Chris Stearns is running for Auburn City Council Position No. 1. Stearns is running unopposed.
Auburn Examiner: Social media accounts for public officials can build a direct connection for the city’s residents that can create a dialogue for comments or questions with those responsible for their public services. Presently only Auburn’s Mayor has an official Facebook account. Do you believe city councilmembers should have official social media accounts to engage with their constituents? Please explain why or why not.
Chris Stearns: Social media can connect but also divide us. And, of course, we know that there are plenty of bad actors out there who are trying to manipulate what we see and learn from social media. So, I would leave the decision of whether to open a City Council member’s Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook account up to each member to decide what works best for them and their constituents. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than good old-fashioned one-on-one real world contact with our constituents. I personally welcome any and all communication from constituents and will utilize every tool available to help get that feedback, including social media. Times are changing and I think it is important for each elected official to change with the times – this includes how each one of us gets constituent communications.
Auburn Examiner: A common issue raised about downtown Auburn is a lack of parking, or that parking is limited to 3 hours. With the two new mixed-use buildings going in, how do you propose the city addresses these concerns?
Chris Stearns: Downtown density is a good development and it is important that we offer more housing options for our residents living downtown. Parking remains important for now, but I expect that Auburn will eventually follow the rest of America and urban areas where car ownership is declining. I would encourage more public transportation alternatives as well as the continued use of underground parking built in connection with new development. Auburn can also investigate whether a demand-based parking rate strategy that takes into account location, time of day and other factors that dictate how busy the area is at any given time, makes sense to implement in order to reduce congestion.
Auburn Examiner: What thoughts do you have, if any, to improve the appearance of the city?
Chris Stearns: I think Auburn looks pretty good. We are truly blessed to live in our beautiful tiny corner of the Creator’s world. Part of that magic is the fact that we are surrounded by mountains, wetlands, and beautiful rivers. So, one of my fundamental priorities will be to protect our environment and restore our habitats to the best of our abilities. Additionally, I will support efforts to fully fund and expand code enforcement to ensure our laws both pertaining to nuisance and beautification are followed by residents and businesses alike.
Auburn Examiner: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
Chris Stearns: I’d use the grant to pay for our city’s cost sharing requirement for affordable housing and rental assistance to low-income residents. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development operates the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) which provides formula grants to states and localities like Auburn that we can use – including in partnership with local nonprofit organizations – to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. The cost share requirement is 25 cents for each dollar of HOME funds spent, so we would be able to leverage $4 million dollars of new housing and rental assistance.
Auburn Examiner: The city’s projected budget indicates that without changes, Auburn could be in the red in the coming years. It has been suggested that implementing new revenue sources would likely prevent this. What revenue source(s) would you propose to help balance the city’s budget?
Chris Stearns: The City’s general fund budget has been limited in growth by various initiatives that have restricted increases in property taxes, exempting sales taxes on research and development and on the retooling of manufacturing equipment, loss of motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) payments by the state to Auburn, repeal of the $15 local option vehicle excise tax in King County, and the phaseout of Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement payments to cities. On the other hand, property taxes can increase (albeit on a limited basis) and sales and use taxes rose in 2018 and are projected to grow by about 4.8% in 2019 and 2020. Careful and responsible budgeting can go a long ways towards securing fiscal soundness. But there will always be challenges, and the Council should investigate, when appropriate, avenues such as Local Improvement Districts to funds programs that benefit properties unevenly.
Auburn Examiner: What do you feel we can we learn from Seattle’s growing problem when it comes to affordable housing?
Chris Stearns: That is takes a partnership to really make things happen. There is no one silver bullet that will solve all our problems. And that compassion and empathy are vital to success. My wife and I just bought a house in North Auburn, so we understand the barriers that come with homeownership.
Auburn Examiner: The city will see new development and redevelopment to accommodate the continual growth of Auburn. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
Chris Stearns: It seems that our City is cleaved by Highway 18, the BNSF Railroad Tracks and the BNSF Rail Yard. I’d like to explore what options we have to reclaim some of the BNSF land, as well as expand commuter train service, to further revitalize our downtown core.
Auburn Examiner: While not voters the youth of Auburn are still constituents. How will you involve them, and ensure they are considered in your decision-making process?
Chris Stearns: The Auburn Youth Council is a great program for emerging youth leaders and one I will be proud to continue to support. Auburn also has a great menu of options for youth at the REC Teen Center which I also will proudly support. There are also many issues of great importance to our youth. Our two daughters, who graduated from Auburn High School, were very interested in protecting the environment, and growing the arts and culture in our city. These and other issues are issues on which the Council should find ways to increase youth input and involvement. I will always try to listen carefully and thoughtfully to our youth’s ideas and suggestions. It is important to bring them to the table and ask them for input rather than simply making decisions for them. Collaboration is key to a successful city where all groups work together.
Auburn Examiner: What programs do you feel the city is lacking? If elected, how will you work to see these programs implemented?
Chris Stearns: As a former Chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, I’d like to see if the City could create a similar commission to help protect and promote human rights. As a lawyer, another program I’d like to explore would be the reinstatement of the Municipal Court and whether that makes sense as the City of Auburn, and it corresponding caseload, continues to grow.
Auburn Examiner: Illegal dumping, excessive litter, graffiti and unkempt sidewalks are among concerns raised by Auburn residents. What do you propose to address cleaning up Auburn’s more unsightly areas, and keeping them maintained?
Chris Stearns: I’d certainly recommend a review of the availability of public trash receptacles so that we know if we are maximizing our use of one of the easiest and least-costly ways to reduce public litter. As always, finding sources of revenue to pay for more trash and litter pickups, better street and public spaces lighting, and sidewalk improvements all cost money, so there will need to be a careful review of how those services can be paid for.
Auburn Examiner: What businesses do you feel Auburn is lacking and would benefit from the most?
Chris Stearns: As a music lover, I’d love to see more live music venues. I also believe we need to ensure neighborhoods don’t have a food desert – where they are not in close proximity to a grocery store. It is imperative, especially in lower income neighborhoods, that there is access to healthy food options.
Auburn Examiner: If elected, how will you govern for the future of Auburn?
Chris Stearns: If elected, I will serve on the Council with an open mind, with humility, and with compassion for all of our city residents. I will always put residents first. I will ask tough questions and ensure our residents get honest, thoughtful answers from their government. I will remember it is an honor and privilege to serve and this seat doesn’t belong to me – it belongs to the people of Auburn. I am proud to live and serve in Auburn and believe that our best days lie ahead of us.
Auburn Examiner: What is your favorite word?
Chris Stearns: “gratitude”
Auburn Examiner: What is your least favorite word?
Chris Stearns: “Belichick”
Auburn Examiner: What turns you on?
Chris Stearns: That’s such a weird question. Wait, is this “The Stranger?”
Auburn Examiner: What turns you off?
Chris Stearns: Not respecting workers’ rights and fair pay.
Auburn Examiner: What sound do you love?
Chris Stearns: Anything by the Replacements, the Clash, LCD Soundsystem, Neko Case, and the National
Auburn Examiner: What sound do you hate?
Chris Stearns: Commercials on radio and algorithm-based radio programming.
Auburn Examiner: What is your favorite curse word?
Chris Stearns: Łééchąą’í . It’s Navajo (my tribe), google it.
Auburn Examiner: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Chris Stearns: Filmmaker
Auburn Examiner: What profession would you not like to do?
Chris Stearns: Standup comedian
Auburn Examiner: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Chris Stearns: Your family and your dog are all here waiting for you.
Check out other candidate responses to these questions here. Other election questionnaires can be found in our Vote 2019 section.
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