As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval.Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilUse the MN Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing page (https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/) to find specific candidate contact information.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 19, 2026.
Hi I'm Jess! A parent, homeowner, attorney and local nonprofit board member. I've lived in the area for over 20 years and my kids and I have called Arden Hills home since 2020. I'm running for Arden Hills City Council because our town is worth investing in.
I've been serving on the Planning Commission and I know I can do more. I'll help keep Arden Hills moving in the right direction - forward. Over the past year our sense of connectedness and community has been amazing, let's keep that going!
My legal career was built on people skills and solving complex problems. As a current member of the Arden Hills Planning Commission, I use these skills and have a front-row seat to the decisions shaping this city.
1) Fiscal Turn-Around
As a lawyer I'm analytical and a risk manager. Past leadership for 10+ years spent our "savings" and created a multi-million dollar deficit for maintaining roads, parks and trails. We're deeply in the red and need smart leaders who will make strategic investments.
2) Responsible Development at TCAAP.
Let's ensure Rice Creek Commons reflects our values and serves us. I'll vote no to data centers or prisons.
3) Natural Resources. Protect our lakes and remove invasive species.
The 10,000 citizens that call our town home come from all walks of life, we have a wide range of socio-economic diversity, different view points and (often conflicting) hyper-local issues.
I like to make sure I hear everyone's perspective. I speak plainly. I don't believe in double talk, jargon, or trying to hide behind fancy words. If I'm elected I'll take my duty seriously and always do what I think is in the best interest of the community as a whole, not just the loudest people in the room.
I've been an attorney for over 18 years and am one of the nation's leading experts on nonprofit law and governance. Accountability and transparency is critical to any governing body. Our city follows the law, and the law is the bare minimum! We need to modernize the way we communicate with citizens. We also need to be more proactive and reach out to neighborhoods about issues that will affect them BEFORE things are so far in motion. Being a good listener (to complaints) is not transparency.
I'm a parent, planning commissioner, student athlete coach, architect, builder, and sustainability expert with over 30 years of experience; and I want to give back to my community in a meaningful way by using my extensive experience to protect our common values and proactively plan for our future. As a professional, I’ve led other communities through complex challenges, like net-zero electrified buildings, community-based master planning, and the design and construction of US Bank Stadium’s largest pivot doors in the world. The challenges ahead are Rice Creek Commons, protecting what we value, and being creative with how we can lower the tax burden on homeowners.
My top priority is protecting and enhancing what makes Arden Hills special: excellent schools, parks and trails, safe and quiet neighborhoods, quality housing, homeowner equity, efficient services, & low taxes. I also support thoughtful planning for Rice Creek Commons and the 2050 Comp Plan, including a plan for the Lexington Avenue corridor (& the underutilized area behind Cub Foods) that studies what the market can support with an open public process for residents to pick what they want.
I will take the time to listen deeply to residents and the challenges at hand; and I look for win-win scenarios where the needs of all parties can be achieved and move forward in the best interest of a community. While serving on the Arden Hills Planning Commission, I found that disagreements were often reconciled by fully listening, clarifying the problem at hand, and then talking through solutions that can effectively solve those problems – together.
I support clear, long range fiscal plans for parks, trails, streets, and utilities; and long-term capital plans with realistic funding sources that spread out major work, so residents see fewer “spikes” in costs and more predictable, leveled-out investment over time. Lets use the County's new budget visualization tools to better communicate where tax dollars are going, so we can improve transparency and trust in city government; and make the City's audit information easier to understand.
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