HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-03 Appoint HEDRA Commissioner Estrella Carter
City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Councilmembers
From: John Hinzman, Community Development Director
Date: December 19, 2022
Item: Appoint HEDRA Commissioner: Estrella Carter
City Council Action Requested:
The City Council is asked to approve the appointment of Estrella Carter to the Hastings
Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA). Ms. Carter would fill
the vacancy created by Scott Sinclair’s departure and serve until December 31, 2028.
Citizen members may serve up to two consecutive six year terms.
Background Information:
Five candidates were interviewed by HEDRA Commissioners Goblirsch, Braucks and
Vaughan, City Administrator Wietecha, Community Development Director Hinzman,
and Economic Development Coordinator Maass. Estrella was the unanimous
recommendation of the interview committee.
Financial Impact:
N\A
Advisory Commission Discussion:
N\A
Council Commission Discussion:
N\A
Attachments:
• Application
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Advisory Commission & Task Force Interest Form
The City of Hastings encourages active participation of its residents. City Advisory Commissions and Task
Forces are two ways in which residents can take a participatory involvement in the planning, development,
and preservation of our growing and historical community. Thank you for your interest in serving on an
advisory commission or task force. Information about these opportunities is available on the City’s website
at https://www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/commissions-task-forces.
Commission Questions?
(Please indicate your interest) Contact 651-480-2350 or the person (s)
below
Charter Dan Wietecha dwietecha@hastingsmn.gov
Hastings Economic Development & Redevelopment Authority John Hinzman
(HEDRA) Jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov
Heritage Preservation Commission Justin Fortney
(HPC) Jfortney@hastingsmn.gov
Parks & Recreation Chris Jenkins
(PRC) Cjenkins@hastingsmn.gov
Planning John Hinzman
(PC) Jhinzman@hastingsmn.gov
Public Safety David Wilske
(PSAC) dwilske@hastingsmn.gov
Arts Task Force Kelly Murtaugh
kmurtaugh@hastingsmn.gov
Other/ no Preference Dan Wietecha
Dwietecha@hastingsmn.gov
To help us have a better understanding of your interests and background, we ask for some general
information. Please complete and sign the application.
Name: Estrella Carter
Address: 121 Tyler Street, Hastings, MN 55033
Day Phone: 651-338-4207 Evening Phone “”
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E-mail: Estrella.carter@cbrealty.com
City of Hastings Page 2 of 2
Advisory Commission Interest Form
Please share why you are interested in becoming involved with a City commission or task force.
Growing up in a multi-cultural family and restaurant business offered me a diverse background in
entrepreneurship and human services. My grandmother encouraged me to pursue a higher
education, which led me to receiving a master’s degree in social work from the University of MN.
In my 15-year career, social work allowed me to be a force for positive development, supporting
the many diverse communities in Minnesota by breaking down barriers to equitable housing,
education, and employment opportunities. Even though I was the first generation in my family to
obtain a college degree, I had so much respect and admiration for the “self-made” minority women
business owners in my family.
I had the opportunity to serve diverse populations throughout Minnesota working for non-profits
and federal organizations such as Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Job Corps, and Jewish Family
Service, African American Adoption Agency. I also volunteered on State and local boards such as
The MN Ombudsperson for Hispanic families, DEED advisory collaborative, Iseek Solutions and
Arts-Us (founded by Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter).
In 2014, I decided to step out of my role in social work in education and economic development,
and pursue my dream of expanding my business, and that same year I became aware of a new
housing community, designed to support, and empower artists as they pursued their creative
endeavors. I seized the opportunity to move to Artspace Hastings, seeing it as a door to growing
my creative business in interior decorating and boutique catering.
When Covid brought the world, and my business, to a halt, I saw yet another opportunity to get
creative, expand my business, and create a greater impact in the world. I am proud to say, I earned
my real estate license, and now help families from all “walks of life” navigate home ownership in
our city, of Hastings.
