My Priorities
by Barb de Michele
Priority 1: Make Issaquah Affordable
Issaquah’s high cost of living creates barriers to our city’s future success. Housing is foundational to the health of our community. It is difficult for our residents and work force to be able to live where they work and, at the same time, seek to thrive as families. The absence of attainable local housing destroys community cohesion by forcing teachers, firefighters, police officers, counselors, bus drivers, and other vital workers into long and unsustainable commutes. Our city, the school district and local businesses experience high turnover rates and less stability as a result. Our environment suffers. And young people raised here cannot afford to return here as adults to raise their own families.
It is vital that the City Council lead conversations which move beyond acknowledgment of the need and implement a bold and collaborative plan to insure solutions which will 1) provide sustainable housing in a growing economy and 2) will be supplemented by services to insure that all residents will have a place to live and work.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
Priority 2: Keep Issaquah Moving
As a former King County Department of Transportation community relations planner, I understand the importance of mobility for local communities. Issaquah’s transportation challenges are two-fold: 1) increasing mobility options for residents and workers within the city and 2) managing pass-through traffic coming from north and south of the city. We must recognize and revise strategies to address significant COVID19 impacts (tele-commuting and severely reduced funding) on partner transportation agencies.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
Priority 3: Build A Welcoming and Healthy Community For All
Issaquah’s increasing diversity is a strength we should capitalize upon. I will encourage a community in which we share and value each person’s unique stories, gifts and talents.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
Priority 4: Increase Citizen Engagement
As Issaquah grows and welcomes newcomers into our community, our city needs to increasingly focus on how we can inform, engage, and incorporate residents into city and community decision-making.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
Issaquah’s high cost of living creates barriers to our city’s future success. Housing is foundational to the health of our community. It is difficult for our residents and work force to be able to live where they work and, at the same time, seek to thrive as families. The absence of attainable local housing destroys community cohesion by forcing teachers, firefighters, police officers, counselors, bus drivers, and other vital workers into long and unsustainable commutes. Our city, the school district and local businesses experience high turnover rates and less stability as a result. Our environment suffers. And young people raised here cannot afford to return here as adults to raise their own families.
It is vital that the City Council lead conversations which move beyond acknowledgment of the need and implement a bold and collaborative plan to insure solutions which will 1) provide sustainable housing in a growing economy and 2) will be supplemented by services to insure that all residents will have a place to live and work.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
- The City of Issaquah’s Comprehensive Plan and 2017 Housing Strategy Work Plan;
- Leveraging partnerships and bold collaborations with governments, faith-based organizations, community organizations such as A Regional Coalition of Housing (ARCH), and the business community to increase the availability of affordable housing.
- Ensuring that preservation of open spaces and additions of parks and recreational facilities keeps pace with development;
- The establishment of an Opportunity Center social services campus featuring a sliding scale health center, mental health counseling services, and systems navigation for low-income residents;
- The continued creation of a Green Necklace network of walking and bike paths.
- Resources to help people experiencing homelessness, including emergency housing, increased food and clothing resources, mental health and substance abuse treatment options, and job growth.
Priority 2: Keep Issaquah Moving
As a former King County Department of Transportation community relations planner, I understand the importance of mobility for local communities. Issaquah’s transportation challenges are two-fold: 1) increasing mobility options for residents and workers within the city and 2) managing pass-through traffic coming from north and south of the city. We must recognize and revise strategies to address significant COVID19 impacts (tele-commuting and severely reduced funding) on partner transportation agencies.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
- Implementation of Issaquah’s recently passed Master Mobility Plan;
- Restoration of transit services lost during the COVID19 pandemic;
- Increased options for alternative transportation services, including transit, bicycling, and walking;
- Continued regional planning efforts to resolve transportation issues in collaboration with adjacent municipalities and communities in unincorporated King County.
Priority 3: Build A Welcoming and Healthy Community For All
Issaquah’s increasing diversity is a strength we should capitalize upon. I will encourage a community in which we share and value each person’s unique stories, gifts and talents.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
- The vision statement in the city’s Strategic Plan which recognizes Issaquah as a “welcoming community;”
- The equity objectives under the Government and Leadership goals in the City Strategic Plan;
- Continued implementation of the Mayor's Human Services, Police Accountability and Equity Plan;
- Strong community police, fire prevention and emergency services;
- Incorporating “youth voice” in all city boards and commissions, as a means of transmitting democratic values to our youth as well as incorporating new experiences and insights into city planning;
- Measures to address increased homelessness due to the COVID19 pandemic;
- Providing more housing options for youth experiencing homelessness;
- Bold partnerships with the business community, community-based organizations and faith-based organizations.
Priority 4: Increase Citizen Engagement
As Issaquah grows and welcomes newcomers into our community, our city needs to increasingly focus on how we can inform, engage, and incorporate residents into city and community decision-making.
As a city councilmember, I will support:
- Regular council listening sessions and community outreach activities;
- Neighborhood involvement in safety, traffic and transit decisions affecting their area;
- Increasing the range of languages and culturally sensitive materials used in city documents, web-based, digital and social media platforms;
- Helping to ensure that all citizens have equal access to city services and leadership opportunities.
