00:00:11,630	For the Bismarck City Commission. I'm Sargianna Wutzke, a member of the League of Women Voters, and I will be your moderator. This debate has been organized and the questions developed by the League of Women Voters, the Bismarck Tribune, the Bismarck Mandan Chamber, EDC, AARP of North Dakota, and Dakota Media Access.

00:00:32,430	There are three candidates running for two open positions on the Bismarck City Commission, and all three of the candidates have joined us here today. They are Trevor Vannett, Amelia Doll and Matthew Hull. Our purpose is to provide voters with information about the candidates and their positions on issues that affect the citizens of Bismarck.

00:00:53,730	The candidates have not received questions in advance. Viewers watching this debate live on April 30th may submit questions by texting. LWVBISMAN152 to 22333 to join the session. Then text your question. This debate format is as follows. Each candidate will have 60 seconds to make an opening statement, and after opening statements, the candidates will respond to the question.

00:01:28,000	The first responses to questions will be rotated between the candidates, and each candidate will have 60 seconds to respond to each question after each candidate has responded to the question. There will be up to three additional minutes allowed for debate or additional comments from all three candidates.

00:01:47,470	After the final question, each candidate will then have 60 seconds to make a closing statement. Candidates are asked to comply with their time restrictions so we can get to as many questions as possible. Our timer will let you know when your responses are down to 30 seconds, then 10 seconds and then stop.

00:02:06,500	For the debate segment, they will indicate when we are down to one minute and then stop. Now let's get to our candidates. Each of you have 30 have. Sorry 60 seconds to make an opening statement. Trevor, you can go first. First of all, I would like to thank the League of Women Voters for putting on this debate this evening.

00:02:26,730	My name is Trevor Vannett and I. I have lived in Bismarck for 15 years, and I want to help the community and I am on I've been a past member of the Human Relations Committee. I've I've on the Bismarck Parking Authority. I've ran for Mandan City Commission in the past. I'm in the Bismarck Lions Club.

00:02:54,530	I I'm active with our transit system, homelessness, anything in the community to help people with disabilities. About the state of Council. I served on the State Council of Developmental Disabilities. I've activated the legislature up advocating for the city and state and local issues. So I just appreciate your vote. Thanks, Amelia.

00:03:27,100	Good evening. I will echo what Trevor said. Thank you to the League of Women Voters for this opportunity tonight. My name is Amelia Doll. I have lived in Bismarck now for 14 years. My husband and my two children have called this wonderful city home. For that time.

00:03:44,000	We have enjoyed many of the great things that the city has to offer, and I look forward to working on the City Commission to make Bismarck a place for all members of the community.

00:03:54,730	Matt. I'd like to also thank the legal and voters and other organizations for putting on this event. My name is Matt Hull and I'm an archeologist. Like many, I didn't grow up in Bismarck but moved here more than ten years ago.

00:04:08,900	Since then, I fell in love with local married her and we have twin boys about attorney year old. I also fell in love with what Bismarck has to offer and I'm excited about our future. It combined with actually genuinely enjoying engaging with residents about their problems and priorities is why I'm running. If elected, all have two key principles one. It's not what I want. We all put tax dollars in.

00:04:27,630	We should decide what priorities city is focused on, and two is looking for win win opportunities where we can improve services and save money at the same time. In talking with residents, the number one issue I've heard has been homelessness. I believe there is an opportunity. If elected, I'd like to champion low barrier shelters.

00:04:43,330	He's working on where we could offer services to folks and the current system where folks have to go. Please escort them to the E.R. for medical checkup, which is expensive and unpaid for, and then taken to the county jail for the night to detox. Thank you. All right, moving on to our questions. We'll start with Trevor.

00:04:59,170	What impact do you believe the new state law capping property taxes at 3% will have on future budgets? I think this is going to have a detrimental impact to the city. I, I'm opposed to I understand we need to keep property tax low, but I don't think 3% is the way to go.

00:05:21,130	I think it should be a tiered CPI system, but I think it's going to have major strain on the city budget. I, I don't see how we can keep it. Please. I don't see how we can keep our roads up to date.

00:05:39,370	I just think it's going to be a major negative, and I think the city is going to have to get creative on how to keep their employees, because our city employees are our number one asset in the city. So I would really we're going to have some challenges and all.

