In 2024, Centerville voters will elect two councilmembers to four-year terms. The candidates are:
About the candidate: Russ Koski is a 30-year resident of Centerville and city council candidate. He attended college at the University of MN, Duluth and has been working with a Twin Cities-based company for 28 years. Russ was an active Planning and Zoning Commission member for 5 1/2 years and is completing his eighth year as a member of the city council. As a city council member, Russ is in his sixth year on the Centennial Fire District Steering Committee, serving three times as chairperson. He also serves as Deputy mayor and is the city council liaison for the Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition, he serves as the alternate to the North Metro Telecommunications Commission. Russ has attended the League of Minnesota Cities conference and continuing education workshops.
Russ works to develop relationships with surrounding local governments and county officials to share concerns about issues affecting Centerville. He has always taken an active role in the community, serving as a Fete des Lacs parade volunteer for the past 17 years. He believes strongly in the public input process, encouraging resident involvement. Not everyone will agree on all issues. However, acknowledging objections, and seeking alternatives is key.
Important Issues:
- Keep public safety in the forefront of the city council and staff. Be open to all options as we plan and prepare for our future needs.
- Review future land use and development of available city properties to prevent losing the character of our community.
- Maintaining city services while keeping both residential and business taxes as low as possible.
- Continue to attract additional businesses to the city to strengthen the tax base and provide needed goods and services.
- Maintaining Centerville’s natural resources and amenities, including parks, wetlands, and lakes. Sustain a walkable community through our trail systems and sidewalks.
- Consider the possible impact of residential development in Lino Lakes and the I35E corridor on the city.
Goals if Elected:
- Explore creative ways to provide the highest quality of public safety. Work with other cities and organizations to develop cost saving measures for both police and fire departments.
- Assess future development and ensure they fit the city. Manage growth responsibly and consider residents’ needs over the next 5 to 20 years.
- Maintain city-owned properties responsibly to attract businesses and developments that will best benefit the community.
- Develop and encourage a strong business environment to attract new commerce and support existing businesses.
- Maintain the city’s fiscal responsibility and help lessen tax burdens on residents and businesses.
- Work with surrounding communities on regional issues that may affect Centerville in the present and future.
- Implement “town hall” events to gather residents’ input and share information.
Endorsements: None sought.
Connect with Me:
Email: koskiruss@gmail.com
Phone: 612-741-7189
Candidate Interview:
About the candidate: David Kubat is a lifelong Minnesota resident who moved to Centerville with his wife and two children in August 2020. Since residing in Centerville David has been very involved in the Centerville community and served for 2 years on the Planning and Zoning commission. David was previously an Intelligence Officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard with two deployments to support combat operations in Iraq and Kuwait. David is an attorney and partner in a legal practice in Saint Paul, where he has practiced primarily Immigration Law for the past 12 years.
Important Issues: Centerville needs smart growth tailored to the unique community and limited developable area. We need to ensure that the residents of Centerville have access to retail and other businesses without crossing into Hugo, while carefully expanding the tax base to be sure residents are not priced out of their community in the long term. Centerville has always been a great place to raise a family, and we need to protect that into the future. We need to continue to find ways to economically deliver the high-quality public services in a time period of spiraling costs without burdening the community that has built Centerville into what it is today.
Goals if Elected:
- Continue the smart stewardship of the public purse and debt.
- Upgrade the city’s aging park infrastructure.
- Revise and revitalize the vision for the Centerville downtown.
- Attract private investment to improve the retail offerings in the empty or under-utilized lots along main street.
- Ensure continued high quality public safety services
- Find new pathways for city residents to make their voices heard on matters of public interest
Endorsements: None listed.
Connect with Me:
Web: www.DavidforCenterville.com
Candidate Interview:
About the candidate: Garland Port is a dedicated resident of Centerville MN, who moved from Minneapolis in 2019 to embrace small-town life. As a software engineer, Garland brings a meticulous and analytical approach to problem-solving, skills he now seeks to apply to the Centerville City Council. Garland’s passion for preserving the town’s unique charm and ensuring its future prosperity drives his commitment to public service. His campaign focuses on maintaining Centerville’s quality of life by addressing issues like responsible development, public safety, and enhancing community spaces. As a father, Garland understands the importance of safe and well-maintained parks, having experienced firsthand the need for improvements at local facilities. His vision for Centerville is one that honors its past while thoughtfully planning for its future, ensuring it remains a welcoming place for families and businesses alike.
Important Issues: Garland Port’s campaign is focused on several key issues that impact Centerville’s quality of life. He strongly opposes high-density development that could strain local infrastructure and alter the town’s character. Another priority is improving Centerville’s parks and recreational facilities, making them safe and enjoyable for all residents. His platform reflects a commitment to responsible governance, preservation of small-town values, and thoughtful, community-oriented growth.
Goals if Elected: If elected to the Centerville City Council, Garland Port aims to rework the city’s redevelopment plan and implement zoning changes to protect residents from high-density development in the downtown district, near the elementary school, and along the lakefront. He plans to advocate for increased investment in local parks, ensuring they are safe, well-maintained, and family-friendly. By focusing on these goals, Garland seeks to maintain Centerville’s unique charm while preparing it for a prosperous future.
Endorsements: None listed.
Connect with Me:
Website: www.centervilleproud.com
Email: port4council@centervilleproud.
Candidate Interview: Did not participate.
