CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Kathy Emmons shares with Cap City News how she envisions governing Cheyenne if elected as a city councilmember. Emmons is one of seven people running for Ward II.
The following are responses that Emmons shared with Cap City News. To view the Q&As of other candidates who have also submitted answers to us, click here.
What are the top three issues you believe the City Council needs to address immediately, and how do you plan to tackle them?
My top three priorities are linked together. The first priority is to continue to diversify our economy. I believe that city leaders and private partners in Cheyenne have done a great job of branching out into new areas, but we have to maintain that momentum. We need to examine opportunities to bridge from one industry to another to continue diversification.
My second priority is developing and recruiting a quality workforce which is a key to recruitment and retention of businesses. We have a great infrastructure in place between LCSD 1 and LCCC to prepare our future workforce. We are so fortunate to have LCCC that is dedicated to preparing students to pursue advanced programs to enter the job market as well as to retrain individuals for higher salary occupations. I look forward to a time when kids who want to stay in Cheyenne or who return after exploring the world have diverse careers to choose from right here at home.
The third priority is accessible and affordable housing. I believe this is a challenge that will require bringing all the partners to the table. Those partners include city and county representatives, the private sector, lending industry and community groups such as Habitat for Humanity, HUD and My Front Door. The viewpoints and input from all these groups is essential to solve this complicated challenge.
How do you propose to manage the city’s budget effectively while ensuring essential services are maintained and improved?
While working in state government I had the opportunity to build and manage a $90 million budget. Through this experience I learned how to balance multiple needs and priorities at the same time while staying within financial bounds. This is especially important since we have a statutory requirement to pass a balanced budget each year.
I support the Mayor and Council Members process of developing strategic priorities for the city because that serves as the guide rails for the budget. Planning is key to ensuring that we have the revenues to meet the things we have to do as well as what we would like to build on. I would continue to rely in part on the input of subject matter experts within the city departments as well as input from residents in determining infrastructure needs. I believe recruitment of quality staff and retention efforts are an investment that must be made within the budget. A balance must be struck between meeting the “hard” needs like roads, sewer and maintenance as well as the “soft” side like health and safety.
What are your plans for promoting affordable housing and addressing homelessness in Cheyenne?
Development of affordable housing is one of my key priorities. There are three areas I would approach with this challenge including continued analysis of the Uniform Development Code (UDC), establishing public–private partnerships, and creatively pursuing new building options or funding sources.
I believe that we need to do a deep dive into the UDC to ensure that we have not created unintended or unnecessary roadblocks in building affordable housing. The City Council and Mayor’s office have already addressed several portions of the UDC but we need to go even deeper. For the health and safety of our community, regulations and guidance on building is necessary, but the key is to make sure the regulations in the UDC don’t place unnecessary barriers to development. This should be accomplished through private-public partnership so that all sides are heard, ideas are generated, and resolutions can be developed. We also need to get creative about what affordable housing may look like in the future and accessing funds through land trusts, HUD, or state resources. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
How will you ensure that the voices of all community members, including underrepresented groups, are heard and considered in City Council decisions?
I am committed to making sure I stay accessible to the voters of Ward 2. I will make sure that there are multiple ways to contact me through social media, phone, email, etc. I would like to partner with the other City Council Members in my ward through the ongoing community coffees or get togethers. If elected I work for the constituents of Ward 2 so I will make sure they can reach me and they should expect a response within 24 hours.
In the last 35 years I have built a vast network of service organizations throughout the community that has increased my accessibility. Many of these organizations serve underrepresented or silent constituents. I understand the challenges they face and am seen as a partner in facing challenging situations. I welcome any ideas people may have to increase my accessibility.
What initiatives would you support to enhance environmental sustainability and green spaces within the city?
I would support the maintenance and ongoing development of the beautiful green spaces we have within the city. It has been wonderful to watch the greenway grow from one small path to the current 45 miles. Green spaces including walking and biking trails, accessible playgrounds, sports fields, the Botanic Garden, etc. are important markers of a safe and healthy community. They are also key to economic and community development. Potential businesses look at the investments a city makes into infrastructure such as green spaces and sustainable environments when they are considering new locations. We need to be creative and keep options open regarding how we continue on this path in the future.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I have been in Ward 2 of Cheyenne for more than 35 years and have been actively engaged in the community. I currently serve on the LCCC Board of Trustees, the Juvenile Justice Joint Powers Board, and the board of the Unaccompanied Students Initiative. I’ve previously served on the boards of Family Promise, Chyenne Symphony Orchestra, and the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation.
I was an owner of a private retail business for over 10 years, so I understand the challenges associated with private business. I spent several years in State Government and nonprofit organizations working to support families and children including expanding access to quality childcare. I was the Director of the Department of Workforce Services where I developed and managed a $90 million budget and worked closely with Leads and the Wyoming Business Council on economic development. During the last 15 years I have been involved in health care leadership in Laramie County.
I believe the skills and experience I have gained in these areas, working with diverse groups, experience collaborating with city, county and state governments, economic development and managing large budgets give me the skills to be a successful council member.