00:06:05,800	I can guarantee you I will work hard for the citizens to to make sure we have a lean budget, but take care of our employees. Thank you. Amelia. That 3% cap is going to be very hard for all city departments. Well, I guess I shouldn't say all. Not all of our city departments are funded by property tax, but those that are, it is going to be a significant ask.

00:06:26,230	Nobody wants to pay property tax. It is a big expense for many households, but we need it to have the services that we continue to offer and to make Bismarck the place that people want to live.

00:06:44,170	There are opportunities for us to use technology and work with departments, but at the end of the day, it is going to be a challenge for our departments. Matt. So only about 25 to 30% of property tax bills actually go to the city. The rest is parks and schools. And that that piece that goes to city is primarily for emergency services.

00:07:02,000	Our police are fired by 911, and I don't think anyone wants to cut budgets there. So know we'll have to get creative on how to how to manage it. I talk with residents, especially retirees or anyone on fixed income. Their biggest issue is property tax rises and, you know, potentially pricing them out of their own home, which no one wants.

00:07:18,530	So I think the city just needs to get creative. On planning ahead, knowing where how much we'll need to increase over years. But, you know, like, you know, schools, you know, had the idea of doing a bond initiative when there's something large going to happen, such as the upcoming new police station or any new fire stations, where

00:07:36,470	because that normally won't fit into 3%, you know, budget increase that could be covered by bond issues. But I think we we just need to be creative to find solutions to keep property taxes low for folks. Thank you. All right. I'll now open this topic for any additional comments from any candidate. I have a comment.

00:07:53,800	One of the things that we're going to have to do is really look at once overnight, because I think people are going to get tired of the sales tax and any bond things.

00:08:14,530	So I think we're going to have to kind of stay away from that, because what I'm hearing from the public is they don't mind the sales tax, but it all has to fit in the process. And the county's already got their sales tax. We've done the sales tax for public safety and transit. So we got to watch. Yeah. And the problem with sales tax is it's a regressive tax.

00:08:35,170	It tends to impact those of lower income more. The nice thing about a property tax is it. It is it fits with the increase in the property value. So you're paying more into the city or into the public services that you're receiving.

00:08:55,630	So we we do need to be careful with sales tax because we can't price people out of the ability to live here. Right. And I would say, you know, so I think we actually get good value for what we pay into property tax. Great example is the fire department.

00:09:13,470	It's actually according to the insurance organization's top tier, less than 1% of fire departments around the nation meet that level. And as a result, everyone get all property or all structure owners actually get a rebate on their insurance cost.

00:09:30,230	As of a couple of years ago, we had a $12 million budget for the fire department, but because of the cost savings for insurance rebates, because their high quality, you know, high training, fast response time, fire hydrant density, all that, they actually saved the community $10 million. So we're effectively only paying $2 million for a top tier fire department. So if the community wants to do cuts, we would have to be careful.

00:09:45,230	But I think, you know, honestly, we actually do get pretty good value from our services. All right. So the next question we'll start with Amelia. Can you describe your thoughts on public private partnerships as it pertains to economic development opportunities? When we talk about development in our community, it can't be just private entities and it can't be just public.

00:10:06,530	We need to work together. That is how citizens get the most bang for their buck. When we have private developers who want to invest in our community, to bring services here, to bring housing, to bring hotels, motels, different organizations here, we as a community benefit or as a city benefit.

00:10:31,070	But it's important that as a city, we don't have red tape in place to limit that or discourage people from coming. All right. Matt. So I believe public private partnerships are a good mix of, you know, the public represents the, you know, the public's interest.

00:10:52,100	You know, say, you know, someone wants to build a factory in the next to the cathedral districts, like, obviously the public is going to be like, no, even if there's private interest. So it's a matter of balancing that public interest with what private private enterprise is wants to invest in.

00:11:09,470	And I view a great, you know, good opportunity for that for Bismarck is dealing with housing right now is we need more, you know, more affordable housing for our working class and middle class households as well as starter homes. And so I feel that's an excellent example of partner public private partnership is trying to find you develop areas that can help that. All right Trevor. I agree with both of the candidates here.

00:11:29,070	We need both in our community because without public private partnerships, we can't do what the city does. And we need to have good development and good good to look at Sanford. We need to work with our medical community to keep people here. And the biggest thing I hear is with housing.

