Bill Knutson
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Name: Bill Knutson
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: knutsonformaplewood.com
Phone: 612-290-9778
Website: www.knutsonformaplewood.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: n/a
Candidate Bio
I have served on the Maplewood City Council for the last two years. My wife and I have lived in Maplewood for 36 years and raised three boys who attended ISD 623. My main connection to Maplewood was to develop St John’s Hospital campus and serve as the administrator for many years. During that time my engagement with all services with Maplewood was very positive and proactive. Prior to my current service I was a member of an EMS task force and was able to contribute with my experience in healthcare and learn about the capability of our Public Safety department.
I am the CEO of a nursing home cooperative whereby we have over 50 nursing homes striving to improve the quality and effectiveness of service to seniors.
My special focus in my current term has been:
Fire station deployment; waste and recycling; serve as President of the Maplewood Economic Development Authority; Planning Commission; Design Review Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate is well balanced in stable businesses but as a first ring suburb, we need to attract more businesses that people who live in Maplewood can work. We maintain a strong base with 3M, but we need to be very close to planning for Maplewood Mall. We have a lot of senior housing and senior service campus development which will lead to shopping in local stores.
As a developer in my early career, I want our process to be as friendly as it can be to development while maintaining high standards. I am the assigned liaison to the Design Review Commission and the Planning Commission and watch for fairness and expediency to support development.
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?
Local jobs require a careful balance of living spaces and workspaces. We have major planning underway for redevelopment and I am especially interested in our healthcare jobs that we could grow.
Watching the steady increase in emergency services suggests demand for paramedics and the support roles that our Community Paramedics play in Community health. We have a role in safety and health that encourages preventative medicine that encourages service development.
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 broad implementation of livable wages. Maplewood alone will not be able to make an impact and the issue should be a state level concern. I always defer to the “market for jobs” and wages is a result of supply and demand. However, non- livable wages start a cascade of other problems such as affordable housing.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I have had the opportunity as a task force volunteer and now a council member to better understand public safety. It is more than policing. Maplewood is multi- faceted with an integrated leadership structure for Fire, EMS and Police. The structure emphasizes “community” and has created diversity in its employee makeup.
We completed a Use of Force task force and converted to a Multi – Cultural Advisory Committee to recognize our broad view of community public safety. I have no plan to defund or radically change a very successful public safety program.
We are active in the planning for the Rush and Gold bus lines and have influenced public private consideration for station location. Roads are never just right but we have a system in place with pavement ratings as well as traffic calculations and a temporary resurfacing system that can repair severe urgent needs.
In most of our planned and current development we look for opportunities to have more affordable housing. As president of the Maplewood EDA I will pay special attention to ways we can leverage appropriate incentives to achieve the desired mix of housing.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I would like to achieve a balanced budget in spite of an estimated $1million dollar shortfall. My background in hospital administration encouraged “flexible budgeting “to deal with daily, monthly and seasonal fluctuations in volume and revenue. I intend to support and encourage the flexibility already shown by the department heads.
Many programs that have congregate gatherings are shut down with COVID guidelines and we have reduced or eliminated staffing. Many of our reduction will be unpopular but essential and I will do my best to have a rational approach.
What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
The tax base is fairly solid, but we need to focus on properties like the Maplewood Mall. We need to quickly find development for vacant properties and reasonably accommodate streets and traffic to support new uses.
Our mayor has been active and encouraging participation in Chambers of Commerce and collaborative development like Rice Street.
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 attend the ISD # 623 community meetings and we support and advise on the distribution of Charitable gambling proceeds; many projects of the schools are involved. We regularly communicate with the Superintendents.
In the past I volunteered to conduct many projects for ISD # 623 including referendum; space planning and understanding the “Per Pupil Equivalent “formula.
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?
During the time we have engaged the Covid-19 pandemic we have reviewed all services and overall implemented guidelines consistent with CDC, MN DHS and as a result, have learned new approaches to public services. The DMV is appointment only. The Nature Center and our recreation programs are shut down. I believe that most traditional approaches to public service will undergo a “reset “and will be delivered differently. Rather than just close a service we are asking for community input for our Nature Center.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Maplewood?
We have a goal of seeking minority city staffs that reflect the population. The Public Safety department is our best example of inclusion and diversity. This sets the tone for other departments to strive for inclusion.
Businesses will hopefully follow when the see the city actively striving and setting expectations.
We just voted on a new statement of strategic priority to be inclusive.
What further policies can Maplewood adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
We need to protect everyone by following the science and the CDC guidelines. it is the best for all businesses to have a level playing field. I also think we need to be flexible and expedient to businesses wishing to appropriately reopen or adjust to the market. That means sidewalks for dining, design review quick turnaround, expedited inspections and permits handled quickly. We have consideration for license fee reduction when volume has decreased.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I would like to be part of this next challenge. I have the experience in business and the ability to see all sides of an issue and make the best decision.
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: knutsonformaplewood.com
Phone: 612-290-9778
Website: www.knutsonformaplewood.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: n/a
Candidate Bio
I have served on the Maplewood City Council for the last two years. My wife and I have lived in Maplewood for 36 years and raised three boys who attended ISD 623. My main connection to Maplewood was to develop St John’s Hospital campus and serve as the administrator for many years. During that time my engagement with all services with Maplewood was very positive and proactive. Prior to my current service I was a member of an EMS task force and was able to contribute with my experience in healthcare and learn about the capability of our Public Safety department.
