Meet the Candidates for City Council

Thu, 05/02/2019 - 9:21pm

The Century News recently asked all six candidates for Dripping Springs City Council 10 questions. Here are their responses. The candidates were asked to keep their responses under 300 words for each question.

Anthony Aristar, candidate for Place 1, declined to answer our questions saying he was suspending his campaign and removing himself from the race. Despite this statement, his name will appear on the ballot. His decision to withdraw came after he had filed, and too late for his name to be removed from the ballot.

The City of Dripping Springs will hold Municipal Elections for City Council on Saturday May 4, for Places 1, 3, and 5. The City is a Type A General Law City where the City Council Members and Mayor are elected at-large to serve two-year staggered terms. For more information, visit http://www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/page/city.election_info.

Below are the Candidates responses. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.

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City Council Candidate Wm Travis Crow

Place 5 (Incumbent)

Occupation: Concrete contractor

Education: Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, Texas Tech University

1. Why are you running for city council?

I am running for city council because as a lifelong citizen of the community I feel it is my civic responsibility and obligation. Also, my family has long historical ties to Dripping Springs.

2. What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the city, and what would you do about it?

The dramatic growth we are experiencing is easily our most pressing issue. The inherent problems that come with it—traffic, water, and wastewater—must be addressed.

3. Do you support the current approach to wastewater by the City? Why or why not?

Yes, I support our current approach to wastewater for the simple reason that it provides the solutions we need. If we can reuse the water through irrigation of baseball fields, vineyards, golf courses and residential areas, then that’s a win-win for our community. I truly feel we are being held to the highest standards by the state, and no one wants to dump the water into Onion Creek. We will soon have an advisory committee composed of citizens from different backgrounds, with different ideas, to give us constant feedback and to make sure we stay on track with our agreed contracts.

4. What are your thoughts about the TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) Town Center Project, with prospectively new and consolidated city hall, county satellite office ISD administrative offices, and community library?

I think the TIRZ town center project is a good idea. To have a centralized center of city government, county offices, DSISD, and a library would be a great convenience to our citizens, and a nice touch for our expanding community. There are still a lot of hurdles to overcome, but I really like the idea. Of course, I do think the cost of it needs careful consideration.

5. Would you like to see Dripping Springs become a "Home Rule" city? Why or why not?

Like everything else, it has its pros and cons. I haven't really thought about it a lot. It is more a question for the citizens—do they want it? It would allow us to pass laws to govern ourselves, but it can lead to some slippery slopes. I can see both good and bad in this

6. The city is currently considering roads and transportation plans to direct traffic away from the HWY 290 / RR 12 intersection. What are your thoughts about traffic in the area, and what would you do about it? Are there any areas that strike you as needing to be addressed quickly?

My thought on traffic is that we already have too much. I’ve often joked that I wish we could put up a NO VACANCY sign up, but of course, we can’t. Instead we have to face the growth with our eyes open and find realistic solutions. Anything we can do to help with the congestion of Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12, I’m in favor of. We definitely have a problem with our being an East/West and North/South corridor, and I think we on the council, planning and zoning, and TxDOT are looking at practical solutions like the Roger Hanks Parkway extension.

7. What specific skill set would you bring to city council?

I don't know if there is a specific skill set needed to be a city council member. I do think, that to be a good council member, you have to be able to wear many hats.

The most important thing is to love your community, and do what you think is right. I am here to serve and listen to what the community wants. I have to try and leave this community a better place than when I started as a council member. I have to ensure this is and will be a place my children, and their children, will want to live in. As I said, my family has a long history and love of Dripping Springs.

8. What would you like voters to know about you?

I would like voters to know that I am here to serve them. That everyone has the same rights as their neighbors. We are all here because we love Dripping Springs.

9. What was the last book you read?

The book I’m currently reading is “The Life of John Wesley Hardin.” It was recommended to me by a lifelong friend of my family.

10. What question would you have liked asked of you, that was not asked?

The question I would have liked asked to me but wasn't is "How long have I lived in the community?" I think my family’s long history in Dripping Springs, and my lifelong residency and commitment to the Dripping Springs community speaks for itself. With my time on the city council, I have consistently stood for what is best for our community. I have not rubber-stamped requests by developers or other outside parties over what is best for our citizens.

