NCEC Neighborhood Elections
DISTRICT 5 Candidates
June 1, 2009
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name and their corresponding answers to the questions has been extracted verbatim from applications submitted for a position on the City’s new Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission.
Please refer to the election district table and map for details on districts.
Candidates
1. Adam Elg
2. Christopher Max Naumann
3. Karen Lee Rosar
4. Northando Zulu
Adam Elg
1. How have your life/work experiences prepared you to be a neighborhood representative on the NCEC?
I am a collaborative leader who drives measurable results through effective program and process management. Recognized for attention to detail. More than twenty years of experience designing, developing and delivering live and virtual training programs. Seasoned trainer, public speaker and lecturer. Recognized as a strong communicator with ability to create appropriate messages for multiple audiences. Over twenty years of people leadership experience and known for building excellent relationships with business partners. Respected as a role model and mentor and have inspired many of my peers throughout my career.
community Activities
Founder, Board Member and first Executive Director, Northfield Downtown Development Corporation, 2000-02
Board President, Northfield Enterprise Center, 2001-02, Small Business Incubator
Board Member, Minneapolis North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA), 2003-04
Board Member, Renaissance on the River Townhomes home owners association
Volunteer for the Downtown Minneapolis National Night Out 2003 & 2004
2. How have you participated in your neighborhood organization?
As a charter member of the North Loop Neighborhood Association I participated with neighbors to improve the livability of our neighborhood on issues such as traffic calming, safety and commercial and retail improvements.
As a board member of the Renaissance on the River townhome owners association I work with neighbors on such issues as safety, property improvements and our impact/participation in the neighborhood.
In both cases I am a listener, a leader and a problem solver. I am respectful but yet honor process to help make progress efficient and effective.
3. Describe why you want to serve on the NCEC.
I’m interested in making Minneapolis neighborhoods the best places to live. I believe citizen input is the only way to achieve this goal and I am a skilled listener, collaborator, visionary and motivator. I would put these skills to work to enlist participation by citizens to participate in the process of making Minneapolis the best city in America.
4. How do you plan to maintain a relationship with the neighborhoods you would represent, if elected?
Attend all North Loop Neighborhood Association meetings. Attend as many home owner association meetings as possible. The goal would be to attend all home owner association meetings twice per year. At these meetings I would encourage residents to attend the NLNA meeting regularly and participate in NLNA committees.
5. Please list any community-based organization(s) with which you are currently involved.
Board Member, Renaissance on the River Townhomes home owners association
6. Please list all current paid and unpaid affiliations.
Christopher Max Naumann
1. How have your life/work experiences prepared you to be a neighborhood representative on the NCEC?
I am an Urbanist at heart and in so being; I have dedicated much of my life to learning and understanding the working parts and pieces that make urban environments successful. It is reflected in my education, where I earned multiple degrees in Architecture and Urban Planning; in my experience, where I have earned my NCARB certified Architectural License working for a prominent Minneapolis based Architecture Firm serving development interests; in my efforts to be an active participant in my neighborhood of Elliot Park, where I have resided for the past 5 years; and in my most recent efforts to establish a small business within my very neighborhood, promoting development and economic development within Elliot Park.
2. How have you participated in your neighborhood organization?
I located to Minneapolis in 2001 for an employment opportunity and resided in the riverfront area of downtown Minneapolis. The first years of living here were dedicated to adjusting and acclimating to this wonderful city. In 2004 my wife and I decided to invest in a downtown property and we bought into the Elliot Park area with a small condo. I was immediately taken by the vibrancy and potential of the Elliot Park Neighborhood.
Beginning in 2005, I began to participate in the EPNI organization through the Building Land Use and Housing (BLUH) committee as a resident. I also began participating in various community events and activities like the Spring Cleanup.
Soon after, I was approached to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for EPNI. I was recently elected to my second consecutive 2 year term in the organization, and have recently accepted the Chair of the BLUH committee.
3. Describe why you want to serve on the NCEC.
There are a number of motivators to my interest in serving on the NCEC. First, I deeply believe in community engagement as a concept. Through my experiences in real estate development and my studies in Architecture and Urban Planning, I have come to respect processes that involve stakeholders in self-determination of government, environmental design, and resource distribution. Secondly, I am a very strong promoter of the urban lifestyle. An assumption exists that the needs of downtown residents are not a priority because they are already served by corporate, government, or institutional entities that office in the downtown core. I would like to serve on the NCEC to equitably represent the voices of the many incredibly diverse downtown residents who live work and play in the district
4. How do you plan to maintain a relationship with the neighborhoods you would represent, if elected?
The downtown core neighborhood group leadership of district 5 have already banded together informally to discuss common issues on a monthly basis. This group could be the foundation for district 5 representation. This informal meeting style of neighborhood group leaders is definitely something I would encourage on a monthly or bi-monthly basis with other groups of the district as well. Sharing information and resources is an excellent way to keep connections and represent voices in an equitable fashion. Using technology and resources to discuss issues, share information, and offer a channel of communication is also critical. Email, websites, and meeting participation would be key in my representation.
5. Please list any community-based organization(s) with which you are currently involved.
Elliot Park Neighborhood Incorporated (EPNI)
– Board of Director & Building Land Use Housing Committee Chair
6. Please list all current paid and unpaid affiliations.
Economic Growth Centers - client
Minnesota Shopping Center Association – member
Karen Lee Rosar
1. How have your life/work experiences prepared you to be a neighborhood representative on the NCEC?
Participating on many levels of the North Loop Neighborhood Association has taught me many inter/intra-organizational skills. I have also learned skills in teamwork.
