The to order. Welcome place. I that anyone can anyone. Everyone hear Yes. Okay. Perfect. Councilmember Mark Don't work. Last And chair maker here. Thanks. Thanks, Sonja, and thanks so much for joining us today. We have 2 items on agenda. One is at instruction to marry her and leadership team which really excited about which is intended to be a conversation between us and the administration and then secondly, we are going to be interviewing 3 candidates for a new community adviser position so that we should start. This is really exciting, I think, for the audit committee to have the
opportunity to welcome and and mayor administration, we have not done that before and we're really excited to build a good working relationship with the mayor and the administration in part because of necessity because this audit committee is empowered to do performance out of the city departments. But we have no authority over what happens with the results of those audits. Those findings are ever put into practice? We've been gratified by the fact that despite not having any formal authority departments have really adopted and embrace recommendations to this point. But we think that will be more likely to happen and more likely to happen systemically if we're doing this in partnership with the administration. And we hope, although this is a council committee, we see this as a service to the whole city, not just to the council so we could start maybe was just a quick round of instructions
maybe just name in role. And if you're on the audit committee, how long you've been on the audit committee, what else to besides your service here? And then it's really going to be open discussion of really from I think the Mares administration's perspective. Are there things that just in the few short weeks that you've already been on the job that you are interested in exploring and all even thinking about his potential out of tpics this entire times are eager to hear your And then from our committee questions or discussions with the administration and we know this will be our last conversation with So why don't we start but I can start we can do So I'm Rebecca Meeker I represent were 2 in the city Council chair. This committee and actually helped start the audit committee many, many
years ago. The council member Jane Prince restarted should say the council had won a long time ago and it was last budget cuts and and we're back in time. Really enjoy this work. I think I's important to be able to show folks that we care about. Not just that the work is what the work is, that that it's being done well, and that we're always thinking innovative way to how to do better. Mason, everybody. Coleman, simple city councilmember for Ward 4. Currently our newest but not for long out of committee members on the committee Sen such council in all this SEPTEMBER Ish. Yeah, I the one thing at is, you know, been going number McVeigh councils to get a chance to talk to them about thought it. And it's really gratifying to see how excited
talks are about the work that we're doing here and how they are really and starting to understand. Thanks to the presentation that I didn't That with a gift and that is very well done that this is a real opportunity for people to get into how are city actually works? And I think you've seen the ways that people understand financial audit versus the type that we're doing here, which really around. our city, our services, our programs are department actually working for the people that we intend them to work for has been exciting. And I think, you they said to be on this committee. I'm Jeremy Law Center and one of the community advisors and then on the committee for just over 2 years now. And it's been great. I live in Ward Pleased to be part of
this committee and outside of this, internal audit manager for Hennepin County. So other side of the river have kind of both sides perspective, really excited to mayor hers. Administration representatives today. Thank you for coming. Thank you for having me and happy in our office. My name is new thing. Assistant may have staff and strategic partnerships. And brand Think you so much for having me and my team here. My name is MAY have been the audit committee staffer for a number of years now. And very happy to know that we have there to completed and one that's under way that dear to everybody's hearts. And that topic is next? I everybody. My name is Laura installing the new
policy aide working with assistant merits, Vang and Stumo Linger. And I'm award for resident excited to be here. This is my second week yes, news here, actually. Yeah. Yeah. We know there's next linger system. Mayor for housing, economic, vibrancy and infrastructure here and mayor hers administration really excited to be here. Thank you for having us. I think a lot of the topics and consideration points from the audit committee are really they align well with what the mayor. It's interesting. You talk about process improvement. Talk about how departments can work better together. And I think understanding how the different programs and ways the city kind of operates. That's all in the same mix. Some excited for the partnership here and helping make sure that the stuff that we're spending are the tings that we're spending money on,
