Chris "Dobi" Dobson, Candidate District 7

1. Protection of Taxpayers' Dollars – please respond by February 29, 2024

How much of a priority should be placed on protecting taxpayers' dollars? If we are granting dollars for “economic development” should the company be vetted? Should an “economic development” grant require an actual application? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

2. Density – please respond by March 7, 2024

a. How do you feel about changing commercially zoned properties to multi-family zoned properties? Why?

b. What if the area already contains many, many apartments such as southeast Arlington in the Hwy 360 corridor?

c. How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre? Why?

Did not respond.

3. Citizen Participation – please respond by March 14, 2024

In 2023 the city council voted to require preregistration and reduce speaking time for citizen participation (at the end of the meeting). Do you agree with this move? Is two minutes enough time to describe a situation and make desired comments/solutions/etc.?

Did not respond.

4. Corporate Welfare – please respond by March 21, 2024

The City Council has given away millions of dollars and/or potential revenues to companies to encourage development. At what point has there been enough “encouragement” and when should the taxpayers-- and lowering tax rates-- become a higher priority than development? Why?

The city has been foolish in the level of benefits provided to these developers. The city needs to make an immediate change to prevent these continued giveaways first by limiting the number of years behind the current tax year that a property can lag, with my suggestion being 5 years, and secondly providing either front end or back end benefits but not both.

Furthermore I believe we need to have resident approval for all economic development projects in which more than $1mil in benefits is provided from. The residents of Arlington should have always been a higher priority than developers, but whats important here is to prevent cronyism and corruption, by short circuiting the influence of campaign donations by returning to a direct democratic model, allowing each resident to choose what they feel is in the economic benefit of the city. Regardless of the 9 people on the council, I feel better about the will of the 400,000 of us making decisions, rather than those 9.

5. Communications – please respond by March 28, 2024

If you receive an e-mail from a constituent on an Arlington issue and the constituent logically laid out and well documented the issue, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not? What actions will you take?

I hope to have this happen, and It is among the duties of a representative to respond. While email communications are not private, they are not generally public (attainable through Open Record Requests, but not otherwise published), I would hope to also provide public forums, such as town halls or social media posts, to allow these issues to be addressed publicly if desired. I do believe we should congratulate people pointing out problems or issues where the city can improve, yet it does not entitle them to dictate the solution to the problem. That solution must be worked in a public and demonstrable way, so that all residents can comment if interested. This engagement of the residents can be helpful not only in decision making but also later during adoption. At-large seats, as this election is, require a dedication to respond meaningfully even if one disagrees personally with the framing or suppositions of the issue brought up by residents. If the issue is such that it can be resolved individually I'd be happy to act including speaking with the city manager, as council is specifically prohibited from giving instruction or direction to city employees.

6. Issues – please respond by April 4, 2024

Other than public safety what is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

Our city fails to properly engage with our residents. Less than 9000 residents chose the last mayor. We haven't had a townhall since August of last year. The Economic Development Corp that was advertised first as a way to help demolish "the most under-demolished city in America" and then as a "way to help small business recover from covid" instead when operating helped Textron and not small businesses. The last charter amendment took 25 emails and 11 days to put on the ballot, with no public input on the wording or types of amendments the residents want. The silence in Arlington has become deafening. When in office, I'll be hosting monthly town halls so that residents can have an ongoing and public record of communications with the council. I'll put out, on social media, videos explaining the meeting agendas the council has to help residents understand the business the city does. I want to use the Rangers Luxury Box perks I'd get as a councilperson as door prizes for people that voted in the most recent municipal election. I want to empower the residents of Arlington to critique and encourage the city as well as take meaningful roles in the development.

The city needs to convince the residents that it is a rational choice to not just pay taxes but to become invested in the city, and to care enough to make the city better by spending time engaged with governance. Whether in a neighborhood group, committees, town halls, or even trash removal days, residents take part for their betterment as well as a communal benefit. Residents' efforts must be respected and not fall on deaf ears, but be thoughtfully considered and judged upon their own merits. I believe in the 'wisdom of the crowd' which means that with greater participation the average of all guesses approaches the correct answer.

