Chris Mog
Name: Chris Mog
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 952-201-5130
Campaign Website: votemog.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: chrismogforwoodburycitycouncil
Candidate Bio
I grew up in Frogtown, St Paul, graduating from Como Park Senior High before getting a degree in Economics from Wellesley College and an MBA from MIT. I have spent most of my career working in Finance. My kids are 8 and 9 years old and attend Woodbury’s public schools. My daughter is on the gifted track at her school. My son has a speech IEP. I, like many parents in Woodbury, am navigating the school system here. My parents are 68 and 72, making me the sandwich generation, taking care of young kids and active senior parents. This makes me able to speak about issues concerning young families as well as those impacting seniors. In addition, I am an entrepreneur and I face the increasing cost of health insurance that many small businesses here do. In all these ways, I represent the different facets of Woodbury.
My financial background means I comprehend a lot just by reading financial statements, including how other cities operate just by glancing at their annual budgets. Woodbury’s city council has over 50+ years of public services. A finance-oriented background like mine means that as the council considers projects and services, I can introduce different financing alternatives to make those projects as burdenless as possible for Woodbury residents. Woodbury does not have to recreate the wheel. We can easily borrow financial plays from other municipalities.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Engaged and informed is the way I prefer approaching decision-making and leadership. I have worked in demanding environments and prefer finding common ground and building bridges to provide optimal outcomes. I am a direct communicator. People I have worked with enjoy my camaraderie and my attention to details. Being the eldest of 5 and being the eldest daughter at that, I have a natural tendency to take care of those around me. Delegating work is part of being an effective leader and I like nurturing reliable individuals and fostering their growth as well.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities if elected are Safe Street, Better Budgets and Small Business.
Under the umbrella of Safe Streets, I include safe schools, clean water, ICE free zones and e-bike safety. Woodbury is in the process of having its water plant built. This is the largest city project from a monetary perspective. Luckily, the funds for this have already been disbursed to the CDWSP (3M PFAS settlement) and earmarked, so as far as the current water plant is concerned, we should see no impact from state or federal funding changes.
In the next couple of years, the city budget may be impacted by cuts at the state and federal level. That is exactly why Woodbury needs financial expertise at the City Council level. $57mm of this year’s $154mm city budget came from property tax revenues. If state and federal funding falls through next year, the city would have little choice but to postpone some of the expected projects planned for next year as it cannot immediately raise property taxes.
The Small Business Administration department at the federal level is expecting a 67% cut in budget as per the federal budget. If elected, I’ve already come up with several strategies to support Woodbury’s small businesses for the next few years.
What is the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Woodbury’s growth is its biggest challenge. In 1986, Woodbury’s population was 13,500 residents. As of 2025, Woodbury’s population had surpassed 82,000 residents, making Woodbury the 7th largest city in MN. Woodbury is growing residentially and economically. Providing services and amenities for this growing population is the challenge.
This is also its greatest opportunity. Because Woodbury is growing so fast, we can choose how Woodbury grows and what to prioritize. We cannot have a water treatment plant without road construction. But with the road construction, we can also lay down fiber cables, enlarge roads and consider adding bike lanes to provide more transport options for Woodbury residents.
How would you characterize the business climate in Woodbury, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate in Woodbury is competitive, with commercial rents in line with the high residential prices, making it expensive for small startup businesses. Having said that, Woodbury’s growing residential population provides a very attractive captive audience and for the businesses that can afford the high rents, there is also ample reward.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The current e-bike situation is the most pressing public safety challenge in Woodbury, with daily posts flooding Woodbury forums. Being a mom, I believe the solution includes education and active engagement with e-bike riders. Parents, motorists and even the City government can come up with solutions regarding this topic but if e-bike riders are not engaged during this process, whatever solution is chosen will not be effective. I would advocate for safety classes teaching road safety for kids and encourage parents to enroll their kids. At the end of the day, I want every child to go home safely to their parents.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Mixed-use development projects would address both affordability and housing shortages. It would also address walkability and more efficient energy usage. Mixed-use development provides more commercial and office space while allowing affordable housing that might attract a younger workforce to Woodbury. Mixed-use development projects may also appeal to some of the 15% population in Woodbury, aged 65 and over. Having stores, hair salons and restaurants below apartments would make life convenient for active seniors. Adding some community events in common areas, which I’d encourage to include green space, would make living in such a development not just convenient but attractive to many.
Rent control policies would work against providing access to affordable housing. This is because once rent controlled units are filled, they rarely become available again.
