[0:04] [music] [0:15] Welcome to another edition of [0:17] Conversations in South St. Paul. It is a [0:19] casual Friday as you see and a little [0:22] different setup as we've had. We've got [0:24] a group of mayors here. These aren't all [0:26] the city of South St. Paul employees, [0:28] but this is the mayor of Inenver Grove [0:31] Heights. This is the mayor of Mandota [0:33] Heights. And this is the mayor of West [0:34] St. Paul. They'll introduce themselves [0:36] in just a second with my first [0:38] questions. But this is Conversations in [0:40] South St. Paul. And we're glad you're [0:42] all here. One of the things I like to [0:44] start with is find out about each of [0:46] you. So, as you tell me who you are, and [0:48] we already know your cities, but tell me [0:51] what's if I'm going to get in your car, [0:52] what's on your what's on the radio? What [0:54] are you listening to? What's your what's [0:55] your jam? We'll start with Dave Napier. [0:58] >> Well, Dave Napier, city of West St. Paul [1:01] mayor, um on my seventh year, um which [1:03] is fourth term, two-year terms. And uh [1:06] what you'd find on my radio was Spotify [1:09] through my phone. I listen to a lot of [1:11] podcasts. Um one podcast in particular [1:14] right now, this time of year, is the uh [1:17] Purple Daily, which is a Hubard [1:19] broadcasting podcast on um all sports, [1:22] but pretty much right now Vikings. [1:24] >> Vikings. Um, and I'm a big purple fan, [1:26] so I do a lot of that. Um, and I try to [1:29] listen to uh Ed Milelet, who is another [1:32] podcaster who talks about leadership and [1:34] spiritual uh things that can help you be [1:37] a better person and a better um [1:38] community leader. Nice, [1:42] >> Mayor Dietrich. [gasps] [1:43] >> Yes. [1:44] >> What's on your j What are you jamming [1:45] out to in the car? [1:46] >> Well, that depends. if my husband's in [1:48] the car with me. Um, if I am by myself, [1:51] then I will either uh I always have [1:53] music. I'm not a podcast person. Um, so [1:57] I I admire that about Mayor Napier. Um, [2:00] I will either have some 80s rock on or I [2:04] like uh classical music if I need to [2:06] unwind or I will have uh KTIS. [2:10] >> All right, [2:11] there's Stephanie. [2:12] >> Well, thanks for having me on. Uh, so [2:14] I'm Stephanie Lavine. uh mayor of Modota [2:18] Heights and uh I am in my third term, [2:21] fifth year and I am on my radio in my [2:25] car is depending upon what's going on [2:27] but pretty much uh I I like to get my [2:29] news from uh Minnesota public radio or [2:32] the current I like to listen to the to [2:34] the music there and I am also studying [2:37] Spanish and if my accent is so bad it's [2:40] best when I practice in my car. So, I [2:42] also uh have Spanish podcast that I will [2:44] listen to and practice my Spanish in my [2:46] car. [2:47] >> That's awesome. [2:48] >> So, pretty diverse uh radio radio stuff. [2:53] How about uh if you had anywhere to be, [2:55] if you had nothing else to do, [2:57] >> where are we going to find you? What's [2:59] your what's your happy place? If if you [3:01] could choose anything and anywhere, [3:03] what's your happy place, mayor? Oh, for [3:04] me, um, well, I I have a couple happy [3:07] places, but, uh, definitely Valley Park [3:10] in Menota Heights is my favorite place. [3:11] Unfortunately, it's under construction [3:13] for the next two years. Thank you, [3:14] Dakota County. We really appreciate your [3:16] investment, but uh, it is the it is my [3:19] absolute happy place. There's the leaves [3:21] are stunning right now. The weather is [3:24] crisp. The the it is just absolutely [3:28] such a great place. There's this [3:29] wonderful little secret path that's not [3:32] a secret for everyone that lives in [3:33] Modota Heights. That's um a a stand of [3:36] white pine trees that is 60 years old. [3:39] It was planted by some boy scouts 60 [3:41] years ago and it is [3:44] >> magical. It's absolutely magical. I I [3:46] did I brought you there when we did our [3:47] mayor's walk because it is my happy [3:49] place. [3:50] >> Yeah. Great. How about you, Dave? [3:52] >> Well, this time of year, not so much. Uh [3:53] it's golf. I love to golf. I it's a [3:56] social thing for me with my friends and [3:58] family and so golfing is a big thing. Um [4:01] grandkids doing anything with the [4:03] grandkids. Last night they came over and [4:04] we had a lot of fun. Take them to the [4:06] park and um so definitely grandkid stuff [4:09] and uh you know this summer of course [4:11] cabin and fishing and bought a pontoon [4:13] this year and so we've been out with the [4:15] family fishing. Pontoon's a great thing [4:17] because you can bring food and you can [4:19] also [4:20] >> fish you know and teach the kids [4:22] fishing. A lot of fun. lot. We're I'm [4:24] I'm very active. [4:26] >> Okay, great. [4:28] >> Um, yes, thanks for the question. So, my [4:30] happy place is definitely uh the gym [4:33] that serves multiple um d-stress. It's [4:36] also a hobby for me. I used to be a [4:38] competitive bodybuilder. So, I just um [4:41] in order for me to get to my goal of [4:42] being 100, I need to stay healthy. And [4:45] then um as far as Inenver Grove though, [4:47] I'm a water person. I love the swing [4:49] bridge and walking along uh the [4:50] Mississippi River. [4:52] >> Yeah. Ah, awesome. So, uh, I listen to a [4:58] lot of stuff. Um, Spotify and get some [5:02] of my news from the BBC. So, that's [5:04] what's on if you're going to listen to [5:06] my, but I'm in a 93 geo tracker right [5:08] now. So, it's it's