WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.301 [Music]. 00:01.301 --> 00:03.637 >> The new form of government taking shape at City Hall and 00:03.637 --> 00:06.607 every seat up for grabs, Austin voters elected two new City 00:06.607 --> 00:09.476 Council Members on November 4th and sent 16 Council candidates 00:09.476 --> 00:12.613 plus two vying for Austin mayor to run-off elections. 00:12.613 --> 00:15.449 Tonight, Beyond the Rhetoric. 00:15.449 --> 00:17.518 We asked the remaining candidates what makes them the 00:17.518 --> 00:23.524 right person to lead their district and our city. 00:26.693 --> 00:31.965 [Music playing]. 00:34.635 --> 00:39.139 >> Support for Civic Summit comes from Google, 00:39.139 --> 00:41.775 a global technology leader focused on improving the ways 00:41.775 --> 00:45.612 people connect with information and also by Texas Mutual 00:45.612 --> 00:52.653 Insurance, providing workers' compensation for Texas 00:52.653 --> 00:53.921 employers. 00:53.921 --> 00:57.858 [Music playing]. 00:57.858 --> 01:00.260 >> Hello, and thanks for joining us for Civic Summit. 01:00.260 --> 01:02.696 City Council run-off conversation District 10, 01:02.696 --> 01:04.998 a joint production of KLRU Leadership Austin, 01:04.998 --> 01:08.135 KUT and the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life. 01:08.135 --> 01:10.704 I'm Michael Kanin, publisher of the Austin Monitor. 01:10.704 --> 01:12.706 Our discussion tonight will focus on leadership and will be 01:12.706 --> 01:13.674 sort of like a job interview. 01:13.674 --> 01:16.143 We want to know what skills and qualities each candidate would 01:16.143 --> 01:17.277 bring to Austin City Hall. 01:17.277 --> 01:20.314 For the next 30 minutes, I'll be speaking with candidates in the 01:20.314 --> 01:22.316 running to represent District 10. 01:22.316 --> 01:23.884 Mandy Dealey and Sheri Gallo. 01:23.884 --> 01:25.919 If you'd like to join the conversation on Twitter, 01:25.919 --> 01:27.788 please use #CivicSummitD10. 01:27.788 --> 01:33.593 District 10 is in West Austin, stretches north to 183 and south 01:33.593 --> 01:34.828 to Lady Bird Lake. 01:34.828 --> 01:37.097 It includes all of the neighborhoods west of MoPac and 01:37.097 --> 01:39.166 part of Rosedale, east of MoPac. 01:39.166 --> 01:42.402 Most of its western border is in the county boundaries. 01:42.402 --> 01:45.305 Mandy Dealey is a long-time community advocate. 01:45.305 --> 01:47.307 She's worked on six City of Austin Boards, 01:47.307 --> 01:49.309 Commissions and Tasks -- Task Forces, 01:49.309 --> 01:52.045 and she has chaired or vice chaired a number of them. 01:52.045 --> 01:55.048 She is also involved with the board of -- with the board of a 01:55.048 --> 01:57.050 number of community organizations. 01:57.050 --> 01:59.720 Sheri Gallo is a real estate broker and small business owner. 01:59.720 --> 02:02.456 She chaired the City of Austin Housing Authority and has been a 02:02.456 --> 02:04.624 resident of Austin for over 50 years. 02:04.624 --> 02:06.627 Thanks both of you before being here tonight. 02:06.627 --> 02:07.627 >> Thank you. 02:07.627 --> 02:08.628 >> Thank you. 02:08.628 --> 02:10.630 >> First question, which we shared with both of you before 02:10.630 --> 02:12.633 tonight, what have you learned about yourself over the last 02:12.633 --> 02:14.634 four months of campaigning and -- that will help you govern? 02:14.634 --> 02:15.635 Mandy, you go first. 02:15.635 --> 02:16.636 >> Thank you. 02:16.636 --> 02:18.605 Well, first of all, let me just say thank you for having this 02:18.605 --> 02:19.606 tonight. 02:19.606 --> 02:20.607 I appreciate the opportunity. 02:20.607 --> 02:24.745 At this point in my life, I think I know myself pretty well. 02:24.745 --> 02:29.716 I've done a lot of introspection and think I know myself; 02:29.716 --> 02:33.887 but really, what I remembered about myself is that, 02:33.887 --> 02:36.390 I love community service. 02:36.390 --> 02:41.762 It is absolutely my passion and the opportunity to get involved 02:41.762 --> 02:45.365 again with the issues that are so important, talk about them, 02:45.365 --> 02:47.934 explain them to voters and Austinites, 02:47.934 --> 02:52.439 has really been exciting and I have loved doing it. 02:52.439 --> 02:53.440 >> Sheri. 02:53.440 --> 02:56.176 >> And thank you, once again, for allowing us to be here and 02:56.176 --> 02:59.046 -- and giving people an opportunity to, once again, 02:59.046 --> 03:01.281 look at the candidates and -- and hear their voices. 03:01.281 --> 03:03.784 It's been an interesting process. 03:03.784 --> 03:06.653 I've -- I've always thought of myself as a people person. 03:06.653 --> 03:07.921 I'm in real estate. 03:07.921 --> 03:11.358 My business for the last 35 years has been finding and 03:11.358 --> 03:14.694 helping people get into homes, and you do that as connecting 03:14.694 --> 03:15.695 with people. 