00:11:55,170	That's an area we can't do much about it as a city, but we can facilitate that and not do it ourselves. But be at the table. Thank you. All right. And I'll open this topic to any additional comments from any candidates.

00:12:16,330	So I'd say the role of the public sector is putting on the guardrails, you know, making sure like the factory not next to the cathedral district. Otherwise it's like it's up to private sector and how they want to develop. The government's not there to tell them what to do. It's just for the public good. These are the guardrails of what you can and can't do.

00:12:28,230	And, you know, be very loose with that. But also it's like if private, you know, if they run to red tape, it's like working with the private entities to find solutions to help expedite projects or not get in the way. Government's not there to get in the way. They just provide guardrails for the good of the community.

00:12:44,100	And I think our city zoning team has done an excellent job with the new land use proposal that has come out and is being shared across the city. They worked really closely with developers to determine what is working and what isn't, and how we can improve the development and really advance the city. Right.

00:13:05,500	They worked with the home builders. So like a lot of the older communities, like where I live, you know, if my house burned down, I couldn't build as is without a variance and probably half the housing can't.

00:13:20,000	And so the city's reacting to that, you know, input from the homebuilders and other entities where it's like, hey, we need to change the zoning laws to allow more flexibility on development. And I just have one thing to add to that. I think the city has done a great job with the land development code. I think prior commissions have done what they can. And I thank Commissioner Marquardt's leadership on the Land Development Code as well.

00:13:43,370	All right. Our next question is from a texted in question. Name one way you would work to help make Bismarck more inclusive and accessible for people to visit for people with disabilities. And we'll start with Matt. So I think one way is transportation without transportation.

00:14:02,530	You know, when I canvas, you know, I've run one lady, she was a shut in. She was older lady. So she didn't drive anymore. And just because you, you know, in about 15 to 17% of the population of the country doesn't have a driver's license.

00:14:17,100	Now, just because you can't drive doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to take advantage of what the community has to offer. So I'd say expand. You know, the recent expansion of the of the transit network was integral. It was great for our community.

00:14:33,870	You know, it it it makes better living for those that don't have driver's licenses, but it encourages commerce because they'll be able to get out and about shopping and stuff like that. So I'd say for those with disabilities that that would be a key factor as well as just general Ada compliance. Trevor. Yes, this is a topic near to my heart. I've been working with Bis-Man Transit to deal with this for years. The past 5 to 7 years.

00:14:59,500	I go to every board meeting in every month. I sit in those board meetings and it's a different it's a different feeling. Since the city passed the sales tax. Like Matt said, it's great to have transit fixed route until ten for those that need to get a job or get home from work.

00:15:22,030	It's great to have Sunday hours to actually go out to eat, and that's one of the things I've worked with the city on, is, you know, we have a transit board. They have worked well with me in, in now that we got the sales tax. But I hope we can expand that.

00:15:48,170	So we have lived experience on that board that I hope we could continue. The City Commission can continue to work with this on the holiday hours. We we should be treated the same as everybody else. All right, Amelia. I will echo what Matt and Trevor said. Our transit in this city is something that's vital to people with disabilities. Additionally, sidewalks.

00:16:15,630	Many of us take sidewalks for granted in this community because we are able bodied and we can step off a curb. But if you try to walk and you need assistive technology, or you use a cane or utilize a wheelchair, the non accessible curves are limiting your ability to use community services.

00:16:37,170	And so that can be anything from being able to go to your grocery store to being able to catch a transit bus. Some bus stops are literally in the middle of a block where there's a curb. And so that is limiting people with disability being able to get out and utilize our services. All right.

00:16:52,900	I'll now open this topic for any additional comments from any candidate. Yes, I would just say this is why I'm running, because people that I talk to and wheelchairs need the public transit, but the fixed routes and those doesn't have a curb cut to get on. It is to the point now where it's unsafe for people to walk.

00:17:17,230	And I'm running because I feel very strongly that our transit and our public sidewalks need to be for everybody. Whether you're poor or rich, it shouldn't matter. We just need to be accessible. And I'm here to do that. And that's why I'm running.

00:17:44,470	And I'd add, it's like, you know, North Dakota, we've had a bit of a, you know, worker shortage for a while. It's like I had an uncle who had palsy so he couldn't drive. But, you know, with public transit, he was able to get to a job and being a contributing member of society as a result.

