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Election 2009

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Name: Walter Magill

Age: 39

Occupation: Civil engineer and professional land surveyor for Four Points Surveying and Engineering

Prior political experience: Currently concluding two-year term on City Council for District 3

Hometown: Born in Amherst, N.H.

Years in Steamboat: I moved to Steamboat Springs in 1997

Family: I am married to Cristina Magill and have three children, Wally G.; Suzy, 4; and Henry, 3.

Civic involvement: I currently am the City Council representative for the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association marketing steering committee; representative for the City of Steamboat Springs on the Northwest Council of Governments; representative for City Council on the Colorado Department of Transportation TPR for Region 6; director of the Howelsen trail run for Rocky Mountain Youth Corps as part of the Steamboat Springs Running Series for the past four years.

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?

I do not believe the city needs to change is tax structure at this time. As the city is budgeting for 2010, tough choices will need to be made, but the Council and staff will have work with the revenue generated. The growth of city-provided services for the citizens, the demolition of Ski Time Square and the purchase of the Iron Horse Inn affects the ability of the city to provide basic services. The budget process will be prioritized to fund basic services first and choices second. As we continue to rely on sales taxes, we will live with an unstable level of elective services and reduced basic services.

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 not be the leading the affordable housing efforts. Funds collected from payment in lieu and other sources should be passed to the YVHA with oversight reporting. The YVHA is tasked with constructing sustainable developments that provide exceptional rental and ownership opportunities for a mixture of incomes. The goals and strategic plan for the YVHA are presented once a year and from the last report the YVHA has a good five-year plan. It is time to reduce the involvement of the city in the affordable housing business and consolidate government entities and services.

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?

I believe the money required by the city for firming the existing water rights of the city instead of dedication of new water rights is good for the city of Steamboat Springs. The city water report completed by McLaughlin Water Engineer stated that the city of Steamboat Springs' priority for water was firming the existing water rights the city owns. The city does not have reserves or budget dollars to currently develop the existing dedicated water that the city owns. The current council has passed an ordinance for water dedication in any future annexations, which will be enforced beginning with 360 Village./

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?

Steamboat Springs will continue to grow if the city annexes property or not. The city and general public have identified the west side of town as growth areas in accepted community plans. If the city does not annex property, there will be more sprawl as working families are being pushed down valley either west or south. For the future of Steamboat Springs, we need a supply of affordable and attainable homes and rental properties. All annexations are methods to control and dictate the patterns of development and land use planning and the annexation agreements run with the land.

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

The long-term future of Triple Crown in Steamboat Springs should be a continued beneficial relationship for both sides based on short-term contracts (two- to three-year agreements). The city should work regionally to spread Triple Crown to Hayden and Oak Creek to reduce the weeks that all the fields in Steamboat Springs are being used. The city should make a capital effort in 2010 to improve the restroom facilities at Howelsen Hill, the rodeo grounds, Little Toots Park and all parks for all user groups. I am not in favor of increased field development to insure a long-term contract 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?

To mitigate user conflicts on the Yampa River, the city should request sporting goods stores, Wal-Mart and others to collect a dollar or two surcharge on tubes and rafts sold in stores for river cleanup. The city and the Chamber should encourage visitors to tube with outfitters along the Yampa River through Web sites and welcoming information. The city should also work with the Routt County sheriff to reduce open containers and underage drinking on the Yampa River. In addition, the city should work in cooperation with outfitters for the installation of trash receptacles along the Core Trail and the river corridor.

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?

I do not believe the city should be vesting project approvals for more than three years despite the current economic climate. I am in favor of an applicant getting a three-year grant of approval and another two-year administrative approval if the Community Development Code has not changed in respect to the project. I am against vesting approvals longer than five years since the market will continue to change for developers and future guests and owners. We have seen projects with vested approvals use the approved square footage to force the hand of the planning commission to accept projects with variances to the current code.

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?

I believe in the Community Development Code and the Steamboat Springs Area Plan that the base of the Steamboat Ski Area needs to have the highest densities within the community. The existing buildings in the base area, Torian Plum, Sheraton, the Grand and One Steamboat Plaza all are 105 feet. Due to the fractured ownership at the base area and the current locations of the buildings, I believe that raising and clarifying the building heights at 105 feet will not drastically impact the enjoyment guests and will help increase the vitality of the base area.

Open-ended (200-word limit)

I believe our current City Council has done a complete job in taking two years to study the proposed Steamboat 700 annexation, is financially prudent with the city budget and is honest with voters on the use tax collection. The collection of auditing the use tax was estimated at $4 million to be collected; as of this time the city has collected about $200,000. The use tax was not audited for 25 years by past councils or the finance department. Audits are currently being completed and we hope for a half or a third of the estimated collections.

During the next four years I would like to see the public restroom facilities at city facilities re-built, cleaned and in good working order for the public. I want to see a covered outdoor ice arena constructed through donations and grant funds. It would be a great public amenity for guests and residents and a draw for downtown. I want to finally see a teen center established by working collaboratively with the school district and the Boys and Girls Club of Steamboat Springs.