03:15.695 --> 03:20.333 But what I have been amazed with is, how much I really, really, 03:20.333 --> 03:21.835 really enjoy doing that. 03:21.835 --> 03:27.207 The connection with people and the ability to be accessible and 03:27.207 --> 03:31.144 let them know that you will listen to them and talk to them, 03:31.144 --> 03:33.480 I think that is one of the leadership qualities that's 03:33.480 --> 03:38.118 really important for this district-type of leadership; 03:38.118 --> 03:41.822 and over and over again, from going to the football games, 03:41.822 --> 03:44.858 passing out our bubbles, going to the school carnivals, 03:44.858 --> 03:47.828 just walking neighborhoods, it's really -- it's really expanding 03:47.828 --> 03:49.362 on that connection that I've -- I've enjoyed so much and really 03:50.764 --> 03:51.865 been proud of myself for. 03:51.865 --> 03:52.466 >> Okay. 03:52.466 --> 03:53.133 >> Thank you. 03:53.133 --> 03:54.935 >> We're going to start with a hypothetical, here. 03:54.935 --> 03:56.536 There is pressure on the Council, 03:56.536 --> 03:58.505 as a whole -- as a whole, to increase the budget for public 03:58.505 --> 04:03.710 safety because of an increase in crime in two of the ten districts. 04:03.710 --> 04:04.878 Your district hasn't been directly affected, 04:04.878 --> 04:07.481 but you're feeling pressure from neighborhood groups to lobby for 04:07.481 --> 04:09.916 increased evening patrol. 04:09.916 --> 04:12.152 How will you work with APD to decide which districts get more 04:12.152 --> 04:13.453 officers? 04:13.453 --> 04:15.722 That means delivering unwanted news back to your district, 04:15.722 --> 04:17.758 how we communicate that to your constituents. 04:17.758 --> 04:18.792 Sheri, you first. 04:18.792 --> 04:20.494 >> So I hear two questions there. 04:20.494 --> 04:23.096 First of all, the public safety budget is a large portion of the 04:23.096 --> 04:25.031 general fund budget. 04:25.031 --> 04:29.402 I think that you learn by asking questions of the experts. 04:29.402 --> 04:33.140 So I would want to ask questions and listen to the people at APD 04:33.140 --> 04:37.043 and understand where they feel like the resources need to be 04:37.043 --> 04:40.113 and communicate that back to my -- to my neighborhoods and my 04:40.113 --> 04:41.214 community. 04:41.214 --> 04:44.885 I think it's important, also, to encourage people to become 04:44.885 --> 04:48.088 responsible for being assistants with the -- the police 04:48.088 --> 04:49.089 department. 04:49.089 --> 04:52.025 I think they need to be ears and eyes out in their neighborhoods. 04:52.025 --> 04:53.827 We need to help them learn how to do that, 04:53.827 --> 04:56.630 be comfortable to do that, but -- but it's a responsibility 04:56.630 --> 04:58.331 that we as citizens have, too. 04:58.331 --> 05:00.834 We can't just depend on the police force entirely. 05:00.834 --> 05:04.004 We have to take responsibility ourselves. 05:04.004 --> 05:07.307 Going back to the neighborhood with information that perhaps is 05:07.307 --> 05:08.942 what they don't want to hear. 05:08.942 --> 05:10.944 You know, I think it goes back to communicating, 05:10.944 --> 05:13.980 and I think if you built a relationship with your district 05:13.980 --> 05:16.316 and with the people in the communities and the 05:16.316 --> 05:18.618 neighborhoods in that district, and they know you're honest and 05:18.618 --> 05:20.887 they know you're thoughtful and that you listen to their 05:20.887 --> 05:22.088 concerns. 05:22.088 --> 05:24.591 It's like being a parent that delivers bad news, 05:24.591 --> 05:26.927 you have to do it and it's your responsibility to do it, 05:26.927 --> 05:29.396 but if there is a trusting relationship that goes with 05:29.396 --> 05:32.065 that, I think it makes it much easier to do. 05:32.065 --> 05:32.566 >> Okay. 05:32.566 --> 05:33.533 Mandy? 05:33.533 --> 05:34.968 >> Much along the same lines. 05:34.968 --> 05:36.836 I think that it's -- well, first of all, 05:36.836 --> 05:39.406 I have a really good relationship with public safety 05:39.406 --> 05:41.241 entities. 05:41.241 --> 05:42.676 But it really is almost a matter of working with the city manager 05:42.676 --> 05:49.182 to direct the police in public safety entities to -- to do 05:49.182 --> 05:51.051 their work. 05:51.051 --> 05:53.620 It's not so much a Council matter. 05:53.620 --> 05:56.556 So the important thing would be to work with the city manager to 05:56.556 --> 06:01.862 make sure that APD is doing its job and is putting patrolmen and 06:01.862 --> 06:04.664 officers where they need to be. 06:04.664 --> 06:08.368 District 10 has been fortunate in that we don't have the kind 06:08.368 --> 06:12.706 of really major crimes that a lot of the districts do, 06:12.706 --> 06:16.443 but we have seen a huge increase in property crimes and making 06:16.443 --> 06:20.680 sure that there are patrols that will help watch out for that, 06:20.680 --> 06:26.186 encouraging community policing, and for neighbors to watch out 06:26.186 --> 06:29.089 for each other is really going to be important, 06:29.089 --> 06:32.592 especially if the resources have to go to another district. 06:32.592 --> 06:35.829 Working with the district to make sure that they understand 06:35.829 --> 06:39.432 the responsibility and the power that they have to address those 06:39.432 --> 06:42.235 problems is going to be very important. 06:42.235 --> 06:43.436 >> Okay. 06:43.436 --> 06:47.140 District 10 has arguably held sway -- portions of -- of the 06:47.140 --> 06:50.710 new district sway of 10 has argu -- arguably held a lot of sway 06:50.710 --> 06:52.212 over the City Council for a long time. 06:52.212 --> 06:54.648 Many in West Austin voted against the move to 06:54.648 --> 06:56.983 single-member districts, as I'm sure you guys are aware. 