1. Protection of Taxpayers' Dollars – please respond by March 2, 2023

Did not respond.

2. Density – please respond by March 9, 2023

How do you feel about changing commercially zoned properties to multi-family zoned properties? What if the area already contains many, many apartments such as southeast Arlington in the Hwy 360 corridor? How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre? Why?

Did not respond.

He answered a similar question in 2021.

3. Density – please respond by March 18, 2021

How do you feel about changing commercially zoned properties to multi-family zoned properties? What if

the area already contains many, many apartments such as southeast Arlington in the Hwy 360 corridor?

How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre? Why?

Its a good question, I believe our only real solution to this is to create more condominiums rather than apartments.

The status of ownership of a property creates greater ties to the community and responsibility towards

maintaining the property. While this doesn't alleviate some of the traffic and density concerns it does mitigate

the lack of ties to the area.

3. Transportation – please respond by March 16, 2023

VIA's current funding has taxpayers paying about 60% and federal grants paying 40%. What are your thoughts on how much is coming from the general fund and why?

Did not respond.

He did answer a similar question in 2021.

Transportation – please respond by March 25, 2021

VIA's December 2019 contract renewal has increased the geographical coverage area to 41% (and is available to 49% of the population) of the city. Meanwhile, the contract was to be paid

at a rate of 53% by Arlington taxpayers (general fund), 31% by Federal Grant, and 16% by the people taking the rides. Currently CARES funds are paying for VIA, but that will eventually stop.

When things return to “normal” funding, let's assume that the Federal Grant will cover 25%. At that time, what should be the pricing structure between the general fund and riders? Why?

While VIA exists as a program we should remember that this is a city service designed to improve the lives of Arlington residents and reduce the cost of living for the poorest among us. The cost sharing agreement I think should allow for residents to continue with affordable rides in the general price range currently available, $3-5.

4. Corporate Welfare – please respond by March 23, 2023

The City Council has given away millions of dollars and/or potential revenues to companies to encourage development. At what point has there been enough “encouragement” and the taxpayers-- and lowering tax rates-- should become a higher priority than development? Why?

When encouraging economic development I feel the city should focus far more on smaller local companies, rather than large corporations. The city's actions of both supporting companies by providing upfront funds as well as back end tax abatements ensures that it is the residents making up for the funds distributed and taxes uncollected. I have a major problem with the additional support provided to businesses within the TIRZs our city already operates. Furthermore beyond direst taxation the city draws funds from the water fund stormwater funds that come directly from residents assessed fees which have grown despite revenue over costs, due to the transfer of funds into economic development projects. Many of these local and national corporations receiving benefits then contribute to the campaigns of the candidates which provide them this largesse. While lowering the tax rates needs to be a focus the city also has a responsibility to lower the cost of living by providing meaningful services. Lastly, I believe in a fair economic development policy which would prevent the negotiation of economic development deals behind closed doors or in executive session.

5. Communications – please respond by March 30, 2023

If you receive an e-mail from a constituent similar to the top of this webpage

[ http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html ], will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not? What actions will you take?

While I would be happy to respond to emails from those that question the city operates or speciffically disagree with the policies of the city, I believe that we also need to have public forums for interaction so that these issues can also be brought to the attention of the public. As someone whom has had to rely on the open records request system many times, I also believe in creating far greater transparency with our government documents and actions without relying on the legal minimums as outlined in the Open meetings acts and open record acts.

6. Issues – please respond by April 6, 2023

Other than public safety what is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

As has been a stated focus of most of my campaigns I believe the greatest issue our council faces is the lack of resident engagement and control of our city. Most policies advanced by our government lack any broadbased buy-in by the population. These generally operate as tokenistic or therapeutic engagements. I'd suggest that anyone intersted in understanding the levels of citizen control of government do a search for Arnstein's ladder of citizen participation to understand the degree to which we, as the owners of this city, have been systemically disempowered by the actions of our elected and appointed officials.

1. Sales Tax – please respond by March 3, 2022

In November 2020 voters passed a measure to increase the sales tax another ¼ cent to 8.25% for the funding of an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Claims supporting this measure included helping small shops recover from the pandemic. Have they performed what was promised? What are your thoughts on the EDC's purpose, effectiveness, and the tax? Why?