00:17:58,330	So it's like this can, you know, it's not just, you know, it's not just the niceties for these folks. This is, you know, it can be life changing and it can be good for the overall society. All right. The next question will start with Trevor. What steps would you take to promote economic growth in our city? One thing I think we have the Renaissance zone.

00:18:20,900	I think we could make we can we can make it better through. There's the Opportunity Fund through the state. There's the Department of Commerce. I'm all supportive of those programs, but we just got to work with our state and federal and local, and we all work together. We're we're a community of one. Amelia. I agree with Trevor.

00:18:49,230	We are a community and we need to work with other entities. We need to make Bismarck an attractive place to not only live, but to raise your family. Right now we see people look businesses trying to get employees, but attracting people to Bismarck is more than just employment.

00:19:11,000	We need housing that's affordable for all levels of the economic spectrum, and we need things for people to do. And that drives economic development. When people want to come to Bismarck, want to live in Bismarck, want to raise their families here, not only are they paying property tax, but they're paying sales tax. They're utilizing services. Their kids are enrolled in school.

00:19:29,230	So it really is developing the whole community. Matt. I agree with Molly about, you know, attracting people. It's like, you know, the biggest issue for bringing folks in North Dakota or Bismarck in particular is the cold. But we've got tons of college graduates that come through and it's like they obviously will survive that first winter.

00:19:46,970	So that's the biggest hurdle is solved. So it's a matter of encouraging them to want to stay here. So it's, you know, doing those events right now. I'll main kind of kicking our but when it comes to fun activities. But we're one community so it's not competition.

00:20:01,600	So we should add some fun events like Wilson has a summer nights on Main where they have kind of a food festival. At the end. They have, you know, a movie screened. We could do that on On Broadway. One initiative I'd like to pursue is a Fifth Street pedestrian corridor to connect downtown to the Event Center in Kirkwood Mall.

00:20:17,100	This would be great for folks coming into events from out of town, because it's honestly the same. Distance from downtown to Events Center is the Kirkwood Mall. But that way, if people want to shop at chain restaurants and stores there, you know Kirkwood malls aren't there.

00:20:30,070	But if they want to go to downtown for locals, it's right there. It's just a matter of psychology of the back ends of buildings and railroad tracks. But I think that would help the downtown. Thank you. All right. Our next question is to start with Amelia.

00:20:49,270	How will you invest in protecting the public lands and waters surrounding the Bismarck Mandan community? The we have a lot of great natural resources in Bismarck. And as a city commission, we need to uphold the zoning laws and the land use development. I think that we as US community should value those public spaces because they are all we have. And once they're gone, they're gone.

00:21:13,170	So I would fight for our ability to have those waterfront property, you know, like the waterfront, access to the water for everyone, trees, nature, everything. All right. Matt. I feel this is a good area for partnership with the park. You know, park board. I know like Denver.

00:21:34,000	They've got a trail network that goes all around town and, you know, is just following creeks and rivers, and you can pop up and suddenly be like, oh, you know, surprise, we're in town. You are. It's similar to the Coulee system up by Tyler Parkway. So I feel that would be a great value. And we already have a great trail network, you know.

00:21:47,870	So it's like and growing up you know there was a creek nearby that was for stormwater. And I remember I love playing with it. You couldn't develop it. So it was perfect. You know central public access for children.

00:22:00,370	And it's like it's those things that's like there's not a hard economic number on, but it adds great value to the community. And so I feel those are the things to protect. You know, we don't need we're not trying to block development, but it's those little niche areas where the best use for the community is just public access.

00:22:14,600	And I feel also the riverfront has been touched on is one of our greatest assets. You know, we've got you know, I know there's been development with the Lewis and Clark organization, but I just think that's a great area for opportunity as well. All right Trevor. I have I think we could work with the Park district.

00:22:31,370	I agree with Matt, but I have one thing to say on the keyboard ramp over here. The city owned the land. So I'm really frustrated with the city because they gave the land away. I think I'm keelboat was a good ramp and I just feel why now we're going to be short one.

00:22:59,900	So I would like to see that somehow because I feel that was a bad decision. All right. I'll now open this topic for any additional comments from any candidate.

00:23:14,730	Crickets. All right. Moving on. To the next part of nature. Their public. Moving on to the next question. And we'll start with Matt on this one. What are your thoughts regarding land use planning and the growth of the community? So as I touched on before, the the job of the city government is to provide a framework.

