Marty Jurgensen
Name: Marty Jurgensen
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-233-6644
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I grew up on the East Side of St. Paul and graduated from Johnson High School in 1987 and Augsburg College in 1991. I moved to Oakdale in 1993 and have lived here ever since. I’m currently the Behavior Coach at Castle Elementary and a Firefighter/EMT for the Oakdale Fire Department. I’ve been very involved in the community as a youth athletics coach for O.A.A., North St. Paul Youth Hockey, East Twins Baseball and North High School Baseball. I’ve been on the Oakdale Planning Commission for three terms serving as Chair and Vice-Chair. I’ve been involved in major development proposals in Oakdale including the redevelopment of the Oakdale Mall (Hyvee site), Tanner’s Lake redevelopment, Oakdale Crossing, Willowbrooke and the approval of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Partnering with the local athletic associations and ISD 622 to promote, encourage and assist more participation in youth athletics, especially with families that need resources
Attract high quality development that includes corporate, retail and housing opportunities for all residents
Support public safety including Police, Fire and EMS. Both the public safety building expansion and transitioning to a Full Time Fire Department are needed to better serve the community
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Oakdale has become a destination for new businesses to locate. City staff works hard to attract new businesses, streamline the review process and retain existing businesses. Business owners provide leadership and an important voice in the community. Having a positive work experience, organizing and encouraging volunteerism in the community translate into supporting the quality of life within the 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, Oakdale ?
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan is a document to guide future development that was a very thorough process and involved many stakeholders. By using the plan, reviewing regulations, providing incentives, assisting in the site selection process and streamlining the development review process the city can attract development, resulting in jobs. The city can be a liaison and source for other assistance programs for business retention.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (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 Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I don’t believe it’s the city’s role rather state and federal requirements. We need to trust business owners and listen to their concerns. If needed, city staff can direct them to the right resources.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Public safety must have the support of elected officials. Police, Fire and EMS need the resources to build relationships and create partnerships with community members.
Housing needs to be available for all residents of the community. A diversity of housing stock is needed to attract new residents but to also allow current residents of the community an opportunity to remain.
Transportation needs to be looked at locally first, then regionally. We need to make sure our own transportation systems are adequate for both current and long-term planning. We need to work with other adjacent communities and counties so that the systems are planned, designed and constructed together.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The city has a responsibility to provide quality services, a safe community, maintenance of growth and related transportation, parks and open space and recreational opportunities for all community members. I would take a long-term approach with fiscal responsibility and prioritize “needs vs wants.”
What will you do to expand Oakdale’s tax base?
Use the Comprehensive Plan to guide development. Attract and retain high quality commercial/residential development and balance new housing with commercial.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
There are new challenges with Covid 19 and the learning environment. We are fortunate to have excellent leadership and employees in ISD622 who are invested in the community. To be successful students need to remain engaged in school, participate in extracurricular activities and be open to volunteerism/internships. The city can partner with ISD622 community education, businesses and non-profits for service and mentoring programs. Supporting referendums and building relationships with both Tartan and North High Schools are essential.
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 don’t believe there are any services that should be cut back or eliminated. I do feel there are several significant items that do need attention to continue the excellent customer service the community members expect: Public Safety building expansion, Public Works facilities upgrades and the transition to a Full Time Fire Department staffing model. With increased development these are necessary public improvements. New opportunities for shared services with adjacent municipalities should always be in the conversation.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Oakdale ?
To work with all potential business owners for opportunities to establish and grow by simplifying some of the requirements, creating a mentorship program with existing business owners and using city staff as a resource to help facilitate this endeavor.
What further policies can Oakdale adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The strength of the business community in Oakdale is the locally owned businesses and I would encourage and promote patronizing them. I would also encourage businesses to work together, have a voice in the community, adapt their business model and partnership with the city to overcome obstacles.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I pride myself in building relationships with community members through my work with the school district and fire department. I’m passionate about the City of Oakdale and it would be an honor to serve the community in another capacity.
