City Council Position 7
Candidate Bios
CANDIDATE • MUNI LEAGUE RATING (Download the Muni League 2009 Quick Card)
Doreen Marchione • Rating: Outstanding
Tom Hodgson (incumbent) • Rating: Good
On the issues
How the candidates stack up when comparing their positions on the issues.
Candidate Question Number One:
Should public money be directed toward charities?
If so, how does a government choose the charity?
Candidate Responses:
Doreen Marchione
The purpose of local government is to provide services that citizens cannot provide for themselves such as public safety, utilities, parks and open space. There are many other services that citizens need that our provided by non-profit organizations.
Who would provide housing for the homeless or food for those in need if we did not have organizations like KITH and Hopelink? The arts are an important part of our lives and we are fortunate to have the Kirkland Performance Center and the Kirkland Arts Center. While the Kirkland Parks Department provides a wide variety of activities, there is still a need for organizations like the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club. There are many other organizations that provide other services to Kirkland residents.
These non-profits are a vital part of our community. In order to be sustainable they need support from the entire community including government. Government can choose which non-profits to fund through an application process that includes criteria for establishing measurable outcomes for the non-profit. The organizations need to serve Kirkland residents and have low administrative costs.
The Council can have an established body like the Human Service Commission make recommendations to them about which organizations to fund based on the applications and past performance in fulfilling their contracts with the city.
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
Yes, government should work with private organizations to provide a safety net for our neighbors who are in need. As we do now, I think it is appropriate for the City Council to appoint representative members of the community to serve on our Human Services Board to make recommendations to best leverage our limited human services funds.
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Candidate Question Number Two:
In principle do you believe that “the ends justify the means?” Please give an example which best illustrates your perspective.
Candidate Responses:
Doreen Marchione
A morally good goal does not justify an evil act just because one intends to do good.
A good intent does not justify an evil act. As a moral guidebook puts it, “A good motive imparts additional moral goodness to a good act; but it never takes away the badness from an evil act; therefore, the end does not justify the means.”
In a global view, we hear of people assassinating world leaders or murdering someone with a different point of view. In those cases, we recognize that while the killer may have believed they were doing something for a common good, they clearly committed an evil act.
When we scale these back to smaller actions it is not always as clear that the act is immoral. It could be as complex a question as, is a parent justified in stealing food if their children are starving. It may be as simple as, is it ever justified to cheat on your income tax?
Government is about conducting open and fair processes. Manipulating the process is corrupt government. As is often said, “We need to have transparency in government.”
This past year or two, Kirkland has had some muddy processes that were confusing and caused a division in the community. We need to have a transparent land use process so that the rights of the land owner and the vision of the community are balanced and fair. The ends never justify the means because it tarnishes our democracy.
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
Under normal circumstances I do not. Yet, there are times when non-violent civil disobedience is called for and our system provides for that. In the past, civil rights demonstrations against racism and war have violated the law in pursuit of a greater cause. Participants in those actions risk arrest and other sanctions and must accept the consequences as the price for change. I prefer that change occur within the established system of laws but sometimes the system becomes so corrupted by special interests and power hungry individuals that bold action is needed to expose it and restore faith that our government can be fair and accountable to the people.
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:Doreen Marchione
The deficit is for 2009-2010. The city will need to make up $4 million each year. This needs to be made up of a combination of reduced spending and a small tax increase. The Council has been going through an exercise in cutting expenditures and will most likely conclude that process on July 7. While I do not agree with all the line items they saved or cut, I would not want to start second guessing them at this point nI the process
The city should be using some of the one time money in reserves to invest in technology that will lead to reduced costs In the long run. They seemed to be watering down some programs rather than making real cuts. They were unwilling to suspend any programs until 2011. I think the community would understand if some programs were cut with the hope of restoring them in the future.
