Marylee Abrams
Name: Marylee Abrams
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: maryleeformaplewood@gmail.com
Phone: 651-239-3814
Website: Coming Soon
Facebook: Marylee Abrams for Maplewood
Candidate Bio
I was elected to the Maplewood City Council in 2013 and have lived in Maplewood for over twenty years. I raised two wonderful sons who attended and graduated from ISD #622. Zach is 28 years old and manages 9 residential homes for ACR Homes. Vicktor is 26 years old, serves as a 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, and is currently deployed.
I have practiced law for more than 30 years with a primary focus in labor and employment law. I previously represented unionized employees. Since opening up my own law firm in 2008, I now represent public and private sector employers, including a number of cities in Minnesota.
I have really enjoyed my time on the Maplewood City Council. Some of my accomplishments include:
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood?
Our overall business climate is good and we are experiencing growth and redevelopment.
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, Maplewood?
The City plays an important foundational role in attracting new businesses, retaining jobs, and helping our current businesses grow. We engaged in a robust business development and retention program with the assistance of the SPACC and the White Bear Area Chamber, and we are following up this year with the VHEDC to assist us with business retention and workforce development. We are also forging ongoing relationships with local colleges and technical schools to insure we support a competitive and well-trained workforce.
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 Maplewood?
Successful businesses are instrumental to the future of Maplewood. Good jobs support families who live in our community, who in turn support local businesses. We have some compelling challenges with revisioning our Maplewood Mall and guiding the future transportation changes with the Gold Line and the Rush Line and I believe dedicated staff can help with these challenges. I would support adding senior staff to focus and address business growth, redevelopment, and workforce issues during our next annual budgeting process.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Maplewood? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Maplewood 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 do not and will not support increasing the minimum wage in Maplewood.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Maplewood (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 Maplewood and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not and will not support any other specific employment related proposals in Maplewood.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Citizens responses on our Maplewood National Citizen Survey and our annual business BRE report reflect very favorably on our police and fire department services. Our Use of Force Task Force and our EMS Task Force were initiated to obtain public input and feedback on some of our most essential public services. Confidence in transparent public safety is crucial to the well-being of our citizens.
The Maplewood Police Department has adopted a 2018 strategic plan. As a Council member my role is to insure we are achieving our goals and accomplishing what we set out in our strategic plan. We do this by insuring our police and fire staff are well-trained, equipped for success, and by holding ourselves to the highest standards of conduct. Our public safety department strategic plan states:
As a department we are committed to:
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for our budget include:
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Property taxes are the biggest resource for the City to pay for public services. I recognize we need a balance between residential and commercial taxes and I have worked to keep this balance by keeping our tax levy increases reasonably low.
9. What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
We have a great opportunity to revision our Maplewood Mall for the future, and insure it remains a thriving entity that contributes to our tax base. Retail has changed significantly with the consumer shift to online shopping, and we need to be prepared to revision the Maplewood Mall for the future. This could include the options of new housing, educational institutions, and a combination of recreational and commercial businesses on the site. The City can help with this revisioning process through future thinking and flexibility.
We are in development Phase II of the Gladstone area project, and I am pleased to see the new housing options taking form in Maplewood.
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 are already forging relationships and looking for ways to partner with our school districts and local colleges and technical schools. This is in recognition that they are the pipeline for our future workforce. It is imperative to make sure there is a connection between education and our businesses. We need skilled workers who match up with the needs of local businesses.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Maplewood Public Schools?
I believe we need to have a strong working relationship with our public schools so we can make the necessary connections for student success. An example of this was the project we approved for Weaver Elementary which connected safe sidewalks for students. I am very happy that students no longer have to walk alongside the road and now have a safe sidewalk to walk to Weaver.
A wide range of good housing options is important to attract families to our community and to our schools. Our EDA is researching successful EDA projects in other communities, so we can more actively improve some of our aging housing stock. Many times, people come to an area for jobs and other amenities such as parks and trails, and they stay for the schools.
