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Local Issues

The Sierra Club works with communities on issues related to pollution, conservation, outdoor recreation, and other environmental and quality-of-life concerns. In Omaha and surrounding communities, the Missouri Valley Group has been involved in a number of projects over the past decade.

Recent & Past

Green Homes: Using Energy and Water Wisely - PowerPoint for Greening Your Home presentation given on 31 January 2008

New State Mercury Rules Being Considered - September 2006

City Sprouts Update - September 2006

Results of Nebraska Sierra Club Chapter Mayoral and City Council Candidate Survey

Eight questions for both Omaha City Council Candidates and Omaha Mayoral Candidates. We had a good response from the candidates as set forth below. The questions were designed to be answered Yes or No. A candidate had an option to provide additional comments, if the candidate so desired. Some candidates did not answer a question Yes or No and just provided comments to a question. Thanks to all the candidates who responded (some did not). It appears we have a good group of candidates. The responses are here to aid you in deciding for whom to vote. We have not endorsed candidates for the primary but include the responses as an aid to voters.

Candidate Questionnaire for Mayoral Candidates

Transportation . . .

The SustainLane 2008 US City Rankings of the 50 most-populous cities is the nation’s most complete report card on urban sustainability. (http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/cities/omaha). Although Omaha's overall 2008 ranking was 25 out of 50, it ranked 48th in metro transit rider-ship.

1. As Mayor, would you give high priority to increasing transit ridership and ride sharing (carpooling)?

Randy Brown - No. That is up to the people.

Hal Daub - Yes. My goal is to double the transit availability in the river corridor so that people with one or no cars can take third shift employment opportunities and have reliable transportation to and from work after 10 p.m. and weekends.

Jim Suttle - Yes. As a professional engineer for 30 years, with extensive experience in transportation infrastructure design and planning, I’ll work with Metro Area Transit to ensure we reinvent our transit system to accomplish this objective.

2. Do you support the proposed trolley/streetcar line that would link the Zoo, Old Market, Qwest Center and North Downtown development?

Randy Brown - No. Not without voter support. Should be brought to voters.

Hal Daub - Yes. I have long championed this project and its costs will need to be examined carefully.

Jim Suttle - Yes. This proposal is not simply a transportation model. We need to demonstrate the potential for creating economic development along and near the trolley route. This may define a core system from Creighton to Qwest Center Omaha, the Old Market, Midtown Crossing and UNMC, with legs extending later to the zoo, north Omaha, the airport, etc

3. The Mayor appoints the five directors to the Metro Area Transit Board. Although existing Board members usually have good business experience, they generally lack knowledge of public transportation and don't ride public transit. As a result, the Board tends to focus on costs and very little on service to MAT customers. As Mayor, would you appoint at least two MAT directors who regularly use public transit?

Randy Brown - Yes. I believe that’s a great idea.

Hal Daub - No. I don’t think it is good practice to make iron-clad commitments, but I can assure you that my appointments will be balanced and have MAT users, including the disabled and the elderly, in mind. In the past, I named someone to the MAT board who was disabled and who understood the issues of making our buses accessible.

Jim Suttle - Yes. I want an aggressive board willing to insist on a system that matches the needs and destinations of persons seeking improved mobility.

Recycling . . .

4. As Mayor, will you support a more aggressive approach to recycling through mandates or requirements?

Randy Brown - I will have to look into it further. Apartment complex should have more access.

Hal Daub - No. I will continue to encourage increased recycling, but I am opposed to mandates. I plan, in the next bidding cycle, to explore automated container pickup, which would result in100 percent recycling.

Jim Suttle - Yes. I will support improving the recycling provisions with respect to the city’s trash collection contract. I am reluctant to use the term “mandates” in describing how we move forward to a more robust recycling program. We need to work toward a comprehensive approach that covers our five-county region and includes waste from residential, commercial and industrial sources.

Land Use . . .

5. Do you support the effort to add a separate Environmental Element to the City’s Master Plan?

Randy Brown - Yes. If cost effective and to the benefit of the people.

Hal Daub - Yes.

Jim Suttle - Yes I have already pushed for this change as a member of the City Council

6. As Mayor, would you support regulations that would increase infill development in the City?

Randy Brown - Yes. That would be the first choice as an option. We still would have exceptions in certain situations.

Hal Daub - Yes. I plan to encourage “smart growth,” infill, adaptive re-use and will work closely with Omaha by Design and the Omaha Environmental Coalition. my operation Many Hands is a major commitment to a cleaner and healthier city. Go to www.haldaub.com for more details.

Jim Suttle - Yes. We should consider innovative ways to promote infill development, such as allowing SID provisions to be used for non-contiguous infill lots.

