Basis of Decisions: Do you think your job as a member of the city council is to do what you think is best for Keller OR do you think your job as member of the city council is to determine and implement the wishes of the Keller citizens?

Listening to the wishes and concerns of the citizens would be one of my primary responsibilities.  Citizen input is crucial to any sound Council decision.  When two constituencies give opposing input, then I would be called upon to do what is best for all, in my judgment.  To implement the wishes of the citizens is the hallmark of our American government since the Declaration of Independence, and should be the hallmark of our city government today. 

Vision: What is your long-range vision for Keller? How will you work toward that vision, involve the community to reflect the voice of the majority of Keller citizens, involve fellow Council members, and communicate it to all citizens?

My long range vision for Keller is an open, inclusive and respectful community that promotes quality, controlled economic development and enhances our parks, trails, and other ‘quality of life’ attributes.  The key to this vision is communication between our council and our citizens.  This communication should start in the early stages of any proposed developments.  One mechanism for doing this is to have our city staff forward to HOA’s any development proposals that are in or near their neighborhoods.  This would eliminate ‘surprises’ and encourage citizen input early in the creative process.  Developers would have neighborhood input earlier in this process and could more easily modify or adjust their final product, saving everyone time and money.  Another mechanism is to encourage citizen participation on our boards and commissions.  Citizen input helps our city staff and council make decisions that more closely reflect community wishes and desires. 

Principles/Strategies: What principles or strategies do you think should guide city government and how would that be put into practice?

I believe our city government should strive to provide an open and respectful process for all our citizens.  This process would allow all constituencies to present their ideas and viewpoints, even those with whom we do not agree.  By maintaining respect for citizens, businesses, staff, applicants, etc., we can make better decisions for Keller – improving our community, building infrastructure, increasing the tax base and minimizing our tax rate.

Long Range Planning: How do you view the importance of long range planning for Keller, such as economic development?  How would you improve long range planning?

I think long range planning is key to economic development.  By getting citizen input early in the planning stages, staff and businesses will know the types of development that will be welcome in various parts of our city.  I would like to see the new council host “town meetings” to get updated citizen input on our planning documents, including the TIF plan.  Further, zoning requirements could be amended to encourage the agreed upon use of various tracts of land.  To wait to amend these requirements at the last minute contributes to disappointment, frustration and even legal action.

Retail/Business Master Plan: What is your position on a detailed retail/business office master plan? How would you incorporate citizen input and communicate that input to the citizens and potential businesses?  What specific experience do you have in this area?

Generally, I would support more planning rather than less.  As we defined the detailed use of some areas, we might well prevent a quality development that was close, but not exactly, what we envisioned.  For example, an overly detailed plan might eliminate a proposal to build a community college by defining an area office space only.  As long as we allow a process for citizen input to make small amendments to our detailed plan, I would favor this approach.  And again, this citizen input should be garnered early in the development process.

UDC: What is your opinion of the current Keller Uniform Development Code? What, if any, changes would you advocate?

Generally, the Uniform Development Code has more benefits than costs.  For example, if this code had been followed when the homes on Darryl and Garden Lanes had been built 25 years ago, the damage after last year’s five inch rain would have been much less.  We have many neighborhoods in Keller where homes and streets were built with minimal drainage standards.  I understand this code is currently being amended to be easier to understand and more logical for the users.  This would be a change for the better.

Davis Blvd Master Plan:  Is there a specific master plan for the development of the Davis Blvd corridor in Keller? If not, what would you like to see happen there?

There is a future land use plan, but not a specific master plan for Davis Blvd.  I do not see this as a huge problem as long as the Council heeds neighborhood and citizen input on specific developments.  Further, the UDC allows council discretion over certain high impact uses (such as gas stations).  Our current council did not use this opportunity when they approved the QT. 

Citizen Input:  What role should citizen input have on proposed and existing projects? For new development proposals, how would you weigh the developer’s plans versus significant expression of citizen concerns?  Would you try to increase resident involvement and if so, how?

Citizen input should be significant and early in the process.  Again, if the developer makes his plans while receiving citizen opinion, we should end up with a solution that is at least closer to what every constituency would want.  I would actively work to increase citizen involvement at every step of the process.

New Developments & Citizen Input:  Please explain your opinion on projects that elicited a large citizen response such as the Quiktrip that was recently built at Bear Creek and Davis, or the Keller Station proposal last year.  What are your views on Council decisions in opposition to an overwhelming citizen turnout concerning a particular project?

There is an obvious lesson for the Council when a particular project elicits an overwhelming response, and the Council should give this response great weight.  I do not believe the use of the land on Davis for the Quiktrip was the highest and best use of this tract. Other projects would have significantly added to our tax base and at the same time met the requirements and wishes of your neighborhood.

Housing: How do you feel about multi-family housing and low cost housing projects in Keller in the foreseeable future?

