Kelly Lindstrom
Name: Kelly Lindstrom
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-230-4440
Campaign Website: lindstromforwoodbury.com
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: In Process, will post on website.
Candidate Bio
I have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and have worked in real estate appraisal since 2002. Before transitioning into appraisal, I built a successful career in accounting, working in manufacturing and with financial institutions specializing in collateral valuation and management. I have also owned and operated a small business with more than 15 employees.
Today, I am self-employed, a Certified General Real Property Appraiser working in the areas of commercial, industrial, and residential valuation throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota. I specialize in right-of-way appraisal and eminent domain, have served as an expert witness, hearing commissioner, and presenter at the Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Conference. My career has given me firsthand experience working with local governments, land use, development, infrastructure, and responsible planning—knowledge that directly relates to the important decisions facing Woodbury.
Additionally, for the past six years, I have been on the board a 48-unit sub-association and have served as treasurer and am currently board president.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Successful leadership requires inclusivity of the council, city staff, and community through respect for individuals and the community at large. A councilperson must be fiscally astute and forward thinking while drawing on the community’s goals and history.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
Public safety, planning/growth, and fiscal responsibility. The city has no guarantee of receiving state or federal grants/funding and therefore must operate within its own budget while continuing to apply for all available funding.
What is the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Maintaining the high Quality of Life given growth demands. The greatest opportunity I see is continued stable growth.
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?
Woodbury must continue to promote the benefits of its location. The transportation corridors of Interstate Highways I94, I494, & I694 along with State Highway 95 (Manning Avenue), and County Roadways (we refer to as Valley Creek Road, Woodbury Drive, Radio Drive, Bailey Road, Tamarack Road, and Military Road) are the infrastructure that has allowed the city to provide one of the strongest business environments on the eastern side of the metro. Growth must not compromise the development standards the city has historically applied. Standards within the zoning and guiding for land development as well as within the building design standards. Maintaining these standards with new development, and redevelopment, is imperative to the overall quality of life within the city.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
There are the public challenges of traffic, school safety, community trust, property crime, and emergency services which must be balanced with the more private challenges of mental health, substance abuse, and domestic abuse, just to name a few. Woodbury must continue to maintain community trust while respecting the funding required for recruiting and retaining public safety staff to support these community needs.
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?
Woodbury has a long-standing commitment to maintaining a diverse housing stock, including a 50/50 split between single-family and attached units. The housing shortage is due to a mix of population growth (36,000+ in approximately 26 years – a more than 75% increase), limited affordable supply, and high demand for both rental and homeownership opportunities, this is a testament to the high quality of life within Woodbury. I would encourage continuation of the 50/50 split and continue prioritizing new affordable multi-family units. Woodbury ranked 6th among metro cities for new affordable units (2018-2022). I will support first-time/first generation homebuyer programs and encourage continued application to state and federal programs directly and through CDA (County Community Development Agency). As a real property appraiser, I see the challenges facing multi-unit owners. Consideration of rent control must address inflationary pressures so units can be properly repaired and maintained. We often hear “rent control” but how do owners maintain these buildings when income doesn’t keep pace with expenses of aging buildings? This issue needs research and creative solutions.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Woodbury has outstanding transportation infrastructure providing safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. These ongoing and expanding needs must be addressed through public safety, with staffing, education of residents, and possible incentives to residents.
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?
Unfortunately, the city is not insulated from the effects of inflation and the pressures it places on the budget. If inflation is 5%, for example, it would correlate that the city’s revenue needs to increase 5%, how is that accomplished? There needs to be growth to increase the tax base of the city. It is a difficult balance for the city as many residents do not desire added growth, however, well planned commercial and industrial growth provide a significant benefit to the tax base and therefore, the budget of the city.
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?
The city has led in public safety, planning/growth, and fiscal responsibility and is best suited to continue do so. The city is closely aligned with residents to reflect the local needs and goals.
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?
