Candidates:
We are a daily community news site dedicated to covering Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. We reach about 75,000 people every month. We do community-powered endorsements — not traditional editorial endorsements. Please provide answers to the following 10 questions to better inform our readers about your understanding of the issues facing Seattle and Capitol Hill. Answers should be posted in the comments on this post:
http://capitolhillseattle.com/2011/07/26/2011-chs-seattle-city-council-candidate-survey
- Please use directions provided in invitation e-mail when posting your answers so we can vet responses.
- Response should be posted by Saturday, July 30th, 5 PM
- Pike/Pine is held up as a national example of preservation done right yet development continues and many projects on the Hill are less than satisfying to the larger community. Some say the Design Review process is broken. What can be done to give the community a larger say in the design of neighborhood buildings?
- With the growing food and drink scene on Capitol Hill, the Seattle Nightlife Initiative is important in terms of both public safety and the economy. Do you support the initiative? What more needs to be done to foster safe nightlife in the city?
- As a City Council member, how would you help implement the community features outlined in the Capitol Hill Light Rail Stations Site Urban Design Framework in the future development?
- The results of an online public safety survey conducted earlier this year by the University of Washington show that the majority of Capitol Hill residents believe Seattle police misconduct is a problem. What needs to be done to repair SPD’s reputation?
- What’s your favorite thing about Capitol Hill and how will you help preserve and foster it? What is your least favorite and how will you help fix it?
- Favorite musician/band?
- Motor vehicle, bus, bike or walk?
- Beer, wine or cocktail?
- Favorite Capitol Hill hangout?
- Have you ever misspelled it Capital Hill?
1. Design review does appear to be a work in progress both from the community’s perspective and the business people who want to produce new and exciting forms of buildings. What I hope to do is to push the system to be more normalized, that is, creating a more fixed system where all actors can have clear input. Both businesses and citizens need to know exactly what to expect when a project is proposed so that the community can have input on the design and managers can know what will be required to complete the project in a way that fits within the community’s values.
2. Yes, as a part owner of two neighborhood pubs I believe the Nightlife Initiative is both a way to grow business and make our streets safer. We need to continue to build relationships between the nightlife industry and the Seattle Police Department, and this is one of our greatest opportunities to grow this system. Together we can help grow business, liven our neighborhoods and make them safer.
3. In order to implement the community features we’ll need as much community input and assistance as possible. As a Capitol Hill resident I understand the relationships and resources available here and will rely on them to make sure the station reflects our neighborhood and values. I will also use my small business background to ensure that the project is executed as quickly and efficiently as possible so that we can complete the project in a timely manner. I’m very excited about the opportunity that this project represents and can hardly wait to enjoy this lively new feature in our neighborhood.
4. We must take clear, concrete and fundamental steps to reform our police department. As a Senior Deputy Prosecutor I have helped run two programs (the Car Theft and Burglary Initiatives) that have both reduced crime rates and changed police culture; I understand how to work to make substantive changes at SPD. I have laid out a specific police accountability program that includes (1) changes in hiring standards; (2) improvements in transparency accountability and discipline; and (3) a fundamental change in the way we investigate police-involved shootings.
5. My favorite thing about Capitol Hill is its dense urban environment and its mixture of restaurants, activities, parks, families, nightlife, and excitement. I’d help preserve and foster it by promoting a livable a neighborhood, solutions for small businesses (including a safe extension of restaurant and bar hours), and focusing on public safety so that we can balance our dense environment with safe blocks.
6. Common, Michael Franti, Josh Ritter
7. All of the above
8. Cocktail
9. Smith
10. No, I live here; I know how to spell the place where I live.
1. The design review process may need some revising to involve the larger community in the process. Stakeholders should not be limited to those with an economic stake in the outcome. Community involvement isn’t an easy answer; but, if it can be achieved, it is the best one. When reelected, I will be actively involved in the community process and in making sure that those who have a stake in the outcome are heard and have a role in making the decisions.
2. I do support the Nightlife Initiative. Recently, I voted to ask the state’s Liquor Control Board for the ability to extend hours past 2 a.m. The current closing time leads to a “2 a.m. flush” with patrons often over indulging and becoming difficult when they are simultaneously pushed out onto the streets. It would be better to extend the hours in certain neighborhoods so that there would not be a rush at 2 a.m.
In recent months, the City Council has added provisions to a set of laws that lead to more neighborhood-friendly behavior. These include the “meathead ordinance” that makes bars responsible for uncivil behavior on the part of over-medicated patrons, a more workable noise ordinance, and require better trained security officers at bars.
3. I would work with other councilmembers to expand on the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Station TOD Sites baseline report, involving the Capitol Hill Chamber and Capitol Hill stakeholders. I would plan for frequent regular workshops to encourage further public dialogue on station TOD issues and make sure we have set aside the funds for designing the public areas around the station. There would need to be careful consideration of where to encourage higher density and how to handle intermodal transit.
