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Election 2009

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Name: Kyle Pietras

Age: 39

Occupation: Self-employed

Prior political experience: None

Hometown: Cheshire, Mass.

Years in Steamboat: 14

Family: Married, two daughters

Civic involvement: Four years working for the city of Steamboat Springs; one year at the Steamboat II Metro District

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?

I believe the city's tax structure is working for now. Revenue brought in from tourism and construction have brought our town many amenities and built some necessary reserves. This system has also helped keep a lid on the cost of living in town less particularly for the working class families. Development of a more diverse business community will help strengthen our local economy and ease the need for tourism and construction.

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 county and the city have spent time and money setting up the Yampa Valley Housing Authority. Years of trial and error launched some innovative solutions, but more innovation is necessary in these difficult times. We should look at a variety of ways to make sure that the goals of affordable housing reach those who need them most.

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?

The city should determine whether money or water rights should be brought to the table on a case-by-case basis. The vision of West Steamboat has allowed the city the foresight to collect enough paper water rights to cover more than the plan calls for. Collected money will pay for the legal fees to get the water flowing through our water system. For other proposed annexations, the city should evaluate the extent of the needs called for and decide if money or water rights are appropriate.

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?

Growth in West Steamboat is very necessary for long-term economic sustainability. It will help maintain the character of our community by allowing working class people and families to work and live in Steamboat. It will allow for a diverse business environment, and the city revenues will benefit us greatly-which in turn will allow us to build an increasingly sustainable economy. This is the best way to approach the shared goal of making sure the character or our community is maintained now and into the future.

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

The city and Triple Crown have spent years building a relationship that is beneficial to both parties. Families visiting our community for a week at a time contribute large revenues that are impossible to replace. They are the leading summertime fund contributor. A long-term agreement would really benefit our community. Not to mention watching the competition is fun.

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?

The user impact on the river has been determined to be very minimal. However, user conflict is the bigger issue: how do fisherman and tubers get along for two months of the summer? The answer is education. Tubers need to know to use proper equipment, such as sunglass straps, strapped-on footwear and proper-sized tubes. We further need to better explain the effects of littering and river etiquette. Fisherman, on the other hand, need to be tolerant and considerate of timing - fishing at noon on a hot day in July near the Fifth Street Bridge is a recipe for disaster. We all need to respect the Yampa and our fellow users; it's there for all of us.

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?

Three years is a long time to wait for pulling a building permit, but given our new economy, extensions maybe warranted with stipulations. The application for an extension should include a detailed plan for moving forward with the construction to keep our community appraised of the situation.

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?

We as a community have decided the base area should be an area of high density. Building height should be determined on a case-by-case basis, particularly considering its location and impact on surrounding structures and residents.

Open-ended

I live in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Steamboat Springs with my wife, Christine, two daughters, Ella and Norah; and our dog, Pinner. I am the owner of a landscaping business that I founded eight years ago and built into a full-time occupation through word-of-mouth interest and superior results.

My previous experience includes work for the city of Steamboat Springs in the Parks and Recreation Department for four years. I then served as a supervisor for the Steamboat II Metro District. Through this work and years as a successful business owner, I have become a strong leader, team player, and have developed keen decision-making skills.

I was born and raised along the Appalachian Trail in Western Massachusetts. I came to Steamboat in 1995, after earning a bachelor's of science in Business Administration from Western New England College. Steamboat is the place I chose to plant my roots. As a long-term citizen, I'm committed to giving back to the community where I met my wife of 10 years, started a family, and am growing a business.