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City Council
Action Request Form
Meeting Date
9/7/2016
Department
Administration
Agenda Category
Consent Agenda
Title
Community Engagement Steering Committee Appointments
Staff Recommendation
Consider appointing Suzanne Elliot, Sandi Scott, Erik Holtan, Dan Sullivan, Joe Kovarik, Bart Fischer,
Michael Laverdure, Eric Radel,Tod Oswald,Jess Davison, Melissa Jungbauer, Nicole Toni, Jessica
Vadnais, Lisa Maxwell, Lisa Studiner,Jennifer Nedry, and Regina Boston to the Community Engagement
Steering Committee.
Budget Implication
N/A
Attachments
Steering Committee Memo
Community Engagement Steering Committee Applicant Summary
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To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Charlene R. Stevens, City Administrator
From: Becky Ahlvin, Management Assistant-Administration
Date: September 2, 2016
Subject: Community Engagement Steering Committee Appointments
Introduction
As part of the 2016 Strategic Plan, the City is conducting a community-wide visioning process and will
use a steering committee to aid in the process. As well as monthly meetings, the committee will serve
as advocates for the process, encourage active engagement in the community visioning process, and
provide critical thinking and feedback on the key themes that emerge through the community visioning
process.
A total of 17 applications were received. A summary of the applicants and their responses are
attached to this memo.
Staff Recommendation
Consider appointing Suzanne Elliot, Sandi Scott, Erik Holtan, Dan Sullivan, Joe Kovarik, Bart Fischer,
Michael Laverdure, Eric Radel,Tod Oswald,Jess Davison, Melissa Jungbauer, Nicole Toni, Jessica
Vadnais, Lisa Maxwell, Lisa Studiner,Jennifer Nedry, and Regina Boston to the Community Engagement
Steering Committee.
Finally,are there other experiences with community
groups,civic organizations,school groups,places of
worship,non-profit boards or commissions that you
How long have you been a Please provide a short summary of why you are wish to mention or that would help the City Council
Name: Employer: Occupation: Cottage Grove resident? interested in the Community Visioning process. shape a more well-rounded community vision?
As a long-time resident, I am interested in learning
more about future plans for the city as well as having
input in those decisions. I am a communications Over the years, I have been a member of the Pine Harbor
consultant who works with clients to help them Christian Academy school board and was co-founder of
develop long-term strategic plans and navigate the parent/teacher organization,member of the Harbor
change and I believe I can provide some insights and Church management board,was a women's group leader
input that could be valuable to this committee.My and a former Cottage Grove business owner. I have also
Tunheim Communications professional bio can be found at been a junior high school girl's mentor at Battle Creek
Sandi Scott Partners, Inc. Consultant 34 years http://tunheim.com/talent/sandi-scott/. Middle School in St. Paul.
I have always been interested in working to serve my
local community in many aspects. I have a passion
for wanting this community to be seen as something
different than other communities in the area,but also,
to be able to self sustain without relying on the need
to travel to other communities to do business.We I am also the chairman for the Cottage Grove Beyond the
have the scenery,and resources to be greater. I hear Yellow Ribbon network for the betterment of military
Minnesota Army so many people complain about this or that and I Service members and their families,so that contingent
Erik Holtan National Guard Readiness NCO 15 years don't see them help. I want to be a part of helping. could also be included.
I have lived CG most of my life along with most of my I was the Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 286. I
Ulteig Senior Electrical family. I would like to see and participate in a small also participated on a steering commission for District 833
Dan Sullivan Engineering Designer 52 years part of our city. for the school boundaries.
By virtue of career positions,especially those of the last
30 years,and by being a long-time member of the Rotary
International Club of St. Paul, I've been able to gain a
world-wide perspective on communities and how people
live.
As a 47-year resident of Cottage Grove, I can vividly
recall"what was"in 1969 and"what is"currently. I am semi-retired from an independent consulting practice
Most important,though,is the Visioning opportunity in which I have visited all but three states in the"lower
to see the city as it"can become." 48."Select volunteer assignments with Rotary has
provided me with the privilege of traveling to Canada,
It would be quite an honor to help identify and craft Japan, India,Philippines,Australia, New Zealand,and
the strategic aspirations of community members. Cayman Islands.
