LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF RICHARDSON

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS®
OF RICHARDSON
Online VOTERS GUIDE responses for the
May 9, 2015, City of Richardson Mayoral and City Council election:
Biographies and question responses were supplied by the candidates.
The League of Women Voters of Richardson did not edit the responses.
Place 6, ballot position 1: Steve Mitchell
BIOGRAPHY: (175 word maximum)
Steve Mitchell was elected to the City Council in May 2005, and served as Mayor from
2007 - 2009. Prior to that, he served on the Sign Control Board and the City Plan
Commission.
Steve has been a member of Richardson Rotary Club, and is a graduate of Leadership
Richardson, Citizens Police Academy, and Citizen Fire Academy Class. He has served
as vice president of the Greenwood Hills Neighborhood Association.
Steve represents Richardson on the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition, and has been a
member of the Metroplex Mayors Association. He was appointed by Governor Rick
Perry to serve on the Commission on State Emergency Communications and currently
serves on the University of North Texas System Board of Regents.
Steve is a project manager for Thomson Reuters. He graduated from the University of
North Texas with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. His wife Karen is
a labor and delivery nurse at Baylor University Medical Center. They are the proud
parents of 5 children. The Mitchell family attends Dallas Bible Church.
1. Campaign contact information:
Campaign website address:
Length of residency in Richardson:
www.electstevemitchell.com
34 years (cumulative,
1965-1973; 1989-present)
2. Why do you want to be a Richardson City Council member?
Having lived in this city for 34 years and been civically involved for the last 24 years, I have
the vision, ability, and experience to lead our city as it transitions our from suburban to
suburban-urban and to ensure that it continues to appeal to both corporate citizens, young
professionals, families, and senior.
3. How many Richardson City Council board meetings have you attended?
During the ten years that I have served on the city council, I have attended approximately
500 meetings, which translates into missing approximately 7 or 8 meetings over this span
of time.
© 2015 League of Women Voters of Richardson
Responses of Steve Mitchell
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May 9, 2015, Richardson Mayoral and City Council Election
Questionnaire for Online VOTERS GUIDE (continued)
4. What other offices have you run for? When?
No others except my current place on the Richardson City Council – 2005 – present.
5. Have you served on any city boards or commissions? If so, which ones and when?
City of Richardson:
 City Plan Commission (2001 – 2005)
 Sign Control Board (1991 – 2001); Chairman, 2001
6. What other civic responsibilities have you undertaken? Give specific examples of
your civic involvement.
My civic involvement includes city council service, service on 2 city boards and
commission:
 Council Member, City of Richardson, TX (2005 – present); Mayor (2007-2009)
 Member, University of North Texas System Board of Regents – Governor Rick Perry
Appointee (2009 - present)
 Member, Commission on State Emergency Communications – Governor Rick Perry
Appointee (2008 – 2011)
 Member, Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition (2007 - present); Co-Chair (2013 –
present); Legislative Committee Chair (2010 – present); Governance Committee
(2010 – present)
 Member, Metroplex Mayors (2007 – 2009)
 Member, City Plan Commission, City of Richardson, TX (2001-2005)
 Member, Sign Control Board, City of Richardson, TX (1991-2001); Chairperson
(2001)
 Member, Richardson Rotary Club, Richardson, TX (1991-1996, 2011-2013).
Vocational Service Director; Camp RYLA Chairman; D-FY-IT Chairman; District
Camp RYLA Chairman
 Graduate, InsideRISD (2012)
 Graduate, Leadership Richardson, Class X (1993)
 Graduate, Richardson Citizen Police Academy, Class II (1992)
 Graduate, Richardson Citizen Fire Academy, Class X (1994)
 Member, Greenwood Hills Neighborhood Association (2004 – 2005); VicePresident(2005)
7. Outside of regularly scheduled meetings and work sessions, how many hours per
month do you think a Richardson City Council member should commit to the job?
A Richardson City council member should plan to spend 10-20 hours per week – or 40 – 60
hours per month, depending on the time of the year.
© 2015 League of Women Voters of Richardson
Responses of Steve Mitchell
Page 2 of 5
May 9, 2015, Richardson Mayoral and City Council Election
Questionnaire for Online VOTERS GUIDE (continued)
8. What organizations do you belong to?
I am a member or have been a member of the following organizations:
 Member, Richardson Rotary Club (1991 – 1996, 2011 – 2013)
 Member, Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition (2007 - present); Legislative Committee
Chair (2010- present); Governance Committee (2010- present)
 Member, Metroplex Mayors (2007 – 2009)
9. Is the City of Richardson getting value for inclusion in Dallas Area Rapid Transit
(DART)? What changes, if any, are needed to get more value?