00:23:34,800	I would think of it like a skeleton where it's it provides it helps guide what development goes. Where of like, hey, this area is going to be commercial, this will be residential. We want some factories, okay. We'll do it by down by the airport, something like that.

00:23:49,000	But after that it's, you know, getting out of the way of private development of like, hey, this is what you know, this is the theme of this area. Go, you know, work within that theme. All right. Trevor. I think we need to really work on, you know, with the new Land of Ellman code.

00:24:08,470	I think that'll be a guide for this, but I really feel we need to work within that and try to make the community better. Thank you. Amelia. Yeah. The land use code is a great example of what happens when we have private developers partnering with the city.

00:24:34,230	That was something that the community needed, and we got some really great feedback from developers on how to use the land and what they need from the city to develop, continuing those conversations and making sure that that land use code stays relevant, and adapting it and changing it as needed. All right, now open this to any other comments from any of the candidates.

00:24:52,270	I'd say we just have to be careful on how we develop, because Bismarck's limit on our options to the south is Apple Creek Valley and it's floodplain. Southeast is Lincoln in the airport, to the east is the landfill. And to the west and less were annexed. And Mandan, you know, we can't go there either.

00:25:04,470	So we're limited to the north and northwest or, sorry, northeast. And so we have only limited options. So if we mess up, it'll affect, you know, it'll affect us long down the line. A good example is we only have one full length north south road through town. And that's what.

00:25:21,730	So that was, you know, over the river the decades a bit of a mistake in planning of where we, you know, we missed an opportunity and it's going to be stuck with us for a long, long time. I agree with Matt. You know, we only have that one Washington Street ending. You know, I think that was a mistake way back when.

00:25:37,700	So we need to be careful on how we do it. And I will promise the citizens that if I'm elected, we're going to have some talks before engineering does anything. Because if you make one mistake, you're in trouble. Yeah, I, I will say that I think our engineering department does a great job.

00:26:00,330	And I think it would be hard to, you know, hindsight's 2020. It's really hard to say. Or it's really easy today to say that Washington was a mistake, but we didn't know where development was going. We know a lot more about community development and neighborhood development now than we did when Bismarck was started.

00:26:16,800	So I wouldn't say that we were failing, but I would say there is opportunity for a better development strategy plan going forward. Right. And the planning department now looks out, you know, 15 to 20 years ahead. So it's you know, they it's not like it was in the 60s. All right.

00:26:35,100	The next question will start with Trevor. First. How should the city address aging infrastructure within the community, including city owned facilities? Well, this is a big thing on my heart as well, because we need to make sure our facilities and I know the city commission tries, but we got a big sure we're following Ada and above

00:26:58,970	that because, for example, people in wheelchairs need bigger spaces. So I think we like, you know, for our city building, a good example would be the city hall here. When the county does move out, I think we need to look at maybe changing, you know, the Tom Baker room upstairs, you know, look, look at that.

00:27:29,800	And then making sure all our facilities have wide enough doors, like, for example, the Bismarck Civic Center, their bathrooms, some of them are not accessible. The exhibit hall is, but it's kind of tight. So you really need to look at all that.

00:27:59,070	And I think this is something that if I wanted, they're not going to miss it because I deal with it every day. I refuse to go to events sometimes because the hall is not accessible. All right, Trevor, your time is up. Moving on to Amelia. Yeah, I think, you know, accessibility is definitely a part of aging facilities, but we also don't want to get into a situation where we put off maintenance.

00:28:20,630	We defer maintenance so long that it becomes a big problem. And so working with the maintenance department and the the departments that are in aging facilities to see what we can do now to slowly improve those over time. So we don't have a big bill in five, ten years looking us in the face. All right. Matt.

00:28:40,700	No, I agree with, well, everyone else at the table of making sure there's accessibility. Ada was passed, what, almost 35 years ago. It's, you know, kind of a little ridiculous that there's still buildings that don't comply. But I think a good example of aging infrastructure is the current lead line replacement project, which the city is working on.

00:28:58,430	So, you know, it's looking at federal and state grants to help, because with aging infrastructure, it's a very expensive to fix. So we look for those additional resources to help keep, you know. Property taxes sales tax any other taxes and fees down, you know, to try and maintain that relief for folks. All right.

