Questions By Austin Ahead

Do you support or oppose the $250 million affordable housing bond (Proposition A) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the $128 million library and cultural centers bond (Proposition B) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the $149 million parks and recreation bond (Proposition C) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the $184 million flood mitigation and open space bond (Proposition D) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the $16 million health and human services bond (Proposition E) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the $38 million public safety bond (Proposition F) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the $160 million transportation infrastructure bond (Proposition G) on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the charter amendment election (Proposition H), regarding term limits and process of removal of Planning Commission members, on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Do you support or oppose the petition initiative ordinance that would require a waiting period and subsequent voter approval before future comprehensive revisions of the City’s land development code, such as CodeNext, become effective?

Do you support or oppose the independent, third-party efficiency and budget audit of the entire City Government, including the public utilities, on the November 2018 ballot? Briefly explain your position.

Should the City adopt a system of public campaign finance, called Democracy Vouchers, as was proposed by the Charter Review Commission? Democracy Vouchers (explanation?)…

Should Austin change from a Council-Manager form of government to a strong Mayor form of government? Please explain your position.

Council adopted the Strategic Housing Blueprint last year, calling for 135,000 new unts over 10 years. This gets us to break even in terms of need. What will you do to mitigate housing affordability? Would you support amending the City's approved Strategic Housing Blueprint to approve the construction of at least 15,000 housing units per year for 10 years, with at least 25% affordable housing for households at 80% Median Family Income (MFI) and below, including 200 Housing First Permanent Supportive Housing units per year; and 25% “missing middle”/workforce housing at 140% MFI.?

A recent poll showed that the majority of Austin residents believe that we need to proactively plan for growth. What was your position on the current land use code. And what process would you support going forward to revise the land development code? Please explain your position

Changes in the Development Services Department and a simplified and streamlined land development code would be steps in the right direction toward meaningfully addressing Austin’s affordability issues caused by an antiquated Code and convoluted and expensive development process. What additional actions would you take to more effectively reform the process ensuring it achieves the goals set out in Imagine Austin?

Would you support the City’s Development Services department goal of 90% permit review completion within 15 business days across all departments/disciplines by April 2019? Please explain your answer.

The current land use code has allowed for East Austin to be treated differently than Central, West, and Southwest Austin. Development intensity and density that is allowed in East Austin is prohibited in other parts of town, partly causing displacement and gentrification. What are your general thoughts on displacement and gentrification? What do you think about this policy of the City? Would you propose changing it? Why?

The process for permitting and inspecting building projects in Austin is notoriously slow and adds significantly to the increased cost of living. As a City Council Member, what measures would you support or bring forward to address this ongoing and costly problem?

With regards to expedited permitting for construction projects, do you support the current City policy of requiring large commercial projects to adhere to Better Builder Standards as set forth and monitored by the Workers Defense Project? Please explain your position.

If elected to the City Council, what would be your priorities for the City of Austin budget process? If you were not able to identify additional revenues to fund your priorities, what are some current city expenses that you would be willing to support reducing in order to fund your budget priorities?

Would you support an effective tax rate budget and only use the growth dividend rather than increasing taxes on homeowners?

Public safety is a core and essential function of local government, ensuring Austin is the one of the safest big cities in the country. But public safety is also the largest driver of General Fund costs. How would you balance the need to provide the best public safety services while also controlling constraining taxpayer costs?

In a recent poll, residents of Austin cited rising property taxes as a major issue they face, iconic business are having to close their doors citing rising property taxes. How would you slow or stop the increase in City property taxes, encourage other taxing entities to do the same, and balance the requests for more funding coming from the City Departments and the public?

How will you coordinate with regional partners to meaningfully address our traffic crisis. What is your long-term vision for addressing traffic in Austin, and what would be the immediate first actions (beyond conversations) you would champion as a City Council Member to address the crisis?

As parking in the Central Business District becomes scarce and unaffordable, do you support reforms to require new development to include ample parking as part of the design? In general, what is your plan to address parking challenges downtown?

Do you support expansion of major highways and corridors in Austin, such as I-35 and South MoPac. Please, briefly explain your position.

Given the increasing financial difficulties of small and iconic businesses from rising property taxes, to increase regulatory costs, do you believe the City Council should enact wide-sweeping human resources policies on local merchants and businesses, such as mandatory paid sick leave or predictive scheduling, on all businesses working in Austin? Please explain your position.

Austin has long since been perceived as a town of creative innovators. Given the City’s recent regulatory attempts with the sharing and gig economy (Uber, AirBnB, Scooters), what is your position on how the City should handle emerging technologies and emerging markets? What is your view, generally, on the conflict between consumer demands and government interests?

Austin has long since been perceived as a town of creative innovators. Given the City’s recent regulatory attempts with the sharing and gig economy (Uber, AirBnB, Scooters), what is your position on how the City should handle emerging technologies and emerging markets? What is your view, generally, on the conflict between consumer demands and government interests? Similarly, when non-profits secure grant funding for innovative social solutions that requires a local match, what is your view on city funding being available for the match?

One of the best ways to make Austin more affordable is to ensure we have a diverse set of industries which provide local, skilled talent the opportunity to compete for jobs that have a career ladder.The Austin City Council is considering adopting a revised economic incentive policy, expanding the previous one-size-fits-all policy. If the Austin Chamber of Commerce presents a company that meets the criteria for an incentive as set by City Council policy, will you vote to support incentivizing jobs for both small operators and large in our city?

Just recently, the City Council approved a negotiation and executive of a contract between the City and Precourt Sports Ventures, to bring a world-class Major League Soccer franchise and stadium to Austin. What is your position on the soccer deal?

With your knowledge of Austin Energy, do you believe that the City should retain control of Austin Energy or should Austin Energy be sold to a private operator or be operated as an independent enterprise? Please explain your answer.

Would you favor the implementation of a professional Board of Directors to manage Austin Energy operations instead of the Austin City Council, similar to the model used by San Antonio’s publicly owned utility, potentially eliminating undue political influences from the management of the utility?

Austin Energy transfers 12% of non-fuel operating revenues to the General Fund transfers which increases utility bill costs, making Austin utilities less affordable than some utilities in surrounding cities. What are your thoughts on reducing or eliminating the General Fund transfers from Austin Energy to the City of Austin? Please explain your answer.

Do you support maintaining affordable utility costs for Austin Energy and Austin Water that adhere strictly to the City Council established affordability goals, which require Austin Energy rates to be in the bottom half of Texas ratepayers and minimizes increases to two percent per year for each rate class?