06:56.983 --> 07:00.020 What have you heard on the cam train -- campaign trail about 07:00.020 --> 07:01.621 that -- about that general opinion? 07:01.621 --> 07:03.456 But more importantly, how will that, do you think, 07:03.456 --> 07:06.559 impact the way you reconcile interest between your district 07:06.559 --> 07:07.861 and the city, as a whole? 07:07.861 --> 07:08.928 I believe, Mandy, you go first. 07:08.928 --> 07:11.731 >> That will be a challenge because District 10 has 07:11.731 --> 07:16.503 traditionally had more influence and also has been responsible 07:16.503 --> 07:19.773 for electing a large number of the City Council Members. 07:19.773 --> 07:25.011 So being sure that -- that the district needs are addressed and 07:25.011 --> 07:27.747 taken care of is going to be really important. 07:27.747 --> 07:31.418 But you know, when I would talk to people, 07:31.418 --> 07:35.055 everybody I talked to was pretty glad to see that we have 07:35.055 --> 07:37.257 single-member districts now. 07:37.257 --> 07:39.993 In the more central part of Austin, 07:39.993 --> 07:42.028 they -- I don't think were as enthusiastic about it, 07:42.028 --> 07:46.399 south of 2222, but when I would talk to folks north of 2222, 07:46.399 --> 07:48.802 which is the largest group geographic portion of the 07:48.802 --> 07:53.106 district, everybody seemed really excited and enthusiastic 07:53.106 --> 07:57.644 and engaged and looking forward to the opportunity to have a 07:57.644 --> 07:59.179 stronger voice at City Hall. 07:59.179 --> 08:00.080 >> Okay. 08:00.080 --> 08:01.114 Sheri? 08:01.114 --> 08:04.984 >> I think there is a portion of the district that has been 08:04.984 --> 08:07.287 served, but I think there's a large portion of the district 08:07.287 --> 08:09.856 that really does feel like they are un-- underserved and that 08:09.856 --> 08:12.092 would be the north and the western most section. 08:12.092 --> 08:14.294 So as we walk to neighborhoods and talked to people and had 08:14.294 --> 08:16.896 events, I mean, I heard a very clear message that there was a 08:16.896 --> 08:21.601 lot of enthusiasm about this new process because I think those 08:21.601 --> 08:24.070 areas of District 10 now felt like that they would be 08:24.070 --> 08:25.872 represented. 08:25.872 --> 08:28.942 The advantage to District 10 and the people that live in District 08:28.942 --> 08:34.013 10 is you have a very engaged wonderfully involved community 08:34.013 --> 08:38.218 that is involved in non-profits and community organizations 08:38.218 --> 08:42.222 whose purpose is to touch the other areas of Austin. 08:42.222 --> 08:45.592 So it is a population that is very unselfish in the 08:45.592 --> 08:49.562 willingness to have funds and spend funds and time to other 08:49.562 --> 08:52.265 parts of the city, and I think -- I think across the board, 08:52.265 --> 08:55.268 District 10, understands that it's the city, as a whole, 08:55.268 --> 08:57.737 that's important and they want to help with that. 08:57.737 --> 08:59.139 >> Okay. 08:59.139 --> 09:01.841 You each have of -- obviously, you ran for office and you've 09:01.841 --> 09:04.110 run for office before, Sheri. 09:04.110 --> 09:06.980 Mandy you've served on a number of boards and commissions as we 09:06.980 --> 09:08.882 noted at the top. 09:08.882 --> 09:12.018 You've each formed, obviously, your own political opinions, 09:12.018 --> 09:13.186 ideologies. 09:13.186 --> 09:15.255 Under what circumstances would you be willing to compromise 09:15.255 --> 09:18.792 some of those as you lead the city, if you get this position? 09:18.792 --> 09:20.393 Sheri, we start with you. 09:20.393 --> 09:21.828 >> Well, I think leadership is compromise. 09:21.828 --> 09:24.898 I think that when we see problems in government, 09:24.898 --> 09:27.333 it's because the parties aren't agreeing to compromise and 09:27.333 --> 09:29.335 aren't willing to listen to other people. 09:29.335 --> 09:32.505 Just because we disagree doesn't mean we're not -- we're not good 09:32.505 --> 09:34.474 people and we don't have good intentions; 09:34.474 --> 09:37.877 and I think this particular process where we have 11 Council 09:37.877 --> 09:41.614 Members, 10 members that are from vastly different areas of 09:41.614 --> 09:45.318 town and have different needs, they -- they represent people in 09:45.318 --> 09:47.654 different economic and social interests. 09:47.654 --> 09:50.990 It's going to be really important for the leaders that 09:50.990 --> 09:54.461 are on the Council to understand that we have to work together; 09:54.461 --> 09:57.230 and building that consensus and working together, 09:57.230 --> 10:00.767 I think is going to be very key to the Council in this new 10:00.767 --> 10:03.636 single-member district plan to be successful. 10:03.636 --> 10:04.637 >> Okay. 10:04.637 --> 10:05.638 Mandy. 