Maplewood judge Douglas Sidel officiated the swearing in of three council members at the Maplewood city council meeting on Tuesday. C Wiley was successful in a write-in campaign for Ward 1. Eric Page (Ward 2) and Nick Homa (Ward 3) both were reelected to second terms (both unopposed). Also, Maplewood Mayor Barry Greenberg read a proclamation thanking Matt Coriell for his service as Ward 1 council representative.
They had a few things to say about their service for the city — looking forward and back.
C Wiley (Ward 1)) referred to their platform from their successful write-in campaign. “I’m really focused right now on providing more affordable housing for lower income residents. I have a huge focus on some of our minority groups who are particularly targeted right now at the state and national level. And because I believe all politics are local, I think that’s something we have to focus on here in Maplewood. And as an expecting parent I’m just excited to start focusing on ways we can build bridges between the school and the city.
Eric Page (Ward 2) said that it’s a good council, and, “There’s a lot of work to do and a lot of uncertainty so we’re going to be busy.”
Nick Homa (Ward 3) said the council will have a lot of budgetary types of things to deal with. “We have to make some decisions on bond issues for this building, the police department, sewer lateral fund. Making sure we’re liquid in all of our funds,” he said.
“We have a good group here,” Homa said. “We’re losing Matt, replacing him with C. Nothing in particular legislatively trying to accomplish. We have to be very good fiscal stewards here, also not knowing what we’re dealing with, with the federal government and everything else and how that might flow down.”
Matt Coriell (stepping down from Ward 1) said it was successful term. “I’m very lucky to have served with the people I served with. I feel like we were able to pass some good ordinances to help with housing affordability. The zoning changes we made — Chapter 56 — super important. That’s going to help a lot of people down the line.”
He explained Chapter 56 — “Basically setting parameters for what size you can build within the area. Keeps things more historically accurate, more authentic. Stops people from building houses that are out of place, raising property values. That was really important for me. That was why I wanted to run. I was lucky to have some people on P&Z that were able to help me bring that into fruition.”
Coriell also said he’s grateful for the new city manager (Amber Withycombe). “The lengthy, hard process that that was, how crazy that got. I’m glad we’re on the other side of that to end up in a really good spot.”
“I think I’m leaving my seat with C in the most fantastic hands, if not better hands,” Coriell said, “So I leave with the utmost confidence in C and the city council and the city of Maplewood to keep progressing and keeping this community great.”
