Stephanie Levine
Name: Stephanie Levine
Public Office Sought: Mendota Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-686-0340
Website: stephanie4mayor.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Stephanie Levine for Mayor of Mendota Heights
Candidate Bio
I have been an active member of the Mendota Heights community for almost 30 years when my husband Jimmy and I moved here to raise our family. I have a background in finance and have served both the city and wider community in a variety of leadership roles.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from UW-Madison and a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, I spent 15 years as an actuary. Following my work in the private sector, I focused on community service. I am a ready volunteer with a multitude of leadership experiences at the city, county and state levels. I spent eight years on the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, including two as chair. Currently, I am serving on the ISD197 School Board where I previously served as treasurer and vice-chair.
These unprecedented times present the city with many challenges and my financial skills and broad community experience are what I believe we need in our next mayor. I work collaboratively, transparently and always with integrity. I would bring a fresh perspective grounded in both city and regional experience to serve the residents of Mendota Heights.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Plan & Promote: We are in the midst of a pandemic and the financial impact requires careful budgeting and planning. We must look for resources outside our city and foster partnerships, both public and private. We must build on the relationship between the city and schools to serve the needs of our youngest residents. We must also think about our communal needs to enrich life in Mendota Heights.
Preserve: Honor our city’s unique character and continue to provide high-quality city services. We must care for our aging infrastructure in a way that is sustainable, especially our park system. Additionally, we must continue to provide responsive city services and be accountable in all aspects of our environment including development and redevelopment, airport noise and traffic. We must also work to make our community a better steward of water, land and cost-effective renewable energy by funding and following our Natural Resources Plan as well as finalizing our Comprehensive Plan.
Protect: Public works and public safety is a priority, especially during these unsettled times. We have a wonderful police chief and department and a great group of volunteer firefighters who need our support. We can and we must continually improve services with thoughtful leadership and fiscal responsibility.
How would you characterize the business climate in Mendota Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Mendota Heights is strategically located and well-suited for businesses of all kinds. Our industrial district and business park are very important to our tax base and jobs, as is our mix of retail which enhances the quality of life for our residents. Business owners appreciate the low taxes and high-quality and responsive city services. One issue I hear is the lack of cell phone service and unstable internet. With many people working from home and land-lines becoming obsolete, those issues must be addressed. Our city government must be a key partner in attracting and retaining businesses, especially during these challenging times.
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?
The mayor is the face of the city. When talking to business owners and workers, I ask them what they need and how the city can best serve them. Our businesses are facing challenges due to coronavirus and we must be nimble in how we respond to their changing needs both in the short and long term. As a community, we can get creative. How about takeout Tuesday or retail Wednesday? Are we capturing stimulus funding? What other kinds of businesses should Mendota Heights attract? With many residents working from home while their children are learning remotely, how can we support our families? Many residents would like to see new businesses, restaurants, a grocery store, retail or possibly a farmer’s market. We must work to retain our current businesses and always look for new opportunities for expansion as well as a welcoming environment. We must also promote business development through available public financing tools
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Mendota Heights (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 Mendota Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I have no specific employment-related proposals that I am currently pursuing or plan to pursue as mayor at this time. However, I have many years of policy-making experience. I understand that in forming policy, the council must consider multiple views and expert advice during deliberations, keeping in mind all perspectives, not only those that are represented in the room. We must be equitable and fair when we think about the long-term, intended and unintended consequences of decisions we make today.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Public safety is a key concern, especially during these unsettled times. We are fortunate here in Mendota Heights to have a wonderful police chief, Kelly McCarthy, whose leadership is recognized and appreciated by residents. If you don’t already follow the Mendota Heights Police Department on Facebook, please do! In addition, I encourage all residents to sign up for the weekly “Just the Facts” email. Communication is key in keeping our residents safe, and our city does a great job. We are also fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteer firefighters. As mayor, I would work to preserve and enhance what we have in our city, always keeping in mind the need for continuous improvement. I have had the good fortune in my role on the Special Education Advisory Committee for our school district and as coordinator of our neighborhood’s Night to Unite celebration to have a fantastic working relationship with our police chief. I am also a graduate of the Citizen’s Police Academy, which is something I would love to see return to our city!
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We must be proactive when budgeting especially in light of the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic. As an actuary, I know how to examine risk, and plan for an uncertain future. In addition, I have served as the treasurer for a number of organizations including our school board. I have also served on finance committees for several nonprofit organizations. Recently, I had the opportunity to observe 4 hours of budget talks for the city of Mendota Heights, so I am familiar with the city’s budgeting process. A budget is a statement of priorities, and what we fund reflects what we value. Public safety, public works, green space and infrastructure are priorities. In addition, we must prioritize funding for our Natural Resources Plan and sustainable funding for our park system. We must look for new ways of increasing revenue both in the long and short term, as we see the impacts of the pandemic on property taxes and other receipts.
