Survey Results: King County and Issaquah City Council Candidates
This month, the People for Climate Action Issaquah sent a survey to Issaquah City Council Candidates and King County Council Candidates requesting more detailed information about their positions on climate, sustainability, and Issaquah’s future.
King County Council Candidate Sarah Perry and Issaquah City Council Candidate Rose Zibrat offered responses to this survey, giving us more insight into their platforms and policies. Read them below.
1. Do you accept scientific findings that human caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are causing an unprecedented increase in global warming which is already having negative effects on our environment and human life and which will increasingly worsen over time?
Perry: YES
Zibrat: YES
2. Do you agree with the 2018 United Nations Report and continuing county and city commitments to the King County-City Climate Collaboration which state that bold government action must be taken to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030?
Perry: YES
Zibrat: YES
3. Are you aware that, according to Issaquah’s and King County’s most recent GHG emission inventory, most of their greenhouse gas emissions come from Commercial/Residential Buildings and Transportation?
Perry: N/A
Zibrat: YES
4. Nearly half of the GHG emissions associated with buildings are caused by burning natural gas to heat space and water, and in nearly all buildings efficient electric heat pumps could be used instead? Do you see the need to reduce natural gas usage in current buildings? Do you support actions city/county actions to reduce GHG emissions by:
● adopting energy performance standards for new and existing buildings?
○ Perry: YES
○ Zibrat: YES
● eliminating new “natural” gas connections?
○ Perry: N/A
○ Zibrat: YES
● requiring electric vehicle charging capabilities in new construction?
○ Perry: YES
○ Zibrat: YES
5. What is your campaign’s platform and commitment to advance Issaquah’s/King County’s Climate Action Plans so that Issaquah/King County achieves its GHG reduction targets (e.g., 50% reduction by 2030)? Please explain specifically how you would accomplish this in concert with your fellow Council members, with City/County Staff, and with volunteer organizations such as PCA.
Perry: “We have made strides in improving our design/build processes to meet green building standards but there is much more to do. I would love to look at allowing developers to significantly reduce the duration of this process, in exchange for committing to specific green building standards. We should also offer free planning or certification training and assistance to builders working to meet green building standards. One of the issues I have highlighted is helping our businesses as we come out of the pandemic. I would love to see our County communication staff highlighting builders who have successfully met green building standards.
We need transit and transit alternatives to promote electric shuttles and bus systems that will reduce single occupancy vehicles throughout unincorporated Woodinville, Redmond, Duvall, the Snoqualmie Valley, Issaquah and Sammamish. As we move toward alternative energy sources, we have to make sure that we are doing it both thoughtfully and with the urgency that it needs, and it’s exciting to see our transportation infrastructure moving away from some of the most detrimental fossil fuels in our energy portfolio in Washington State. Our state has made major gains in limiting coal production and taking plants off line.
Obviously, at the same time we are leading in combating climate change, we need to lead at the same level in our ability to transition to alternative energy sources, ensuring that we create as many jobs as are lost, and that we maintain our family wage jobs with solid benefits. We need to do much more work incentivizing transit and commute trip reduction programs to encourage people to move away from single occupancy travel. This includes fair fares programs, improving rapid ride and Metro Connects. We need a leader in East King County that champions Sound Transit. We need to give regional transit agencies more agency in fare enforcement to reduce and limit the punitive civil infractions that affect the working poor and marginalized communities.”
Zibrat: “My commitment to advance Issaquah’s Climate Action Plan is at 110%. Preparing our community for the effects of climate change is one of my top priorities.
Issaquah is still in the middle of developing its first Climate Action Plan, which should be adopted in December of this year. In the recommendations document, there are several good starting points.
We also need to talk about and address waste from the large corporations here in Issaquah.
A significant reduction will come from reforming the Title 16 Building and Construction code and the Title 18 Land Use code. Some specific examples would be updating the minimum amount of insulation in new construction – which would reduce the energy needed to heat and cool buildings, requiring electric appliances over natural gas – the Clean Energy Transformation Act should help us see 100% renewable energy sources for electric utilities hopefully by 2045, building up urban forests – which help reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, sequester carbon, and help support the local wildlife.”
