2003 Candidate Questionnaire

 

SECTION I               

 

BASIC CANDIDATE INFORMATION

 

1.      Name as it will appear on the ballot

 

First Name

Middle Initial or Nick Name

Last Name

Peter

     

Steinbrueck

 

2.   Office sought (include office, jurisdiction, position/district number):

 

Seattle City Council, Position Number 3

 

3.   Are you the incumbent?                  Yes              

 

 

4.   How long have you resided in this district/city?

 

45 years

 

5.   How long have you resided in King County?

 

45 years

 

6.   Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan?         Nonpartisan         

                                                                                                                       

7.   If partisan, please indicate party:       

 

CAMPAIGN CONTACTS

 

Campaign Name:

Friends of Peter Steinbrueck

 

Address:

 

PO Box 21068

 

City/State/Zip:

 

Seattle, WA 98111

 

Campaign Phone:

 

206.633.0578

 

 

Campaign Fax:

 

206.782.4545

 

 

Campaign E-mail:

 

peter@petersteinbrueck.net

 

 

Campaign Website:

 

http://www.petersteinbrueck.net

 

 

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

 

1.   Beginning with the most recent position, please list public offices which you have held.  Include positions on appointive Boards or Commissions.

 

Public Office

Elective or Appointive?

Dates Held

Leadership Role (if any)

Seattle City Council

Elective

1997-present

President, 2001-2003

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

2.   If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:

 

Office Title

Year of Run

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 


 


SECTION III

 

In this section, we are seeking responses that reflect the four ratings criteria: involvement, effectiveness, character, and knowledge.  These are defined as follows:

 

  • Involvement: What has the candidate done previously in family, neighborhood, community, volunteer work, employment or public life to suggest readiness to accomplish challenging objectives? How do these activities demonstrate readiness for the challenges unique to the office sought?

 

  • Effectiveness: Has the candidate demonstrated promise of being productive in the office sought?  Has the candidate shown the ability to work with other people?

 

  • Character: Do the candidate's personal traits show the ability to take on the responsibilities of campaigning for and holding the public office she or he is seeking? Is the candidate a leader, participant or observer?  Is the candidate trustworthy, reliable and candid?

 

  • Knowledge: Has the candidate demonstrated the willingness and ability to learn and adapt?  Does the candidate understand the duties and challenges of the office sought?  Does the candidate have a firm grasp of the issues important to his or her constituency and their potential effects?

 

 

1.      In a page or less, why are you running for this office?  (Note: the interview committee will be given a copy of this statement before your interview; at the beginning of your interview you will have the opportunity to expand on this statement in any way you wish.)

 

From early childhood, I was imbued with a sense of civic responsibility and pride. In my youth, I participated in my father’s eight-year effort to save the Pike Place Market, and his passion and commitment for preserving Seattle’s character left an indelible mark on my life.

 

Since then, I have worked to make more positive changes in people’s lives—I strongly believe that one person can improve the human condition. This has been the focus of my six years on the Seattle City Council and is my vision for Seattle:

 

§         I believe that our children should have a sustainable future, which includes not only providing opportunities for them at an early age, but also equipping their families with the basic necessities of a healthy, prosperous life.

§         I believe that no one’s home should be on the streets. In addition to educating and mobilizing decision-makers around the issue of homelessness, it is important to create economic opportunity and affordable housing for people who are struggling, so that they do not become homeless themselves.

§         I believe that preserving our environment and unique character is paramount to our quality of life. Helping people in our community succeed isn’t enough—we must ensure that the community in which they live can thrive and sustain them for generations.

 

I have experienced several successes in these areas throughout my career as an activist and politician, but there is clearly much more to be done.  I would like the opportunity to continue my work and improve the human condition and quality of life for everyone in Seattle.

 


 

2.      Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.

 

As a political leader, I am a quiet consensus-builder who is less worried about taking credit for accomplishments than achieving results. I employ a long-term perspective of the issues, and I realize that positive change takes time, effort, and tremendous collaboration. I have the patience and tenacity to make sound, well-reasoned, and balanced decisions for the greater good, and I am willing to stand by my decisions—despite any criticism that may result.

 

As an involved community member and civic activist, I have an in-depth knowledge and insight into the city, both personal and historical. My career as an architect and preservationist has taught me to understand complexity; I enjoy problem-solving and facing challenges that don’t necessarily have simple solutions. I strive to find facts, examine all sides, and understand the potential consequences and impacts of my actions, focusing on results and partnerships.

 

3.      Please describe in sufficient detail, one to three accomplishments or contributions of which you are most proud.  These examples should illustrate effective skills and capabilities you think apply to the office you are seeking.  These accomplishments may have occurred at any time in your personal, professional, or public life. 

 

Project Lift-Off

I co-founded and developed this community-based partnership with the City of Seattle, United Way, and King County, which improves access to and the quality of childcare, early learning, and after-school programs throughout our region. Establishing Project Lift-Off involved collaborating with various stakeholders (parents, educational institutions, community members) to create a network of effective programs, transform the systems already in place, and implement strategies that guide the program’s development.  Because child care and early learning systems are in great need of reform but are not high-profile political issues, this project has been a particular success: Project Lift-Off is now being integrated into the United Way of King County as a long-term program under their Children’s Initiative.

 

Safe Harbors

I initiated and led the four-year development of this innovative, outcome-based information system that better coordinates and improves the delivery of services to homeless persons and increases their access to critical support systems. The Safe Harbors network will also provide decision-makers and funders with more accurate data about the people they serve, enabling us to more effectively focus our resources and attention. Implementing Safe Harbors requires not only tremendous teamwork from a diverse group – service providers, the Federal government, homeless activists – but it also requires a great sensitivity to the population that will ultimately be served by the system.

