Zak Knudson
Name: Zak Knudson
Public Office Sought: Lauderdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-238-3282
Website: www.ZakForLauderdale.com
Facebook: Zak for Lauderdale City Council
Candidate Bio
I grew up in a small business family and the hard work ethic that having a family business instills in you follows has followed me forever. I bought my first home at 19, and worked 4 jobs while going to school to get my undergraduate degree to be able achieve those personal dreams I had. I know what it’s like to be worried about paying the electric bill, I’ve seen my mother cry about the price of diesel fuel, I know what it’s like to worry about next year’s property tax statement because you’re afraid it might break the bank - and so our small business owners have a special place in my heart.
Lauderdale deserves better. Our streets are crumbling, our business district is lacking and limited, and our future is uncertain. I know what it takes to bring in new business, jobs, residents – we all want to be in a well maintained, beautiful successful city and businesses and their success is a key element to achieving that. I’m 24 years old and ready to roll up my sleeves to get the job done. Lauderdale will not find someone who will work harder than me to deliver for them.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Lauderdale?
Limited. Our small city obviously has geographic limitations – but why does the city own a service station on our busiest street Larpenteur Ave)? I was at the local dog park the other day speaking with a new Lauderdale resident who just moved in and he asked me that same question. Why not sell it off, hopefully at a profit to the city, and allow a business to develop in its place – like a coffee shop or a bistro?
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, Lauderdale?
Specifically, the city should look at incentives to businesses that make Lauderdale competitive. Do we give tax credits for a short while so that we can benefit in the long run with a growing business district that would also benefit our residents? We have a clean slate with Lauderdale. Let’s give businesses the opportunity to display their plans and then the city can decide once we get interest in development. Those are the steps I’d take if elected – get Lauderdale on the map by providing incentives for development. I’d also seek input and advice from our existing businesses on how we can improve our climate.
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 Lauderdale?
It would depend. Lauderdale’s budget is small, and our city of 2,500 is a frugal one – and that’s something that we are proud of. However, I’d be open to the idea of hiring a part-time advocate/consultant to help us make ourselves more competitive with the business community.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Lauderdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Lauderdale 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?
I would not support an increase to the minimum wage in Lauderdale at this time. However, the state legislature is where this should reside until we can make Lauderdale competitive. Only when we can gather interest in development in our city should this be a topic for discussion. We need business first before we can hike minimum wages.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Lauderdale (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 Lauderdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
At this time, I do not. Please refer above for my reasoning for this question as well. We need business first before we can discuss these items.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Our streets are crumbling and it’s a serious danger to our citizens. My number one goal is to fix our streets – Better Streets is my slogan for a reason. We don’t have sidewalks, traffic is fast and heavy, there’s limited parking, and the hardly any street lighting. I will make it my goal to reconfigure our main arteries within the city to include bike and pedestrian lanes, slow down traffic with strategic stop signs, and supply our citizens the much needed safe on street parking we need. That will address a lot of the current public safety concerns that a lot of our residents have.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I want to keep costs down for our residents. Most of us are in the middle class, working hard to make the bills and the last thing we need is a surprise when we get our tax statements. I will have a frugal mindset – we don’t have a choice in our small city. At the same time, we need to make sure our disbursements are spent on things that either the residents want or that will give us a return on our “investment.” I believe strongly that providing incentives to not only businesses that want to come here and create commerce, jobs, and a sense of community – but also to our residents who invest in their own properties will benefit the city tenfold.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
The legislature sets general tax policy regarding these types of rates for commercial and residential. In an ideal world, there would a narrower disparity that should be properly debated in the legislature that provides relief for both residential and business properties.
9. What will you do to expand Lauderdale’s tax base?
With a competitive and attractive Lauderdale. Fixing our streets so that they are safe and make sense – while beautifying our city will help to put us on the map and attract new residents and businesses. If we do those things while highlighting what already is so awesome about Lauderdale – our trees, our parks, our amazingly kind and generous neighbors – that’s how we expand our desirability and tax base.
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?
I was a student teacher for a while, and sought my degree in teaching for years. Education has a special place in my heart and something I am deeply passionate about. I am a lifelong learner, now pursuing my MBA. Roseville schools have an amazing reputation. I’ll make sure I am available and educated on all issues facing the district and be a welcoming ear to any concerns – and a helping hand in any way that I can.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Lauderdale Public Schools?
To be an informed member of the city government, offer advice to our residents and Roseville school district, be a listening ear to concerned parents and assist them with any issues they have while they are using the public schools we charter with.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Our streets. As I’ve said they’re crumbling, they’re narrow, they’re not well lit. I will fix this by working with Ramsey County on the current plan to buy back our main arteries (Eustis and Roselawn) and make sure we are making a financially sound decision and not putting our citizens in a tough situation. At the same time, we are going to beautify our streets throughout the city with planters and handing baskets, to beautiful signage and landscaping, and appropriate lighting that makes all of us safer.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Safety – Beauty – Preservation.
We need better streets because our safety is being compromised with the current layout. We need to beautify our neighborhood through community volunteerism, donations – and incentives from the city to businesses and property owners to make improvements to their properties. We can do these while preserving the very core of our city’s most beloved qualities – small town feel, our parks, and our wonderful tree stock. We can preserve what makes Lauderdale so cool.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Better Streets. Bikers, vehicles, and pedestrians all lack a safe route through our city. We need to fix these streets through major reconfiguration, lighting, signage, etc while keeping the cost as low as possible to our residents.
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 have a very lean city staff and budget already. I do not believe we should cut back any city services at this time.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
There is no one else in this race that will work harder than I will. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work and finally deliver and get the job done for the residents of Lauderdale – because you deserve it. You deserve Better Streets, and I will make sure that happens.
