For the 2019 Voters Guide, we emailed Pullman City Council candidates a set of 16 questions on professional experience, local priorities and general issues. We have included those questions and the unedited responses. We have noted when candidates left questions unanswered. We have also provided links to candidate websites, campaign funding reports and other local media coverage when available.
Any questions or suggestions should be sent to: whitmancowatch@gmail.com
CANDIDATE BACKGROUND
Website: chrisjohnsonpw1.com
Social media: Facebook / Twitter
PDC campaign funding: Johnson 2019
League of Women Voters ballot info: Vote411.org
Other recent coverage:
Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Pullman City Council candidates talk transparency, downtown, infrastructure
Daily Evergreen: City Council voters guide
Lewiston Tribune: Two council seats being contested in Pullman
Daily Evergreen: City council holds debate forum
Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Pullman City Council candidates talk business, transparency
QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your current occupation or job title?
Director of Finance (CFO) at WSU for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
What other memberships or affiliations would you like to list for voters?
Boy Scouts of America, WSU Academic Area Finance Officers (Chair), WSU Student Conduct Advisor
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I was the Senior Project Manager on a $60 million environmental cleanup portfolio which included a $30 million environmental cleanup under the state Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), that was completed on time and under budget. This was a complex project that required collaboration between governments (regulators), corporations, tribes, and the community. This required working as a team with groups that had competing interests. The project included redevelopment and public access for recreation and community events including a summer concert series, additional economic development opportunities, and improved marine habitat protection that supports salmon and other fish species.
What is your vision for the City of Pullman as a community and are there any cities that you see doing things right or would like to emulate?
My vision for Pullman includes the following: First, accountability, transparency, and improved council governance. This will help improve public trust and confidence by the community in its public servants and will create an environment and opportunities that are conducive to public participation and community collaboration. Second, public safety and security which enables a welcoming and stable community that allows for future growth while maintaining the tradition of being a family friendly city. Third, infrastructure improvement, renewal and maintenance that respects and values the taxpayer funds that were used to pay for the assets. This will extend the useful life of these investments. Finally, strengthening city development standards that will ensure growth and development is planned and meets the community needs as a whole. This effort will require the city to update its current 1999 Comprehensive Plan (minor amendment in 2013) and its zoning, ensuring there is an established timeline and policy for both to be reviewed and updated regularly with appropriate public participation.
As the city anticipates continued growth, what is your philosophy for guiding new business and housing development?
The city of Pullman has a responsibility to have clearly defined and consistent development standards that apply to all equally and minimizes red tape. This doesn’t mean anything goes. It is important to ensure that basic and core infrastructure is in place to attract additional economic and housing development. Basically, get the 1st 100 feet right and then get out of the way. Of course, key to this approach is what is also described in the question above. A current, relevant comprehensive plan and associated zoning. It is the only way to ensure consistency and have adequate transparency for the public in considering why and when a variance is granted. As an example, it seems like poor stewardship to permit, build, and open an elementary school only to then approve a zoning variance for a rock quarry next to the same school.
Are there steps the city should take to help make housing more affordable? What do you consider the city’s greatest housing challenges?
High property taxes make housing less affordable in Pullman and contribute to the lack of affordable family housing. The city can help make housing more affordable by making sure that it doesn’t undertake taxpayer funded projects (like a new city hall that also required using $3 million in reserves) that are not strategic or prioritized. When the city has a significant increase to taxpayers for a $10.5 million bond for example, but the cost increase to over $13.5 million requiring the use of reserves, it is only logical that there should be a policy of additional public process and re-evaluation of why the engineering estimates were so drastically different than the bids. We must be able to justify to the public why property taxes are increasing.
What do you consider your highest priority for city parks infrastructure? (Multiple choice)
Maintaining and expanding trails and paths. Additionally, replacing unsafe playground equipment.
Possible answers: •Maintaining and expanding trails, paths or parking. •Replacing antiquated playground equipment. •Upgrading picnic shelters or sports facilities. •Facilitating events that draw people to parks. •Protecting and expanding green spaces throughout city. • Other, with write-in.
There is usually a balance, but which set of transportation goals do you think the majority of Pullman voters considers the higher priority for downtown? (Multiple choice)
Reduce downtown traffic congestion, widen lanes and increase parking convenience/accessibility.
Possible answers: • Reduce downtown traffic congestion, widen lanes and increase parking convenience/accessibility. • Make downtown more walkable/bicycle friendly by slowing or diverting traffic, adding bike lanes and increasing public transit service.
Are there any new policies or investments you think would make Pullman Police or Fire more efficient or effective?
Policies and guidelines should be established to regularly prioritize investment in public safety and security. As the city makes decisions on prioritizing resources, these essential services should have the highest priority. The city should make sure that equipment and staffing needs are met so as to secure the safety of those whose job it is to protect the community. Additionally, policies should be established that guide decisions on large projects like the airport so that the total costs of the project, including additional fire and police resources, are part of the short- and long-term planning and cost projections.
What, if anything, should be done about the Mimosa building?
Take some risks and hold the owners accountable under current city code and the law to the extent possible. The owners have obviously not demonstrated a commitment to the community or valued being a good neighbor.
How would your rank your expectations for council/city government transparency on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating a discrete approach to governing and 5 indicating a proactively open approach?
Five
Do you consider tax rates in Pullman high or low? As a steward of taxpayer dollars, how do you approach balancing demands for city service against the citizen tax burden?
In my experience, Pullman has a high tax rate. Stewardship balance is maintained by ensuring proper planning, infrastructure maintenance and renewal, and prioritization of public resources for the most pressing needs. For example, putting $3 million of city reserves towards the new city hall does not make sense when there appear to be other pressing needs like lagging road maintenance, failing sidewalks, and storm water infrastructure that cannot keep up with current rainfalls and has caused flooding events in vital city areas. Also, while a new city hall is nice, it will not attract additional economic development. Taxpayers trust and expect resources to be spent for their highest and best use, including prioritizing snow removal, street, water, and sidewalk maintenance as well as other deferred maintenance in their neighborhoods and community.
Do you support the city enacting policies to address climate change or promote environmental sustainability? If so, what steps would you take?
Yes, to the extent that they are effective, financially prudent, and sustainable. As an example, it makes sense that the city would support storm water management through use of oil/water separators, rain gardens or similar stormwater management tools to mitigate impacts to local streams and other bodies of water.
What do you think of existing local regulations on cannabis businesses and production operations?
Not restrictive enough
What are your thoughts on the city’s relationship with WSU and what, if anything, might you adjust or improve about that dynamic?
Generally, very good and both institutions benefit from an effective working relationship. There could be more collaboration in ensuring consistent use of development standards throughout the city and WSU. As I have learned in meeting with public safety leaders and staff, there may need to be re-evaluation of WSU’s contribution and/or collaborative approach with the city, because city resources provide significant support to WSU and its student population based upon emergency response data.
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly change one thing about Pullman, what would it be and why?
A vibrant downtown that is truly the heart of the city. This includes proper infrastructure (including cell, wireless or fiber), great roads and transportation infrastructure (easing the congestion on Grand and Main), multi modal options, people friendly parks and spaces, and an atmosphere that attracts additional jobs, economic investment and development. This vision is the best way to ensure the tax base is diverse, sustainable, and reduces taxes to make housing more affordable.