No, the ends does not justify the means.  As an example, torturing someone, even though it may result in the answer one’s looking for, is inhumane and isn’t justifiable in my mind.

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Joan McBride (incumbent)

In principle, I do not believe that the ‘end justifies the means’.  Philosophers and theologians have engaged in debate on whether immoral actions should ever be used to accomplish an end goal, but I approach things less cerebrally.   I am confident that using morally questionable means insures that the outcome (ends) cannot be ‘good’.  If the process is flawed it means that the outcome is flawed.   I am not willing to compromise my sense of right and wrong to reach a goal.

I take pride that in Kirkland we are always refining our processes to make sure that they are open, accessible and understandable.  That doesn’t mean that the ‘outcomes’ of the process will make everyone happy but the ‘means’ (process) make sure that all are equally heard.  As a council member, I make my decisions based on what is best for the city after considering all relevant information.  Also, I follow our rules and regulations because everyone deserves an ‘even playing field’.   I couldn’t make a decision or be involved in a process that I thought was bad or morally questionable because I thought down the road it would produce a better situation.  I have to be able to sleep at night.

An example of an attempt to use reprehensible means to justify a goal from our region’s history is the interment of Japanese Americans in WWII.  Some might say that the goal (end) was to provide security during a time of war, but the means was, without reservation, horrid and remains a sad legacy.

Candidate Question Number Three:

Currently, there is a projected $8 million deficit in 2009.  To balance the budget, either the citizens will be asked to pay more or the city must reduce spending.  Which do you prefer? Specifically, name some taxes you would increase and name some programs you would cut in order to balance the budget.

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

No new taxes!  The city must reduce spending.  Why should the citizens of Kirkland continually have to pay more taxes?  The city government must stop their tax and spend approach.  Where is our rainy day fund?  Increasing taxes should be an absolute last resort and only when there is a danger of not funding all of our basic services.  The city has increased spending every year for the last 12 years, more than three times the rate of inflation.  Why?

Specifically, we could roll the budget back to 2008 levels, freeze hiring and discretionary spending, and have a balanced budget without any tax increase.

Joan McBride (incumbent)

The projected eight million dollar shortfall is for the entire biennial budget and includes 2010.

I support an approach that uses a variety of strategies to address our city’s budget shortfall.  I believe a combined approach puts the least stress on the city; helps preserve our fiscal health and won’t cause disintegration of our levels of service.

So I support the following:

1. Putting the utility tax question on the ballot (the utility tax would increase by 1½ percent – for an average household about $6 a month). This tax can’t be raised without a vote of citizens.
2. I support using the city’s Revenue Stabilization Reserve.  This reserve has almost a million dollars left and was created for just such a shortfall.  I support cashing it out.
3. I support further reducing levels of service.  As I write this, the council is engaged in rating city core services to help determine which departments and services will see the most reductions.  We are working to determine core services and those that are discretionary. It would be premature to name entire programs that should be cut if we haven’t yet, as a body, completed the ‘core services’ project.
4. I support the notion of furloughs and other work schedule reductions.
5. I support pushing out some funded projects on our capital improvement program to a later date and re-examining our benefit and compensation packages.
6. In sum, while I want to see reductions in all programs, there is not one essential city service or program that I want to entirely gut at this time.

Finally, my pledge is to help guide our city during this economic downturn through my proven and steady leadership and by adhering to strong fiscal management practices.  I am confident in our city’s future.

Candidate Question Number Four:

Families are feeling the economic crunch. Utility fees keep going up, but the city wants to put an additional utility fee increase on this year’s ballot. Do you agree?

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

Families are feeling the economic crunch. Utility fees keep going up but the city wants to put an additional utility fee increase on this year’s ballot.

Do you agree?

No, I do not agree with an additional utility fee increase … no new taxes!

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Joan McBride (incumbent)

In December of last year, the city council passed a two year budget for Kirkland. The budget realized that times were tough and could potentially get tougher. One of the tools used to balance the budget was to ask voters to approve a raise in their utility tax. I agreed with the majority and supported a ballot measure on the utility tax. And I still do.

