Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
CITY COUNCIL Candidate
Al White
Al has lived in Flagstaff since 1989. He’s a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and has been elected to our City Council twice in 2000 and 2004. He currently serves in that capacity and is running for his third term on the City Council.
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues
1. Please list and briefly describe the three most important issues you intend to address if elected in May.
1. Work on a sustainable strong local economy- Expand on tourisms success and support (with the limited tools allowed in Arizona) local success stories. Monitor City’s economic development efforts.
2. Promote environmental stewardship, green building and renewable energy usage.
3. Finish some and start other plans for more grid-like transportation system. Relieve traffic and encourage alternative transportation modes.
2. Describe your commitment to solutions related to the growing homeless problem in Flagstaff.
I have been at the forefront in our efforts to create the intake/triage unit with the Guidance Center, Narbha, FMC, and the County. We have worked and approved a temporary homeless shelter and should engage the same partners to see the permanent one to completion. I helped make sure during the drought caused forest closures that a temporary shelter existed and have seen the success that had in getting some folks out of homelessness.
3. Outline your opinion of the Flagstaff housing market and what role you feel local government should play in attempting to influence that market. How specifically would you use local government to affect our housing market?
The housing market is soft but prices have not fallen drastically. Experts are predicting a two year rebound. We can make the process of product development more consistent and predictable. We can implement a property management ordinance to keep values up. We can continue to fund both owner occupied rehab programs and down payment assist programs. We can develop partnerships with private and non profit developers to create entry level units with bonuses. We can put city owned land trust land out to bid for units both workforce and market to be built.
4. What is your position regarding Development or “Impact” Fees in Flagstaff?
I am in support of impact fees. They are a legitimate form of cost recovery for the community to pay for delivery of services that development requires but doesn’t pay for. Cost recovery is my responsibility to the taxpayer. The current proposal is 50% of what it should or could legitimately be. This proposal shows a council willing to incrementally install fees out of respect for cost of doing business in Flagstaff.
5. The City of Flagstaff’s Historic Overlay Zoning District has generated a high profile lawsuit on behalf of citizens who seek to improve their properties, but are not restricted by the Overlay Zoning. What is your opinion of the Overlay Zoning? Would you have voted for/against this zoning change?
I did vote for it and would again. 60% of those in the Overlay Zone expressed an interest in the preservation of their historic neighborhood. Most others said nothing. The few who opposed had recourse thru appeals and mitigating review processes that may have allowed property improvements and chose not to use them.
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6. What role do you feel the City of Flagstaff should play with respect to economic development? Specifically, what should local government do or not do to influence economic development?
I believe we must continue to be a strong ally and advocate for our tourism base. Only when they prosper can they pay better and offer benefits. To this end we support the CVB. We must invest in local start ups + established businesses that have conquered the high cost of starting an enterprise. The city can find partners and backers, grants and improvement districts to match investments. We can support N.A.C.E.T. and the science park as a means to connect capital and business ideas to begin to diversify economy.
7. Do you support/oppose the adopted Downtown Management Plan? Why or Why not?
I support it as a means to help maintain vitality of downtown businesses. We helped sawmill and the reinvestment at the auto park and mall. Now downtown has asked to be able to assess themselves to help them be clean, organized and accessible to clients.
8. Describe your level of commitment to our City’s airport and its needed improvements beyond the airport runway extension.
I supported the extension as the means to bring updated and expanded air service to town. Now we have another carrier to another market. We must accommodate the needs of more customers and improve ground transportation in order to be successful. We have exceeded one ten year master plan and the land exchange will round out the next.
9. What opinion do you have of the City’s approved plan to end train horn noise downtown and mitigate noise on the east side of town?
After going out into the field to hear for myself the wayside horns, I believe even more that we have made an excellent plan to reduce train noise exponentially throughout Flagstaff. Getting it done now is the missing element!
10. Would you support/oppose the City offering financial incentives, including infrastructure improvements that may assist in attracting new employers to Flagstaff? Why or Why not?
Yes but we must be thoughtful of who and why. An essential fairness issue exists in offers not made to existing firms. All too often the anticipated delivery of jobs for benefits falls short for the locals. The cost/benefit analysis must show incredible benefit including multiple support spin off industries that can incubate locally or we would be better served incentivising locals to grow.
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11. What are your priorities to improve transportation in, around, to, and from Flagstaff?
I support all five ballot propositions for Mountain Line. I support growth that accommodates alternatives being available to the auto. I support gridlike road systems that accommodate connectivity. We need more North-South connectivity in that regard. I am interested in the roundabout alternative to traffic lights- it allows more movement less stop and go gas wasting. ADOT planning needs to be identified now since it takes 20 years to accomplish.