the Beach Boys tape [5:10] that uh, it's been been a fun summer [5:13] song. And then Maya's happy place is [5:16] home. if I'm done peepling, [5:19] >> being anywhere around the house, whether [5:20] we're cooking or hanging out with the [5:22] fam, kind of like you, Dave, you know, [5:23] wherever it is. But being at home is uh [5:26] that's my happy place. [5:27] >> And you're a good cook. [5:28] >> Yeah. Well, I'm working at it and thank [5:30] you for for saying that. I'm an amateur [5:33] and the thing I learned about cooking is [5:35] you have to be willing to eat your [5:37] mistakes. So, I don't try to make too [5:40] many mistakes, [laughter] but [5:41] >> true. [5:41] >> Try some new stuff. It's fun. And you do [5:44] you guys cook? [5:45] >> Oh, yeah. You're the cooks of the [5:46] families. Okay. [5:47] >> I've really learned the Blackstone and [5:49] really learned to enjoy it up at the [5:51] cabin. That's all we did. Breakfast, [5:53] lunch, and dinner. Oh, [5:54] >> what's a Blackstone? [5:56] >> It's like griddle. [laughter] [5:57] >> The way I The way I describe [5:58] >> George Foreman or something? [6:00] >> No. The way I describe [laughter] it is [6:03] not as compact. [6:03] >> Does anybody have the big cast iron? [6:05] >> Yes, I do. [6:06] >> Griddle. [6:06] >> I have a cast iron pan. The big one. [6:09] >> I have a cast iron pan. I cook all the [6:11] time. I've got cast iron. [6:12] >> It's just like cooking on a cast iron [6:13] pan. Matter of fact, my wife uses the [6:15] cast iron pan just like a Blackstoneone. [6:17] She cooks everything in there. [6:18] >> Yeah. [6:19] >> No more Teflon. No more any It's always [6:21] on the the big cast iron. [6:23] >> You don't want to use Teflon anyway. [6:24] >> Are you guys No, but I mean years ago [6:26] that's what Teflon Everybody used Teflon [6:28] or I don't know if it was Teflon, but [6:29] you know what I'm talking [6:31] >> product. Yeah. Yeah. I like to bake, [6:33] too. So, especially this time of year, [6:36] >> love to do things with apples and my [6:38] husband is a big sweets guy, so [6:40] >> always making something yummy [6:42] [clears throat] for him. That's great. [6:43] >> I just made I actually had last night I [6:46] had leftover roasted cauliflower from a [6:48] couple weeks ago at dinner and nobody [6:50] nobody tucked into the roasted [6:51] cauliflower. So I threw it in the [6:53] freezer and then last night I took it or [6:55] yesterday morning I took it out and then [6:57] I made a pureed roasted cauliflower soup [7:00] that was to die for. Delicious. So um [7:03] >> especially with that roasted little [7:05] >> nice and I go and I get my vegetables [7:07] every week from the farmers market nice [7:09] and fresh and so it was so good. Yeah. [7:12] So, I'm a baker and I'm a cook and [7:14] pretty much [clears throat] every that's [7:16] what I do. I mean, yeah, we we don't [7:18] really eat out as much [7:19] >> because the food's frankly not not as [7:21] good. [laughter] [7:22] >> The quality for sure. [7:23] >> Well, as you see or as you hear, we're [7:25] just regular people just like all the [7:27] rest of the world, right? We're uh we're [7:30] balancing our days, listening to the [7:31] cars. We're in and out. You have a day [7:32] job. I have a day job. We've got uh [7:35] things pulling at us. But the mayors [7:38] here get together and we walk try to [7:40] walk every month. Uh try to and we've [7:42] been doing this for a few years. I know [7:44] they wrote an article about us uh doing [7:46] that, right? And and our collaborations, [7:49] but it really is and that's why I wanted [7:50] you on this podcast to talk and talk a [7:53] little deeper about it because we've [7:54] done some things not only just seeing [7:57] each other's area, but then we've done [7:59] stuff back in our cities that are [8:00] reflective of it. We had conversations [8:02] even before we started the microphones [8:03] about, hey, this is a dilemma. Um, I [8:05] need a mayor's perspective on this and [8:07] we're able to bounce off each other. Do [8:10] any of you want to share uh your [8:11] perceptions of our our walks and what [8:13] they, you know, what they can do for our [8:15] community or what they are doing for [8:16] your community? [8:18] >> Um, well, I like the fact that I get [8:20] someone else's point of view. Um, it's [8:22] always better if I can hear from other [8:24] people that are doing um my similar job [8:27] and think of things that I wouldn't [8:28] think of. So, the other side of the [8:30] pancake kind of thing. [8:31] >> Yeah. Do you do you take any of the [8:34] things that you've learned here back to [8:35] staff and say hey this is what they're [8:37] doing over there what's [8:39] you know [8:39] >> absolutely for sure when we're [8:42] considering things and different kinds [8:44] of policies I run it by this group and [8:46] then uh talk about your experiences and [8:50] and I think our problems are much more [8:52] similar I think we talk about oh this [8:54] city that city our cities are made of [8:56] the same people doing the same thing you [8:58] know the same life we one of the things [9:00] I like about you know especially with [9:01] mayor Napier and I, we have the same [9:03] school district and so we have a lot in [9:06] common and we've known each other for [9:07] years because our kids went to school [9:08] together. And so when when I got when I [9:11] got uh when I got elected, uh I think [9:13] one of the first calls I made was to to [9:15] to Dave and I said, "Tell me how to do [9:17] this job." [laughter] So So I we I have [9:20] definitely relied on uh you to help me [9:25] figure out what how what kind of things [9:27] we should be considering as a city. [9:28] >> Yeah. And I know there's crossovers of [9:30] of all of our police departments. And I [9:33] think part [9:34] >> mutual aid is [9:35] >> Yes. Part of that is uh again the [9:36] relationship I see that's very strong [9:39] is, you know, between those police [9:41] chiefs and our communities because [9:43] that's again part of what we're doing is [9:45] trying to make sure our people are safe [9:47] and protected and they're taken to the [9:50] next level as well with those extra [9:52] relationships like we have. [9:54] >> Yeah. Staff definitely collaborates. [9:55] Public safety, police and fire. [9:57] >> Yeah. So what is it what's going on in [10:00] West St. Paul? What's going on in Menota [10:02] Heights and in Ever Ingrove Heights that [10:03] you know affects the people of South St. [10:06] Paul? We we you you we go to you for [10:08] food. We come to you for food. You know [10:10] we go I know people go to you for uh [10:12] faith. Yeah. For food and faith. [10:14] >> Yeah. We have all the apps. Yeah. [10:16] [laughter] [10:16] >> Right. Exactly. So what's going you know [10:18] what are some of the things that you [10:19] know the because this is a conversation [10:21] in South St. Paul these are mostly our [10:23] residents listening. you know, what what [10:25] are some of the things that are [10:26] happening in your community that they're [10:28] going to see, you know, forward- facing? [10:32] >> Well, I can speak, you know, we have [10:34] Robert Street. I mean, right, that's a [10:35] huge economic engine for us. And we know [10:38] that the users aren't just West St. [10:40] Paul. So, we when we develop uh look at [10:44] developments, we really look at it from [10:46] a regional standpoint and how is it [10:48] going to impact the region. Um, we [10:50] currently have that half a cent sales [10:51] tax. So, anybody coming and spending [10:53] money in West St. Paul actually doesn't [10:55] know it, but they're helping to pay for [10:57] our roads. And uh so that's really been [11:00] a nice thing to have um from our [11:02] standpoint to be able to keep, [11:04] >> you know, if you think about a road and [11:06] why who pays for it to fix it. [11:09] >> Um when we have when we're a regional [11:11] attraction, um it's nice to share that. [11:14] And I, you know, haven't heard from [11:15] anybody complaining about it. I think [11:17] it's it's something that's happening [11:19] without them really understanding it. [11:21] But that half a cent sales tax has been [11:23] influential in get instrumental in [11:26] getting us to get some really aging [11:29] infrastructure rebuilt and um it's [11:32] really important for us. So but I would [11:35] say on the other side of it with all the [11:37] collaborations that we have I think [11:38] we're still sharing recycling. Um the [11:41] tri district we have that has different [11:43] programming for all the different [11:45] things. Um, we share a fire department [11:47] with South St. Paul. I mean, there's so [11:49] many things that we do that maybe the [11:51] communities really don't understand that [11:53] we are more interconnected than people [11:55] think. But I will just add with the four [11:58] of us that get together and sometimes um [12:01] we've had uh we've been had Lilyale get [12:04] together with us when we are doing the [12:06] feeding the military families and stuff, [12:08] but we it really is about no pressure, [12:11] get together, no agenda, but boy, we've [12:14] talked about some things that we brought [12:15] back to our staff on mental health that [12:17] we're all dealing with and stuff like [12:18] that. So, it's just really kind of been [12:21] a really fun casual um collaboration [12:24] that I think the community should know [12:26] more about. [12:27] >> Do others have the sales tax? Does go. [12:31] >> Yeah. Again, we're we're in that same [12:33] boat, which it makes sense for your your [12:35] town because it does have a lot of those [12:38] outside entities, the Targets, the Home [12:41] Depots, those, you know, people where [12:43] the that makes a lot a difference in the [12:45] foods and and that stuff. Um what I see [12:48] in uh Inver Grove is that your your Egan [12:53] side [12:54] >> who we've invited to walk and St. Paul [12:56] we've invited to walk but that Egan side [12:58] is really growing. [13:00] >> Is that is there anything special [13:01] happening over there that our citizens [13:04] you know would want to know about? Well, [13:05] that is funny that you should ask [13:07] because we do have a very um big [13:10] transformational project that is going [13:12] to be around the corner, but it is in [13:15] confidence at this point, but that will [13:17] be a regional amenity. [13:18] >> Okay. [13:19] >> So, [13:19] >> yeah. And I know residents from here and [13:21] seniors senior living want to go to [13:23] Inenver Grove. There's a lot of senior [13:27] available housing that turn the key [13:29] walk-in. Yes. [13:30] >> Housing that's been being built over in [13:32] Inenver Grove. And we are having another [13:34] um there's another senior building [13:36] that's going up that's going to be by [13:38] Walmart so off of conquered and that's a [13:40] CDA project so with the county and yeah [13:43] we [13:43] >> we all have projects. [13:45] >> Yeah. We can't we couldn't do it without [13:46] them. [13:47] >> But I think um I think of neighbors [13:49] incorporated that you guys have and we [13:51] really