The Council needs to look at efficiencies. One example would be, Is it efficient for Kirkland to operate a small jail or should we be part of a large regional jail? Before we start the budget for 2011-2012, the Council needs to look to the future, involve the community and set their priorities
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
I prefer that the city reduce spending to match revenues. Our current system of revenue is cyclical and subject to the ups and downs of the economy. Unfortunately, the city did not bank adequate reserves to cover this extraordinary downturn and is now faced with unpleasant choices to balance the budget. The City Council has been informed that staff has identified $7 million in reductions of the $8 million needed. Council will review the plan and be asked to find an additional $1 million in cuts. I favor reductions to all programs except public safety and human services.
I have advocated for working with the labor unions to find ways to make up the shortfall by negotiating temporary wage and benefit concessions. Business and government organizations are using this method to retain their staff and avoid costly rehiring and retraining when the economy rebounds. I was told by a council member from Renton that his city negotiated a 2% reduction for city workers to be taken in a variety of ways including furloughs, and voluntary workweek reductions. I think this is a more humane way to endure this economic downturn and be better positioned for the recovery with valued workers in place and ready to ramp back up to full productivity.
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:
Doreen Marchione
I think the proposed utility tax increase is one of the least burdensome options. The proposed tax would cost the average household about $6.00 a month. It would raise $2 million a year
Putting it on the ballot lets the voters decide if they are willing to pay more in taxes or if they want the council to make further cuts in the budget.
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Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
I know that families are feeling the economic crunch. I also feel the crunch of ever-increasing taxes and do not want to pay more.
During the budget planning last year, a voted utility tax increase was considered appropriate as a method to help reduce the coming budget gap. Since then, the economy has collapsed in ways that were not anticipated and the prospect of voters approving an increase in the utility tax this November is reduced. The Council’s current budget planning is preparing alternatives in case of the failure of that measure.
This is not a good time to ask taxpayers to increase their burden, yet, when core services are at stake, I think it is fair to let the voters have a say in how those services are funded. I support the utility tax ballot measure and will support the outcome of the vote.
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:
Doreen Marchione
Healthy cities are ones where the whole community works together to make the city a great place to live, work and play. Kirkland needs to work with the community to improve the process on downtown development projects.
We need to have a dialogue between the city, citizen’s groups, and developers to improve the process for downtown development. This should be a conversation where all participants come to the table with an open mind and be ready to listen to each other. They need to address the questions 1) What do you want? 2) Where do you want to be in the future? 3) What is your single most important priority?
There needs to be an emphasis on public participation. This group would need to revisit the current process, identify what should be changed and come to an agreement on procedures in the future.
As a councilmember, I would want to be a part of the dialogue. I would help the participants see the areas where they agree and work for compromise where there is disagreement. We need to have a process that is fair to the developers while keeping the character of the downtown that is most important to the citizens.
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
We currently have a good public process for development projects. The problem comes in observing the results of that process. Board & commission members and volunteers spend a great deal of time working on our neighborhood plans and zoning code. Too frequently, the city embraces development projects that exceed that careful planning. It would be more fair and predictable for developers and citizen groups if the city would simply stick to the plan.
Every time we make a zoning exception, it erodes the trust of the community, sends a signal to developers that they can get more than the regulations specify and destroys the will of citizen volunteers who see their efforts as wasted.
I will continue to work to see that our comprehensive plan and zoning regulations are observed and enforced.
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:
Doreen Marchione
In the next 5-10 years, I would like to see a stable retail climate for the downtown. It can have an orderly redevelopment while keeping the character that exists now. Many of the downtown buildings have structural problems that do not allow for preservation. Park Place will have the mixed use that will add vibrant space for shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.
The single-family neighborhoods should continue to be protected from encroachment by multifamily and commercial development. This development should continue to be restricted to the transition area. Kirkland is fortunate to have walkable neighborhoods with access to services. We need to continue to look at innovative, diverse housing such as cottages and detached accessory dwelling units. We have an increasingly aging population whose housing needs will have to be accommodated.