00:29:18,330	I open up for comments from anyone on this topic. Yes, I would say I would really like to see I like what the commission did with Commissioner Mark, or they did a fleet plan for the vehicles. That's what I would like to see for the aging infrastructure, where we can all have a plan to follow. Yeah.

00:29:45,870	The fleet program is a great example of how the city has worked to reduce cost to the citizens while still maintaining a high level of service. I'll also talk briefly about or address what Matt said about the aging lead pipeline.

00:30:05,370	Our city has done an excellent job at working with citizens to get those tested, but this is a plug to say there are federal grants available to help you replace those lines going into your house, and that is something that the city is actively working on bringing to citizens.

00:30:20,630	So make sure that if you have a lead line coming into your house that you are working with us to get that replaced, because that is a great example of aging infrastructure that in the year 2026, we shouldn't have.

00:30:38,500	And it's a good example of citizens working with city government, because if you don't, if the city doesn't know what the material is and they when they come by to check and you're not home, it's going to cost $1,000 each to do a hydro vac to find out what it is by punching a hole in your lawn.

00:30:53,870	Another example using the water department is the fact that they they've been playing ahead for major upgrades and fixes for the plant, and so they've been slowly raising rates rather than having a big jump, because there's going to be a big cost jump to try and build up those reserves and combine with bonds to help basically spread out the pain, you know, because it'll be the current generation, future generations that you get value out of these additions.

00:31:07,770	So it should be the current and future generations that pay for them. And I also think we need to really work. I know in the past, and I think it was way back when Mayor Bakken was mayor, that we need to work with our state partners there.

00:31:24,270	For a while, the city wasn't working with the state Water Commission, so we got got to work with partners to keep costs low. All right. Our next question. We'll start with Amelia. First, what do you see as the role of artificial intelligence and municipal government? Oh, man. You first. I am first, thanks. I can be a great tool. However, I don't think that AI should be replacing people.

00:31:48,730	AI is something that we can use to improve efficiency, but we need to do it in a smart and efficient manner. I have had conversations with a few department heads about what they are doing to use AI in their departments.

00:32:06,900	I have some personal experience in my own professional work on developing agents, and AI agents are a great tool, but they are not meant to replace people, but rather streamline the process and make it easier for others to engage in the process. All right, Matt. No, I agree with Amelia.

00:32:28,430	And I remember when I talked with the police chief, he asked he asked a similar question, and I was initially I was thinking of, you know, you know, kind of drones in the sky, you know, crazy stuff. I was like, well, that'd be a question for the residents to balance. But he said that one of the ways that police officers were using it to help, help write up reports after incidents.

00:32:42,630	And I asked, you know, I asked him, you know, he verified it's like, well, they still check it afterwards, but basically help speed up the officers so they can get back on patrol. And it's like it's those kinds of things that's like, I feel as effective use of AI.

00:32:54,500	But like I told the police chief, in the end, you know, public or government response to public, you know, they're the ones that make the call. So if they want, if they prefer to pay a little extra police department so that there's no AI involved, like that's the call of the residents.

00:33:08,330	But if they're willing to, you know, city proposes an idea and they're like, hey, this could save us some money. And this residents are for it. It's like, that's the job of commissioner is to be like, yes. All right, Trevor. I agree with Matt and Amelia.

00:33:23,000	I don't want it to replace people in your example with the police. I don't mind the music and for that. But they need to if I'm like Mountain Amelia, if the residents want it and they tell us, yeah, we want it, I'm going to listen. But if they don't, then we go back to the way it needs to.

00:33:43,900	But I'm all for AI but not replacing people. I have had too much trouble with these automated systems and you need to talk to live people. We're here to serve the residents and that's what we need to do. So thank you. All right. I'll open this topic for any additional comments.

00:34:04,800	I think I think there needs to be an AI policy though as well. If there's not. So thank you. I think AI is just like any new technology, right? For those of us who are around, when the internet became a thing and there was a lot of discussion about the internet ending a lot of jobs,

00:34:23,100	and how is this going to work into business? And we've adapted the way we've done business, but we're still doing business and we're more successful. If you think back to your day at work today, and if you didn't have internet and you didn't have email, what would your job look like? Right.

00:34:41,070	Making sure that we are using AI in a responsible way that improves efficiency is the key to making it successful. All right. The next question we'll start with Matt. What are your thoughts on creating a community triage center to address behavioral health, addiction and homelessness in the area? So talking with residents, the number one issue I've heard

00:35:03,730	has been homelessness. So I'm very much in favor of a triage center because it'll it it's not just about, you know, there but for the grace of God go I of helping less fortunate.