I am the CEO of a nursing home cooperative whereby we have over 50 nursing homes striving to improve the quality and effectiveness of service to seniors.
My special focus in my current term has been:
Fire station deployment; waste and recycling; serve as President of the Maplewood Economic Development Authority; Planning Commission; Design Review Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Activate the Maplewood Economic Development Authority to look for budget neutral ways to further the accomplishments to date. I have learned that Tax Increment financing is not a gimmie. In the past we have done trades for land in order to strategically grow housing opportunities for everyone wishing to live in Maplewood.
- Examine and support potential advancement of health services around the St Johns campus. Health care services tend to gather around hospitals and understanding and encouraging clinical capability starts with EMS. The St John’s campus is an anchor for much of the “North End Study “intended to direct development from there to the Maplewood Mall.
- Manage a year of uncertainty and fiscal restraint. We all are experiencing an unprecedented pandemic which causes everyone to step up. Maplewood will have a zero percent tax increase while trying to maintain essential services. In my career as an executive and a consultant and participated fiscal restructuring collectively over $100mm. All organizations involved now thrive because of dedication to mission and a thoughtful plan to weather the downturn. Maplewood is well managed and will thrive.
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate is well balanced in stable businesses but as a first ring suburb, we need to attract more businesses that people who live in Maplewood can work. We maintain a strong base with 3M, but we need to be very close to planning for Maplewood Mall. We have a lot of senior housing and senior service campus development which will lead to shopping in local stores.
As a developer in my early career, I want our process to be as friendly as it can be to development while maintaining high standards. I am the assigned liaison to the Design Review Commission and the Planning Commission and watch for fairness and expediency to support development.
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?
Local jobs require a careful balance of living spaces and workspaces. We have major planning underway for redevelopment and I am especially interested in our healthcare jobs that we could grow.
Watching the steady increase in emergency services suggests demand for paramedics and the support roles that our Community Paramedics play in Community health. We have a role in safety and health that encourages preventative medicine that encourages service development.
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 broad implementation of livable wages. Maplewood alone will not be able to make an impact and the issue should be a state level concern. I always defer to the “market for jobs” and wages is a result of supply and demand. However, non- livable wages start a cascade of other problems such as affordable housing.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I have had the opportunity as a task force volunteer and now a council member to better understand public safety. It is more than policing. Maplewood is multi- faceted with an integrated leadership structure for Fire, EMS and Police. The structure emphasizes “community” and has created diversity in its employee makeup.
We completed a Use of Force task force and converted to a Multi – Cultural Advisory Committee to recognize our broad view of community public safety. I have no plan to defund or radically change a very successful public safety program.
We are active in the planning for the Rush and Gold bus lines and have influenced public private consideration for station location. Roads are never just right but we have a system in place with pavement ratings as well as traffic calculations and a temporary resurfacing system that can repair severe urgent needs.
In most of our planned and current development we look for opportunities to have more affordable housing. As president of the Maplewood EDA I will pay special attention to ways we can leverage appropriate incentives to achieve the desired mix of housing.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I would like to achieve a balanced budget in spite of an estimated $1million dollar shortfall. My background in hospital administration encouraged “flexible budgeting “to deal with daily, monthly and seasonal fluctuations in volume and revenue. I intend to support and encourage the flexibility already shown by the department heads.
Many programs that have congregate gatherings are shut down with COVID guidelines and we have reduced or eliminated staffing. Many of our reduction will be unpopular but essential and I will do my best to have a rational approach.
What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
The tax base is fairly solid, but we need to focus on properties like the Maplewood Mall. We need to quickly find development for vacant properties and reasonably accommodate streets and traffic to support new uses.
Our mayor has been active and encouraging participation in Chambers of Commerce and collaborative development like Rice Street.
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 attend the ISD # 623 community meetings and we support and advise on the distribution of Charitable gambling proceeds; many projects of the schools are involved. We regularly communicate with the Superintendents.
In the past I volunteered to conduct many projects for ISD # 623 including referendum; space planning and understanding the “Per Pupil Equivalent “formula.
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?
During the time we have engaged the Covid-19 pandemic we have reviewed all services and overall implemented guidelines consistent with CDC, MN DHS and as a result, have learned new approaches to public services. The DMV is appointment only. The Nature Center and our recreation programs are shut down. I believe that most traditional approaches to public service will undergo a “reset “and will be delivered differently. Rather than just close a service we are asking for community input for our Nature Center.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Maplewood?
We have a goal of seeking minority city staffs that reflect the population. The Public Safety department is our best example of inclusion and diversity. This sets the tone for other departments to strive for inclusion.
Businesses will hopefully follow when the see the city actively striving and setting expectations.
We just voted on a new statement of strategic priority to be inclusive.
What further policies can Maplewood adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
We need to protect everyone by following the science and the CDC guidelines. it is the best for all businesses to have a level playing field. I also think we need to be flexible and expedient to businesses wishing to appropriately reopen or adjust to the market. That means sidewalks for dining, design review quick turnaround, expedited inspections and permits handled quickly. We have consideration for license fee reduction when volume has decreased.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I would like to be part of this next challenge. I have the experience in business and the ability to see all sides of an issue and make the best decision.