Home

Election 2009

Visit www.steamboatpilot.com/election2009 for complete coverage of this year's races and issues.

Name: Cari Hermacinski

Age: 39

Occupation: Small-business owner

Prior political experience: Steamboat Springs Planning Commission, April 2003 to November 2007; Steamboat Springs City Council, November 2007 to present

Hometown: Steamboat Springs. Grew up in Craig, Colo.

Years in Steamboat: 9

Family: Mark Hermacinski, Eva Hermacinski (6), and Josie Hermacinski (4)

Civic involvement: Colorado Women Against MS; 2009 Northwest Colorado Rural Philanthropy Days; 2008 Economic Summit Moderator; Rocky Mountain Rail Authority; Human Resource Coalition; Supporter of many local nonprofits.

Questions (candidates were asked to limit answers to 100 words or fewer)

The city has had to make drastic budget cuts recently. Does this speak to a need for changes to the city's tax structure? If so, what changes? If not, why is the current tax structure appropriate?

It is responsible spending, during good times and bad, and saving for the downturns that will give us a stable and reliable government. I support an evaluation of the taxing structure to determine if there is a combination of options that are less regressive or more diversified. But whatever the method of taxation, responsible government leaders should save excess revenue during strong economic periods so that services are not jeopardized during inevitable economic downturns. All financial systems, and the methods of taxation tied to those financial systems, are subject to highs and lows.

Should the city delegate affordable housing efforts and remit fees collected through the city's community housing ordinance to the Yampa Valley Housing Authority? Why or why not?

The city should direct its affordable housing efforts through the YVHA in collaboration with the county to provide economies of scale and a more holistic approach. The city should not duplicate services already provided by YVHA. YVHA provides an opportunity for an entity comprised of affordable housing experts, as opposed to citizen legislators who may not have expertise in affordable housing, to provide affordable housing for our citizens. The city can provide consistent, substantial and meaningful funding to the YVHA through the remittance of fees collected through the city's community housing ordinance.

Is it OK for the city to require money instead of new water rights from projects seeking annexation into city limits? Why or why not?

Water is the most important issue facing western communities experiencing growth. While Steamboat has excess water rights, those water rights have not been "perfected"; a legal process that makes water available for use. Perfection takes money. I believe, at this point in time, money is an appropriate requirement. Even without annexation, we must begin the process of perfection. Ensuring that the city retains its excess water rights is critical and urgent considering the tremendous demand and competition for our water rights. Perfecting our existing water rights also works to prevent the de-watering of our surrounding open space and agricultural land.

Is growth in west Steamboat and the annexation of projects such as Steamboat 700 and 360 Village necessary for the long-term health and vitality of the city? Why or why not?

Haphazard growth will create more negative impacts than planned growth. Currently, the city has a plan that considers only one option for growth - annexation. But citizen support is critical for annexation to be successful. If the community does not support annexation, we must consider in-fill development, re-development on a more dense and modest scale, and collaboration with other nearby communities to truly achieve a holistic plan for growth. Finally, annexations should occur only as they are needed, in manageable sizes and as part of a multi-faceted plan for growth.

What in your mind, should be the long-term future of Triple Crown in Steamboat Springs?

Historically, about half of the sales tax revenue required to fund city services have been generated by tourists. As long as the city relies on sales tax for funding, we will be reliant on tourism. Currently, Triple Crown brings a demographic our community likes - families with children. Over time, Triple Crown has responded to our community's concerns; switching from men's baseball tournaments to children's tournaments. As long as sales tax is our primary source of revenue, Triple Crown remains a family event, and we cannot find a suitable replacement event, the city should continue its relationship with Triple Crown.

How should the city mitigate ever-growing conflicts between users of the Yampa River, including tubers and fishermen, and the impact those users have on the health of the river?

Conflicts between users of the Yampa River have the potential to undermine the health of one of our most important resources and endanger the safety of our citizens. I would like to see the efforts to mitigate the conflicts focused on preventative and multi-point education measures rather than increased regulation. We should first attempt to educate users to respect the Yampa and each other. But if measures implemented this past summer prove unsuccessful, I would support more rigorous steps - including empowering city open space employees to issue citations for code violations.

Given the current economic climate, should developers be allowed more than the standard three years before they must pull a building permit and begin construction on their projects? If yes, how long is appropriate? If no, why not?

Developers should not be allowed more than the standard three years. Entitled development that is not in compliance with the code in place at the time of construction is bad planning. But, unnecessarily burdening property owners with fees for an additional planning process when the project is still in compliance with the current code is bad government. To balance good government with good planning, I support granting projects an extension of the initial three year period if the planning code has not changed at the time of the extension request.

Do you agree that the base of the Steamboat Ski Area needs to be more dense, with buildings as tall as 105 feet? Why or why not?

The new 105-foot height limit matches that of other world-class ski resorts. Unfortunately, the older 105-foot buildings at the base area - Grand, Sheraton, Torian Plum - were constructed when "square-box" development was allowed. The improved design requirements mandate projects like One Steamboat Place, which focus on the "un-built environment" between buildings to create a welcoming pedestrian environment. In addition, the 105-foot height limit removes arbitrary "horse-trading" by mandating a percentage of the project value be given to the city for public improvements and amenities. This provides certainty for the community.

Open-ended (200-word limit)

I would like to continue serving as your representative on the City Council. I have delivered on the four promises I made in 2007:

1. Fiscal Responsibility We reversed the unsustainable trend of past councils and spent less money than collected. The current council balanced the budget each year.

2. Open and Transparent Government We held fewer executive sessions than any other council in the last 10 years.

3. Collaboration with the County and YVHA We reversed the direction of the previous council and directed that the City maintain a joint building department. The relationship between the City and YVHA is again healthy and collaborative.

4. Smart Growth City Councils of the past approved over 2 million square feet of development and long vesting periods of 10 years. We reversed both of those trends.

If re-elected I will continue to focus on these important principles. I will work to remove barriers to job creation and small business success. I will work to maintain core services in the face of falling revenues. I will only vote for balanced budgets.

Please visit www.cariforcouncil.com for more information or to contact me. Your opinion matters to me.