Moreover,the plan to actively engage with fellow
residents is a real plus for the process.The overall Splendor and squalor,affluence and poverty,professional
program title is most fitting: Future Forward Cottage status and working class--I've witnessed them all.
Grove. Learning about the habits,practices,and customs of
people in diverse situations is what I can bring to the
Sales&Management Though I have a multiple decade perspective,please Visioning process. I look forward to contributing to the
Kovarik& Consultant(semi- count me in as a"fresh thinker"among those you are strategic aims of the program.
JOE KOVARIK Assiciates retired) Forty-seven years to select.--JK --JK
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Finally,are there other experiences with community
groups,civic organizations,school groups,places of
worship,non-profit boards or commissions that you
How long have you been a Please provide a short summary of why you are wish to mention or that would help the City Council
Name: Employer: Occupation: Cottage Grove resident? interested in the Community Visioning process. shape a more well-rounded community vision?
I have worked in state or local government my entire
career so I have a good understanding of what the goals
of the Future Forward Cottage Grove process are.Also, I
IYs time to get involved and give back in the was on the CG Human Rights Commission a number
community I live in.Often,when asked about things (probably over 10 now!)of years ago.We have also been
in Cottage Grove, I answer by saying I don't know, I long time attendees and I have been a past Board
just sleep in CG:). I work in Oakdale so I know whaYs Member at Crossroads Church. I would look forward to
going on there. IYs time to get involved in the being a part of this process if chosen to continue.Thank
Bart Fischer City of Oakdale City Administrator 17 years happenings in CG as well! you.
As an architect and resident of Cottage Grove I think
I can bring a professional insight into the visioning
Michael Laverdure DSGW Architects Architect 3 years process. no
I would like to be involved at the ground level of the
community visioning process to help form the future
of Cottage Grove. I have a strong desire to help steer I am on several boards through my employer ranging
State of MN-Dept Building/Facility and shape the communities'future,from economic from recycling implementation,sustainable energy,and
Eric Radel of Admin Manager 3.5 years growth to community pride. environmental stewardship.
It would be an honor to be part of the vision of
Cottage Grove. I have 38 years worth of business
General Manger development experience that I am hoping that I can
Marriott Hotels utilize in this committee. I truly care about the future I am on the Board of Directors for the Bloomington
Tod Oswald and Resorts General Manager 19 years of our town where people call home. Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The City of Cottage Grove is one of my business
Clients as well as my home.The future of Cottage
Grove impacts my life on both levels,professionally
and personally. Having a voice in helping to shape
Telecom the destiny of this community would bring me much I belong to many different organizations in the community
Jess Davison SEH, Inc Administrator 2 years satisfaction and peace of mind. from youth sports to my church.
I don't usually seek this kind of involvement but I I have work experience in commercial planning and
have felt for some time that CG could be much more planning as well as having served as a leader in in my
than it currently is and by building on iYs current career as a Children's Pastor. I am a trained and
strengths with fresh and contemporary thought to it's experienced teacher and leader and I currently belong to
Suzanne Elliott None Retired 11 years future,this can be accomplished. several social/civic groups here in town.
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Finally,are there other experiences with community
groups,civic organizations,school groups,places of
worship,non-profit boards or commissions that you
How long have you been a Please provide a short summary of why you are wish to mention or that would help the City Council
Name: Employer: Occupation: Cottage Grove resident? interested in the Community Visioning process. shape a more well-rounded community vision?
I think Cottage Grove is on the road to greatness! I
grew up in Hastings and had been living in Saint Paul
for the past 11 years.We moved to Cottage Grove
because of the recent changes we have seen in the
growth of the city and devotion to bike paths,parks,
and overall recreation. I'd like to be part of the
Community Visioning process because I am
interested in helping the city connect residents to
physical activity. I currently sit as a Cycle Club board
member at Target Corporation where we work with
the City of Minneapolis to improve bike access
around the city.Anyone driving downtown
Minneapols can see how much of an impact we have
made in the past three years and it has been fun and
rewarding. Minneapolis is the number 1 bike city in
the country and 8th in the world. I'd love to bring a
Target Lead litigation slice of that to Cottage Grove and the surrounding I sit as a Board Member on the Target Corporation Cycle
Melissa Jungbauer Corporation paralegal 4 months areas in the years to come. Club.