4. There are a number of steps that need to be taken to improve the department’s performance and image. The 11 point letter that the Council’s Public Safety Committee issued is a good start, although a number of those points would have to be negotiated with the police union, most specifically the call for drug testing following police incidents. I do favor a pilot program for police cameras, although I would expect it to be done carefully so that it did not infringe on civil rights. Better training of officers and culturally competent training is something that should be part of the effort. Our recent studies of crime hot spots shows that data-based policing would improve overall performance – patrolling areas where crimes are committed is intuitive, and the data backs this up.
5. I adore Capitol Hill’s diversity and the community’s openness to residents who have diverse and dynamic lifestyles. The recent relocation of Elliott Bay Books to Capitol Hill is just one of the hallmarks of that eclectic lifestyle. I will continue to work with the Office of Economic Development to attract lively commercial development to the Hill, making use of low-interest development loans and assistance with permitting. The Council also has been working on how to help start-up businesses with market research.
I share a common concern that I hear frequently from residents: It’s difficult to find parking on Capitol Hill. The City has been working to readjust parking rates and hours — with the goal of parking being reasonably priced but also providing two free spaces per block face (in order to allow customers to access businesses).
6. I am a big fan of The Decemberists.
7. All of the above. We need to have a variety of options. These options need to be available, safe, and easily accessed.
8. Depends on the occasion. On a hot afternoon, there’s no better refreshment than an ice-cold beer — preferably one of the local microbrews, if it is available on draft. On other occasions, when choosing a beverage to compliment a meal, a glass of wine – preferably one from our celebrated Northwest wineries.
9. All of them are great fun. If I can be excused for having a favorite: Rosebud, which has great beverages and noshes. My former challenger, Robert Sondheim, is an owner and, post 2007 election, we are now friends and allies. Good place to spend an evening!
10. Never. One easy way to remember the correct spelling: It was named so because the pioneers thought it would be chosen to be the state’s capitol.
1. I am a big fan of community-based Design Review Boards, but I know the system can use improvement. I was part of the Council when the City Auditor delivered a set of recommendations related to improving Seattle’s Design Review process. Due to the recession and competing priorities, the Department of Planning and Development has not accomplished all recommended improvement from the audit report. I believe that with the economy slowly stabilizing DPD should return to this work item as a priority and I will advocate for this. I believe we can and should improve the training of Design Review Board volunteers, maintain high quality staffing to facilitate meetings, and also build into the system certainty for developers when it comes to the number of meetings required.
2. I do support the initiative. I think we’ve come along way in the past few years and are mounting much smarter initiatives that recognize our nightlife as a valuable economic and cultural engine. There are a number of steps I’ve supported and will continue to develop if re-elected:
A. I support the idea of testing different “stop serving” times in the city. The uniform, all establishments 2 a.m. push-out over-taxes SPD resources.
B. The new noise standards must be used to help business be successfully compliant and to reign in those occasional clubs that have a tough time being good neighbors.
C. I would like to see us use our street spaces more strategically in popular nightlife areas. I would like to see a greater priority on pedestrian spaces and safety in places like Pike/Pine, Belltown and Ballard. I think we can do more in terms of blocking of street spaces for taxi stands.
D. I would like to see more foot patrols and bike officers working nightlife areas – and work these areas enough that they understand the character of the businesses, the area and the dynamics of the neighborhood. I think safety is improved when SPD and clubs collaborate.
3. I have been — and will remain — active if re-elected in implementing the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station UDF elements through a development agreement between the City and Sound Transit. This is a tremendous opportunity made possible by ST’s sale of surplus properties. Council President Richard Conlin and I personally met with ST’s CEO this past spring to secure ST’s commitment to enter into a development agreement. The Capitol Hill Champion has done a great job of advocating for something like a development agreement to ensure that whoever buys the surplus properties from ST will produce development that reflects community priorities. We need and deserve density at these sites with affordability, great design, and community spaces.
4. We’ve all seen too many grainy videos or read too many news accounts of police use-of-force incidents. While the day-to-day reality is that Seattle Police get high marks from those of us with whom they interact, these other high-profile incidents cause us to doubt the quality and judgment of our officers. Doubts reached such a high level that we now are awaiting the results of a federal Department of Justice investigation into whether SPD shows a record of biased policing.
I want a department that is beyond these kinds of doubts. I want a department that executes the duties of keeping the peace with excellence, demonstrates transparency in decision-making, openness in communications with all communities, a dedication to community-based, problem-solving policing, a force that reflects diversity and which embraces difference, and one that recognizes its mistakes and works to fix them.
Earlier this year I joined with the other members of the Council’s Public Safety Committee to put forward a set of 11 recommendations to the Chief of Police and the Mayor. The recommendations touch on investigation procedures, department transparency, supervisory expectations, hiring and training. While a handful of the recommendations will require contract negotiations, many can be executed immediately by the Chief of Police and Mayor. Some require further vetting with communities of color and officers.
