Priorities
I am running for re-election to create a more inclusive Hopkins that offers a voice to everyone. With a focus on community, and an eye to the future, I have the experience needed to continue to secure a better quality of life for each of us.
Connected Community
We in Hopkins have a vibrant and diverse community and we need to ensure that everyone is involved in, and has equitable access to, our decision making processes. I believe that through proactive outreach, genuine relationships we can elevate the voices of our community and make Hopkins more connected.
"As the Mayor of Hopkins, I have hands on experience leading our city along with 15 years experience of community outreach building genuine relationships in the most diverse communities in this state. Strong voices across our community are the key to building and maintaining a strong town for the future. We have started that work here in Hopkins but we all know there is work to be done in this space."
How can we get there?
- Start by informing ALL residents.
- We created a program to ensure renters, who make up over 60% of our community are informed through city updates.
Recognize diversity as our strength!
- In 2023 we have started recognizing a full array of cultural and religious holidays.
- As council we proclaim support for significant months of African American History, Asian Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+ Pride, Disabilities Awareness, National Hispanic Heritage and others.
Connect and build out a strong and enduring network of community voices to inform the city’s decision making processes
- Bring diverse voices to the table
- We have reignited our Hopkins, Race and Equity Committee to act as an advisory panel to major Hopkins decisions.
- Tap the vast talent and diverse views of our residents in Hopkins by pulling more chairs up to the decision making table, including room for small business owners,active residents, and those who are often excluded from the conversation like seniors, Black, Indigenous, community members of color, and our LGTBQ+ community.
Smart Spending
Our residents have been burdened by high taxes too long. While I can't say your taxes will go down as costs are at record highs, I can say your burdened compared to other cities will be better aligned. We need to maintain high levels of service that our residents deserve and expect, improve quality of life, and secure robust opportunities for our community while continuing to keep our tax burden low.
"Hopkins had the highest per capita taxes in the country when I started running 2 years ago. This year we have the lowest tax levy of 44 cities in Hennepin County and have dropped 10 places on that per capita tax list. We need to continue to make smart choices during high inflation years so that people on fixed incomes can still afford to live here. Residents living and moving here need to know we take their hard earned money seriously while providing first in class service to them. We didn't get into this situation overnight and we won't get out of it overnight, but we have gotten us back on course the last 2 years."
How can we maintain this balance?
- Pursue development opportunities that improve the financial health of our city while simultaneously growing our local economy and small businesses.
- Local subsidies can bring in great investment opportunities, but we can't give away the farm to do it. Our city needs to reep the benefits of development both financial and public good.
- Prioritize budget investments into the services that our residents need and rely.
Future Focused Development
Change is coming to Hopkins and together we are guiding what that change looks like. We have taken actions like protecting our city by setting new building standards for those who develop here. We are stepping up and having our voices heard on issues from light rail transit to park dedication fees so that our growth is smart, sustainable and mindful.
"I said this the first time and I'll say it again. I take win-win approaches seriously. Showing that strong economic development can also be sustainable and equitable is key and as Mayor I'll ensure Hopkins continues to take a leadership positions."
How do we continue moving forward?
- Hopkins is a model of what a green city should look like with walkable communities, access to bus transit, 5 major bike trail heads, and high solar potential. We are building on that structure to be a state and national leader in sustainability.
- We took both Steps 4 and 5 of 5 in the GreenStep Cities Program becoming one of the greenest cities in the state
- We are passing a Climate Solutions Fund that helps residents leverage state, federal and utility dollars. It will bring in millions of dollars to our city and set us on a path to lead on climate change.
- We started a electric scooter programs and will have additional incentives for residents to buy e-bikes so residents have many options to get around.
- This city is growing at some of the fastest rates in the state. We need to be focused on policies and programs to protect our Hopkins identity and embrace opportunities that our good for our city's future.
- We were listed on the National Register of Historic Places to protect our roots.
- We passed a new zoning code after more than 40 years that further protects the historic character of our city and sets us up for a sustainable development standards.
- People love that Hopkins is a REAL city, where people from different backgrounds live together.
- We have passed a mixed income housing policy so that this town does not become segregated by people from different incomes and races as we grow. Now we need to ensure we execute this policy on new developments.
- We can't construct any more buildings that are old the minute they are built in terms of sustainable design.
- We are passing a sustainable building policy in the summer of 2023. We need standards in place so that we know developers are building modern efficient and healthy buildings in our city.
Public Safety
Ensuring our residents feel safe to enjoy this beautiful community of ours has never been more important. From families raising their children to owners running their local businesses, maintaining a safe environment to live, work and play in is a top priority.
"Rising crime rates in the metro area were a concern for our community when I first came to office. I brought our community partners like ICA and our Hopkins Public Schools to the table alongside our Police Department to recommend solutions. Our council acted quickly and decisively as a team to deploy resources towards these innovative solutions. This was a prime example of how I lead as part of team."
How do we maintain these levels of safety and security?
- Our Hopkins Police Department is a model of community policing. Their innovative approaches need our continued support.
- Under my tenure we have invested unprescendented amount of funding in both new and innovative approaches to public safety and community policing.
- Hired a new Police Officer
- Funded a new mobile security station
- Leveraged a partnership with Hennepin County for a Youth Social Worker
- Funded mentorship program at Hopkins Public Schools
- Seeded a new West Metro Youth Collaborative involving GEN: Next Generation Youth Voices
- This city is growing and I will continue to make public safety a top priority as we grow.
Questions About The Issues?
What’s important to you? Let me know, and we can talk about ways to address it.
Email
mayor@hanlonforhopkins.com
Phone
612.716.0873