Victoria Farrar-Myers, District 7

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1. Term Limits Committee – please respond by August 27, 2020

A Term Limits Advisory Committee was named and fast tracked recommendations to the city council with four meetings, and over 13 hours, between July 14 – July 28. Do you have an opinion of this whole situation? Do you have an opinion of the outcome?

I voted in favor of creating the Terms Limits Advisory Committee to allow a forum for additional citizen participation on the issue of term limits. In fact, the two individuals I appointed to the committee voted in favor of Arlington’s existing term limits; are in favor of term limits generally; and wanted to help explore what other options, if any, might be appropriate for our city. I listened to each of the four meetings to see what issues emerged, and what recommendations the committee would make and their rationales for doing so.

In listening to the committee’s hearings, the most difficult and contentious issue appears to be the matter of lifetime bans. I have raised the question previously as to whether a lifetime ban has the effect of suppressing a form of political speech by former office holders by denying their ability to run for an office previously held. Although this question has not been addressed in Texas courts, a lawsuit in Michigan has been brought by former state legislators challenging that state’s lifetime ban on other similar Constitutional grounds. I think it would be helpful for Arlington to pay attention to the outcome of this case to help inform possible next steps on the issue of term limits.

 

2. Sales Tax – please respond by September 3, 2020

This November's ballot includes a measure to increase the sales tax another ¼ cent to 8.25%. Would you have voted to put this on the ballot? Why or why not? How do you plan to vote on this issue? Why?

When the City Council initially voted to put this proposal on the May municipal ballot as originally scheduled, I supported the opportunity for Arlington residents to decide whether to use the proposed ¼-cent sale tax increase as a means to reinvest in and revitalize certain aging areas of the City and to improve infrastructure throughout the City.  Now, even in the wake of the COVID pandemic and the resulting economic downturn, the objectives of growing businesses in Arlington and reinvesting in our city and infrastructure remain as important as ever to help ensure that the city provides core services and meets the needs of its residents. To that end, having a funded Economic Development Corporation would be an effective tool to meet these objectives. However, without the option to remove this measure from the November ballot, I certainly understand in present circumstances if voters are not prepared to pursue this increase at this time. Regardless of the outcome of the election, though, the city must continue to pursue policy initiatives that foster a business-friendly climate and create jobs.

 

3. Density – please respond by September 10, 2020

How do you feel about changing commercially zoned properties to multi-family zoned properties? What if the area already contains many, many apartments such as southeast Arlington in the Hwy 360 corridor? How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre?

As a general rule, I am wary of straying from previously approved zoning requirements and categories, but may be wiling to consider whether a variance is warranted on a case-by-case basis if a proposed project provides something unique to the area in which it is being proposed and has support from others in the area, including existing neighborhoods. That being said, I am particularly concerned about the continued conversion of property zoned for commercial uses to multi-family uses. I have recently spoken at length on this issue at City Council meetings and our Fall Retreat emphasizing (a) the loss of key areas to which the city is looking to use to attract businesses and create jobs, and (b) the need to have a clear plan for determining if and when the Council would approve variances for multi-family use.

 

4. Transportation – please respond by September 17, 2020

Via's December 2019 contract renewal has increased the geographical coverage area to 41% (and is available to 49% of the population). Meanwhile, the contract is paid 53% by Arlington taxpayers, 31% by Federal Grant, and 16% by the people taking the rides. Is this fair to the taxpayers, most of whom are not covered, but are paying 53%? How do you plan to vote on future funding? What is your solution? [the staff report: https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/481268/Staff_Report_-___MF__RK__-_FINAL.pdf].

