Candidate Guide: Meet the Council, Mayor Candidates for City of St. Michael

There are six St. Michael residents vying for the two open St. Michael City Council seats this election.

With two seats open on council this year, and incumbents Chris Schumm and Joe Marx not running for re-election, there will be two new faces on come 2017.

The candidates are: Richard Brown, David Dayon, Heather Janiski, Matthew Kammann, Layne Roschen and Keith Wettschreck. (Richard Brown elected not to answer our survey, despite attempts to reach him.)

Current city council member Nadine Schoen and former council member Kevin Kasel are running for mayor to fill current mayor Jerry Zachman’s seat. If Schoen is elected, the city of St. Michael can determine how to fill her remaining council term. In the past, councils have opted to appoint someone or to choose the candidate who had the next highest amount of votes.

MAYORAL RACE

Nadine Schoen

 How, specifically would you like St. Michael to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?   

I would like to see St. Michael advance as a community, while retaining our small town feel and hometown values.  Our current housing projects promise increased population and opportunities for our local businesses and community organizations to grow and prosper.  I would welcome new and expanded business to increase employment opportunities and increase tax revenue.  This would assist in advancing the quality of life on an economic level for residents of St. Michael.  As a current city council member who also sits on several boards, I’ve developed great working relationships with county and state agencies to manage the increased growth in a fashion to benefit both native St. Michael residents and our new neighbors.

What is your position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?

I would like to say thank you to the STMA school board for putting the proposed referendum to the residents for a decision.  At present my greatest concern is making sure our voters have a clearly defined understanding of the actual proposal.  If managed properly and presented clearly, we can have well informed voters make an educated decision.

3. Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?

 Continual rising operating costs and unfunded state mandates are some of the greatest challenges to our budget.  It is essential for the council to remain diligent in paying off debt while setting future councils up for success by saving for future expenses.  I’m committed to holding strong against unnecessary spending, yet I believe in smart improvements to encourage business development and support our residential community. 

4. Families have responded to city surveys stating they’d be in favor of a community center aimed at recreation and entertainment. Is this something you could support? If so, what the best way for the city to make this happen?

 Communities thrive on activities and involvement.  A private sector facility can more easily accomplish this goal with their established industry knowledge and private investment.   A healthy community with entertainment allows for safe and active lives and would be a welcomed addition to our city.

5. How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?

 As a resident business owner, I can identify with the challenges business owners face.  I will continue to support existing local businesses and will utilize conservative methods to attract future business.  There are programs that can be developed and tailored to assist and advance new and existing businesses.  Innovative financing programs can assist in initiating revolving loans for local industry. This is one of several different approaches that would improve and expand our business climate.  Any increase in this area can broaden the tax base and lighten the tax burden to St. Michael residents.

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

 Thank you to North Wright County Today for its constant efforts to inform St. Michael residents with important and relevant information.  As a local business owner and current city council member, I am available and welcome questions and comments.  In closing, I thank St. Michael residents for the opportunity to serve on your city council and ask for your vote to serve as your mayor.

Kevin Kasel

1. How, specifically would you like St. Michael to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?

My wife Linda, daughter Kayla, son Aaron, and I moved to St. Michael over 14 years ago. Since then, Kayla has gone on to teach and Aaron has joined the Army National Guard. I grew up in New Hope, attended Armstrong High School, served as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps, and have over 20 years of experience in Project and Process Management.  As a member of the St. Michael Lions, Scout leader, baseball coach, and Council member for 8 years, I have gotten to know many of you.

I am running to be the next Mayor of St. Michael because I believe our city is poised for growth. As we move forward I believe we should take common sense steps to lower barriers, allow the free market to work, and remember the words of President Reagan who said: “We who live in free market societies believe that growth, prosperity and ultimately human fulfillment, are created from the bottom up, not the government down.”

Transportation infrastructure will be a top priority because it is the lifeline of a city and must be preserved and improved as we plan for the future. As mayor I will continue to maintain our local roads, and work with the I-94 Corridor Commission, Wright County and surrounding communities to expand I-94 to 3 lanes from St. Michael to St. Cloud. I will also continue to support the Naber Avenue Interchange. It is crucial to the future economic tax base of the city as property north of 50th and I-94 near Naber Avenue is the city’s best opportunity for large lot commercial/industrial development.

With 8 years’ experience as a council member and a background in project management, process management, and retail analytics, I have demonstrated the skills necessary to lead a growing city.

2. What is your position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?

While the general makeup of the referendum is known, the specifics will not be finalized until the day before the election. I believe we should all wait and see what is in the final package before weighing in, so we are debating facts and not conjecture.

3. Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?

Keep the city focused on basic services and continually examine needs vs wants. During my eight years on the St Michael city council, I was viewed as the go-to member on budget and fiscal matters and earned a reputation for being, honest, analytical, impartial, and not letting personal matters cloud my judgment.

When housing development slowed after 2007, I led efforts to reduce staffing to meet the work at hand and replenish depleted capital and equipment replacement funds, all while maintaining our infrastructure and delivering the quality of customer service St. Michael residents expect.