 

Seattle Housing Levy/I-71 Homeless Shelter Expansion

In addition to negotiating with the Mayor, Executive staff, and my City Council colleagues to finalize the elements of the successful 2002 Housing Levy, I was able to resolve a complex legal dispute with the sponsors of Initiative 71 (which desired to create more homeless shelters in Seattle). I was able to incorporate some of the goals of the initiative into the Housing Levy, strengthening the Levy’s assistance for homeless persons and even winning levy support from I-71 proponents. Ultimately, the $86M Housing Levy was successful and will provide affordable rental housing development, home buying assistance, low-income housing, and help with emergency rent payments to people throughout Seattle.


 

4.      Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek.  Include your role in the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved.  Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life.

 

Public Life:

Seattle City Councilmember, 1997-present; Seattle City Council President, 2002-present

My six years of experience in Seattle’s Legislative branch has been invaluable. As a City Councilmember, active listening, negotiation, compromise, and thoughtful analysis are all critical to making competent decisions. I have learned to be flexible and receptive when setting policies and priorities. I must manage time effectively, prioritize and delegate work appropriately, and nurture my staff’s abilities and professional development.

As City Council President, I have sharpened my management skills under a more visible, highly accountable leadership role: In addition to effectively and responsibly managing the Legislative Department’s $7.5M budget and day-to-day business, I provide leadership and strategic direction for the City Council’s agenda. I act as the communication conduit between the Mayor, my Council colleagues, the media, and the public while building consensus and strengthening the involvement of these different and often disparate groups.

Family:

My family has provided me with a much greater perspective on public service. As a parent of two young boys, I have learned to strike a balance between public and private life. My children have compelled me to not only think about the present, but to think about the future that I am creating for their generation and beyond. They have also taught me that life should not be all work, but should include some play!

Community/Neighborhood Involvement Highlights:

Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors, 2003; National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2001-present (Advisory Board, 2003); Seattle Art Museum Ex-Officio Board of Trustees (2002-present); United Way of King County Community Council on Homelessness (2002-present); 46th District Democrats, 1989-present (Executive Board Member, 2003); American Institute of Architects, 1992-present; Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle Board Member, 2000-present; Pike Place Market Historical Commission, 1983-1990 (Chair, 1989)

Employment:

Steinbrueck Architecture, 1987-1997; Steinbrueck Building Inspection, 1980-1997; Steinbrueck Construction, Inc., 1976-1983

 

  1. Please describe the duties of the office you seek.  Which are the most important duties and why?

 

Among other things, a Seattle City Councilmember is responsible for: representing and responding to constituents in all aspects of the public sector, including issues, services, programs, and projects; drafting, developing, and implementing legislation; setting the city’s priorities and budgeting accordingly; developing sound public policy; oversight and accountability of city departments; building consensus among colleagues, the Mayor, and the community; and engaging and involving the community on important civic issues.

 

The primary duty of any Councilmember is to fairly, ethically, and responsibly represent constituents in the public sector. All of the duties listed above fall under this principal tenet. Whether we are passing legislation, reviewing projects, or making sure that city departments are properly managed, we are beholden to the public as we do so. Voters have hired City Council to do a job on their behalf—this should be foremost in every public official’s mind as they undertake any responsibility associated with the job.


EDUCATION BACKGROUND SUMMARY

FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT

 

The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report is distributed to voters in print and/or on our website.  It includes a summary of the candidate’s education.  Please summarize your education in 120 characters (letters, punctuation, and space all combined).  The League will delete material that exceeds the space limit by beginning with the last entry.  Suggested order is (degree)  (subject)  (school)  (year, if desired). 

 

Note: If this question is left blank the League will not include education information in your candidate profile.

 

Master of Architecture, University of Washington, 1987

Bachelor of Arts in Government (Cum Laude), Bowdoin College, 1979

 

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY

FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT

 

The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report also includes a summary of each candidate’s civic involvement.  Please summarize your civic involvement in the space below.  We will make every attempt to include the information in the Candidate Evaluation Report as submitted.  Due to space restrictions in the Report, your response is limited to 500 characters (letters, punctuation, and spaces all combined).  It is important that you list your involvement beginning with the most important and ending with the least important.  If you exceed the length of response permitted, or if the League should find it necessary to shorten responses for publication purposes,  deletions will be made beginning with the last item listed. 

 

Note: This information will appear verbatim on the League’s Candidate Evaluation Report.  If this question is left blank, the Municipal League will not include information on your civic involvement in the Report.

 

  Check here if you would like the Municipal League to copy the first 500 characters from Question 4 to paste into this section.

 

Seattle City Council President: 2002-2003

Seattle City Council: 1997-present

American Institute of Architects: 1992-present

Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors: 2003

Pacific Council on International Policy: 2003

Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle: Board Member, 2000-present

Seattle Art Museum Ex-Officio Board of Trustees: 2002-present

National Alliance to End Homelessness, Advisory Board: 2001-present

United Way of King County, Community Council on Homelessness: 2002-present

 

Finished!

If at all possible, send your response to the Municipal League electronically as an attachment, or insert it into an e-mail message (rebecca@munileague.org).  Mail and fax numbers are listed below.  If the League has not contacted you to schedule an interview, please call the League office at your earliest convenience.

 

Don’t forget to send the following to the Municipal League:  a resume, a photo, campaign literature, and, if you are an incumbent, constituent newsletters and other materials.  Please use the check-off list on the cover sheet of this packet to indicate which items you have sent.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAMPAIGN!

 

THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF KING COUNTY

 

Candidate Evaluation Coordinator:  Rebecca Cooper

 

810 Third Avenue, Suite 224                  Phone: 206-622-8333                Email: rebecca@munileague.org

Seattle, WA 98104-1614                        Fax: 425-671-0506                        Website: www.munileague.org