the services and programs for folks are as good as they can be. And Stephanie, do community and I wasn't. And this is mice and starting my second term community So I family all that's next nature. Nature. Really enjoyed being on the committee and and learning about the city in my day job and at the University Minnesota and the College Design as their finance director. A budget in So I love being here. And me. My name only I am the newest Pfizer on the committee, not newest member, but news key adviser. I joined - just JUNE actually unit lst year for for different school districts. And if a school teacher full-time 2 master's programs public administration, governmental accounting if you what else I
love him or the work, So yeah. I am passionate statement it and I love the work that. This committee does. And all that we do as colleagues and so I'm looking for that continuing. So to 6. Thanks, everyone. For the instructions as a former middle school teacher, I came up with opening question to get a discussion going. But you can either answer this question are you can completely ignore it and just say whatever you want. And we don't have to do hands because this this is a discussion just talk. But the to to everyone, but especially to our guest. Joining us today is as you think about the idea of auditing city departments and programs. What excites you about that? And what do you find that is challenging or even show? It's a terrifying thought. was I'm so sorry. This is
system. Mayor Jody, far, I apologize that I have to come to you online route. I just want to make sure that I was in or entered that, you know that I'm here and then I'm a process that would go ahead answer your question right away. Threat. All right. I'm a process. Person. So like our systems are perfectly designed to get what get. And so it and we looking at how we are structurally set up and the type of culture that we're creating in how we set ourselves up is what I'm passionate about. And so. That excite that excites what you guys do. It excites me. It's always hearing. The feedback and then. Implementing in a way that can improve the system and improve the culture. There's always a lot of dynamics to that. And back become a little overwhelming
that impossible. But just considering all the dynamics considering all the perspectives and ensuring that they're all this into as we try to move forward and pretty just that balance act that 100 fighters. Thank you. Ad I don't know if your eye I'm right here. Not but either way look forward to seeing you If not here at another time. Thanks for joining us. Thank you. I think myself Council PRESIDENT, I think one of the things that I'm excited just mentioned the little intro is that process improvement. But I've talked about especially in the impacts of Operation Metro surgeon impacts on the city. He's really focusing on
what is the role of city government in helping folks and where can we help facilitate point people in the right direction for county for state and then I guess eventually for federal government support. And then also looking at the foundation space and other kind organizations. I think something I'm interested in is from the audit committee saying we're saying we have goals for what policy will do. Are we meeting those goals? And if those goals are, you know, the legislative intent, the things that the city is saying that they're doing with those things. How can we kind of adjust sometimes is internal controls you know, financial perspective. And talking about what's happening at the state level. But then sometimes you're actually looking at. Are we best suited
the best suited actor to do? The policy goal? And I think a lot of that process is in or Ativan. My experience with the I'm guessing that's the case here, too, of saying that, you know, we all agree on some of the things that we would like to have happen and maybe we can best point resources to that right level of government or foundation philanthropic partners so that we're all kind of playing the role we are here to do as well as possible. Basically, that's kind of how I at least think about your question. 6 weeks. And that's what I got. Committee members can. question to. Are saying we're asking questions of the administration. I think it's important that. City and the council and and the audit committee work together as partners. And understand that we're all each of his friend and it's not an adversarial role.
And is to make the city better. It's to internal controls better. So we need to work together. I would also add that for me, I'm really excited to learn more about the right to audit committee has and that. Maybe we need to continue doing. I'm looking forward to the collaborative work that I know the mayor. It's really keen on collaboration. And so I'm looking forward to that and how we can help add on to the white that you all have done and will continue to do. And no, I say maybe want to something minute ago and maybe you can also should know is also the director and chair. And I think only member of our community Engagement Subcommittee of the Audit Committee, which means that Noah is pretty much
single-handedly responsible for going out and talking to district councils and community groups about what we So aso knows all of the audits that we've ever done. So if you wanted to aswer his question briefly with that information. Opportunities to follow up with departments in terms internal controls. Really looking at standard operating procedures and doing this more on routine basis in months years ahead. We kind operating at half nature right now. Be really nice if we could go in on a rotating basis and really evaluate things are going well, because by and large, things are going well. In terms of department operations. But I think there are opportunities for us to