10:05.638 --> 10:07.640 >> Well, I'm absolutely committed to collaboration and 10:07.640 --> 10:10.410 making sure that all the stakeholders are at the table 10:10.410 --> 10:13.279 with a voice and that everybody is listened to. 10:13.279 --> 10:17.817 In Austin, we sometimes listen to constituents, 10:17.817 --> 10:21.287 acknowledge them, but then make decisions that don't include 10:21.287 --> 10:22.122 them. 10:22.122 --> 10:24.724 So I think that being able to make people understand how 10:24.724 --> 10:28.895 important their input is and to make sure that they understand 10:28.895 --> 10:30.230 that they really are being listened to and that their 10:30.230 --> 10:34.300 positions and interests are being taken into consideration 10:34.300 --> 10:36.569 is going to be really important. 10:36.569 --> 10:40.206 Fortunately, having served on as many boards and commissions as I 10:40.206 --> 10:43.276 have, and as many non-profits that serve a number of different 10:43.276 --> 10:49.015 areas of town, I have a pretty good sense of where the problems 10:49.015 --> 10:51.117 are in Austin and what some of the needs are. 10:51.117 --> 10:55.321 So I'm hoping that will give me an advantage as we start 10:55.321 --> 10:57.924 collaborating and talking about how we're going to resolve 10:57.924 --> 10:58.925 things. 10:58.925 --> 10:59.926 >> Okay. 10:59.926 --> 11:03.429 If you could put three people in a car -- and we all know about 11:03.429 --> 11:06.866 cars, and traffic -- and have them drive from North Austin to 11:06.866 --> 11:08.868 South Austin at peak rush hour, who would it be? 11:08.868 --> 11:11.437 Mandy, you go first. 11:11.437 --> 11:15.475 >> Oh gee, I have three really good friends I would love to put 11:15.475 --> 11:16.309 in the car. 11:16.309 --> 11:17.277 >> Okay. 11:17.277 --> 11:22.682 >> Sarah Bird and Sandra Kirk and Sharon Coleman, 11:22.682 --> 11:28.588 and it would be an absolute joy to be able to spend time with 11:28.588 --> 11:31.858 these really bright women, talking about things that are 11:31.858 --> 11:34.961 important and things that are not important, 11:34.961 --> 11:38.064 but being able to just spend time with friends. 11:38.064 --> 11:40.200 It's something I have missed in this campaign. 11:40.200 --> 11:41.901 I miss my friends. 11:41.901 --> 11:42.802 >> Okay. 11:42.802 --> 11:43.703 Sheri? 11:43.703 --> 11:44.904 >> You know, that's -- that's easy. 11:44.904 --> 11:47.740 There's so many fascinating people that it would be la -- it 11:47.740 --> 11:50.209 would be wonderful to be locked in with, but you know, 11:50.209 --> 11:52.946 I have to say those of us that are -- that are engaged in the 11:52.946 --> 11:55.548 community and busy doing volunteer work and busy with our 11:55.548 --> 11:59.052 businesses, a lot of times it's our families that are neglected. 11:59.052 --> 12:02.388 Certainly, during this campaign, I would -- I would put my 12:02.388 --> 12:03.423 husband in that car. 12:03.423 --> 12:05.058 Normally, we spend a lot of time together, 12:05.058 --> 12:07.460 but it would be fun to just reconnect there. 12:07.460 --> 12:11.097 But absolutely, I would put both of my grandchildren in the car. 12:11.097 --> 12:13.733 I mean, my days -- my -- my memories when they were young 12:13.733 --> 12:16.970 and we had car pool and they were captured in the car and we 12:16.970 --> 12:19.839 had to have discussions or I was able to hear what they were 12:19.839 --> 12:22.175 talking about, those are wonderful days and they're great 12:22.175 --> 12:26.446 kids and just, you know, I -- I miss having the time and them 12:26.446 --> 12:28.448 having the time to be able to talk. 12:28.448 --> 12:29.315 >> Okay. 12:29.315 --> 12:30.516 Okay. 12:30.516 --> 12:33.186 As -- as we know, some of the incoming Council Members are 12:33.186 --> 12:35.321 going to draw the short straw and have to run again in two 12:35.321 --> 12:36.356 years. 12:36.356 --> 12:38.558 What will each of you do if you draw a two-year Council term? 12:38.558 --> 12:40.493 How will that change the way that you govern? 12:40.493 --> 12:41.561 Sheri, you first? 12:41.561 --> 12:42.695 >> If we draw the two-year term? 12:42.695 --> 12:44.130 >> Yeah. 12:44.130 --> 12:46.499 >> You know, that's really a short period of time and I think 12:46.499 --> 12:50.036 a lot of it is that so many of the Council Members have not 12:50.036 --> 12:52.205 served before, which is a good thing. 12:52.205 --> 12:54.641 I mean, I think we're all ready for change and we're ready for 12:54.641 --> 12:57.310 new faces and new voices, but there's going to be a little bit 12:57.310 --> 13:00.847 of a learning curve there and so part of the time early on is 13:00.847 --> 13:04.117 going to be spent getting up to speed and I think there are a 13:04.117 --> 13:07.420 lot of projects and reviews that all of us have talked about on 13:07.420 --> 13:10.156 the campaign trail that have been some of the decisions that 13:10.156 --> 13:12.925 have been made recently on the Council that we really want to 13:12.925 --> 13:13.860 take a look at. 13:13.860 --> 13:16.729 So it's just -- it's going to be kind of a high speed philosophy 13:16.729 --> 13:18.698 and thought process that goes along. 13:18.698 --> 13:21.234 There's just not going to be a lot of time to get things done 13:21.234 --> 13:23.903 so I think, you know, full speed ahead and a lot of attention to 13:23.903 --> 13:26.339 -- to really good ideas and that communication, 13:26.339 --> 13:29.142 building that up very quickly, but -- but we've been working 13:29.142 --> 13:32.045 hard and fast in this campaign and certainly during this 13:32.045 --> 13:32.745 period. 