The ballot measure will ask voters if they wish to raise their utility tax by 1.5%. For the average Kirkland home that would mean an increase of around six dollars a month.

Our city is in dire need. The deficit is such that even if the utility tax passes we will still need to see some reduction in services, lay offs and perhaps even closing city hall one day a week. As I write this we, as a council, are working on what areas of the city services will see the most severe cuts. In other words we are developing a ‘core’ services list.

It is important to put this ballot issue in perspective. The voted utility tax is only one of several strategies we are using to balance the city’s budget. Other tools include: reduction of services, fees for services, use of reserves, not filling vacancies, pushing out capital projects, and ending all out of state travel and training to name a few.

Finally, this is the most important point, the city council CAN NOT raise this tax. We can only put the question on the ballot. The decision is up to you. Kirkland has a long history of involved citizenry that take ballot issues seriously, weighing the pros and cons, and making informed and wise decisions.

Candidate Question Number Five:

How would you work to improve cooperation between the city, citizen’s groups and developers and improve the process on downtown development projects?

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

To improve cooperation and development processes, Kirkland city government must have complete transparency; anything that one group wants or requests should be available for all to see. The city (primarily the planning department) needs to be up front about what it requires or feels would benefit the entire community as a whole, and be able to provide the insight as to why. Kirkland government/management must be willing to answer each and every question to the satisfaction of the person or persons asking.

Cooperation must also involve business owners. They have tremendous insight as to business growth and, on a daily basis, how services provided are beneficial and of interest to the citizens, their customers. With organized interaction between the citizens and business owners, each group could see the benefits received from the other creating a positive relationship.

Developers want to build something more than currently exists and want to show a profit. If they follow all current codes, they should be able to build what they want, with all documentation readily available to the public. However, if a developer has plans to build beyond the current codes, government transparency comes in to play. Everyone must know exactly what is being requested and how it would affect the current codes or designs that would have an impact on the citizens.

Improving cooperation and development processes within the city of Kirkland ultimately comes down to transparency in government. Developers want maximum return on investment, and citizens want the least impact on their day to day lives; currently neither side believes the city tells a straight story. They don’t want hidden agendas or support of special interest groups. From what I see, it is all about transparency in Kirkland city government. Does the city really provide this? I don’t believe so.

Joan McBride (incumbent)

Because our downtown core is compact, development of any size is a major change and will impact neighbors tremendously. It is important to get out in front of potential redevelopment in the downtown and actively engage those most critically impacted.

We also need to remember that property downtown, for the most part, is in private hands and those owners have a right to redevelop within the adopted guidelines and regulations of our city.

Our downtown guidelines were revisited after the Bank of America project caused such consternation. Work that is usually done carefully by the planning commission was done quickly by the city council. While some of the guidelines are more defined regarding height and width of sidewalks, a huge amount of work was left undone and put on a ‘parking lot’ to be finished sometime in the future. Having unresolved ‘parking lot’ issues is not a good situation and is a hindrance to any improvement of process.

I believe that improvement in the downtown development process could be accomplished by:

1. Resolution of the ‘parking lot’ issues.

2. Better understanding of the role of our Design Review Board, Planning Commission and Zoning Code – perhaps this could be done via our muni TV station.

3. Sponsored ongoing gatherings between interest groups in the downtown – those who live there and those whose business interests reside there.

4. More time upfront in the redevelopment process.

5. Frank discussions about the long term vision of downtown Kirkland with Kirkland citizens.

Finally, in the next four years I will concentrate on spending our efforts on balanced and sustainable redevelopment in other commercial areas of Kirkland, such as Totem Lake.

Candidate Question Number Six:

What changes would you like to see in downtown Kirkland, the major neighborhoods, the waterfront, Totem Lake and the BNSF corridor to look like in 5 years? 10 years?

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

As Kirkland grows and prospers we must find a way to create a vibrant, healthy, livable city that every one can enjoy and easily shop in, helping to support businesses and having access to all the amenities this great city has to offer.

