Sylvia E. Neblett

Name: Sylvia E. Neblett
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-766-3851
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I am a current sitting council member appointed in February 2018. I currently serve as chair of the Ramsey County Library Board of Trustees and a member of the Community Ed Advisory for ISD 622. Additionally, I am a 21-year resident of the city of Maplewood and was the chair of the Use of Force Taskforce for Maplewood in 2016. For 17 years I worked in fighting discrimination through the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the St. Paul Department of Human Rights, and the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. I have worked in our home school district IDS 622, for over 10 years and in a charter school in North Minneapolis for 3 years. I also have a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Budget - Because of COVID 19, we are in a day to day process of change. Before we entered this period of uncertainty, we had a clear direction of where we were going with our 2020 Budget and our Capital Improvement Plan. There are currently so many unknowns and changes daily, we must make the best decisions we have with the information available. The budget will dictate everything in the next couple of years, maybe even longer. We have to be willing to pivot when necessary and make the best decisions we can based on the information in front of us, as good stewards of our City’s financial resources.
Police - I feel fortunate that we have a Public Safety Department that does community policing and a Public Safety Director whom we hired because of his focus on community policing. I know there are calls to defund the police and I understand the idea. For Maplewood, that might be understandable if our Department did not practice community policing or if statics had shown violent interactions with our citizens. I am a strong supporter of our police and firefighters. That is not to say that I would not strongly condemn any unnecessary use of force. We can always do better. I know the time effort and work that our Department has done in conjunction with our citizens and continues to do. They practice community policing as they Protect and Serve our City.
Changing Demographics - As our demographics change and new younger families move into Maplewood, I want to make sure people feel welcomed into our City. Our City staff, Commissions and City Council should reflect our population. All of our families in Maplewood should feel supported, represented and feel welcomed to take advantage of every opportunity that Maplewood has to offer. We have to figure out a way to be intentional about reaching out so everyone feels this is their City and they should have a say in what goes on.
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
I believe that the business climate in Maplewood is one of support, openness, and encouragement. We continue to have new business come to Maplewood because they know we as a City support business with our ordinances, labor organizations and our financial stability. Because of these things, citizens and those that visit Maplewood have many places and variety to dine, shop, create, groom, and relax. All things that provide a good quality of life inside of our City boundaries.
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, Maplewood?
Attracting and retaining jobs in Maplewood is paramount to having a strong economy and tax base. We have an extraordinarily strong Housing and Economic Development Commission and Community Development Team who are led by our Capital Improvement Plan. They are always on the lookout for new businesses and to help them through the process, including partnering with other organizations that may have financial support as well as in-kind support all in an effort to ensure their success as a business in Maplewood. One action the council took recently was to forgive the liquor licensing fees for this year to alleviate some stress on those businesses. We are always looking for creative ways to partner with our businesses.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Maplewood (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 Maplewood and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would support a living wage proposal and a Paid Time Off (PTO) proposal for employers of a certain size. Prior to proposing such an ordinance, we would have to understand how any such proposals would affect businesses. The city would have to talk to every business to understand what instituting a living wage or a PTO proposal would do to keeping their business profitable and the doors open. This is not something that is currently being considered but we must be ready to begin the discussion.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Our 2040 Comprehensive Plan includes policies, goals, and calculations of land use needs for the City based on growth projections. It identifies areas where commercial, residential, industrial, and open spaces will be allowed or created. Our Public Safety department will always be a part of the plan. With the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system coming directly through Maplewood from St. Paul and on to White Bear Lake, this will be an additional method of transportation for those who live, work and shop in Maplewood and quite possibility increase revenue for our local businesses.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Priorities for our City this coming year will be focused on the major parts of our city operations: General government operations, Public Safety, Public Works, Community Development and Debt Reduction. Because we are expecting an unknown shortfall due to some citizens possibility not being able to contribute to the property tax base, almost all services will take a cut in the budget. They are still our priorities for the budget but as a realist, we need to adjust the budget as needed.
What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
We will continue to follow our Capital Improvement Plan and seek to bring new business opportunities into Maplewood when possible. We could also create a system to repurpose abandoned houses in the City and entice new families to buy and live in our City. Hopefully, there will be federal dollars we can tap into soon to help put us back on track financially.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The City of Maplewood has an ongoing relationship with ISD 622. The School District has expanded its curriculum to give students opportunities to explore STEM careers as well as construction careers and liberal arts college careers. The District is preparing to meet the needs of businesses in the region.
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?
We recently had to cut back on our Nature Center programing and to reexamine how we can still provide programing in a new and different way. Perhaps that will include sharing this service with another entity whether it be another City, or County or State program. At this point, we are open to looking at all possibilities of keeping this jewel of Maplewood open in a different way.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Maplewood?
As city leaders, it is our responsibility to foster, encourage, reach out to communities of color and women who are interested in or thinking about exploring the possibility of going into business in our City. Through our Community Development Department, we provide services that will reach out and inform communities of color and women about operating a business in the City. One way we could reach out is to have either an annual or bi-annual workshop on “How to Start a Business in Maplewood” open to the public with intentional outreach to women and people of color organizations.
What further policies can Maplewood adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
At this point in time I am not at all sure. I mentioned the liquor tax forgiveness for this year. I am sure there will be opportunities to be creative going forward. I just have no great ideas today, but I am open to hear creative ideas to support our local businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I do not think so. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the questions presented.
