This is a compilation of accomplishments and important votes during my first term if service, 2010-2017. Behind many of these, I provide in-depth analysis of facts and decision factors to arrive at my vote. Just check out my 50+ blogs! Communication and transparency, always.
- Fiscal Discipline: maintained super low tax rate increases (between 0%-3.4%, where 3.4% was an anomaly caused by state law changes) over 8 years while maintaining lowest debt ratio in the state (6% capacity)
- Transportation: re-imagined Cedar Falls transportation planning - focus on flow, safety and aesthetic (roundabout, bike/ped accommodation, complete streets)
- City Services: promoted sustainable operations and improved service levels (functional efficiencies, departmental mergers, select privatization, cross-training)
- Economic Development: ushered in record investment in residential, commercial and industrial development representing new residents, jobs and enterprise.
- Transparency: led digitization of council documents, expanded broadcasting of public meetings, promoted open/responsive government
- Goals: presented short-term and long-term vision to council members and staff to assure implementation path for key investments, policy and procedure to enhance the community stakeholder experience
Key City Council Votes
- Yes on Complete Streets Resolution - directed first resolution to consider pedestrian, bicycle, connectivity and context in transportation design
- No on Hudson Annexation - avoided shifting city boundary at neighboring city’s expense. We should work collaboratively with neighboring cities to elevate the whole, not just the parts.
- Yes on Neighborhood Speed Calming - design features (mid-block bump-outs, chicanes, trees, etc.) to calm traffic versus control features (stop and speed signs)
- No on SW Public Works Complex - considered unnecessary facility expansion on economic development property at state taxpayer expense. But once completed, I embraced the opportunity to utilize facility to support departmental efficiencies and share services (with county and beyond).
- Yes on Energy Efficiency - task force to evaluate cost control through energy efficiency investments
- Yes to Information Transparency - digitized council and P&Z packets, available electronically
- Yes to Meeting Transparency - televised council committee meetings
- No on Employee Loans - opposed loan to ex-Fire Chief, total mis-use of taxpayer dollars. Chief is no longer with the City.
- Yes on Cedar Valley Alliance - performance-based investment to support regional economic development programs
- Yes on Comprehensive Plan Update - critical update to old comprehensive plan
- No on Speed Traps - consistently voted against entrapment
- Yes on Hudson/1st Street - a study to improve design and function to serve transportation interests
- Yes on Pubs - opposed gov’t intervention on licenses
- No on Lock Boxes - opposed gov’t mandate to require keys on front porch of commercial and multi-unit structures.
- Yes on North Cedar Confluence Plan - comprehensive redevelopment vision for flood-impacted North Cedar, much of which is underway.
- Yes on Efficient Government - supported budget task force creation to save more than 1.5MM/year in annual operating costs
- Yes on Code Cleanse - improve code integrity
- Yes on Pet Freedom - opposed arbitrary limits to pet ownership. Nuisance ordinances are sufficient.
- Yes on Historic Preservation - created commission support architectural and cultural preservation
- Yes on Cooperative Government - supported intergovernmental task force to support service and infrastructure cooperation
- Yes on Mixed-Use Development - supported more flexible land-use to support mixed use reflecting historical development patterns and new residential demands
- Yes on Balanced Budget - always endeavored to balance budget within means of city providing for necessary service and investment levels
- Yes on Reducing City Debt - continue debt replacement policy which reduces debt as a percentage of ceiling year-over-year currently at 6% debt capacity - lowest in the state!!
- No on Dog Bans - advocate for owner responsibility, not breed control
- Yes on Managing Benefit Costs - advocated for greater cost share for increased benefit costs
- No on Expanded Alcohol Establishment Regulations - opposed to market interventions
- No on Dog Bans at Festivals - support owner responsibility versus prohibiting social behaviors
- No to Added Housing Regulations (limiting cooperative development) - opposed barriers to affordable housing
- Yes on Long-term Financial Plan - support long-term financial planning including segregated accounts for funding larger projects
- No on Militarization of our Police Force - opposed arming police with surplus military weapons
- Yes to Part-time Mayor and City Manager Structure - support for reorganization
- Yes to Public-Private-Partnership for refuse management - support regionalization of solid waste.
- Yes to modern management and the Council Scorecard - support operational modernization and reporting effectiveness.
- Yes to Sunday boating on the Cedar River - support recreation at all time
- Yes to more public forum - supported greater time allowance for council address
- No on multi-unit conversion bans - support property owner rights
- No on applying rental codes to homeowners - support property owner rights
- No on massive golf subsidies - supported deficit reduction and user-based fees to cover cost of unique service. Today, golf course has been privatized, Play is Up, Experience is Improved.
- Yes on Metro Cooperation - supported joint task force for efficiency among metro municipalities
- Yes on public art - supported public-private partnership for art
- Yes on City Reorganization - supported streamlined departments and director reduction
- Yes on Public Safety department - supported unified, aligned public safety vision
- No on rental moratorium - opposed free-market intervention
- Yes on sidewalk cafes - supported place-making and revenue enhancement
- Yes on decriminalization - supported civil liberties and individual liberty and personal responsibility
- No on more rental regs - supported reduced regulation and free market enterprise
- Yes on refuse collection efficiencies - supported single-sided refuse collection to save expense, reduce environmental impact and enhance
- route safety
- Yes to recycling center enhancements - supported infrastructure to handle recycling volume
- Yes on Cedar River Improvements - support quality of life amenity and Cedar River connections
- Yes on University Avenue - support accommodating, value-enhancing transportation infrastructure
- No on naming obsessions - opposed to naming except for limited memorials after historical assessment of impact
- No on crazy nuisance ordinances - opposed to expanded nuisances ordinances
- Yes on backyard freedom and urban chickens - support rights of property owner so long neighbor right to peaceful enjoyment is not impaired
- No on local police for federal drug war - opposed to mandated local cooperation with thoughtless social warrior policy
- No on landscaping restrictions - support yard freedom
- Yes on upzoning supporting bold projects - support expanded property rights
- Yes on Accommodating, Feasible Parking Strategies - support strategy first, infrastructure 2nd.
- Yes on allowing fireworks with reasonable restrictions - support discharge freedom
- Yes on eliminating mayoral duty conflict and defining expectations - support sustainable mayoral office
- Yes on my gratitude and thanks for allowing me to dutifully serve the great citizens of Cedar Falls
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