Totem Lake is long over do for redevelopment. I would like to see it redevelop with some of the design elements of University Village. I think it has great potential to become a revenue generator for the city as a retail hub.
Kirkland has done a wonderful job of protecting the waterfront. The lake front parks and trail are gems we can all treasure.
BNSF will become a multi-use trail that can accommodate cyclists, runners, walkers, and horses.
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
The change I would like to see is the change that is already planned for. The entire city should continue to evolve as it is built out and redeveloped according to the current planning.
The neighborhoods will fill in and older homes will be updated or replaced but the essential character should remain along with established homes and neighborhoods.
Our waterfront will continue to be a popular meeting and recreation place. The BNSF rail corridor will be developed into a multi-use transportation corridor with bike and pedestrian uses as a priority.
In ten years I would like to see the Lakeshore Plaza concept realized in conjunction with an opening in the wall of buildings west of Lake Street and a mixed use project on Lake and Central that contains a parking solution.
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:
Doreen Marchione
The City Council has been working to identify core services which must receive priority in funding. They should work with city employees to identify areas that could be outsourced. Until I am on the council it would be premature to identify specific areas for potential outsourcing.
Kirkland has been a leader among Eastside cities in jointly providing services where feasible. They have been a part of regional training for fire departments and participate with a regional dispatch center for public safety, with the Cascade Water Alliance and Sound Transit.
As the City addresses the budget deficit, they need to look for opportunities to work with other cities to share or outsource services.
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
A large percentage of the city budget is spent on public safety and that is not something that can be easily outsourced. Other administrative services like planning already use contractors to advise on projects. We have found new efficiencies in joining NORCOM to share public safety dispatch duties with adjoining cities. Public transportation is a regional joint effort. And, we are currently exploring building a joint recreation facility with other cities and organizations.
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:
Doreen Marchione
The only Level of Service (LOS) that is lower than Kirkland’s is police service. Currently the King County Sheriff’s Department serves the annexation area with one sheriff assigned to the area. This officer may be called to another area for assistance, leaving the annexation area unserved. The proposed three police patrol districts will insure that the annexation area will have the same police service as the city.
Fire District 41 serves the annexation area. The Fire District levy’s taxes to contract with the Kirkland Fire Department to operate the Fire District. Fire services are the same now.
In 2002, residents of Finn Hill formed a Parks and Recreation District to operate and maintain O.O. Denny Park and Big Finn Hill Park. The annexation area will bring some well-maintained parks and the new citizens will receive a well-developed recreation program.
Overall, the roads in the annexation area are in slightly better condition than the roads in the city because of the King County road tax that is used to maintain these roads.
The new residents will be able to apply for permits at city hall or even online. They will no longer have to go to Renton for planning or building issues
If the annexation is approved, Kirkland will receive $4 million a year for 10 years from the state. These funds will be used for operating funds and buys the city time to improve their revenue stream.
Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
The budget model that was adopted last December shows similar revenue projections for the annexation areas as in the city today. The PAA has less capacity for commercial tax revenue but more potential for residential redevelopment. There will be transition costs which the State sales tax money will help with but I believe the annexation areas will support the same level of service that our current city receives. After talking with fire and police representatives, I am confident that there will be no decline in the current city level of service.
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:
Doreen Marchione
I support grandfathering in the card room in Kingsgate and allowing it to stay open if the annexation passes. It is a quiet operation and is not an issue in the neighborhood. It should produce more than $500,000 in revenue annually for the city.
I do support the current ban on card rooms in Kirkland.
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Tom Hodgson (incumbent)
I would like to see the gambling question uncoupled from the annexation question. If it makes sense for us to add gambling to our mix of land uses, let’s have a full public discussion about it and judge it on its own merit. The current casino operation in the PAA appears to be a good neighbor but that is no guarantee for future operators or changes in State law that may affect the operation.