grow and to learn from where we have some shortcomings. I think when we look back at the cybersecurity incident happened this past summer ice. That's definitely something that we as a committee. And the administration the council need to work together on to ensure that our systems are robust. With the increasing risk that cybersecurity incidents post says the city of a lot of sensitive data. Provide a lot of different services to constituents. Saint Paul, it's expect the lights to keep running and the roads to gt plowed. They - don't want to services being interrupted because we've had kind of breach that is affecting us to maintain accounts, payable and accounts receivable. And so that's something that we need to look Monroe, 9. Glad that administration has an interest
in where we can. Making process improvement because that's why we're here as a committee. Another thing getting our work out to community all together comprise our city? There's so many people from so many different backgrounds living here in Saint Paul. We can work to really reach out to our constituents, I think instrumental in informing our work just in reaching out with the district councils over the last couple months. She was the last month's last couple weeks. Now starting basically start a new year I can tell it There's a lot of opportunity for engagement, but it's it's like him. In my experience. I see it as And then the little can I have just one more and I am in
the Pacific. And I think that there are real opportunities for the audit committee to work with departments get information about what doing in our findings. In concert with those are implementing because we're independent. We're house legislative branch. We do not implement recommendations that we make as up to the administration to do so. And so. Get that information out there. Have a broader reach. I think the administration work with us and that that instrumental in terms of fostering a culture of high-performing public services. Constituents for what's expected of us as a city. So yet. But now I want that's my peas. Great. So and While you're speaking, joined by 2 additional guests to like So I she occur. And the
first assistant to the mayor and she is on her way. So we were just friendly from previous pageants. when many of do, these hard this. Good to see you. mayor is here. Welcome. We're talking about here you see and they're both fine. Mayor, we just did. We did instructions. I asked folks what they are excited about other than what they're terrified about about auditing and you can answer any of the questions. Auditing as well as interesting I think the main I want to stay out of very closely at te legislature because I was the chair pensions and I also. A lot of work with a firefighters across the state with volunteer firefighters that requires a lot of auditing of their retirement plans because in a part of a system that is not part of army like state system. So like. As much Again, exciting. And I know that it's kind of a
sleepy thing, but it's so important. It's such an important function of like government. You know how we do work and why we have to do a certain way. So I'm really excited to be here without you. Questions I wanted to ask the whole as well as just 60 Ministration, but also to others here. As we mentioned, we so we've studied a number of things. He studied constituent customer service in the city of Saint Paul. That was the audit that found that there are 500 different general purpose, entry points to the city example. You numbers, emails, etc. We studied the parks and library systems and how they can better work together. What kinds of operational efficiencies they can find that actually come to us from Labor Department. They were going budget separately for
that. Is that the to do that, most recently studied the chp community engagement proposal process and they are taking some recommendations from that into their process this year, including the idea of having like a pre application to make it easier for those were not quite as technically savvy. Don't know how to run. The numbers on public works. Construction projects, for example, to apply so those are a few o the audits that we've done. It currently is. And you mentioned we're doing Texas. One of the things that I'm so excited about, mayor with your orientation is, as you said, just sort of this lack of. Programs, even the programs that you helped create. And we talked about expensive called on. I said, you know, I think by the time 4 and I did to see how it's doing. See coming up to what we talked about to seize financially, cetera, and you really open to that. So I
think I guess, to the group, by the their particular. Topics or departments were questions that have arisen in your minds again with the stillbirth point that it's not hostile, it's helpful over the last few weeks as you can get the city. Other questions that have arisen in your mind that you think, you know, maybe the audit committee could be helpful us. Can I just add something that, again, please? I think to that same sentiment that I I want us to look at. Our city has a way also. In city, government used to function very specific. Very specifically. And we always really sort of knew what a city government county, what his state was special. And I've seen over the last probably decade, there's been a lot of crossing over each each other's lines of business. And I don't look at anything that anybody brings up. This is a negative thing. I think it is important for us to look at businesses and what
