Maple Valley City Council Position 6 debate | Part 2

This is the final installment of the newspaper debate for Maple Valley City Council Position 6. The candidates are incumbent Dana Parnello and challenger Cathy Hilde.

The candidates answered three questions prepared by The Reporter editorial staff.

Question 1

Describe what you believe will be the No. 1 problem (or problems) facing Maple Valley during the next four years; also provide your solution. If it takes money to solve problems, where will the money come from in the budget?

Cathy Hilde

The No. 1 problem facing Maple Valley during the next four years is revenue. To address this we need to focus on two things.

First, it’s crucial that we balance the budget. City Council has passed deficit budgets year after year using the reserves to pay down the shortfall. Starting immediately we will need to examine the budget for necessary changes that would cut waste and bring the budget in-line.

I have been outspoken about this for the last three years. For instance, last budget year I recommended to City Council over $100,000 in budget cuts. Every dollar spent must be justified and we need to have discussions about how to live within our means. Second we need to diversify and increase the city’s sources of revenue. I would look to restart and revitalize our Economic Development Committee.

A refocus in these efforts would, for the first time, deliver goals and strategies for targeting and attracting the types of small and medium- sized businesses our citizen’s desire.

New business will provide jobs for the community and ease the tax burden on homeowners. We must also be committed to our existing business community who are the major contributors to our city’s economy and tax base. They have a vested interest in Maple Valley and our quality of life and are among the largest sponsors for many of our community celebrations. To be successful there first needs to be a change in culture in our city government with respect to business. The actions of the city’s leadership must reflect an attitude that we are welcoming and open for business. In addition we must place a high priority on our relationship and partnership with the chamber, who already involves itself with supporting and meeting the needs of business.

Dana Parnello

Transportation

Someone recently claimed that Maple Valley isn’t “on the radar” for transportation funding. In fact, we continue to apply for and win many millions in grant funding from federal, state and county bodies. Additionally, in 2010-11, I championed the negotiation of over $17 million to mitigate traffic issues caused by Black Diamond’s growth. Those funds, along with about $350-400,000 (annually) of Transportation Benefit District (and other) funds, are applied to the projects in our six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The TIP is prioritized to addresses our most urgent and important issues and maximize our frequent use of matching grants. Two upcoming projects of interest will expand 169 northbound (Witte to 244th) and southbound (228th-244th)—using over 50 percent from non-city revenues. We have superb staff following guidance from strong city management, supported by council visits to Olympia. These real world results come from real hard work. It sounds to me like we’re squarely on the radar.

Economic Health

Maple Valley is, in fact, on track to contribute about $300,000 back to our reserves in 2015. Our commercial tax revenues are at an all-time high and growing. The Four-Corners area has seen numerous new businesses in the last few years. We have more great places to eat, shop, and get services.

Additionally, the new regional learning campus is creating a very real economic engine. To fully realize the potential, we must zone the surrounding area to encourage supporting and complementary employers. Imagine the impacts to local spending and investing by reducing the number of residents driving their cars out of town for work.

Finally, residents already know this a great place to live, work and play. We know people travel to and through here for recreation. We can capitalize on potential recreation and tourism income by building our capacity to host events/races/tournaments and actively marketing the city as a great place for these activities.

Question 2

The best use of the city-owned Legacy site has been discussed by the City Council for many years.

Describe your plan for the best use of the property for the residents of the city. How much would your plan cost and how would it realistically be funded? Should the city consider selling the land and using the funds for other programs?

Dana Parnello

Before my involvement, the city was presented with a 2005 vision from the Legacy Site Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). There was a lot of great work and vision contained in that document. For a variety of reasons, no City Council to date has formally adopted that vision. The city manager and today’s council (including yours truly) have committed in the first quarter of 2016 to dust off that report and reconvene a brief CAC to review and refresh the vision to reflect today’s community needs.

From my perspective, I imagine a continuum of passive to active use from the north (existing residential) and west (Lake wilderness Trail/residential) towards the south (existing commercial) and east (hwy 169).

My insistence is that we retain (not replace) native vegetation in all areas adjacent to the current residential and trail. Frankly, I have never seen a tree replacement ordinance that works in keeping with the spirit of the ordinance; thus my emphasis on retention, rather than replacement. I believe we owe that to the residents who bought into and supported our community until now. And, we need to maintain these areas as a passive use buffer.

On the central portion of the land, I envision a community campus – our true town center/hub/gathering place. Imagine a setting similar to that of our library. It is on this portion I envision a city hall and community park (perhaps funded with the passing of a April 2016 parks bond).

On the south end, I hope we can draw commercial interest that is complementary to other city assets, neighbors and existing business. In this regard, I am hopeful for sports facilities, a hotel and/or other tourism, recreation, retail and services. Navigated judiciously, I believe could realize a successful public-private venture that sets our community up for long-term economic viability.

Cathy Hilde

A vision was created for the Legacy Site several years ago by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The vision set the Legacy Site aside as an asset that would be a unique focal point, an exceptional landmark and a vibrant meeting place for all the Maple Valley community. The City Council never formally adopted the committee’s recommendations and report. Without a plan in place for the Legacy Site and combined with the subsequent purchase of the golf course and taking over the Lake Wilderness Park, development on the Legacy Site fell to a low priority. As a result the Legacy Site has sat far too long without being a benefit to the community or providing a return on taxpayer investment. Recently the Planning Commission took up discussion of the Legacy Site as part of a rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan. In my role as a member of the commission, I helped reconfirm the vision for the Legacy Site as having a unique identity and an asset that would allow for the civic goals of the community yet also be a catalyst for economic development. I urge the current City Council to adopt Planning Commission’s recommendations. As I have spoken to hundreds of constituents throughout my campaign, citizens are speaking clearly that they want development on the Legacy Site. To move ahead it will be necessary to make certain the views of the community are reflected in the vision and goals for development. To that end, I am in favor of a restart of a CAC whose membership must be a mix of stakeholders from across the community. The committee would create recommendations for potential development of the Legacy Site and how development would be funded including consideration of Public/Private Partnership, for which there are many possibilities for development of the Site.

Question 3

Discuss any issue you believe should be highlighted or discussed.

Cathy Hilde

The overall strength of the community depends upon the city government and constituents being involved and working together. Citizen participation and involvement is essential so the city provides the types of services and funds the programs the community desires. Following the principles of my campaign of door knocking, meet and greets and public forums, proves I am personally committed to meeting residents to determine what services and programs are important. These same principles will be applied to the business community. As a City Council member I will work to, first, remove any roadblocks to improve community involvement. For example I am in favor of having three council meetings a month instead of two. This will give council additional opportunities to listen to citizens during public comment. I am also in favor of having the audio from each council meeting available on the city website and eventually a live stream or video recording. Second, we must increase visits to the city website and Facebook pages. The city uses these tools to get information out to the public. We need to make certain the information on these pages is useful, complete and easily accessible. Last, I will be working with our expert in public disclosure regulations to find new and creative ways to meet residents where they are. For example town hall meetings should be held more often, in a variety of locations and at days and times convenient for citizens. I believe participation, collaboration and engagement are needed to strengthen our ability to confront challenges and solve problems. I have always been engaged in community service and I am passionate about our quality of life and all the things that make Maple Valley a wonderful place to live.