Pam Bakken
Name: Pam Bakken
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-274-2409
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: Pam Bakken SSP City Council
Candidate Bio
My service to the community started out volunteering on various booster clubs and I was President of the Lincoln Center PTA for several years. I wanted to serve the community in a greater capacity, so in January 2021 I began my city council journey. In my four short years, we have accomplished a lot. The focus on economic development has spurred growth in our business sector. The Yards and Backyards were built to provide new housing to current residents and new commers alike. We successfully created a Domestic Partnership Registration. The council updated the Rental License Regulations, and we are currently working to update the Rental Inspection Guidelines. I have sat on the Parks Commission for two years and have completed the Master Parks Plan. Lastly, as a council we have diligently saved money in a dedicated infrastructure fund to pay for the many projects we must tackle in the next few years. With this saving has come the ability to re-do our many neighborhood parks in need of attention and have funds on hand for large road projects without the need to borrow money. My approach to the budget has been to provide core services and be fiscally responsible.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I am a team player. I stand behind the phrase I have used for two campaigns…We are Better Together. To move our city forward we need seven people willing to collaborate on solutions. When we operate as a team great things happen. My leadership style is to cultivate a spirit of unity at the council table, listen first and finally be willing to compromise to come to a unified agreement. I am proud of the council’s ability to find a way through to a solution while respecting each other and the ideas brought forward.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities include focusing on economic development, prioritizing funding our infrastructure and continuing to be a councilmember our residents view as approachable and willing to listen and bring their needs to the council table. Continued economic development is key to stabilizing our tax levies and lifting the burden off our residents. We are on the cusp of seeing very tangible strides in this area with continued road improvements along the Concord/Concord Exchange Corridor and the development of the Hardman Triangle. Since 2019 we have prioritized funding our infrastructure to be able to begin the process of dedicated investment in our parks system and our roads. We have been diligent to save for projects within the Capital Improvement Plan, so we do not have to take on debt to pay for core services within our community. With many roads and parks being redone comes the opportunity to add ADA accessibility across our city. This is very important to me. Our residents of all abilities deserve to be able to use our roads and parks with ease. Lastly, I have strived to maintain being approachable, willing to listen and can be relied on to bring concerns of residents to the council table. I plan to continue helping residents feel like they have a voice at the council table.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in South St. Paul?
I believe the biggest challenge facing our city is aging infrastructure and finding budget dollars to pay for them. Over the last several years we have made great strides in economic development which is our biggest opportunity within the city. New economic development and redevelopment offer our city wonderful revitalization opportunities. Also, improving our housing stock brings value to the community and a larger tax base. While the city is focused on developing the last remaining parcels of land, we have also expanded loan opportunities to our residents to invest in their home to be able to stay here. This two-pronged approach adds tax base which in turn keeps taxes lower.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
I prioritize positive relationships with our county, state and federal officials. We need to work together to obtain the goals that we have for our city. We have created a pro-business approach here and I support creative ways to help businesses move here or remain here. As local elected officials our residents should be able to count on us to advocate for them in the areas of education, housing and workforce development.
How would you characterize the business climate in South St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in South St. Paul?
The business environment is healthy and ready to really take off! Businesses looking to relocate on Concord and Concord Exchange have stated their desire to have people nearby to support their businesses. We have answered that need with The Yards and Backyards have been completed and new residents welcomed to our community. We also hired a consultant to solely focus on marketing our opportunities within our city to the business community. We have cultivated a pro-business atmosphere as seen by existing companies in town who would like to expend reach out to us to stay in town. That tells me they view the city as an excellent partner to bring their businesses to the next level. With new economic development comes lower taxes. That is my mission to continue to grow the tax base to lessen the burden on our residents.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
We as a council, have consistently maintained open lines of communication with our Police Chief and we have cultivated an environment where the needs of our officers will be met, and we prioritize funding those needs whether it is mental health support or equipment. Our force knows we want them to succeed in the field and are willing to give them the tools needed to do so. We have focused on assisting our officers to be approachable in the field and to foster a positive relationship with the community.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
While South St. Paul remains one of the most affordable communities to live in within Dakota County, we do not have a lot of buildable land within our city. We are focused on updating our housing stock by providing our residents with loans to improve their properties. Remaining open land down along Concord is the future of additional multifamily housing. We are resolved to not add anymore multi family housing units “up the hill.” But look to see more housing options down along the river.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Our city is over 125 years old, so we have a lot of roads being completely re-done over the next several years. We completed a Safe Routes to School Plan, that addresses these very challenges. I see this as an opportunity to include all our residents with accessibility. With aging infrastructure comes the opportunity to build roads that allow residents to use them with ease whether you are walking, biking, in a wheelchair, on rollerblades or driving. The new state standard of narrower lanes helps to address safety of cars and pedestrians alike. While it is a learning curve, as we have enjoyed wider roads, studies have shown the state design with narrower lanes, separate bike lanes, ADA accessible sidewalks keep everyone using our roads safer.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
We as a council ensured this funding was used for one time needs within our community because we did not want to become reliant on these funds. I believe that was a win/win approach to ensure continued self-reliance as a city. We were able to tackle some needs within our city without impacting our residents with increased taxes when these funds are discontinued.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
As a city council member, I do not believe we should be involved in issues like uber/lyft wages and childcare subsidies. We, as local elected officials are charged with providing core services to our city. Larger topics such as those listed should be addressed beyond the local level and I am happy to collaborate in the future if county and state officials need our input. Our work should stay focused on the borders of our city and how to maintain and improve our water, sewer, roads and park system.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-274-2409
