Peter K. Butler
Name: Peter K. Butler
Public Office Sought: St. Paul City Council Ward 2
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-395-7565
Campaign Website: Butler Ward 2 campaign deck
Twitter handle: none
Facebook Page: none
Candidate Bio
I worked almost 30 years in state and local government as an in-house management consultant and budget analyst before moving to the financial services sector five years ago. My strengths are data analysis, process improvements and consensus building.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I will be “At your service and on your side.” A city council member is elected to represent their constituents, ascertain the majority’s will, and ensure that city services are efficiently and effectively delivered to exceed residents’ and businesses’ expectations.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Repeal the Summit Avenue Regional Trail Plan; substantially reduce the cost of residential trash collection, and promote greater citizen and business input into decisions affecting them directly and citywide.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in St. Paul?
Downtown will never regain the lost employers and workers from the last forty years. One growing industry needs low-cost office space in a cold climate: data server hosting (“the cloud”). We need to leverage this competitive advantage to attract self-sustaining re-development.
How would you characterize the business climate in St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in St. Paul?
The City, especially downtown, has lost its critical mass of industries that attract new employers and businesses. The City’s first priority is to retain the remaining major employers by ensuring that downtown is safe and clean and that public infrastructure is well maintained. The proposed 1% sales tax will also deter new businesses and shoppers.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
City leaders must have ongoing conversations with residents, employers and businesses to identify and address “hot spots” of illegal activity. The St. Paul Police Department, Department Safety and Inspections and City Attorney’s Office must have the resources and flexibility to quickly respond to new challenges at the earliest opportunity.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Revive the concept of boarding houses. Many older residents have spare rooms and can remain in their homes by earning rental income and having someone to help with household chores.
St. Paul candidates only: Do you support the rent stabilization ordinance in its current form? If not, what would you like to change?
I do not support any type of rent stabilization ordinance. Price controls never work; they restrict supply and when removed, prices skyrocket. I support placing a referendum for voters to decide whether to repeal the ordinance or not. The original ordinance was approved by voters and I believe that voters should decide whether it remains in effect.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
The 2023 Minnesota Legislature passed a three-quarters percent sales tax to support Metro Transit. Metro Transit must dedicate more resources to rider safety and increase security at major transit hubs. The St. Paul Police Department should have a dedicated traffic enforcement unit to curb speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield to pedestrians.
What will you do to expand St. Paul’s tax base?
Tax Increment Financing cannot continue as a development tool. The Highland Bridges and Hillcrest projects will attract new residents but the increase in property taxes do not support city services. New development must be self-sustaining. The City must work with stakeholders to create a plan to attract businesses and residents that leverage St. Paul’s competitive advantages. We cannot expand our tax base through subsidized development and sponsoring expensive public projects with little return on investment, such as the proposed downtown riverfront promenade.
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?
Cut back or eliminate:
Eliminate 7 out of 15 positions in Mayor’s Office ($700,000).
Eliminate 10 out of 23.5 non-elected City Council staff positions ($700,000).
Eliminate Office of Financial Empowerment ($550,000).
End Emerald Ash Borer management ($1.2 million).
Move City elections to even-numbered years ($500,000).
Potential shared services:
Human Rights and Paid Sick Leave enforcement with the state.
Emergency Management with Ramsey County.
Technology Management with Ramsey County and District Court.
City Attorney’s Office with Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
Police Department administrative and support services with Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
Public Office Sought: St. Paul City Council Ward 2
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-395-7565
Campaign Website: Butler Ward 2 campaign deck
Twitter handle: none
Facebook Page: none
Candidate Bio
I worked almost 30 years in state and local government as an in-house management consultant and budget analyst before moving to the financial services sector five years ago. My strengths are data analysis, process improvements and consensus building.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I will be “At your service and on your side.” A city council member is elected to represent their constituents, ascertain the majority’s will, and ensure that city services are efficiently and effectively delivered to exceed residents’ and businesses’ expectations.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Repeal the Summit Avenue Regional Trail Plan; substantially reduce the cost of residential trash collection, and promote greater citizen and business input into decisions affecting them directly and citywide.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in St. Paul?
Downtown will never regain the lost employers and workers from the last forty years. One growing industry needs low-cost office space in a cold climate: data server hosting (“the cloud”). We need to leverage this competitive advantage to attract self-sustaining re-development.
How would you characterize the business climate in St. Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in St. Paul?
The City, especially downtown, has lost its critical mass of industries that attract new employers and businesses. The City’s first priority is to retain the remaining major employers by ensuring that downtown is safe and clean and that public infrastructure is well maintained. The proposed 1% sales tax will also deter new businesses and shoppers.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
City leaders must have ongoing conversations with residents, employers and businesses to identify and address “hot spots” of illegal activity. The St. Paul Police Department, Department Safety and Inspections and City Attorney’s Office must have the resources and flexibility to quickly respond to new challenges at the earliest opportunity.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Revive the concept of boarding houses. Many older residents have spare rooms and can remain in their homes by earning rental income and having someone to help with household chores.
St. Paul candidates only: Do you support the rent stabilization ordinance in its current form? If not, what would you like to change?
I do not support any type of rent stabilization ordinance. Price controls never work; they restrict supply and when removed, prices skyrocket. I support placing a referendum for voters to decide whether to repeal the ordinance or not. The original ordinance was approved by voters and I believe that voters should decide whether it remains in effect.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
The 2023 Minnesota Legislature passed a three-quarters percent sales tax to support Metro Transit. Metro Transit must dedicate more resources to rider safety and increase security at major transit hubs. The St. Paul Police Department should have a dedicated traffic enforcement unit to curb speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield to pedestrians.
What will you do to expand St. Paul’s tax base?
Tax Increment Financing cannot continue as a development tool. The Highland Bridges and Hillcrest projects will attract new residents but the increase in property taxes do not support city services. New development must be self-sustaining. The City must work with stakeholders to create a plan to attract businesses and residents that leverage St. Paul’s competitive advantages. We cannot expand our tax base through subsidized development and sponsoring expensive public projects with little return on investment, such as the proposed downtown riverfront promenade.
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?
Cut back or eliminate:
Eliminate 7 out of 15 positions in Mayor’s Office ($700,000).
Eliminate 10 out of 23.5 non-elected City Council staff positions ($700,000).
Eliminate Office of Financial Empowerment ($550,000).
End Emerald Ash Borer management ($1.2 million).
Move City elections to even-numbered years ($500,000).
Potential shared services:
Human Rights and Paid Sick Leave enforcement with the state.
Emergency Management with Ramsey County.
Technology Management with Ramsey County and District Court.
City Attorney’s Office with Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
Police Department administrative and support services with Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.