Yes, we have gotten great value from our DART membership thorough not only the 4
DART light rail stations in our city, but also through the catalyst that those stations serve for
transit oriented development; being a member has both a transportation and economic
aspect. An equitable solution needs to be found to enable current non-DART members
cities to join, as the value is only enhanced with more cities participating.
10. The City Council has adopted Reinvestment Strategies for both the West Spring
Valley Corridor and the Main Street / Central Expressway Enhancement/
Redevelopment. What changes, if any, would you make to these strategies?
Utilizing the existing plans in place, the city needs to explore different options with the
private sector to facilitate redevelopment along Spring Valley. The Main Street/Central
Expressway Redevelopment is relatively new. We need to monitor the plan’s progress,
and reevaluate within 2 years to determine if changes are needed.
11. What changes, if any, would you make to the 2009 Comprehensive Plan?
We need to review the plan over the next year to ensure that it still reflects the direction we
believe the city should be taking in regard to land use and transportation.
12. Is the city doing enough to attract businesses to the city? Why or why not? Should
the city focus on attracting particular types of businesses? Why or why not?
We have seen a number of new retail businesses enter our city over the last two years,
based on the location, demographics, and the local economy. In addition to actual
corporate relocations, the types of businesses should be ones which enable our residents
to shop or dine in our city.
13. With more congestion at the Campbell Road/Central Expressway intersection, do
you support reexamining plans for an underpass at that location? Why or why not?
Since the initial discussion in 2005, a number of businesses have been built adjacent at this
intersection. While a tunnel would enable quick access through this intersection, the
businesses there would suffer, much like they did on Spring Valley. If a way could exist
that would prevent this from happening, then I would support a study to reexamine the
feasibility of this project. Otherwise, I would not support reexamining it.
© 2015 League of Women Voters of Richardson
Responses of Steve Mitchell
Page 3 of 5
May 9, 2015, Richardson Mayoral and City Council Election
Questionnaire for Online VOTERS GUIDE (continued)
14. How can the city take advantage of the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) as a
resource?
The strong partnership that the city has with our educational entities allows us to continue
to grow our employment base. Companies relocate to - and stay in - Richardson for not
only the location, but also for the talent pool that is produced by the Richardson
Independent School District, Plano Independent School District, Richland College, and the
University of Texas at Dallas.
15. As a member of City Council, what would you do to increase services (e.g., grocery
stores, recreation centers, etc.) to Northeast Richardson (including the panhandle)?
Most of the available land has been used for single family homes. The city attempted to
partner with adjacent cities to place a recreation center in Breckinridge park. Since that
effort did not have the support of those cities, Richardson should now consider building a
recreational facility in the park to serve the residents in that area.
16. The City of Richardson earned Platinum status in the State Comptroller’s Leadership
Circle Awards for financial transparency. Can too much transparency be harmful to
local government?
No.
17. Do Richardson and North Texas benefit from regional cooperation among cities?
Should this cooperation be expanded? Why or why not?
Yes, we need greater cooperation and collaboration among the cities in our region
particularly in transportation. The biggest challenge that we face is finding an equitable
way for non-DART member cities to join.
Participating regionally is important as it ensures that our city has a “seat at the table” or a
voice when important decisions are made concerning transportation, water, etc. Our city
has had a long history of regional participation, and we, as a city, have benefitted greatly
from it.
18. Are there any issues concerning Richardson that the current City Council has been
reluctant to address publicly? If so, what are they and how do you think they should
be addressed?
No.
© 2015 League of Women Voters of Richardson
Responses of Steve Mitchell
Page 4 of 5
May 9, 2015, Richardson Mayoral and City Council Election
Questionnaire for Online VOTERS GUIDE (continued)
19. Is the current charter review process meaningful and comprehensive? Does it
ensure that we are moving into the future with the best government for the City of
Richardson?
Yes, the current process is both meaningful and comprehensive, as the entire charter is
being reviewed by a group of residents who know and reflect our community. I believe the
ultimate results of the entire process will produce positive results.
20. More and more people who do not live here are commuting to work through the
Richardson city limits. What steps does the City Council need to take to balance the
needs of commuters with the comfort and safety of residents?
We need to keep the traffic off of our residential streets, and on our major thoroughfares.
We need properly timed traffic signals and continued speed enforcement that enable an
orderly procession of traffic in, through, and out of our city. Commuters are potential future
residents, so both they - and our current residents - benefit by enhanced street
maintenance and on-going infrastructure improvements.
© 2015 League of Women Voters of Richardson
Responses of Steve Mitchell
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