4. Families have responded to city surveys stating they’d be in favor of a community center aimed at recreation and entertainment. Is this something you could support? If so, what the best way for the city to make this happen?

As a strict fiscal conservative, my top priority is to control spending because low taxes and a level playing field are essential to attract and maintain residents and businesses in St. Michael.

When the Library and Senior Center were built, it was in cooperation with the neighboring cities of Albertville and Hanover, and the project enjoyed the support of an overwhelming majority of the residents of St. Michael.

Any future amenities should meet this basic test before the question is put before the voters.

5. How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?

As stated in my previous answer I believe the city should be patient and allow the free market to work. The city can best assist by making sure staff is available to work with prospective developers and business owners as they consider investing in St. Michael.

6. Anything else you’d like to add? 

I am proud to have the support of  Mayor Jerry Zachman, Council member Joe Marx and many other members and leaders in our community. I ask for your vote and look forward to talking to you over the next few weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact me at kpkasel@gmail.com, www.kaselformayor.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KaselforMayor, or call me at 763-442-8418.

ST. MICHAEL CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

David Dayon

1.  How, specifically would you like St. Michael to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?

I would like to see St. Michael grow in the same orderly fashion it has in the past.  The city’s growth has used the extension of infrastructure (sewer, water, streets) funded by the development it serves. St Michael has grown to be the largest city in Wright County, based on population.

The economic development has also grown but at a slower rate than residential.  J&B Group,  the largest employer in Wright County, calls St. Michael it’s birthplace and present location.  Numerous other statewide, national and worldwide companies have their corporate offices and manufacturing facilities located in the city.

The leadership of the city can promote growth by putting developers in contact with land owners willing to market their property.  Whenever possible, the city should work with existing businesses to help them upgrade and expand.

2.   What is your position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?

The city council should be supportive of the school district.

3.  Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?

In order to keep taxes low and the city’s budget manageable, the city must be run like a business.  Careful consideration must be used to choose between “needs” and “wants”.  Operating the city as a business,  keeping in mind that sometimes saving a dollar requires  spending a dollar wisely.

6.  Anything else you’d like to add? 

If elected, I would be the only member of the city council who resides in the rural area of the city.  The rural area comprises the largest land acreage in the city.  Every segment of the city’s population should be represented on the City Council.

Matthew Kammann

1. How, specifically would you like St. Michael to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?

I believe St. Michael is a wonderful city with sound conservative family values and principles which makes it a desirable community to live in and raise a family. As the city continues to experience growth, these conservative family values and principles that have served as the foundation of this city must remain intact and act as the basis for which new growth is built upon.

Over the course of the next decade, I believe it is important to continue to promote residential development but as a city, we must focus on growing our business sector. A strong and vibrant business sector helps keep residential property taxes affordable, creates jobs for St. Michael residents and youth, provides community activities and destinations, and improves the financial security of the city and its residents.

It is important to realize that the city itself will not, and does not, create new businesses but the city plays a critical role in ensuring St. Michael is viewed as a business friendly community. This includes having business knowledgeable individuals on the City Council, business friendly city policies and ordinances, and maintaining our separation from the daunting business regulations of Hennepin County and the MET Council.

2. What is you position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?

The St. Michael Albertville School District continues to outperform neighboring communities despite the fact that our School District suffers from a State funding inequity as compared to similar districts. As a community, we need to ensure that adequate funding is available to support proper class room sizes, school security, staff training, and technology. It is also crucial to provide students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, band, performing arts, debate, etc. A combination of top quality academic programs and a strong offering of extracurricular activities are vital in creating the necessary structure and atmosphere to educate, shape and prepare our youth for the future.

In regards to the proposed bond referendum, I am the only candidate running for St. Michael City Council that has spoken in front of the School Board on multiple occasions concerning this specific issue requesting that the School Board provide a fully transparent view into the financial impact of this bond. My position has been, and will continue to be, especially in regards to large bond referendums, that residents are the decision makers and must be provided a full and comprehensive plan that details out both the short-term and long-term financial implications of such a proposal. I am proud to state that because of my insistence on the need for residents to have access to the details, the School Board agreed to complete and provide such information.

Previously working in such professional roles as Accounting, Audit and Financial Analysis, I understand the need for such information and as a result, I am the best candidate to bring a sound financial background and acumen to the City Council.

3. Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?

This is a complex issue that our city faces and we need Council Members that have experience and a sound understanding of accounting and finance while also having experience in developing and growing businesses. I would bring all of these attributes and skill sets with me to the City Council as my professional career has been focused on Finance, Accounting, Audit, Business Development and small business ownership.

To really address this question, it first needs to be broken down into the two main buckets of spending: (1) School District Funding and (2) the City Budget.

From a School District Funding standpoint, our community must remain vocal about the State funding inequity our School District is currently experiencing. As compared to surrounding and similar districts throughout the State, the St. Michael Albertville School District receives a disproportionately lower level of State funding on a per pupil basis which results in higher property taxes to offset this shortage. The reasoning for this funding inequity has been explained that the St. Michael School District has very strong test scores as compared to the rest of the State and the St. Michael School District does not have property coverage within Hennepin County. In collaboration with the School Board, Albertville City Council, other members of the St. Michael City Council and our State Representatives, I vow to remain vocal about this issue as it is not right to punish a District because it has exceptional Students with exceptional Parents that care.

