Pearland City Council, Position 2

EG-PCC2-1Adrian Hernandez Owner of The Drink Station, www.meetadrian.com Top Priorities My top priority is to listen. Pearland cannot properly plan for its future growth without implementing strong assessments and encouraging civic engagement. My [second] priority would be to reconnect with residents to build a Pearland that reflects the flavors of our diverse town. What makes you a qualified candidate for Pearland City Council? As far as I am concerned, the only thing that makes someone qualified to run for City Council is the ability to listen and to be resourceful. As the small-business candidate, listening to the demands of my customers and finding creative ways to meet those demands is what I do on a daily basis. A city councilman should not be a career politician. He or she should be a fellow resident with a [desire] to serve. What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected? When talking to friends, neighbors, and customers, the major issues in Pearland that often get mentioned are traffic, abrasive government interaction and a loss of Pearland's small-town feel. One of the ideas that I've proposed to increase community engagement and community-centric development would address all three of these issues. We need to give our residents more reasons to stay within Pearland, preferably within their communities, in order to have their basic needs met. Currently Pearland has several large destination sites for shopping, eating, entertainment, and medical. This causes lots of traffic and has taken away Pearland's uniqueness. By adding more choices within the actual neighborhoods of Pearland, there would be more reason to connect with local businesses and neighbors. This would, hopefully, get people more interested in what's going on in the city. Pearland has extremely low voter turn out and general voter awareness. We can do better but it takes action at the local level which, in a city, means on your block and in your neighborhoods. Be active and lead the city together instead of leaving it to just a handful of people. How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected? Simply put, I would listen to the residents. Without assessing, planning is wasteful. Conversation after conversation, people say that they have no idea what's happening in the city and how it affects them. This is not acceptable. Let's send out surveys and questionnaires just like this one to the residents. Who cares what I think? I'm just one guy. It's about what we think as a community. My job, if elected, would be to represent everyone and that's what I plan to do. Just like I've yet to spend a dime on my campaign, I have ideas on how to reach our residents without spending lots of money too. I haven't spent a single penny because it doesn't cost anything to listen. I'd bring this same type of sensible thinking along with me to city council in order to find out what the people want and then bring in the right talent to get the job done.   EG-PCC2-2Trent A. Perez Civil Engineer, www.perezforpearland.com Top Priorities My top priorities are to resolve traffic congestion, attract new businesses, balance the priorities of new development with the needs of the current citizens and put an end to the excessive staff turnover the city of Pearland has experienced over the last several years. What makes you a qualified candidate for Pearland City Council? As a licensed professional civil engineer I have knowledge of what it takes to design and maintain quality infrastructure, such as roadways, drainage facilities, traffic systems and water distribution systems. As a land development consultant I have experience in minimizing the effects of new development.  As a former staff member of the city of Pearland I already have a comprehensive understanding of the city codes, criteria and budget. What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected? Pearland has numerous roadways and utilities that failing and in need of immediate repair. I will work with my fellow council members to help fund the repairs of our aging infrastructure. New Floodplain maps will soon be adopted by the FEMA which will govern which Pearland properties will be considered inside of the floodplain. These maps have serious flaws which will force Pearland citizens to pay far more than they should in flood insurance. I will work to create a coalition of other cities and counties affected by these flawed maps to produce more accurate maps and reduce costs to our citizens. I will work with senior staff to end the continuing problem of staff member leaving Pearland to work for other cities. How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected? I would work to update and improve the Planning and Zoning comprehensive plan so that it better meets the needs of today's market. I would also update and improve our criteria manuals to they include provision for sustainable development.   EG-PCC2-3Derrick Reed Attorney and Pearland Planning and Zoning commissioner, www.reedforpearland.com Top Priorities I plan on targeting crime reduction by prioritizing public safety funding and supporting our civil servants. I want to preserve our community identity by encouraging smart and sustainable development. I will also remain committed to being a strong voice for all citizens of Pearland. What makes you a qualified candidate for Pearland City Council? I have experience working on decision-making bodies.  [As] I have been a public servant since 2009, I have, and will continue to, set aside my own differences and biases for the purpose of serving a greater cause. I am the only candidate running for Position 2 [who] has experience working in city government and also the only candidate who has made decisions that have affected Pearland’s growth. What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected? Infrastructure, debt and growth, to name a few. I plan on addressing each of them as follows: Infrastructure: Currently, one of our main thoroughfares is Broadway (518). This is where traffic usually poses the biggest problem in our city. The following are my proposed approaches as to how we can at least minimize the issue. - Make Pearland residents more aware. Magnolia St (aka Southfork Dr/John Lizer Rd) is a fully developed 4 lane road that runs east/west from Kirby to Pearland Parkway. I am sure that there are many residents that are not aware of this, and several other, alternative routes to drive across Pearland. There are plans to have several of our streets extended/expanded over the coming years. Those include McHard (extension), Fite (expansion), and Hughes Ranch Road (expansion). I will work diligently on getting these projects moving and completed so that additional alternative routes will be available to our citizens. - In order to make residents aware of these routes, I propose making use of social media and regular city bulletins/mailers. I also think that if local events, such as our annual Pear Run, utilize these alternative routes, it will help to increase citizen awareness of their existence. - The city has begun to carry out its plan to synchronize the traffic signals in our city. I will work feverishly to ensure that this is not only completed on FM518, but also on Main Street and other heavily travelled thoroughfares in Pearland. Debt: I am opposed to raising taxes on our residents in order to tackle our city's debt. In fact, I am opposed to raising taxes on our residents in most situations. I think that one of the best ways to tackle our debt is by encouraging and attracting larger corporate entities to our city. The tax revenue produced by these types of businesses will assist in reducing the City's debt, and ultimately help to make Pearland the desired destination city that we are aiming for. Growth: Pearland's growth closely relates one of the three "C's" of my platform. In order to become the desired destination city that we thrive to be, we must preserve Pearland's community identity. We must maintain the identity that made the thousands of families migrate to our great city over the past 10 years. I plan on keeping on the path that I have taken as a Commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is voicing and siding with the desires of our residents as it relates to development, while continuing to encourage smart and sustainable growth. I do not believe in allowing a development just because it will bring in a certain amount of tax dollars. What is built in our city today will have a lasting effect on our tomorrow. How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected? Growth: Pearland's growth closely relates one of the three "C's" of my platform. In order to become the desired destination city that we thrive to be, we must preserve Pearland's community identity. We must maintain the identity that made the thousands of families migrate to our great city over the past 10 years. I plan on keeping on the path that I have taken as a Commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is voicing and siding with the desires of our residents as it relates to development, while continuing to encourage smart and sustainable growth. I do not believe in allowing a development just because it will bring in a certain amount of tax dollars. What is built in our city today will have a lasting effect on our tomorrow.   EG-PCC2-4Quentin Wiltz Contracts and development director, Stupp Coatings LLC, www.quentinwiltz.com Top Priorities I will ensure fiscal prudence and strategic oversight of the $350 million in funds allocated to capital improvement projects. I also plan to work with state and federal entities to bring money to Pearland to train our local workforce and attract new businesses. What makes you a qualified candidate for Pearland City Council? My experience as a certified project manager and my experience as a certified quality improvement professional where I implemented systems to eliminate waste streams and lower production costs ensure that I will make fiscally sound decisions as a steward of the [city’s] tax dollars. For nearly 10 years, I have devoted my time to various organizations to ensure the community is engaged, the environment is clean and our citizens vote. What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected? (See question #1) How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected? (See question #1)

