Meet Karen Steeb: Candidate for Woodinville Water District Board of Commssioners

What is your full, legal name?

Karen Steeb

Where do you work and what is your job title? 

I have worked in the Woodinville area since 1981 as a landscape designer.  In 1981 and 1982, I worked for Molbak’s Nursery and Garden Store.  In 1982 I became the owner and principle of KKS Landscape Design. From 1993 to 2010, I home-schooled my three children.

Age?

56

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?

I moved to the Woodinville area in 1980 and have lived and worked here for the past 31 years. We moved into our Woodinville area home in 1985. My husband and his family came to the Woodinville in 1967.

Spouse or domestic partner if any: 

My husband, David Steeb, and I have been happily married for 27 years.

Children:

We have three children. Victor, who graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in theater arts, is an intern with the Seattle Opera. Wesley is a junior at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Eli is a sophomore at Cedar Park High School.

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

Michigan State University; Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, June 1979         

Shoreline Community College, 1989–2002, 98 credits in Parent Education

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any): none

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

Founding President of the City of Woodinville Tree Board, 1995 – 2000

President Woodinville Family Preschool Board, two terms 1994–1996

Woodinville Chamber of Commerce: Co-chaired 175th Street Beautification Project in 1987

Participated in the formation of the City of Woodinville, 1990-1993

4-H Snohomish County Club Leader 2001-2004

4-H Snohomish Country Project Leader 1998 - 2002

Snohomish County 4-H Leader Recognition Impact Award, 2002 

HOME (Home Oriented Meaningful Education) member, 1993-1999       

Washington Certified Nurseryperson, 1985 – Lifetime

Member of Northshore Baptist Church       

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy? 

No

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

No

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: www.karensteeb.com
Email address: karen.steeb@frontier.com

Phone number: 425-481-4868
Campaign manager: Karen Steeb

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Woodinville Water District Commissioner, Position #1; appointed to board, June 2005

Woodinville Water District Commissioner, Position #1: elected November, 2005 – present

Other campaigns for public office: none

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I am running for re-election because I believe in the public process. Setting policy, overseeing budgets and representing the rate payer are the primary responsibilities of a water commissioner. These duties are fascinating as well as challenging. The knowledge that I have gained in the past 6-1/2 years as a commissioner is of enormous value to the rate payer. As a re-elected commissioner, I will continue to work to provide responsible water and sewer rates as well as safe and reliable service.

I enjoy the people interactions that are part of this position. A commissioner’s job is not all about numbers. People skills are very important too. As a commissioner I represent the District to the rate payers and I represent the rate payers to the District. It is my job to interact with rate payers and their concerns with the District. My challenge is to contribute to reasonable solutions. I apply resourcefulness and tact in the process of obtaining successful solutions. Sometimes, a requested action is not possible; therefore the circumstances require sensitivity in which I am equally skilled.

As a commissioner, I am one member of a five person board. No one commissioner can act as an individual agent.  Decisions of the Board are majority opinions. Communication skills are of great value to the board. It is import to both listen and speak well, and I have demonstrated a proficiency in these areas, especial during my terms as board president, voted to office by my peers. As a successful team player I look for solutions rather than a win.

I enjoy my interactions with staff. The staff at the District is composed of some of the best people in the water business in the state. Woodinville Water District is a progressive, well managed utility which challenges itself to constantly improve. Our staff knows customer service is as important as safety and reliability. I will continue to considerately encourage and support the District’s staff as they excel in their jobs and responsibilities.

It is important to me to get the truth out about the Water District, sewers, and growth. Growth is a volatile subject in Woodinville.  Growth can be desirable or it can be threatening; it all depends on one’s perspective. The Woodinville Water District has a neutral position towards growth. The District does not promote, foster, or discourage development.  Rather the District responds to growth. It is Woodinville Water District’s obligation to provide sewers for requests that are consistent with the development policies of the local governing jurisdiction. The financing and building of these new lines is the responsibility of the customer making the request. The Water District was established in 1959 and in 1973 the first community sewer was constructed. Since its inception no one has ever been required to hook up to our sewers. We do have a legislative responsibility when directed by the state or a public agency to impose a mandatory connection which is for cases of public health and safety. In its 38 years of sewer service, Woodinville Water District has never required anyone to hook-up to sewers and it is our policy, as well as mine, not to require sewer connections in the future.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

Civility in Government: Government in the City of Woodinville has a serious negative reputation to overcome. It is known for contentious disagreements and disrespectful behavior at its meetings. This is not true of the Woodinville Water District Board of Commissioners’ meetings. