Let’s Get Back to the Basics: The Role of a City Council Member
The Minneapolis City Council has a direct impact on our daily lives. They oversee the operational aspects of our city through services like road repair, street lighting, snow plowing, and garbage collection. In addition, the city council must also plan and direct the long term vision for the city in areas like housing, economic development, and a public safety ecosystem. An effective city council has a working relationship to the community, creating local solutions to local issues. It is necessary that those who are elected to serve us have a clear understanding of their role.
In Minneapolis, many on our city council have lost focus. Issues like improper street lighting, underfunded public safety staff and programs, and rising property taxes have been ignored while council members have been attempting to legislate on international issues.
The most important role of any elected official is to listen to their constituents. City council members have a duty to recognize community concerns in order to directly address them. To take action on community priorities, council members pass ordinances; approve budgets; and oversee the management of city departments. Members of a city council should work in a collaborative role with their fellow members, the mayor, city staff, and residents.
When the role of this office is not respected, Minneapolis residents end up paying for it. As the city council oversteps to legislate on issues that are under the responsibility of Hennepin County (resources for people experiencing homelessness, programs to assist recent immigrants, resources for those without healthcare) the taxpayer pays for these programs twice.
As your next City Council Member, I will:
Address the issues that directly impact your daily life
Work collaboratively with fellow council members, city staff, and the mayor
Listen to the community on every issue
When elected officials overstep their roles or misunderstand the structure of government, they don’t improve the daily lives of residents. Projects get delayed, budgets go unchecked, public concerns are ignored, and trust in government is lost.
This November, we need to elect representatives that understand the role of the Minneapolis City Council. The focus must be shifted back to serving our city with respect, consistency, and Minneapolis-focused priorities.