What will you do to expand Mendota Height’s tax base?
Our city is funded primarily by property taxes, and the current financial challenges we face require us to think about protecting as well as expanding our tax base. As a city that is almost fully developed, we will no longer be able to rely on property sales as a funding stream for the city, so we need to think about the long-term ways our city funds our community’s needs. We need to think about redevelopment of existing industrial areas to serve the growing needs of our community as well as responsible redevelopment when the occasion arises.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Cities and schools depend upon each other, now more than ever. We are fortunate to have wonderful public and private schools in Mendota Heights and we must foster these relationships. I am currently in my 7th year on the ISD 197 school board, so I am uniquely positioned to lead in this important work, and I have a proven record of success. When Mendota Elementary School was going to be closed due to budget cuts, I was a leader in the effort to pass the levy which not only kept Mendota Elementary open, but also kept a 7-period day at Henry Sibley High School. During my tenure on the school board, we have collaborated with local businesses to create Career Academies for our high school students which are a huge success! In addition, during my time on the Parks and Recreation Commission, I led the effort to have student commissioners. Giving voice to the youth in our city leads to an engaged and active citizenry that is invested in the community and helps develop our workforce. If elected mayor, this is something I will explore further. During this pandemic, when many students are doing distance and hybrid learning, our city is well-positioned to partner with our schools to provide much needed social interaction, outside programming and creative educational opportunities that will serve our community.
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?
City services are quite lean in Mendota Heights and we must continue to strive for efficiency and better ways of doing city business. If I am elected mayor, I will work to foster partnerships with other public, non-profit and private entities to enhance life in Mendota Heights. During my service on the ISD 197 school board, especially as the Chair of the Association of Metropolitan School Boards (which represents over half of school children in Minnesota) and in my leadership roles with organizations such as the Greater Twin Cities United Way, I have had opportunities to lead in this work. I have learned that when we leverage resources, we can increase our efficacy and effectiveness. Mendota Heights is not a city alone on a hill, we are part of a larger community and share many of the same concerns as our neighboring towns and regions. There are ample opportunities to explore - from a Mendota Heights Foundation to grant opportunities with the county as well as regional partnerships, just to name a few. I have had the opportunity to testify at the state legislature as well as to advocate for our community, which I would continue to do as mayor.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
The city council is a governing body and each member, including the mayor, brings their experience and skills to serve the city - and my financial skills and broad community experience are what I believe is needed to serve our city during this challenging time.
Public Office Sought: Mendota Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-686-0340
Website: stephanie4mayor.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Stephanie Levine for Mayor of Mendota Heights
Candidate Bio
I have been an active member of the Mendota Heights community for almost 30 years when my husband Jimmy and I moved here to raise our family. I have a background in finance and have served both the city and wider community in a variety of leadership roles.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from UW-Madison and a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, I spent 15 years as an actuary. Following my work in the private sector, I focused on community service. I am a ready volunteer with a multitude of leadership experiences at the city, county and state levels. I spent eight years on the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, including two as chair. Currently, I am serving on the ISD197 School Board where I previously served as treasurer and vice-chair.
These unprecedented times present the city with many challenges and my financial skills and broad community experience are what I believe we need in our next mayor. I work collaboratively, transparently and always with integrity. I would bring a fresh perspective grounded in both city and regional experience to serve the residents of Mendota Heights.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Plan & Promote: We are in the midst of a pandemic and the financial impact requires careful budgeting and planning. We must look for resources outside our city and foster partnerships, both public and private. We must build on the relationship between the city and schools to serve the needs of our youngest residents. We must also think about our communal needs to enrich life in Mendota Heights.
Preserve: Honor our city’s unique character and continue to provide high-quality city services. We must care for our aging infrastructure in a way that is sustainable, especially our park system. Additionally, we must continue to provide responsive city services and be accountable in all aspects of our environment including development and redevelopment, airport noise and traffic. We must also work to make our community a better steward of water, land and cost-effective renewable energy by funding and following our Natural Resources Plan as well as finalizing our Comprehensive Plan.
Protect: Public works and public safety is a priority, especially during these unsettled times. We have a wonderful police chief and department and a great group of volunteer firefighters who need our support. We can and we must continually improve services with thoughtful leadership and fiscal responsibility.
How would you characterize the business climate in Mendota Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Mendota Heights is strategically located and well-suited for businesses of all kinds. Our industrial district and business park are very important to our tax base and jobs, as is our mix of retail which enhances the quality of life for our residents. Business owners appreciate the low taxes and high-quality and responsive city services. One issue I hear is the lack of cell phone service and unstable internet. With many people working from home and land-lines becoming obsolete, those issues must be addressed. Our city government must be a key partner in attracting and retaining businesses, especially during these challenging times.
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?
