Place 6

For Place 6, we asked questions in the following categories:

1) List significant past and current environmental or political group affiliations and memberships which would be meaningful to our members. Describe role and responsibility.

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I am a member of Clean Water Action, a founding member of Central Austin Progressive Democrats, and a member of Capital Area Democratic Women, Austin Womens Political Caucus, and the Texas Democratic Party. Keep Austin Green


SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING

2) The City recently adopted a "zero-waste" plan that, if implemented, could eliminate or greatly reduce our need for future landfills. Do you support this goal? If elected to office, would you commit to working to see that a local Materials Recycling Facility is located in the Austin area, requiring greater recycling mandates for multi-family and business properties, making the “Pay As You Throw” rates more progressive, and initiating a curbside composting program?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I support the zero-waste goal and would like to work with the minority community to engage in this necessary community effort. I am committed to a MRF in Austin and hope that we can show both the multi-family and business properties the fiscal sense it makes for rate-payers when we do not have to find new landfill capacity. I do believe that more financial imperative to recycle may bring more people to embrace this goal and I am interested in curbside composting, but know that there are significant challenges given our climate in Central Texas and the cost of more trucks picking up this material. Yes

3) A controversy erupted recently over the apparent reversal of Council policy by city staff in the case of the BFI landfill expansion application. Do you believe staff acted appropriately in this matter? How do you think the city should proceed on both the BFI and the WM expansion applications?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
First of all, I believe we may have asked staff to do two things that were not complementary regarding the BFI landfill expansion application and although I believe that the whole situation could have been handled better, I think that we need to look at expressing clear direction to staff. Although I hope that we will not need more landfill capacity in the future, I do know that we must work to bring improvements at these landfills, work on their eventual closure, and the best leverage we have is if we are still at the table during the negotiations as a customer. This is an example of lack of leadership by the City Council. Elected officials are accountable to the people. The idea that city staffs were given the responsibility to come up with a plan on this important issue is a disgrace. This is a clear abdication of responsibility .My opponent for Place 6, Council Member Cole supported expanding the BFI landfill to 70ft. This landfill must be looked upon with disgrace. Ms Cole had the opportunity to stand with the people but she chose to stand with big business and lobbyist on this matter. I strongly oppose any expansion application by any company. When elected to the City Council, I will look at the cost benefit analysis of any future project to the community. I will propose at least a minimum of three public hearings on any City agenda item. The neighborhood association must be involved in the deliberation of any project proposed in that neighborhood. City staffs are being scapegoated for lack of leadership and deferred responsibility. Where was Ms Cole on this matter when the people needed her! . She was silent and her silence was numbing and nauseating because she voted the way lobbyist wanted her to vote on this issue. Check the record.

4) Following an April 2008 City Council resolution to reduce the number of plastic bags entering the city’s solid waste stream by 50% by June 30 2009, a handful of major retailers announced a voluntary program to reduce their use of plastic bags and expand recycling of bags. However, most of our largest retailers—including Home Depot, Lowe’s and CVS—are not participating. Without their participation, it is not likely that the goal of reducing plastic bag use by 50% can be met. If the voluntary program does not attain a reduction in plastic bag use of 50% or more by June 30 2009, would you support a phased-in ban of non-compostable plastic bag use among major retailers?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Right now, I am very encouraged by the voluntary reduction and on-site recycling going on by our retailers who use disposable plastic bags and would hope to continue voluntary programs. However, I would consider a phased-in ban if the 50% is not met by June 30, 2009. This is an important issue in this city. Unless someone will guarantee us that more trees will not be cut in order to meet market demands, the idea makes sense. Since the program is voluntary, I will support the City partnering with these retailers in order to reach an agreement.We can balance economic growth and environmental needs when we work together. We must not be too extreme on either side of the argument.


WATER QUALITY AND CONSERVATION

5) Do you support allocating significant money in the next general bond package for purchasing conservation lands over the Edwards Aquifer in order to improve water quality?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would support a bond measure to purchase significant conservation land over the Edward Aquifer. Yes

6) Do you support a codified Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) plan, in which developers can transfer development rights on properties located over the Edwards Aquifer to properties in the Desired Development Zone? Do you believe such rights should be bankable and saleable?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I am interested in a codified TDR plan and would be amenable to learning more about how we could implement such a program, however I feel it would be very difficult to make these rights bankable or saleable. I do not trust these developers and the corporate politicians that support them.