6. Most of this area’s utility provider is Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a private company. PSE has increased its coal and natural gas use according to the most recent Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The company burns these fossil fuels to produce about 1/3 of our electricity. These trends have caused an increase in local GHG emissions. The state has now mandated utilities provide clean (non-coal/natural gas) energy by 2030, at least 90% alternative sources and no more than 10% carbon offsets.
● How can the City/County work with PSE and promote cleaner energy sources such as wind and solar, to help our climate?
Perry: “We are moving away from some of the most detrimental fossil fuels in our energy portfolio in Washington State. Our state has made major gains in limiting coal production taking plants off line. Obviously, at the same time we are leading in combating climate change, we need to lead at the same level in our ability to transition to alternative energy sources, ensuring that we create as many jobs as are lost, and that we maintain our family wage jobs with solid benefits. During this transition from energy that accelerates climate change we will need to be flexible with energy sources that move us forward but could be supplanted in the future by wind and solar. “
Zibrat: “We could provide financial assistance or incentives to residents to switch to these cleaner energy sources.”
● Have you, or will you, accept campaign contributions from PSE?
Perry: NO
Zibrat: NO
● If PSE is unable to meet the clean energy legislation goals, do you support the establishment of a Public Utility District (PUD) in NE King County (including Issaquah) to replace PSE as the District’s energy provider?
Perry: N/A
Zibrat: YES- regardless of whether PSE can meet their goals or not
7. Fast sprawling land use (in particular single-family zoning) is a significant and well-documented contributor to GHG emissions whereas compact 15-minute communities reduce GHG emissions.
● What policies or reforms will your campaign put forward as priorities for land-use planning?
Perry: “Most of my work for the last five years has been about electing leaders who understand that climate change can’t wait any longer. I strongly support the effort to lower carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. I am a strong proponent of the Growth Management Act (GMA) and in keeping growth within urban boundaries and protecting our rural spaces. Protecting open spaces and farmland in this way directly fights climate change by decreasing our carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gas emission.
This is a strong distinction between myself and the current incumbent who has allowed seven different businesses to exist in violation of the rural zoning ordinances in the Sammamish Valley increasing urban sprawl, causing sewage mitigation issues which impact local farms and rivers and sets a dangerous precedent. I will use my office as our next King County Councilmember for District 3 to uphold the GMA and to revise as appropriate for the greater good for all and oppose a wink-and-nod culture that favors certain businesses to the detriment of our environment.”
Zibrat: “I’m supportive of more high-density housing, but we will have trouble becoming a 15-minute-community if we do not embrace better and expanded public transit. Issaquah, as we likely all know, has traffic problems. And our traffic problems will only be exacerbated as we grow in population. We cannot expect people to stop driving a majority of the time until public transit begins to approach the convenience of driving.”
● Do you support significant changes to the City/ County land use code to require reducing the negative environmental impacts of new construction projects within the city/county?
Perry: N/A
Zibrat: YES
8. People will switch to less-polluting modes of transportation when they are made as safe, convenient, affordable, and as accessible as traveling by gas-powered car.
● What additional funding mechanisms do you support to accelerate the buildout of Issaquah’s/King County’s multimodal networks (pedestrian, cyclist, transit and electric car infrastructure) in the City/County Policies and Plans?
Perry: “My top priority is making sure our neighbors have access to safe, reliable, and clean transportation that does not impose on our natural spaces. I will bring together the North Bend, Snoqualmie, Carnation, Duvall, Woodinville, Redmond, Sammamish and Issaquah areas, each of which have different transportation needs, and I will use my voice to prioritize equitable, progressive funding mechanisms and attention to these issues. I will expand access to transit, advocate for additional affordable housing and walkable communities through transit-oriented development, and protect and strengthen our environment at the same time.”
Zibrat: “Pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure should be a priority when considering projects moving forward. I also want to ensure that all Issaquah residents have access to public transportation.”
9. With unusually hot and dry weather and a major increase in outdoor recreation over the past year, wildfire risk is on everyone’s mind. How do you plan to support healthy and resilient forests and the mitigation of wildfire risks in King County/Issaquah?
Perry: “Our natural systems are going to help us combat climate change so we have to use them to the fullest. We have to keep our forests healthy to combat fire. Maintaining and protecting our open spaces, farmlands and watersheds. As the Councilmember representing the district with the most to protect in forest, farms and open spaces as well as watersheds, my job is to lead the Council in this area and I will be a strong advocate and voice for protecting and expanding these areas in an environmentally sound way that will impact all of King County.