The mayor is the face of the city. When talking to business owners and workers, I ask them what they need and how the city can best serve them. Our businesses are facing challenges due to coronavirus and we must be nimble in how we respond to their changing needs both in the short and long term. As a community, we can get creative. How about takeout Tuesday or retail Wednesday? Are we capturing stimulus funding? What other kinds of businesses should Mendota Heights attract? With many residents working from home while their children are learning remotely, how can we support our families? Many residents would like to see new businesses, restaurants, a grocery store, retail or possibly a farmer’s market. We must work to retain our current businesses and always look for new opportunities for expansion as well as a welcoming environment. We must also promote business development through available public financing tools
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Mendota Heights (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 Mendota Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I have no specific employment-related proposals that I am currently pursuing or plan to pursue as mayor at this time. However, I have many years of policy-making experience. I understand that in forming policy, the council must consider multiple views and expert advice during deliberations, keeping in mind all perspectives, not only those that are represented in the room. We must be equitable and fair when we think about the long-term, intended and unintended consequences of decisions we make today.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Public safety is a key concern, especially during these unsettled times. We are fortunate here in Mendota Heights to have a wonderful police chief, Kelly McCarthy, whose leadership is recognized and appreciated by residents. If you don’t already follow the Mendota Heights Police Department on Facebook, please do! In addition, I encourage all residents to sign up for the weekly “Just the Facts” email. Communication is key in keeping our residents safe, and our city does a great job. We are also fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteer firefighters. As mayor, I would work to preserve and enhance what we have in our city, always keeping in mind the need for continuous improvement. I have had the good fortune in my role on the Special Education Advisory Committee for our school district and as coordinator of our neighborhood’s Night to Unite celebration to have a fantastic working relationship with our police chief. I am also a graduate of the Citizen’s Police Academy, which is something I would love to see return to our city!
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We must be proactive when budgeting especially in light of the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic. As an actuary, I know how to examine risk, and plan for an uncertain future. In addition, I have served as the treasurer for a number of organizations including our school board. I have also served on finance committees for several nonprofit organizations. Recently, I had the opportunity to observe 4 hours of budget talks for the city of Mendota Heights, so I am familiar with the city’s budgeting process. A budget is a statement of priorities, and what we fund reflects what we value. Public safety, public works, green space and infrastructure are priorities. In addition, we must prioritize funding for our Natural Resources Plan and sustainable funding for our park system. We must look for new ways of increasing revenue both in the long and short term, as we see the impacts of the pandemic on property taxes and other receipts.
What will you do to expand Mendota Height’s tax base?
Our city is funded primarily by property taxes, and the current financial challenges we face require us to think about protecting as well as expanding our tax base. As a city that is almost fully developed, we will no longer be able to rely on property sales as a funding stream for the city, so we need to think about the long-term ways our city funds our community’s needs. We need to think about redevelopment of existing industrial areas to serve the growing needs of our community as well as responsible redevelopment when the occasion arises.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Cities and schools depend upon each other, now more than ever. We are fortunate to have wonderful public and private schools in Mendota Heights and we must foster these relationships. I am currently in my 7th year on the ISD 197 school board, so I am uniquely positioned to lead in this important work, and I have a proven record of success. When Mendota Elementary School was going to be closed due to budget cuts, I was a leader in the effort to pass the levy which not only kept Mendota Elementary open, but also kept a 7-period day at Henry Sibley High School. During my tenure on the school board, we have collaborated with local businesses to create Career Academies for our high school students which are a huge success! In addition, during my time on the Parks and Recreation Commission, I led the effort to have student commissioners. Giving voice to the youth in our city leads to an engaged and active citizenry that is invested in the community and helps develop our workforce. If elected mayor, this is something I will explore further. During this pandemic, when many students are doing distance and hybrid learning, our city is well-positioned to partner with our schools to provide much needed social interaction, outside programming and creative educational opportunities that will serve our community.
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?
City services are quite lean in Mendota Heights and we must continue to strive for efficiency and better ways of doing city business. If I am elected mayor, I will work to foster partnerships with other public, non-profit and private entities to enhance life in Mendota Heights. During my service on the ISD 197 school board, especially as the Chair of the Association of Metropolitan School Boards (which represents over half of school children in Minnesota) and in my leadership roles with organizations such as the Greater Twin Cities United Way, I have had opportunities to lead in this work. I have learned that when we leverage resources, we can increase our efficacy and effectiveness. Mendota Heights is not a city alone on a hill, we are part of a larger community and share many of the same concerns as our neighboring towns and regions. There are ample opportunities to explore - from a Mendota Heights Foundation to grant opportunities with the county as well as regional partnerships, just to name a few. I have had the opportunity to testify at the state legislature as well as to advocate for our community, which I would continue to do as mayor.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
The city council is a governing body and each member, including the mayor, brings their experience and skills to serve the city - and my financial skills and broad community experience are what I believe is needed to serve our city during this challenging time.