Rachel Quick
Name: Rachel Quick
Public Office Sought: Mendota Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-229-0404
Website: www.quickforcouncil.com
Twitter: @quickforcouncil
Facebook Page: Rachel Quick for Mendota Heights City Council
Candidate Bio
As a lifelong Mendota Heights resident, and involved community member, I have the personal connection and dedication to continue developing our city to match its changing demographics.
I have my BA from Augsburg University and MLIS from St. Catherine University. I direct a team of 15 employees at Recurly, Inc, and have extensive experience in finance, compliance, business growth and management.
I am involved in the preservation of our natural resources, a frequent volunteer at our local schools, and serve on many committees such as Dakota County Public Arts and the Dakota County Library Advisory Committee.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Mendota Heights?
Mendota Heights struggles with maintaining long-term business presence and filling open space. It is critical to attract and maintain business to source tax dollars for city improvements and keep residents in our own city for business/retail needs.
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, Mendota Heights?
Mendota Heights is a prime location with access to major freeways, an international airport nearby, and a 1st-ring suburb -- the potential is huge to attract business. Mendota Heights should be looking for unique businesses that are not found elsewhere locally. The city should also work with businesses to encourage community involvement and a sense of belonging.
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 Mendota Heights?
At this time, I believe a business advocate would not be a good use of city senior staff wages.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Mendota Heights? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Mendota Heights 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?
While this is a decision to be made at the state level, I feel an increase to minimum wage is critical to ensure all workers in Mendota Heights can make a living wage. I would work with local business leaders to better understand their wage structure and wage levels, and help phase this in over a period of time.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Mendota Heights (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 Mendota Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No. I believe this is overstepping into a local business’s management decisions and not needed to be mandated at the city level.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
We already have very responsive city staff that have been working quickly to address and alleviate citizen concerns. I would assist those staff in any areas they request, but I believe they are more than capable of managing and directing these discussions.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Infrastructure is my number one priority for Mendota Heights. We need to invest now in road, sewer, equipment, and water repair so that maintenance and repair costs are not deferred until things become emergency situations. With the hiring of our first Natural Resources Technician, I’d also like to ensure Mendota Heights properly funds this role to ensure ongoing health and preservation of our space.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Both commercial taxes and residential taxes serve to balance it other - while commercial taxes are more volatile, they serve to lower residential property taxes, which in turn provide a stable tax base for a city.
9. What will you do to expand Mendota Heights’ tax base?
Keeping the Mendota Heights culture is critical, and we don’t want to expand the tax base by welcoming big box stores or strip malls. Building dense, walkable spaces like The Village will allows us to maintain our unique city feel while offering sales tax to help support our city’s growing needs.
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 fortunate to live within an excellent school district. We should work with ISD 197 to support their educational efforts in our community and connect graduates with local employment opportunities.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Mendota Heights Public Schools?
The schools in and around Mendota Heights are growing at a rapid speed. The city needs to supplement our school district by providing more opportunities for youth, more presence in school events, and by working to support school bonds and referendums. Great schools and great events for our children will continue to draw families to Mendota Heights and build our community.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Our city is divided among those who want to see Mendota Heights stay the same and those that want change. I believe there is a good balance to be found -- encouraging reasonable growth and development with quality outcomes. Balance will be the key to all efforts moving ahead.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Encouraging community involvement, maintaining and improving natural resources, and replacing aging infrastructure.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Residents seem to be most concerned about the Dodd/110 (62) intersection. The city needs to work with residents to understand pain points, communicate traffic studies and future options. The city needs to work with residents to have a plan in place, otherwise MNDOT can take precedence and develop without city or resident involvement.
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?
In speaking with many of the heads of our city services recently, I am impressed by the fiscal responsibility if our leaders. However, the city should explore any partnership opportunities with neighboring cities that can lead to cost reductions without a sacrifice in quality.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
As a Mendota Heights resident personally vested in the future of our city, I would work to ensure Mendota Heights continues to be an attractive destination for residents and businesses, while maintaining our city’s beauty and unique charm in an urban landscape. I look forward to connecting with our residents and being a community advocate for everyone in Mendota Heights.