From a City Budget standpoint, there are two primary ways to keep taxes low and the budget flat on a per capita basis: (1) economic growth and development and (2) cut unnecessary spending. In the case of St. Michael, the current and previous City Councils have made it a priority to maintain as small of a city budget as possible in an effort to keep taxes low. After reviewing the city’s budget, I can attest that the only viable way taxes will remain as low as possible in St. Michael is through economic growth and development. Cutting the budget alone will not keep pace with inflation and the continued need to maintain the existing infrastructure. This growth must include the expansion of our business sector as businesses pay a much higher multiple on property taxes as compared to residential properties. I believe St. Michael is a wonderful city with sound values and great potential but we need to make sure the city leadership is made up of individuals that don’t just say “No” to growth opportunities. We need city leadership that will work with business leaders to find ways to make opportunities happen.

4. Families have responded to city surveys stating they’d be in favor of a community center aimed at recreation and entertainment. Is this something you could support? If so, what the best way for the city to make this happen?

I support the need to have more businesses, amenities and services in St. Michael. Having a central gathering spot such as a downtown park, community recreation center, splash pad, etc. would act as a catalyst for additional business development. As new businesses decide where to place their foundations or when existing businesses decide where to expand their operations, such community gathering spots become desirable locations. These locations are desirable as they experience heavier traffic counts and frequent and repeat visits from residents and potential customers. In addition to encouraging new growth, it would further support, strengthen and help sustain existing businesses in St. Michael. As a member of this community with two young children, I struggle to find enough activities on a consistent basis within downtown St. Michael that are also within walking distance of shopping and restaurants. An investment within the downtown community would provide more opportunities for families to spend their nights and weekends in St. Michael. In turn, this means more money is kept locally in St. Michael businesses instead of leaving and being spent in surrounding communities.

In regards to a community recreation center, I do support the need for such a facility within St. Michael. I believe there are three general approaches for how such a facility could happen: (#1 – most desirable approach) a private business develops and operates the center, (#2 – most likely approach) a collaboration between the city and a private business, or (#3 – least desirable) a wholly city owned and operated facility.

I will focus here on scenario #2 as I believe it is the most likely approach to achieve such a facility while ensuring it provides the necessary services to support the community. Through this approach, I believe facilities similar to what is in Monticello or Maple Grove can be achieved. Such a facility would be operated and maintained by a private business in collaboration with a community group like FYCC with general oversight and guidance by the city. Through this approach, I believe the facility would be financially self-sufficient resulting in no increase in taxes to support annual operations.

While some might say this sounds like a daunting task, I know it can be achieved as my previous professional experience as the North American Business Development Manager for Syngenta, a global multi-billion dollar company, required me to work in conjunction with multiple different organizations and government entities to achieve new product launches, new brand creations and creation of new channel partners.

5. How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?

As a small business owner in St. Michael, this topic is very important to me. I have invested my future and my family’s future in this city as the owner and operator of Dunn Brothers Coffee in downtown St. Michael. With my experience as a small business owner combined with my professional business career, I believe I have the best insight of any candidate for how the city can play a larger role in supporting local businesses while also positioning the city for growth.

From a new growth perspective, the most impactful role the city can take is through the creation of a business friendly atmosphere within St. Michael. This starts with a City Council that takes a serious look at every single business that wants to open within St. Michael and works to find ways to make that opportunity happen instead of just saying “No”. Another important aspect of creating a business friendly atmosphere is to actively solicit new business opportunities while leveraging existing local small business groups, such as Shop STMA, I-94 West Chamber of Commerce, STMA Biz-to-Biz, etc., to explain why St. Michael is a great place to do business.

While there are multiple approaches to help support existing local businesses, I think it is wise to ensure these approaches serve a dual purpose and assist in supporting new growth opportunities as well. The city should be at the forefront in helping create reasons for residents to spend their time and money locally in St. Michael versus leaving St. Michael and being spent in surrounding communities. This includes continuing to support organizations that develop and coordinate youth and public activities like FYCC as well as investing in the creation of public gathering spaces in St. Michael that offers residents the opportunity to walk or ride their bikes to local restaurants and shopping.

6. Anything else you’d like to add? 

I believe my position as a small business owner with a solid foundation of corporate business experience uniquely positions me as the strongest candidate to help lead this city into the future. I believe the conservative family values and principles that St. Michael was built upon and continues to represent must remain intact as we move in the next phase of the city. I further believe that there is a large silent majority within St. Michael who share the same vision as I do that want to see this city grow and have been disappointed that this growth has gone to surrounding communities. I vow to be a voice of the residents of St. Michael and will work tirelessly to ensure St. Michael remains a great city with a bright future.

I am proud to be a resident of St. Michael, I am proud to be a small business owner in St. Michael, and I am proud to raise a family in St. Michael.

If you stand for growth, vote Matthew Kammann for City Council.
If you would like to show your support and place a sign in your yard, you can contact me through email at votematthewkammann@gmail.com