I think any community needs a balance of various types of housing.  The quality of construction, ownership and quantity are all issues that are legitimate questions for our community.  My position is that Keller has enough apartments.  We certainly do not want to see an apartment glut that results in substantial lowering of rents.  Also, we must look beyond the city limits at nearby apartment projects when considering the appropriate level of multi-family housing in our community.  As my website says:  “we have enough!”

Apartments: What is your understanding on how the majority of residents of Keller feel about additional apartments in Keller?   What is your source of information?

I feel the majority of Keller residents are concerned that the number of apartments is excessive and is too heavily weighted in large projects, particularly in the TIF.  My sources of information are the majority of citizens I visit and the Keller Citizen.

Apartments: How would you vote concerning new,  apartments in Keller? What factors would you consider?  Would you consider a moratorium for future apartments?

Please see my answer for question number 10.  Generally, I would be opposed to apartments.

Keller Station: How would you have voted for the Keller Station development as presented last year?   Why?

This project narrowly passed Planning and Zoning, but the current council never saw this plan.  Our TIF plan says the area should be predominately nonresidential.  One analysis based on square footage of building type puts current residential structures as 55% of the TIF.  This appears to be a sound basis for rejection of more apartments.

Town Center Plan: Briefly, what is your understanding of the existing Town Center Plan and do you plan to vote to stay with the retail to residential ratio?

I have a general understanding of the Town Center Plan and would certainly work to meet the general relationship of retail to residential goals.

Communications: If you are elected, what are your plans for ongoing communications with the citizens of Keller?

This is a key priority of mine.  I think now would be a good time to institute “Town Meetings” and revisit our TIF planning document.  Any plan needs updating and revision as the situation changes over the years.  Let’s address future development in the TIF in the context of the current projects. I would like to see our HOAs kept updated on projects and issues that would affect their neighborhoods directly.  An email net managed by our economic development director (new assistant city manager) might be one mechanism to accomplish this.  Further, surveys or petitions from neighborhoods on issues that they are concerned with would be welcomed as legitimate expressions of concern.  And of course, I would like to encourage direct contact with citizens and HOAs as we work through many of our city’s challenges.

Public Art: How do you feel about using taxpayer dollars to support public art activities/projects in Keller?

I would support a modest art budget for the city of Keller.  Of course, this commitment should be balanced with our financial condition, the economy and other quality of life investments we might make in our city.  Partnership projects, like the Veteran’s Memorial sculpture, that are partially paid for by sponsors, would obviously be more attractive.

Infrastructure Maintenance: What exactly are your plans to provide for ongoing maintenance and improvements for the city infrastructure (potholes, streets, sidewalks, curbing, drainage issues)?

I would continue the present Council’s aggressive efforts to maintain and improve our streets and drains.  Last May our citizens approved the increase on 1/8% sales tax for street improvement.

Crime: What plans do you have to maintain the low crime rate in the City of Keller?

I would continue to ensure adequate funding for our police department (and fire department).  From 2001 to 2007, reported crime has decreased from 19.35 to 14.05 per 1000 population.  We need to maintain this trend.  Public safety and the infrastructure required would be a priority for me.

Keller HOAs/City Synergy: Since a significant number of Keller citizens reside in HOAs, what are your views how Keller HOAs can work more closely and effectively with the City Council to better understand citizen concerns before making decisions?    If so, how?

Again, I would work to ensure earlier and better communication between our city staff  and our HOAs on a regular basis. Getting citizen involvement earlier in the process would be emphasized.

Bear Creek Parkway Safety:  What plans do you have to ensure safety along Bear Creek Parkway between Keller Smithfield and Davis Blvd?

I would support regular traffic flow studies and if necessary, infrastructure modifications to ensure the safety of our children and citizens.  Regular police patrols would be a requirement. I would ensure our City Manager and the Police Chief regularly assess safety requirements on Bear Creek Parkway.

Priorities: What will your priorities be if elected?

I would ensure our citizens have access to a responsive and respectful city government that is open to all.  Issues that come before the Council should be resolved for the benefit of Keller, and not to satisfy personal political agendas of individual councilmen.  We must create a positive environment that will attract quality economic development.  We are currently committed to a $4,000,000  library remodel, a $4,000,000 fire station and a $1,000,000 north Keller drainage project.  We need additional economic development to help pay the tab.

Contributions:  Which contributions to Keller over the past two years are you most proud of?

When serving on Keller Economic Development Board, I was asked to head up the Public Arts Board.  If done correctly, public art can be an important element of an economic development program, as well as contributing to our image and quality of life.  As PAB chairman, I worked with volunteers, staff, sponsors, artists and many others to bring nine pieces of sculpture to our city – many donated outright. If elected, I would work to bring this same positive, inclusive and cooperative approach to our City Council.