Jess Birken
Name: Jess Birken
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-309-4944
Campaign Website: https://www.votejess.org/
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/votejess/
Candidate Bio
Hi I'm Jess! I've been an attorney for over 18 years and am one of the nation’s leading experts on nonprofit law and governance. I worked in environmental conservation grants and real estate with Pheasants Forever and I'm a trained mediator.
I’m a parent, homeowner, and volunteer with the Irondale HS robotics team KnightKrawler. I've lived in the area for over 20 years and my kids and I have called Arden Hills home since 2020. I'm running for Arden Hills City Council because our town is worth investing in.
I've been serving on the Planning Commission and I know I can do more. We need good people who put community first to care and to get involved. I'll help keep Arden Hills moving in the right direction and preserve what we all love and value here. Safe, quiet, gorgeous natural resources, great schools and wonderful neighborhoods.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
With a background in helping charities, I’m a team player that loves to find win-win solutions. I like to make sure I hear everyone’s perspective, but I’m not afraid to have an opinion. I don’t believe in double talk, jargon, or trying to hide behind fancy words. If elected, I’ll take my duty seriously and always do what I think is in the best interest of the community. I value people’s privacy, private property rights and protecting natural resources. As a business owner I’ll enjoy working with businesses but our citizens are always #1. Fairness is very important to me and I respect the rule of law.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
1) A Budget That Works
Good government means spending public money carefully and being honest about tradeoffs. I'll bring the same analytical approach to the City budget that I bring to my legal work. Arden Hills is now catching up on years of deferred maintenance, and that has real costs.
Leadership prior to 2022 for many years prioritized getting reelected over taking care of roads and parks, now our road parks and trails budgets are deeply in the red. At the same time cities across Minnesota have lost local government aid and our ability to sustain ourselves has never been more important.
We must build up our tax base to avoid putting all costs directly on homeowners. Vote for me if you want us to plan ahead responsibly instead of kicking things down the road.
2) Responsible Development at Rice Creek Commons
Rice Creek Commons (formerly TCCAP) is the most significant project Arden Hills will take on in a generation. The 427-acre former Army ammunition plant site has the potential to bring new housing, places to eat and enjoy, jobs, tax revenue, park space, and lasting community value...IF we get it right.
Arden Hills has over 87% single family housing and past leaders have resisted working with Ramsey County and the Met Council due to their resistance to any variety in housing options. That means our tax base (and our relationships with our local funder) has stagnated. Finally we are getting forward movement, but there is real fear among our neighbors about what development will look like.
We have the ability to shape our city in the future. I want Rice Creek Commons to benefit the people who already live here. Vote for me and I'll work to ensure we develop it well and prevent any data centers or prisons. I'll work to ensure we add amenities residents can use not just an office park that adds to rush hour. I'll vote for housing that attracts young professional families, serves our seniors, and that doesn't compromise what makes Arden Hills charming now.
3) Parks, Trails, and a Greener Arden Hills
Arden Hills has great parks and trails, and there's real momentum to make them even better. Thanks to new leaders and a revitalized parks commission, the city surveyed citizens about what they want in their parks and now has an updated Parks Master Plan and new trail connections. We can and should finish the trail connections, and invest in our parks in ways that are sustainable.
For multiple decades leadership has allowed invasives to take over our parks. We need to keep working on removing invasive species both on land (i.e. buckthorn) and in our waters. Vote for me to ensure we protect our natural resources. I want to see Round Lake (off Hwy 96) finally cleaned up. Let's keep protecting the natural spaces that make this community special.
What is the biggest challenge facing Arden Hills right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The biggest challenge we face is our loss of goodwill with neighboring cities and government agencies over the past 20 years. Past leadership has tried to keep Arden Hills in a time capsule at the cost of its relationships with north suburban leaders, Ramsey County and the Met Council. Finally, we are rebuilding those relationships and reconnecting with partners. I love our quiet, clean, safe streets and sleepy neighborhoods, and will work to protect that. AND I believe that all of us are stronger than any one of us and the way we keep Arden Hills strong is not through isolation but through smart partnership.
How would you characterize the business climate in Arden Hills, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
We have several large Med Tech and manufacturing business partners who employ hundreds of area residents. Our small businesses climate is not as friendly. Sadly, I’ve heard from businesses who chose to locate in Shoreview because Arden Hills has been so difficult to work with. We can do better. Our city should be consciously cultivating what we want to see in our area, not passively waiting for businesses to come to us and then making it hard to do business here. I’d like to see us redevelop the B2 district along Lexington Ave in a way that creates a business and resident friendly walkable town center. As part of my work on the Planning Commission we’ve already been revising and modernizing city ordinances that will make things like signage and site planning more streamlined.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
We are blessed to have extremely low crime in Arden Hills, however as our community has continued to grow in number so has traffic. There are several areas in Arden Hills where citizens already have a hard time – for instance many neighborhoods only way in or out is to turn onto very busy streets like Lexington Ave or Hwy 51 / Snelling or County I. While Arden Hills does not control these streets, we will need to push the county or state to improve traffic controls in these areas both now and in the future.