13:32.745 --> 13:35.348 So I think we'll -- we'll be ramped up to go pretty quickly. 13:35.348 --> 13:36.082 >> Okay. 13:36.082 --> 13:37.116 Saw a lot of nodding there, Mandy. 13:37.116 --> 13:39.485 >> Well, actually, I don't think much would change. 13:39.485 --> 13:40.153 >> Okay. 13:40.153 --> 13:43.589 >> I would want to do in two years what I would do in four, 13:43.589 --> 13:46.259 which is try and build consensus, 13:46.259 --> 13:49.295 make sure that there's transparency at City Hall, 13:49.295 --> 13:53.733 include stakeholders in decisions; 13:53.733 --> 13:57.003 and so whether I would do that for two years and then run for 13:57.003 --> 13:59.739 reelection or do it for four, I don't really think it'll make 13:59.739 --> 14:00.740 much difference. 14:00.740 --> 14:01.541 >> Okay. 14:01.541 --> 14:03.810 >> So I'm not worried about that. 14:03.810 --> 14:05.845 >> Okay. 14:05.845 --> 14:07.780 This isn't the first time you've been here. 14:07.780 --> 14:10.516 Certainly, not the first time you've been in a forum with me, 14:10.516 --> 14:13.453 in front of these folks. 14:13.453 --> 14:14.454 What have you learned from your opponent? 14:14.454 --> 14:15.321 What? 14:15.321 --> 14:17.256 What? 14:17.256 --> 14:23.363 >> Sheri has a lot of good ideas that I have learned from. 14:23.363 --> 14:26.399 We are very different in our approaches, and I think, 14:26.399 --> 14:29.602 in the way we would manage and make decisions, 14:29.602 --> 14:33.272 but I appreciate the -- the thought that she gives to her 14:33.272 --> 14:34.273 decision making. 14:34.273 --> 14:40.546 I have -- I'm interested in learning about her real estate 14:40.546 --> 14:42.715 company. 14:42.715 --> 14:45.218 I don't really know very much about real estate. 14:45.218 --> 14:48.788 I've been spending most of my time on boards and commissions 14:48.788 --> 14:54.827 and -- and non-profit boards and haven't really spent much time 14:54.827 --> 14:57.697 getting to know the sorts of things that Sheri's been 14:57.697 --> 14:59.398 involved in. 14:59.398 --> 15:01.367 So I look forward to doing that more. 15:01.367 --> 15:02.101 >> Okay. 15:02.101 --> 15:03.069 Sheri? 15:03.069 --> 15:05.705 >> You know, we were so fortunate in District 10 and I 15:05.705 --> 15:07.573 know other districts have said the same thing, 15:07.573 --> 15:10.510 but we had an amazing group of candidates. 15:10.510 --> 15:12.645 Articulate, thoughtful, intelligent, 15:12.645 --> 15:15.114 and we spent a lot of time together at forums. 15:15.114 --> 15:17.750 You know, it seems like it was 30 plus that we were there, 15:17.750 --> 15:22.755 and as you -- as you make the decision to run for office, 15:22.755 --> 15:25.591 and you build your area of expertise and your knowledge, 15:25.591 --> 15:29.061 you know, there is so much that you have to learn to be a viable 15:29.061 --> 15:31.063 candidate and be a knowledgeable candidate; 15:31.063 --> 15:34.700 and every forum I would sit in, I would hear new information and 15:34.700 --> 15:38.137 new ideas and new solutions from each of the other candidates, 15:38.137 --> 15:41.941 and -- and there was just so much that was learned from all 15:41.941 --> 15:45.044 of them and it's been a wonderful process and I count 15:45.044 --> 15:48.181 them as friends and hope that we will stay connected because it 15:48.181 --> 15:51.450 was just a -- a really good -- great group of people. 15:51.450 --> 15:52.451 >> Okay. 15:52.451 --> 15:54.020 You hear it again and again. 15:54.020 --> 15:55.054 A tale of two Austins. 15:55.054 --> 15:56.055 Right? 15:56.055 --> 15:58.057 Some Council Members will represent the haves, 15:58.057 --> 16:01.027 some the have nots, some districts will be a mix of both. 16:01.027 --> 16:03.029 What can you learn from other Council Members and their 16:03.029 --> 16:05.031 constituents to help the city as a whole? 16:05.031 --> 16:06.032 Sheri? 16:06.032 --> 16:10.102 >> Well, I think part of it is, it goes back to leadership and 16:10.102 --> 16:13.172 what things I have done in the past that I will bring to the 16:13.172 --> 16:16.442 table as a Council Member and I think taking those leadership 16:16.442 --> 16:20.313 roles that are in organizations that cover all of Austin has 16:20.313 --> 16:23.850 given me the knowledge of -- of what other people need and what 16:23.850 --> 16:26.252 services we can provide and how to do that best. 16:26.252 --> 16:28.721 I've heard that voice and I've been involved with every -- 16:28.721 --> 16:30.456 every part of Austin. 16:30.456 --> 16:32.458 My career has been in real estate. 16:32.458 --> 16:35.561 I sell houses and help people find homes and I go wherever my 16:35.561 --> 16:39.866 client's want me to go; and that means for the last 35 years, 16:39.866 --> 16:41.901 I have been in every neighborhood in Austin. 16:41.901 --> 16:45.071 So because of that, I'm familiar with all of Austin and I think 16:45.071 --> 16:48.574 that expert -- expertise, not only from being in my district 16:48.574 --> 16:51.844 for so long, being born here and being here over 50 years, 16:51.844 --> 16:55.414 but having that input and impact and -- and connection to the 16:55.414 --> 16:57.216 rest of the community is really important. 