Sue Gliva
Name: Sue Gliva
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.260.4800
Campaign Website: N/A
Twitter handle: @SueGforIGH
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SueGforIGH
Candidate Bio
I’m currently an Inver Grove Heights (IGH) Council Member seeking election for a second term. My husband and I have lived in, raised our three grown children, and enjoyed our community for 30+ years. Besides having a passion to serve our City, I served as a school board member for District 199 from 2015 – 2019.
I have a BA in Accounting & Finance and hold a CPA license. I’m the Financial Controller of a small, women-owned commercial title company. Prior to that I led the financial operations for our family’s successful small business before selling in 2015. At that time I also become part of a local IGH restaurant and have a deep appreciation of the value, service, and jobs that small businesses bring to a community.
As President of the IGH Economic Development Authority (EDA) and member of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce this allows me the opportunity to keep up with both current and prospective business activity.
I’m seeking re-election to continue promoting economic development and exploring potential redevelopment areas in a sustainable way that maintains the character of the community. Also just as important is continuing adequate funding for infrastructure and public safety needs.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I bring leadership that is transparent and one that values input from community members. Also important is collaborating with our local County and State officials to assist with broader project needs or goals when necessary.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
1) Continue working to bring economic development to our city. There is still a need for businesses to provide services for our current residents. Also begin exploring a redevelopment plan for Concord Blvd. Our community has an opportunity to better showcase that we are a river city. We have a start with the Heritage Village Park but a full plan with housing and business development would be beneficial.
2) Maintain our infrastructure. Stay on task by maintaining streets as guided by the Pavement Management Citizen’s Task force. Ensure continued work on our water treatment filtration in order maintain safe drinking water.
3) Continue to adequately fund our Police and Fire departments to keep our community safe.
The state’s projected economic outlook would likely not impact these priorities except on potential redevelopment funding needs. The most impactful thing would be if the state legislature tries to limit local zoning control as was proposed in the last session. Residents would be impacted as they would virtually have little to no voice regarding future development.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Inver Grove Heights?
We have bit of challenge in balancing how we develop our remaining land economically while taking into consideration the topography and character we have in IGH. Also meeting the retail and service needs that residents are asking for and what developers are willing to build has also been a hurdle to overcome.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
There is a delicate balance between government and business collaboration. Regarding housing, this past legislative session the state government viewed housing needs from a more global perspective and the proposed HF 4009 was an example of an imbalance. Legislating land and zoning use at the state level with a “one-size-fits-all” approach may have been a positive move for new housing and developers, but usurping locally elected officials in the process was not. Each city has its own unique circumstances to be considered. In IGH, forty percent of the land is outside of the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) thus no city-provided sewer/water infrastructure is used. With state-imposed high-density housing requirements should this area develop, our City could not afford the necessary infrastructure costs without huge implications to our taxpayers.
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
I would characterize our business climate as one that is continually improving and one that still has potential for retail services like restaurants/coffee shops, etc. that our residents are looking for.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I believe public safety is a foundational piece of the community and continued Police and Fire Department programs to engage community members are positive ways to stay connected. Also to meet public safety needs, adequate funding needs to be appropriately prioritized.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Inver Grove Heights currently has a variety of housing stock for individuals and families to find what is best suited for them. As we continue to look at new land development opportunities it will be a priority to find/review reliable housing data to ensure the development is sustainable and keeping up with the character of our community.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Inver Grove Heights is 15 minutes from downtown St. Paul and outside city travel occurs mostly via three major highways. Within our community while there may be potential to expand MTC bus routes, most new transportation opportunities arise with new developments or road redesigns with new sidewalks or bike paths. I would rely on Dakota County and the City’s Public Works Dept. for the safety of road redesigns and our Police Dept. for other pedestrian/bike/driver safety situations.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
Being cautious in spending our city’s federal COVID relief dollars on one-time needs that benefited the entire community is something that has been incorporated in our current budgeting. Spending for on-going expenses was avoided to not burden future budgets.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
My approach would be to not get into the realm of regulating economic policies that affect businesses. Policies of that nature should be addressed at the state level. As a city government the focus is better kept within areas of public safety, infrastructure, and land use.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.260.4800
Campaign Website: N/A
Twitter handle: @SueGforIGH
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SueGforIGH
Candidate Bio
I’m currently an Inver Grove Heights (IGH) Council Member seeking election for a second term. My husband and I have lived in, raised our three grown children, and enjoyed our community for 30+ years. Besides having a passion to serve our City, I served as a school board member for District 199 from 2015 – 2019.
