Steve Scott
Name: Steve Scott
Public Office Sought: Arden Hills City Council
Email: slsecom@comcast.net
Phone: 651-604-0919
Candidate Bio
Personal: I am 66 years old and have been an Arden Hills resident since 1996, with my wife Eileen (USAF veteran, married 32 years) and our adult children Kelly and Alex.
Education: MBA, Western New England University, Springfield, MA; BBA, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA; AFROTC Graduate, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; AA/AT Data Processing, Pierce College, Tacoma, WA
Occupation: Information Technology, U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs (current) Prior public sector: Tacoma Public Schools and U.S. Air Force Prior private sector: Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, commercial banking, credit union service providers and Europe’s largest certification/quality management body; W2 and 1099 independent IT consultant work
Relevant Civic Experience: Elected to City Council in 2016 with prior service on Arden Hills Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee since 2008 (chair in 2011); Continue to serve as Head and Assistant Head County Election Judge since 2004; Board Member, Ramsey County League of Local Governments. Currently representing the City with my wife on the Suburban Ramsey County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon steering group. Council Liaison for Communications Committee and Planning Commission.
I’ve immensely enjoyed my two years service as your newest councilmember and am asking to continue for a full four year term.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Arden Hills?
Arden Hills enjoys a robust business community with MORE people employed here than live here. A major expansion of the Land ‘O Lakes corporate headquarters campus bringing 600 new jobs, recent groundbreaking of the Lexington Station Phase II development and a new 139 room Springhill Suites hotel by Marriot currently under construction all lend confidence by the business community that Arden Hills is a viable location for new and established businesses. Arden Hills also received recent national recognition as one of the proposed candidates for Amazon’s HQ2 search. The scope of the Rice Creek Commons (formerly TCAAP redevelopment is also attracting interest from several high quality employers.
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, Arden Hills?
It is important for Arden Hills to engage not only as a standalone municipality but as a community partner in regional business and economic marketing efforts. This includes not only commerce but also working with our K-12 and higher education partners which include ISD 62 as well as Bethel Universeity and University of Northwestern in addition to state and county transportation and infrastructure improvements.
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 Arden Hills?
Now that the bulk of our senior leadership staff vacancies have been filled, our priority for 2018 is to recruit for our vacant Community Development Director position. Obviously the Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP redevelopment will occupy the bulk of this position, on-going advocacy for our existing business partners would be very well served by the right person in this position.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Arden Hills? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Arden Hills 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?
Businesses will have to decide whether offering competitive wages/benefits outweigh the impacts of high turnover and retraining costs. I strongly believe wages need to keep pace with the Consumer Price Index. No one should have to bear a declining power of their earnings as a price for employment loyalty. With our current economy and widespread labor shortages, even employers of entry-level positions are having to adjust their pay scales and benefits to compete. I voluntarily pay membership dues to my federal bargaining unit and I fully support an employee’s right to choose to organize or not.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Arden Hills (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 Arden Hills and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
We recently experienced one of the worst influenza outbreaks in recent memory. Some of this was exacerbated by aversions to preventative vaccines but some was also caused by people being forced to choose between a paycheck or being respectful of their coworkers or customers. No parent should have to send a sick child to school because they cannot afford to stay home and care for their child.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Arden Hills was recently recognized as one of the state’s safest cities to live and/or work. We contract with Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Johana Fire which recently started staffing full time positions. The third leg of public safety is our own Public Works department. I had the opportunity this winter to accompany one of our plow crews during a snow event as they made their rounds in the wee hours of the morning. I learned a lot about how they plan and execute their routes as well as what steps residents can do to help them quickly and safely clear our roads. Those ‘tips’ then get communicated via our various social media tools. I am an enthusiastic participant for all Sheriff, FD and PW community events.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The largest components of our annual budget are the items for public safety services. We cannot compromise on safety. The second major component are the costs for public infrastructure such as pavement management, water, storm and sewer management and finally, but not least, our parks and recreational services. Our citizenry have demonstrated their willingness to support high quality education by virtue of the recent school levy passing with a 74% approval. Likewise, residents and our business community need a well-maintained public infrastructure and those recreational assets which make Arden Hills a great place to live and work.
The City also must recruit and retain a high quality workforce to effectively deliver essential services. I am willing to provide an employment environment which rewards those who dedicate their work for our public good.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
While residential taxes comprises the bulk of city revenues, we need to balance the need to provide services proportionally on the demands imposed by both residential and commercial. A fair and balanced tax code is essential for the well-being of the community at large.