5. My favorite thing about Capitol Hill is that it retains a relatively successful mix of locally-owner, neighborhood-serving businesses. Whether I’m on 12th, Pike/Pine, 15th, 19th or Broadway, there is a wide spread of locally-owned businesses supported by the people who live in the area (and people like me who choose to spend time on Capitol Hill). I am working to help maintain this mix through efforts like the Pike/Pine Conservation District, the future development agreement with Sound Transit for the future of their surplus properties around the light rail station, and support for extending the street car to Aloha St.
My least favorite thing about Capitol Hill is that the Broadway stretch as a whole continues to suffer with the impacts of work at the light rail station. I continue to support the Capitol Hill Chambers efforts to stimulate activity (retail and development activity) along Broadway. It’s my hope that the development agreement work with ST will accelerate developer and retail interest in the area in advance of the light rail station opening.
6. Currently, Neko Case.
7. Depends on the day and the schedule. Some days all of the above, but more often during campaign season it’s all car.
8. Who’s driving?
9. Tough question. Elliott Bay Books and Tin Table are a great afternoon combination. Vivace (either) for a morning stop.
10. NO!
Definately voting against Clark – for other reasons (condescending attitude is intolerable). But a least she has responded promptly. Where are the others?
Wish I could delete my last comment. I am voting for Clark. It is the other Sally I do not like. Sally Baghead is condescending. Sally Clark I was not previously paying any attention to. Definatey has made statements more in line with my thinking than the other candidates.
1. Maintaining the character of our neighborhoods is critical and residents need to have a voice in shaping the character and development of their neighborhoods. I believe the most productive and efficient method, for both existing residents and developers, is to shape the overall character and type of development through clear zoning, design and permit direction that provides predictable development options and outcomes.
I believe this provides more consistency than attempting design review on a per-development basis, and should also lessen the opportunity for developers to influence individual development decisions in ways that hurt the community.
2. I support the Nightlife Initiative and believe it creates a safer and more welcoming environment for patrons, a stronger business climate, and creates jobs for Seattle. We need to continue to work with our nightlife business community, the Seattle Police Department, and our residents to endure the implementation of the Nighlife Initiative produces desired effects and continue to build a safe and vibrant Seattle nighlife scene.
3. I continually hear frustration that public meetings seem like they are merely a formality of the planning process, and the feedback and ideas of the neighborhood are too often ignored in the final design. As your councilman, I will ensure that the vision and best interests of Capitol Hill residents are clearly articulated and included, so that the final developments are consistent, predictable, and maintain the character and values of the community. We have a duty to not just dictate and inform the community of decisions, but include the community in the process.
I believe residents have offered great ideas that deserve serious consideration and inclusion in the final plan, including the focus on including service providers along with retail (such as a community and LGBT center), including food carts and art space, and a permanent home for the Broadway Farmers Market.
I also believe that the the Capitol Hill community should not only receive a benefit from the completed project, but should benefit from the construction of the project. Too often, the City of Seattle invests millions of dollars on a project, but fails to ensure that our money directly benefits the residents of Seattle. In my capacity within SDOT, I have implemented Community Workforce Agreements that ensure residents within a community work on projects in their community. The creation of family wage jobs is a top priority and essential to the health and vitality of our neighborhoods. I have already successfully created jobs in Seattle and, as your City Councilman, I plan to implement these agreements on a city-wide basis so that work in the Capitol Hill community is done by residents of the Capitol Hill community.
4. Our department needs reform that focuses on recruiting, hiring, training and proactive intervention that prevents misconduct and creates a culture within SPD that reflects our values in Seattle.
We must also get back to community policing. Officers must get out of cars and meet with people. We need a police force that meets with our businesses, neighborhood leaders and everyday residents to understand their perspective in making Capitol Hill, and all of Seattle safer. Our residents and police will be safer if our officers are engaged and involved in the neighborhood. This is a value statement that needs to be reinforced in every level of police activity.
My opponent has been silent on these issues and the stakes are just to high. During her two terms the City has paid out millions for police related claims. These are dollars that could be used to improve training, expand intervention, and hire more officers. The incumbent has not made this a high enough priority. Public safety is our duty to our residents. We simply can’t afford to put off action any longer.
You can read more about my 8-Point Police Plan at http://www.bobbyforch.com/police-plan/
5. I love that Capitol Hill is a community that welcomes diverse people, lifestyles and experiences. We need to continue to ensure that it is a place that everyone can thrive by ensuring that affordable housing continues to be available, investing in transit alternatives, implementing the Nightlife Initiative, ensuring our streets are safe and welcoming, and creating a climate that ensures that living wage jobs are abundant.
My least favorite thing about Capitol Hill is the traffic congestion. We need to invest in transit options and implement my plan to immediately relieve congestion and improve transit in Capitol Hill and Seattle. You can read more about my transit plan at http://www.bobbyforch.com.
6. The Roots, Thee Satisfaction
7. I bus or walk my daily commute, and usually carpool to other locations.
8. Wine.
9. Hot Mama’s Pizza!
10. Never. Hooked on Phonics worked for me.