Election 2012: Kristi Anderson, Orono City Council

Kristi Anderson is running against Doug Franchot, Lizz Levang and Dennis Walsh for one of two Orono City Council seats up for election this November.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Share something most people don’t know about you.

Since choosing to run for Orono City Council, I’ve made a point of meeting individually with city staff members and countless citizens door knocking. I believe it’s critical to collect as many perspectives from those impacted by council decisions as possible in order to draw informed and balanced conclusions.

As a council member, this will be a matter of course. I will continue to remain accessible to staff and citizens, facilitate responsiveness, fiscal responsibility and make connections with our neighboring communities. In my current profession, I build community every day by spearheading a community garden, assembling public advisory groups, coordinating senior field trips, or developing intergenerational programs and community events.

I believe it is part of my civic and social responsibility to give back.  

What sorts of thoughts come to mind when you think of Lake Minnetonka?

So many vivid images come to mind when I think of Lake Minnetonka. For my family, it is one of the main reasons we chose to live in Orono. Recently, I enjoyed one of the last remaining fall afternoons of the season by going for a quick bike ride on the trail and looking out over the calm cool waters. It reminded me what a wonderland of recreation the Lake Minnetonka area provides us year round.

As an Orono council member, I pledge to uphold the Orono philosophy, which states that our most important responsibilities are: “To protect and preserve Lake Minnetonka, its water quality, and its recreational assets. Protect and preserve our many natural resources and open spaces. Preserve our distinct urban and rural land use patterns and lifestyles. Preserve our local character and identity."

Are invasive species a local, state or federal issue? Or is it a mix? Describe your views.

Invasive species are a problem for all of us. The issue is a local, state and federal one since invasive species impact states beyond our borders. As Minnesotans, we value our lakes and rivers and we want to keep them healthy for future generations.

In an effort to protect our waterways, I believe it is critical we continue to support and partner with organizations whose mission it is to do the same, such as the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, the DNR, LMA, Conservation Minnesota and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.

What is the most common issue people talk with you about while campaigning? What do you tell them?

Our citizens are looking for accessible, responsive leaders who are not afraid to make the difficult decisions and collaborate among themselves and across borders to do what’s best for Orono. In addition to being heard, citizens want pro-active leaders, rather than re-active ones. They want to elect people who look at the long term comprehensive plan and take the initiative to accomplish goals.

In addition to fiscal responsibility, residents have been clear that they want their local representatives to streamline processes for citizens with regard to zoning (as I strived to do as part of the hardcover task force), work with our neighbors to find ways to collaborate, build community, provide safe access and walkability, and share services when meaningful.

I will nurture the connection between citizens and city leadership, set clear pro-active priorities that follow our comprehensive plan, make positive connections with our neighbors and build community via safer accessibility to secure Orono’s future.  It’s critical we plan for long term infrastructure improvements, adopt a 20-year road improvement plan, as well as create 5-10-20 year capital budget plans; We must also discipline ourselves to follow these plans to meet our obligations.

How do you feel about the current property tax levels? What about school district taxes (understanding the city council has no control over them)?

In Orono, we are fortunate to have one of the lowest property tax levels in Hennepin County. That being said, we need to continue to be careful with property taxes. After several years of falling property values across the board, I agree with the Mayor that we can only hope that there is a turn-around in our future.

We must be diligent in continuing to identify ways in which we can streamline processes, and investigate ways in which we can work with our neighboring communities to share services and technology. At the same time, we must continue to plan for long-term infrastructure needs. With regard to the budget, the city council controls merely 15 percent of the overall city budget; whereas, approximately 53 percent is designated for schools, 20 percent to the county and another 15 percent to the LMCD/MCWD etc. Of this 15 percent, over 62 percent constitutes public service and staff personnel.

This does not leave a big piece of the ‘pie’ with which the city must provide public safety, roads and operations. We must be aggressive in our capital budget planning process and look for entities to partner with to accomplish our goals.

If the funding were available, what projects—either shovel ready or on the drawing board—would you advocate dedicating it to?

If funding were available, the council should first consult the Comprehensive Plan which was adopted in 2010. This plan clearly designates priorities and guides development for the city including much needed roadway improvements and a trail plan. The trail plan itself identifies several key connections.

One trail connects our Navarre business district to the Dakota Line trail via safe access; another is a trail connection along Crystal Bay Road from County Road 51 north, to name a few. There are many identified links, and the council would be charged with creating a task force to prioritize the connections and begin gathering neighborhood input to move them forward.

Road conditions continue to weigh heavily on the city. If a 20-year road improvement plan were adopted, the council could proceed with the necessary steps to complete these projects.

Are you satisfied with the public safety services being provided to city residents?

I am proud of the efforts by our current officers and Chief for their commitment to Orono. One of the biggest responsibilities a city provides its citizens is that they feel safe. It’s critical we continue to support our police department and create a task force with our neighbors to begin the steps in curtailing any threats to our community in a pro-active way.  

In an effort to streamline processes and alleviate the tax burden on all of us, we should  continue to identify ways to work together through shared technology and shared service agreements. Orono public safety has a strong reputation via its service agreements with Spring Park and Minnetonka Beach, and going forward with Mound. If the city continues along this path it may wish to consider a name change to reflect this broader scope.

How would you encourage the average citizen to become more engaged in local government?

Visiting with my Orono neighbors, I have realized that many people aren’t aware of the priorities or the vision of the city. As a council member, it behooves me to reach out to my friends and neighbors and represent them well by being accessible and sharing Orono’s vision with them, but it also behooves them to take an interest as well.

I have been encouraging those I meet to visit the website and view the comprehensive plan and vision statement, consider becoming a commission member, attend a public meeting or tune into the local public access stations to view taped meetings of communities throughout the lakes area. As an ‘average citizen,’ I know how hard it is to make time for public service—I have chosen to make the commitment to and for my neighbors.

Open forum. Why should voters cast their ballot for you this November?

As someone in the unique position to work in local government, I know first-hand how to work with staff and neighboring communities to get things done. I’ve made difficult decisions and participated in more planning and council meetings than the other candidates combined.

Daily, I deal with capital funding and long term infrastructure planning. I am a strong leader, listener and energetic contributor. I will facilitate responsiveness, fiscal responsibility and make connections with our neighbors to identify efficiencies in operation. My neighbors have urged me for years to share my knowledge; I’m answering their call to serve.

I believe it is part of my civic and social responsibility to give back.
Let me put my ‘skill set’ to work for you. Please vote Kristi for council Tuesday, Nov. 6.