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City Council Candidate Bill Foulds

Place 3 (Mayor Pro Tem) Incumbent

Occupation:Owner Deep Eddy Rug Cleaners

Education:Austin Community College

1. Why are you running for city council?

I have served in many different capacities on volunteer boards including DSYSA and the DSISD Education Foundation and have always tried to be a team player and listen to those with different opinions. I believe the biggest part of this job is listening and by doing this we can solve many problems. I am the most experience candidate in any of our city races this year and want to use this knowledge to to help our newer council members and I want to continue to contribute to our community.

2. What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the city, and what would you do about it?

There is no single pressing issue facing our town. We are in the middle of rapid growth which requires us to work on many important issues. This growth has created many opportunities to work with different individuals and groups to find solutions. I feel communication and transparency are paramount to dealing with each of these problems. We are working to improve communication by adding more opportunities for citizens to become involved. We are also exploring how we may stream council meetings to allow residents more access. Transportation will be a primary objective this year as we continue to improve our roadways to allow for better traffic flow. Affordable housing is something I am working on with some of our local business leaders to see how we may help streamline permitting for identified areas.

3. Do you support the current approach to wastewater by the City? Why or why not?

Absolutely I support the approach we are taking. We had very limited options for our permit but before applying for a discharge permit we would be using it as a way to maximize beneficial reuse. We have done this and actually now have commitments from property owners to reuse all of the treated effluent we produce. On top of this we still have the vision to design this facility to treat the wastewater to drinking water standards when the need arises. I believe when other cities study our plan we will serve as an example. We are also starting a utility commission that will serve as another set of eyes to make sure we will not need to discharge in the creek.

The TIRZ Town Center is an important project that will benefit our entire community by placing many government services in a central location. This area will also allow for retail and office space. The TIRZ is a very ambitious project that will take several years for the plan to fully develop, currently there is not a firm commitment from all participants. I am cautiously supportive until I see what these commitments will be.

5. Would you like to see Dripping Springs become a "Home Rule" city? Why or why not?

I have not reviewed all of the laws related to converting our form of government. Before we make this commitment I feel it is important we meet with as many residents of the ETJ and city limits as possible. I think town hall meetings and meeting with individual neighborhood groups should be done. This is something we will need to address in the near future. There are many consequences to changing to home rule that could have negative impacts to residents in our ETJ. Ultimately the decision to convert to home rule will be decided by a vote of our residents.

The 290 and 12 corridor is problematic. Txdot is the manager of state roads but we need to be more aggressive in working with officials on the county and state level to see what options we have. We must continue with our master roadway plan and require subdivisions to provide for future connectivity. For short term fixes we need to continue providing access to each quadrant of the city as we have done with Rob Shelton and Founders park road. Roger Hanks Parkway connecting from 290 to RM 12 on the west side of town should help reduce traffic at the current 290 & 12 intersection.

7. What specific skill set would you bring to city council?

I have a great deal of experience working with people on complicated issues and I have shown the ability to compromise and find solutions to many of the issues related to the extraordinary growth our area is experiencing. As a small business owner I easily relate to our local businesses and understand the consequences of what damage we may inflict with change. All changes require time and open discussions there is no one size fits all solutions.

8. What would you like voters to know about you?

That I care about everyone in our community and will work to find consensus. I have been active in Dripping Springs since 1995. My wife and I have raised our 2 boys here and now have the pleasure of watching my grandkids grow up in the community.

9. What was the last book you read?

"The Root of Wild Madder" by Brian Murphy. I realize it is not a glamorous book but it relates to my work.

10. What question would you have liked asked of you, that was not asked?

What type of future planning is being done for the long term success of Dripping Springs?

This is an area of great concern for me and should be for all area residents. Our current council has members that have deep roots to our community and are able to keep us grounded in what the vision was fifty or more years ago. We need to keep these visions alive and honor those before us. We have also been very blessed with a staff that consists of many great members. Two of our key public servants each have more than 20 years experience serving our town. As these key employees leave us we need to have quality people educated in our past and prepared for our future. We are working constantly fine tuning our ordinances to protect our heritage but allow for future growth.

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City Council Candidate Taline Manassian

Place 1 (Incumbent)

Occupation: Attorney with George Brothers Kincaid & Horton LLP

Education: Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors, University of Texas; Juris Doctor, University of Texas School of Law

http://www.talinefordscitycouncil.com

1. Why are you running for city council?

I want to continue the work I have done for the city since I was first elected in May of 2017. My first term has been a learning experience. Our staff, our mayor, and other council members have given generously of their time to help me get up to speed on how cities work and what our specific rules are. It took months of study, but I could feel myself starting to become useful to our staff and residents about six or eight months into my term. I want to continue putting what I have learned and am still learning to good use for this community, not just for one more term, but for years to come. I am running because being a council member is the best job I have ever had. I love my community. I love hearing from residents. I love trying to solve problems and planning for the future. I am running so that I can keep doing this work.

