense. The question is: Who pays maintenance costs going forward? You can refer to our city web site for information on the settlement.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Quality of Life for All Residents and Business partners
2. Development Projects (stay on budget)
3. Economic Development: retain and expand
14 . What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Continue our Annual Road Maintenance Program, and completion of the Bus Rapid Transit Station for all residents.
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 would not eliminate any of the city services that are vital and have perceived value to all that use them.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have spent the past 25 plus years working hard for our resident and business partners.
My goal is to enhance the quality of life in Oakdale. We have built a strong base; now we need to look into the future to make Oakdale a desirable and attractive place to live, work, play and stay.
I would be humbled by your vote on Tuesday, November 6th!
Vote Mark Landis Oakdale City Council!