Platform

1) Ensuring housing: A Safe Place to Call Home

There are several opportunities to diversify housing choices and expand affordable housing in our city. The council is utilizing innovative programs like the BIPOC homeownership pilot program, SLP Legacy Program and the newly available affordable housing dashboard to address existing disparities. More can be done, as the construction of Union Park Flats and Rise on 7 get underway. The affordable housing residences in the Texa Tonka Apartments will bring more housing equity to our ward. Continued scrutiny on city zoning will be a focus of mine while serving on the council. Preserving naturally occuring affordable housing is another important strategy I will work to maintain.


2) Sustaining the Earth

St. Louis Park is a leader in the state with our Climate Action Plan. I will work to advance the implementation of this plan and ensure compliance in the city's development. My past work as a Master Naturalist, and my time serving on the board and as a volunteer at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden provided me myriad opportunities to witness the importance of community in natural spaces. My decade-long leadership in Zero Waste initiatives made me an early adopter of curbside composting and a big fan of our City Cleanup Days.

3) Welcoming All

I have been an active member of the St. Joan of Arc social justice ministry in many initiatives. St. Joan of Arc is a Sanctuary supporting congregation, ready to support immigrant families challenged with deportation. Whether my Ward 3 neighbors have lived here five generations or five months, I think St. Louis Park is stronger with all of us as active participants in the community. I seek out opportunities to ensure city programs are inclusive and reflect the face of our community.

Serving on the board of MN Alliance with Youth, as well as my Youth Ministry work teaching 7th & 8th graders the Peace Jam curriculum, have instilled a belief that engaging youth in our multiracial democracy is critical. As a councilperson I will continue to explore avenues to involve youth.

I am a group leader with the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaboration, specifically in their Racial Equity Leadership Institute. The Institute helps educators and related professionals who work in the classroom to increase understanding about race, racial identity, bias and anti-racism. This continually expands the lens with which I view policy and program efforts.