I believe that the narrative about “public transportation” needs to be changed to focus on mobility – how do people get to work, school, church, the grocery store, etc., and, from the perspective of a City Council member, what, if anything, can and should the City do to assist its residents meet their mobility needs. Along these lines, I supported the recent citywide expansion of the Via rideshare program to make it accessible to more areas and more people. In conjunction with this expansion, the Council addressed the cost-sharing ridership model by creating a tiered per-ride pricing structure based on the distance of the ride and increasing the cost of a weekly ViaPass. In addition, the city will be exploring other sources of revenue to support the Via program, such as advertising and sponsorships. I believe actions like these balance the city’s effort to assist residents for whom Via is a necessary or preferred alternative form of mobility with the budgetary issues that come with supporting such a program. They also show that the City does not necessarily need to absorb all the expenses associated with mobility programs, but rather should pursue innovative approaches and, if appropriate, public-private partnerships to provide meaningful transportation options to our residents. Certainly, if the city commits funds toward a transportation project, any such expenditure should be coupled with regular assessment to ensure that the needs of the residents are being met at a cost that warrants continued support by the city. For example, with the expansion of the Via program, the city will be able to analyze ridership data to inform future decisions regarding the program and other potential options, such as alternatives raised by the citizens’ Transportation Advisory Committee. Altogether, Arlington’s approach of focusing on cutting-edge technology and partnering with forward-looking companies in this space will be critical to prove out the most cost-efficient, effective, and environmentally sound approach to mobility issues going forward.


5. Communications – please respond by September 24, 2020

If a constituent e-mails you a question or comment on an issue where you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

 

I always strive to respond to constituents in as timely a manner as possible to thank them for their input. I value all input from my constituents so that I can better know and understand the concerns of Arlington residents. I am a “data person” and want to know as much as possible about an issue to make an informed policy decision. On numerous occasions, for example, I have listened to constituent input on all sides of an issue to try to narrow the scope of a proposed ordinance to address the problem trying to be resolved while limiting unintended consequences. However, even if the constituent’s position is directly opposite to a position I hold or a vote I have taken, I will continue to engage and to explain and further discuss the reasoning behind my position. In fact, I have made it my mission as an at-large representative to reach out to constituents in many different ways. For example, prior to COVID, I regularly held “Walk and Talk” town halls in parks and other public venues throughout the city. I frequently speak to neighborhood associations, civic organizations, Scout troops, and many other groups. I attend events at schools, churches, businesses, and other places, and take the opportunity to talk with people I may not otherwise get to meet in our city of roughly 400,000 people to find out what is on their minds about Arlington. This is my duty – not to wait for the public to come to City Hall, but to bring City Hall to the public.

 
 

6. Issue – please respond by AOctober 1, 2020

What is the most important issue the city council is facing? Why?

The most important issue facing the City Council is, and always will be, how to ensure that the core needs of the city are met: providing public safety, improving neighborhoods and roads, effectively managing residents’ tax burden, and promoting a strong business environment (particularly for small business). In the wake of the current economic downturn as well as in coming years, the Council’s challenge to address these issues will be amplified in the wake of the 3.5% cap on property tax revenue increases imposed on cities by the Texas legislature. Even in challenging economic times, though, the city must still provide cost-effective core services to its residents and businesses as well as satisfy other outstanding obligations. If anything, it is even more vital now to review all of the city’s proposed spending cuts or freezes from a more nuanced perspective to ensure that an expenditure for a more critical need (e.g., critical infrastructure projects, a key city staff hiring, public safety) is not inadvertently grouped with other cost-saving measures.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Public Transportation (Part I) – please respond by March 8, 2018

Please describe, including price maximums, your thoughts on public transportation.

I believe that the narrative about “public transportation” needs to be changed to focus on mobility – how do people get to work, school, church, the grocery store, etc. and, from the perspective of a City Council member, what, if anything, can and should the City do to assist its residents meet their mobility needs.  Doing so does not necessarily entail the City absorbing the expenses, but rather having the City pursue innovative approaches and, if appropriate, public-private partnerships to provide meaningful transportation options.  Certainly, if the City commits funds toward a transportation project, any such expenditure should be coupled with regular and measureable assessment to ensure that the needs of the residents are being met at a cost that warrants continued support by the City.  For example, because the evidence from the MAX bus showed that it was neither an effective mode of mobility nor a cost efficient one from the City’s perspective, I voted against the MAX for each extension that came before the City Council the past two years.  I do support, however, the continued use of pilot projects, particularly for those modes of transportation supported by the citizen transportation board, to help find the modes of mobility that work best in Arlington.

 


2. Public Transportation (Part II) – please respond by March 15, 2018

Has the $922,500 [$600K from the federal government] VIA ride-share contract done anything to deserve to be renewed?

I support using pilot projects to identify modes of mobility that work best in Arlington.  Doing so allows the City to obtain useful information without making a long-term commitment on an unproven model of transportation.  To that end, since the City is just at the beginning of the VIA ride-share pilot project, this project has just started providing valuable data about both its potential to succeed as well as information about our residents’ mobility needs.  Although there will be a need for continuing assessment of the project, the benefit of a pilot project like the VIA program is that, on one hand, if it is successful it could become a critical component of meeting the mobility needs of Arlington residents.  On the other hand, however, if it is not ultimately successful, the City would be able to end the project but still could use the data obtained regarding rider usage, satisfaction, and needs to inform the next step of the City’s efforts to address mobility in Arlington.

 

 

3. Communications (Part I) – please respond by March 22, 2018

If a constituent e-mails you a question or comment, asking for a response, on an issue where you disagree, will you respond to the constituent?

I always strive to respond to constituents in as timely a manner as possible to thank them for their input.  I value all input from my constituents so that I can better know and understand the concerns of Arlington residents.  I am a “data person” and want to know as much as possible about an issue to make an informed policy decision.  On numerous occasions, I have listened to constituent input on all sides of an issue to try to narrow the scope of a proposed ordinance to address the problem trying to be resolved while limiting unintended consequences.  However, even if the constituent’s position is directly opposite to a position I hold or a vote I have taken, I will try to explain the reasoning behind my position.

 


4. Communications (Part II) – please respond by March 29, 2018

A year and a half ago there was a $500,000,000 Rangers bond issue where there were NO town hall meetings held to explain and answer questions on the issue. This coming November there will likely be a several hundred million city bond issue again on the ballot. If elected do you plan to hold any town hall meetings on this coming election?

I hold Town Hall meetings throughout the year.  As an at-large Council member, I structure my Town Halls as “Walk & Talks” to highlight the wonderful park system in Arlington or to highlight some new project within the city.  For example, my most recent Walk & Talk Town Hall featured a tour of the renovated and expanded River Legacy Science Center.  I also regularly speak to, and will gladly speak at meetings for, community groups or neighborhood associations.  Regardless of the setting, I always discuss and give constituents the opportunity to ask questions about upcoming elections and matters on the ballot.  In both my capacities as a professor of political science and a City Council member, I believe in the fundamental importance of civic engagement and an informed electorate.  I utilize Town Halls and other opportunities afforded to me as a Council member to promote these ideals, and always encourage residents to learn about the issues for which they are being asked to decide.

 


5. Taxes (Part I) – please respond by April 5, 2018

Currently, Arlington has 1/4-cent of sales tax that could be, but is not used. What, if anything, do you see yourself approving to place in front of the voters, for that 1/4-cent of sales tax? Why?

As I write the response to this question on March 27, 2018, I think Arlington is better served by holding the ¼-cent of sales tax capacity in reserve until it is needed, if at all. Circumstances could change, new opportunities could arise, or the analysis could be different after completing the annual budgeting process; all of which could lead to a different answer in the future.  However, I think two principles should guide whatever decisions are made about the future use of the sales tax capacity: 
First, just because Arlington has the capacity does not mean we should use it.
Second, any potential use of the capacity should be reserved, if possible, for the most impactful utilization and must be weighed against the impact of continuing to not use the available capacity.

 

 

6. Taxes (Part II) – please respond by April 12, 2018

Currently, Arlington is experiencing almost double-digit property tax evaluation increases. What do you feel is the appropriate tax rate that should be levied upon the citizens, a rate a little below the rollback rate, the effective tax rate, the same tax rate (even if above the rollback rate), or something else? Why?

As property values increase, the tax rate charged by the City should be reduced appropriately to address the City’s budget, but the budget should not be increased simply because property values increase.  Setting the tax rate, though, is just one prong of the budgetary process.  Our city runs on a relatively lean budget with nearly two-thirds going toward public safety.  So, setting the City’s tax rate requires balancing property values, other sources of revenue the City receives, and the projected expenditures for any given budgetary cycle.

 

 

7. Issue – please respond by April 19, 2018

What is the most important issue the city council is facing? Why?

Arlington has grown into a big city with its own identity but also now faces new challenges.  Arlington must smartly grow its tax base so that the City can meet these challenges while continuing to provide first-class services to its residents, but without putting undue tax burdens on our residents.  We must create an environment in Arlington that promotes small businesses and gives people reasons to live in Arlington.  As one example, I am part of a working group seeking ways to ease regulatory burdens on small businesses and to speed up the process of getting permits.