Paul Jacobsen
Name: Paul Jacobsen
Public Office Sought: New Brighton City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (651)493-1549
Website:
Twitter handle: @pjacobs98
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in New Brighton and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We do have a good mix of heavy industrial, light industrial, and retail in the city that partners well with the city in providing a good environment for citizens to work, play, and enjoy life. Our business and Fraternal organizations have played key roles in providing funds for scholarships, park amenities, and for the annual Stockyard Days celebration. With that said, there is always work that can be done to make that partnership stronger and more meaningful to all citizens of New Brighton.
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, New Brighton?
Today, we periodically survey our business community to find out what the city can do to help businesses retain or grow their business. I think the city’s role is to remove barriers (where feasible) that allow us to compete with our neighboring communities for opportunities to grow, retain, and attract businesses. We need to make sure we are keeping up with the times. Our last major city code rewrite was in the 1970’s and we are reviewing our city codes to see what needs to be modernized and greened up to better serve the businesses and citizens of New Brighton.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in New Brighton (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 New Brighton and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I support keeping in line with changes made in our neighboring communities. No one wins when businesses are placed at a competitive disadvantage to those in neighboring communities. Yet, there are changes being made at regional and state levels to unsure employees are not taken advantage of and have quality of life. There is a balance that needs to be maintained as too many onerous restrictions, and a business cannot exist. Yet, without some employee protections, businesses can struggle to find employees. I would keep surveying my businesses periodically to gauge the business climate in our city as well as enhancing community engagement to ensure we have a balance that works for both sides. Defining exceptions is hard. The more exceptions, the less overall change. Yet, businesses are not “one size fits all” and need to have individual business sectors needs heard and understood.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
We have a community policing strategy that allows the city to understand differing neighborhoods in the city. Besides that, we monitor police calls to our rental units to determine if we have problem areas arising. For housing, we have recently added work force and senior apartment living as well as townhomes and single-family homes to ensure we provide housing opportunities to all. I will work with my fellow council members to develop a housing policy that serves the needs of all citizens of New Brighton.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I am fiscally responsible. I understand the road outside will cost more to maintain every year and that benefit costs to city employee’s will generally go up year over year. Yet, I believe the key in budgeting is to separate out wants and needs and ensure a budget lives within the boundaries and purposes of what it is supposed to do. I understand that asking for something in the budget means the budget increases just as taking something out of the budget decreases it. My goal is to have us live within our means. Only take on external debt when absolutely needed. Borrow from yourself when having to fund big ticket items and pay yourself back with interest. Partner with other entities or find programs or grants to defray costs. I do not have a budget depend heavily on variable revenue streams and I keep away from extreme increases through planning and spreading the expense out. And, I save in good times for the bad times.
What will you do to expand New Brighton’s tax base?
We have already set that in motion with the big developments in the New Brighton Exchange and Midtown Village areas. We are a built out inner ring city who does not get many development opportunities, so we need to make the most of the ones we do get. I believe we find ways to encourage investment from businesses and citizens to ensure our properties can still be in existence, productive, safe, and viable so we have something to hand off to future generations.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
This is an area that needs constant focus since times and needs change so rapidly in our region. We do have manufacturing in New Brighton that struggles to find qualified workers. I believe part of the answer would be to bring business and school officials together to see if there are any synergies that can be gained. The Moundsview School District is one of the best in the state and they already offer programs that allow students to achieve college credits and even obtain a two-year degree while in high school.
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 believe it is wise for any entity – public or private – to look at ways of being more efficient and providing services more efficiently. Our budgeting cycles continually look to provide our services in the most cost-effective manner possible. We are constantly looking for opportunities to share programs and resources with other entities and constantly review our organizational structure to ensure the taxpayer is getting the best value for their tax dollar. I do not have any service in mind that should be cut back or eliminated.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in New Brighton?
I believe first, the city needs to find and work within existing programs in the county and the metro area to identify opportunities and then help to make those opportunities happen. We do not need to re-create the wheel, but we can continue to improve to make sure New Brighton provides opportunity for all to thrive.
What further policies can New Brighton adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
We are currently working to let our business community know what assistance is available to them through our partner – Open for Business. We are also working on our own grant program for those businesses who do not qualify for other programs. Recently, the city refunded bar’s and restaurant’s liquor license fees and changed city code to allow temporary use permits to allow for outdoor seating. We also are offering a grant program run through Community Action Programs in Ramsey County for residents impacted by COVID who are behind in their rent or their mortgage to catch them up
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I feel we are a well-run city. The city council is made up of individuals who cross the political spectrum, yet, work together to determine the best way forward. I feel character matters and it is not win at all costs. And, we partner with city staff – not view them as opposition. None of us has all the answers, but working together, we can get things done that move the city forward. I believe my experiences in a variety of leadership positions has me uniquely qualified to lead the city forward in these tough times.
Public Office Sought: New Brighton City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (651)493-1549
Website:
Twitter handle: @pjacobs98
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
- I am the only incumbent city council candidate with council experience having served on the city council for the past two terms.
- I have served 20+ years on the Board of a $500M financial institution.
- I have served 20+ years on local and statewide nonprofit boards.
- I served our nation for 32 years in the military retiring as a LtCol and commanded a squadron of over 100 people.
- I have family roots in New Brighton that date back to the early 1900’s
- I have helped bring consensus on tough decisions on the council allowing us to move forward. I consider myself a responsible consensus builder.
