Jess Birken
No Nonsense Leadership
We need good people who put community first
to care and to get involved
Hi I'm Jess! A parent, homeowner, attorney and local nonprofit board member. I've lived in the area for over 20 years and my kids and I have called Arden Hills home since 2020. I'm running for Arden Hills City Council because our town is worth investing in.
I've been serving on the Planning Commission and I know I can do more. I'll help keep Arden Hills moving in the right direction - forward. Over the past year our sense of connectedness and community has been amazing, let's keep that going!
We moved to Arden Hills for the excellent schools, beautiful parks, mature trees and outstanding amenities. I'm grateful for the leaders who kept Arden Hills a nice place to live for many years in the past.
I want to keep Arden Hills nice, and keep our taxes reasonable. To do this, we have to move into the future and not get passed up by other cities. We must make space for young professionals like my daughter to bring energy into Arden Hills. We also need to make space for seniors to age gracefully in our community.
My legal career was built on people skills and solving complex problems. As a current member of the Arden Hills Planning Commission, I use these skills and have a front-row seat to the decisions shaping this city. The choices coming up for Arden Hills are some of the most consequential in years. I want to make sure this community comes out of them stronger.
Vote Yes for Jess!
A Budget That Works
Good government means spending public money carefully and being honest about tradeoffs. I'll bring the same analytical approach to the City budget that I bring to my legal work. Arden Hills is catching up on years of deferred maintenance, and that has real costs.
I'll ask hard questions, get clarity on what we're getting for what we spend, and make sure we're investing in the right priorities without overextending. Vote for me if you want us to plan ahead instead of kicking things down the road.
Responsible Development at Rice Creek Commons
Rice Creek Commons (formerly TCCAP) is the most significant project Arden Hills will take on in a generation. The 427-acre former Army ammunition plant site has the potential to bring new housing, places to eat and enjoy, jobs, tax revenue, green space, and lasting community value...IF we get it right.
I want Rice Creek Commons to benefit the people who already live here. Vote for me and I'll work to ensure we develop it well and prevent any data centers or prisons locating here. I'll work to ensure we add amenities not just an office park. I'll vote for housing that attracts young families, serves seniors, and that doesn't compromise what makes Arden Hills charming now.
Parks, Trails, and a Greener Arden Hills
Arden Hills has great parks and trails, and there's real momentum to make them even better. The City has been working toward an updated Parks Master Plan and new trail connections. We can and should finish the trail connections, and invest in our parks in ways that are sustainable.
We need to keep working on removing invasive species both on land (i.e. buckthorn) and in our waters. Vote for me to ensure we protect our natural resources. I want to see Round Lake (off Hwy 96) finally cleaned up. Let's keep protecting the natural spaces that make this community feel like home.
Supporting Our Schools
Our district is one of the top districts in the state and a reason many families move to Arden Hills. Strong schools are a direct reflection of a healthy community that values every resident. While the City doesn't run the schools, it has a supporting role to play.
Test scores aren't everything. As a parent in ISD 621 I've seen first hand what outstanding music, art, industrial and STEM education / extracurriculars do for young people and I'll work to support them. Our district is building future leaders and workers for our community. As a Councilmember I'll work to support youth development through our district's programming.
More About Me
My Life:​
My kids are 20 and 17 and came up through MV Schools. My oldest is training to be a civil engineer and my youngest plans on being a teacher. I started volunteering with Irondale's robotics team when my oldest was part of the team. Now I serve on their board and am very involved in game announcing the regional tournaments which is super fun! (Sneak peak video below). I love gardening, reading science fiction, and learning new things. Right now I'm learning to build a tiny house in the woods of Northern WI.
My Professional Experience:
I've been an attorney for over 18 years and am one of the nations' leading experts on nonprofit law and governance. I'm a builder not a fighter. I love to find win win solutions for my charity clients. I teach others through my podcast "Charity Therapy" and through continuing ed for lawyers. I worked in environmental conservation grants and real estate with Pheasants Forever and I'm a trained mediator. Check out my LinkedIn profile for more.
My Approach:
I like to make sure I hear everyone's perspective, but I'm not afraid to have an opinion. I don't believe in double talk, jargon, or trying to hide behind fancy words. If I'm elected I'll take my duty seriously and always do what I think is in the best interest of the community. I value people's privacy, private property rights and protecting natural resources. As a business owner I'll enjoy working with businesses but our citizens are always #1. Fairness is very important to me and I respect the rule of law.