Office: 4th District (at-large)
Candidate: Beth Gottstein

1. Bicycling and walking account for less than 4% of all trips made in Kansas City. This is less than half the national average.

Question: How would you increase this rate up to the national average?

IThere are several things that I will do to raise this number above the national average.  The first--and the one where the City Council can have the greatest impact--is by passing a budget ordinance that mandates the City spend a certain percentage on bicycle lanes for every stretch of major roadway that it builds.  We also need an ordinance that mandates that we can construct no new streets unless there is sidewalk on one side of the street, at a minimum.  We can encourage our private developers to include this in their planning.

We must also address the safety of people and their property.  I will advocate for the building of more bicycle racks in major destinations like Downtown, the Plaza, and Zona Rosa, and look for ways the private sector can support it.  I will work with the Police Department and neighborhood Community Action Networks (CANs) to increase neighborhood security and develop plans that successfully compete for Safe Routes to School grants.

2. Since 2002 Kansas City has had a Council-approved plan called BikeKC to create a network of on-street bikeways throughout all parts of the city. To date very little of that plan has been implemented, due to funding and organizational problems.

Question: How would you work to implement the existing plan?

In this campaign cycle, many have advocated for a sidewalk city, encouraging walking trails, cyclist lanes, reduced pollution and auto congestion, and enhanced greenspace.  BikeKC is a very important initiative for Kansas City's future.  If elected, I will advocate that the City implement and fund the plan by dedicating a mandated percentage of road construction to the building of bicycle lanes, as stated in my answer to Question 1 above.  As light rail and SmartMoves planning advances, the City should incorporate funding for BikeKC.  I will also push for motorist education about bicycles and "Share the Road" signage.  Finally, as the most experienced candidate in this race, I will cultivate the strong relationships I have with our state legislators, and work with them to obtain the assistance of MoDOT and other state programs. 

3. Since 2003 Kansas City has had a Council-approved walkability plan, which identified several neighborhoods with deficient or non-existent sidewalk networks.

Question: How would you bring sidewalks to all neighborhoods in Kansas City?

 Sidewalks are basic features of safe and livable neighborhoods.  No city should deny distressed communities such an essential facet of urban life.  Yet, our capital improvements demands often make this a reality.  My campaign priorities include enhanced, strengthened infrastructure; fiscal integrity; and open, honest government.  I am running because our distressed communities do not have a voice at the table about the important quality life decisions, as small, yet crucial, like sidewalk repair.  We have to evaluate how we spend our City dollars and with what priorities.

Although I refused to raise costs for Kansas Citians, the City may wish to explore a sliding-scale fee for sidewalk construction, which will vary with the value of the property.  The City could provide additional incentives to provide support to distressed areas.  This expenditure is a wise investment--our tax base cannot grow and neighborhoods cannot improve, unless we have basic infrastructure in place.

4. City policy treats sidewalks as the property of the home or business owner. Anyone who wants to, however, can use the sidewalks in front of a home or business.

Question: do you think the city should consider the sidewalk to be a public asset—part of the thoroughfare—or the personal property of the property owner?

I think that treating the sidewalks as private property with a public right-of-way strikes the right balance.  If the city actually moved to take the sidewalks, it might reduce the individual's sense of duty to take care of the sidewalks, as is currently called for in Chapter 64 of the City Code.  The City would have to step in and pick up the slack for day-to-day maintenance, which would eat into the City budget.  This reduces the funds available for the implementation of initiatives like BikeKC.  Since city resources are limited, private property with a public right-of-way makes the most sense.

5. Kansas City's bicycle and pedestrian programs are haphazard and dispersed through many departments, leaving us with no coherent policy and no mechanism to oversee the policy that does exist.

Question: How would you create an integrated transportation system that includes bicycles and pedestrians?

With light rail in the works, constant questions regarding how we can reduce pollution and preserve resources, a rise in childhood diabetes, obesity and related illnesses, and an ever-developing demand for alternative modes of transportation, it is time that we have a dedicated Division of Transportation, probably through City Planning and Development.  Because the new City Charter outlines the role of the City Council, the new Council sets the strategic direction.  We can establish our expectations and measurements of the City’s progress, once implemented.  I would support an ordinance establishing and funding such a department and centralizing logistical coordination for transportation programs.  It would work to establish relationships with state and federal grantmaking and transportation agencies.  By having a well-organized approach and clearly defined performance measurer, I think we will be far more competitive in securing grants.

6. The city currently relies CMAQ and Transportation Enhancements for most of its bike/ped funding. This forces us to compete with all of our suburban neighbors for funding.

Question: Would you support the budgeting of city money for bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and if so how would you accomplish it?

Having had the privilege of studying and traveling abroad, I have experienced the impact on the ecology, economy, health and mobility that a cycle-friendly urban society has on the progress of a City.  Funding for bicycle and pedestrian transportation is very important, and I would support the budgeting through general revenue and special enterprise funds in improving these modes of transportation.  However, I will rely on the Coalition to help me review the progress and challenges experienced in other cities and build Kansas Citians’ momentum.  It is especially important that the City is proactive in exceeding the ADA minimum requirements and ensure that transportation and infrastructure as accessible as possible to wheelchair users and those who use support in transporting themselves.

Other Comments

As someone who walks nearly every day for health and mind, I recognize that this is not a possibility for every Kansas Citians.  I also note that even the chunky tires on my Schwinn Classic Cruiser cannot handle the City streets’ potholes.  We live in one of the fattest, unhealthiest states in the country, and we struggle for public healthcare dollars.  Yet, it’s a difficult City in which to find safe walking.  It is not a bike friendly town.  One of the reasons I am running is that I believe that, too often, we have not made the easy connections for important issues like these – the health of our citizens, the ecology of our future and the transportation potential for Kansas Citians.  Our government should respond to Kansas Citians’ needs, instead of dictating them.  We should ensure that all Kansas Citians have a say.  I have seen less and less of this over the years.  I can make a change.

It has generated a partnership and singular vision, making for a dynamic organization and impact.  I share your passion and goals for our City, for Kansas Citians and for our history and promise.  I respectfully request the Coalition’s endorsement.  With my skills, drive, experience and leadership, and your expertise and vision, we can move Kansas City into phases we have only started to imagine.

My campaign has kicked into high gear.  I am honored that my candidacy reflects a broad base of community support.  I have attached a partial list.  I also attach my resume and a news article which explains my background.

Your expertise and guidance once I reach City Hall is especially valuable.  More importantly, I recognize that should I win, and I plan to, our partnership creates many new opportunities to grow. 

If you have questions about my qualifications or responses, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Thank you very much for this opportunity.