I have served as an Elementary Literacy Tutor with
Minnesota Reading Corps at Crestview Elementary.That
school has an incredibly diverse student population and
showed me a side of Cottage Grove that I had not been
previously aware of. I have also served with the
As an employee of the Chamber of Commerce, I International Justice Mission in Mumbai, India working
have a unique perspective on what is going on in with girls that were rescued from human trafficking and
Cottage Grove. I interact with many of the business sex slavery.Beyond being a heartbreaking experience,
owners and am able to gather a lot of information on one of the most important lessons I learned from that was
opportunities and challenges in our city.As a long that people are resilient and when they put in the effort,
time resident, I am familiar with the personality of the focus on the future and operate from a strong sense of
city as well as our quirks.From growing up here, I moving forward,iYs possible to accomplish almost
know that the residents are passionate about this anything. For almost seven years, I was a flight attendant
city.There are so many potential areas of growth that for a small regional carrier that was owned by Delta
need to be investigated and have been discussed Airlines which allowed me to travel all over the world.
Cottage Grove around town(but perhaps not at a"do something" These experiences have given me a community and
Area Chamber of Marketing level). I would be grateful to have a part of steering global perspective that I would love to use to help shape
Nicole Toni Commerce Coordinator over 30 years the community to the vision moving forward. our community vision.
I have a 3 year old and I would like her to grow in a
neighborhood that provides her with a community
Jessica Vadnais Park Nicollet physician 4 years where she can become the best person she be. school groups,non profit commission or boards
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Finally,are there other experiences with community
groups,civic organizations,school groups,places of
worship,non-profit boards or commissions that you
How long have you been a Please provide a short summary of why you are wish to mention or that would help the City Council
Name: Employer: Occupation: Cottage Grove resident? interested in the Community Visioning process. shape a more well-rounded community vision?
Seeing what visions are in place for Cottage Grove
and providing feedback in any way sounds like a
great idea. I'd love to hear what plans are in the
making for our growing community.This would also
better serve soon-to-be residents,as a realtor,to
Lisa Maxwell ReMax Realtor 4 years know where and what plans are being made. Crossroads Church
PTA at Grey Cloud,coached soccer,softball,tball,
I feel I can provide input as to what a help our town. I volleyball in CG.Sunday school teacher,volunteer with
Consultant,Project look at things from different perspectives and can dog rescues.Have been involved in steering committees
Lisa Studiner US Bank Mgr 19 years analyze what makes most sense. thru different employers.
I represent 3 groups that need a voice in planning for
the future of Cottage Grove. I am a fiscally responsible homeowner and taxpayer with
a long term commitment to Cottage Grove.
1. I work in St Paul Park with 30 people who spend
their work week here. I am able to bring feedback of I am a 12 year member of Unity Unitarian Church in St
what local workers want.This is important as we Paul including active work on a Welcome team,in the
continue to attract businesses to Cottage Grove. planning and execution of a variety of fundraising efforts
plus other volunteer experiences
2. I am a resident who seeks out diverse points of (http://www.unityunitarian.org).
view on local,state and national issues through a
variety of sources including social media,tv and I have 20+years of work experience in customer and
radio,local papers and others. technical support. I know how to successfully and
diplomatically work with a wide variety of people and as
3. I have friends throughout the metro(from part of a team.
Hutchinson to Prior Lake to Little Canada to
Persolvent Minneapolis). I would promote events and I own two miniature dachshunds who regularly visit our
(http://www.persol Software Support opportunities to bring people to the city of Cottage great local parks.We take daily walks in Kingston Park
Jennifer Nedry vent.com) Specialist 11 years Grove. which we are grateful to have right in our backyard.
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