Concerning downtown Kirkland and the waterfront …

We need to remedy the parking issue immediately. Within the city core we need to be more proactive about parking in order to stimulate business and provide better access to our waterfront parks. While partnering with developers and business, let’s create parking within the downtown core that can accommodate the needs for business and patrons

All neighborhoods are equal. Some neighborhood associations are more active than others; let’s see why these are successful and then work to help increase neighborhood awareness and participation. The city should support all efforts to bring neighbors together.

The Totem Lake Mall and business district need to be re-evaluated to find out ‘why’ businesses and developers come and go. Developers aren’t the only issue. The city of Kirkland needs to research the reasons ‘why’ plans aren’t moving forward to develop the area and what it is with current codes, etc. that scares developers and business away.

Finally, the BNSF corridor should become a pedestrian and bike pathway safely linking neighboring municipalities. If some day the corridor rails are needed again for a trolley or tourist attraction it could be re-established and developed to coexist with bicycle/pedestrian traffic.

Joan McBride (incumbent)

Downtown – Five years – the vibrant new transit center is nestled next to a sensitively redeveloped antique mall site helping the vitality of downtown.

Ten years – Completion of the Park Place redevelopment, 70% underground or screened structured parking and a revitalized downtown with a host of businesses and residents that enjoy the most walkable city in the state.

Neighborhoods – Five years – an enhanced Neighborhood CIP program and school walk routes have sidewalks on both sides of the street.

Ten years – every neighborhood has a community gathering place or small retail center where neighbors meet informally.   Most neighborhoods have completed a certification process to become a ‘green’ neighborhood.

The Waterfront – Five years – The city continues to be good stewards of our waterfront parks and through donations builds a ‘spray park” installation for our children.

Ten years – Juanita Beach Park’s swimming area is safe to swim in throughout the summer and the silt buildup issues have been addressed in an environmentally sensitive way.

Totem Lake – Five years – construction begins on Totem Lake Mall that includes anchor businesses, housing and community facilities.

Ten years—Totem Lake Mall completed and two new pocket parks developed.  Par Mac office park is redeveloped with hi-tech start-up businesses next to the freeway.  An indoor recreational center is almost completed that provides facilities for year around activities, swimming, rock climbing, indoor track, etc.  This facility is a built using public and private partnerships.

BNSF Corridor – Five years – construction begins on conversion of the corridor to a bike/pedestrian trail.  The trail design includes extensive input from neighbors.

Ten years – the trail is complete through Kirkland and also for most of the corridor.  It includes informational kiosks, separated bike and ped pathways, bollard lighting, easy access points, and dedicated natural easements on either side.

Candidate Question Number Seven:

Given the budget deficit, should the City of Kirkland consider outsourcing  some services to private enterprise if it could save money? If so, which services would you outsource? Which would you not? Are there any city services which you believe could be shared or pooled with adjoining cities?

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

Yes, the city should outsource some services if it saves money, especially if it is outsourced to local businesses. Not only would this save money, it would also support businesses and their employees which in turn would support the local economy. What services would I choose to outsource? I would expect the city manager to tell the council what to outsource since that is the managers’ job. I don’t believe it is a council members job to micro-manage unless absolutely necessary; however, it is the job of the council to hire the right people that can get the job done. The city of Kirkland needs accountability.

Joan McBride (incumbent)

This question has four parts so I will answer them in order.

1. Yes, if the city could save significant money on an ongoing basis and assure quality of service on a long term contract I think outsourcing would be fine.

2. We outsource some services now. An example is janitorial services for city administrative buildings. Another is Waste Management who handles the city’s garbage pickup. I believe the city does a good job of looking for efficiencies including looking at each of the services we provide and analyzing if it could be done cheaper, better and for the long term by the private sector. With those three criteria, I haven’t identified other service areas for outsourcing.

3. I believe the city currently does a good job of providing high quality services at a good price. Other than the current services we outsource I wouldn’t select others. Outsourcing only makes sense if you can guarantee excellent quality for a good price that will stay consistent.