2. What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the city, and what would you do about it?

Growth is the most pressing issue, and that encompasses both planning for growth and communicating about how we are growing and why. Often times, I hear residents say that we are encouraging development by doing development agreements in our extraterritorial jurisdiction. That is not accurate. We do development agreements in our ETJ, not because we want more development, but because development will happen out there even if we are not involved. By getting involved, we are able to impose greater restrictions on those developments and negotiate aspects of those developments that better serve our community. For example, by working with developments, we avoid having small wastewater package plants throughout our community, we push the building of roads and other infrastructure improvements at the developer’s expense, we require compliance with our lighting ordinance, we encourage the provision of green spaces for our neighborhoods, and more. As I learn more about what we can and cannot regulate, I become better equipped to help negotiate these agreements. When I serve on a development agreement working group, my first priority and that of other group members is protecting our community and our way of life the best we can. As I serve on council, I want to manage growth responsibly and help our community, in the face of growth, keep the feel of Dripping Springs that drew so many of us here.

3. Do you support the current approach to wastewater by the City? Why or why not?

Yes, I absolutely support the city’s approach to wastewater. The staff and prior councils have proven themselves to be forward thinking in coming up with what we believe will be a model reuse program for other cities. Rather than get a discharge permit and discharge as most cities do, Dripping Springs planned from the inception of the discharge permit application to put its treated effluent towards irrigation of lands that would otherwise be irrigated with ground or surface water. Additionally, the expanded capacity of our wastewater plant will allow us to serve communities that would otherwise build septic systems or smaller wastewater plants, neither of which is better for the environment than one city-run operation that focuses on reuse. The city’s approach is designed to protect our future water supply, and that approach was praised by the Texas Water Development Board this month when that body approved the loan that will allow us to expand our plant operations.

I support the TIRZ Town Center Project. I currently serve as one of two council member liaisons to the TIRZ board. If we can make a Town Center happen, we could have a town square in the heart of our city that would help us keep the small town feel that drew so many of us to Dripping Springs. The shared workspaces could allow for financial efficiencies that would serve each participating entity. Additionally, I believe in having the library in the heart of our town and designing a community space to accommodate our farmers market, a holiday lights display, and other community gatherings. The Town Center concept is in its early stages. As it develops further, I would like us to find ways to incorporate the past with the present and create a space that honors our history and welcomes newcomers to our community.

5. Would you like to see Dripping Springs become a "Home Rule" city? Why or why not?

I do not have a strong opinion about whether Dripping Springs should be a “home rule” city. In general terms, the challenge of being a general law city is that we can only do what the law specifically allows, whereas a “home rule” city can do anything the law does not specifically prohibit. As our population grows, the council or the community could initiate the transition to a “home rule” city. As I understand it, that transition would require an election. I believe when the time comes, we all need to be educated on the implications of becoming a “home rule” city. Do we want a more powerful city government? Would that increased ability to regulate benefit the community? I do not have those answers now, but I will put the time into becoming educated on the issue as we approach a population that might allow for it.

I serve on the city’s Transportation Committee. That body, along with our team of transportation consultants, continually looks at transportation issues and makes recommendations to council about area transportation needs. We have been working on revamping our Transportation Master Plan and recently received significant community input in that process. Our biggest issue right now, in my opinion, is the intersection of 12 and 290. We look at that intersection as quadrants and are trying, as tracts develop, to build alternative routes through each quadrant that would allow traffic to avoid that intersection. Developing roads can be challenging as it involves questions of landowner cooperation, challenges with topography, and coordination with other governmental bodies. Our monthly meetings are regularly attended by representatives of DSISD, the county, and Texas Department of Transportation, which means we are all talking and continue to talk as we work towards solutions, not just for that area, but for the community as a whole. Another big issue is TXDOT’s planned widening of 290. We are working now to understand the plan and to encourage a plan that will protect our community as needed infrastructure is put in place.

