Inside 84045

Posted By Mike Kieffer on October 5, 2009

This is the second question in a series of questions I asked the candidates. The first question: What are the top 3 challenges you feel Saratoga Springs currently faces? was asked earlier (click on title of question to see that post). The second question is a follow-up to the first question.

The Second question: If Elected, how are you going to address these 3 top challenges?

Jeff Francom

Formalized long term comprehensive plan: Implement cross planning among all departments

Diversify city revenues: Look to make our city more business friendly so we can attract a variety of quality businesses

Improve city roads: Prioritize our city budget issues and apply for federal grants where it makes sense.

Mia Love

Development and sales tax revenue: I have met with developers and land owners that have projects throughout the city. We have a clear plan to stimulate growth, and provide our residents with the type of resources we want and need in our city. I will gladly explain those detailed plans to anyone who wants to contact me mia_love4cc@hotmail.com

Transportation: Transportation is an ongoing process. As we continue to grow, our road systems will need continual planning, maintenance and expansion. I have built great relationships with our state representative and transportation officials and I will continue to work with proactively to make sure they continue to secure funds for our state road improvements.

Preserving open space and proper zoning: It is vital to have experience in proper zoning practices so we can preserve our open space and property values. I will continue to support efforts to build city parks through both city and community service efforts. There are many opportunities for residents to be involved in building and maintaining our beautiful parks (i.e. scouting projects, donating trees, laying sod and keeping our parks clean).

I encourage the city council to approve development that allows opportunity to preserve open space along the lake front. As a lake front community, we need solutions that allow convenient lake access to all residents. Residents who pay for passes and have paid impact fees for marina and park improvements should have priority access to boat launching facilities.

Michael McOmber

Financial stability- I plan on working on the relationships between city staff and business/land developers to help repair a very fragmented and damaged relationship. This is what I do for my profession. I have received training on how to help two groups find common ground and identify ideal outcomes for everyone involved. I have worked with Nike, Microsoft, and Coca Cola in just the last six months work through major conflicts with suppliers.

Long-term planning- There has been a good start by the City Council in appointing a Financial Committee and tasking them with developing a Financial Plan for Saratoga Springs. I believe that this plan is one of many pieces to a complex puzzle that needs to be put together so that we are proactive and are able to stay ahead of the growth instead of reacting to the growth.

Economic development- It is easy to say you are going to bring business to our city, but what plans do you have. Since I understand businesses and how they think and operate, I have outlined some very detailed plans on how I am going to accomplish this. I will be outlining these at the Candidate Forum on October 29th at Westlake High School. I would be foolish to outline them here before that forum. I would be happy to talk to people individually about some of my plans.

Jim Miller

The first two issues, responsible economic growth & sound fiscal management, are issues that take a proactive approach. Saratoga Springs has been able to wean itself off the building permits to run the city. But as we go forward, Saratoga Springs will need to proactively work with businesses to attract and retain the needed tax base to support our city’s daily operations.

Communication between the residents and the city is an ongoing activity that requires city staff and officials to listen to the residents and take action when needed. Also, the residents of Saratoga Springs need to take advantage of the opportunity to come to the city meetings and share their views for the future of our great city.

Michael Simpson

1. Lack of a sufficient financial reserve.
As a member of the city council I would work with the Mayor, Council and city managers to establish a budget reserve (rainy day fund) that would be used as a last resort to cover unexpected budget shortfalls. Such a fund could be used to prevent tax increases on our citizens. The problem I see with using tax increases to overcome unexpected shortfalls is that tax increases are often permanent. If we had a sizable reserve (8-15% of budget) we could use our reserve to carry us through hard times.

2. Insufficient EMS services (Ambulance)
As a member of the City Council I would look into the feasibility of selling/trading one of our current fire engines and replacing it for a multi-purpose engine that could serve as both a fire engine and ambulance. If we had a multi-purpose engine and fixed our current ambulance so that it was reliable we would have a backup in case one ambulance was out of service.

3. High number of un-kept rental and bank-owned homes
Too often our code enforcement is only responding to landscaping issues when a neighbor becomes frustrated enough to call and complain. Part of the reason is due to the fact that our code enforcer is kept busy responding to the same properties time and time again. Many of these properties are rental properties that often owned by individuals living outside of the state who rarely if ever see these properties. Code enforcement gives them a warning after neighbors complain about their weeds and only after the warning do they cut down the weeds to come back into compliance. Then they do nothing with their property until the next warning comes. Since there is no incentive for them to take better care of their property they don’t.

As a member of the City Council I would push to create automatic fines after code enforcement is called on the same property about the same issue multiple times. I’ve seen too many beautiful yards die and turn to weeds after a bank has taken possession of a house. We need to apply city code regardless of ownership.

Cecil Tuley

1. The development of a useful way to get accurate and timely information about the City’s legislative actions, policy changes, and strategies out to the public on a regular basis so that residents can make plans to be engaged in the processes that affect their lives more easily.

2. Beginning to develop an updated & comprehensive general (master) plan for development of the city’s land areas so that we will be prepared to reap significant financial and aesthetic benefits in the near and distant future.

3. Seeking business development opportunities and coordinating locations (through zoning actions) likely to be most appropriate for such development.

Re:1. I believe this can be best accomplished through changes in the way we decide to hear the matters that come before the council. At this time even we, the council, frequently get notice of a public hearing or matter that is likely to be of widespread interest on the Friday just before the next council meeting. Residents who are diligent about being on the city website e-mail list will get their notices at the same time we do, giving very little time to study the matter and organize an interest group effectively. While there are significant reasons to keep most of the city business on a fairly fast track, there are items that should have at least a week’s longer notification for the public. I plan to study the issue more closely and make recommendations to the council for changes in policy that would give residents more lead-time to become a part of our process.

Re:2. The planning commission did an admirable job a few years ago putting together a general plan for the community. But, like any general plan, it needs to be updated periodically. I think now is that time. We have a lull in development activity, and there should be a little more time available for the planning commission and the city council, along with interested residents to get going on an update. I will propose or support such an action in city council deliberations soon.

Re:3. I intend to be involved in researching potential development, advertising our city’s beneficial characteristics for business and meeting with known developers to encourage their investment in our city.

NOTE: Next question: What impact do you think that Commercial Development has on the City, and how are you going to increase/decrease this impact? I am not editing any of the responses. They are being posted as I received them from the candidates.

Categories: Council Members, Elections 2009
Tags: candidate questions, election 2009