7) Do you commit to, when in the city's power, requiring all developments over the Edwards Aquifer to comply with the city's minimum standards on impervious cover and water quality controls (for example, the West Park PUD proposal in Oak Hill)? Will you vote to oppose up-zonings (increases in density) for such projects?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I want to make balanced and thoughtful decisions about land use throughout Austin and hope that we can protect private property rights without losing community values. I believe there is a way to cluster density, which may better protect critical environmental features, or create more open space, and require that mitigation lands be purchased to offset this density. I support the environmental goals in our sensitive areas and will continue to watch projects in this area and when in the citys power, work with property owners in this area to comply with minimum standards or develop a mitigation plan that exceeds the minimum. Yes

8) The Austin Water Utility is planning to build Water Treatment Plant 4 with a capacity to treat 50 million gallons per day at the beginning and expanding this capacity to as much as 600 million gallons per day. The AWU estimates that ratepayers will experience an increase of 12-15% in their water bills to pay for WTP4. Conservation measures taken by the City last summer succeeded in lowering water usage beyond expectations, calling many in the community to question the need to proceed with WTP4 at the this time.

The City’s Water Conservation Task Force, composed of a wide variety of stakeholders, has compiled a list of additional steps that the city can take to conserve water, each of which would cost less per gallon of water saved than the per gallon cost of new water procured by WTP4. Do you support implementing the recommendations of the City of Austin's Water Conservation Task Force before proceeding with WTP4, in order to delay and perhaps prevent altogether the need to build it?
More Details:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/downloads/Final%20WCTF%20Recommendations-web%20version.pdf

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I have been amazed at the resourcefulness of Austin residents and the commitment the community has shown to water conservation. Our Austin Water Utility customers have been able to conserve millions of gallons of water in this past year and I want to encourage the City to take on even more stringent conservation efforts. However, the AWU and the City must plan for the future of Austin and our water needs as water becomes more precious. This means I must continue to plan for Water Treatment Plan #4 as I recognize delay will mean an even greater cost of construction or the potential to not have enough water to meet the needs of all our citizens. Yes. I support the City of Austin Water Conservation Task Force recommendations. The idea that Council Member Cole will support a $400 Million WTP4 is irresponsible. We should encourage Austin residents to conserve. This $400 Million Dollars Project will be a debt on our children. Austin cannot afford this Project and those Council Members that support it .Last year , the City paid $32 Million dollars for a land that worth less than $10 million because it wanted to build Water Treatment Plant #4. The City is telling us it will cost $400 million dollars to build this unneeded Water Treatment Plant. This is insanity without prescription. We need to wake up and fight these corporate politicians and those that finance them. Remember, Council Member Cole supports this irresponsible project.

9) The city's water conservation program has achieved some initial success with a broad-based strategy including public education, summer watering restrictions, leak detection/repair, and toilet/shower head replacements. Will you support at a minimum increasing the Water Utility’s percentage of budget devoted to conservation from 3% up to 4%, to match the Energy Utility’s commitment to funding conservation?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would want to learn more about this and discuss the idea with our Water Utility, but I am definitely interested in increasing the amount of their budget devoted to conservation and as an enterprise fund, I am confident we could find a way for the Water Utility to do this. Yes

10) Recent reports of excessive summer lawn watering by a small but significant number of Austin water customers have led to suggestions of raising rates more for excessive use, to incentivize conservation. Would you revisit the progressive rate structure to fairly discourage water waste?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would be willing to revisit the progressive rate structure of our Water Utility to discourage water waste. I do not think increasing the rate will solve the problem. The best way to do this is through public education and incentives. We can encourage people by issuing coupons to those that conserve water. I strongly believe in rewarding people for good behavior. We must not be punitive on every idea in order to implement it. Incentives and public education are the keys to getting this done.

11) There are many ways to facilitate rain water harvesting and water re-use, cutting down on our need to pump and treat so much water. What would you do to encourage water re-use? Would you support mandatory rainwater collection for new developments?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Rainwater collection has been heartily supported and encouraged by the City of Austin and I am encouraged also by the increase in our use of gray water to irrigate. I am supportive of water re-use and would want to offer incentives on rain water harvesting systems, such as rebates, and I would support looking into rainwater collection for new developments as a community benefit just like we look at open space, trail connectivity, green building, and affordable housing. I believe in encouraging people to do things instead of mandating them. The best way to make this happen is through public education. When people are educated on this issue, I'm confident they will support it.