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?
As part of my work on the Planning Commission we worked on the first inclusive zoning ordinance for Arden Hills which was approved by city council and is now in effect. We also just sent an accessory dwelling ordinance through for council approval this summer. There is a lot of opportunity to develop mixed use retail and residential housing in the B2 district along Lexington Ave as well as in the Rice Creek Commons area. Arden Hills is positioned to add housing where our young families and seniors on a fixed income will be able to live. That said, we need to do this responsibly and in a way that doesn’t change the culture and values of Arden Hills.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
We need to continue to work on planned trail connections and keep implementing the new park master plan. While we have many trails and sidewalks there are key areas that are not walkable or bikeable which could be improved to keep our kids safe. Likewise there are several intersections that are nearly impossible to turn left or otherwise terrifying. Many of these areas will need advocacy with the state or county as they manage the road. This is why our reputation and productive partnership with these agencies is critical.
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?
Just over 80% of Arden Hills properties are single family homes. A lot of our land area is tax-exempt colleges and businesses make up only 2.5% of our properties. That puts the burden for taxes squarely on homeowners. Most residents I talk to are happy to pay taxes to support our excellent schools and services, however, the cost of everything is going up due to inflation. We must begin to build our tax base in order to avoid just stacking the burden onto existing homeowners. I’d like to make sure we access all available outside funding we can and adding to our tax base in a way that doesn’t sacrifice our core values around quiet safe green neighborhoods.
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?
Land use and development, especially Rice Creek Commons. While it’s key that we partner with the county and state as part of a broader metropolitan area, city leaders should be ensuring that developments serve our existing community and enhance Arden Hills culture and values.
Creating a town center. Arden Hills doesn't truly have a resident friendly walkable main street, and I think that's a missed opportunity. Our zoning code and comprehensive plan are entirely within the city's control. We have the opportunity to re-envision the B2 district on Lexington and in Rice Creek Commons to create a walkable town center areas with local shops and gathering spaces. That takes vision and follow-through from the council.
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?
During public hearings on the Planning Commission I have heard repeatedly from residents that they felt they didn’t know about the hearing until the last minute. While I’m certain the city complies with all legal requirements, we aren’t reaching people where they already are. I’d like to see more direct engagement in forums where residents are looking for information like Next Door. If elected, I plan to maintain a monthly email list where residents who want to hear what’s happening at city council will hear from me directly.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-309-4944
Campaign Website: https://www.votejess.org/
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/votejess/
Candidate Bio
Hi I'm Jess! I've been an attorney for over 18 years and am one of the nation’s leading experts on nonprofit law and governance. I worked in environmental conservation grants and real estate with Pheasants Forever and I'm a trained mediator.
I’m a parent, homeowner, and volunteer with the Irondale HS robotics team KnightKrawler. I've lived in the area for over 20 years and my kids and I have called Arden Hills home since 2020. I'm running for Arden Hills City Council because our town is worth investing in.
I've been serving on the Planning Commission and I know I can do more. We need good people who put community first to care and to get involved. I'll help keep Arden Hills moving in the right direction and preserve what we all love and value here. Safe, quiet, gorgeous natural resources, great schools and wonderful neighborhoods.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
With a background in helping charities, I’m a team player that loves to find win-win solutions. I like to make sure I hear everyone’s perspective, but I’m not afraid to have an opinion. I don’t believe in double talk, jargon, or trying to hide behind fancy words. If elected, I’ll take my duty seriously and always do what I think is in the best interest of the community. I value people’s privacy, private property rights and protecting natural resources. As a business owner I’ll enjoy working with businesses but our citizens are always #1. Fairness is very important to me and I respect the rule of law.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
1) A Budget That Works
Good government means spending public money carefully and being honest about tradeoffs. I'll bring the same analytical approach to the City budget that I bring to my legal work. Arden Hills is now catching up on years of deferred maintenance, and that has real costs.
Leadership prior to 2022 for many years prioritized getting reelected over taking care of roads and parks, now our road parks and trails budgets are deeply in the red. At the same time cities across Minnesota have lost local government aid and our ability to sustain ourselves has never been more important.
We must build up our tax base to avoid putting all costs directly on homeowners. Vote for me if you want us to plan ahead responsibly instead of kicking things down the road.
2) Responsible Development at Rice Creek Commons
Rice Creek Commons (formerly TCCAP) is the most significant project Arden Hills will take on in a generation. The 427-acre former Army ammunition plant site has the potential to bring new housing, places to eat and enjoy, jobs, tax revenue, park space, and lasting community value...IF we get it right.
Arden Hills has over 87% single family housing and past leaders have resisted working with Ramsey County and the Met Council due to their resistance to any variety in housing options. That means our tax base (and our relationships with our local funder) has stagnated. Finally we are getting forward movement, but there is real fear among our neighbors about what development will look like.