can be critical about it and say like we've expanded into doing x, y and z. A really great thing that we're trying to do. That should be the ones doing that. Do we have the resources to execute to do some of these things that we've taken out? And I think that, you know, in the desire for people who elected and I and I done this to where we want to do good try to solve a problem because people are coming directly to us. We also times will create things or processes or programs that maybe we should be the ones to be doing. And so I hope that you all pick things that that will look pretty good. And if like, yes, we should be in this space. We should be doing this. The great. But if the audit shows us that like it's a great thing, but we should
not be the ones doing that is expected to much staff time resources to is that it is not efficient when we do it like can we should we should know And I'm very open to that. So I just want you all to know that there. Nothing that you bring up will be looked at is like off limits. I think we should the really critical and we should do with that. I have like, how do we direct our cities and our city and our residents in the tax dollars that they pay in order for us to run our cities. Yes, I just wanted to make I feel warm and fuzzy. One thing that I just had to and I you Divisor do Earth's point is really well taken that this is not. Necessarily adversarial. I think the systems that could set up our little adversarial because it's, you know, retrospective and you want to make sure things are
functioning. Well, something that I have in just the 6 weeks we've been here really notice is that the city and you're all aware of it who are doing lot of really great things and we can lift up some of the good positive things while also wanting that consistent improvement too. And to me, it's very important to be able to do both. I think just in whatever function, makes sense. For instance, I've been I a fast as one of department's under my jurisdiction. I've been extremely impressed by France team just, for instance, kind of consolidating making sure that, you know, both we are applying for really good funding opportunities. And then doing the compliance on the back end and kind of staying on it. I've been extremely impressed having seen a couple other systems and other entities that I will
not name of how that goes. And so I think it's both and of making sure that we're making the process improvements fr things or not MAY be working as well as they could be and then also lifting up the good work that is happening because sometimes we're a complaint basis overall. But, you know, praise and encouraging and positive reinforcement. Also super important to us, too. And I will I will shout out while the research are. On retainer partner in doing our audit work. I think that they deny. Fellow committee members agree feel free to disagree that they do a great job, making making sure that all the interview subjects, all the department staff feel really bought and like they are being approached in a spirit partnership. Because otherwise we're not going to get any helpful data. So far.
We have. We have about 3 minutes left for the conversation before we have to shift gears into our interviews for new community adviser. So I want to just open any are coming during that PRESIDENT Acts things you would like to have people We'd love to have yes. We currently in The Associated says it is likely. Next couple of months. So we have some time before. Our next topic that we're very much an active data collection tapped Section moment and put a pause on our normal process for that because ministrations coming on issues that I think when we had the opportunity that partnership. Can I ask a bully general process is like and that MAY be that the specific programmers specific because I for me. Think would be really great to look at is like when
we has certain and this is the thing that the legislature was really important for me as well. When I was there was that the idea of passing something? But the idea implementing are 2 very different things right? What are ways in which they when we are going to pass something. What is the ways in which we are betting that thing the ability execute executed was unforcible. Is it? Feel like? How do we work these processes so that even though we MAY have really great idea, something it's really impossible execute and that thing and then it. And then we find out later that in the trying to do it, invest a lot resources, time, money right alike. We have more clear process is for certain things that we do like. So it's not just us critically critically at a process that says. But are there ways in which we should be creating passes for
some of the things that we're doing to make it more efficient better. I have to know would argue as legislators who said, what can we pass these bills? And I think have, but you you didn't look to see if you are ever able to implement it. And now the Department Step with having to implement and they they've had really tough time and they're the ones that have to do with fraud after it. And they're the ones that have to do with efficiencies and they're the ones have to deal with that. Not acts acute in the time frame because, you know, as a legislative, we did it past. We didn't get things they need to do their So like can we look at some of these processes as And you should definitely get college savings account. Like is a sustainable. Can we I do with I would just say this is not last conversation. Ging to have right marry means a whole lot to us we are you here with your entire administrative
