CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know candidates running in November’s midterm elections
Austin City Council, District 9
GREG SMITH
Occupation: entrepreneur; Localeur. com founder and CEO Relevant experience: Austin Music Commission vice chair, AIDS Services of Austin JOAH SPEARMAN
Occupation: City Council candidate Relevant experience: N/A www.zenamitchell.com ZENA MITCHELL
Occupation: organizer Relevant experience: NEWCO Strategies senior advocacy associate, Texas House of Representatives legislative and constituent services, city of Kyle o ce of city ZOHAIB “ZO” QADRI
Occupation: Grayhawk Insurance vice president of business development
Relevant experience: Barton Creek Country Club and Gleneagles County Club golf director, Spanish Oaks Country Club general manager 512-560-4734 | www.gregford9.com
board chair, Downtown Commission member, Austin PBS board member www.joahforaustin.com
manager, city of Houston mayor’s o ce 512-884-8294 | www.zoforaustin.com
Much of the problem of a ordability lies in the greed in our capitalistic system. Thir- ty-eight percent of property bought in Austin is by investors, not residents. … I propose that we: Limit the pro t investors make on selling a house to 2% simple interest per annum. … Limit the number and amount of residential real property an individual or business may purchase. … Initiate a rent- to-own program for Austin renters. … Pass (more) legislation regulating STRs. We must expand a ordability unlocked, eliminate exclusionary zoning and ensure transit-oriented development is a priority. ... Acting on reforms that legalize missing-mid- dle housing and decreases cost of develop- ment caused by the antiquated permitting and review process currently raising costs with delay. … We must be proactive about preventing displacement of and stopping homelessness at the source. How would you work to tackle the issue of housing a ordability for both renters and homeowners in the city? We must make the process to deliver hous- ing faster and less expensive. We can do this through conscious e orts to move the site plan and permitting processes away from discretionary (unelected, policy making, boards and commissions) to administrative (sta with technical understanding of the rules) to create a greater level of predict- ability for all parties involved in the building process.
Collaboration on council to make com- monsense, equitable and climate-focused updates to our land-use policies including lowering parking requirements and stream- lining permitting; develop programs to ensure housing a ordability for seniors and disabled Austinites while using a ordable housing and anti-displacement funds to build income-restricted housing; leverage city-owned land with new incentives to build workplace housing for essential workers.
How should council address the implementation of larger transportation initiatives as well as safety and mobility improvements?
For the sake of our planet, mass transit must be high-priority in our city. I strongly support Project Connect, … Regarding I 35 expan- sion, I am against it. … Starting with the Drag and Congress Avenue, gradually shut down the entire downtown area to personal vehicles. … Strategically place park-and-ride locations outside of downtown. Incentivize businesses to encourage employees by charging for parking, while o ering free public transit passes.
I unequivocally stand with advocates calling for “No Wider, No Higher” regarding the expansion of I 35. … This moment can be a vehicle in and of itself in pushing our city to look at investing in multimodal, pedestri- an-friendly and robust public transportation reforms. Reforming city and regional policy goals to make our city more walkable and pedestrian-friendly is critical as we join other cities in reimagining a vision of multi- modal transit.
As a council member, I will ensure that the project our citizens have voted on and approved have the right people at the table to ensure that we deliver the most impactful improvements of Project Connect as quickly as possible. I 35 is a monumental opportuni- ty for us to utilize TxDOT money to begin to repair the damage done when the construc- tion of the freeway separated our city.
Project Connect is a great start in our com- munity’s desire to build for equity, mobility and sustainability. Sadly, the TxDOT plan to expand I 35 is a dark cloud hanging over Austin that could exacerbate the cultural and socioeconomic divides of the last century, and I strongly oppose the expansion. Along with reducing our reliance on cars, we must continue to invest in walkability, bike lanes and other e orts, which generate less harm- ful carbon emissions and prevent sprawl.
How would you rate Austin’s recent disaster responses, and what changes, if any, would you propose for civic emergency management operations?
N/A
Our city had created ... an emergency response network to provide necessary information to Austinites yet still many froze in their homes due to insu cient education, services or funded operations in anticipation of future emergencies. Our city can do more to invest in emergency management, includ- ing also year-round personnel as centers to respond to extreme heat or extreme cold have been increasingly needed but largely lacking in the south and east parts of our city.
Considering the monumental challenges, I believe the city did a good job during the last winter storm. Information was easily accessible; any challenge with getting people to resources or resources to people was ad- dressed with priorities being placed on those at the greatest risk; but most importantly, our community came together to support each other. It was an incredible reminder of the power we have when we all work togeth- er to support each other.
I started my career at FEMA and know how essential resilience planning will be. City Council members should not have to write a letter to the city manager requesting resources in the aftermath of a disaster nor should this be the rst year we have budgeted for warming stations. Simply put, we must be more proactive in budgeting and planning for emergencies, from increased EMS funding to supporting residents and businesses harmed by boil-water notices and closures.
26
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook