Candidate Questionnaire: Salt Lake City Council District 1
Sweet Streets reached out to each candidate running for the five seats up for election during this year’s municipal election. Candidates were asked to keep answers to no more than 250 characters. Their answers appear in alphabetical order by last name. As a 501(c)3 affiliated group, Sweet Streets cannot endorse candidates. Look up your City Council district here.
In terms of funding city priorities, what is your philosophy?
Blake Perez:
“I'll prioritize our city's budget around what I'm running on: health, well-being, and prosperity and ensuring that District 1's values are incorporated into funding prioritization.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“My guiding principles: (1) Does the expenditure respond directly to improving the health, safety, and/or quality of life for residents? (2) Is the funding adequate to accomplish the project? and (3) Is there a sustainability plan?”
If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city, how would you evaluate whether or not that project was worth implementing?
Blake Perez:
“I'd first evaluate if it was a good project for the residents of D1, how this project can help our city meet the demand of 50 years from now. I'd evaluate the project to see how it can improve our air quality, natural resources, and quality of life.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“I would evaluate on a rubric that factors considerations including actual need; citizen input; potential impact; and long term sustainability / impacts.”
If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
Blake Perez:
“Incorporate more inclusionary zoning across the entire city. This is an important tool for projects to address affordable housing and have goals of creating diverse neighborhoods that include varying racial, age, and socioeconomic groups.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“Add a trigger stating TSA zones cannot be considered such until UTA runs on a sub-10 minute schedule. In doing this, developers will join the team working to enhance UTA service to ensure ridership increases and car reliance decreases.”
Do you think our downtown is healthy and successful? Please explain.
Blake Perez:
“Yes, with more to do. We have unprecedented growth happing in our downtown. Look to our skyline. You can also see how many new businesses are applying through new businesses licenses. Open Streets is a great example of a thriving downtown.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“Our downtown has all the ingredients needed to be healthy and successful, but some elements are out of balance and require proactive planning. We must prioritize healthy environment, sustainable economic development, and responsiveness from the city.”
If elected, what will you do to address Salt Lake City's air quality?
Blake Perez:
“1) Invest in more multimodal transportation options 2) Aggressively pursue carbon sequestration by using city-owned land and public right of ways to plant more vegetation 3) Invest in reliable particulate data as air quality dynamics change.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“Synchronizing street lights in order to mitigate idling times while driving would be a first priority. Engaging assertively in all aspects of the developing Inland Port issue. And maintaining connection to subject matter experts to guide priorities.”
If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
Blake Perez:
“Free transit for Salt Lake City residents. Coupling improved service and free fares will incentivize residents to take transit. Free transit will help households reduce monthly costs, reduce emissions and congestion.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“I would enhance the Arts Council. The Arts Council has not had seen a substantial increase in staffing in over a decade.The growing number of public spaces are enhanced and usage increases with the presence of public art.”
If elected, how will you work with your colleagues on the City Council to ensure that municipal investment is fairly distributed throughout the entire City?
Blake Perez:
“I'd like to work with my colleagues on a budget dashboard that is fully transparent to the public about where our tax dollars are being invested. We have a nice dashboard for Funding our Future that can be expanded upon for the full City budget.”
Victoria Petro-Eschler:
“I am passionate about centering the voices of my west side neighbor. As a nonprofit professional, I have built my career on consensus building. By joining my personal passion and professional experienced, I will advocate for equitable distributions.”
https://www.voteblakeperez.com/
https://www.votevictoriaslc.com/