4. The city of Kirkland is a recognized leader in shared services, collaborations, alliances and coalitions that both reduce costs and increase the level of service. We collaborate with other cities and the state to pool resources to provide critical services. Examples are: Myparksandrecreation.com (a collaboration of 10 cities sharing registration for recreational classes, etc), Cascade Water Alliance (serving 5 cities to ensure that we continue to have a supply of clean water into the future), Norcom (centralized public safety dispatch services serving 14 fire departments and 5 law enforcement agencies). There are many others: EGov, ARCH, etc. Kirkland is a leader in building coalitions that provide cost savings, or cost containment, and high quality of services.

Candidate Question Number Eight:

The Level of Service (LOS) for the annexation areas are significantly below the City of Kirkland’s LOS. If annexation passes, the newly minted Kirkland citizens will demand and deserve equal services for equal taxes paid to the city.  What solution will you be advocating if annexation passes? If you favor raising LOS in the annexation areas, how will you pay for it? If necessary, would you consider lowering the LOS in existing Kirkland?

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

The city of Kirkland is currently in a deficit situation. If annexation passes, the newly annexed area deserves the same level of services for the same taxes paid. It only makes sense that the level of services for the existing Kirkland citizens should drop and the level of services in the annexation area should rise since we can not have two Kirkland’s. Better planning by our city government would not have created this situation. I stand for fiscal responsibility.

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Joan McBride (incumbent)

The levels of service (LOS) for various infrastructure and services in the annex areas are not below that of existing Kirkland.  In fact, for storm water and pavement condition, the LOS is better than in existing Kirkland.  And fire and medical response are the same as in existing Kirkland.

However, police coverage provided now by the King County Sheriff’s Department is not anywhere near Kirkland standards.  As you may know we have worked out a way to provide adequate police coverage to the annexation area that is workable and affordable.  The plan includes new patrol districts that will not only provide better coverage for the annexation area but will also make available more officers, if needed, in existing Kirkland.

I have lived in Kirkland a long time – fifty years.  I have seen our town annex when we were in down times and when we were flush.  I can say one thing with certainty – it takes time to bring all services up to the same level whether the economy is in boom or bust times.   North Rose Hill, annexed years ago, is still not fully transitioned.  It would be a false assumption for the annex area to believe that they could be brought up to Kirkland’s standards on ‘day one’.

I will not consider lowering the level of service in existing Kirkland to cover the annexation area.

Candidate Question Number Nine:

Annexation will be voted on by the residents of Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate. If annexation is passes, do you support grandfathering of the cardroom in Kingsgate and allowing it to remain open? Why or why not? Do you support changing Kirkland’s laws forbidding card rooms?

Candidate Responses

Martin Morgan

Yes, I support keeping the card room in Kingsgate open if annexation is approved. At the Boundary Review Board meeting in June there was testimony on how there have not been any calls to or responses from the sheriffs department due to the fact that there has been no crime reported from this card room. Then at the PAA meeting held at Kamiakin Junior High it was stated how much money is raised each month for youth hockey and, again, that there is no crime at this establishment. Finally, at the Kirkland Council meeting held on July 7th it was discussed how this particular card room supports over 125 livable wage jobs and pays the highest taxes for a local business. With no one disputing these facts at any of these meetings, it sounds to me like this is a well operated establishment that would be acceptable for the city of Kirkland if annexation passes.

Do I support changing Kirkland’s laws forbidding card rooms? No, I don’t believe we need to change the existing law.

Joan McBride (incumbent)

I support grandfathering in the existing card room located in the Kingsgate neighborhood should annexation pass.

I support this position because:

1.            The card room employs over 100 individuals, most at living wages

2.            Minors are not allowed

3.            Card rooms are highly regulated and must be licensed by the Washington State Gambling Commission

4.            The revenues from the card room are significant

5.            A number of neighborhood leaders are supportive of continuation of the existing card room

6.            The card room doesn’t pose public safety issues as reported by Kirkland’s police chief.

While I support the grandfathering legislation, I don’t want to see a slew of card rooms throughout the city and that is the advantage of the new rules.  This is an opportunity for Kirkland to take advantage of a law that allows an existing business that has a proven good tract record to continue.