Did not respond.

He answered a similar question in 2021:

Sales Tax – please respond by March 11, 2021

This past November voters passed a measure to increase the sales tax another ¼ cent to 8.25% for the funding of an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Seemingly wild claims were made, selling voters on this. What are your thoughts on the EDC's purpose and the tax? Why?

I was not sure of the reason for the EDC tax at the time it was first proposed, but it seemed to me at the time that this was simply another slush fund for the council to give to the Arlington chamber of commerce. Nothing I have seen since has changed my mind. From the appointment of Mojy Haddad to the council continuing to give out handout to developers with "special relationships" with the council this walks and talks like a slush fund.

2. Density – please respond by March 10, 2022

Did not respond.

He answered a similar question in 2021.

3Density – please respond by March 18, 2021

Its a good question, I believe our only real solution to this is to create more condominiums rather than apartments. The status of ownership of a property creates greater ties to the community and responsibility towards maintaining the property. While this doesn't alleviate some of the traffic and density concerns it does mitigate the lack of ties to the area.

3. Transportation – please respond by March 17, 2022

VIA's funding for the past year has been covered by federal money because of the pandemic. When things return to “normal” funding, let's assume that the Federal Grant will cover approximately 25%. At that time, how should the service level and pricing structure be arranged between the general fund and riders? Why?

Did not respond.

He did answer a similar question in 2021.

Transportation – please respond by March 25, 2021

VIA's December 2019 contract renewal has increased the geographical coverage area to 41% (and is available to 49% of the population) of the city. Meanwhile, the contract was to be paid at a rate of 53% by Arlington taxpayers (general fund), 31% by Federal Grant, and 16% by the people taking the rides. Currently CARES funds are paying for VIA, but that will eventually stop. When things return to “normal” funding, let's assume that the Federal Grant will cover 25%. At that time, what should be the pricing structure between the general fund and riders? Why?

4. Corporate Welfare – please respond by March 24, 2022

The City Council has given away millions of dollars and/or potential revenues to companies to encourage development. At what point has there been enough “encouragement” and the taxpayers, and lowering tax rates, should become a higher priority? Why?

Did not respond.

He did answer the question in 2021.

Corporate Welfare – please respond by April 1, 2021

The City Council has given away millions of dollars and/or potential revenues to companies to encourage development. At what point has there been enough encouragement and the taxpayers, and lowering tax rates, should become a higher priority? Why?

I believe that time has already come to Arlington. In fact despite the new growth we are seeing the residents tax bills continue to grow even with the lowering of the tax rate. I believe that we must end the special arrangements we have with TIRZ's and Chapter 380 agreements and return those monies to the general fund so that we can for at least a few years allow for residential property tax bills to not increase.

5. Communications – please respond by March 31, 2022

If a constituent emails you a question or comment on an issue about which you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

In 2021 he did respond to the question.

Communications – please respond by April 8, 2021

If a constituent emails you a question or comment on an issue about which you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

I'd love to respond to constituents that have their own opinion about issues before the council. I have a plan to increase citizen engagement and empowerment by using the AskArlington App to provide realtime feedback from residents. Of course, I've said we need to move from an ideological and morality based system to a more inquisitive and game playing mindset.

6. Issue – please respond by April 7, 2022

What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

Did not respond.

In 2021 he did respond to the question.

Issue – please respond by April 15, 2021

What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why?

The greatest challenge the city faces is the lack of involvement by the majority of the residents. In the Nov. 2020 election 146k residents cast votes, in the Dec 2020 run off the number was ~10k for the atlarge run off. We cannot even pretend to have the support of residents with that meager involvement.

1. Term Limits Committee – please respond by March 4, 2021

Last Summer a Term Limits Advisory Committee was named and then fast-tracked recommendations to the city council within only four meetings and over 13 hours of deliberation between July 14 and July 28. Do you have an opinion about this whole situation? Do you have an opinion about the outcome? Why or why not?

