A message to BYP from Boise's Mayor Dave Bieter

Boise Young Professionals Mayor Bieter Unplugged

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Mayor Bieter “Unplugged” with Boise Young Professionals (BYP)

"The BYP event was simply outstanding. I was impressed not only with the tremendous turnout but also the high caliber of the questions. As I told the crowd, the young professionals in this valley are an incredible resource; we need your ideas, your enthusiasm and your vision if we’re going to make Boise the most livable city in the country." - Boise Mayor Dave Bieter

Mayor Bieter's question to BYP:

"My question for BYP members is simply this: What can we in City government do for you? What services or assistance can we provide to assure that you will want to live in Boise, work here, raise your families here, and succeed here? And what can we do to engage you to join us in building a better community for the future?"

The following questions were posted by area young professionals on the BYP Blog, here are the Mayor's responses:

1. I have attended the Mayor's State of the City address for the last couple of years, and in both speeches Mayor Bieter has mentioned a commuter train from Nampa to Boise. I was wondering what progress has been made on this issue, if any, and how the Mayor plans on seeing this vision through to fruition.

"I think this is a wonderful idea that will help alleviate traffic congestion on our roads and reduce the dreaded pollution induced inversions during the winter. I do not want the Treasure Valley to look like L.A. in 10 years. Something needs to be done now. Expanding and improving our transportation alternatives is vital to preserve Boise’s livability. Local political and business leaders are working hard to lay the groundwork for those alternatives. One of the major obstacles to such plans is the lack of local-option taxing authority, which would allow voters in Ada and Canyon counties to decide whether they want to finance transit improvements. A bill currently before the Idaho Legislature would provide this authority; I urge you to contact your legislators to voice your opinion on this proposal. I also direct your attention to a wealth of information regarding the planning that has already been done regarding transportation alternatives in the Treasure Valley (http://www.valleyregionaltransit.org/PROJECTSSTUDIES/tabid/60/Default.aspx)."

2. I would like to hear Mayor Bieter discuss his thoughts and ideas on attracting and retaining business in the Boise area. In addition to his views and a status report on a light rail system for the Treasure Valley, what are his plans for managing growth?

"We cannot have a livable community without a healthy economy, and that means attracting and retaining high-quality businesses that provide good jobs. My administration has been working on this issue on multiple levels.

First, I formed the Mayor's Business Roundtable, a group of Boise businesspeople who are helping the city to refine and target the economic development section of its Comprehensive Plan. The effort includes surveys of the business community, educational institutions, and citizens, and is designed to complement the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Boise Valley Economic Partnership.

Second, I’ve made it my priority to streamline our building permit and inspection procedures, with the goal of putting the focus on the project rather than the process. In consultation with the Mayor’s Development Services Advisory Committee, our Planning and Development Services Department continues to move toward a more customer-oriented project management system.

Finally, I’ve made it part of my routine to visit businesses – large and small, new and established – on a regular basis, to see the work they do and to visit one-on-one with owners, managers and employees. I’ve found there’s no other way to get in touch with Boise’s economic heart. I look forward to seeing some of you during a future visit."

3. The citizens of Boise were recently asked to vote on a bond issue for additional funding for libraries. The citizens did not pass this initiative, however it is my understanding that the City is continuing to pursue this endeavor. How can the city justify moving forward with such projects if the people of Boise have voted against it?

"What the citizens of Boise voted on in February 2005 was a bond issue – a tax increase – to construct three neighborhood libraries. The proposal drew a solid 57 percent “yes” vote, a landslide in most political contests, but short of the two-thirds supermajority required by Idaho law. In effect, a strong majority of our voters voiced support for branch libraries, while a minority were able to defeat the funding approach.

So the City Council and I directed our staff to find a way to improve library services within existing revenue and without raising taxes. Not only have they done so, but the new proposal actually will result in FOUR neighborhood libraries, not just three. And again, our citizens have voiced strong support: Through an extensive public involvement process during the past several months, hundreds of Boise residents have said they want and need neighborhood libraries. Boise is near the bottom among its peer cities in terms of library services. That’s not a ranking that any of us should tolerate."