7. What specific skill set would you bring to city council?

I think my skill set includes a willingness to work, an insistence on asking questions, and my desire for fairness for all involved. I try not to pre-judge and not to rush to conclusions. I can see multiple sides to most issues, and I try to keep in mind that behind every application is a person or business that will be affected by our council’s decisions. I try to be fair and make sure that my decisions are supported by reason and that my decisions reflect what I believe to be the desires of the community, where I am able to factor in those desires. I do not always have the answers, but I am committed to working towards answers. I pick lots of brains to make sure that I am not limited in any way by my own thinking or perspective. I want to do right by this community and each applicant or citizen who appears in front of council for any reason.

8. What would you like voters to know about you?

I love people. When I first decided to run for office, I tried to talk to as many people as I could, and I invited our residents to call me anytime they had a question or concern. Few do, but I am so grateful when they reach out. I think one of the most important parts of my job is to be available to the public. My hope is also that our residents feel heard when they talk to me. I try to encourage residents, both in the city limits and the ETJ, to call, not just me, but also our staff and other council members. Sometimes I think the most important thing is that we all see one another as good people who are doing the best we can in whatever situation we are in. If we start from that premise, how we deal with one another improves. And I think we need more kindness and cooperation in our community and our society today. I want voters and those who cannot vote in our city race to feel free to call me and others and trust that they will be heard.

9. What was the last book you read?

This question makes me sad, as I have not been reading as much as I would like to read. I last read Lisa See’s Dreams of Joy, which was a book club selection at our community library for March of this year. (I did not make that meeting, but I loved the book.) I recently picked up a copy of a book on the history of Dripping Springs that was written by long-time resident Carl Waits, so that will be the next physical book I read. My reality is that I spend so much time in the car driving to and from work in Austin, that I have been listening to books on Audible more than I have actually been reading. Most recently, I listened to Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis, and now I’m listening to Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s My Own Words. They are smart women, both of them. I wish I had more of Rachel Hollis’s gumption and RBG’s thoughtfulness and way with words.

10. What question would you have liked asked of you, that was not asked?

If you had asked me what surprises me most about our city, I would have answered that I am continually amazed by the talent and commitment of our residents and business owners. We have become a huge draw for visitors and weddings, in large part because our local offerings are high quality and unique. Look at our venues, restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and shops. The creators of these businesses are often people who live here who pour their hearts and souls into making this community a better place. And on top of that business heart and talent, we have an incredible artistic community of sculptors, painters, musicians, dancers, actors and more. I am working right now with a group of citizens that wants to give our arts scene a physical home. The talent is here, and if we can give that talent a space to show their work, we will create yet another reason to spend more time in our city. There are so many reasons to live in or to visit our town and so many more reasons continue to pop up. When I moved here ten years ago, I was coming here to be close to my parents. I had no idea what a special place this was and would continue to be. I am excited to be a part of this city’s future and do not take for granted the opportunity this community has given me to serve it.

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City Council Candidate Steve Randall

Place 5

Occupation:Computer programmer

1. Why are you running for city council?

In 1998 I moved to north Hays country, and it just felt like home. It is still the place I want to live. Dripping Springs is going to grow, and I want to help it keep its history and ambiance for as long as possible.

2. What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the city, and what would you do about it?

Water. It’s not an imminent problem but it will be a long term issue. We cannot sustain current growth levels through the next drought without conservation and education.

3. Do you support the current approach to wastewater by the City? Why or why not?

The utility teaming with Dripping Springs WSC for consolidated billing is a great step for users who have both services. Two years ago I started waste water service and alerted them to an error in their billing system. Council took steps to correct it, but there is still work to be done. Consolidated billing will make that easier.

I am against outright property tax forgiveness, but I do support TIRZ. TIRZ improvements are immediate and cuts out the middleman. We can learn a lot from the city of Bee Caves on how to plan and build consolidated offices.

5. Would you like to see Dripping Springs become a "Home Rule" city? Why or why not?

If the 2020 census puts Dripping Springs over the 5,000 person threshold for Home Rule, I am in favor of it because it will allow us to make decisions with minimal interference from the State.

The 290/12 intersection can be really bad during certain times of the day, and alternatives will help. At some point a 290 by-pass will be needed or we will end up as another Oak Hill problem. Overpasses and underpasses will just destroy the city center. I don’t see any areas that need to be addressed quickly, but all areas need to be evaluated with any new planning application.

7. What specific skill set would you bring to city council?

I am frugal. I question all expenses to make sure the are needed and reasonable. The city part of a property tax bill is much smaller than the ISD portion, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be kept in check.

8. What would you like voters to know about you?

I prefer long term planning instead of short term band-aids. It can be frustrating to not see immediate results for issues, but I thinks it’s more efficient to solve something correctly the first time.