Did not respond. from August 2020:

The TLAC I believe was tainted by the presence of not just the chair, Chad Bates, but also Charlie Parker. Both of these committee person gave donations to Mayor Williams in 2019 that by any decent readings of campaign finance rules violate state law. This was a committee created for one answer. I created a survey that had more respondents than committee members and phone callers, amount whom I am two callers. This is anti-populism at its finest.

2. Sales Tax – please respond by March 11, 2021

3. Density – please respond by March 18, 2021

4. Transportation – please respond by March 25, 2021

5. Corporate Welfare – please respond by April 1, 2021

6. Communications – please respond by April 8, 2021

If a constituent emails you a question or comment on an issue about which you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

7. Issue – please respond by April 15, 2021

What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why?

1. Term Limits Committee – please respond by August 27, 2020

A Term Limits Advisory Committee was named and fast tracked recommendations to the city council with four meetings, and over 13 hours, between July 14 – July 28. Do you have an opinion of this whole situation? Do you have an opinion of the outcome?

2. Sales Tax – please respond by September 3, 2020

This November's ballot includes a measure to increase the sales tax another ¼ cent to 8.25%. Would you have voted to put this on the ballot? Why or why not? How do you plan to vote on this issue? Why?

I would not have voted to put this on the ballot given the lack of town halls to discuss it, the lack of a stated plan or list of projects, and more generally because I have no trust in this council's ability to disburse money without of appearance of impropriety. I will vote against this tax, for the reasons above.

3. Density – please respond by September 10, 2020

Arlington is in a position in which rising property values are affecting residents ability to maintain property ownership in Arlington, one of the mechanisms to allow this is to end the creation of rent seeking multifamily housing to more of a condominium model where even with increasing density their is still ownership, and community interaction and investment. In the Area specifically mentioned where many apartments all ready exist, I believe the city should pursue a policy of creating condominiums out of the existing apartments before adding new multi-family housing.

4. Transportation – please respond by September 17, 2020

Via's December 2019 contract renewal has increased the geographical coverage area to 41% (and is available to 49% of the population). Meanwhile, the contract is paid 53% by Arlington taxpayers, 31% by Federal Grant, and 16% by the people taking the rides. Is this fair to the taxpayers, most of whom are not covered, but are paying 53%? How do you plan to vote on future funding? What is your solution? [the staff report: https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/481268/Staff_Report_-___MF__RK__-_FINAL.pdf].

Did not respond.

[[[Transportation – please respond by March 21, 2019

Please describe, including price maximums to taxpayers, your thoughts on public transportation.

My thought on public transportation is that we will, as a community, need it, and so designing a system which meets the needs of our community is incredibly important. In order to meet the needs of the community we must first understand those needs. In this way VIA has been useful in allowing us to begin to collect the data necessary to create a mass transit system, however rather than paying a company to own the vehicles I prefer Uber like systems that makes use of cars owned by others. I believe we can introduce in Arlington a rideshare program, comprised of Arlington drivers and riders, that meets the capacity of needs while collecting the data necessary to tailor our mass transit system to be as efficient, efficacious, and cost effective. After we get that data on rider needs we can then begin looking at adding other capacities that better meet those needs through other modes of transport. I do not have an estimate on price except to say that I don't want this to be a half or quarter cent sales tax program so less than $12million but I'd guess $1-3 million range is more likely the size for the immediate future.]]]

5. Communications – please respond by September 24, 2020

If a constituent e-mails you a question or comment on an issue where you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

I would be glad to answer any questions posed to me by a constituent, as I believe that is the main thrust of the job of representation. Agree or Disagree doesn't really matter to me, I don't hold my ideas in so much esteem that I'm insulted when those ideas are challenged. In fact I'd like to create an official opinion poll of Arlington residents, as the idea of representing some 3-400k people is daunting. I believe the city council could streamline much of its operational time by listening to the people first then making decisions on how to act. I do not believe we would have had a Term Limit charade had the council doing even the slightest bit of surveying or polling of the population.

6. Issue – please respond by October 1, 2020

What is the most important issue the city council is facing? Why?

The mosty important issue facing the council right now is changing the culture of city hall's operations. For the Decade I've been running, despite some turnover in seats I have seen continuous stream of establishment groupthink and self serving behavior.