16:57.216 --> 16:58.050 >> Okay. 16:58.050 --> 16:59.785 Mandy. 16:59.785 --> 17:01.687 >> Would you repeat the question just so I can get it clear? 17:01.687 --> 17:02.655 >> Sure. 17:02.655 --> 17:03.656 A tale of two Austins is what we're -- 17:03.656 --> 17:04.190 >> Right. 17:04.190 --> 17:05.191 >> -- looking at here. 17:05.191 --> 17:06.826 Some Council Members are going to represent the folks who have -- 17:06.826 --> 17:07.293 >> Right. 17:07.293 --> 17:10.162 >> -- some the folks who don't, and some will be a mix of both. 17:10.162 --> 17:12.999 What will you learn from the -- the other Council Members and 17:12.999 --> 17:14.767 their constituents to help the city as a whole? 17:14.767 --> 17:18.871 >> We really do have a huge economic divide in Austin and 17:18.871 --> 17:22.975 I'm hoping that as a Council, we can look at that and try and 17:22.975 --> 17:25.745 find ways to diminish it. 17:25.745 --> 17:30.716 I have been able to spend time in lots of different parts of 17:30.716 --> 17:32.084 town, working on different things. 17:32.084 --> 17:34.086 I was on the Community Action Network, 17:34.086 --> 17:36.088 which is now the Community Advocacy Network, 17:36.088 --> 17:41.594 for a number of years, served on the Community Foundation Board, 17:41.594 --> 17:46.198 have spent a lot of time trying to make lives better in Austin 17:46.198 --> 17:51.470 all over town; and so I think I have a pretty good idea of what 17:51.470 --> 17:54.941 some of the problems are and I really look forward to talking 17:54.941 --> 17:58.177 to the representatives from the other districts to find out 17:58.177 --> 18:02.014 their perspectives and -- and how they think that we can 18:02.014 --> 18:04.016 improve the lives of those folks. 18:04.016 --> 18:04.984 >> Okay. 18:04.984 --> 18:06.986 Let's talk for a minute about regionalism. 18:06.986 --> 18:09.755 You guys are going to be from a district that is as far flung as 18:09.755 --> 18:11.791 it gets when we're talking about these districts. 18:11.791 --> 18:15.328 How are you going to -- what leadership skills will you use 18:15.328 --> 18:17.964 as you get on regional entities, Camp O that sort of thing. 18:17.964 --> 18:19.265 Mandy, you're up first. 18:19.265 --> 18:23.235 >> I think the same leadership skills that I hope to employ at 18:23.235 --> 18:24.236 the Council. 18:24.236 --> 18:26.305 It's a matter of talking to people, 18:26.305 --> 18:29.175 finding out their points of view, their needs, 18:29.175 --> 18:31.777 and making sure that their voices are heard. 18:31.777 --> 18:35.881 And we have got to collaborate regionally. 18:35.881 --> 18:39.452 It doesn't do any good for Austin to have wonderful plans 18:39.452 --> 18:44.023 or water conservation or transportation solutions if we 18:44.023 --> 18:46.592 can't extend those to the surrounding communities. 18:46.592 --> 18:51.464 They need to buy in to the same values and goals that we have, 18:51.464 --> 18:54.500 and working with them to make sure that that happens is going 18:54.500 --> 18:57.803 to be absolutely critical because Austin can't be 18:57.803 --> 19:00.473 successful if the region is not successful. 19:00.473 --> 19:02.208 >> Okay. 19:02.208 --> 19:03.476 Sheri? 19:03.476 --> 19:06.012 >> I agree with that and I think that we need to remember that 19:06.012 --> 19:08.414 we're not the island, you know, in the state, 19:08.414 --> 19:10.650 that they are -- we are impacted by all the cities, 19:10.650 --> 19:12.518 all the areas around us and there does need to be 19:12.518 --> 19:15.988 collaboration and communication between all of the entities. 19:15.988 --> 19:19.458 Once again, it goes back to, as Mandy said, listening, 19:19.458 --> 19:23.429 asking the questions, taking that process, 19:23.429 --> 19:25.331 and going back to the community to talk about it. 19:25.331 --> 19:29.669 The -- I just think that that's really important for us to be 19:29.669 --> 19:34.040 able to do and to have impact, both from Austin out and also 19:34.040 --> 19:37.676 out into Austin, and really listen -- and learn from others. 19:37.676 --> 19:39.945 You know, we have a tendency to -- to try to reinvent the wheel, 19:39.945 --> 19:42.915 but we can look at other places that have experienced the same 19:42.915 --> 19:45.251 issues we have, learned from their mistakes. 19:45.251 --> 19:48.521 That's one of the advantages about being a native Austinite 19:48.521 --> 19:51.657 and living here so long is I've been able to be here long enough 19:51.657 --> 19:54.460 to understand and see the results of both the good and bad 19:54.460 --> 19:56.162 decisions. 19:56.162 --> 19:57.630 When the Council makes a decision, 19:57.630 --> 20:01.400 it's often a decade before what the decision is implemented and 20:01.400 --> 20:04.403 actually serves the population, and I think the historical view 20:04.403 --> 20:07.973 of that is really important for thoughtful decision making. 20:07.973 --> 20:09.975 >> You both -- you both touched on an -- an interesting issue 20:09.975 --> 20:10.843 there. 20:10.843 --> 20:12.545 Mandy talked about plans. 20:12.545 --> 20:14.346 Sheri talked about the time it takes for Austin to implement 20:14.346 --> 20:15.081 something. 