Brian Carver is running for Seattle City Council Position 4:
Table of Contents
Analysis
Mr. Carver's questionnaire was generally supportive, and we admire Mr. Carver's interest in public service. But he has little experience in local politics and is not ready to serve on City Council.
Interview
Friends of Seattle chose not to interview Mr. Carver.
Questionnaire Responses
Table of Contents:
General Questions
Friends of Seattle's Mission
My candidacy is very much in line with Friends of Seattle's values, goals, and mission. My priorities include job creation, protecting the environment, empowering youth, and uplifting communities.
Qualifications
- Please describe any professional accomplishments that demonstrate your effectiveness as an elected official (if you are an incumbent) or would demonstrate your effectiveness as an elected official (if you have not yet held office).
I am currently serving as the Worldwide Lean Manager for Amazon.com and I have a proven track record of success in the business community. Also, I have initiated many community improvement projects with a focus on both youth and the environment - each program has been successful. I have a Masters in both business and engineering from the University of Washington - the combination of these accomplishments demonstrates my ability to be effective as a Seattle City Council Member.
Representing Seattle
Background: Seattle is the most populous city in Washington and is the state's economic engine. At the same time, Seattle cannot address many of its problems without working with King County, regional entities (Sound Transit and the PSRC), and the state government. Yet many observers believe that Seattle's interests are represented inadequately at those levels. For example, the Muni League has criticized the 40-20-40 rule for allocating new Metro transit funding. Further, transit advocates note that the state's current tax system disadvantages transit. And the Legislature refused to allocate federal stimulus dollars for road projects in Seattle.
- As an elected official representing Seattle, how would you work with King County, regional governmental entities, the state legislature, and the governor to ensure their budgets and policies address Seattle's needs?
A significant part of what I do at Amazon is to bring different teams and stakeholders together to drive improvements for our customers. I have been very successful at doing this - from developing both personal relationship and focusing on providing detailed analysis that leads to decisions being made. I would work with King County, regional governmental entities, the state legislature, and the governor to build consensus on issues, streamline decision making processes by presenting detailed objective analysis with input from all stakeholders, and being committed to driving improvements for our citizens.
City Council Committees
- If you are elected, which issues would you like included in your portfolio as a committee chair?
I would like focus on issues within the Transportation Committee, the Environment, Emergency Management & Utilities Committee, Housing and Economic Development Committee, and the Budget Committee. In particular I would like to work on creating jobs, protecting the environment, empowering youth, and improving the budget process.
Issues
Waste Reduction
Background: Rather than build an expensive new transfer in Georgetown to handle the growing volume of trash generated in Seattle, the City of Seattle adopted a "Zero Waste Strategy" centered on reducing waste. As part of that strategy, the City Council adopted a 20-cent "green fee" for disposable shopping bags.
- Do you support the green fee? Why or why not?
Yes, I support the green fee because we have seen many examples of people easily shifting their habits once there is a clear driver for change. I feel we will see a significantly higher adoption rate of reusable bag use with the fee which will have the impact on waste reduction we need. There are many other opportunities for changing personal consumption habits that can also have a profound impact on the environment which we can drive with education and incentives.
Alaskan Way Viaduct
Background: Governor Gregoire signed a legislative bill ordering the Washington State Department of Transportation to design a bored tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This bill contains language allocating cost overruns to Seattle citizens, although some question whether the language has legal significance. Notwithstanding that provision, the City of Seattle committed $930 million and the Port of Seattle $300 million to finance the tunnel. Although the exact tax consequences of these commitments are not totally clear, it is safe to assume that the Port's contribution would result in higher property taxes for Seattle property owners, and the City's pledge would be funded with increases in property taxes, City Light utility rates, and possibly other taxes and fees.
- Do you support the plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored tunnel? Why or why not?
I feel that the plan to replace the Viaduct with a bored tunnel is a good compromise for the various stakeholders. It is positive for enhancing the waterfront area, reducing impact during construction, and maintaining a heavily used route through downtown for cars and freight. However, the transportation dollars that the tunnel will require is not in line with the priority of many stakeholders in Seattle of building an effective public transportation system. I would like to see a stronger commitment within the tunnel plan to ensure adequate plans for public transportation and minimizing impact to the environment.
- If you support the tunnel, what would you do to address the cost-overruns issue?
At this point it seems the Governor and other key decision makers intend to move forward with the tunnel - so I plan to support the tunnel with a focus on driving additional environmental focus. To address the cost-overruns issue, I would focus both on keeping the scope of the project as budgeted for and on generating additional revenue at the City, County, and State levels for cost-overruns. I would propose additional revenue to come from tolls, gas taxes, and other vehicle taxes.
- If you oppose the tunnel, what would you do to prevent its implementation?