This is so important because even if we are dealing with meaningful topics, like reducing police brutality or improving transportation options, Simply falling into line with the interests of developers or coalescing into a unanimous vote does little to improve the situation. We must be able to introduce new ideas for consideration and change accepted ways of doing things in order to meet the current challenges. Don't forget that in August of 2018 the Council scheduled 4 meetings in one week in order to squash the Citizen led Term limits position. In the second meeting they voted 0-9 to continue this process, only because Roxanne Thalman voted no. It is of the highest importance to change this way of operating or the effect of term limits will be meaningless with new faces doing the same business.

1. Term Limits – please respond by March 14, 2019

Last November, voters approved term limits for the Arlington City Council. What is your opinion of these term limits?

Term limits - I am for the term limits amendment voted into place by the citizens of Arlington and will work if elected to keep them unchanged for at least 2 years.

2. Transportation – please respond by March 21, 2019

Please describe, including price maximums to taxpayers, your thoughts on public transportation.

3. Communications – please respond by March 28, 2019

If a constituent e-mails you a question or comment on an issue where you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

Yes of course, I would respond to the email. I might be alone in the candidates in believing that I am not objectively correct. Others disagreement is not an insult to me, but an opportunity for learning. I am more than willing to incorporate others ideas into or have them supplant my own ideas in order to create the very best and inclusive policies for the people of Arlington.

4. Taxes (Part I) – please respond by April 4, 2019

Currently, Arlington has 1/4-cent of sales tax that could be used, but is not used. What, if anything, do you see yourself approving to place in front of the voters, for uses for the 1/4-cent of sales tax? Why?

Did not respond.

[[ Taxes (Part I) – please respond by April 5, 2018

Currently, Arlington has 1/4-cent of sales tax that could be, but is not used. What, if anything, do you see yourself approving to place in front of the voters, for that 1/4-cent of sales tax? Why?

I believe that the current quarter cent tax proposition on the ballot is an absolute waste of ballot space and the 8 year term is irresponsible. Road repair and maintenance should be fully funded within the budget authorized by the city, so that the residents understand the degree to which we spend money to subsidize car ownership and transit all ready. Now what would I do with that quarter cent is probably where I seperate from other candidates. I feel like that amount, last time I checked ~$13mil, could be used to encourage people to engage with the city by allowing each voter a say in where that money is spent, not by providing a simple up or down vote, but by allowing people to vote on which department they would like their portion, as determined by turnout percentage, of that money to be directed. In this way each voting citizen can determine for themselves which department of the city most needs or would most appropriately handle these funds. I have attached an image to help explain the spectrum of public involvement which echoes Mr. Weber's assertion that the city relegates citizens to the sidelines. ]]

5. Taxes (Part II) – please respond by April 11, 2019

Currently, Arlington is experiencing almost double-digit property tax evaluation increases. What do you feel is the appropriate tax rate that should be levied upon the citizens: 1) a rate a little below the rollback rate, 2) the effective tax rate, 3) the same tax rate (even if above the rollback rate), or 4) something else? Why?

Did not respond.

[[Taxes (Part II) - please respond by 04/20/2017

Currently, Arlington is experiencing almost double-digit property tax evaluation increases.

What do you feel the appropriate tax rate that should be levied upon the citizens, a rate a little below the rollback rate, the effective tax rate, the same tax rate, even if above the rollback rate, something else. Why?

So voting on taxes seems to be a far greater incentive for voters than voting on a couple of names for any particular office. My suggestion for property taxes, if we are to return as much power to the residents as possible, is to essential freeze the amount of property taxes received by capping the amount of dollars and adjusting the tax rate each year to ensure that even as property values rise no one is forced from there homes. Arlington assesses both a residential property tax and a business property tax and so these rates could be moved individually to ensure that property tax rates remain at the same rate or lowers as more taxable properties come on line. Then each year Arlington residents could vote if they would like to increase the total property tax revenues. ]]

6. Issue – please respond by April 18, 2019

What is the most important issue the city council is facing? Why?

Did not repond.