20:15.081 --> 20:18.217 Let's, for a minute, accept the idea that Austin is a city of a 20:18.217 --> 20:19.919 lot of plans on shelves. 20:19.919 --> 20:23.522 How will you lead to make some of those plans a reality? 20:23.522 --> 20:24.290 Sheri, you're up first. 20:24.290 --> 20:26.325 >> One of the things that we heard, 20:26.325 --> 20:28.694 or that I heard as we walked neighborhoods and talked to 20:28.694 --> 20:31.363 people and had events and invited and -- and listened at 20:31.363 --> 20:34.400 the forums was, there's such a frustration, now, 20:34.400 --> 20:37.203 with the length of time and the amount of time and the amount of 20:37.203 --> 20:40.973 money it takes to get anything through the city process. 20:40.973 --> 20:43.209 And so I think we have -- need to have some very high 20:43.209 --> 20:47.146 expectation from the city manager that our departments are 20:47.146 --> 20:52.151 run efficiently and effectively and -- and always have in mind 20:52.151 --> 20:54.587 being conscious of spending the tax dollar wisely; 20:54.587 --> 20:57.723 and so there -- there's a lot of places that I think we need to 20:57.723 --> 21:00.459 work on as far as an efficiency of departments. 21:00.459 --> 21:01.460 >> Okay. 21:01.460 --> 21:02.461 Mandy? 21:02.461 --> 21:04.563 >> Well, that frustration is one of the things that -- that 21:04.563 --> 21:08.067 inspired me to run for Council because I've been on task forces 21:08.067 --> 21:12.438 that came up with really excellent recommendations that 21:12.438 --> 21:14.173 may not have had much impact. 21:14.173 --> 21:17.743 And so I think it's really important to acknowledge the 21:17.743 --> 21:21.747 amount of time that the stakeholders put into coming up 21:21.747 --> 21:25.851 with these recommendations and acknowledge that they really do 21:25.851 --> 21:30.689 represent the people who have the most to gain or lose with 21:30.689 --> 21:32.858 the changes that are being considered; 21:32.858 --> 21:38.230 so I'm hoping that we can give more credence and more weight to 21:38.230 --> 21:43.035 the task forces and that we really adopt plans and then 21:43.035 --> 21:44.036 stick to them. 21:44.036 --> 21:47.506 An important example of that is Imagine Austin. 21:47.506 --> 21:50.142 You know, we're going to be rewriting the Land Development 21:50.142 --> 21:53.112 Code, which is going to be one of the biggest tasks before the 21:53.112 --> 21:54.346 new Council. 21:54.346 --> 21:58.918 And making sure that it reflects the values from Imagine Austin 21:58.918 --> 22:01.187 is going to be absolutely critical. 22:01.187 --> 22:05.457 A lot of people spent a long time identifying those values 22:05.457 --> 22:09.495 and coming up with ways to honor them and include them, 22:09.495 --> 22:15.267 and if we don't make sure that the Land Development Code honors 22:15.267 --> 22:18.470 that and reflects those, then I think it's going to be really 22:18.470 --> 22:19.705 unfortunate. 22:19.705 --> 22:20.639 >> Okay. 22:20.639 --> 22:22.508 There -- there are a number -- as you guys know, 22:22.508 --> 22:26.078 there are a number of subcommittees and boards that 22:26.078 --> 22:27.580 the City Council Members have a pleasure of serving on, 22:27.580 --> 22:28.914 not just the regional entities. 22:28.914 --> 22:31.150 Have you guys given any thought to which boards you think you'd 22:31.150 --> 22:32.384 be most effective on? 22:32.384 --> 22:33.018 Go ahead, Mandy. 22:33.018 --> 22:34.220 >> The Council Committees? 22:34.220 --> 22:35.120 >> Yes. 22:35.120 --> 22:36.222 The Council Subcommittees. 22:36.222 --> 22:36.989 >> Okay. 22:36.989 --> 22:40.693 I would really like to serve on Health and Human Service and I 22:40.693 --> 22:43.829 would like to serve on the Audit and Finance Committees. 22:43.829 --> 22:47.900 Those are two that really speak to me. 22:47.900 --> 22:50.836 Having graduated from the LBJ School, 22:50.836 --> 22:53.372 I am crazy about budgets. 22:53.372 --> 22:56.775 I'm one of the weird people I know who really enjoys reading 22:56.775 --> 23:00.379 budgets and scrubbing them and digging really deeply into them. 23:00.379 --> 23:02.648 So that would be a real pleasure for me. 23:02.648 --> 23:05.718 The other, as I said, is the Health and Human Service because 23:05.718 --> 23:10.189 we have so many absolutely fabulous organizations in Austin 23:10.189 --> 23:14.627 that serve many, many human needs and I would like to see 23:14.627 --> 23:18.063 the city strengthen those relationships so that those 23:18.063 --> 23:21.767 groups can do an even better job of serving the needs of the 23:21.767 --> 23:22.768 community. 23:22.768 --> 23:23.769 >> Okay. 23:23.769 --> 23:24.770 Sheri. 23:24.770 --> 23:27.706 >> You know, as a business owner for the past 35 years and -- and 23:27.706 --> 23:31.110 having kept that business open through three economic 23:31.110 --> 23:35.881 up-and-down cycles, I look at budget and I see that, perhaps, 23:35.881 --> 23:39.785 the city needs to be run in a manner that -- that mirrors a 23:39.785 --> 23:42.821 little bit more towards business owners and a business. 23:42.821 --> 23:45.724 Sound budgeting, controlling expenses. 