I have a BA in Accounting & Finance and hold a CPA license. I’m the Financial Controller of a small, women-owned commercial title company. Prior to that I led the financial operations for our family’s successful small business before selling in 2015. At that time I also become part of a local IGH restaurant and have a deep appreciation of the value, service, and jobs that small businesses bring to a community.
As President of the IGH Economic Development Authority (EDA) and member of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce this allows me the opportunity to keep up with both current and prospective business activity.
I’m seeking re-election to continue promoting economic development and exploring potential redevelopment areas in a sustainable way that maintains the character of the community. Also just as important is continuing adequate funding for infrastructure and public safety needs.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I bring leadership that is transparent and one that values input from community members. Also important is collaborating with our local County and State officials to assist with broader project needs or goals when necessary.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
1) Continue working to bring economic development to our city. There is still a need for businesses to provide services for our current residents. Also begin exploring a redevelopment plan for Concord Blvd. Our community has an opportunity to better showcase that we are a river city. We have a start with the Heritage Village Park but a full plan with housing and business development would be beneficial.
2) Maintain our infrastructure. Stay on task by maintaining streets as guided by the Pavement Management Citizen’s Task force. Ensure continued work on our water treatment filtration in order maintain safe drinking water.
3) Continue to adequately fund our Police and Fire departments to keep our community safe.
The state’s projected economic outlook would likely not impact these priorities except on potential redevelopment funding needs. The most impactful thing would be if the state legislature tries to limit local zoning control as was proposed in the last session. Residents would be impacted as they would virtually have little to no voice regarding future development.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Inver Grove Heights?
We have bit of challenge in balancing how we develop our remaining land economically while taking into consideration the topography and character we have in IGH. Also meeting the retail and service needs that residents are asking for and what developers are willing to build has also been a hurdle to overcome.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
There is a delicate balance between government and business collaboration. Regarding housing, this past legislative session the state government viewed housing needs from a more global perspective and the proposed HF 4009 was an example of an imbalance. Legislating land and zoning use at the state level with a “one-size-fits-all” approach may have been a positive move for new housing and developers, but usurping locally elected officials in the process was not. Each city has its own unique circumstances to be considered. In IGH, forty percent of the land is outside of the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) thus no city-provided sewer/water infrastructure is used. With state-imposed high-density housing requirements should this area develop, our City could not afford the necessary infrastructure costs without huge implications to our taxpayers.
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
I would characterize our business climate as one that is continually improving and one that still has potential for retail services like restaurants/coffee shops, etc. that our residents are looking for.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I believe public safety is a foundational piece of the community and continued Police and Fire Department programs to engage community members are positive ways to stay connected. Also to meet public safety needs, adequate funding needs to be appropriately prioritized.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Inver Grove Heights currently has a variety of housing stock for individuals and families to find what is best suited for them. As we continue to look at new land development opportunities it will be a priority to find/review reliable housing data to ensure the development is sustainable and keeping up with the character of our community.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Inver Grove Heights is 15 minutes from downtown St. Paul and outside city travel occurs mostly via three major highways. Within our community while there may be potential to expand MTC bus routes, most new transportation opportunities arise with new developments or road redesigns with new sidewalks or bike paths. I would rely on Dakota County and the City’s Public Works Dept. for the safety of road redesigns and our Police Dept. for other pedestrian/bike/driver safety situations.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
Being cautious in spending our city’s federal COVID relief dollars on one-time needs that benefited the entire community is something that has been incorporated in our current budgeting. Spending for on-going expenses was avoided to not burden future budgets.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
My approach would be to not get into the realm of regulating economic policies that affect businesses. Policies of that nature should be addressed at the state level. As a city government the focus is better kept within areas of public safety, infrastructure, and land use.