We have the ability to shape our city in the future. I want Rice Creek Commons to benefit the people who already live here. Vote for me and I'll work to ensure we develop it well and prevent any data centers or prisons. I'll work to ensure we add amenities residents can use not just an office park that adds to rush hour. I'll vote for housing that attracts young professional families, serves our seniors, and that doesn't compromise what makes Arden Hills charming now.
3) Parks, Trails, and a Greener Arden Hills
Arden Hills has great parks and trails, and there's real momentum to make them even better. Thanks to new leaders and a revitalized parks commission, the city surveyed citizens about what they want in their parks and now has an updated Parks Master Plan and new trail connections. We can and should finish the trail connections, and invest in our parks in ways that are sustainable.
For multiple decades leadership has allowed invasives to take over our parks. We need to keep working on removing invasive species both on land (i.e. buckthorn) and in our waters. Vote for me to ensure we protect our natural resources. I want to see Round Lake (off Hwy 96) finally cleaned up. Let's keep protecting the natural spaces that make this community special.
What is the biggest challenge facing Arden Hills right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
The biggest challenge we face is our loss of goodwill with neighboring cities and government agencies over the past 20 years. Past leadership has tried to keep Arden Hills in a time capsule at the cost of its relationships with north suburban leaders, Ramsey County and the Met Council. Finally, we are rebuilding those relationships and reconnecting with partners. I love our quiet, clean, safe streets and sleepy neighborhoods, and will work to protect that. AND I believe that all of us are stronger than any one of us and the way we keep Arden Hills strong is not through isolation but through smart partnership.
How would you characterize the business climate in Arden Hills, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
We have several large Med Tech and manufacturing business partners who employ hundreds of area residents. Our small businesses climate is not as friendly. Sadly, I’ve heard from businesses who chose to locate in Shoreview because Arden Hills has been so difficult to work with. We can do better. Our city should be consciously cultivating what we want to see in our area, not passively waiting for businesses to come to us and then making it hard to do business here. I’d like to see us redevelop the B2 district along Lexington Ave in a way that creates a business and resident friendly walkable town center. As part of my work on the Planning Commission we’ve already been revising and modernizing city ordinances that will make things like signage and site planning more streamlined.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
We are blessed to have extremely low crime in Arden Hills, however as our community has continued to grow in number so has traffic. There are several areas in Arden Hills where citizens already have a hard time – for instance many neighborhoods only way in or out is to turn onto very busy streets like Lexington Ave or Hwy 51 / Snelling or County I. While Arden Hills does not control these streets, we will need to push the county or state to improve traffic controls in these areas both now and in the future.
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?
As part of my work on the Planning Commission we worked on the first inclusive zoning ordinance for Arden Hills which was approved by city council and is now in effect. We also just sent an accessory dwelling ordinance through for council approval this summer. There is a lot of opportunity to develop mixed use retail and residential housing in the B2 district along Lexington Ave as well as in the Rice Creek Commons area. Arden Hills is positioned to add housing where our young families and seniors on a fixed income will be able to live. That said, we need to do this responsibly and in a way that doesn’t change the culture and values of Arden Hills.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
We need to continue to work on planned trail connections and keep implementing the new park master plan. While we have many trails and sidewalks there are key areas that are not walkable or bikeable which could be improved to keep our kids safe. Likewise there are several intersections that are nearly impossible to turn left or otherwise terrifying. Many of these areas will need advocacy with the state or county as they manage the road. This is why our reputation and productive partnership with these agencies is critical.
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?
Just over 80% of Arden Hills properties are single family homes. A lot of our land area is tax-exempt colleges and businesses make up only 2.5% of our properties. That puts the burden for taxes squarely on homeowners. Most residents I talk to are happy to pay taxes to support our excellent schools and services, however, the cost of everything is going up due to inflation. We must begin to build our tax base in order to avoid just stacking the burden onto existing homeowners. I’d like to make sure we access all available outside funding we can and adding to our tax base in a way that doesn’t sacrifice our core values around quiet safe green neighborhoods.
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?
Land use and development, especially Rice Creek Commons. While it’s key that we partner with the county and state as part of a broader metropolitan area, city leaders should be ensuring that developments serve our existing community and enhance Arden Hills culture and values.
Creating a town center. Arden Hills doesn't truly have a resident friendly walkable main street, and I think that's a missed opportunity. Our zoning code and comprehensive plan are entirely within the city's control. We have the opportunity to re-envision the B2 district on Lexington and in Rice Creek Commons to create a walkable town center areas with local shops and gathering spaces. That takes vision and follow-through from the council.
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?
During public hearings on the Planning Commission I have heard repeatedly from residents that they felt they didn’t know about the hearing until the last minute. While I’m certain the city complies with all legal requirements, we aren’t reaching people where they already are. I’d like to see more direct engagement in forums where residents are looking for information like Next Door. If elected, I plan to maintain a monthly email list where residents who want to hear what’s happening at city council will hear from me directly.