City council and the Planning Commission have in fact tried to address affordable housing by decreasing the minimum lot frontage of new development to 45ft wide to encourage lower priced housing. Even with this concession on the City’s part, the developer of the Cottage Drive Master Plan is still pricing those homes built on 45ft frontage lots at $450,000. This is the crux of the problem. Per the benchmark that defines affordable housing (110-120% Area Median Income), this is considered affordable housing. This is because Woodbury’s median income is high. This is why mixed-use development would provide more affordable housing as multi-unit dwelling options like townhomes and apartments usually fall under this $450,000 threshold.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Because Woodbury is so spread out, kids under 16 who cannot yet drive, find themselves using e-scooters and e-bikes to get around. Woodbury has 180 miles of multi-use trails. We need to teach pedestrians, e-bike and e-scooter riders how to share those multi-use lanes. We could map out and recommend specific multi-use trails for these e-bike and e-scooter riders as well as post speed signs on them.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
I have been analyzing how other cities in the metro area are financing some of their city amenities and services. For example, Shoreview has a population of under 30,000 residents yet their community center is one of the largest in the Metro area. Their large Community Center with its massive indoor pools/waterpark costs the city of Shoreview only $0.02 per every dollar spent by the city to operate, as per their 2026 annual budget. In addition, it provides jobs for the community. If Woodbury undertook such a project, we could include amenities like indoor walking lanes as that is a yearly Woodbury neighbors discussion that comes up once cold weather arrives. Such a large facility would also bring Woodbury’s community closer.
Reducing taxpayers’ burden does not mean cutting services. It does necessitate financial planning though.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
I believe one of the main jobs of government is to protect its constituents. This winter, we saw MN as a state stand for itself. When I, as a US citizen, feel unsafe in my own home, I do not call State patrol or the county sheriff, I call my local police department. I understand the relationship between municipal level and federal level law enforcement and the fact that the federal government holds the highest level of jurisdiction. Even if enforcement is difficult, as a Woodbury resident, I want the city of Woodbury to reassure all of us residents that we do not stand alone. That even in the face of uncertainty, the good people of this community will stand for what they believe in. As a parent, picking up my children from school, I should not have to carry my passport. Having city government state clearly that it will stand by its residents is more important to me than getting an award for best maintained pavement.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
At my campaign kickoff event in July, I asked Woodbury residents their opinion on spending $500,000 for recycling bins for all the parks in Woodbury. I expected this to be a toss-up with folks concerned with the cost associated with this endeavor. It turned out to be a landslide vote, with everyone supporting recycling bins.
I realize it is impossible for every single decision to include community feedback. But for budget line items like this, community feedback is not difficult.
Woodbury’s population is very knowledgeable and can contribute a lot to some of these conversations and issues. Additionally, by opening these topics up to Woodbury residents, it takes the impetus of these decisions away from city council members and puts that burden back on Woodbury.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 952-201-5130
Campaign Website: votemog.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: chrismogforwoodburycitycouncil
Candidate Bio
I grew up in Frogtown, St Paul, graduating from Como Park Senior High before getting a degree in Economics from Wellesley College and an MBA from MIT. I have spent most of my career working in Finance. My kids are 8 and 9 years old and attend Woodbury’s public schools. My daughter is on the gifted track at her school. My son has a speech IEP. I, like many parents in Woodbury, am navigating the school system here. My parents are 68 and 72, making me the sandwich generation, taking care of young kids and active senior parents. This makes me able to speak about issues concerning young families as well as those impacting seniors. In addition, I am an entrepreneur and I face the increasing cost of health insurance that many small businesses here do. In all these ways, I represent the different facets of Woodbury.
My financial background means I comprehend a lot just by reading financial statements, including how other cities operate just by glancing at their annual budgets. Woodbury’s city council has over 50+ years of public services. A finance-oriented background like mine means that as the council considers projects and services, I can introduce different financing alternatives to make those projects as burdenless as possible for Woodbury residents. Woodbury does not have to recreate the wheel. We can easily borrow financial plays from other municipalities.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Engaged and informed is the way I prefer approaching decision-making and leadership. I have worked in demanding environments and prefer finding common ground and building bridges to provide optimal outcomes. I am a direct communicator. People I have worked with enjoy my camaraderie and my attention to details. Being the eldest of 5 and being the eldest daughter at that, I have a natural tendency to take care of those around me. Delegating work is part of being an effective leader and I like nurturing reliable individuals and fostering their growth as well.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities if elected are Safe Street, Better Budgets and Small Business.
Under the umbrella of Safe Streets, I include safe schools, clean water, ICE free zones and e-bike safety. Woodbury is in the process of having its water plant built. This is the largest city project from a monetary perspective. Luckily, the funds for this have already been disbursed to the CDWSP (3M PFAS settlement) and earmarked, so as far as the current water plant is concerned, we should see no impact from state or federal funding changes.
In the next couple of years, the city budget may be impacted by cuts at the state and federal level. That is exactly why Woodbury needs financial expertise at the City Council level. $57mm of this year’s $154mm city budget came from property tax revenues. If state and federal funding falls through next year, the city would have little choice but to postpone some of the expected projects planned for next year as it cannot immediately raise property taxes.