There are a number of critical programs like Puget Sound Nutrient Grants, Stormwater assistance, Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration program, Estuary Salmon and Restoration Program and the work of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board that needs careful stewardship and leadership. One program that is critical to East King County is Floodplain by Design. This is a program of King County that helps design river and creek restoration projects to make sure these natural systems are most environmentally appropriate for that area.
Through all of these programs and more I will work to protect and expand our land restoration and acquisition program.”
Zibrat: “We need to establish a Community Wildfire Protection Plan - which will describe our wildfire response, how we should protect structures, evacuation plans, and how we can ensure that our community is prepared should we experience a wildfire. Public education about preparedness will always be a priority of mine because it will vastly improve our collective chances of withstanding natural disasters. We should make sure that everyone knows what they need to do in the event of an emergency and that they have supplies that they need on hand.
Again, reforming our Construction and Land Use codes will also be incredibly important in addressing wildfire risk – such requiring the use of fire-resistant construction materials, perhaps mandating defensible buffer zones, and using native plants with low flammability.
As to supporting resilient forests, I will defer to the experts. My expertise is in rocks and long dead fossils – not living things.”
10. How do you plan to collaborate with Tribal governments while balancing the priorities of the outdoor recreation community and the healthy stewardship of our public lands?
Perry: “I am interested in using the model of Seeking Prior Informed Consent with our sovereign tribal nations. This means that rather than seeing them as stakeholders like a non-profit organization, that they are seen as the first people and sovereign nations, and that we have the primary conversation about any policies or practices with them first. I would seek prior informed consent when deliberating on any policies that affect King County Council, District 3 and follow up with the tribes in my district including: the Snoqualmie, the Tulalip, and the Muckleshoot.”
Zibrat: “The tribes of North America have already lost so much and I think that the very, very least we can do is to help local tribes protect what they do have and really listen to what they have to say.
For instance, I’m aware that the Snoqualmie tribe relatively recently launched their Ancestral Lands Movement which seeks to raise awareness of the cultural significance of their Tribe’s ancestral lands and the detriment brought about by the massive increase in outdoor recreation over the last decade-ish.”
11. Trailheads throughout King County and especially in the Issaquah Alps are seeing overcrowding and illegal parking has become a major problem. How will you collaborate with City/County staff to create more environmentally friendly, equitable, and safe access to trails?
Perry: “King County District 3 is the largest physical district of all 9 King County Districts. One third of our 150,000 registered voters live in unincorporated King County, but the land mass is much larger than our seven cities and their surrounding areas. One barrier that people have in accessing our district’s forests, open spaces, parks and natural areas is the sheer time it can take to get to these areas. I am a strong advocate for King County’s Trailhead Direct Metro Program where shuttles and buses are driving people to these open spaces. We can use this program more in our district as we continue to see such growth and transit alternatives.
I would prioritize and protect our critical habitat areas as well. Our district is full of natural beauty and we can’t lose that or take it for granted. I am a strong supporter of the Growth Management Act and keeping growth where it belongs, primarily in the cities. We can’t risk urban sprawl and the threat that brings to our farms, water, open spaces and forests.”
Zibrat: “To address the overcrowding and illegal parking, I would advocate for progressive fines to either deter those that think they’re entitled to park wherever they like – or they can help fund the city to do great things!
I’d like to see better advertisements of the shuttles that run to these trails. This would ensure that those who only have access to public transit also have access to trails, it would keep more people from parking illegally, and help reduce traffic near trailheads.”
12. Where do you see the biggest threat to the Issaquah Alps over the next 30 years? And what can we do about it?
Perry: “I believe irresponsible growth and carbon emissions are the biggest threat. We need to make sure that we are paying attention to the GMA and keeping urban growth in urban settings and protecting our rural settings with farms, to reduce our carbon footprint and offset greenhouse gases. We need to bring attention to this issue on a County level and make good on the County’s Climate Action Plan if we are to address the climate crisis. We have the largest district in land mass and a great opportunity to be intentional about protecting our open spaces.”
Zibrat: “I would imagine that the only threats are those that humans create. My biggest concern is developing more and more of the slopes of the Issaquah Alps. There is no future proof plan or magic bullet to eliminate these threats. We could create policies that would prohibit such development, but a future council could overturn that policy. So, ultimately we must all be diligent in who we allow to have power in our city.”