One of the most powerful things I have discovered as a resident of Hastings, is that what it means
to be a resident. In this diverse community, I have fostered new friendships, and we have been
able to empower each other through collaborations and networking, striving to embody the idea
that when one rises, we all rise. When a neighbor moved to a nursing home, I was able to throw a
birthday party for her twin daughters, enlisting the support of another neighbor, who created a tik
tok selfie backdrop that was the highlight for the 14-year-old girls. When my husband struggled
with his arthritis, I called on my neighbor, an Indigenous artisan who produces cottage foods and
medicinals - and she provided her Bear Grease, which has become a staple in our lives. When I
needed business cards, my other neighbors, owners of Holtyme created beautiful, high-quality
prints for me with lightning speed. During my 1st Annual Fall Celebration at ArtSpace, my
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creative neighbors came out in force to support the vision. They were up early and with my
husband, worked to make sure everything was set up. Then more neighbors/business owners
donated artwork for a prize drawing, and professional photography to capture the fun.
Choosing to make Hastings my home has also meant the opportunity to connect with organizations
like HPAAC, United Way, and Hastings Family Service and the YMCA and their members, who
helped me make connections throughout town.
I have been living here for five years now - and I have been able to support, and be supported by,
my neighbors here in Hastings. With all, I am interested in volunteering in the HEDRA
commission, so I can contribute my array of skills and talents in strategic planning and
preservation in our growing community.
Supplemental Information
Employer: Independent Contractor with Coldwell Banker Realty
Occupation: Real Estate Consultant
What experience would you bring to the Commission or Task Force?
In my 8-year stint as the Director of Employment and Education Department, I managed staff and
programs that served a clientele of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, sexual orientation, race, social
economic background, immigrants/asylees? I am not sure of this word. and familial status. I designed
and implemented culturally competent services, while achieving employment retention and increase
wage goals. I have experience in speaking effectively to stake holders & policy makers on effectiveness
of new enterprises and developments; participated and presented at Board meetings and Board
committees; reviewed program budget reports and monthly financial statements; Assisted with grant
writing and established and nurtured partnerships with community organizations and employers;
Participated on Department of Employment and Economic Development Collaborative.
Currently, my real estate career has made me proficient in market trends while my transferrable skills in
social work strengthen my services to diverse clientele and communities.
Please return to: City of Hastings City Use
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101 Fourth Street East OR via email to the Date Received:
Hastings, MN 55033 Commission contact Forwarded to:
§ 31.36 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
(A)Each public official of the City of Hastings shall file for public record in the office of the City Clerk, a sworn statement in a form
approved by the City Council and which must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) The names of all businesses, corporations, companies, firms, partnerships, or other business enterprises, doing business
with
or in the City of Hastings, in which the public official is connected thereto as an employee, owner, director, officer, adviser, or consultant, or in
which the public official has a continuing financial interest, through ownership of stock or as a beneficiary of any pension or retirement plan;
(2) A description of all parcels of real property, other than property occupied by the public official as a personal residence,
in which the public official has any interest, including the right to occupy any such property; and
(3) The interest of a spouse, or minor child or other member of the immediate household of any public official shall be
considered an interest of the public official for purposes of filing the statement required.
(B)Each person who becomes a public official shall, within 30 days after assuming the office or position, file a public disclosure required
by this section.
(1) Following an initial filing, the information on that filing shall remain in effect and all public officials will continue to attest
to
its truth. Within 30 days of any change to the information on the initial filing and following any reappointment or reelection, all public officials
shall file a new sworn statement with the City Clerk. City staff members covered under this provision shall fill out an initial filing and shall
thereafter complete any amended filings within 30 days of any change to the information on the initial filing or at least every 4 years, in the
years in which the Mayor and at large Councilmember seats are up for election, whichever comes first. (Am. Ord. 511, passed 4-5-2004)
(2) This subchapter shall not be construed to require the filing of any information relating to any person’s connection with
any
professional society or any charitable, religious, social, fraternal, recreational, civil or political organization or any similar organization not
conducted as a business enterprise.
(3) The City Administrator shall inform each person who is required to file a statement, the time and place for filing, and shall
furnish each such person with a copy of this subchapter and the required statement form. The City Administrator shall inform the City Council
when any person, who
is required to file a statement, fails to file the statement in a timely manner. (Prior Code, § 2.81)
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