7. As Mayor, would you support a coordinated effort for development patterns that are compact, and that are contiguous to the existing urbanized area?

Randy Brown - Yes. If it is cost effective to the benefit of the people.

Hal Daub - Yes.

Jim Suttle - Yes.

Conservation . . .

8. Do you support increasing the City’s use of renewable energy? Do you support improved energy conservation by the City and all of its departments?

Randy Brown - Yes. Only if it doesn’t add a financial burden to the people. Yes anyway we can conserve it can be a great benefit to the people. But we need to keep the lights on to combat crime in neighborhoods.

Hal Daub - Yes. There are many positive aspects of green and sustainable initiatives that I will support.

Jim Suttle - Yes. As the city public works director, I was an early advocate for renewable energy. We used methane gas from the two city water treatment plants to generate electricity that powered the plants; we pioneered the composting program that started OmahGrow; and we greatly improved city recycling programs. We need to be open to new initiatives, such as using bio-diesel for diesel vehicles in the city fleet.

Candidate Questionnaire for Omaha City Council Candidates

Transportation . . .

1. As a City Council member, would you give high priority to increasing transit rider-ship and ride sharing (carpooling)?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - Yes as the city did with an on-line ride sharing feature last summer when gas prices were higher.

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 Yes.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - Yes. I support Mapa’s Rideshare program and believe a key component to addressing unemployment is relevant bus routes to employers.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. I believe that increasing the quality and quantity of public transit is critical to our community and is something the city council should actively promote.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. Increased use of mass transit is key, not only to sustainability but also to future mobility and economic development. I will promote usage and funding of sensible, forward-looking mass transit initiatives.

2. Do you support the proposed trolley/streetcar line that would link the Zoo, Old Market, Qwest Center and North Downtown development?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - I generally support the research and evaluation that is being done (with private funds by the non-profit group Heritage Services) to determine the costs and benefits of the various proposals of such a system. However, given other higher priority issues - such as controlling violent crime and improving the roadways we already have - as well as other large financial commitments of the city (including the new baseball stadium) there is not a trolley proposal that I would commit to supporting. We need to make sure that such a system, if ever built in Omaha, would be sufficiently used and not drain tax dollars away from other critical uses, or curtail efforts to reduce our property tax burden.

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - I think we need a more definitive study of light rail possibilities.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - I’m supportive of exploring the idea and believe our community must continue to think big particularly as it applies to further north downtown development. With the city’s budget challenges, however, we must be very cautious when it comes to financing any such project.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes. Key to continued development of the central business and mutual area. Cost is a concern.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - No. But I do support an elevated electric mono-rail like they have in Downtown Detroit.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. I support this initiative, the only caveat I would offer is that we will need to be mindful of the expense of this project given the difficult economic times we are facing, I would support efforts to find private, state, and federal funding for this project so that we could proceed without incurring debt we cannot currently afford to pay.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes. But we absolutely must find funding.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. This is a qualified “yes.” I support improved transit for all parts of the city but we need to carefully evaluate which mode is best for each area.

3. The Mayor appoints the five directors to the Metro Area Transit Board. Although existing Board members usually have good business experience, they generally lack knowledge of public transportation and don't ride public transit. As a result, the Board tends to focus on costs and very little on service to MAT customers. As a City Council member, would you encourage the mayor to appoint at least two MAT directors who regularly use public transit?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - No. I don’t believe a ridership criteria is necessary as a city ordinance. What is important is that all directors have personal experience in using public transportation and they should do so as an ongoing basis as an expectation of their service on the board.

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - Yes.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - Yes.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes. I take the bus to school approximately 8 times per month.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. I think it is important to have a complete perspective when making decisions, it seems reasonable to include people who use the services as part of the decision making process.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. My family uses MAT and I understand the issues.

Recycling . . .

4. As a City Council member, will you support a more aggressive approach to recycling through mandates or requirements?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - Our City recycling program needs to be enhanced to increase participation, make it more user friendly and achieve a higher rate of recycling from the public and in the materials we recycle.

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - No. I do not believe we should mandate such requirements. However, we should embrace new recycling technologies such as recycle bank.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - I would support more aggressive approach, but now I need to know more about proposed mandates and requirements. Generally, I think education and incentives are more effective.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - No. Enough city/state and federal mandates with no funding.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Yes. I will need to discuss the actual wording however. I don’t always trust it when others don’t collaborate regarding their desires.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. I believe recycling is a critical component of green living and we should work to promote it and expand its availability whenever possible. It may also be beneficial to look at things like larger recycle bins, making it simpler for all business and apartments to recycle, and even recycling banks.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes. Absolutely.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. I favor incentives, but would consider mandates.

Land Use . . .

5. Do you support the effort to add a separate Environmental Element to the City’s Master Plan?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - I would like to consider what you specifically advocate. Your website does not provide any details on this subject.)