4. I understand the Mayor’s Office is considering wireless internet service within the downtown corridor and potentially other areas of the city as well. How do you envision this working within the community, including working with/competing with private enterprise?

"The City already provides free wireless Internet service at Boise Airport and the Library – locations where wi-fi is an essential part of the customer service package. We’re moving toward providing similar service in other city locations, such as parks and recreation centers.

The city is also studying wider distribution of wireless services in the downtown area. However, providing such services is potentially problematic in several respects. First, wi-fi is already widely available in the downtown core, often without charge, and forms a crucial part of the business models for certain commercial operations, such as coffee shops and hotels. Generally, it is not city government’s role to duplicate non-core services that already exist, so we will enter this arena only when it makes fiscal and business sense to do so."

5. What would you like to see come of BYP in the political spectrum? What advice do you have for those of us looking to gain a stronger voice in our community?

"Stated simply, you gain clout when you get involved. I urge members of BYP to offer their talents and time to help us build this community into the most livable city in the country. As I said at the event: YOUR CITY NEEDS YOU! I have no doubt that, if you involve yourselves fully and passionately, you will make a significant mark. "

6. With the negative publicity in the media recently regarding public officials and mistrust, deceit, etc., what actions is your office taking to counteract the negativity and to develop trust in the eyes of the public again?

"My first priority coming into the Mayor’s Office was to restore integrity and trust in government, and I believe that we have succeeded. We created Idaho’s first municipal citizen ethics commission and instituted a tough new employee whistle-blower policy. I started “Open Saturday” every six to eight weeks, giving ordinary citizens the chance to meet with me face to face without an appointment. I’ve fulfilled my campaign promise to meet personally with every neighborhood association in the city at least once a year. We began live telecasts of City Council meetings on TVCTV Cable Channel 98 and live streaming Webcasts at www.cityofboise.org; we’ve even begun streaming our three-day budget workshops, so citizens can see exactly how we propose to spend their money. Finally, I have accepted no pay raises during my first four years in office. In fact, the Mayor has in effect taken a pay cut, because I eliminated the previous administration’s $6,000 annual car allowance from the budget."

7. Education in Idaho seems to be so low on the priority list. There is always talk of making it better, but very little is done. What progress are you making in the Boise School District, since they tend to set the standard for the rest of the state?

"It’s important to understand that the Boise School District is an independent entity, with its own board of directors and in no way under the purview of the City Council or the Mayor’s Office. That said, Boise’s livability is strongly tied to our education system; without a well-educated, well-trained, creative and motivated citizenry, a community can aspire to nothing more than mediocrity. Boise deserves better. That’s why we at City Hall have made it a priority to develop productive partnerships with the Boise and Meridian school districts (as well as Boise State University). For example, two of the new schools currently under construction will include community centers that will be operated by Boise Parks & Recreation and will offer neighborhoods a safe, productive environment for children after school hours. These partnerships are a win all around for our city."

8. The Treasure Valley is growing so much, bringing with it a great deals of concerns. What would you say are top on your list of action items while in office?

"As I stated previously and on many other occasions, my goal as mayor is to ensure that Boise is the most livable city in the country. To me, that means five things:

• Making government accessible and accountable, so we can earn the public’s trust and ensure that every citizen can participate in making this great city even greater.
• Living within our means, so we can ensure that city government’s financial status is solid and our citizens receive the level of service they expect and deserve.
• Ensuring economic vitality, so we have the diversity of industry and the well-paying jobs that support a high-quality community.
• Protecting livability, which includes everything from public safety to a clean environment, from welcoming neighborhoods to great parks and libraries.
• Providing leadership, because Boise is part of the Treasure Valley, and working together we have the opportunity to do some truly amazing things."

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