Candidate Questionnaire: Salt Lake City Council District 3
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?
David Berg:
“My funding philosophy is community and people first, directly bettering the lives of Salt Lake City residents. Starting with housing, education and community resources. When the community is doing great, everything else will follow.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“The most money for what has the most benefit to the people.”
Chris Warton:
“There will always be more needs than there are resources available, we have to strategically allocate funds from different revenue streams to pay for as many projects as possible in a way that is equitable, responsible, and transparent.”
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?
David Berg:
“I'd look to see who the infrastructure would benefit & it's purpose. I'd avoid projects that primarily benefit developers & corporations. City investment needs to always have the whole community in mind.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“Understanding the wishes of the people and if there is a real need for the proposed infrastructure that has a significant positive impact to the people.”
Chris Warton:
“Any funding proposal is going to be evaluated based on the strength of the application, but it must also fill a critical need for the city. The strongest funding requests attempt to address multiple critical needs at the same time.”
If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
David Berg:
“I'd change zoning codes to better protect our historic treasures, community character, natural spaces, the unique nature of neighborhoods, and important artistic and cultural places.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“Giving more power to the people and community councils through public comment and how that is taken into account when making zoning changes at every level.”
Chris Warton:
“There isn't just one thing in the zoning code I would change, it's too multifaceted.”
Do you think our downtown is healthy and successful? Please explain.
David Berg:
“We need change. We have an unhoused problem getting worse, a housing crisis, & dying arts/culture presence as historic preservation is lost. Our downtown & city need to be invested in with our whole community in mind, especially the vulnerable.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“The Mayor and City Council are great at telling us how great things are and about the great things they are doing. But only measuring anything by the pros without measuring them against the cons has too much risk of unintended consequences.”
Chris Warton:
“I think we're headed in the right direction. I would like to see more consistent foot traffic during the day and a more vibrant nightlife. We can do that by opening up more engaging storefronts and reducing the number of surface parking lots.”
If elected, what will you do to address Salt Lake City's air quality?
David Berg:
“I'll strongly oppose the polluting port, support & expand mass transit, work toward moving the refineries, further invest in renewable energy, promote/support/expand pedestrian transit, & work with the state & county on clean air solutions.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“Planting more trees is a start, but more trees will not solve this problem. We must address every source of our dirty air and look at every possible way to ensure we all have clean air, especially for those more directly affected like our west side.”
Chris Warton:
“Planning and zoning is so multifaceted. There’s no magic bullet. I am excited about the conversations we are having about more density in areas that can support it and an affordable housing overlay to mitigate displacement.”
If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
David Berg:
“I'd use it to create an SLC Innovation Endowment. With similar contributions from educational institutions, businesses & foundations a $5,000,000 endowment would fund yearly innovation prizes for creative solutions to SLC's biggest problems.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“It must be sued for crisis issues like homelessness, public safety, truly affordable housing, and air quality.”
Chris Warton:
“While $1 million wouldn't be enough to fully fund a new large scale project, I would like to see an iconic public art installation that would engage residents and visitors in our city.”
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?
David Berg:
“We need to come to terms with and remedy a history of neglect & disregard the Westside has experienced. We need to support ongoing investments in the Westside to achieve real and sustainable equality.”
Casey O'Brien McDonough:
“We have to work together to improve areas of the city that need the attention. The west side in particular seems to always be left out and underfunded. We have to use data driven metrics to ensure every part of our city gets gets its fair share.”
Chris Warton:
“The majority of District 3 is on the eastside, but I make time every week to engage with westside residents. It’s made me a better advocate for areas of the city that have been historically marginalized. I will continue those efforts if re-elected.”
http://davidforslc.com/
https://caseyforslc.com/
https://www.votechriswharton.com/