12) Will you oppose debt-financing of toll roads in the City’s Drinking Water Protection Zone, where such debt depends for repayment on projections for significant future increases in car trips per day from expanded Hill Country sprawl development?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Many of the road projects in our Drinking Water Protection Zone are not under the jurisdiction of the City of Austin and are planned regionally with funding from TXDOT. Although I would not encourage debt-financed toll roads, there are some already planned that I cannot remove from their position on our regional transportation plans. Absolutely. This election is about who has been honest and consistent on this issue. Council Member Cole is a Board Member of CAMPO and she supports development along the Drinking Water Protection Zone. I strongly oppose tolling existing roads taxpayers have paid for already. My opponent in this election does not understand that double taxation in the name of toll roads will gravely affect the poor, the needy and the elderly. On 12/2/2008 at the CAMPO meeting at the University of Texas Thompson Conference Center, Council Member Cole voted against public hearing on toll roads after all the lobbyists have spoken. The question is why is she against the people!. I strongly believe three more years of irresponsible policies of Council Member Cole will destroy our city and affect the future generations. This is the time to put a stop to this unconscionable and ill-conceived policies of the last three years.


ENERGY GENERATION AND EFFICIENCY

13) Do you believe that the current trend of global warming is anthropogenic (human driven) and represents a threat that the city needs to respond to (Y/N)? If yes, how would you factor carbon emissions into your votes on other issues, such as water, zoning, annexations, and service extension requests?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I believe that climate change is human driven and that the City of Austin is responding to the threat of global warming. Recently my vote on the Webberville Solar Facility was in response to our need to create more carbon neutral energy. I am also concerned about VMT (vehicle miles traveled) and am very supportive of transit oriented development and density that supports more transit options with more mixed-use developments that encourage pedestrian friendly development. I strongly believe we must listen to the experts on this issue.I'm open to listening to the experts on this issue in order to make an inform decision.

14) FUNDAMENTAL DIRECTION: What should be the fundamental direction for supplying Austin’s future electric energy needs? Please pick one option and elaborate on your priorities when answering this question.

  1. LONG-TERM INCREMENTAL CHANGE: continue operations of Austin Energy’s existing fossil and nuclear power plants for at least 12 years and meet growth by adding a mix of new fossil fueled and renewable energy resources (consistent with Austin Energy’s DRAFT Generation Plan)
  2. IMMEDIATE BUT GRADUAL TRANSITION: begin immediately to reduce fossil fuel use, end investment in long-term ownership of new fossil fuel plants, and place a higher priority on expanded energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  3. RAPID TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY: Significantly reshape AE’s budget to place a higher priority on efficiency and renewables than fossil fuel & nuclear; begin to divest from ownership of power plants that do not support the City’s long-term goals; start to invest heavily in expanded energy efficiency and renewable energy, with a focus on systems that are local and innovative.
  4. OTHER

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
D) I am waiting to hear the results of the public participation process that Austin Energy has undertaken this past year before making a decision on this issue. I am also very aware of the need of our large industrial users and the need to keep these employers here in Austin. In addition, I have not supported the nuclear proposals that have been brought forward during my first term, but I need to make sure that we do not exclusively limit more nuclear power as it is carbon neutral. I hope that we can get the entire community to first start with greater conservation, increase the number of solar photovoltaics utilized within the city, and then decrease our dependency on the Fayette Coal Plant. C)

15) Twice in the past year, Austin Energy has been approached about expanding the capacity of the South Texas Nuclear Plant. Given the range of available options and the information publicly available, do you believe Austin Energy should have participated in the expansion project? If the expansion proceeds without Austin’s participation and its resulting power is offered for sale to Austin Energy through a purchase power agreement, will you consider such an agreement?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I did not support the current proposals brought to Austin Energy that asked for our participation in an expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Project and hope that we will not have to consider additional nuclear power generation to meet our energy needs. However, I cannot rule out a purchase power agreement as both cost and the carbon neutrality of nuclear power may make it prudent for our customers. I would hope that this would be a worst-case scenario. I absolutely oppose nuclear power plant. My opponent, Council Member Cole supports nuclear power plants .These are the reasons I oppose nuclear power plant---the cost: The City is currently on budget deficit and the future projections are not that appealing. We should be fiscally conservative and stop wasteful spending, the nuclear waste: where is the city going to dump the nuclear waste!. Is it going to be east of IH-35 as usual!, human error: we must not discount human error and also Austin will become a target of terrorists and fundamentalists. It is unfortunate my opponent does not calculate the risk before supporting the nuclear plant project. When elected to the City Council, I will always do cost benefit analysis of any project before I vote on it. The community input is needed before we decide on this issue. I will work for you and not for the lobbyists financing my opponents campaign.

