Mankato City Council Member At Large
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.state.mn.us/) to find specific candidate contact information.
Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.
-
Mike Laven
(NP)
-
Brett Skilbred
(NP)
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)
What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)
I have proven to be a very prepared and effective council member by reading the information provided, asking questions to gain a better understanding before voting. I seek out perspectives that I do not have on issues that seem routine to others. Can we do this differently? Can we do it with less staff or money and still provide the services the residents? I want to be your council member At-Large and I will serve with great enthusiasm! Mankato is growing community and over the last 20 years, I have proven to do the work, listen and guide out city forward.
Affordable and affordable housing. The capital A is for income based housing including the voucher programs, land trust and housing trust along with supportive housing programs. This is where the city can leverage the public and private money to get the most out beneficial outcomes. Mankato still needs to add over 150 more units in these categories to meet demand.
The lower case a is for market rate units. The city continues to streamline the permitting process, approve all types of housing.
I will continue to work with groups like Minnesota Council of Churches, Holy Grounds, Refugee Services, Indigenous People, Connections shelter and Partners for Affordable Housing. I routinely meet with members of the artist community, student leaders from MSU, South Central College and Bethany Lutheran College. I am willing to meet with anyone to hear about how they use city services and how we can make it easier, better for them. I am committed to making Mankato welcoming, safe and open to all.
I will continue to support the council meeting open forum, allowing anyone to speak to the council on any topic that is not on the agenda. The checks and balances the council has put in place to ensure the tax dollars are spent in a manner that does not risk or jeopardize the community is also something I will continue to support. Communicating the good news is great but being able to stand up and explain the hard news, the errors that can occur, that is when we are serving our community too.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
To make a selection for a candidate you must first find your races. Would you like to find your races now?
You have already selected the maximum number of candidates for this race.
You must uncheck an existing selection before making another selection.