The Small Business Administration department at the federal level is expecting a 67% cut in budget as per the federal budget. If elected, I’ve already come up with several strategies to support Woodbury’s small businesses for the next few years.
What is the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Woodbury’s growth is its biggest challenge. In 1986, Woodbury’s population was 13,500 residents. As of 2025, Woodbury’s population had surpassed 82,000 residents, making Woodbury the 7th largest city in MN. Woodbury is growing residentially and economically. Providing services and amenities for this growing population is the challenge.
This is also its greatest opportunity. Because Woodbury is growing so fast, we can choose how Woodbury grows and what to prioritize. We cannot have a water treatment plant without road construction. But with the road construction, we can also lay down fiber cables, enlarge roads and consider adding bike lanes to provide more transport options for Woodbury residents.
How would you characterize the business climate in Woodbury, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
The business climate in Woodbury is competitive, with commercial rents in line with the high residential prices, making it expensive for small startup businesses. Having said that, Woodbury’s growing residential population provides a very attractive captive audience and for the businesses that can afford the high rents, there is also ample reward.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The current e-bike situation is the most pressing public safety challenge in Woodbury, with daily posts flooding Woodbury forums. Being a mom, I believe the solution includes education and active engagement with e-bike riders. Parents, motorists and even the City government can come up with solutions regarding this topic but if e-bike riders are not engaged during this process, whatever solution is chosen will not be effective. I would advocate for safety classes teaching road safety for kids and encourage parents to enroll their kids. At the end of the day, I want every child to go home safely to their parents.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Mixed-use development projects would address both affordability and housing shortages. It would also address walkability and more efficient energy usage. Mixed-use development provides more commercial and office space while allowing affordable housing that might attract a younger workforce to Woodbury. Mixed-use development projects may also appeal to some of the 15% population in Woodbury, aged 65 and over. Having stores, hair salons and restaurants below apartments would make life convenient for active seniors. Adding some community events in common areas, which I’d encourage to include green space, would make living in such a development not just convenient but attractive to many.
Rent control policies would work against providing access to affordable housing. This is because once rent controlled units are filled, they rarely become available again.
City council and the Planning Commission have in fact tried to address affordable housing by decreasing the minimum lot frontage of new development to 45ft wide to encourage lower priced housing. Even with this concession on the City’s part, the developer of the Cottage Drive Master Plan is still pricing those homes built on 45ft frontage lots at $450,000. This is the crux of the problem. Per the benchmark that defines affordable housing (110-120% Area Median Income), this is considered affordable housing. This is because Woodbury’s median income is high. This is why mixed-use development would provide more affordable housing as multi-unit dwelling options like townhomes and apartments usually fall under this $450,000 threshold.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Because Woodbury is so spread out, kids under 16 who cannot yet drive, find themselves using e-scooters and e-bikes to get around. Woodbury has 180 miles of multi-use trails. We need to teach pedestrians, e-bike and e-scooter riders how to share those multi-use lanes. We could map out and recommend specific multi-use trails for these e-bike and e-scooter riders as well as post speed signs on them.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
I have been analyzing how other cities in the metro area are financing some of their city amenities and services. For example, Shoreview has a population of under 30,000 residents yet their community center is one of the largest in the Metro area. Their large Community Center with its massive indoor pools/waterpark costs the city of Shoreview only $0.02 per every dollar spent by the city to operate, as per their 2026 annual budget. In addition, it provides jobs for the community. If Woodbury undertook such a project, we could include amenities like indoor walking lanes as that is a yearly Woodbury neighbors discussion that comes up once cold weather arrives. Such a large facility would also bring Woodbury’s community closer.
Reducing taxpayers’ burden does not mean cutting services. It does necessitate financial planning though.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
I believe one of the main jobs of government is to protect its constituents. This winter, we saw MN as a state stand for itself. When I, as a US citizen, feel unsafe in my own home, I do not call State patrol or the county sheriff, I call my local police department. I understand the relationship between municipal level and federal level law enforcement and the fact that the federal government holds the highest level of jurisdiction. Even if enforcement is difficult, as a Woodbury resident, I want the city of Woodbury to reassure all of us residents that we do not stand alone. That even in the face of uncertainty, the good people of this community will stand for what they believe in. As a parent, picking up my children from school, I should not have to carry my passport. Having city government state clearly that it will stand by its residents is more important to me than getting an award for best maintained pavement.
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
At my campaign kickoff event in July, I asked Woodbury residents their opinion on spending $500,000 for recycling bins for all the parks in Woodbury. I expected this to be a toss-up with folks concerned with the cost associated with this endeavor. It turned out to be a landslide vote, with everyone supporting recycling bins.
I realize it is impossible for every single decision to include community feedback. But for budget line items like this, community feedback is not difficult.
Woodbury’s population is very knowledgeable and can contribute a lot to some of these conversations and issues. Additionally, by opening these topics up to Woodbury residents, it takes the impetus of these decisions away from city council members and puts that burden back on Woodbury.