Burnsville council candidates talk business, growth

Burnsville voters will choose between old and new when they cast their votes for City Council in November.

At a forum this month, all four candidates agreed they're pro-business and progrowth. But while incumbents pointed to records of fiscal conservatism, challengers emphasized a need for less red tape and more citizen involvement.

The Burnsville Chamber of Commerce forum, sponsored by Dakota Electric, covered business issues ranging from the city's projected budget shortfall to its branding efforts.

Council members Dan Kealey and Bill Coughlin, up for re-election, expressed pride in records that include cutting city costs and opposing tax hikes.

"I'm a free market guy and have voted in that way, and will continue to vote if I'm fortunate enough to be re-elected," Coughlin said.

Challengers Jake Nelson and Cara Schulz spoke of soliciting community input on city issues and investing in a younger population.

Youth and experience

Incumbents both pointed to their many years running businesses and raising families in Burnsville. By contrast, Nelson and Schulz are relative newcomers.

Nelson has lived in the city for a decade; Schulz recently moved there with her family.

Describing herself as a wife, mother, U.S. Air Force veteran, author and journalist, Schulz said she decided to run for office because she "just couldn't stand on the sidelines anymore."

If elected, she said, she'll hold informal community chat sessions twice per month and post information about her council votes on Facebook.

"Burnsville doesn't belong to politicians," she said, addressing the audience. "It belongs to all of you."

Nelson brought a similar attitude, describing his hourly job at Target and the perspective it gives him.

"I've seen people throughout Burnsville and what they're facing," he said, "and I really hope to bring a stronger connection to people's everyday lives."

Attracting businesses

Much of the forum focused on building Burnsville's business base and attracting new residents.

Schulz and Nelson both talked about creating a more welcoming environment for new businesses. Schulz took specific aim at the process that new businesses have to navigate in order to set up in Burnsville.

Kealey countered that the approval process already ushers prospective businesses through as quickly as possible.

"Our city has a very good, very fast process for businesses to come through," he said, adding that the council's job is to make the process "as flexible as possible" with incentives for business owners to reinvest in their properties.

An audience question turned the conversation more specifically to redeveloping older city buildings, particularly those along Hwy. 13.

Coughlin and Kealey spoke of rezoning and creating financial incentives to help building owners renovate, while Nelson mentioned simplifying the process for making these improvements.

Schulz said the city needs to create a market of young families with spending power in order to attract and retain businesses.

"If you have that market, companies will crawl through glass to get to it," she said.

About that 'brand …'

Another audience question turned discussion to the city's brand -- its image in the minds of outsiders.

Candidates agreed that the city needs to do a better job conveying its assets.

"We have a lot to brag about," Kealey said. "I just don't think we've spent a lot of time bragging about it."

Nelson said there's a need for a broader vision for the future, one in which Burnsville serves as a hub for the metro. Part of that is creating infrastructure to serve young people, he said, with a focus on things like transit and walkability.

"I think the answers here show you don't have to worry about the council being insufficiently friendly to business and opening things up," he said. "We all want to help the city grow."

Emma Nelson • 952-746-3287