um there's a lot of our residents [13:54] that utilize that program and what also [13:56] the like the clothes closet and that [13:58] type of thing. So, um, that's that's an [14:01] amenity that you guys have that I feel [14:03] that we're blessed to share. [14:04] >> Yeah. Well, we've done so many things [14:07] over the years cuz Inenver Grove is just [14:09] an extension of South St. Paul, [14:11] >> right? The people in South St. Paul [14:14] moved to Inenver Grove because they had [14:16] bigger garages, you know, three cars. [14:17] >> Exactly. [14:18] >> And we couldn't get that here. Even [14:19] double cars at sometimes. [14:21] >> We do want to emulate your city's like [14:24] um feel of family and closeness. That is [14:27] something that I hear our residents [14:28] talking about. So, something to be [14:30] applauded. [14:31] >> Well, we're river cities, too, you know, [14:32] along the river, which is pretty cool. [14:35] Um, I think that amenity for so long, [14:38] they've turned their backs on the river, [14:40] you know, dumped in the river and [14:42] >> made it more industrial than it was [14:44] pleasurable. And so now I think we've [14:46] we've turned the corner there. I know. [14:48] And [14:48] >> respecting the river. [14:50] >> Exactly. [laughter] And using it. You [14:51] know, you got a marina over there that [14:53] that people use quite often. Yep. [14:56] >> Um, so what's going on in Menota Heights [14:58] that citizens of South St. Paul would [15:01] want to know about? [15:02] >> Well, the big the big thing that's going [15:04] on right now is we uh we have outgrown [15:07] our police department. Yeah. [15:09] >> And so and and our police department and [15:11] our city hall are connected. The police [15:12] department is the basement of our our [15:14] municipal building, city halls on top. [15:16] So we are in the process of having that [15:19] sort of uh those those need study right [15:22] now. We're having an open house on [15:24] Tuesday where our residents can come [15:26] through and see the needs because, [15:28] >> you know, when you call the police and [15:29] they come, you don't really think about [15:30] the fact that they're going back to a [15:32] building where um there are frogs [15:34] jumping around and mold and there's no [15:36] room and they they're you know, elbow to [15:38] elbow and they can't wash their cars [15:41] without hitting all their gear and they [15:42] there's no place to put their gear. So, [15:45] uh we we need to do something. Our [15:47] police department has is an [15:49] extraordinary department and they need a [15:52] work uh place that is respectful to them [15:56] and currently they do not have that. So [15:58] we need to do that. That will then [15:59] impact our city hall which um to be I I [16:03] I love the feel of our chamber of our [16:05] council chambers. It's beautiful but [16:06] it's all connected and it was our our [16:09] city hall was built as a residential uh [16:11] property [16:12] >> back in the day and so unfortunately [16:14] that means that is as we discussed [16:18] before the mics went on there are some [16:20] reasons why security is very key [16:22] important right now and we we want to [16:24] make sure that our uh we have the [16:25] correct safety protocols and the correct [16:27] safety design and that is going to [16:29] require quite a bit of investment by our [16:31] taxpayers and so that is our biggest [16:34] that's our biggest I would say municipal [16:37] challenge right now and and it's also an [16:39] opportunity to do the right thing [16:41] because I think we have a great [16:42] community we have great leaders we have [16:44] a wonderful police chief we a great city [16:46] administrator. We have the right people [16:47] at the right time to do the work and I [16:50] think we've just got to get her done. [16:51] >> Yeah, it was clever. Uh well, so that's [16:53] what we call outlived its useful life [16:56] when it comes to buildings and and [16:58] stuff. But um I thought it was clever. I [17:00] don't know where I saw it, but the tour [17:03] idea and how it was presented, [17:05] >> the takeover of Instagram, [17:06] >> whatever it was. Yeah. What? tell tell [17:09] us about that because it's really it's [17:11] like a simple thing inviting your [17:12] residents in to see physically see [17:15] what's going on and spend that time with [17:16] them walking through and showing you [17:18] know we don't think about that all the [17:19] time so it was very clever to do that [17:22] >> I I would I would if anybody's [17:23] interested in in um it's it's actually [17:26] good good watching aside from the fact [17:28] that it it's it's it's also just showing [17:30] everybody what they need to see but we [17:32] have an Instagram account at the city [17:34] and the um Modota Heights Police [17:36] Department did a takeover Instagram for [17:38] 24 hours. And so they started off with [17:41] like the morning shift. And so the [17:42] morning people came on and talked about [17:44] and and showed what what it was like in [17:46] the morning in the police department and [17:47] then our midday shift and then our night [17:50] shift people came and showed us what the [17:52] challenges are at night with the [17:53] building. And um I I urge you to go look [17:57] and see what each what each shift uh [18:00] uncovered. And um it was a compelling [18:04] argument, a compelling reason. It's [18:06] actually it's not a 24-hour thing that's [18:08] going to disappear. It's going to be [18:10] permanently on the Modota Heights [18:12] Instagram