Candidate Forum 2013

We had a very successful candidate forum last night at the St. Andrew Church Fellowship Hall. I'm grateful to forum organizers Paul DeYoung and Pat Yeggy for their hard work in getting the event scheduled and put together so well.  The was a good crowd of probably 50 people there.

Below are my answers to the four questions that we were given ahead of time. With time limits for each question, I try to script out a concise answer. Somehow I still seem to make changes as I speak so what's below likely wasn't exactly what I said last night, but close.

1. For several years, the citizens of University Heights have considered development of the St. Andrew church site.  In your view, independent of the proposed development, what do you think is the ideal use of the St. Andrew church site and why?  Does the increasing number of young families with children in University Heights or the changing demographics of University Heights impact your view of how the St. Andrew church site should be developed?  (2 minutes)

This question has two separate parts, location and population. I’d like to examine each.  First, location: A nearly 5 acre parcel on the intersection of our only two arterial streets is the best place for a slightly denser mixed commercial and residential development. There is not another intersection in town with this combination of space and easy access.

Now population: We are the oldest average aged town in the county, but in 2000 our average age was 36 years old. According to the 2010 census our average age has dropped to just over 30. Many of the young families now moving into town can be referred to as Millennials, people born between 1983 and 2000, they are already the largest generation in the United States and their desires will play a crucial role in determining future housing and infrastructure needs.

Iowa PIRG’s report, A New Direction, shows that young people age 16 to 34 drove 23 percent fewer miles on average in 2009 than they did in 2001. Millennials are more likely to want to live in urban and walkable neighborhoods, they want to reduce travel time and are more open to non-driving forms of transportation. The single answer as to why this is happening?  Smartphones! Millennials are looking for transportation options that allow them to stay connected while traveling. A recent study cited by EfficientGov.com showed that residents are willing to pay 12.5% more for housing with walkable amenities.

A slightly denser, mixed use development makes sense from both a location and population standpoint. It makes sense that it will improve the quality of our entire town. Without significant commercial or public space we have no place to easily congregate and become a true community. In the absence of an identified sense of University Heights “SELF” we are basically just another Iowa City neighborhood. I will consider the financial benefits of development here in question three.

2. In light of the three development scenarios that were shared at the community focus session and the feedback provided by the citizens of University Heights, what would be your preferred development scenario for the St. Andrew church site and why?  If you do not prefer any of the three development scenarios, please explain how you would like to see the St. Andrew church site developed and why it should be developed in such manner.  In what ways, if any, do your views on the use of public funding, such as tax increment financing, bonds, etcetera, influence your opinions on the development of the St. Andrew church site? (3 minutes)

I do believe that the mixed use scenario is most appropriate for the St. Andrew site for reasons I’ve already cited. I proposed the 5+/park scenario last summer because it seemed we were going nowhere as a council in moving forward, and that there was a great deal of council opposition to the commercial portion of a mixed use development. I wanted a development that would have something for our entire community. If not convenient amenities, then at least we should have municipal space in the form of a park that could host community events such as our successful farmer’s market, city picnics, or other special occasion gatherings. I was frankly surprised and pleased by the level of support for mixed use that was expressed at the Focus Group meeting and the online feedback form. 50% of online respondents preferred that, with 17% preferring 5+/park. At least two thirds of our responding residents want a development that offers more than just an increase in our tax base.

In order to pay for infrastructure improvements, to purchase one commercial unit for a city hall, or to purchase park land, we will need to engage in some form of financing. That will be a major component of future council discussions. We have two avenues for that, bonding or tax increment financing. A rational discussion of the merits of each, which focuses on how each one operates, is critical. A key element of those discussions would be for city councilors to be leaders by knowing the details of those options and holding public forums explaining them carefully to citizens. I wouldn’t be surprised if a successful project included both forms of financing.

3. What are your views on the financial condition of the City of University Heights and the services and improvements that are provided by the City of University Heights?  In what ways, if any, do your views influence your opinions on the development of the St. Andrew church site? (2 minutes)

This is a very familiar question for me! Here’s what I said in 2009 to this question:"We can probably get by for the next four years due to our Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) money, which so far has averaged nearly $10K per month. After 2013 we lose the sales tax money. We cannot at that time just raise property taxes because we already tax at the maximum rate. To be foresighted and explore options for additional revenue through smart growth development makes sense, but we need to do it before we have a revenue shortfall on our hands."

Here’s what I said in 2011 to this question:

"I view the financial situation as living on borrowed time. Passing the Local Option Sales Tax in May 2009 has added $10K of revenue per month to the city. Our 10-11 budget had total revenue of 1.25 Million dollars. 10% of that revenue was LOST money at $123K. Our carryover at the end of the year was only $31K. If it weren’t for LOST we would be at a deficit.  A major component to monitoring the budget going forward should be a financial report at each regular council meeting from the finance chair. This has not happened since our last election. When faced with the equivalent of a 10% revenue decrease in 2013 we will have to look at cutting city services."

Here’s what I say today:

"Thanks to Jim Lane’s leadership of our Finance Committee, we have a better understanding and management of our finances than we did two years ago. Our current cash reserve of $490K is admirable. However 75% of that amount is from our LOST money. We received our last payment in September. We still have to complete payments for our 20% of the Sunset wide sidewalk project. We are going to have to be extremely careful going forward and look to increase our tax base, as well as explore how to limit expenses."

4. Given the role that councilors play in the City of University Heights, how do you see yourself contributing to the advancement of the City of University Heights?  Please provide specific examples of your skills and experience.  (2 minutes)

We are in an unusual situation as a small town. Every councilor is in charge of a department, and in some cases is the ONLY person doing that job. It is critical everyone attends to their duties. As eGovernment chair, I've helped implement some major changes to improve citizen’s access to information. We have notice of meetings, agendas with supporting attachments, minutes, and a web stream of city council meeting available via the internet.  Also there is a regular rebroadcast and on demand play of council meetings on cable TV. I have been fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer community member as well as support of fellow council members in helping to record and broadcast our council meetings. As webmaster, our city page, while not flashy, is stable and has averaged 2 significant content updates per week for the past 4 years.

Since we don’t have regular media coverage of most city meetings, I've sent out a brief email summary of city council meetings on a monthly basis to any interested residents. I work had to give the most important details in an evenhanded and timely manner.

City Councilors receive a great deal of detailed information regarding city business; I always read the information sent by staff and other councilors. I am someone who seeks a variety of opinions and carefully considers facts prior to making decisions.

As city councilors we serve the citizens of the community. I take that role seriously. By making information available I often get questions that I answer as quickly as possible. I follow through on projects and commitments.