13. Where do you see the most opportunity for collaboration between government and advocacy groups specifically as it relates to conservation?
Perry: “King County District 3 is the largest physical district in King County, with federal, state, county and municipal forestlands and farmlands. I take leadership on climate change and leadership on protecting our forests, wetlands, grasslands, farmland, rivers and streams very seriously. We have ample opportunities in this district to harness these natural systems to combat and adapt to the climate crisis through a collective coalition.
I’m excited about the opportunity to work with groups like the Nature Conservancy and Forterra to increase open spaces throughout King County. There are a number of critical programs like Puget Sound Nutrient Grants, Stormwater assistance, Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration program, Estuary Salmon and Restoration Program and the work of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board that needs careful stewardship and leadership. One program that is critical to East King County is Floodplain by Design. This is a program of King County that helps design river and creek restoration projects to make sure these natural systems are most environmentally appropriate for that area. I will pay particular attention to ensuring that program funding is spent wisely.”
Zibrat: N/A
14. Besides climate change, warmer conditions and non-native predators in our waters, new discoveries identify more hazards that the salmon face including loss of canopy that shades any and all waterways, tire residue runoff, light pollution at night on bridges and docks, and eliminating safe fish passage in the dark.
● What policies or reforms does your campaign put forward as priorities mitigating these impacts?
Perry: “This must be a united approach between cities, counties and the state. As a coalition builder, I believe that we can have dialogue with all stakeholders to see what we can do to make sure that we have a more equitable distribution of and access to greenspaces and tree canopy in our communities. The State House of Representatives recently passed HB 1216 - Concerning urban and community forestry. In this bill, a city/county must pass an ordinance stating that they are committed to healthy urban and community forests. Following this, the state will come in and help the jurisdiction manage their forests.
Beyond this, we need to take a look at our maps and see where trees and open spaces are lacking and see what can be done. King County does a great job of purchasing open space and managing it. We need to encourage folks to plant trees in open spaces, whether that be in single-family neighborhoods, multi-family apartment buildings or public rights-of-way. There are plenty of spaces to plant additional trees and protect open space, but we need to incentivize residents to do so. This will also help with carbon sequestration as we continue to create open space and plant/manage forests.
I look forward to working with the state, city and county governments, as well as the local environmental, business, housing, education and underrepresented communities through a KCD3 Community Coalition that I will form once in office. We can build this strong, diverse coalition to address this issue in an integrated way to ensure greatest future success for all areas of impact. I will be an advocate for supporting canopy coverage for communities where there is inequitable distribution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Zibrat: “I take a data driven approach to solving problems. Human health is intricately tied to the health of our environment and the preservation of biodiversity. So, if the data shows that we need to get rid of light pollution on bridges and docks, then that is what we must do. Building up our urban forests is a solution that addresses quite a few problems including shading waterways, but also combating the urban heat island effect, helping control stormwater runoff, reducing air pollution, as well as providing mental health benefits.”
15. Do you support significant changes to the City/ County land use code to mitigate these impacts?
Perry: YES
Zibrat: YES
(Questions Relevant to the City of Issaquah Only)
16. Issaquah held a Community Convening on Climate in July 2020 which resulted in recommendations (attached) to the City Council last fall? They held a follow up Climate Convening on Climate July 2021 to get initial input on an Issaquah Climate Action Plan. Do you plan to attend the third Convening on October 20 to provide final input on the Climate Action Plan in October?
Zibrat: YES
17. An Environmental Board was established by Issaquah in January 2021 to advise the Mayor and City Council on Environmental and Climate issues. Do you think this Board’s recommendations should be given substantial weight by the City as is stated in its ordinance?
Zibrat: YES
18. Do you support the establishment of a comprehensive Issaquah Climate Action Plan in 2021, along with supporting updates to major city plans, policies and regulations to significantly reduce our GHG emissions?
Zibrat: YES
19. We’ve attached the “Cities Climate Action Priorities” Excel workbook for your review. It was researched and published by People for Climate Action. After reading the Preface and Top Priorities tabs in this document, would you support the priority actions being included in Issaquah’s Climate Action Plan?
Zibrat: YES
Similar questions were asked of all candidates during the Environmental Candidate Forum. See that recording here.