Mayoral and Council
Candidate Questionnaire
2014 City of Austin Municipal Election
Responses Due:
11:59 pm on September 4, 2014
Send Responses to:
Ted Siff: ted@parkplacepubs.com and
Candidate info and Point of Contact:
Candidate Name: Darrell Pierce
Staffer: Chelsea Rountree
Email: chelsearountree@gmail.com
Phone: (936) 615-6499
Austin Environmental Democrats Candidate Questionnaire – 2014 City of Austin Municipal Election
1) Are you a member of AED? If yes, since approximately when?
No
2) Name and explain your top three (3) environmental priorities and solutions.
Please include:
 Examples of where it has been done, if applicable.
 How you would implement the solutions in Austin.
The top three environmental priorities I would address are water conservation
and usage, air pollution, and continued enforcement of Save Our Springs
requirements. Austin needs an integrated water supply and conservation plan. In
order to create this plan, I would work with our water partners to create a ‘water
dashboard’ to collect and measure the various ways water is used. This
dashboard will compile real data to begin forming an integrated water supply and
conservation plan that would include goals, objectives, and performance
measures. To combat air pollution, I would ensure the city continues their efforts
to purchase energy efficient vehicles with the goal of a complete, energy efficient
fleet. Further, I support and would work with our transportation partners to
explore initiatives to take cars off roads. This includes creating Park & Rides in
suburban areas that currently do not have them and Ride Share programs that
promote fewer vehicles on our roads. Lastly, I would work to ensure continued
SOS compliance and enforcement that ensures responsible and energy efficient
development that protects the Edwards Aquifer and our environment.
3) Have you actively worked on environmental issues/projects in the past? If
so, please describe the issue/project and your role. Please limit your
response to no more than your top three (3) projects.
I am proud to lead trash pick-up initiatives in our community open spaces and
greenbelts and continue efforts within my neighborhood to develop a combination
of xeriscape entry ways and the use of plants that require low water usage.
Further, I acted as an objective voice during my years of service on the Austin
Planning Commission by listening to voices from our community to ensure
projects requiring changed zoning were responsible to protecting the health of
our environment.
4) Of the projects listed above, which project are you most proud of working
on?
Because of the broad based community impact, I am most proud of having the
opportunity to collaborate with Jackie Goodman while serving on the Austin
Planning Commission.
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Austin Environmental Democrats Candidate Questionnaire – 2014 City of Austin Municipal Election
5) What is your guiding philosophy in balancing growth/development with
environmental protection?
My guiding philosophy is ensuring all parties understand each other’s expected
goals and outcomes, the impact of the project on the environment and the impact
of the project on our community. Further, all parties must understand the SOS
requirements as a guiding philosophy/ordinance, and explore additional
protective solutions that could be used to maximize the health of our environment
and growth of our community. Clean, energy efficiency and impact on water
utilization/conservation methods are also key guiding philosophies should be
considered.
6) What is your stance regarding urban rail?
Based on the rapid growth Austin is experiencing, City Council should continue to
explore all transportation options including an urban rail plan that is regional in
scope, environmentally sensitive, safe, and driven by an overall timeline. The
proposed urban rail plan can provide one alternative option for meeting some of
our transportation needs with the understanding that it must be connected to a
regional plan that moves riders from various parts of our region including District
8. Additional pressure should be placed on the City Council to provide voters with
a clear regional plan on where and when additional rail lines will be connected to
other parts of Austin and ensure the proposed financial contingencies are only
used where necessary.
The following key points are additional reasons to consider urban rail as one viable
option in our transportation toolbox:
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Urban rail should only be built upon receiving federal grants to cover half of the
costs.
The construction of urban rail is estimated to create local jobs and an estimated
6:1 ratio of private development along the route due to public investment.
It is estimated that urban rail will generate 45 million annual property and sales
tax revenue for the city of Austin that could create an opportunity for supporting a
phased-in homestead tax exemption.
It is forecasted that urban rail will generate 16,000 to 20,000 average daily
boarding's and remove 6,100 to 8,300 cars off the road each day.
7) What is your stance on the building of SH 45 SW?
I clearly understand that the building of SH 45 SW is primarily a result of a former
bond approved by the voters; the City of Austin has no current financial
investment in the project, and is outside of City Council’s current jurisdiction with
the exception of CAMPO representation. A safe and environmentally sound SH
45 SW should be build coupled with developing an underpass at the current
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Austin Environmental Democrats Candidate Questionnaire – 2014 City of Austin Municipal Election
intersections of LaCrosse and Slaughter along MOPAC to remove traffic lights
located on the highway and improve continuous flow at the same LaCrosse and
Slaughter intersections. As a part of a regional comprehensive plan, we should
evaluate required improvements and safety concerns that would be required on
the existing 45, FM 1826, the Oak Hill Y, and other areas of South MOPAC.
8) What committees of council and/or regional planning organizations would
you like to serve on if elected and why?
I would have an interest in serving on the Comprehensive Planning and
Transportation Committee, the Council Committee on Austin Energy, the Public
Health and Human Services Committee, and the Special Committee on
Economic Incentives. Understanding our need to improve the means of
transportation, provide real affordable options, ensure health services to our
entire community, and that we are positioned to attract semi-skilled and nontechnical industries that will assist with sustaining our middle class, are a few
reasons that drive my interest and passion for wanting to serve and make a
difference.
9) Did you vote in the Democratic Party primary this spring? Yes
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