Remembering Former Woodbury City Council Member Paul Rebholz, 1964-2020

Press release from the City of Woodbury:

August 19, 2020

The City of Woodbury flag will be lowered Friday, Aug. 21, in honor and remembrance of former Woodbury City Council member Paul Rebholz, who passed away Aug. 12 after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer. He was 56 years old.

Paul concluded his service on the Woodbury City Council in December 2016. His civic involvement began in 1999, when he was appointed to the Economic Development Commission (EDC), which works with city staff and the City Council to attract economic growth and development and retain businesses in the community. Paul served on the EDC through 2004 and led the commission from 2001 through 2004. As a member of the city’s Housing Task Force in 2001 and after starting his first of three terms on the City Council in 2005, Paul applied his extensive industry experience in housing to advance Woodbury’s vision of encouraging the development of a diverse housing stock with a wide range of type, style and affordability.

Paul understood the critical connection between housing, local economic development and the economy as a whole. He recognized that if Woodbury worked to attract a variety of housing options more people would want to live here. Paul had the foresight to understand that as the community’s population grew, companies would recognize Woodbury as a great place to do business.

Paul also valued the long-term interests of the city and supported its long-standing tradition of well-managed growth. In 2007, the City Council appointed him to the Comprehensive Plan Task Force, a group charged with shaping the blueprint for future growth in the city. In 2016, Paul again served on this group, which updated the city’s plans for growth through 2040.

The city also completed several major capital improvement projects during Paul’s tenure including the expansion of the Public Works Building in 2005; the expansion of City Hall in 2007; the expansion of the outdoor fields at the sports center in 2009; and the expansion of the field house and addition of the outdoor recreational skating rink at the sports center in 2014.

Paul also chaired the Audit and Investment Commission, leading a group of residents in making recommendations for updating the city’s financial policies and selecting the city auditor each year.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Paul was an outstanding facilitator of discussion. He asked great questions, ensuring all sides of issues were fully vetted. More impressively, he was able to do this respectfully, even during times of conflict. That’s not always an easy thing to do.

Paul will remain in the hearts of his wife, Laurie, and sons Joshua and Jacob, along with many other family members, friends, as well as several current and former city staff who had the pleasure of working alongside him.

View Paul’s obituary

This press release was produced by the City of Woodbury. The views expressed here are the author’s own.