9. What will you do to expand Arden Hills’ tax base?
As a municipality which is considered “fully built out” in it’s present state, it is difficult for us to expand our residential/commercial tax base. In fact, we have seen a recent encroachment of non-profits into properties which were formerly revenue producers. This has forced us to reexamine our zoning ordinances and adjust accordingly.
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?
Minnesota enjoys a highly educated workforce which results in more Fortune 500 companies being headquartered here per-capita than any state in the union. Those companies do not chose to locate in Minnesota for our rock-bottom taxes – or our climate. They understand the economies of hiring and retaining workers who already have the skills and work ethic for them to compete successfully in the global economy. Having those Fortune 500 companies has the benefit of offering K-12 and post-secondary students valuable work-study and internship programs. As a former K-12 employee, I fully understand the need for both vocational/technical training as well as degree programs. I also support the ability for secondary students to earn college credit while in high school or vocational training.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to public schools in Arden Hills?
We are fortunate to have a high-performing public K-12 district which is a valuable incentive for new families to choose our city as their final destination. We have worked with our K-12 partners to identify and designate safe routes for school transportation and have invested in advanced school zone speed controls. Having a high-performing public K-12 asset is one of the best investments any municipal, regional, state for federal government can make.
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
The redevelopment of the 427 acre former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to plan a major multipurpose expansion of the City as well as unique challenges. As a certified project manager, I would ensure all project risks are properly mitigated throughout the project life cycle.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Fill all remaining staff vacancies.
Protect the City’s interests as the RCW/TCAAP redevelopment project is realized.
Improve the City’s web and social media communication tools.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Continue working with MNDOT and County transportation resources to improve traffic flow and safety.
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?
We already contract with shared police and fire as well as purchasing water and technology services from the City of Roseville. I see no immediate need to cut any current resources.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Arden Hills has a significant and unique military presence with our Army Reserve and MN National Guard installations. Some of these are scheduled for further expansion with a contingent of the MN 34th Infantry Division (the famed Red Bulls) scheduled to transfer some of their operations to Arden Hills. As a veteran, I will seek to establish a stronger relationship and awareness of our residents and our military neighbors.
Public Office Sought: Arden Hills City Council
Email: slsecom@comcast.net
Phone: 651-604-0919
Candidate Bio
Personal: I am 66 years old and have been an Arden Hills resident since 1996, with my wife Eileen (USAF veteran, married 32 years) and our adult children Kelly and Alex.
Education: MBA, Western New England University, Springfield, MA; BBA, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA; AFROTC Graduate, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; AA/AT Data Processing, Pierce College, Tacoma, WA
Occupation: Information Technology, U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs (current) Prior public sector: Tacoma Public Schools and U.S. Air Force Prior private sector: Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, commercial banking, credit union service providers and Europe’s largest certification/quality management body; W2 and 1099 independent IT consultant work
Relevant Civic Experience: Elected to City Council in 2016 with prior service on Arden Hills Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee since 2008 (chair in 2011); Continue to serve as Head and Assistant Head County Election Judge since 2004; Board Member, Ramsey County League of Local Governments. Currently representing the City with my wife on the Suburban Ramsey County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon steering group. Council Liaison for Communications Committee and Planning Commission.
I’ve immensely enjoyed my two years service as your newest councilmember and am asking to continue for a full four year term.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Arden Hills?
Arden Hills enjoys a robust business community with MORE people employed here than live here. A major expansion of the Land ‘O Lakes corporate headquarters campus bringing 600 new jobs, recent groundbreaking of the Lexington Station Phase II development and a new 139 room Springhill Suites hotel by Marriot currently under construction all lend confidence by the business community that Arden Hills is a viable location for new and established businesses. Arden Hills also received recent national recognition as one of the proposed candidates for Amazon’s HQ2 search. The scope of the Rice Creek Commons (formerly TCAAP redevelopment is also attracting interest from several high quality employers.
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, Arden Hills?
It is important for Arden Hills to engage not only as a standalone municipality but as a community partner in regional business and economic marketing efforts. This includes not only commerce but also working with our K-12 and higher education partners which include ISD 62 as well as Bethel Universeity and University of Northwestern in addition to state and county transportation and infrastructure improvements.
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 Arden Hills?