uh page. So, if you're [18:14] interested, City of Modota Heights [18:15] Instagram and it's also I think you can [18:17] get there through Facebook. But, it's [18:18] actually it's just compelling and it's [18:22] nothing. It's it's you can see it for [18:24] your own eyes what the problem is is [18:26] what the challenges are. I I'd say [18:27] >> well and that's the thing that's a [18:29] challenge that we have too is to be [18:31] relevant to people and get that message [18:32] out. And we all have Facebook pages that [18:36] aren't run by the city but are run by [18:39] opinions and and people who really, you [18:41] know, and I don't want to knock them [18:43] because there are people that really [18:44] care about it and are dedicated to [18:46] making sure that people have that access [18:47] and fighting for it. So, you know, it's [18:49] they're a service, but that's our [18:51] challenge as cities is to get the word [18:52] out. And so, learning and seeing how [18:54] that that's done simply, right? It [18:57] didn't take a whole thing that just just [18:58] an idea that took over and and really it [19:01] does. Go watch it. It's pretty it's [19:03] pretty interesting, [19:03] >> right? And your and your um listeners [19:05] should know that you know as public [19:07] officials we can't engage. So if we have [19:09] people of Modota Heights Facebook page, [19:11] I can't engage on that without um [19:13] breaking the open meeting law. So people [19:15] think, well, why haven't you responded? [19:17] Well, I can't without um without without [19:20] breaking uh the open meeting law. So, we [19:22] push information out through the the the [19:24] official channels and we have to uh if [19:27] you are concerned about what the open [19:29] meeting law is or or what it means to [19:32] public officials, I encourage people to [19:34] to read about it because it is a an [19:37] important law, but it is sometimes [19:38] hamstringing a little bit our our [19:40] ability to respond to some of the public [19:42] comments that I see online. [19:44] >> So, when when do you guys meet? What's [19:46] your schedule of meeting? Let's go [19:48] around and talk about that as as each [19:49] you you you have your meetings. [19:51] >> Ours are um always on Monday nights [19:53] unless there's a holiday or something, [19:55] but the first Monday of the month is a [19:57] work session. And those we've been [19:59] having at the Veterans Memorial [20:01] Community Center, so outside of the [20:02] chambers is just a little bit more [20:04] relaxed conversation. And then um our [20:07] formal council meetings are twice a [20:09] month. So [20:10] >> does anybody else chambers? [20:12] >> Uh yes, like our our commissions use the [20:14] chambers, so they have their meetings [20:15] there. Dave. [20:17] >> Yeah. So, we meet the second and the [20:19] fourth Monday of every month. Uh unless [20:22] there's a holiday, we met on Tuesday, uh [20:24] the last meeting. Um but it's we we have [20:27] the open council work session early and [20:29] then we have a short gap in between. Uh [20:33] then we start a regular council meeting. [20:34] So, we go work session right into [20:36] council meeting and then if we have a [20:38] EDA, uh we'll do that after. [20:40] >> And so, that gets to be a long day. [20:42] >> It It's a long day, but it does. [20:44] >> What time does that start? uh usually [20:46] right around 5 to 5:30 depends. We we [20:49] kind of rotate it based on what kind of [20:52] topics and so that I can keep them you [20:54] know enough time to get stuff done. need [20:56] 30 minutes more than you started. [20:58] >> You know, you don't want to have too [20:59] much time and [21:00] >> we value everybody's time, the community [21:02] and everything else. If they come there [21:03] for a council meeting, we want them to [21:05] >> But yeah, it's twice a month. [21:07] >> But so you only do twice. You're four, [21:08] so that's spread out. [21:10] >> We do. [21:10] >> So two and two, right? [21:12] >> Um ours are our council schedules are [21:14] the same as Mayor Napier's, but we have [21:16] our our work sessions are completely [21:18] separate night. [21:19] >> Yeah. [21:20] >> Okay. Not on So that'd be four on Monday [21:22] nights. [21:22] >> On Monday. Okay. Gotcha. Yeah. We we [21:24] meet twice a month, the f first and [21:27] third Tuesdays. And one of our meetings [21:28] we start early. We we meet at 6 p.m. And [21:31] one of our meetings we'll start early uh [21:33] to do our work session, which is just [21:36] right at the same in the same council [21:39] chambers and we end just 15 minutes [21:41] before our meeting starts. And we do [21:42] share our council chambers with our uh [21:45] local school board with the 197 school [21:46] board which meets on Monday nights and [21:48] then of course all of our other [21:50] commissions as well. Our big other user [21:52] in our chambers is uh our school is is [21:55] the school board. [21:56] >> So your you have on cameras twice and [22:00] then the other ones your work sessions [22:02] are off camera. Yours are [22:04] >> all on camera. [22:04] >> Camera. No, our work sessions are off [22:06] camera. We we actually sit in a circle [22:08] >> in we actually don't sit on the DS. We [22:11] actually move the tables in. We're in [22:13] the chamber because we have only one [22:14] room and so we have actually we make the [22:16] the tables into a well it's a rectangle. [22:19] Sorry. We don't have round tables. It's [22:20] a rectangle, but we sit around a [22:22] rectangle and we sit facing each other. [22:24] And