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-766-3851
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I am a current sitting council member appointed in February 2018. I currently serve as chair of the Ramsey County Library Board of Trustees and a member of the Community Ed Advisory for ISD 622. Additionally, I am a 21-year resident of the city of Maplewood and was the chair of the Use of Force Taskforce for Maplewood in 2016. For 17 years I worked in fighting discrimination through the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the St. Paul Department of Human Rights, and the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. I have worked in our home school district IDS 622, for over 10 years and in a charter school in North Minneapolis for 3 years. I also have a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Budget - Because of COVID 19, we are in a day to day process of change. Before we entered this period of uncertainty, we had a clear direction of where we were going with our 2020 Budget and our Capital Improvement Plan. There are currently so many unknowns and changes daily, we must make the best decisions we have with the information available. The budget will dictate everything in the next couple of years, maybe even longer. We have to be willing to pivot when necessary and make the best decisions we can based on the information in front of us, as good stewards of our City’s financial resources.
Police - I feel fortunate that we have a Public Safety Department that does community policing and a Public Safety Director whom we hired because of his focus on community policing. I know there are calls to defund the police and I understand the idea. For Maplewood, that might be understandable if our Department did not practice community policing or if statics had shown violent interactions with our citizens. I am a strong supporter of our police and firefighters. That is not to say that I would not strongly condemn any unnecessary use of force. We can always do better. I know the time effort and work that our Department has done in conjunction with our citizens and continues to do. They practice community policing as they Protect and Serve our City.
Changing Demographics - As our demographics change and new younger families move into Maplewood, I want to make sure people feel welcomed into our City. Our City staff, Commissions and City Council should reflect our population. All of our families in Maplewood should feel supported, represented and feel welcomed to take advantage of every opportunity that Maplewood has to offer. We have to figure out a way to be intentional about reaching out so everyone feels this is their City and they should have a say in what goes on.
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
I believe that the business climate in Maplewood is one of support, openness, and encouragement. We continue to have new business come to Maplewood because they know we as a City support business with our ordinances, labor organizations and our financial stability. Because of these things, citizens and those that visit Maplewood have many places and variety to dine, shop, create, groom, and relax. All things that provide a good quality of life inside of our City boundaries.
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, Maplewood?
Attracting and retaining jobs in Maplewood is paramount to having a strong economy and tax base. We have an extraordinarily strong Housing and Economic Development Commission and Community Development Team who are led by our Capital Improvement Plan. They are always on the lookout for new businesses and to help them through the process, including partnering with other organizations that may have financial support as well as in-kind support all in an effort to ensure their success as a business in Maplewood. One action the council took recently was to forgive the liquor licensing fees for this year to alleviate some stress on those businesses. We are always looking for creative ways to partner with our businesses.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Maplewood (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 Maplewood and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would support a living wage proposal and a Paid Time Off (PTO) proposal for employers of a certain size. Prior to proposing such an ordinance, we would have to understand how any such proposals would affect businesses. The city would have to talk to every business to understand what instituting a living wage or a PTO proposal would do to keeping their business profitable and the doors open. This is not something that is currently being considered but we must be ready to begin the discussion.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Our 2040 Comprehensive Plan includes policies, goals, and calculations of land use needs for the City based on growth projections. It identifies areas where commercial, residential, industrial, and open spaces will be allowed or created. Our Public Safety department will always be a part of the plan. With the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system coming directly through Maplewood from St. Paul and on to White Bear Lake, this will be an additional method of transportation for those who live, work and shop in Maplewood and quite possibility increase revenue for our local businesses.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Priorities for our City this coming year will be focused on the major parts of our city operations: General government operations, Public Safety, Public Works, Community Development and Debt Reduction. Because we are expecting an unknown shortfall due to some citizens possibility not being able to contribute to the property tax base, almost all services will take a cut in the budget. They are still our priorities for the budget but as a realist, we need to adjust the budget as needed.
What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
We will continue to follow our Capital Improvement Plan and seek to bring new business opportunities into Maplewood when possible. We could also create a system to repurpose abandoned houses in the City and entice new families to buy and live in our City. Hopefully, there will be federal dollars we can tap into soon to help put us back on track financially.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The City of Maplewood has an ongoing relationship with ISD 622. The School District has expanded its curriculum to give students opportunities to explore STEM careers as well as construction careers and liberal arts college careers. The District is preparing to meet the needs of businesses in the region.
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?
We recently had to cut back on our Nature Center programing and to reexamine how we can still provide programing in a new and different way. Perhaps that will include sharing this service with another entity whether it be another City, or County or State program. At this point, we are open to looking at all possibilities of keeping this jewel of Maplewood open in a different way.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Maplewood?
As city leaders, it is our responsibility to foster, encourage, reach out to communities of color and women who are interested in or thinking about exploring the possibility of going into business in our City. Through our Community Development Department, we provide services that will reach out and inform communities of color and women about operating a business in the City. One way we could reach out is to have either an annual or bi-annual workshop on “How to Start a Business in Maplewood” open to the public with intentional outreach to women and people of color organizations.
What further policies can Maplewood adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
At this point in time I am not at all sure. I mentioned the liquor tax forgiveness for this year. I am sure there will be opportunities to be creative going forward. I just have no great ideas today, but I am open to hear creative ideas to support our local businesses.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I do not think so. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the questions presented.