Pearland City Council, Position 4

 

EG-PCC4-1Adrienne Bell Doctoral student, www.adrienne4pearland.org

Top Priorities I seek to be a councilmember [who] will bring workable solutions to the city and ease the traffic burden that we now experience. I want to ensure that public safety remains a top priority, and I will also seek to be a positive resource for the police department. What makes you a qualified candidate for Pearland City Council? I have the heart and the managerial skills to serve the residents of the city. I believe the strength of Pearland lies in its residents, and as a councilwoman, my goal is to be available, visible and active in all areas of the city. What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected? 1) Traffic - When talking with residents, this is overwhelmingly the number one concern. Traffic in West Pearland is described as abominable or atrocious, and residents want relief. I plan on addressing this issue, and bring workable solutions to this area. How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected? I believe we are at the crux for creating the future Pearland that is prosperous, fulfilling, and robust for our residents. Small business owners need support in building and strengthening their businesses. Residents need equal access to city services, regardless of which part of town they reside. I foresee the need for a multi-purpose civic center that will provide family orientated entertainment, a concert/theater venue, and a home for our arts/music community. My goal is to work collaboratively with the city leaders, so that we enhance the quality of life for our residents. EG-PCC4-2Keith Ordeneaux (Incumbent) Energy and risk manager, www.keithforpearland.com Top Priorities I will ensure that we focus on the future of Pearland. We must plan for growth while focusing on the needs of residents. We must provide an inviting atmosphere for commercial growth. We must reach out to residents for input and ensure they have easy access to their government. What makes you a qualified candidate for Pearland City Council? I am the only candidate who has served on City Council. The city has had a change in leadership over the past 18 months, and I have the knowledge and experience to help in this time of transition. I understand how government works from the employee and leadership roles. My record shows that I represent all residents of Pearland. I have reached out, and [I] attend meetings and events throughout the community. What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if re-elected? The major issue that faces Pearland is that we are seeing continued growth while we watch some of our infrastructure age. In the next five to ten years I feel that Pearland will have no longer be able to over look the aging infrastructure we have throughout the city. We have just received a study that shows we should be budgeting 3.5 million toward road maintenance to ensure the overall quality of our roads does not decrease. The problem is we only budgeted 400,000; though we will be able to add some funds for an overall amount spent on roads of 1.5 million this year. This is still 2 million short of what we need to ensure our roads not get worse and cost more to repair in future years. Starting in the 90's the thinking was that the increased growth would allow for the tax rate to decrease. This worked for a short while, but now we have a tax rate that is not supporting the needs and wants of the community. We can talk about plans to address issues such as traffic and public safety, my question is how will these plans be funded. Overtime you hear someones plan to fix something ask them how they plan to pay for the plan. I can tell you unless they give you detailed items and figures about what they plan to cut from the budget it means increased taxes or debt. How would you help plan for future growth in the city if re-elected? I believe I have stated my plan in the above answers. Basically we in to find the funding to increase our roads. I have created strong relationships with our county officials and they understand the needs of the Pearland area better now than they did three years ago. I will continue to grow such relationships to ensure we can all work together to provide for this growing community and plan for the growth to our south that will have a direct impact on our quality of life.