often we'll have maybe uh presenters [22:26] as well sitting around the table. Often [22:29] what what I like about work sessions is [22:31] we actually invite maybe maybe the [22:34] county's coming to talk about a CDA [22:36] building that they're going to put up or [22:37] something. They sit around the table [22:38] with us and uh we have a much more [22:41] informal I don't we don't use uh [22:43] Robert's rules. We we use first names. [22:45] It's a very different kind of a way of [22:48] engaging with with one another which is [22:50] much more informal and I think very [22:52] important because remember outside of [22:55] chambers we cannot meet. It's we'd be [22:58] violating the open meeting law. So the [22:59] only way we can talk to each other [23:01] >> and have those kind of informal [23:03] conversations is in in a work session. [23:05] >> And we're all open to the public all [23:07] those meetings. So [23:08] >> our meetings are all Oh yeah, they are [23:10] open to the public and often the public [23:12] comes and [23:12] >> sits and joins. Yeah. [23:13] >> Yeah. They'll they'll they'll join I [23:15] mean they'll ask often if it's something [23:16] that that's relevant they can certainly [23:18] chime in. [23:19] >> They're always welcome. Yeah. Right. [23:20] >> And all our meetings are on uh town [23:23] square as well as our open council work [23:26] session. And we also break into small [23:29] groups or a round table not round a [23:31] rectangle table before and then after [23:34] that meeting they move the table they [23:36] move the tables back to where they [23:37] should be and then we get up at the DAS. [23:39] But um we don't do that all the It [23:41] depends what the topics are and you know [23:43] it's a lot of work for staff so we kind [23:45] of say you know what today we're just [23:47] going to meet at the dis and that'll be [23:49] fine. Um but we found that in the past [23:53] we used to go into a boardroom for the [23:55] open council work session and it was way [23:57] more productive than sitting up the [24:00] dies. And so it's it's to think [24:04] >> that that logistics would make a [24:06] difference but it really does. [24:07] >> It really does. a round table is just [24:09] very it just very engaging and [24:11] encourages that. So that's how we do it. [24:14] Same pretty similar. [24:15] >> We're uh first and third are on camera, [24:18] the second and fourth our work session. [24:20] The first and third are up in the [24:21] chambers. We switch with those days with [24:23] our school board. So our school board [24:24] uses our chambers when we're not in [24:26] them. And then we're down in a training [24:27] room which is that setup. And [snorts] [24:30] sometimes the tables are moved around [24:31] differently, but it's a more casual like [24:33] you saw the mayor's corner over there [24:34] with that furniture. the public sits and [24:36] can join us in there and take notes and [24:38] plug in and there's a lot of electrical [24:40] spots for people to be there, but we [24:43] don't record the work sessions. And uh [24:46] we we've been we got some flack for that [24:47] or we get some flak for that for [24:49] communications. And our response is the [24:52] same as yours. It's that it's that time [24:54] to flood through the discussions without [24:57] being held to the the exact words that [25:00] you say because you're not voting on it [25:01] anyways. you're you're talking through [25:03] and and then they'll come back and [25:04] present to you and that's when that [25:06] discussion happens and that's when that [25:08] vote happens. So our c those work [25:10] sessions are you know when sometimes [25:12] people don't want to be in on the camera [25:14] the developers they don't want they just [25:15] they're shooting someone over the bow to [25:18] see hey you know we got this concept we [25:20] want to see if you're interested in it. [25:21] They don't want necessarily to share all [25:24] the info or somebody has a problem and [25:26] wants to, you know, ask for a grievance [25:28] on something or, you know, [25:31] uh, reprieve like we were talking [25:33] earlier, someone wants to, but they [25:34] don't want to do it on camera because [25:36] they don't want people to know they're [25:37] asking for some, you know, some help or [25:39] assistance or whatever it is. So, that [25:42] works for all of us. I mean, they all [25:43] kind work, right? [25:44] >> Yes. [25:45] >> Um, in those in your meetings, uh, just [25:47] like us, right? Your city staff prepares [25:50] all that stuff and presents it to you. [25:52] >> But the legal council, do we do you guys [25:55] have We all have legal counsel, but [25:57] >> Yes. at our presence. [25:59] >> Yeah. [25:59] >> Yes. [25:59] >> So, what is the relationship with your [26:01] city and and your legal counsel? Um, [26:03] when it comes to the day-to-day stuff, [26:06] when it comes to the police stuff, do [26:08] you have different different [26:10] law firms dealing with different things [26:12] or do you have one law firm that does [26:13] everything for you? because the public [26:15] really doesn't know uh the cities around [26:18] us, right? All of these intricate [26:20] things, right? So, Leander Gillan and [26:22] Miller has been our attorney for um the [26:26] day-to-day stuff of council and then [26:28] our, you know, for the police and is at [26:31] defense. Uh it's Kudson that does that [26:33] for us. So, we have two firms that do [26:36] different things because they're better [26:38] at some of them do both, but they're [26:40] better at one or the other. I don't know [26:42] again if you have input on legal stuff [26:44] that No, you don't. [26:46] >> The one thing I will add is that you [26:48] know in our form of government at at [26:50] West St. Paul the city council really [26:53] only has interactions can directly go to [26:56] the city manager and the city attorney. [26:59] We don't go to direct department heads. [27:02] We don't we shouldn't. I mean we've we [27:04] it has happened but it's really about [27:06] going through two people. So we can call [27:08] without the city manager you know [27:10] knowing about it. we can call the [27:11] attorney if we have a question or a [27:13] concern. And I think that's really [27:14] important for us as elected officials to [27:17] make sure that we stay within our [27:18] boundaries and our lane and what we're [27:20] supposed to be doing. So, um I [27:21] appreciate that relationship. Um we did [27:24] switch um firms, but at the end of the [27:27] day, it's the same same core things that [27:29] we're doing and we really haven't missed [27:32] much of a beat. So, [27:33] >> yeah. [27:34] >> Yeah. Yeah, again that's for for [27:36] residents, you know, when they say they [27:38] think we have all this power. We that [27:40] you just named who we who we can talk [27:42] to. You know, we don't get to go tell [27:44] the streets guys to come and cut that [27:45] tree down. I mean, we can bring bring [27:47] the message. [27:48] >> Yeah. [27:48] >> Yeah. [27:50] >> So, where um we have a law firm that has [27:53] Yeah. different specialties, but so we [27:55] get legal representation, you know, [27:57] depending on what the situation is. Um, [28:00] but I am grateful to have an attorney at [28:02] our meetings to um, they're very good at [28:06] looking things up. They're concise. [28:08] They're quick. Um, and we can get a lot [28:10] of things resolved on the spot. We're a [28:12] little bit uh different than Mayor [28:13] Napier in that our council does reach [28:16] out to department heads, but we just as [28:19] a courtesy, we always include the city [28:22] administrator on the email just so that [28:24] we all are on the same page because the [28:27] city administrator is their boss. Um, [28:30] but there's sometimes I need like a [28:32] technical answer from an engineer and [28:35] um, so we have we have those types of, [28:39] you know, situations, but it's all [28:42] transparent and and any of our emails [28:44] are subject to, you know, data um, what [28:48] is that called? [28:49] >> Data privacy. [28:50] >> Yeah, exactly. So that data request, [28:54] we all know that we've all had people [28:56] request. everything that is all of us [28:58] have had been the subject of data [28:59] requests. [29:00] >> Yeah. [29:00] >> And our phones as well. [29:01] >> Yeah. Exactly. [29:02] >> Texting as well. [29:03] >> Yeah. [29:03] >> Yeah. It's uh so we're again we're we're [29:06] similar in that we're all dealing kind [29:08] of with the same same things and but [29:10] we're we've got really great things that [29:13] each of our communities use utilize [29:15] right from each other. [29:16] >> Yeah. [29:17] >> So as we wrap up our our quick [29:19] conversation here in the conversations [29:21] in South St. Paul, um, yeah, I didn't [29:24] ask you the question, but you're like [29:25] your your favorite sports team. Who are [29:27] you cheering for when it comes to to [29:29] sports? Or if you're not a sports [29:31] person, what's your what's your outlet [29:34] to is it the symphony? Is it sporting [29:36] clays? You know, what what do you like [29:39] to what's your sport? What's your sport [29:41] to watch? Start with Dave. [29:42] >> Well, certainly golf. Uh, [29:44] >> you watch you play golf and watch golf. [29:46] >> I will watch a good PGA event on a [29:48] Sunday if it's the Masters or the US [29:50] Open, stuff like that. I don't typically [29:52] get up and say I'm going to watch, but [29:53] the Masters in US Open I watch um we go [29:58] to a me and a group of guys have been [29:59] doing it since 2006. We go to an away [30:02] Vikings game [30:03] >> and it's it's so cool. I mean last year [30:05] we went to Nashville. I had never been [30:07] there. When if you've ever been to [30:10] Nashville for a football game, talking [30:13] to anybody in Nashville that works [30:15] there, they actually literally changed [30:17] all the [30:18] >> banners and flags to the away team [30:22] >> really [30:22] >> at all the bars [30:24] >> and it is a it was a sea of purple. [30:27] >> Um it's just the way it is. Uh a year [30:30] before that we went to Vegas for the [30:32] Vikings game and the Viking and they do [30:34] the same thing down in Vegas because [30:35] they want to cater to those travel those [30:38] people that travel well for their team. [30:40] But Nashville is a destination place and [30:42] it just gets taken over by the away [30:44] team. So if Tampa Bay is playing the [30:46] next week, Viking flags get out and [30:48] Tampa Bay flags go up. It's kind of [30:50] cool. So we've seen a lot of the country [30:53] through going to [30:54] >> and then when we're there, usually if [30:56] it's a if it's a warm climate, we golf. [30:58] So we get to go see the same do things. [31:01] [laughter] [31:01] >> Just lots of fun stuff. So anyway, [31:03] that's kind of the fun things I do with [31:05] some some friends for many years. [31:07] >> May your neighbor has too much fun. [31:09] >> Yeah. Never have too much fun. That's [31:11] always in the [laughter] You can We can [31:13] always have more fun. [31:14] >> It's