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge I see is the revisioning work we need to do with Maplewood Mall. Our City has many unique features besides it’s unusual geographical shape. We have our own fortune 500 company in 3M, a hospital in St. John’s, and our own retail center in Maplewood Mall. Retail has changed, and we will need to be proactive in helping to foster new and creative business opportunities and options for the Mall area.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities include:
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
I see we have two transportation priorities. One is fixing our city streets. Years back, Maplewood like other cities in the metro area, were sold a faulty asphalt mix which broke down sooner than expected. We need to be aggressive in repairing more miles of streets.
My second transportation priority is making sure the east metro will see real benefits from future transportation investments. The Gold Line and the Rush Line will be instrumental in securing environmentally friendly and efficient transportation for our businesses and 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 am always open to considering shared services and opportunities to promote efficiency and enhance cost effectiveness. A great example of this was our partnership with the YMCA to manage our Community Center.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have been honored to serve on the Maplewood City Council. I am so proud of the many things we have accomplished during my first term, and I look forward to the synergy and momentum we have developed as a City. We have remarkable city staff, and a solid Council who I can say truly cares about our residents, our neighborhoods and the future of our city. I am looking forward to carrying that momentum through a second term on the Council.
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: maryleeformaplewood@gmail.com
Phone: 651-239-3814
Website: Coming Soon
Facebook: Marylee Abrams for Maplewood
Candidate Bio
I was elected to the Maplewood City Council in 2013 and have lived in Maplewood for over twenty years. I raised two wonderful sons who attended and graduated from ISD #622. Zach is 28 years old and manages 9 residential homes for ACR Homes. Vicktor is 26 years old, serves as a 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, and is currently deployed.
I have practiced law for more than 30 years with a primary focus in labor and employment law. I previously represented unionized employees. Since opening up my own law firm in 2008, I now represent public and private sector employers, including a number of cities in Minnesota.
I have really enjoyed my time on the Maplewood City Council. Some of my accomplishments include:
- Strengthening our city finances by helping to reduce our City debt by approximately 20 million dollars,
- Saving taxpayers $500,000 annually through our partnership with the YMCA to manage our Maplewood Community Center,
- Improving city communication through the creation of our own internal communications department,
- Increased community engagement through the creation of our Police Use of Force Task Force, our EMS Task Force, Kid City engagement with our youth, and most recently with our 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
- Conducted and implemented initiatives of our Parks and Recreation Master Plan including improving the Edgerton Gardens, opening of Fish Creek site preservation and trail installation, Gladstone Savanna restoration and playground, and soon to come Wakefield Park.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood?
Our overall business climate is good and we are experiencing growth and redevelopment.
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, Maplewood?
The City plays an important foundational role in attracting new businesses, retaining jobs, and helping our current businesses grow. We engaged in a robust business development and retention program with the assistance of the SPACC and the White Bear Area Chamber, and we are following up this year with the VHEDC to assist us with business retention and workforce development. We are also forging ongoing relationships with local colleges and technical schools to insure we support a competitive and well-trained workforce.
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 Maplewood?
Successful businesses are instrumental to the future of Maplewood. Good jobs support families who live in our community, who in turn support local businesses. We have some compelling challenges with revisioning our Maplewood Mall and guiding the future transportation changes with the Gold Line and the Rush Line and I believe dedicated staff can help with these challenges. I would support adding senior staff to focus and address business growth, redevelopment, and workforce issues during our next annual budgeting process.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Maplewood? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Maplewood 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 do not and will not support increasing the minimum wage in Maplewood.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Maplewood (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 Maplewood and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not and will not support any other specific employment related proposals in Maplewood.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Citizens responses on our Maplewood National Citizen Survey and our annual business BRE report reflect very favorably on our police and fire department services. Our Use of Force Task Force and our EMS Task Force were initiated to obtain public input and feedback on some of our most essential public services. Confidence in transparent public safety is crucial to the well-being of our citizens.