team, all of your system errors, joining us remotely. be here with us that says a lot. So I'm really excited her ship, you know, and we'll be following up about these ideas and more. Thank you for inviting any of these is the mayor said he would just say really because it out of minutes. we said wonderfully smart thanks 100. I very insightful. Yeah. Part of this team means a lot to Thank you for being here. for half of thank you. So look forward to working It's all thanks some looking for the media center. Also so full
of her city. good to see you. Come you Okay. I'm gonna look to me We're going to do a hard pivot. Think several of members are here actually. So I guess I would just say if you are here to be interviewed, who was our first I believe, Sharon. Sharon? I see no Dylan is here. And then over, they're not sure if the other person whose here's also here to be interviewed. I think we want folks to follow Mel standing right outside the door. So that until your interview, you have another place to So right the door, Ismail and she will show you where the council reception area is. And then she'll tell you when it's time for your interview. Sorry for pardon And are you here to be interview too? Feel free is interviewing
candidates. I'm so glad you're here and you are welcome. And this is your space. I just wanted to make sure if you are interviewing for the role you weren't properly hero someone Yes. Okay. Welcome. We have not prepared accept that. We have questions in front of us and we are going to in no particular order except that the silver that's going to start asked them We're so excited that you are interested in this position. And as you hopefully just saw were a great bunch and we're going to be working a great partnership with the administration. So we have 4 questions for you we'll stop and see any questions for us. This will take about 15 minutes total so again, welcome and will we'll start with the story. And maybe just introduce yourself when you ask the question that way, all
of us are introduced, yes. Can you tell us about yourself, your experience with city government? And why you want to serve on the audit committee. All right. In all candor. Partners from supporting initiatives in the city over long, long period of time. I am not conversant with the processes in city government. However, my background is federal government and I have long, long history. Converse government by rules and regulations. I'm very fond taking down and digging deep and those things. It's a passion of mine and its conviction for mine. We need to be efficient. We need to have and economic solvency. We need to have tings that this committee and the reason for my wanting to be here is because the work committee is
an essential extension of anything I've ever done in my life. Bcause it is interesting that there are all of these people doing things collegiately. Toward public service. Many years ago. I had to be fingerprinted and promise that I would be a good public servant. Serve the Constitution. I have read the city I understand. I believe that this is so. So essential. To our citizens a time. Let's let's be truthful the face and are institutions is eroding. And why I wanted to hear really is because in an extension of trying to put my little finger print. And I don't mean mind mindfully to collectively and in corporation with all of you. My little dent. And that a contributor toward restoring
faith in public service. That is such such a need. And I think the service this committee is essential in their return. Thank you so city government know. Can I read those statutes and have I done that? My experience goes to serving diversity in this sense that I refuse advocacy work for many, many years inside federal government successfully. So I really addresses what you're saying, and there's more to about an evolution my part. That leads me to this committee. Thank you for the question. We talked a little bit already out in the hall, Sharon, just in to see myself again, I'm no McVeigh. One of the other advisors here our work as committee involves performance on thing and not
financial honoring our that our friends at the state auditor's office, you all of our financial audit here at City Hall. What is the extent of your knowledge of experience with performance audit? Okay. I don't know if you use I don't know and is the you know, the generally accepted government. Systems in sandwich your ground is. I'm familiar with some of that. I've never conducted performance on its overnight. Education leads me to be able to drill down and ate a Big 10. I have degree in experimental psychology and so conversant with data collection and and and using it to to a purpose. So. Performance artists saying no. But I did familiarize myself with in my past. Molly Coleman, I'm a very simple city council members
representing Ward 4. He talked a bit about your experience, any experiences serving on a committee or engaging with community members and wat skills qualities or experiences you would bring us. Not a committee member. So 2 experience. I worked. I think successfully. Certain barriers that I think that. Free supposed of initiatives that were well-meaning well intentioned, but perhaps not well executed I suppose conceived. My experiences. Taking into systems. It's sometimes conflict with one another. And my interest in being on the committee is This experience leads me to think that what you work here is a prison. You MAY Selected particular. Say, for example, to for something like that that you want to
