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: City Council biographies
Social media: Facebook / Twitter
PDC campaign funding: Not listed
Other recent coverage:
Lewiston Tribune: Two council seats being contested in Pullman
QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your current occupation or job title?
Research Consultant/ Entrepreneur
What other memberships or affiliations would you like to list for voters?
Pullman Good Food Co-Op Board
Pullman 2040: Marketing, Community Identity/ Connectedness
WSU & Pullman Town/Gown Collaborative
Washington State University Institutional Biosafety Committee
Friends of Gladish Board of Directors
Chair of Poverty Awareness Taskforce
Back Yard Harvest
Palouse Knowledge Corridor
Association of Washington Cities
.09 Blue Ribbon Advisory Task Committee for Whitman County
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I am proud of many accomplishments, roposing and adopting a pay cut for Pullman City Council during the Great Recession because we were reducing department budgets and the council should lead from the front. Proposing and drafting the City of Pullman “Welcome Resolution” which stated that we are welcoming to individuals from all countries, faiths and communities. Organizing the Pullman Warming Center for the homeless with non-profits, faith groups, city and citizens. Serving as a Mentor for the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, as well as students at a local school. Working as the Team Lead at NASA Langley Research Center DEVELOP Program on an Earth Observing System satellite project. Currently, I am proud to be a research consultant working on technology to detect marijuana impairment.
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?
The future City of Pullman includes a diverse and unified community boasting of robust digital, social and traditional infrastructure with long term investment in maintenance and upgrades. Central to this is developing regional and multimodal transportation while beautifying our waterways and expanding trails. We will focus on physical and mental healthcare for our multigenerational population, expand adult education for new careers in cutting edge technology, and provide training in trade careers at the Pullman Skills Center. The city will work with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to provide a streamlined approach for entrepreneurs of all ages to create and grow their business. Lastly, continuing to strengthen our ties with WSU, retaining university talent and exploring public-private partnerships will make us a dynamic community, so that our motto of “High Tech, Higher Education, Highest Quality of Life,” will continue to define the future of Pullman.
As the city anticipates continued growth, what is your philosophy for guiding new business and housing development?
As the City of Pullman grows, we must explore additional mixed-use planning which could provide access to entertainment and food to citizens that are far from these amenities, while providing new business opportunity. Along these same lines expanding mixed-use development will save the city money on cost to provide services to outlying areas, while also preserving the surrounding environment. I believe that it is important to encourage businesses to locate in our downtown core, however some will find it more economically feasible to locate in other areas and the city should not restrict those decisions. At the same time, our city should review current local regulations to determine how best to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary restrictions, while exploring opportunities in public-private partnerships.
Are there steps the city should take to help make housing more affordable? What do you consider the city’s greatest housing challenges?
There are ways to provide different housing options for citizens and explore grant opportunities to help with home ownership. Some ideas include, developing and adopting codes for “tiny homes” that some people prefer, another is to increase density which will reduce housing cost, while yet another is to join Whitman County and adopt State House Bill 1406 which provides some state sales tax money to go to affordable housing. Housing affordability is one of the greatest housing challenges facing Pullman and causes many people to commute instead of live in the city. This is a benefit for those communities but indicates a challenge in our own, however it is difficult to address and is driven by the current market.
What do you consider your highest priority for city parks infrastructure? (Multiple choice)
All of the above.
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?
With a growing city come the challenges of over-extending our workforce and services, especially our emergency services. Both the Fire Department and Police Department will benefit from an additional staff and equipment, while an additional building is needed for fire and more space for police. Furthermore, technology will play an important role in the future of all departments so exploration of advances in their fields will help the staff remain on the cutting edge and effective. I also believe it is important for each department to consider how to increase efficiency in relation to shift assignments, organization and maintenance, but this should be handled by departments who know where gaps in service and excess is present.
What, if anything, should be done about the Mimosa building?
Many people discuss Mimosa and have been very critical of the handling of the building. However, several inspections of the site have revealed that it is structural sound, even if it is an “eye sore” to the public. I talked with one of the engineers that inspected the building and he explained that Mimosa provides structure to the other buildings connected to it and any change would also impact the other businesses. Furthermore, if it is removed, the city would need to consider additional flood mitigation measures since it provides a buffer to the street. Lastly, there are many more buildings that are in worse shape, but Mimosa happens to be the most visible. I feel it is best to work with the owners and find a mutually agreeable solution and focus on the many great buildings in downtown.
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?
Four
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?
Washington in general has high tax rates which makes it difficult to compete with Idaho for sales tax dollars. Property tax is the area that the city has the most impact on and the state capped the increase of this at 1% per year. However, passage of bonds and measures does have an impact on tax and I feel that people are beginning to become frustrated with the amount of bonds being passed in the community. This is not to say that I do not believe they are important, in fact I support future visioning and planning for education, infrastructure, emergency services and health care, it is much better to be proactive than reactive. The best way we can address this challenge of growth and needing to invest in our future is to explore new grant and funding opportunities, public-private partnerships and regional collaborations.
Do you support the city enacting policies to address climate change or promote environmental sustainability? If so, what steps would you take?
Environmental challenges must be addressed with a regional philosophy and partnerships. The city can provide information and data on water, land use, sustainable initiatives, renewable technologies and other topics, but it takes cross-border collaboration to have a significant impact on environmental issues. Adoption of water saving measures in facilities while encouraging similar practices with residents and a Climate Action Plan can help. Also, exploring additional mixed-use planning and development will reduce the environmental impact of sprawl and save the city money on providing services to outlying areas. Furthermore, exploring grant opportunities for renewable technology and sustainable initiatives provides resources to improve our community. Lastly, communication between city departments and with citizens about past, current and future environmental efforts is essential, and creation of an Environmental Committee made up of citizens and staff can aid in this effort.
What do you think of existing local regulations on cannabis businesses and production operations?
Cannabis regulation of business and production is set at the state. Going against these regulations can place the city at risk of lawsuit and loss of tax revenue.
What are your thoughts on the city’s relationship with WSU and what, if anything, might you adjust or improve about that dynamic?
WSU and Pullman are experiencing a surge in cooperation through the WSU/Pullman Town-Gown Collaboration group, of which I am a member. WSU President Schulz is focused on working closely with our city and I am encouraged to see all of the work that is being done. Many years ago I had suggested the university and city explore a “PILOT” (payment-in-lieu of tax) program to offset some of the cost that the departments experience with increased population during game days and the wear on our infrastructure during the school year, however I do not want to jeopardize our current relationship. I believe continuing to strengthen our ties with WSU, retaining university talent, and encouraging “tech-transfer” from the university into local business will make us a dynamic community, so that our motto of “High Tech, Higher Education, Highest Quality of Life,” will continue to define the future of Pullman.
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly change one thing about Pullman, what would it be and why?
I believe Pullman is headed in the right direction. We have more citizen involvement than ever before and more investment from businesses and Washington State University not only in the form of money, but also involvement and we have a large non-profit sector which strengthens our economy and community. Furthermore, we have a great surrounding environment, recreational options and exciting opportunities in the future. If there is one thing that I would instantly change it would be for my fellow citizens to realize how fortunate we are in Pullman and how many assets we have in our community. It’s easy to criticize where we are, but it is more difficult to see how far we have come and how much we have in our future.