9. What was the last book you read?

I spend just over an hour each day commuting to work (round trip) so I’ve taken to listening to audio books. Most recent was ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ read by Sissy Spacek.

10. What question would you have liked asked of you, that was not asked?

Question not answered by candidate.

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City Council Candidate Geoffrey Tahuahua

Place 5

Occupation:VP of Policy and Government Affairs, Real Estate Council of Austin

Education:B.A. Political Science, St. Mary’s University

https://signup.geoffreyfordrippingsprings.com

1. Why are you running for city council?

I’m running to bring my years of experience in municipal planning, budgeting, and problem-solving to our community. I believe the challenges we’re facing with growth and infrastructure can be addressed through proper long-range planning. I believe my skills and familiarity with local government processes make me the best candidate to enact the vision we, Dripping Springs’ taxpayers and voters, have for our city.

2. What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the city, and what would you do about it?

Dripping Springs is growing, whether we’re ready or not. Our biggest challenge is proactively managing that growth, ensuring our city continues to run smoothly while maintaining the character that makes it home.

In my day job, I often deal with the City of Austin, and I’ve seen firsthand how disastrous it can be for a city to bury its head in the sand and hope growth won’t come. I don’t want that for Dripping Springs, which has been home for my wife and me for the last three years. I’m running to lead the charge in tackling that problem.

One of the first things I want to do is lead a community review of our comprehensive plan that passed in 2016. A lot has changed in just a few years, and we need to examine if it’s still in line with the vision and goals of the community — and then actually act on it.

3. Do you support the current approach to wastewater by the City? Why or why not?

I support the city’s approach, as addressing our wastewater treatment needs was long overdue. Now we have to start focusing on other infrastructure needs, such as roads and long-term water and wastewater infrastructure planning. Strategic placement of this infrastructure can help us manage growth, encouraging it in the locations we as a community feel are best for our city.

I support the TIRZ and its goal. Our local shops on Mercer Street, and the sense of community the area brings during Founders Day and other events, are some of Dripping Springs’ biggest assets. Consolidating City Hall, the library, and county offices will assist with defining a true “town square.”

However, I’d like to also examine how the TIRZ could contribute to improving infrastructure along Old Fitzhugh and potentially improving the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and Mercer Street. If we do our jobs right, we’ll be looking at an even more vibrant and true center of Dripping Springs.

5. Would you like to see Dripping Springs become a "Home Rule" city? Why or why not?

Achieving home-rule status in the next decade will be essential to managing our future growth and improving our infrastructure. As a general-law city, the city has an extremely narrow scope. Becoming a home-rule city would give local leaders more flexibility to take actions that align with our comprehensive plan We would also have the opportunity to develop a charter to create a clear and transparent structure for the city, establish better control of city finances, and clearly define (and limit) the power of city government.

As a commissioner for our local emergency services district overseeing EMS for this part of the county, I am unfortunately very familiar with the most congested and dangerous intersections along 290. I will work closely with TxDOT and the county to ensure Dripping Springs’ needs are heard and so we can work together to make these intersections safer.

We also need to offer arterial options other than 290 and Ranch Road 12. Initially, 150 was intended to be a loop around Dripping Springs, but since no one was able to acquire the right-of-way land, that vision is likely far out of reach. We need to think further into the future about our roadway infrastructure and make sure we take that into account with every new development that arises.

7. What specific skill set would you bring to city council?

As a public policy professional with 10 years of experience with municipal planning, budgeting, and solving problems at the local level, I am uniquely equipped for this position. I’ve also served as a board member of North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1 for the last two years, where I led efforts to acquire a much-needed third ambulance, stabilize our budget, and improve public outreach efforts. I hope to bring these skills and experience to City Hall to make a positive impact on our community.

8. What would you like voters to know about you?

My experience navigating local government and building consensus means I’m ready to hit the ground running on Day One. In the years since my wife and I made Dripping Springs our home, we’ve come to treasure its charm and small-town feel more and more each day. That’s why I’m so passionate about being a part of our community’s future and hope to earn your vote to be your next city council representative.

9. What was the last book you read?

I recently started The Way of the SEAL by Mark Divine, a retired Navy SEAL commander. My wife is the bigger reader and is usually reading three or four books at once!

10. What question would you have liked asked of you, that was not asked?

You’re probably wondering how to pronounce my last name! It rhymes with Chihuahua. The story goes that my family originally hails from Peru and was one of the founding tribes of the Incan empire.

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Meet the Candidates for City Council

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