examine. But these are unique. They sometimes overlap. They duplicate. They don't serve a conflict. And I think the work of this committee that I'm attracted to is to see how we can bring the unifying characteristic service. Wonderful population of people in Saint Paul. They deserve the best of I think the best is and this committee and I think the fact that I uniquely persistent in the experience as reported by people that I have. Acted. To oppose in the past. Consistently told me they don't understand who I am. And I said it's because you forgotten your purpose. You used to be needed and then years and co. You changed. And that was a period in my life where I did tensions, things because I had no other choice. Writes for Ian Taishan is not
solutions Haitian. And there is solution story. So I have a background in mediation. I believe that we are stronger. I can tell you is that we place in each other. The other piece up heard from officials see an economy and all the things that you do. That's very dear to my heart is equity. And I've successfully prosecuted cases had to prosecute because there. There was no resolution short of that. And each and every time I step before Annie 3rd party, I always asked for a solution. Not having that. I was able to review cases before you see, intention needs to be proven in order to retreat the civil rights of people that I represent. And that is very dear to me. So the other piece and I bring is a respect for equity. And all of numbers. There has to be some sense in which we direct our attention to fairness for everyone. So I
don't know if helps you. Yes, thank you. I'm Jeremy Law Center and another community adviser on the committee. Nice to meet you. the last question is, are there any particular aspects of city government? Thank you. Think would be good topics for an audit. I Thank you for asking. Yes. The past year of income recently acquainted The tif initiatives. That's a very big interest of mine. I'm taking down on that. I would love to with the committee rent to direct itself and their return. What we heard. Before near her. Grease star City. As mayor. Once a common problem relative to. Property taxes and help people are moved out of their homes presently serving the Summit University
Planning Council. So I'm from district 8 and there are people that are really in danger because of of losing their homes who've invested in community for years that was devastated for years and are now perhaps the wire. So the other interest I have and I think that this bears and what look at it, we've looked at 2. Is to see how it compromises affordable housing. So think there is a carry over there. When funds are disposed. Against some of the interests that make our community hole. And so there it is a specific interest. And I have done a lot of. Research and Thank you for question. Well, that brings us to last question. I'm Rebecca representing were 2 of the council chair this committee,
but questions you have for us What would you like for me? You haven't Any follow-up. So people have that. The campy to Hanson, anything that you would. Rees I'm not as young as you are. And for years And I thank you for the privilege being with you today and I'm so grateful I'm so happy to have been able to and listen to. You listen to each other. It's so powerful. You know, to be engaged with people who are and as you were. And I was extremely excited to see You know, she's paying close attention to the work good work of this committee. Then I think uniquely. Specifies. What we owe the people. Her
outside this room today and that you so eloquently speak for. So I'm privileged to be here and to be here. And I think you and I don't want to take a new even business to do. And I thank you again for the privilege and the honor of being with you. We send that thinks right back to you. We really appreciate your interest in serving on this committee. And I just want you to know that. First of all, you're aways welcome to our committee meetings. No matter if you're at the table or not, you're always welcome to give input the matter what happens with this decision. And then we always will always follow up with regardless of whether or not you're selected to serve on the committee. We want folks like you engaged in the
city of Saint Paul and there are dozens of boards and committees that could use your help. So if the answer here is not right now, we will follow up with other opportunities because we can tell you're someone who wants to be engaged and we want you engage so thank you for your iterest in this. We will be following up within the next 2 weeks on verdict here. And again, we appreciate your time in your interest. I think you can. Thank you. And wish you all. you, too, will be in touch. Now you'll bring in an expert awesome. You have new 2 she expressed us. Hoping that enough to fit everything in one, but it wasn't. Okay. I can. If I were come to no good. I've got little boxes and
Graham. Okay. Just past To the terms of I have to leave it 15 and the champions. That's Yeah. So Just keep that. We have a vice chair. I promise was quiet. Yes. Kind of welcome you right up jump right in. Thank you so much for your interest. You consider neither does to chairs. Take a moment to get yourself situated. We have really appreciate interest in the committee. We have for questions for you. And then we have a question ask if have any questions for us. And introduce ourselves as we ask for questions to get to know who we are. About. 15 minutes for the conversation. So what I've