Now that the bulk of our senior leadership staff vacancies have been filled, our priority for 2018 is to recruit for our vacant Community Development Director position. Obviously the Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP redevelopment will occupy the bulk of this position, on-going advocacy for our existing business partners would be very well served by the right person in this position.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Arden Hills? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Arden Hills 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?
Businesses will have to decide whether offering competitive wages/benefits outweigh the impacts of high turnover and retraining costs. I strongly believe wages need to keep pace with the Consumer Price Index. No one should have to bear a declining power of their earnings as a price for employment loyalty. With our current economy and widespread labor shortages, even employers of entry-level positions are having to adjust their pay scales and benefits to compete. I voluntarily pay membership dues to my federal bargaining unit and I fully support an employee’s right to choose to organize or not.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Arden Hills (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 Arden Hills and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
We recently experienced one of the worst influenza outbreaks in recent memory. Some of this was exacerbated by aversions to preventative vaccines but some was also caused by people being forced to choose between a paycheck or being respectful of their coworkers or customers. No parent should have to send a sick child to school because they cannot afford to stay home and care for their child.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Arden Hills was recently recognized as one of the state’s safest cities to live and/or work. We contract with Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Johana Fire which recently started staffing full time positions. The third leg of public safety is our own Public Works department. I had the opportunity this winter to accompany one of our plow crews during a snow event as they made their rounds in the wee hours of the morning. I learned a lot about how they plan and execute their routes as well as what steps residents can do to help them quickly and safely clear our roads. Those ‘tips’ then get communicated via our various social media tools. I am an enthusiastic participant for all Sheriff, FD and PW community events.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The largest components of our annual budget are the items for public safety services. We cannot compromise on safety. The second major component are the costs for public infrastructure such as pavement management, water, storm and sewer management and finally, but not least, our parks and recreational services. Our citizenry have demonstrated their willingness to support high quality education by virtue of the recent school levy passing with a 74% approval. Likewise, residents and our business community need a well-maintained public infrastructure and those recreational assets which make Arden Hills a great place to live and work.
The City also must recruit and retain a high quality workforce to effectively deliver essential services. I am willing to provide an employment environment which rewards those who dedicate their work for our public good.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
While residential taxes comprises the bulk of city revenues, we need to balance the need to provide services proportionally on the demands imposed by both residential and commercial. A fair and balanced tax code is essential for the well-being of the community at large.
9. What will you do to expand Arden Hills’ tax base?
As a municipality which is considered “fully built out” in it’s present state, it is difficult for us to expand our residential/commercial tax base. In fact, we have seen a recent encroachment of non-profits into properties which were formerly revenue producers. This has forced us to reexamine our zoning ordinances and adjust accordingly.
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?
Minnesota enjoys a highly educated workforce which results in more Fortune 500 companies being headquartered here per-capita than any state in the union. Those companies do not chose to locate in Minnesota for our rock-bottom taxes – or our climate. They understand the economies of hiring and retaining workers who already have the skills and work ethic for them to compete successfully in the global economy. Having those Fortune 500 companies has the benefit of offering K-12 and post-secondary students valuable work-study and internship programs. As a former K-12 employee, I fully understand the need for both vocational/technical training as well as degree programs. I also support the ability for secondary students to earn college credit while in high school or vocational training.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to public schools in Arden Hills?
We are fortunate to have a high-performing public K-12 district which is a valuable incentive for new families to choose our city as their final destination. We have worked with our K-12 partners to identify and designate safe routes for school transportation and have invested in advanced school zone speed controls. Having a high-performing public K-12 asset is one of the best investments any municipal, regional, state for federal government can make.
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
The redevelopment of the 427 acre former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to plan a major multipurpose expansion of the City as well as unique challenges. As a certified project manager, I would ensure all project risks are properly mitigated throughout the project life cycle.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Fill all remaining staff vacancies.
Protect the City’s interests as the RCW/TCAAP redevelopment project is realized.
Improve the City’s web and social media communication tools.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Continue working with MNDOT and County transportation resources to improve traffic flow and safety.
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?
We already contract with shared police and fire as well as purchasing water and technology services from the City of Roseville. I see no immediate need to cut any current resources.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Arden Hills has a significant and unique military presence with our Army Reserve and MN National Guard installations. Some of these are scheduled for further expansion with a contingent of the MN 34th Infantry Division (the famed Red Bulls) scheduled to transfer some of their operations to Arden Hills. As a veteran, I will seek to establish a stronger relationship and awareness of our residents and our military neighbors.