Campaign mailing address: re*****@***********ck.com
Office Sought: Mayor of Minnetonka
Are you an Incumbent or Challenger: This is an open seat – I am the only candidate currently on the Minnetonka City Council
City of Residence: Minnetonka
How long have you lived in your community?
12.5 years
Are you a Homeowner or Renter?
Homeowner
Do you own other real property (e.g. Business, Cabin, Investment, or Rental Property)? If so, which?
No
Describe your civic and/or community engagement.
I have served as the Ward 2 Council Representative since August 2018. I was reelected in November 2019 and again in November 2023. Prior to the City Council, I served on the Minnetonka Planning Commission for 2 years (one year as the vice chair). I also sat on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Committee. I am a member of the Minnetonka Rotary. As an attorney, I provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service to the community each year.
What are the most important housing challenges facing your community?
As a completely built-out city, our biggest challenges are redevelopment and finding opportunities for increased density, a variety of housing types, and mid-range and affordable housing.
The Twin Cities Metro is facing a housing shortage unlike any we have experienced in recent history. What will you do to increase the number of homes available to residents of your community?
We have recently approved several new single family housing developments in our city, along with several multi-family housing buildings. I am committed to continuing this type of smart redevelopment. We are also in the process of redoing our zoning code and I am very much in favor of making it easier to develop higher density and underserved housing stock (i.e. twin homes, single level living, apartment buildings, etc.) I will continue ask our city staff to pursue grants, tax incentives and creative financing opportunities to support continued development of mid-range and affordable housing.
Minnesota has one of the largest homeownership gaps between Whites and Blacks, Indigenous, and People of Color. This is one of MAR’s primary concerns. What would you propose at the local level to close this home ownership gap?
I have been, and will continue to be a strong proponent, of first time home buyer assistance programs. We have used our “Affordable Housing Trust Fund” to finance these forgivable loan programs. Going forward, I think there is a great opportunity to identify homes currently occupied by seniors who are aging in place in naturally occurring affordable housing to assist them with the increasing tax burden, in exchange for a binding commitment that the property will remain affordable when it becomes time for them to move or after they die. As a result there would be more lower cost housing stock available for BIPOC folks to secure with the help of our financing or other programs. I believe we have to be creative in exploring and providing a variety of options to BIPOC populations.
How do you think your city can best balance the rights of tenants and property owners to effectively manage rental housing?
In Minnetonka we have a rental registry that is mandatory for all rental properties in the city. By using a registry rather than a license, we are able to limit costs for landlords while providing assurance to residents that they have support and resources available at the city. We have explored and will continue to consider rental licensing, but are concerned that doing so will add costs to the residents, landlords and city. However, if it appears things are deteriorating, I will reconsider a move to licensing.
What are your views on property tax rates in your community? Do you have concerns related to your city’s property tax rate? If so, how would you address those concerns once elected?
In my conversations with residents as I have been at community events and door knocking, overall people express that they are very happy with the services they receive and understand where their tax dollars are going. I acknowledge that there is a limit to what residents will accept from a tax perspective. It is incumbent as leaders to manage our residents resources responsibly and not spend in excess. In recent years we have declined some new exciting projects in the interest of keep the tax levy manageable. These are tough decisions but are right for the city.
Please provide links to all social media accounts connected to you or your campaign.
Please list any notable endorsements for your campaign.
Patty Acomb, Brad Wiersum, Deb Calvert, Paula Ramaley, Kissy Coakley, Patsy Foster-Bolton, Kimberly Wilburn, Terry Schneider, Karen Anderson, Women Winning, and many elected official from surrounding communities and current and past boards and commission members from Minnetonka.
