I attended the Forum today at NOON hosted by the Multi-Housing Association. Hope to have video up by tomorrow.
While I think most of the candidates did very well with the short time they had, I think Janet Brekke crushed it. She had quick, simple, intelligent answers to BIG problems. My biggest disappointments were with Kiley and Paulson who really didn’t address anything but boiler plate topics.
Here are some highlights;
Janet Brekke, At-Large A
Not a property owner but did formerly own a restaurant in Sioux Falls.
ISSUES: Council needs to set policy WITH public and mayor, NOT just the mayor. Too many regulations on the books that need to be repealed. Wants to study them. Council needs to set up Long Range Policy Strategies, community policing programs, embrace diversity, and cleaner neighborhoods.
Rick Kiley, SE District, no challengers
Does not own investment property.
ISSUES: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Streets.
Clara Hart, At-Large A
Owns one Duplex rental unit.
ISSUES: Need to address the low wage culture in Sioux Falls to help with affordable housing. Better public trust in law enforcement, affordable housing for the working poor, better public transit system that serves ALL.
John Paulson, At-Large A
Does not own investment property.
ISSUES: Better leadership.
Christine Erickson, At-Large B
Owns several short-term rental properties, Air B-N-B
ISSUES: Should have a fiscal impact statement with new proposed regs/permits. Focus on public safety and drug prevention programs.
Thor Bardon, Central District
Owns home, rents to roommates.
ISSUES: Councilors should cite reasons they vote for or against an ordinance. (Tax) incentive program for maintaining investment properties or homes. Better ethics and city planning.
Tom Hurlbert, Central District
Owns several investment properties.
ISSUES: 1st and 2nd readings of ordinances are too late for the public to have input, should be done in advance. Should be a test or trial period on new permitting. We should elect an Architect (like himself) to council who understands building and zoning issues. Better council communication with public.
Peter Pischke, At-Large B
Does not own investment property.
ISSUES: Public input is messy, but worth it. CityLink is useless, needs to be re-formatted. Wants a more ethical city government. Thanked Stehly for working towards better ethics.
Zach DeBoer, Central District
Owns Gallery, rents studio space
ISSUES: Incremental Development, focus on smaller developers, proposed smaller mini-TIFs. Better city planning and infrastructure.
Curt Soehl, Central District
Used to own a rental, got rid of it because renters are a pain.
ISSUES: More public input during planning process. City Board meetings should be more open (ironically why we have been pushing to have them recorded, give CityLink a purpose). Focus on public safety and jobs.
Nick Weiland, At-Large B
Owns Parker’s restaurant with Family.
ISSUES: Need to embrace technology more to help public in all facets of city government, upgrade CityLink. Better wages and better jobs.