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: Pam Bakken SSP City Council
Candidate Bio
My service to the community started out volunteering on various booster clubs and I was President of the Lincoln Center PTA for several years. I wanted to serve the community in a greater capacity, so in January 2021 I began my city council journey. In my four short years, we have accomplished a lot. The focus on economic development has spurred growth in our business sector. The Yards and Backyards were built to provide new housing to current residents and new commers alike. We successfully created a Domestic Partnership Registration. The council updated the Rental License Regulations, and we are currently working to update the Rental Inspection Guidelines. I have sat on the Parks Commission for two years and have completed the Master Parks Plan. Lastly, as a council we have diligently saved money in a dedicated infrastructure fund to pay for the many projects we must tackle in the next few years. With this saving has come the ability to re-do our many neighborhood parks in need of attention and have funds on hand for large road projects without the need to borrow money. My approach to the budget has been to provide core services and be fiscally responsible.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I am a team player. I stand behind the phrase I have used for two campaigns…We are Better Together. To move our city forward we need seven people willing to collaborate on solutions. When we operate as a team great things happen. My leadership style is to cultivate a spirit of unity at the council table, listen first and finally be willing to compromise to come to a unified agreement. I am proud of the council’s ability to find a way through to a solution while respecting each other and the ideas brought forward.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities include focusing on economic development, prioritizing funding our infrastructure and continuing to be a councilmember our residents view as approachable and willing to listen and bring their needs to the council table. Continued economic development is key to stabilizing our tax levies and lifting the burden off our residents. We are on the cusp of seeing very tangible strides in this area with continued road improvements along the Concord/Concord Exchange Corridor and the development of the Hardman Triangle. Since 2019 we have prioritized funding our infrastructure to be able to begin the process of dedicated investment in our parks system and our roads. We have been diligent to save for projects within the Capital Improvement Plan, so we do not have to take on debt to pay for core services within our community. With many roads and parks being redone comes the opportunity to add ADA accessibility across our city. This is very important to me. Our residents of all abilities deserve to be able to use our roads and parks with ease. Lastly, I have strived to maintain being approachable, willing to listen and can be relied on to bring concerns of residents to the council table. I plan to continue helping residents feel like they have a voice at the council table.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in South St. Paul?
I believe the biggest challenge facing our city is aging infrastructure and finding budget dollars to pay for them. Over the last several years we have made great strides in economic development which is our biggest opportunity within the city. New economic development and redevelopment offer our city wonderful revitalization opportunities. Also, improving our housing stock brings value to the community and a larger tax base. While the city is focused on developing the last remaining parcels of land, we have also expanded loan opportunities to our residents to invest in their home to be able to stay here. This two-pronged approach adds tax base which in turn keeps taxes lower.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
I prioritize positive relationships with our county, state and federal officials. We need to work together to obtain the goals that we have for our city. We have created a pro-business approach here and I support creative ways to help businesses move here or remain here. As local elected officials our residents should be able to count on us to advocate for them in the areas of education, housing and workforce development.
How would you characterize the business climate in South St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in South St. Paul?
The business environment is healthy and ready to really take off! Businesses looking to relocate on Concord and Concord Exchange have stated their desire to have people nearby to support their businesses. We have answered that need with The Yards and Backyards have been completed and new residents welcomed to our community. We also hired a consultant to solely focus on marketing our opportunities within our city to the business community. We have cultivated a pro-business atmosphere as seen by existing companies in town who would like to expend reach out to us to stay in town. That tells me they view the city as an excellent partner to bring their businesses to the next level. With new economic development comes lower taxes. That is my mission to continue to grow the tax base to lessen the burden on our residents.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
We as a council, have consistently maintained open lines of communication with our Police Chief and we have cultivated an environment where the needs of our officers will be met, and we prioritize funding those needs whether it is mental health support or equipment. Our force knows we want them to succeed in the field and are willing to give them the tools needed to do so. We have focused on assisting our officers to be approachable in the field and to foster a positive relationship with the community.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
While South St. Paul remains one of the most affordable communities to live in within Dakota County, we do not have a lot of buildable land within our city. We are focused on updating our housing stock by providing our residents with loans to improve their properties. Remaining open land down along Concord is the future of additional multifamily housing. We are resolved to not add anymore multi family housing units “up the hill.” But look to see more housing options down along the river.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Our city is over 125 years old, so we have a lot of roads being completely re-done over the next several years. We completed a Safe Routes to School Plan, that addresses these very challenges. I see this as an opportunity to include all our residents with accessibility. With aging infrastructure comes the opportunity to build roads that allow residents to use them with ease whether you are walking, biking, in a wheelchair, on rollerblades or driving. The new state standard of narrower lanes helps to address safety of cars and pedestrians alike. While it is a learning curve, as we have enjoyed wider roads, studies have shown the state design with narrower lanes, separate bike lanes, ADA accessible sidewalks keep everyone using our roads safer.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
We as a council ensured this funding was used for one time needs within our community because we did not want to become reliant on these funds. I believe that was a win/win approach to ensure continued self-reliance as a city. We were able to tackle some needs within our city without impacting our residents with increased taxes when these funds are discontinued.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
As a city council member, I do not believe we should be involved in issues like uber/lyft wages and childcare subsidies. We, as local elected officials are charged with providing core services to our city. Larger topics such as those listed should be addressed beyond the local level and I am happy to collaborate in the future if county and state officials need our input. Our work should stay focused on the borders of our city and how to maintain and improve our water, sewer, roads and park system.