Christopher Daly
Name: Christopher Daly
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-270-6391
Campaign Website: N/A
Twitter Handle: N/A
Facebook Page: N/A
Candidate Bio
My family and I first moved to Lilydale in 1996, and I’ve lived here a total of 9 years since then, having returned after earning my undergraduate degree in Communications at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and again after earning a master’s in Public Policy from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. My most recent move was after two years working as a subcontractor for USAID. I am actively engaged with the DFL, being the Vice-Chair for Lilydale Precinct and a newly elected member of the Party Platform Committee representing Congressional District 2.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
The style of leadership that I intend to bring to the council is one of collaboration and respect. I appreciate very much the work that the council does and has done, and I hope to do my part to carry it forward.
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 are:
1. Attract new businesses to fill our vacant commercial spaces, targeting those that provide services or amenities that residents currently have to drive to Saint Paul, West Saint Paul, or Eagan for.
2. Continue the work of restoring and acting as a good steward of the natural spaces located in Lilydale, including the area around the Lilydale Harriet Island Regional Park.
3. Working with MNDOT to 1) improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along Highway 13, particularly near the junction with 35-E, as opportunities arise, and 2) ensure that our stormwater runoff infrastructure is maintained and improved with consideration for the increasing frequency and likelihood of 100-year storm events.
Uncertainty around state and federal funding could affect environmental and road repair initiatives, including potential updates to stormwater management. The council will need to continue to apply for grants and resources as needs arise and look for creative solutions and/or alternative sources of funds if necessary.
What is the biggest challenge facing Lilydale right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Uncertainty around state and federal funding may be the biggest challenge facing Lilydale right now, as we depend on partnerships with state agencies for most infrastructure updates. The greatest opportunity that I see is a chance to create a more vibrant and connected community here in Lilydale, particularly as more young families move here.
How would you characterize the business climate in Lilydale, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
I think that the business climate is in flux right now, we are feeling the loss of Buon Giorno and I’Nnoni while we wait for its replacement, and several of the adjacent spaces have been vacant for some time. I believe there is opportunity for the council to work with the business community to attract new clients to fill those spaces.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Thankfully, most residents feel safe living in Lilydale thanks to our partnership with Mendota Heights and the buffer provided by the Mississippi. The greatest challenge we face is safety on the roads for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The crosswalks near 35-E feel a bit harrowing for some of us who use them. I don’t have an immediate fix, but with the support of the council I would be open to soliciting input from engineers and/or urban planners at the DOT or U of M. I am also open to input from residents, of course.
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?
The addition of the Lilia has added approximately one hundred and twenty new units to Lilydale, and there are vacancies for renters in the Riverwoods apartments as well, so I think that our housing stock is in a good place. As far as affordability goes, I don’t believe that the council will be asserting the authority to impose rent controls in the foreseeable future.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I think that the council has done good work in creating and maintaining the bike lanes and sidewalks along Highway 13, and also with the recent construction of the retaining wall near Stonebridge to preserve the walking path. Likewise for the bike lanes along Lilydale Road. I think that we should always consider improvements, particularly when MNDOT does road repairs, but whether that will happen in the next four years is uncertain.
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 believe Lilydale has a good record of sound fiscal management, and I am not aware of any pressing needs for additional services. If a need were to arise, I would look at all of our available options to address it before looking at a tax hike.
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 that city government is best positioned to lead first on issues of walkability to access goods and services, and second on maintaining our natural spaces and built environment, those are as local as it gets, and I intend to carry on the good work that the council has done with regards to both.
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?
Taxpayer transparency looks like complete and accurate reporting of city expenditure of taxpayer money, coupled with the opportunity for open comments by members of the public at all city council meetings. Lilydale has an excellent record so far as I am aware, and I don’t see the need to take any additional steps to achieve it.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-270-6391
Campaign Website: N/A
Twitter Handle: N/A
Facebook Page: N/A
Candidate Bio
My family and I first moved to Lilydale in 1996, and I’ve lived here a total of 9 years since then, having returned after earning my undergraduate degree in Communications at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and again after earning a master’s in Public Policy from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. My most recent move was after two years working as a subcontractor for USAID. I am actively engaged with the DFL, being the Vice-Chair for Lilydale Precinct and a newly elected member of the Party Platform Committee representing Congressional District 2.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
The style of leadership that I intend to bring to the council is one of collaboration and respect. I appreciate very much the work that the council does and has done, and I hope to do my part to carry it forward.
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 are:
1. Attract new businesses to fill our vacant commercial spaces, targeting those that provide services or amenities that residents currently have to drive to Saint Paul, West Saint Paul, or Eagan for.
2. Continue the work of restoring and acting as a good steward of the natural spaces located in Lilydale, including the area around the Lilydale Harriet Island Regional Park.
3. Working with MNDOT to 1) improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along Highway 13, particularly near the junction with 35-E, as opportunities arise, and 2) ensure that our stormwater runoff infrastructure is maintained and improved with consideration for the increasing frequency and likelihood of 100-year storm events.
Uncertainty around state and federal funding could affect environmental and road repair initiatives, including potential updates to stormwater management. The council will need to continue to apply for grants and resources as needs arise and look for creative solutions and/or alternative sources of funds if necessary.
What is the biggest challenge facing Lilydale right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Uncertainty around state and federal funding may be the biggest challenge facing Lilydale right now, as we depend on partnerships with state agencies for most infrastructure updates. The greatest opportunity that I see is a chance to create a more vibrant and connected community here in Lilydale, particularly as more young families move here.
How would you characterize the business climate in Lilydale, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
I think that the business climate is in flux right now, we are feeling the loss of Buon Giorno and I’Nnoni while we wait for its replacement, and several of the adjacent spaces have been vacant for some time. I believe there is opportunity for the council to work with the business community to attract new clients to fill those spaces.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Thankfully, most residents feel safe living in Lilydale thanks to our partnership with Mendota Heights and the buffer provided by the Mississippi. The greatest challenge we face is safety on the roads for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The crosswalks near 35-E feel a bit harrowing for some of us who use them. I don’t have an immediate fix, but with the support of the council I would be open to soliciting input from engineers and/or urban planners at the DOT or U of M. I am also open to input from residents, of course.
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?
The addition of the Lilia has added approximately one hundred and twenty new units to Lilydale, and there are vacancies for renters in the Riverwoods apartments as well, so I think that our housing stock is in a good place. As far as affordability goes, I don’t believe that the council will be asserting the authority to impose rent controls in the foreseeable future.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I think that the council has done good work in creating and maintaining the bike lanes and sidewalks along Highway 13, and also with the recent construction of the retaining wall near Stonebridge to preserve the walking path. Likewise for the bike lanes along Lilydale Road. I think that we should always consider improvements, particularly when MNDOT does road repairs, but whether that will happen in the next four years is uncertain.
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 believe Lilydale has a good record of sound fiscal management, and I am not aware of any pressing needs for additional services. If a need were to arise, I would look at all of our available options to address it before looking at a tax hike.
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 that city government is best positioned to lead first on issues of walkability to access goods and services, and second on maintaining our natural spaces and built environment, those are as local as it gets, and I intend to carry on the good work that the council has done with regards to both.
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?
Taxpayer transparency looks like complete and accurate reporting of city expenditure of taxpayer money, coupled with the opportunity for open comments by members of the public at all city council meetings. Lilydale has an excellent record so far as I am aware, and I don’t see the need to take any additional steps to achieve it.