Public Office Sought: Lauderdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-238-3282
Website: www.ZakForLauderdale.com
Facebook: Zak for Lauderdale City Council
Candidate Bio
I grew up in a small business family and the hard work ethic that having a family business instills in you follows has followed me forever. I bought my first home at 19, and worked 4 jobs while going to school to get my undergraduate degree to be able achieve those personal dreams I had. I know what it’s like to be worried about paying the electric bill, I’ve seen my mother cry about the price of diesel fuel, I know what it’s like to worry about next year’s property tax statement because you’re afraid it might break the bank - and so our small business owners have a special place in my heart.
Lauderdale deserves better. Our streets are crumbling, our business district is lacking and limited, and our future is uncertain. I know what it takes to bring in new business, jobs, residents – we all want to be in a well maintained, beautiful successful city and businesses and their success is a key element to achieving that. I’m 24 years old and ready to roll up my sleeves to get the job done. Lauderdale will not find someone who will work harder than me to deliver for them.
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Lauderdale?
Limited. Our small city obviously has geographic limitations – but why does the city own a service station on our busiest street Larpenteur Ave)? I was at the local dog park the other day speaking with a new Lauderdale resident who just moved in and he asked me that same question. Why not sell it off, hopefully at a profit to the city, and allow a business to develop in its place – like a coffee shop or a bistro?
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, Lauderdale?
Specifically, the city should look at incentives to businesses that make Lauderdale competitive. Do we give tax credits for a short while so that we can benefit in the long run with a growing business district that would also benefit our residents? We have a clean slate with Lauderdale. Let’s give businesses the opportunity to display their plans and then the city can decide once we get interest in development. Those are the steps I’d take if elected – get Lauderdale on the map by providing incentives for development. I’d also seek input and advice from our existing businesses on how we can improve our climate.
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 Lauderdale?
It would depend. Lauderdale’s budget is small, and our city of 2,500 is a frugal one – and that’s something that we are proud of. However, I’d be open to the idea of hiring a part-time advocate/consultant to help us make ourselves more competitive with the business community.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Lauderdale? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Lauderdale 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?
I would not support an increase to the minimum wage in Lauderdale at this time. However, the state legislature is where this should reside until we can make Lauderdale competitive. Only when we can gather interest in development in our city should this be a topic for discussion. We need business first before we can hike minimum wages.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Lauderdale (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 Lauderdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
At this time, I do not. Please refer above for my reasoning for this question as well. We need business first before we can discuss these items.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Our streets are crumbling and it’s a serious danger to our citizens. My number one goal is to fix our streets – Better Streets is my slogan for a reason. We don’t have sidewalks, traffic is fast and heavy, there’s limited parking, and the hardly any street lighting. I will make it my goal to reconfigure our main arteries within the city to include bike and pedestrian lanes, slow down traffic with strategic stop signs, and supply our citizens the much needed safe on street parking we need. That will address a lot of the current public safety concerns that a lot of our residents have.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I want to keep costs down for our residents. Most of us are in the middle class, working hard to make the bills and the last thing we need is a surprise when we get our tax statements. I will have a frugal mindset – we don’t have a choice in our small city. At the same time, we need to make sure our disbursements are spent on things that either the residents want or that will give us a return on our “investment.” I believe strongly that providing incentives to not only businesses that want to come here and create commerce, jobs, and a sense of community – but also to our residents who invest in their own properties will benefit the city tenfold.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
The legislature sets general tax policy regarding these types of rates for commercial and residential. In an ideal world, there would a narrower disparity that should be properly debated in the legislature that provides relief for both residential and business properties.
9. What will you do to expand Lauderdale’s tax base?
With a competitive and attractive Lauderdale. Fixing our streets so that they are safe and make sense – while beautifying our city will help to put us on the map and attract new residents and businesses. If we do those things while highlighting what already is so awesome about Lauderdale – our trees, our parks, our amazingly kind and generous neighbors – that’s how we expand our desirability and tax base.
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?
I was a student teacher for a while, and sought my degree in teaching for years. Education has a special place in my heart and something I am deeply passionate about. I am a lifelong learner, now pursuing my MBA. Roseville schools have an amazing reputation. I’ll make sure I am available and educated on all issues facing the district and be a welcoming ear to any concerns – and a helping hand in any way that I can.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Lauderdale Public Schools?
To be an informed member of the city government, offer advice to our residents and Roseville school district, be a listening ear to concerned parents and assist them with any issues they have while they are using the public schools we charter with.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Our streets. As I’ve said they’re crumbling, they’re narrow, they’re not well lit. I will fix this by working with Ramsey County on the current plan to buy back our main arteries (Eustis and Roselawn) and make sure we are making a financially sound decision and not putting our citizens in a tough situation. At the same time, we are going to beautify our streets throughout the city with planters and handing baskets, to beautiful signage and landscaping, and appropriate lighting that makes all of us safer.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Safety – Beauty – Preservation.
We need better streets because our safety is being compromised with the current layout. We need to beautify our neighborhood through community volunteerism, donations – and incentives from the city to businesses and property owners to make improvements to their properties. We can do these while preserving the very core of our city’s most beloved qualities – small town feel, our parks, and our wonderful tree stock. We can preserve what makes Lauderdale so cool.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Better Streets. Bikers, vehicles, and pedestrians all lack a safe route through our city. We need to fix these streets through major reconfiguration, lighting, signage, etc while keeping the cost as low as possible to our residents.
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 have a very lean city staff and budget already. I do not believe we should cut back any city services at this time.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
There is no one else in this race that will work harder than I will. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work and finally deliver and get the job done for the residents of Lauderdale – because you deserve it. You deserve Better Streets, and I will make sure that happens.