Raleigh City Council - District E
Stef Mendell
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
Yes
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
Economic development blossoms when infrastructure is in place to support new and growing business.
Raleigh's infrastructure -- transit, water and sewer systems, school systems -- has been overwhelmed by the rapid growth we have enjoyed. This growth means that the City has to raise rates and taxes to cover infrastructure costs and this burden primarily falls on residents.
While I support the streets and sidewalks bond package, we must work to ensure that those responsible for the growth that is overwhelming our infrastructure partner with the City to share the costs more fairly so that all may continue to benefit from growth.
Raleigh also must partner with state and federal government to focus more on infrastructure so that we can continue to enjoy the success that has helped our city grow.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is a living document that needs to continuously be evaluated and updated to respond to the needs of a growing city. And Raleigh residents need a stronger voice in development ordinances and processes so that we are equal partners at the table with developers and with city staff and officials. We need stronger infill compatibility standards that live up to the UDO's stated intent for infill compatibility so that we don't lose the character and charm of Raleigh as we continue to grow and prosper. We need responsible development that is proportional to the neighborhood. We need responsible development that respects the environment. And we need responsible development with adequate infrastructure to support smart growth. We also must be mindful that increased density that accommodates only the wealthy will contribute to sprawl and traffic congestion as our first responders, teachers, healthcare workers, and service workers are priced out of the market.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Raleigh's infrastructure -- transit, water and sewer systems, school systems -- has been overwhelmed by the rapid growth we have enjoyed. This growth means that the City has to raise rates and taxes to cover infrastructure costs and this burden primarily falls on residents.
We must work to ensure that those responsible for the growth that is overwhelming our infrastructure partner with the City to share the costs more fairly so that all may continue to benefit from growth.
Raleigh also must partner with state and federal government to focus more on infrastructure so that we can continue to enjoy the success that has helped our city grow.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
I would like to look at providing more resources and funding for affordable housing and in support of citizen engagement. While the city now sets aside about $5.9M annually for affordable housing, I think we need to explore tax abatements and tax credits as well to increase the supply of affordable workforce housing to meet demand. The Citizens Advisory Councils need greater support and resourcing from the city to help with outreach and operations.
As far as reducing spending, I would recommend looking at the city's economic development budget which is already under review. And I would like to look at the salary structure for upper level employees to ensure that they are being compensated at an appropriate level compared with their peers and also in line with the city's overall salary ranges for all levels of employees.
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Raleigh is very development-driven and that has both positive and negative consequences. Much of the growth that I have seen over the years has resulted in more opportunity for residents -- economically and culturally. However, the growth has also overwhelmed our infrastructure. Traffic congestion not only results in frustration and lost productivity, but it leads to drivers cutting through neighborhood streets that were never designed to handle the increased traffic volume, thus negatively impacting quality of life. Our storm water systems have also been strained, resulting in some of the biggest complaints from Raleigh residents. Additionally, growth has forced many longtime residents out of their homes as gentrification, with resulting increased property values and increased property taxes, makes it economically infeasible for them to remain in their homes. We must restore a balance where residents have equal standing in a partnership with developers and the city. Currently the balance tilts overwhelmingly toward developers.
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
Yes
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
Economic development blossoms when infrastructure is in place to support new and growing business.
Raleigh's infrastructure -- transit, water and sewer systems, school systems -- has been overwhelmed by the rapid growth we have enjoyed. This growth means that the City has to raise rates and taxes to cover infrastructure costs and this burden primarily falls on residents.
While I support the streets and sidewalks bond package, we must work to ensure that those responsible for the growth that is overwhelming our infrastructure partner with the City to share the costs more fairly so that all may continue to benefit from growth.
Raleigh also must partner with state and federal government to focus more on infrastructure so that we can continue to enjoy the success that has helped our city grow.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is a living document that needs to continuously be evaluated and updated to respond to the needs of a growing city. And Raleigh residents need a stronger voice in development ordinances and processes so that we are equal partners at the table with developers and with city staff and officials. We need stronger infill compatibility standards that live up to the UDO's stated intent for infill compatibility so that we don't lose the character and charm of Raleigh as we continue to grow and prosper. We need responsible development that is proportional to the neighborhood. We need responsible development that respects the environment. And we need responsible development with adequate infrastructure to support smart growth. We also must be mindful that increased density that accommodates only the wealthy will contribute to sprawl and traffic congestion as our first responders, teachers, healthcare workers, and service workers are priced out of the market.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Raleigh's infrastructure -- transit, water and sewer systems, school systems -- has been overwhelmed by the rapid growth we have enjoyed. This growth means that the City has to raise rates and taxes to cover infrastructure costs and this burden primarily falls on residents.
We must work to ensure that those responsible for the growth that is overwhelming our infrastructure partner with the City to share the costs more fairly so that all may continue to benefit from growth.
Raleigh also must partner with state and federal government to focus more on infrastructure so that we can continue to enjoy the success that has helped our city grow.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
I would like to look at providing more resources and funding for affordable housing and in support of citizen engagement. While the city now sets aside about $5.9M annually for affordable housing, I think we need to explore tax abatements and tax credits as well to increase the supply of affordable workforce housing to meet demand. The Citizens Advisory Councils need greater support and resourcing from the city to help with outreach and operations.
As far as reducing spending, I would recommend looking at the city's economic development budget which is already under review. And I would like to look at the salary structure for upper level employees to ensure that they are being compensated at an appropriate level compared with their peers and also in line with the city's overall salary ranges for all levels of employees.
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Raleigh is very development-driven and that has both positive and negative consequences. Much of the growth that I have seen over the years has resulted in more opportunity for residents -- economically and culturally. However, the growth has also overwhelmed our infrastructure. Traffic congestion not only results in frustration and lost productivity, but it leads to drivers cutting through neighborhood streets that were never designed to handle the increased traffic volume, thus negatively impacting quality of life. Our storm water systems have also been strained, resulting in some of the biggest complaints from Raleigh residents. Additionally, growth has forced many longtime residents out of their homes as gentrification, with resulting increased property values and increased property taxes, makes it economically infeasible for them to remain in their homes. We must restore a balance where residents have equal standing in a partnership with developers and the city. Currently the balance tilts overwhelmingly toward developers.