The Maplewood Police Department has adopted a 2018 strategic plan. As a Council member my role is to insure we are achieving our goals and accomplishing what we set out in our strategic plan. We do this by insuring our police and fire staff are well-trained, equipped for success, and by holding ourselves to the highest standards of conduct. Our public safety department strategic plan states:
As a department we are committed to:
- Effective, innovative, and high-quality police service delivery,
- Communication and transparency that builds community trust and partnership,
- Reduction of crime and livability problems through measured and collaborative prevention and intervention efforts.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for our budget include:
- Making sure delivery of core public services is maintained and strengthened whenever possible. This means our public safety officers are trained well and equipped to perform the difficult job we give them to do for us.
- Improve and enhance communication with citizens through our website, city publications, and cable channels.
- Continue to aggressively reduce our outstanding debt and make sure we follow the financial guidelines the City Council has adopted for future expenditures.
- Continue to focus on sustainability to protect our environment, parks, trails, and preserves.
- Promote business and school district relationships so we can partner on planning for the future of Maplewood.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Property taxes are the biggest resource for the City to pay for public services. I recognize we need a balance between residential and commercial taxes and I have worked to keep this balance by keeping our tax levy increases reasonably low.
9. What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
We have a great opportunity to revision our Maplewood Mall for the future, and insure it remains a thriving entity that contributes to our tax base. Retail has changed significantly with the consumer shift to online shopping, and we need to be prepared to revision the Maplewood Mall for the future. This could include the options of new housing, educational institutions, and a combination of recreational and commercial businesses on the site. The City can help with this revisioning process through future thinking and flexibility.
We are in development Phase II of the Gladstone area project, and I am pleased to see the new housing options taking form in Maplewood.
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 are already forging relationships and looking for ways to partner with our school districts and local colleges and technical schools. This is in recognition that they are the pipeline for our future workforce. It is imperative to make sure there is a connection between education and our businesses. We need skilled workers who match up with the needs of local businesses.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Maplewood Public Schools?
I believe we need to have a strong working relationship with our public schools so we can make the necessary connections for student success. An example of this was the project we approved for Weaver Elementary which connected safe sidewalks for students. I am very happy that students no longer have to walk alongside the road and now have a safe sidewalk to walk to Weaver.
A wide range of good housing options is important to attract families to our community and to our schools. Our EDA is researching successful EDA projects in other communities, so we can more actively improve some of our aging housing stock. Many times, people come to an area for jobs and other amenities such as parks and trails, and they stay for the schools.
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge I see is the revisioning work we need to do with Maplewood Mall. Our City has many unique features besides it’s unusual geographical shape. We have our own fortune 500 company in 3M, a hospital in St. John’s, and our own retail center in Maplewood Mall. Retail has changed, and we will need to be proactive in helping to foster new and creative business opportunities and options for the Mall area.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities include:
- Fiscal responsibility: We will need to continue to reduce our debt while still insuring exceptional city services, parks and trails. This will take creativity, dedication, and planning.
- Revisioning Maplewood Mall: Business development and retention will help insure the future of Maplewood. We need to be nimble and look to the future, so we can develop our plan for success. If we don’t, the future will be upon us anyway. We need a strategic plan that is flexible and creative to reach our goal of economic prosperity and sustainability.
- Communication: Communication and citizen involvement is crucial for a successful city.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
I see we have two transportation priorities. One is fixing our city streets. Years back, Maplewood like other cities in the metro area, were sold a faulty asphalt mix which broke down sooner than expected. We need to be aggressive in repairing more miles of streets.
My second transportation priority is making sure the east metro will see real benefits from future transportation investments. The Gold Line and the Rush Line will be instrumental in securing environmentally friendly and efficient transportation for our businesses and 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 am always open to considering shared services and opportunities to promote efficiency and enhance cost effectiveness. A great example of this was our partnership with the YMCA to manage our Community Center.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have been honored to serve on the Maplewood City Council. I am so proud of the many things we have accomplished during my first term, and I look forward to the synergy and momentum we have developed as a City. We have remarkable city staff, and a solid Council who I can say truly cares about our residents, our neighborhoods and the future of our city. I am looking forward to carrying that momentum through a second term on the Council.