16) Do you support Austin’s continued ownership of the Fayette coal plant? If yes, then please explain why and outline how Austin can reduce carbon emissions significantly with this plant still operational. If no, then please explain how you would transition away from it. (Austin currently owns part of a coal plant near LaGrange that produces 35% of the City’s electric energy but 71% of our electric utility CO2 emissions.)

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Right now, I believe that is important to keep our share of the Fayette coal plant as the cost of fuel without a carbon tax and the reliability of the coal generated power is vital to our energy mix. In the future, especially if it is determined that the Central Texas area exceeds federally set levels of ozone and is in non-attainment, the addition of a carbon tax, and the addition of new renewable energy technology, I would support investigating the sale of our share of the Fayette coal plant. I will study this issue thoroughly and make an inform decision that will benefit the community.

17) The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Task Force concluded last year recommending mandatory retrofits for multifamily buildings that exceed a maximum threshold of energy use. But other types of rental dwellings such as duplexes and office complexes were not addressed.

Rental buildings are generally less efficient with water and energy use than owner occupied buildings. Tenants do not want to make investments in a building they don't own. But landlords will usually not make investments in efficiency because they not pay the utility bills. Will you support mandatory, cost-effective energy and water conservation retrofits for residential and commercial rental buildings?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
As most of our community does rent, I understand the importance of this issue and will work towards more incentive for our property owners to upgrade the energy efficiency of rental properties. In addition, I would be willing to set benchmarks to make sure we are getting more rental buildings energy efficient and then start looking at mandates. I will always support policies that will help residents save money. I strongly believe individuals should make the decision instead of the government making it mandatory. I suggest a coupon incentives. There are those in the city that cannot afford to retrofit their homes or offices because of the cost and the best way to achieve the goal is to offer coupon to those that are interested . The decision must be between the buyer and the seller and not the government.

18) Do you support Austin Energy's Pecan Street Project, an experimental program charged with growing our clean energy industries, expanding green collar jobs, and "developing the energy grid of the future"?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I definitely support the Pecan Street Project and know that the community is looking to Austin Energy for this kind of leadership. Yes

19) The total budget for Austin Energy’s Climate Protection Program is currently $805k/year, of which salaries make up 68%. Many believe that the goals of the plan are sound, but after a year and a half of funding, insufficient tangible progress has been made. How do you think we can best improve on our implementation of the Austin Climate Protection Plan?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I think that although Austin is in general very progressive, there is a very big need to educate the general public on the need to implement the Climate Protection Program goals and that this type of change is slow. I also understand that the program has just recently been staffed at the current level so I expect more rapid implementation in the future. Recently I know that the ACPP staff helped with our proposed sustainable events ordinance and the waste to energy plan. The program needs a total reform. The idea that 68% of the budget is spent on salary is a clear indication that the program needs a reform. I will support funding the program if the money will go directly to climate protection instead of salary increases.


AIR QUALITY

20) Last year, the COA signed a contract to buy 250,000 gallons worth of corn-based ethanol blended fuel to use in its vehicle fleet. Considering the fact that the corn-based fuel has uncertain air quality benefits and considering worldwide corn fuel production distorts both price and availability of this important food crop, would you support not renewing this contract in the future?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would support not renewing this contract and hope that we can have plug-in hybrid fleets in the future. Yes

21) Austin/Travis County is currently monitoring ozone levels in excess of the new Federal Ozone Standard. The Texas Emission Reduction Program (TERP) is a grant program designed to reduce ozone-forming and soot emissions from diesel engines by upgrading or changing out engines with older emissions technology. The Central Texas Region has not gotten their share of these grant funds in recent years as compared to Dallas/Ft. Worth ($84 million out of a total of $110 million) due to a lack of applications. Would you support hiring a contractor who could both promote this important program and help write grants as well?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Yes, I would support the addition of a contractor to get more funding from the TERP. It is important to note that we have not exceeded the federally set levels of ozone making Austin less competitive for funding in this area than Dallas and Houston. Yes


LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION

22) Austin has one of the worst rates of Vehicle Miles Traveled of any city our size and vehicle emissions are a proportionally large source of our locally generated ozone-forming emissions. What will you do to help reduce VMT and promote multi-modal transit? Will you provide alternative commute incentives for city employees beyond what is already offered (subsidized bus passes)? Do you support the current commuter and light rail initiatives being discussed and implemented by the CAMPO and Cap Metro boards? How aggressive will you be in advocating for expanding rail system capacity?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I do support more incentives to have our city employees commute to work and know that the addition of more shower amenities in public buildings. I have done work to encourage multi-modal transportation by sponsoring a resolution calling for a comprehensive trails network, more inter-department communication between PARD and Public Works who manage our trails, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities, and the Walk for a Day project. I support current commuter rail and light rail initiatives and will be very aggressive in advocating for expanding rail system capacity. Public Education. I will encourage people to ride their bikes and if possible walk to work. I will support making Austin the best walkable and bike friendly city in the world. I will also support expanding the current program. On rail:No. The process is flawed and the public has been shut out of honest debate. On 12/2/2008, Council Member Cole voted against public hearing during a CAMPO meeting at the University of Texas Thompson Conference Center. I will not support any initiative that the public is not allowed to participate in.

23) Envision Central Texas promoted the philosophy commonly labeled "smart growth", a plan of directing future growth into dense nodes and corridors away from environmentally sensitive areas. Do you support this vision? How successful do you think the city has been in implementing these goals? How do you think the city can improve on its implementation?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I definitely support this vision and recognize the challenges as neighborhoods are heavily invested in protecting their quality of life and that transit-oriented development requires greater concentrations of density than may be acceptable give the current transportation challenges. I believe that although we still have a long way to go, the City is on the right track and I hope that the comprehensive plan will help us on the implementation. In addition, I think that we are finally beginning to see projects in our Desired Development Zone. I support the vision. City Council members have been undermining this vision in the name of economic growth. My opponent in this election, Council Member Cole , supports development along the Edward Aquifer and building toll roads along this pristine area. Austin cannot afford three more years of destruction of our natural environment. Say no to Sheryl Cole and the lobbyists that are financing her campaign.

24) Current zoning ordinances, which create separation of land uses, can work directly against goals of creating compact, mixed use, pedestrian and bike-friendly communities. What do you think we should do to address this from a planning and zoning perspective?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
The City is starting to see some more compact mixed use projects with sidewalks that are pedestrian oriented, but I would like to see more. In addition, I would like the community to see the value of creating pedestrian and bike-friendly developments and support them in the zoning stage. It is my hope that our Comprehensive Plan will offer us more tools to encourage this kind of development and restate our commitment to this goal. Adaptability is the key. We cannot leave the decision to politicians . The community should be involved in making these decisions. What the community thinks is good for them should be the policy of the government

25) SH 130 has opened up Eastern Travis County for massive development without a strategic plan. What would you do to foster responsible development in the areas controlled by the City and work with neighboring governmental entities to ensure that this once-in-a-lifetime clean slate is developed in a way that leads to the type of development that preserves agricultural growing capacity and reduces the need for driving.

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I believe in the next few weeks you will see a tool that allows for the creation of special district that would allow the City to have land use control and extend service to an area not currently in the City limits. It is my hope that tools like this will help the City have more control in the SH 130 corridor and that other development will use this tool too. I would also be willing to consider a smart code based zoning district like the have used in South San Antonio or a master plan for the area with our other affected governmental entities, perhaps through Envision Central Texas. Community involvement is the key. The city must partner with the community and listen to their wishes and concerns before any project is approved. The government must listen to the wishes of the people and not the people listening to the wishes of the government. We must not repeat the mistake the City Council made when it approved the Wal-Mart project in the Allendale Neighborhood. My opponent in this election , Council Member Cole vote for this project without seeking community input first. The City Council is now spending taxpayers money fighting the same people it supposed to represent. Ms Cole is unpredictable because she has sided with developers all the time.