00:35:19,100	It's, you know, it's it's an example of where we can actually save money if, you know, if people are ready to get off drugs or get off streets or whatever, it's like, I feel it's the, you know, it's it's I won't say obligation, but it's like I feel, you know, it's good for the community to help them, offer them help, because then they can become one of those contributing members of society.

00:35:36,630	And I, you know, it's it's better than what we have, which is nothing. So all right, Trevor. I agree with that. But I want to tell you, this is a subject I spend when the legislature's in session, I sit in the human service budget, and I see the needs and the requests,

00:35:58,430	and I'm totally in support of a free center. But I think we need to get it, because what I see in here, I live at the Patterson Place Apartments, and all they do is sit on the sidewalk and no place to go during the day. And if they're drunk, their costing officers time.

00:36:20,270	They they shouldn't have to deal with that. That's the human services. And we need to coordinate as the city grows, because our office spend way too much time on that. And then if there's a big incident, they have to kind of pinch to get by. So I'm very familiar with it. All right, Amelia.

00:36:47,370	I think the triage center proposal is an excellent, excellent example of entities working together to address a need of the community. This isn't a just city government problem. This isn't just a state government problem. It's going to take involvement from all levels of government plus private entities to address the homeless homelessness problem.

00:37:11,800	As a community, we need to invest in all of our citizens, not just those who are speaking the loudest at meetings. We owe it to everyone in our community to make it a place that's welcoming for everyone. And the triage center, like Matt said, does save us money.

00:37:32,800	If you are experiencing a crisis and you have one place to go, you are going to get the services you need quicker, more efficiently and you will have resources to get you back on the right track. If I could add a little bit to that, I work with them a lot in in. The number one thing I hear from people is we need to get it built.

00:37:51,430	And I think we need to work with Sanford in the. My biggest push on this is I don't expect the taxpayers to pay for it. It's should be a public private we should facility at the hospital should be involved. The chamber, all those people so we can all work together. Private donations.

00:38:16,430	There's grants from the health and federal government. We need to tap those as well because I am very familiar with those. And if I was on the city commission, I would know the grants name. And I give a lot of credit to Pam Signis. She does a lot.

00:38:37,000	And let me tell you, if I was on the commission, we would get it done. Any other comments? I agree with the others of, you know, people talk about government being inefficient. This is actually government trying to be efficient because we all actually recently attended a forum on homelessness.

00:38:56,100	And one of the things that came up multiple times was, you know, there is no central Nexus One stop shop for services. And people are get confused, like where to go for services. And this is a part, you know, like mentioned, a partnership with public and nonprofits where they could this can be that one stop shop where if someone's need of whatever it is, this is where they can go.

00:39:13,230	Yeah. One of the things that we hear from residents is somebody comes to me in crisis, and I don't even know where to send them, right. Somebody is experiencing homelessness, they're experiencing food insecurities, and I don't know where to send them.

00:39:31,970	With a triage center, we would have one place to send them, and all of their problems that they're facing could be addressed at one place. And it's not. Go here for your food and here for your mental health and here for homelessness. It's a one stop shop. All right. Keep going. I was just going to say, and these are folks that might not have a car.

00:39:47,170	So it's like transportation is not necessarily easy for them to go around town. All right. We're to the last question and it's for Trevor. What would you do as a commissioner to help address the of housing, both ownership and rental within the community? Oh, I would do a lot of things. I think we need the homebuilders.

00:40:08,870	Tax exemption. But I also think we need to work with our for disability and older people. They have the homestead tax credit through the state, all those programs. But I think we need to work with Damien Slinger from the Burley County Housing Authority.

00:40:32,370	I've worked with him on the state rehab council and his prior job, and I think one of our biggest challenges for our homeless is there's new federal regulations from the federal administration that's going to harm our voucher system. So I would really say we need to work on that. Thank you. Amelia.

00:40:57,230	The problem with the affordable of living is there's just not enough houses, right? There's not enough living spaces for the people we are trying to attract to our community. As a commission, we need to work with developers to make sure that we are efficient in the process of development and reduce any red tape that may be in the way, whether that's financial red tape or filing

00:41:14,900	multiple steps that you have to go through to get approval for development. I think there's some great opportunities to work with developers. We just need to have those people at the table so that we know what we need to do to get more housing in the community. All right, Matt.