- Have helped guide the development of both the New Brighton Exchange and the Midtown Village parcels thereby broadening the city’s tax base.
- Have solidified the fund balances for our city’s water, sewer, storm water, and streetlights while also paying the city’s debt down from $54M to $38M.
- Have helped expand city services to the citizens through a new license bureau and a new passport office.
- Have led the drive to partner with local communities on services thereby sharing the cost.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Complete the vision of moving to no external funding for street reconstruction by 2025.
- Working on a housing plan that assists homeowners who want to update their homes while also assisting first time home buyers and keeps our rental property in good repair
- Overseeing the rewrite of the city zoning codes and modernizing existing codes assist business owners and homeowners in New Brighton.
How would you characterize the business climate in New Brighton and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We do have a good mix of heavy industrial, light industrial, and retail in the city that partners well with the city in providing a good environment for citizens to work, play, and enjoy life. Our business and Fraternal organizations have played key roles in providing funds for scholarships, park amenities, and for the annual Stockyard Days celebration. With that said, there is always work that can be done to make that partnership stronger and more meaningful to all citizens of New Brighton.
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, New Brighton?
Today, we periodically survey our business community to find out what the city can do to help businesses retain or grow their business. I think the city’s role is to remove barriers (where feasible) that allow us to compete with our neighboring communities for opportunities to grow, retain, and attract businesses. We need to make sure we are keeping up with the times. Our last major city code rewrite was in the 1970’s and we are reviewing our city codes to see what needs to be modernized and greened up to better serve the businesses and citizens of New Brighton.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in New Brighton (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 New Brighton and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I support keeping in line with changes made in our neighboring communities. No one wins when businesses are placed at a competitive disadvantage to those in neighboring communities. Yet, there are changes being made at regional and state levels to unsure employees are not taken advantage of and have quality of life. There is a balance that needs to be maintained as too many onerous restrictions, and a business cannot exist. Yet, without some employee protections, businesses can struggle to find employees. I would keep surveying my businesses periodically to gauge the business climate in our city as well as enhancing community engagement to ensure we have a balance that works for both sides. Defining exceptions is hard. The more exceptions, the less overall change. Yet, businesses are not “one size fits all” and need to have individual business sectors needs heard and understood.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
We have a community policing strategy that allows the city to understand differing neighborhoods in the city. Besides that, we monitor police calls to our rental units to determine if we have problem areas arising. For housing, we have recently added work force and senior apartment living as well as townhomes and single-family homes to ensure we provide housing opportunities to all. I will work with my fellow council members to develop a housing policy that serves the needs of all citizens of New Brighton.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I am fiscally responsible. I understand the road outside will cost more to maintain every year and that benefit costs to city employee’s will generally go up year over year. Yet, I believe the key in budgeting is to separate out wants and needs and ensure a budget lives within the boundaries and purposes of what it is supposed to do. I understand that asking for something in the budget means the budget increases just as taking something out of the budget decreases it. My goal is to have us live within our means. Only take on external debt when absolutely needed. Borrow from yourself when having to fund big ticket items and pay yourself back with interest. Partner with other entities or find programs or grants to defray costs. I do not have a budget depend heavily on variable revenue streams and I keep away from extreme increases through planning and spreading the expense out. And, I save in good times for the bad times.
What will you do to expand New Brighton’s tax base?
We have already set that in motion with the big developments in the New Brighton Exchange and Midtown Village areas. We are a built out inner ring city who does not get many development opportunities, so we need to make the most of the ones we do get. I believe we find ways to encourage investment from businesses and citizens to ensure our properties can still be in existence, productive, safe, and viable so we have something to hand off to future generations.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
This is an area that needs constant focus since times and needs change so rapidly in our region. We do have manufacturing in New Brighton that struggles to find qualified workers. I believe part of the answer would be to bring business and school officials together to see if there are any synergies that can be gained. The Moundsview School District is one of the best in the state and they already offer programs that allow students to achieve college credits and even obtain a two-year degree while in high school.
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 believe it is wise for any entity – public or private – to look at ways of being more efficient and providing services more efficiently. Our budgeting cycles continually look to provide our services in the most cost-effective manner possible. We are constantly looking for opportunities to share programs and resources with other entities and constantly review our organizational structure to ensure the taxpayer is getting the best value for their tax dollar. I do not have any service in mind that should be cut back or eliminated.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in New Brighton?
I believe first, the city needs to find and work within existing programs in the county and the metro area to identify opportunities and then help to make those opportunities happen. We do not need to re-create the wheel, but we can continue to improve to make sure New Brighton provides opportunity for all to thrive.
What further policies can New Brighton adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
We are currently working to let our business community know what assistance is available to them through our partner – Open for Business. We are also working on our own grant program for those businesses who do not qualify for other programs. Recently, the city refunded bar’s and restaurant’s liquor license fees and changed city code to allow temporary use permits to allow for outdoor seating. We also are offering a grant program run through Community Action Programs in Ramsey County for residents impacted by COVID who are behind in their rent or their mortgage to catch them up
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I feel we are a well-run city. The city council is made up of individuals who cross the political spectrum, yet, work together to determine the best way forward. I feel character matters and it is not win at all costs. And, we partner with city staff – not view them as opposition. None of us has all the answers, but working together, we can get things done that move the city forward. I believe my experiences in a variety of leadership positions has me uniquely qualified to lead the city forward in these tough times.