Continued open meetings, available financial reports, community surveys, communicative and responsive staff, advisory committees, all of which the city engages today.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-230-4440
Campaign Website: lindstromforwoodbury.com
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: In Process, will post on website.
Candidate Bio
I have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and have worked in real estate appraisal since 2002. Before transitioning into appraisal, I built a successful career in accounting, working in manufacturing and with financial institutions specializing in collateral valuation and management. I have also owned and operated a small business with more than 15 employees.
Today, I am self-employed, a Certified General Real Property Appraiser working in the areas of commercial, industrial, and residential valuation throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota. I specialize in right-of-way appraisal and eminent domain, have served as an expert witness, hearing commissioner, and presenter at the Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Conference. My career has given me firsthand experience working with local governments, land use, development, infrastructure, and responsible planning—knowledge that directly relates to the important decisions facing Woodbury.
Additionally, for the past six years, I have been on the board a 48-unit sub-association and have served as treasurer and am currently board president.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Successful leadership requires inclusivity of the council, city staff, and community through respect for individuals and the community at large. A councilperson must be fiscally astute and forward thinking while drawing on the community’s goals and history.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
Public safety, planning/growth, and fiscal responsibility. The city has no guarantee of receiving state or federal grants/funding and therefore must operate within its own budget while continuing to apply for all available funding.
What is the biggest challenge facing Woodbury right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Maintaining the high Quality of Life given growth demands. The greatest opportunity I see is continued stable growth.
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?
Woodbury must continue to promote the benefits of its location. The transportation corridors of Interstate Highways I94, I494, & I694 along with State Highway 95 (Manning Avenue), and County Roadways (we refer to as Valley Creek Road, Woodbury Drive, Radio Drive, Bailey Road, Tamarack Road, and Military Road) are the infrastructure that has allowed the city to provide one of the strongest business environments on the eastern side of the metro. Growth must not compromise the development standards the city has historically applied. Standards within the zoning and guiding for land development as well as within the building design standards. Maintaining these standards with new development, and redevelopment, is imperative to the overall quality of life within the city.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
There are the public challenges of traffic, school safety, community trust, property crime, and emergency services which must be balanced with the more private challenges of mental health, substance abuse, and domestic abuse, just to name a few. Woodbury must continue to maintain community trust while respecting the funding required for recruiting and retaining public safety staff to support these community needs.
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?
Woodbury has a long-standing commitment to maintaining a diverse housing stock, including a 50/50 split between single-family and attached units. The housing shortage is due to a mix of population growth (36,000+ in approximately 26 years – a more than 75% increase), limited affordable supply, and high demand for both rental and homeownership opportunities, this is a testament to the high quality of life within Woodbury. I would encourage continuation of the 50/50 split and continue prioritizing new affordable multi-family units. Woodbury ranked 6th among metro cities for new affordable units (2018-2022). I will support first-time/first generation homebuyer programs and encourage continued application to state and federal programs directly and through CDA (County Community Development Agency). As a real property appraiser, I see the challenges facing multi-unit owners. Consideration of rent control must address inflationary pressures so units can be properly repaired and maintained. We often hear “rent control” but how do owners maintain these buildings when income doesn’t keep pace with expenses of aging buildings? This issue needs research and creative solutions.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Woodbury has outstanding transportation infrastructure providing safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. These ongoing and expanding needs must be addressed through public safety, with staffing, education of residents, and possible incentives to residents.
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?
Unfortunately, the city is not insulated from the effects of inflation and the pressures it places on the budget. If inflation is 5%, for example, it would correlate that the city’s revenue needs to increase 5%, how is that accomplished? There needs to be growth to increase the tax base of the city. It is a difficult balance for the city as many residents do not desire added growth, however, well planned commercial and industrial growth provide a significant benefit to the tax base and therefore, the budget of the city.
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?
The city has led in public safety, planning/growth, and fiscal responsibility and is best suited to continue do so. The city is closely aligned with residents to reflect the local needs and goals.
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?
Continued open meetings, available financial reports, community surveys, communicative and responsive staff, advisory committees, all of which the city engages today.