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - Yes.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - Yes. As a planning board member, I have been very supportive of this effort and would continue to do so.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes. I am the only candidate statewide that is actually already adding a potential new element to city code that will address environmental elements.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. It’s necessary for the city to have a comprehensive approach to sustainability that is incorporated into the master plan. This will help to ensure our communities continued health for many generations to come.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. We have to be “green” to grow.

6. As a City Council member, would you support regulations that would increase infill development in the City?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - It would depend on whether the regulations you are advocating are encouraging and permissive or punative and how that may affect the cost of homeownership and homeowner preferences.

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - No. However, I would support tax incentives for such projects, and for leed accredited projects.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - Yes. As chairman of the planning board, I helped approve new design regulations intended to do just that and am supportive of incentives such as TIF to encourage such development. In-fill development is important to district 1.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes. Always have supported infill. I would sponsor a reverse SID concept to encourage development focus on older areas of the city.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes. I have been involved with numerous infill projects over the last 15 years in Omaha and have proposed an in-city version of SID’s to promote infill development.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. As someone who has worked in old urban neighborhoods I know how important infill housing is to a community, particularly in place where old homes or businesses had to be demolished. I think infill housing is an important part of neighborhood development and revitalization efforts.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. Again, I favor incentives over regulations. I also believe the economics and personal advantages of infill development are becoming more apparent to developers and residents, as we’ll seen with Midtown Crossing, Ak-Sar-Ben Village and other current and proposed projects.

7. As a City Council member, would you support a coordinated effort for development patterns that are compact, and that are contiguous to the existing urbanized area?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - While that would be my preference, I don’t believe the city should unilaterally exclude non-adjacent developments in all cases.

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - Yes.

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - Yes.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes. I opposed the West Dodge overpass. Caused urban sprawl.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Maybe. I need more discussion face-to-face on this topic.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes. As the only candidate that served on the Master Plan Advisory Committee, I was and am committed to compact development, within the city limits (and would encourage growth within the Interstate ring. I don’t like the urban sprawl). My idea of western development would be new housing around 67^th Street.

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes, with increased energy costs and environmental strains it is important that we are more conservative in our development patterns.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. My degree from UNO is in Urban Planning and I understand the advantages of a solid urban core. Coordinated development will help with urban sprawl.

Conservation . . .

8. Do you support increasing the City’s use of renewable energy? Do you support improved energy conservation by the City and all of its departments?

Jean Stothert - Dist. 5 - Yes

Jon Blumenthal - Dist. 5 - Yes. We need to pursue this policy and partner with OPPD to embrace new wind energy

Pete Festersen - Dist. 1 - Yes.

Walt Peffer - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Franklin Thompson - Dist. 6 - Yes.

Steve Cross - Dist. 3 - Yes. I am the only candidate statewide that is actually already adding a new element to city code. I am the project manager for the Zero Net Energy Test House (ZNETH) and have a conditional use permit before Omaha City Planning to install the first wind turbine within the city limits of Omaha. This application will help define just what WECS that would be allowed inside the city. This project will be THE ONLY solar and wind powered structure in the city. As Nebraska has the 6^th best wind energy potential in the United States, I urge the promotion of this carbon free energy source as an expert and also support making Nebraska and the city of Omaha a leader in the manufacturing of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT).

Crystal Rhoades - Dist. 3 - Yes. In my work at the Neighborhood Center I supported and advocated for neighborhood energy conservation. I understand the relationship between conservation and sustainability as they relate to stimulating the local economy, saving money, protecting the environment, promoting health, and reducing consumption associated problems. I have worked to promote greener living and will continue to be an advocate for sustainability as a council woman. For more www.unomaha.edu/energysavers/index.php In my work at Metropolitan Community College I worked with staff and administration to find ways to improve efficiency at the college as well as incorporate sustainability and renewable energy curriculum to our existing programs and work toward developing a program that will train sustainability and green professionals in our community. Positioning MCC to be a leader in green education. As a council woman I would also like the current city codes to be revisited so that codes are more friendly to the new technologies of wind turbines and solar panels. I believe the city should create more incentives for people to live greener lives.

Chris Jerram - Dist. 3 - Yes. Absolutely. Plus, see the attached piece with more of my environmental experiences.

Jim Farho - Dist. 3 - Yes. There are great opportunities for the City and its residents in both of these areas.

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+++ Franklin Thompson - Thanks for the good work that your organization does. You are greatly appreciated +++

Local Issues

Recent & Past

Results of Nebraska Sierra Club Chapter Mayoral and City Council Candidate Survey

Archive

Air & Water Quality

Soil Contamination

Habitat Conservation

Parks & Recreation

Urban Sprawl

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