12. What is your position regarding the City’s new energy-efficient building codes? Specifically, do you understand the codes? Do you feel they are overreaching and unnecessary or a necessity for development in our community?
I support our codes and would add a few more. If you believe global warming is a threat to us now and even more to our children, if you believe that energy will only go up and your customers deserve more affordable living, then mandatory sustainability codes are the most efficient means to that end. A deciding factor should be cost as a function of payback. Today sustainability is good business, for businesses who are the tenants in their own buildings, saving utility costs is huge. Codes get materials on the shelves to be used with future energy savings in mind.
13. What is your opinion of local government competing with local, state or national businesses for services in our community?
I’m not wild about it in philosophy- since our municipal corporation has its niche in the economy of services. What is somewhat unfair is that our “corporation” is supposed to provide services at a reduced cost- with 50 to 70% cost recovery and no profit margin. Lets see businesses do that. I think our roles are pretty clear and noncompetitive.
14. Do you have an opinion on storage boxes and their use in our community?
Storage boxes play an important role in allowing for cheap expansion and temporary business needs. The issue is where and how they are deployed. I’m comfortable with most applications. In residential settings CC+R’s usually apply. Some limitations may be appropriate but most cases could be handled between property owners.
15. What are your specific thoughts about residential and commercial development in Flagstaff?
It is an important segment of our economy. Obviously it is where we work and live! If we can help it prosper there is a return to the community. Our economic development efforts are aimed at this. An emphasis on traditional neighborhood design and densities that support mixed use, shored up with green building to recover operating costs should bolster the mix of businesses and customers.
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16. How would you address commercial redevelopment opportunities in areas like Fourth Street/Sunnyside and Southside/Downtown?
We need to work with property owners to encourage re-investment. A number of absentee landlords need to be engaged to examine opportunities. In Southside the removal of the flood plain requirements will help make re-investment more feasible.
17. Are you committed to maintaining the Arizona Cardinals summer training camp in Flagstaff? Do you view the partnership with the Chamber and NAU on this issue as a priority or not a priority?
I think it has a place in our economic program, bringing visitors and the team here. I would like to see the Cards do a scrimmage with another NFL team in the Dome. I view the relationship as worthwhile marketing but feel we need to be vigilant for expansion or new marketing ideas- is there a way to track results- every advertising dollar should generate eight dollars in return- who is monitoring? Who is planning? It is an opportunity for Chamber, NAU, & CVB to partner but it is a relatively small priority for new tourism development.
18. Do you support the City’s contract with the Arizona Snowbowl to sell Snowbowl reclaimed water for snowmaking? Why or why not?
I voted to sell reclaimed water to Snowbowl because we have a policy to use reclaimed water in all recreational usages as an environmentally conservationist water policy. I still see it that way. I am truly sorry that that has been interpreted as a desecration.
19. What are your specific thoughts on the City’s Public Works yard? How would you work to improve the current Public Works yard? Do you support relocating the yard?
It needs quite a bit of work- relocating it and providing a safe and energy efficient place to work is a high priority because public works is an essential public service role of government by anyone’s standards. Dedicating a % of budget each year or of fees from enterprise activities is going to take a long time to finance. Bonding was low on the public’s radar before. This could be one of those needs that the public needs to know more about to support- we all heard about potholes and snow removal this year- didn’t we?
20. What major capital projects does our City need? How would you propose funding these projects?
I’d like to see a Lonetree interchange and overpass to Route 66. Stormwater needs some work to flood control- the previously mentioned public works yard may be a capital project. Airport, streets and water wells and infrastructure are all part of 120 million in budgeted dollars. The 10 bond projects from 2004 are worth 155 million over 10 years. Bonds, debt service, pay as you go, grants & BBB revenues are used to pay.
21. How do you feel about the size of Flagstaff’s government? Do we need more employees/departments? Less employees/departments? Just right? What do you feel we need to add/subtract?
I think it has grown to meet the demands placed on it by a mature city. Financial limitations have kept it in check, we never have the means to fill the staff requests in all departments that have identified shortcomings. We have to start thinking of City government as a fellow corporation, driving the economy by re-investing revenues in city projects- then it’s growth as appropriate as any enterprises.
22. Would you support/oppose adopting the attached “Small Business Bill of Rights” three page document attached with this survey? Why or why not?
Some of it makes sense- it is a good Chamber of Commerce credo- should it be City policy? Not as is- while I have- by record- always supported small business my loyalty cannot be sworn to one above all other entities- I have questions on some items and objections to some and support for others. Let’s talk! |