a guy who grew up at Dodge Nature [31:15] Center. So do you really fault him for [31:18] being out outdoorsy, [31:19] >> right? Outdoorsy. How about you? Where [31:21] you uh [31:22] >> Okay. Well, you're going to laugh, but I [31:25] don't Maybe Brenda won't laugh. Pickle [31:27] ball. Pickle [laughter] ball is the [31:30] biggest thing um in my city. We I'm I [31:33] would like to brag that we probably have [31:34] >> Is there a team though? Is that like do [31:35] you watch a team or you just go watch [31:37] people play? [31:38] >> It's better than a team. It's a I would [31:41] say it's a community. [31:44] >> I don't know. It's a just a it's it's [31:46] organic. Yeah. It's not planned. There's [31:49] just a group of people that every [31:51] morning go down to the pickle ball [31:54] courts. Um, are we have striped our our [31:57] hockey rinks? We have we have three [31:59] hockey rinks and they're all striped [32:01] with six pickleball courts. So, are they [32:03] the best pickle ball courts in the [32:04] world? Well, not if you're like a really [32:07] good player, but if you're kind of a [32:09] just a casual fun player, there's six of [32:11] them and we just meet down there. [32:14] Anyone's welcome. And I I I feel like I [32:17] I'm going outside to play with my [32:18] friends. So, I every morning that I can, [32:21] I will be out at the pickle ball courts. [32:23] Just for an example, this morning I I I [32:26] didn't go down, but I was walking my dog [32:29] and I saw um Dave and and many of our [32:32] pickle ball players are from West St. [32:33] Paul because they're the genesis of the [32:35] group that I play with started at the Y [32:38] and so they had to move when the Y [32:40] closed and so they come down to uh Marie [32:42] Park which is near my house and I saw [32:44] Dave and and he uh and he was he's a [32:48] retiree just a great guy and he and I [32:50] was like Dave, you know what's going on? [32:52] no pickle ball cuz it was a little, you [32:54] know, was frost everywhere. And I said, [32:56] "Isn't the pickle ball court slippery?" [32:57] And he's like, "No, it's not slippery. [32:59] Where's everybody?" He was so angry that [33:01] like people didn't show up, but we'll [33:03] have in the morning 30 people. We're [33:05] going to have a Halloween party. We have [33:07] parties for all the holidays. It is so [33:10] much fun. And that's fun. [33:12] >> That's my sport. We don't take it too [33:14] seriously. We laugh more than we do [33:15] anything else. And I just love it. [33:17] >> Yeah, that's great. [33:19] >> What How about you? What's what's your [33:21] jam for? [33:21] >> Um, well, this is a really hard question [33:24] today because I'm a huge Vikings fan and [33:27] we had a horrible loss last night. So, [33:30] [laughter] [33:31] and I also live in a divided household [33:33] because my husband is a Packers fan. So, [33:35] I have some special challenges, but I'm [33:37] I'm a huge Vikings fan. [33:39] >> Yeah, that's awesome. Well, thanks you [33:42] guys for for me. Oh, well, I'm not a [33:44] sporty at all. I would uh uh my [33:48] South St. Packers are really good this [33:50] year. They're they're playing [laughter] [33:51] >> That's true. [33:52] >> They're playing Saturdays. Um but you [33:54] know, they played against uh Inenver [33:56] Grove and got the barge trophy back. [33:58] >> But [33:58] >> I was hoping you wouldn't say what the [34:00] outcome was. [34:01] >> When the football team is on or football [34:03] games, if it's in on in the background [34:05] or even golf, okay, if it's on at the [34:08] cabin or whatever, but I'm not really a [34:11] sporty Well, [34:12] >> I'll go to something. Invite me and I'll [34:13] go. [34:13] >> I was going to say play pickle ball. All [34:15] of you are invited to pickle ball. Marie [34:17] Park. [34:17] >> A good excuse. I got a bone ankle. So, [34:19] uh, [34:19] >> so my brother, my my son-in-law, who's [34:23] very athletic, very works out every day, [34:27] >> plays pickle ball with a group of guys, [34:29] tore his Achilles, [34:31] >> he's out for a year, and the first thing [34:33] he said when he went to the doctor, they [34:34] said, [34:35] >> "Was that from pickle ball?" [laughter] [34:37] >> Well, Achilles is a thing. [34:38] >> 80 something like 85% of his surgeries [34:42] are all pickle ball. [34:42] >> Wow. [34:43] >> 85%. [34:44] >> Keeping the surgeons in business. So, I [34:46] don't know how [laughter] many of your [34:47] group have had [34:49] >> um none. None. And that's mostly because [34:52] we stretch we stretch and take care of [34:55] ourselves. And I I would I would venture [34:57] that a lot of people that that I I don't [34:59] want to get into it right now. And [35:00] people might think it's self- serving [35:02] because I I do have a a child who's a [35:04] surgeon and a daughter who's a physical [35:05] therapist. So, it's not that I'm trying [35:06] to drum up business for my children. [35:09] [laughter] I just want you to know I [35:11] want to be transparent. [35:13] But yes, no, I there are definitely uh [35:15] uh some just take care of yourself if [35:18] you do [35:18] >> stress. Thanks for having us. [35:20] >> Thanks for coming in. Yeah, good [35:22] conversation in South St. Paul. We'll go [35:23] do a little walking again and I hope to [35:25] be in your cities in the next couple [35:26] months and maybe we'll do an update. [35:29] >> Sounds great. [35:29] >> And it's beautiful out right now. Let's [35:31] go for a little walk. Yeah. [35:32] >> Thanks for watching. [35:33] >> All right, take care. Bye.