N/A
Transit
Background: The City of Seattle already contributes to local transit. The City put together the financing package to construct the South Lake Union streetcar line, and the City and King County Metro share the ongoing operating costs for that line. Further, the Bridging the Gap tax package finances some Metro bus service within Seattle, and Bridging the Gap also pays for street improvements designed to expedite bus travel.
- If elected, how do you intend to improve the in-city transit system?
I will focus on expanding the light rail system (in-city and regionally) and improve bus service within Seattle. Overall, we need a plan that more clearly states the ride time for commuters from various parts of the city. Today buses are standing room only during peak hours and it often takes several minutes longer to travel by bus, sometimes more than double the amount of time required by car. I will focus on rapid ride options that speed up payment and also improvements to street design. I will also work with Sound Transit to better optimize routes and schedules to ensure sufficient flexibility for riders.
Bicycle Infrastructure
Background: The City of Seattle has adopted a Bicycle Master Plan, which provides a vision for improving bicycling facilities in Seattle.
- Do you support the Bicycle Master Plan? [Yes/No only please]
Yes.
- If you support it, do you have ideas for improving the plan?
I plan to work with the Cascade Bicycle Club and other stakeholders to determine additional improvements to the Bicycle Master Plan. As an avid cyclist, I have long travelled the routes in Seattle and know there is opportunity to improve certain areas for safety and for increased cycling capacity. Also, more work can be done to encourage cycling through businesses offering showers and bicycle storage areas.
- If you support it, how do you suggest the City fund the plan?
I suggest the City fund the Bicycle Master Plan with the Bridging the Gap transportation fund and other transportation and / or recreation funds.
Pedestrian Infrastructure
The City Council is considering whether to adopt a draft Pedestrian Master Plan.
- Do you support the Pedestrian Master Plan? [Yes/No only please]
Yes.
- If you support it, do you have ideas for improving the plan?
The plan needs a lot more specific goals and action items - similar to the bicycle master plan. I would focus on developing clear goals followed by projects, budgets, and funding sources required to achieve those goals.
- If you support it, how do you suggest the City fund the plan?
Similar to the Bicycle Master Plan, the funding for this plan should come from the transportation budget primarily. There are most likely many low cost solutions, especially compared to rail and road projects, for pedestrians that can drive reduction in vehicle miles traveled.
Land Use and Multifamily Housing
Background: According to U.S. Census data cited in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, about half of Seattle's households live in multifamily housing. Further, according to the Plan, approximately 40% of Seattle's total land area is set aside for residential use-35% for single-family residences but only 5% for multifamily dwellings. That 5% dedicated to multifamily housing tends to be concentrated in "urban villages" or along arterial streets, which are noisy and dirty. However, "backyard cottages" (also known as "detached accessory dwelling units) are also allowed in singe-family zones in Southeast Seattle.
- Would you support legislation to allow backyard cottages to be built in all single-family zones? [Yes/No only please]
Yes.
- Would you ever support a contract rezone or a broader rezone allowing for more housing to be built on a site? [Yes/No only please]
Yes.
- If you support the basic concept of rezoning, what criteria would you use in deciding on specific locations where more housing should be built?
My priority would be to ensure the rezoning provides additional affordable housing and minimizes impact to the environment. Many of the rezones in other parts of Seattle have added housing to a site with a subsequent increase in housing prices. Factors to decide where more housing should be built include access to public transportation, schools, businesses, and minimized impact to environment.
- If you support the concept of rezoning, what criteria would you use in deciding where more housing should be built?
See above.
Many newly built townhouses in Seattle are architectural atrocities, and site plans tend to be car-dominated. Most townhouse developments are exempt from the City of Seattle's Design Review Program. It is also difficult to find attractive new condos and apartment buildings. To address some of these problems, the City Council is considering a package of revisions to the zoning code.
- Do you support the proposed revisions to the multifamily housing zoning code? [Yes/No only please]
Yes.
- If you support the revisions, do you have ideas for improving the proposed revisions?
I propose a clear measurement of the impact to the environment and increased availability of affordable housing for each component in the package of revisions. This will help in determining if there is sufficient benefit from the proposed revisions.
City Governance
Yes.
Creative Response
- If you have additional thoughts on how to improve Seattle's city government or to make Seattle a more livable and sustainable city, please note them here.
The Seattle City government has an opportunity to increase the focus on the development of our youth. We are seeing families move to Bellevue to put their children through school due to quality of education, safety, and other reasons. Also, the City can provide more leadership in coordinating activities and facilities for youth to live healthy lives. I will work on developing programs that empower youth from the City.
Another opportunity for the Seattle City government is to launch a Community Revitalization Initiative that brings businesses, developers, and the community together to create new green neighborhoods with enhanced access to shopping, improved safety and sense of community, and employment for residents. I will work with stakeholders to develop a business plan for this model so that the programs can attract investments from businesses and developers. This is a part of my plan to uplift communities in Seattle with the overall goal of making all of Seattle a better place to live and raise a family.