23:45.724 --> 23:48.827 I mean, our affordability issue right now is -- is based on -- 23:48.827 --> 23:52.031 on a lot of -- of non-controlling and 23:52.031 --> 23:56.602 overspending, and I think that's really important to -- to get a 23:56.602 --> 23:58.103 handle on those. 23:58.103 --> 24:00.706 Customer service, you know I hear that over and over again. 24:00.706 --> 24:02.908 I think we need -- we've got great city employees but I think 24:02.908 --> 24:05.477 we need to work a little bit on customer service, there. 24:05.477 --> 24:09.915 I just -- I think that the affordability issue is so 24:09.915 --> 24:13.652 substantial in this town and it's -- it's impacted so 24:13.652 --> 24:17.523 substantially by the fact that we're not controlling expenses, 24:17.523 --> 24:20.259 and perhaps, we're spending on things other than core services, 24:20.259 --> 24:22.127 which is what we need to be spending on. 24:22.127 --> 24:24.763 All of our neighborhoods are -- are screaming for libraries that 24:24.763 --> 24:26.899 need to be improved, and potholes that need to be fixed, 24:26.899 --> 24:28.801 and parks that need to be maintained, 24:28.801 --> 24:30.469 and sidewalks that need to be built. 24:30.469 --> 24:34.139 And talking about affordability, housing is of an interest to me. 24:34.139 --> 24:37.142 So that is the other place that I would like to have an impact. 24:37.142 --> 24:38.877 It's what I've done for 35 years. 24:38.877 --> 24:41.814 We've got to maintain affordability, 24:41.814 --> 24:43.816 both in a home ownership and the rental market. 24:43.816 --> 24:47.653 Over half of the people in Austin rent and if rents go up, 24:47.653 --> 24:49.855 my children, who have great jobs, 24:49.855 --> 24:53.192 can't afford to buy close to where they work so they have to 24:53.192 --> 24:54.059 leave. 24:54.059 --> 24:57.496 So we have to make sure that -- that we manage the expenses of 24:57.496 --> 25:00.432 property owners so that they can keep those rents affordable. 25:00.432 --> 25:02.334 So that's -- that's one of the places I would really like to 25:02.334 --> 25:03.068 work. 25:03.068 --> 25:03.836 >> Okay. 25:03.836 --> 25:05.838 Unfortunately, we have -- only have time for one more and then 25:05.838 --> 25:08.407 I'm going to have to limit you guys to each -- 30 seconds each. 25:08.407 --> 25:09.208 [Laughter] 25:09.208 --> 25:09.975 At the -- 25:09.975 --> 25:11.677 >> Sound familiar. 25:11.677 --> 25:12.911 >> At the end of your term, 25:12.911 --> 25:14.513 what is the biggest mark you would like to leave on your 25:14.513 --> 25:15.647 district? 25:15.647 --> 25:17.783 And I think you're up first, Sheri. 25:17.783 --> 25:20.919 >> You know, I think being a leader that understands the 25:20.919 --> 25:25.991 responsibility of leadership is leading people in the right 25:25.991 --> 25:29.528 direction; and that means that you make thoughtful decisions, 25:29.528 --> 25:32.564 you -- you build consensus, you listen, 25:32.564 --> 25:36.869 but you make sure that your government decisions that you 25:36.869 --> 25:40.873 make as a Council Member are leading the city in the right 25:40.873 --> 25:43.108 direction and that's what a good leader does. 25:43.108 --> 25:44.209 >> Okay. 25:44.209 --> 25:45.177 Mandy? 25:45.177 --> 25:47.012 >> One of the marks I would like to make, 25:47.012 --> 25:50.382 and sort of be remembered for, is helping to shepherd the new 25:50.382 --> 25:51.717 Land Development Code. 25:51.717 --> 25:55.888 It is going to affect Austin and how it's -- how it grows for the 25:55.888 --> 25:58.557 next 15, 20, 30 years ,and having spent 7 years on the 25:58.557 --> 26:03.662 planning commission, working not only on Imagine Austin but also 26:03.662 --> 26:06.465 the downtown plan in working with lots of neighborhoods to 26:06.465 --> 26:09.601 develop their neighborhood plans. 26:09.601 --> 26:12.805 I think it is going to be extremely important that we 26:12.805 --> 26:16.341 reflect the values and the hard work of all the people who 26:16.341 --> 26:21.346 worked on those and make sure that the Land Development Code 26:21.346 --> 26:24.316 is exactly what we need it to be. 26:24.316 --> 26:25.451 >> Okay. 26:25.451 --> 26:27.052 That's all the time we have for tonight. 26:27.052 --> 26:29.388 Thanks to both of you, Mandy Dealey and Sheri Gallo. 26:29.388 --> 26:32.224 All of the run-off conversations and our conversation with the 26:32.224 --> 26:34.359 newly elected candidates for District 2, 5, 26:34.359 --> 26:36.662 and 9 will be available on YouTube. 26:36.662 --> 26:39.665 Early voting in the run-off election starts December 1st. 26:39.665 --> 26:41.366 Election day is December 16th. 26:41.366 --> 26:44.002 For KLRU, Leadership Austin, the Annette Strauss Institute for 26:44.002 --> 26:47.106 Civic Life and KUT, I'm Michael Kanin, 26:47.106 --> 26:49.141 thanks so much for watching. 26:49.141 --> 26:50.976 [Music] 26:50.976 --> 26:55.881 [Applause] 26:55.881 --> 26:59.485 [www.captionsource.com] 27:04.756 --> 27:06.558 >> Support for Civic Summit comes from Google, 27:06.558 --> 27:08.927 a global technology leader focused on improving the ways 27:08.927 --> 27:11.697 people connect with information and also by Texas Mutual 27:11.697 --> 27:14.800 Insurance, providing workers' compensation for Texas 27:14.800 --> 27:16.201 employers.