26) Environmentalism is a wide field covering a broad range of issues. Recent zoning cases, such as the Wildflower Commons PUD, illustrate the importance of considering a development holistically when evaluating its environmental impact. How do you balance the goals of protecting water quality, air quality, and energy use when evaluating a project? Is there one aspect of environmental protection you prioritize over the others?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
All aspects of environmental protection are important to me and I do look at the entire project when making a zoning decision. In the cases over the Edwards aquifer and in the Drinking Water Recharge areas, I am especially concerned about protecting water quality. The environmental consequences of any project should be a yardstick in measuring if to approve or not a project.

27) Regarding the Wildflower Commons PUD, it will presumably return to Council in August for another hearing. What concessions by the developer would lead you to vote for the project’s proposed zoning? Do you have a range of trip limits, residential units, impervious cover, office/retail square footage, or other mitigation items you’re looking for?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I do not have specific details that would allow me to vote for Wildflower Commons PUD zoning, but hope that the project would be mixed-use, decrease impervious cover from the current percentage, only have neighborhood commercial uses, and allow for greater pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. The only concession I will make as a Council Member is to ask developers to look for another site.

28) Interregional rail could help reduce CO2 emissions and pollution caused by cars and airplane trips between cities. Do you support the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Rail District?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
As the Council representative to the ASA Rail Board, I wholeheartedly support train service along the I-35 and MoPac corridors. We have to focus on Commuter Rail first. We have to work towards connecting every part of this city before we expand to other cities.

29) Increasing pedestrian and bicycle commuting are one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing congestion, transportation-related pollution, and increasing public health. Yet bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure has historically been underfunded in Austin's budget and bond packages. Will you commit to increasing the amount of funding bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure receives out of the larger transportation budgets? Would you support creating a dedicated, permanent funding stream for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would support creating a dedicated funding stream for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and will make sure that we increase the funding of bicycling and pedestrian facilities. However, I do want to make sure that we all recognize the budget challenges the city is currently facing and the enormity of our transportation needs in Austin. Absolutely

30) Public education on cycling options and safety has been proven to significantly increase ridership in cities such as Portland. Do you believe the city should take a leading role in providing public education for cycling as a commute option?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
In our bicycle master plan we are allocating for public education for cycling and the City currently does offer bicycle safety courses to our City employees. I believe that the City could have a role in providing education for cycling as a commute option and I also know that there are several community groups who could provide public education as a commute option and we should look at partnering with them. Yes

31) CAMPO is currently proceeding on Right Of Way acquisition and Design of SH45 SW, a highway extension that crosses directly through several miles of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. In addition to the direct effect of the road and its users, its construction will result in indirect pollution due to nearby residential and commercial development that will spring up after completion. Do you pledge to vote against this project should you sit on the CAMPO board?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I cannot pledge to vote against this project as I believe that action by CAMPO has already been taken, but I do pledge to take a serious look at the environmental impact and what the ramifications are of this road construction if it comes before me in my capacity on the CAMPO board. Yes

32) TxDOT currently plans for a massive, 12-lane elevated tollway with frontage roads for the area of US290 near the Oak Hill "Y." This expansion will turn Williamson Creek (in the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone) into a concrete ditch for much of its flow through Oak Hill. In addition, it will accelerate the sprawl of housing developments into Hays County, further polluting the aquifer. Do you pledge to work with TxDOT to seek a downsized plan for this road segment and, barring that, vote against the plan should you sit on the CAMPO board?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Although I believe that many of these decisions have been made prior to my appointment to the CAMPO board, I will look at a way to work on a downsized plan. However, CAMPO is not the oversight board of TXDOT and cannot stop work that TXDOT has scheduled and funded. Absolutely.This is a passionate issue for me because I don't think Council Member Cole gets it. Why is this City Council in support of tolling every road in Austin!. I think the residents of Austin should be the ones making these decisions on these issues and not CAMPO BOARD members who are not elected by the people to deliberate on these issues. The idea that CAMPO BOARD members are appointed/selected by politicians who support toll roads is a clear conflict of interest. We need to change the process.


ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

33) As we speak, Pure Casting in East Austin is polluting its neighbors every day, including the children at Zavala elementary school, and HHSD is planning on building an incinerator at the East Austin animal shelter location, above the objections of the neighborhoods and the contrary to the Govalle/Johnston Terrace Neighborhood Plan.