00:41:29,600	No, I agree with Emily about reducing red tape so we can reduce costs for housing, but it's also cities already working on this is, you know, the home builders and playing, you know, planning department are working together to work on the housing code and zoning code. And I feel that that's, you know, another public private partnership.

00:41:45,900	But basically what we're short on is housing stock for the, you know, like I said, the middle and working class income level as well as starter homes. And so if we can if we can increase that, that it would. Sorry, I was going to cover this in my closing statement.

00:42:02,530	But basically it can help actually reduce property taxes for all property taxes for all of us. Because right now we have an imbalance in, you know, supply and demand. And so because there's a low supply, it's increasing demand for everyone and thus the prices.

00:42:19,800	So if we can, you know, we work with the home builders and the planning department to, to zone areas for that lower and or working in middle class houses. Because right now a lot of the development that's been going up has been for upper middle class or above. And that's just not what we need right now.

00:42:38,170	If I could add, you know, this is something that we need for starter homes for young families. They can't even afford it. So we got to work with whoever we can to keep our families in community great. Or any other comments? I'd say it's like trying. We're not trying to, you know, make cheap houses or anything like that.

00:42:57,730	I imagine stuff like where I used to live with my wife before we had our twins, was a two bedroom, two bath, you know, by the Y. It's like it's a very simple starter house.

00:43:11,900	That's what I imagine it's perfect for starting couples, because right now the American dream is looking a little rough because that first wrung out of college and avid apartments starting to go, you know, starting to disappear. The average house price nationwide is just over $400,000, and that is not attainable for anyone you know, starting out. All right. So that was our last question. You now will each have 60 seconds to provide a closing statement. And we'll start with Matt. All right.

00:43:29,100	Thank you again for the League to League of Women Voters and other organizations for putting this event on. We covered several important topics tonight, and I hope my responses have given residents a sense of my values and my vision for the future of Bismarck alongside residents. Number one priority of homelessness.

00:43:45,070	As we've touched on, I believe the biggest issue facing Bismarck is the lack of housing stock specifically for working in middle class houses as well as starter homes.

00:44:02,000	You know, as I mentioned, this not only has affected, you know, this imbalance has affected property taxes for everyone, but it's also made it hard to attract and retain talented workforce, which we're short on here. I'd say if people agree with agree with the initiatives I've discussed tonight and the values that I have, I'd appreciate your vote on June 9th. And if you want to learn more, reach out. Just go to HoferBismarck.com. Thank you. All right. Trevor.

00:44:19,900	I would like to thank the legal women voters for putting this on tonight. I just want the residents to know I'm here to serve every resident. I'm here to be a listening ear. I'm here to learn, experience that. I would appreciate your vote on June 9th. You can reach out to me at 701-955-0000. Thank you. And Amelia.

00:44:47,900	Again, one more thank you to the league and all the organizations for putting this event on. Excuse me. We have talked a lot about a lot of the issues that Bismarck is facing, and a lot of the vision that we all have at the table.

00:45:03,600	At the end of the day, what matters is what the citizens need and what the citizens want. And it's important to have that communication line open for anything that you want to talk about. I think Bismarck is a great place to raise a family, and I am honored that my family, we've got to raise our kids here.

00:45:23,730	If you have questions or want to chat more, you can visit my website at Amelia or my Facebook. My Facebook. Amelia, the number four Bismarck. Thank you. All right. Thank you to the candidates. And I wish to thank Dakota Media Access the Bismarck Chamber, EDC, the Bismarck Tribune, AARP of North Dakota, and the volunteers from the League of Women Voters for organizing this debate.

00:45:44,730	Thank you to the voters for taking the time to learn about the candidates for the Bismarck City Commission. This program will air several times on the Midco channel 602. It will also be available for on demand viewing at the DakotaMedia Access.

00:46:04,870	org and on Dakota Media Access apps including iOS, Android, Apple TV and Roku in the days leading up to the June 9th election. Before we close this debate, we'd like to remind you that you will need a form of identification to vote in North Dakota.

00:46:20,870	You can find identification requirements and additional voting information on the websites or at the offices of your county auditor and the North Dakota Secretary of State. And for candidate profiles, please visit. Vote411.org. Thank you.