Instead, do with community. Tell us about yourself, your experience with city government and why you want to My name is hurt. You. Mentally. I don't know much about city council or city government. One reason I want to do this is to learn. And why do I want like I said, I want to learn and also want to help out Saint Paul. Igew up here born here. And in my opinion, Saint Paul's one of the best cities. You're not Direct. I move that motion. Thank yu for coming intending tonight's meeting I have to make another one of the advisors on the committee our work as a community in Hall's performance audit We don't do financial audits of folks at the office, a sea otter to our
financial every year. What is the extent of your knowledge or experience with performance auditing? Again, Italy limited to none. At the same time, I look performance as oftentimes a series of metrics and it's a question of can we get to these metrics or not? And how close did we get to them? Which in a sense is similar to financial. name is Michael Mina and one of our council representatives and the simple city councilmember for Ward 4. He just a bit about your experiences serving on a or engaging with community members and then what skills and qualities or experiences you would bring to the as an audit committee member. As far as experience, I was a board member of Minnesota eps for several years, both as an at-large member and as an
officer. Working with that was. Working with our members. As far as how did we want to grow the organization or what kind things to we want to look at and pursue as far as goals. I've also done work in things like perception, retail and I was a kid dealing with community people's fairly normal. Skills. And I'm not entirely sure. To be fair. I enjoy working with people enjoy looking at data. I enjoy seeing what can be Basically sussed out from that data. I my job with the state of Minnesota is actually budget analysis. So working out backtracking, where changes are and why those changes are is something that
I regularly. Thank you. I'm Jeremy Law Center, one of the community advisors and the committee. Thank you for being here. Are there any particular aspects of city government? Thank you would think would be good topics for an audit. I would say what people see a lot times you hear complaints about specific things and it's one of those. It's like bringing those to the forefront, I think would be good. For example, everybody's got an opinion about plowing. But if we actually could say this is how are plowing is and this is how Minneapolis is Rochester is and all of this. It's like in comparison, where are we? Well, that brings us to the end of our questions for questions. But you have for us. Oh, sorry, I'm Rebecca represent or 2 on the city Council. My first question is. Kind of metrics do we have
outside of an audit like if there's something already set up for that or if the audit really the biggest metric set of metrics that we have. Take a crack at that, another should jump I think it really depends on the program. Some programs do have goals and metrics that they've established. Others don't. We were talking earlier about the difference between programs and processes. And I think it's more likely for a program to have specific goals, metrics then for a process. So, for example, how quickly do we process permit applications in our department safety inspections, building permits that's that seems like sometimes a harder sell than we're starting a new program with college savings accounts and we want to make sure x number of kids go on to college as a result of that so I pads and we we only have the capacity to added about 2
programs are processes a year. So we definitely depend on programs and processes having metrics outside of the audit. Others want to. And what would your description be of the perfect committee member for this? And you're coming open mind. So that's going to learn. Collaborative Spirit. Mike, we had mayor her here and administration. Just knowing that successful is a partnership approach. But, you know, it's not adversarial that trying to. No call people out play gotcha things like that information gathering yet and what was left book you read? Wind in almost on at the time consider this to be done. The Shakespeare riots just actually got interested next. It was one of the first times that troops were called out
to. A city in the United States. So it interesting that recently and it's about the fact riots when 2 different Shakespearean actors went up against each other in New York in the 19th century and the class conflict that ensued British American. Asked with finish was so embarrassing. We like lot of just going pretend that I finished the book that, in fact, started this weekend just sort of, which is interest thus Middlesex 25 years like to it. Here we are. Take a stab at The diversity of life. You know, Wilson, he was a brilliant entomologist. I just finished reading for a second time 2 weeks ago. Now. Gets into about geography ecology. Smaller organisms so not make
a fine. And mammal that really focuses on, plants fungi, which my bet background an undergraduate students actually bought so it was nice catching up on that book. It's very think it's like 500 patients. You know, Wilson was a brilliant. A entomologists as well as So some particularly. And I'm going to I don't remember the title, actually. So that's kind of a fight. But the authors to Laika and she put together a she asked people to all contribute and it's about journaling yeah, very interesting read, but I'm in the middle of it. So I don't know. Let's go and in the class and spiritual gifts. So reading a Sheskey to this question more It's a great question.
