Runberg affirmed the city’s Constitutional obligation to due process for ALL in Bay City by protecting residents and visitors from warrantless administrative detainer requests. See: Fourteenth Amendment.

When Flock’s automated license plate readers came to Bay City, he voted to keep mass surveillance out citing the Fourth Amendment.

And when the marihuana excise tax was allocated to the shelter’s overnight drop-in center, Runberg shielded residents from religious discrimination.

Pushed for a change in city management following sustained controversies — the commission works for residents, and city leadership must reflect that.

Runberg supported the vote allocating the $5m secured from the ill-fated bridge lease to city streets. And he showed up when the community spoke up against the so-called “Bridge Partners”.

When the city settled with contractors following the controversy surrounding the State Theater and the Bandshell at Wenona Park, Runberg spoke up about the erosion of trust in doing business with the city and the hidden costs that entails.

When city workers were faced with a roughly 400% cost-increase to their health benefits, Runberg voted to support those who support the city by meeting the increase half-way, retaining local talent for a stronger Bay City.

When the affordable living project was announced where the old flea market and YMCA was located, he gave his full-throated endorsement of the project.

Whether it was solid waste rate increases, unjust and selective regulatory enforcement leading to expensive fines, or simply a neighborhood looking to celebrate Halloween, Runberg has stood for the working-class in our community.

Continuing to emphasis that the commission works for their constituents, the city manager works for the commission, and city staff works for the city manager - not the other way around.

We need a fair and honest approach to commission appointments. Runberg will introduce proper rank-choice voting among the commission to ensure no single commissioner may collude or game the system for their own ends.

To bring more voices from the ward into the conversation, Runberg will conduct quarterly “Beer with the Commish” and “Coffee with the Commish” meetings to ensure the 7th Ward’s priorities are properly set and fought for.

Choosing the next city manager is among the biggest responsibilities asked of the commission. Runberg will support and vote for a candidate that is residents first. He will then work with the new city manager to ensure the proper chain of command is enforced (residents>commission>city manager>staff).

He will fight for every dollar of the $5m received from the unfortunate leasing of our bridges to work on 7th Ward, neighborhood streets. And yes, he will continue the fight against the alleged “Bridge Partners” deal to find justice for Bay City residents and our neighbors.

It’s imperative Bay City mends its reputation following the costly settlement regarding the Bandshell at Wenona Park and Breaking Bread Village controversies. Runberg will continue to work to minimize frustration and friction for those choosing to do business with our city through ordinance, process, and policy review and amendment.

While city workers have benefited from mitigated costs associated with benefits, the working-class occupies a broader swath of the city. Runberg will push for review of our “Responsible Contracting” ordinance to value bidders paying prevailing wages on city construction projects. The work toward a more affordable Bay City life has only begun.

He will work with Zoning to modernize and provide a zoning policy that encourages affordable housing solutions such as modern, multifamily housing, and new single-family construction.

As a recovering addict himself, Runberg will work to expand access to recovery and treatment in our community, which disproportionately affect our working-class neighbors.