These two issues exemplify a history and the continued institutionalized environmental racism that we as a community still live with. If elected, will you confront the continuing institutionalized racism that still exists in Austin today and oppose these issues, moving swiftly to shut down and relocate Pure Casting, and to oppose the building of an incinerator at the East Austin animal shelter location?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I am very committed to social justice throughout Austin and know that the TCEQ is evaluating the environmental impact of the Pure Casting facility. I am also very hopeful that because of the dramatic decrease in our need to euthanize animals at the City animal shelter, we may not need an incinerator anywhere in Austin for this issue. It is also my hope that through our Comprehensive Plan as a community we can more fairly distribute undesirable land uses. Mr. Osemene answered an earlier version of the questionnaire that did not include this question.


PARKS AND RECREATION

34) Do you support spending bond money on acquiring the Lions Municipal Golf Course from the University of Texas? How much resources should the city expend in pursuing the tract?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would consider using bond money to acquire the Lions Municipal Golf Course, but given our budget shortfall I know that I must make decisions that best serve the entire City of Austin. I'm open to looking into this issue and making an inform decision on the issue.


URBAN FOREST

35) An up-to-date urban forest inventory is critical for identifying areas that need mitigation from the Urban Heat Island Effect and also help the city reach its carbon sequestration goals. Will you press for staff to conduct a complete urban forest tree inventory and see that an urban forest management plan is developed?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I would support a complete urban forest tree inventory and an urban forest management plan, if this is manageable given our current human resources in our Urban Forestry Department. Yes


FOOD AND SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

36) Would you support a city-led program of public education and incentives for community and private-yard food gardens? Would you support purchasing guidelines that give preference to vendors who will source local and/or organic food when establishing City-related contracts (ie Convention Center, Zilker Concessions, etc.)

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Our purchasing guidelines cannot allow for local preference as prescribed by State of Texas law. I definitely support a city-led program for community and private gardens and hope that this is something our new Sustainable Food Policy Board will recommend an implementation plan to us. I will support supply and demand on this issue. I think it will not be a good policy for the government to dictate/mandate what type of food people should eat . That decision is between the buyer and the seller.


GOVERNMENT OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY

37) The AustinGo website redesign and transparency initiative has progressed slowly and provided little indication of what specific features it will eventually provide. Can you describe your vision of how the project should proceed and which transparency features you will demand to be implemented?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I do hope that we develop the AustinGo website will allow staff to easily navigate through our city departments, see agendas of public meetings, and search the city code. I do hope that they will be able to see the past actions of council more readily and find answers to their questions faster. I will support accountability, oversight of government activities and transparency in the political process especially in contract projects .

38) The City Charter specifically grants citizens of Austin the right to approve debt on its municipal utilities, including Austin Energy and Austin Water Utility. But this Charter provision has been ignored for about 10 years, even though Austin voters have never rescinded it. Will you, as a City Councilmember, respect Austinite's right to vote on their utility finances as specified in the City Charter?

ARTICLE VII. FINANCE. § 11. REVENUE BONDS.
All revenue bonds issued by the city shall first be authorized by a majority of the qualified electors voting at an election held for such purpose.

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
I understand the argument that the voters should have a right to vote on their utility finances when revenue bonds are issued. However, legal authority higher than the City of Austins does not allow the City to enforce this aspect of our Charter. The City Charter must comply with State of Texas laws. Yes


CITY ORGANIZATION

39) Do you support and will you initiate the creation of a Sustainability department, headed by a Chief Sustainability Officer, with Assistant City Manager-level authority and City Auditor-like oversight, who can be the director of the water and energy conservation, air quality and climate protection programs, as well as review policies, budgets and procurement to uphold our commitment to sustainability?

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
Given our current budget shortfall, I would not feel it is fiscally responsible to initiate the support of a new department right now and want to point out that we have sustainability officers at both Austin Energy and Solid Waste Services. I would consider the creation of this position and recognize the imperative of making sure we are committed to sustainability. no answer


WILD CARD

40) If you have any other positions/ideas to share, or if you'd like to provide a link to further information, enter them here:

Sheryl Cole (I) Sam Osemene
My website is available at http://www.keepsherylcole.com no answer