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-233-6644
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I grew up on the East Side of St. Paul and graduated from Johnson High School in 1987 and Augsburg College in 1991. I moved to Oakdale in 1993 and have lived here ever since. I’m currently the Behavior Coach at Castle Elementary and a Firefighter/EMT for the Oakdale Fire Department. I’ve been very involved in the community as a youth athletics coach for O.A.A., North St. Paul Youth Hockey, East Twins Baseball and North High School Baseball. I’ve been on the Oakdale Planning Commission for three terms serving as Chair and Vice-Chair. I’ve been involved in major development proposals in Oakdale including the redevelopment of the Oakdale Mall (Hyvee site), Tanner’s Lake redevelopment, Oakdale Crossing, Willowbrooke and the approval of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Partnering with the local athletic associations and ISD 622 to promote, encourage and assist more participation in youth athletics, especially with families that need resources
Attract high quality development that includes corporate, retail and housing opportunities for all residents
Support public safety including Police, Fire and EMS. Both the public safety building expansion and transitioning to a Full Time Fire Department are needed to better serve the community
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Oakdale has become a destination for new businesses to locate. City staff works hard to attract new businesses, streamline the review process and retain existing businesses. Business owners provide leadership and an important voice in the community. Having a positive work experience, organizing and encouraging volunteerism in the community translate into supporting the quality of life within the 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, Oakdale ?
The 2040 Comprehensive Plan is a document to guide future development that was a very thorough process and involved many stakeholders. By using the plan, reviewing regulations, providing incentives, assisting in the site selection process and streamlining the development review process the city can attract development, resulting in jobs. The city can be a liaison and source for other assistance programs for business retention.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (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 Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I don’t believe it’s the city’s role rather state and federal requirements. We need to trust business owners and listen to their concerns. If needed, city staff can direct them to the right resources.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Public safety must have the support of elected officials. Police, Fire and EMS need the resources to build relationships and create partnerships with community members.
Housing needs to be available for all residents of the community. A diversity of housing stock is needed to attract new residents but to also allow current residents of the community an opportunity to remain.
Transportation needs to be looked at locally first, then regionally. We need to make sure our own transportation systems are adequate for both current and long-term planning. We need to work with other adjacent communities and counties so that the systems are planned, designed and constructed together.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The city has a responsibility to provide quality services, a safe community, maintenance of growth and related transportation, parks and open space and recreational opportunities for all community members. I would take a long-term approach with fiscal responsibility and prioritize “needs vs wants.”
What will you do to expand Oakdale’s tax base?
Use the Comprehensive Plan to guide development. Attract and retain high quality commercial/residential development and balance new housing with commercial.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
There are new challenges with Covid 19 and the learning environment. We are fortunate to have excellent leadership and employees in ISD622 who are invested in the community. To be successful students need to remain engaged in school, participate in extracurricular activities and be open to volunteerism/internships. The city can partner with ISD622 community education, businesses and non-profits for service and mentoring programs. Supporting referendums and building relationships with both Tartan and North High Schools are essential.
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 don’t believe there are any services that should be cut back or eliminated. I do feel there are several significant items that do need attention to continue the excellent customer service the community members expect: Public Safety building expansion, Public Works facilities upgrades and the transition to a Full Time Fire Department staffing model. With increased development these are necessary public improvements. New opportunities for shared services with adjacent municipalities should always be in the conversation.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Oakdale ?
To work with all potential business owners for opportunities to establish and grow by simplifying some of the requirements, creating a mentorship program with existing business owners and using city staff as a resource to help facilitate this endeavor.
What further policies can Oakdale adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The strength of the business community in Oakdale is the locally owned businesses and I would encourage and promote patronizing them. I would also encourage businesses to work together, have a voice in the community, adapt their business model and partnership with the city to overcome obstacles.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I pride myself in building relationships with community members through my work with the school district and fire department. I’m passionate about the City of Oakdale and it would be an honor to serve the community in another capacity.