I am involved in a variety of local organizations affecting public policy. This enhances my skills with inter-organizational action on public policy and platforms.
I actively promote and participate in biking, walking and transit. This provides me good health and an understanding of connectivity and community.
Personal challenges have prompted me to be an active health – nutrition – fitness participant and advocate.
In the past I have contributed significant volunteer time with the Hennepin County Mental Health Services Department and KFAI Community Radio. This has taught me a strong sense of community and helped me to understand differing needs and the concept of equity based solutions.
I am a volunteer at Transit for Livable Communities and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee. I actively urge community based policy in both organizations. This enhances my inter-organizational skills and benefits.
I have my own small business managing residential real estate. As a manager I sharpened my skills in business management, office management, problem solving and client relations.
I am objective, understanding and willing to acknowledge all positions on an issue. I work to foster systems and processes that are sustainable. I believe in a balanced approach in life.
I am pragmatic and an optimist by nature. I am honest, hard working and a good listener.
I love Minneapolis.
2. How have you participated in your neighborhood organization?
Currently – Officer/Board Director – North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA)
Currently – NLNA Executive committee member. Provides fiduciary, documentation and high level guidance for the NLNA.
Currently – Co-Chair – NLNA Planning and Zoning committee. The Planning and Zoning committee supports the overall mission of the NLNA to promote a climate of safety, livability and improvement through public neighborhood meetings, communication and advocacy with the relevant municipal and county organizations. Specifically, the committee provides comments and recommendations to the North Loop Board of Directors and serves as a guide for future land use, zoning, transportation improvements, open space and identify opportunities for commercial revitalization and where appropriate, mixed-use development.
Active member of 2010 Partners, a public/private partnership that collaborates on planning and district enhancements in the North Loop neighborhood around the new Twins Target field and intermodal transit area.
I participate in the monthly collaborative, Downtown Neighborhood Group (DNG). This group consists of neighborhood organization leaders from Elliot Park, Downtown East, Downtown West, Loring Park and the North Loop. We collaborate on issues such as livability, public safety, marketing and general policy.
I participated in the Transportation Management Plan Committee for Target field. The committee was charged with planning for the traffic flows and parking under many different circumstances during Twins games.
As a NLNA board director, I advocate for walking, biking, transit and livability issues in collaboration with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Transit for Livable Communities, 210 Partners, The City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County.
I participate in many outreach activities.
3. Describe why you want to serve on the NCEC.
I believe that I can effectively outreach and be a bridge across all the neighborhoods in district 5.
I believe this is a new opportunity for neighborhoods to collaborate.
I have a strong sense of community and I have a family history in the North Loop and Near North neighborhoods.
I believe that the Downtown, North and Northwest neighborhoods need a strong advocate.
I believe there is much to be gained by working collaboratively with all the neighborhoods in district 5.
4. How do you plan to maintain a relationship with the neighborhoods you would represent, if elected?
I am currently meeting monthly with the five Downtown neighborhoods as part of the Downtown Neighborhood Group (DNG). I participate in regular email communications with this group. I would like to meet regularly with all the neighborhoods in district 5 at a time and place deemed appropriate for the neighborhoods. I would keep the lines of communication open. I have friends and contacts in the Downtown, North and Northwest neighborhoods. Additionally, I would like to arrange collaborative meetings that include all ten of the neighborhoods in district 5. Together we could really get some things accomplished.
5. Please list any community-based organization(s) with which you are currently involved.
Officer/Board Director – North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA).
NLNA Executive committee
Co-Chair – NLNA Planning and Zoning Committee.
Active member of 2010 Partners, a public/private partnership that collaborates on planning and district enhancements in the North Loop Neighborhood in the vicinity of the new Twins Target Field and intermodal transit area.
I participate in the monthly collaborative Downtown Neighborhood Group (DNG). This group consists of neighborhood organization leaders from Elliot Park, Downtown East, Downtown West, Loring Park and the North Loop. We collaborate on issues such as livability, public safety, marketing and general policy.
Transit for Livable Communities member
KFAI Community Radio member
6. Please list all current paid and unpaid affiliations.
My Real Estate Broker is “The Place for Lofts”.
Northando Zulu
1. How have your life/work experiences prepared you to be a neighborhood representative on the NCEC?
I have lived in the Near North community for the past 35 plus years. I have been active with many local events and activities. At one point I served on the NRRC Board; I now serve with NRRC on the Green Team which has been very instrumental in the greening of the Near North neighborhood. I am active socially, professionally (I am a storyteller), and civically.
2. How have you participated in your neighborhood organization?
Serving on the board, probably some twenty years ago and presently serving on the Green Team.
3. Describe why you want to serve on the NCEC.
I want to serve because of the importance of demonstrating service while addressing significant community issue that must include the very community people for resolving those issues. There are important changes occurring in the Near North with the presence of the University of Minnesota through UROC. NRRC continues to serve this area and I want to responsibly support both I am an advocate for the community I live and I want it to have the best in services and livability.
4. How do you plan to maintain a relationship with the neighborhoods you would represent, if elected?
I plan to attend meetings, talk to the people and make myself available to constituents as much as possible; primarily utilizing direct face to face contact and technology (email, Facebook, website)
5. Please list any community-based organization(s) with which you are currently involved.
NRRC – Green Team
Northside Community Gardeners
The Urban Farm
Northside Agencies
Northside Arts Collective
6. Please list all current paid and unpaid affiliations.
Board member – Northway community Trust – unpaid
Roster Artist – Givens Literary Collection -paid
Roster Artist – Young Audiences of Minnesota - paid
Roster Artist – Compas – paid
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