Thank you. Well, thank you so much for your time. And for interest. We you know, we'll be back in touch in the next couple weeks about the decision here. But mostly we just wanted to say, first of all, you're always welcome to come to our meetings. They're open to the public. And the always welcome to give input into our work. And also w have about 20 different boards and commissions in the city of Saint Paul. They're always looking for interest and engage folks like you so regardless of what the decision is about this particular position, we will reach out links to those others in case those are of interest because we just appreciate that. You took the time and are interested in being part of the city work we need. We need people like you so thanks for your time and we'll be in touch. Thank you
very You care. Piece of paper that nearly as you that your hand or or submit your Knicks just Dylan Donnelly. I need accomplish. This Yes, U.S.. My mother's family is Irish. So very yes. U.S. Like. osbi is scene there. Are you also pressed? Just that. Its products. Like it's kept his yet in the words of Robin Williams. Is it common all the his respect Catholic The area East London, JULY. Welcome Absolutely. Has your taking time to hand out your hand as it gets heated. Have about 15 minutes. Conversation. We have for questions for you. And then we want to see questions you MAY have for us. We want to thank you so much for taking time interview with us and for interest in this position. And we are going to
for the sake of time introduce ourselves as we asked the question so that you get to meet us but also share. We are a vision so with that turnover. Still the Welcome. Don't and I'm Stefani doing. And can you tell us about yourself, your experience with city government and why you want to serve in committee? first, thank you for doing. This comes when is so important. I mean, its continuous improvement. Makes this whole thing better for so many people. So pre ship that and thank you to know posted and the Saint Paul separated about this opportunity. That's just very see. Someone show up in case like that to pool. Before you came here helping. To the senators get a job at a warehouse. That's who are helping in the system. And at
the end of all the systems and processes. People, we're impacted by it. So that's why those those are my constituents. People in Saint Paul than Intel. Experience Saint Paul. Live in Saint Paul. I've got 2 kids. I started on the second shift in factory. On the business. Locals say the nba and course, for country, including in game, course, as well. So I liked Figure things out and help people. Thank you coming tonight. I expect Senate to all of candidates here. And I'm really pleased all the cans we've had actually our work as a community. You MAY encounter this from our website. Don't do financial on it so our friends at the office to
higher the Every year they examine our financial statements. We do a performance on so what is the extent your knowledge experience with performance show so. Okay. So my back manufacturing and manufacturing making parts is the easy part. But everything else is the challenging part. And the only way you stand businesses by proving and so we had deep culture of continuous improvement and specific up manufacturing. And the manufacturing has to test. The first part is interactive, which is closer to looking at system where you're just constantly improving really important. And the second part, Arlene effects, which are extremely close to perform That's what the difference is
like when you do it, I know you don't. You're personal attention but will be in effect is basically the exact same thing. But then you of those finding to pick one or 2, the finding actually implement that. So let bing offensive participated events been trained in events. So pretty experience in that work. Also, I public policy research for fun. If my kids go to bed open up 500 page pds with highlighters, Henry so. Read more about that. You can. Pretty tedious, but I really enjoy to get into the systems of public policy. It's common symbol City Council member for key. Tell us about your experiences serving on a committee or engaging with community members and what skills so our experiences you would bring us an audit committee member. Yeah. Terms of community, I
mean, workforce. You dn't have to try and be. Case you're just engaged. Mean, so in terms of in Saint Paul, for Kathy Siders. Yesterday was helping an individual disability, get a job pizza Ranch. Job fairs at Goodwill, dlc or close you'll see. Thank you. Mark interviews with International Koam have so just. Mining community as much as you can be. And in terms of sort of civic engagement a member of Ramsey County Workforce, Innovation for vice chair of the same hope is this review council citizens. The but Montessori poor just parts but a poor for 2. So. Experience working at the grassroots level of people, but also just kind of engagement as well. In terms of skills. I kind of mentioned by. Professional background and research. I read on its roof and 2. So if you're
looking for someone that has that skill, that's I'm Jeremy Law Center. One of the community advisors. Welcome. Are there particular aspects of city government that you think would be good topics for an audit? Yeah. Okay. 2 things. First. This is like a little off topic, as much as I appreciate the Legis la off the Web site where you should put this on you to like all your videos from the audit committee and the findings. The presentations and you, too, would be really helpful for transparency. And you can share with people and it's easy share with, you know, subcommittees and district councils. The state does a great job with the legislature, other videos and subcommittees are on web. And you too. And so it's just a really good way to share that.
So okay, in terms of topics. There were 2 now. As to your biggest bang for your buck with the facilities services. You look at the city's Saint Paul. Budget is 887 Million. Our backlog. If you count the hockey arena. Public works. Parks and rec. Easily over a billion dollars if not more. And the reality is. If you live in an era of country pop or you can't afford Saint Paul anymore and we can't continue to pay for all these things. And expect people to keep up with their incomes. So having some understanding of what we can afford from says facility services perspective. A financial audit. Put that with the server. Biggest bang for your buck. The second one and I sort of play. But the point is this college town, but it's not just college town. That's when the municipalities taking
programs. So when we sort of engage in things that are permitting, yu know, public.