Does the Redmond City Council need more diversity or more experience with problem-solving?

That seemed to be the burning question as the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce featured campaign statements from council candidates Sally Chen, Kim Allen, John Stilin and John P. (Pat) Vache at its July 22 membership luncheon.

Chen, who was born in Taiwan, came to America as a baby and moved to Redmond in 2007, explained when she filed for candidacy and reiterated at the Chamber luncheon that she’s challenging the incumbent Allen for position 4 on the council to represent the city’s growing numbers of citizens who are younger and newer to the area.

But at the luncheon, Allen appeared confident that her track record will carry more weight with voters, commenting, “Ms. Chen and I both share priorities …. the question is, ‘Who’s ready to do the job?'”

“I’m in the seat,” on local and regional and legislative issues, Allen stated, “and I have brought home some pretty good results. Experience leads to solutions.”

Campaigning is bound to be less stressful for Vache and Stilin, given that they have no challengers for their intended seats on the council.

In Vache’s case, he is running unopposed for re-election to position 2. Stilin is the sole candidate for position 6, which will be open when Council President Nancy McCormick retires at the end of the year.

Even so, it’s interesting that Stilin could be the first Redmond Arts Commissioner to sit on the council — and his statements at the Chamber luncheon made it clear that he sees cultural resources as a way to bolster Redmond’s economic vitality.

MORE COMMUNICATION, OUTREACH

The candidates responded to questions on how a developing Redmond can create a sustainable environment; how the growing city can minimize disruption to transportation and traffic flow; what the city can do in the near future to bring light rail to Redmond; how the city can mitigate the effects of an economic downturn; and the role of the city with regard to new businesses.

Stilin said that in the big picture, sustainability should encompass ways “not only to protect the environment,” but also “how we educate our kids.”

Solutions to reduce the carbon footprint can be more obvious than affecting the ways people think and communicate, he asserted.

Chen concurred that sustainability means “not only concerns about the environment,” but also getting “the business community and neighbors (together) as a whole.” She added that people are “more inclined to follow the government if they walk the walk and talk the talk.”

Allen agreed that the Redmond Centennial initiative is “to lead by example” but added, “Affordable housing is also a component. You can’t be a sustainable community if your kids can’t afford to live here.”

Vache’s take on minimizing disruption during the city’s construction boom focused on “an educational process that starts with people who design and manage projects and awareness of that impact.” Educating citizens about transportation alternatives can also help, he said.

Allen called for “significant outreach to business and residents …. and also being strategic in how we develop.” She referred to a major construction project for downtown Redmond, the eventual reversal of the Redmond Way and Cleveland Street “one-way couplet,” back to two-way streets and said she hoped that the city would find a way to do as much work all at once, to limit inconvenience.

Chen recommended “telling citizens about road closures and constructions” and outfitting Redmond with more sidewalks, pedestrian and bike routes.

In addition, Stilin suggested, earlier communication is needed. He said projects underway this summer could have or should have been more publicized as far back as last February, through signage to alert those who might be affected — and allowing citizens to be “part of the solution.”

LIGHT RAIL IN REDMOND

On the subject of bringing light rail to Redmond, Chen literally drew a blank for several moments of silence, then stated, “Light rail is inevitable. …. I will do whatever it takes.”

Allen said she’d bring it “anyway we can” and noted that Mayor John Marchione is a voice for Redmond since he sits on the Sound Transit board. She also noted that Eastside Transportation Partnership (of which she is a voting member) is supportive and “it’s a matter of being at the table.”

Vache echoed the importance of “being at the table” and Stilin remarked that light rail is “important beyond transportation – it is an economic necessity.” He said he’d like to see Redmond work with other cities like Duvall and Sammamish to gain light rail leverage because residents of those cities have to “get through the chokepoint at Redmond.”

MARKETING REDMOND

Addressing the economic downturn, Stilin said cutting expenses was one way to help but he’d also like to see a business summit with the goal of incorporating more arts and entertainment, as a “focus on increasing revenue.” Art and live music draw visitors, he said.

Chen’s main idea to mitigate the economic downturn was “not increase taxes.” She said she’d also like to streamline the permitting process, using cutting-edge technologies.

To define the role of city government as it applies to new business, Vache talked about a famous line from the movie “Field of Dreams” — “If you build it, they will come.” He said an emphasis on infrastructure is crucial “so there really is a place to do business” in Redmond.

Getting city government and citizens to communicate about what type of businesses the city now offers and what type of businesses it still needs was Stilin’s suggestion.

Chen expressed the opinion that Redmond’s business climate has been seen as somewhat unfriendly, although that perception is changing. She recommended that the city hire a senior level marketing manager to better promote Redmond as a city that is friendly to business.

Allen recommended that the city should do an inventory of information on matters such as permitting and what kinds of spaces are available, so that staff can be ready to answer questions from prospective businesses — and engaging the business community to check, “Are we there yet?”

Wrapping up the discussion at the Chamber luncheon, Vache noted that “economic development is big on everyone’s mind” and said it’s critical to identify, “What is the fabric of this city like right now? … (and) what do we do next?”

Stilin mentioned a recent letter to the editor of the Redmond Reporter, in which former City Councilmember Richard Grubb said all the candidates talked about the same priorities such as traffic, growth, safety, open government and the environment. It’s true that the priorities seem the same, he said, but his biggest change would be to increase communication between citizens and the government: “There’s no black-or-white solution” to the problems, but “there’s enough smart people in this town to make this a city to be proud of.”

Allen spoke about her experience and the “hundreds and hundreds” of citizens she’s met — and said she plans to meet hundreds more as she simultaneously doorbells and trains for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.

Chen thanked the Chamber and attendees and said “our community can benefit from a stronger partnership of the business community and government.”