Public Office Sought: Mendota Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-229-0404
Website: www.quickforcouncil.com
Twitter: @quickforcouncil
Facebook Page: Rachel Quick for Mendota Heights City Council
Candidate Bio
As a lifelong Mendota Heights resident, and involved community member, I have the personal connection and dedication to continue developing our city to match its changing demographics.
I have my BA from Augsburg University and MLIS from St. Catherine University. I direct a team of 15 employees at Recurly, Inc, and have extensive experience in finance, compliance, business growth and management.
I am involved in the preservation of our natural resources, a frequent volunteer at our local schools, and serve on many committees such as Dakota County Public Arts and the Dakota County Library Advisory Committee.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Mendota Heights?
Mendota Heights struggles with maintaining long-term business presence and filling open space. It is critical to attract and maintain business to source tax dollars for city improvements and keep residents in our own city for business/retail needs.
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, Mendota Heights?
Mendota Heights is a prime location with access to major freeways, an international airport nearby, and a 1st-ring suburb -- the potential is huge to attract business. Mendota Heights should be looking for unique businesses that are not found elsewhere locally. The city should also work with businesses to encourage community involvement and a sense of belonging.
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 Mendota Heights?
At this time, I believe a business advocate would not be a good use of city senior staff wages.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Mendota Heights? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Mendota Heights 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?
While this is a decision to be made at the state level, I feel an increase to minimum wage is critical to ensure all workers in Mendota Heights can make a living wage. I would work with local business leaders to better understand their wage structure and wage levels, and help phase this in over a period of time.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Mendota Heights (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 Mendota Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No. I believe this is overstepping into a local business’s management decisions and not needed to be mandated at the city level.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
We already have very responsive city staff that have been working quickly to address and alleviate citizen concerns. I would assist those staff in any areas they request, but I believe they are more than capable of managing and directing these discussions.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Infrastructure is my number one priority for Mendota Heights. We need to invest now in road, sewer, equipment, and water repair so that maintenance and repair costs are not deferred until things become emergency situations. With the hiring of our first Natural Resources Technician, I’d also like to ensure Mendota Heights properly funds this role to ensure ongoing health and preservation of our space.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Both commercial taxes and residential taxes serve to balance it other - while commercial taxes are more volatile, they serve to lower residential property taxes, which in turn provide a stable tax base for a city.
9. What will you do to expand Mendota Heights’ tax base?
Keeping the Mendota Heights culture is critical, and we don’t want to expand the tax base by welcoming big box stores or strip malls. Building dense, walkable spaces like The Village will allows us to maintain our unique city feel while offering sales tax to help support our city’s growing needs.
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 fortunate to live within an excellent school district. We should work with ISD 197 to support their educational efforts in our community and connect graduates with local employment opportunities.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Mendota Heights Public Schools?
The schools in and around Mendota Heights are growing at a rapid speed. The city needs to supplement our school district by providing more opportunities for youth, more presence in school events, and by working to support school bonds and referendums. Great schools and great events for our children will continue to draw families to Mendota Heights and build our community.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Our city is divided among those who want to see Mendota Heights stay the same and those that want change. I believe there is a good balance to be found -- encouraging reasonable growth and development with quality outcomes. Balance will be the key to all efforts moving ahead.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Encouraging community involvement, maintaining and improving natural resources, and replacing aging infrastructure.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Residents seem to be most concerned about the Dodd/110 (62) intersection. The city needs to work with residents to understand pain points, communicate traffic studies and future options. The city needs to work with residents to have a plan in place, otherwise MNDOT can take precedence and develop without city or resident involvement.
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?
In speaking with many of the heads of our city services recently, I am impressed by the fiscal responsibility if our leaders. However, the city should explore any partnership opportunities with neighboring cities that can lead to cost reductions without a sacrifice in quality.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
As a Mendota Heights resident personally vested in the future of our city, I would work to ensure Mendota Heights continues to be an attractive destination for residents and businesses, while maintaining our city’s beauty and unique charm in an urban landscape. I look forward to connecting with our residents and being a community advocate for everyone in Mendota Heights.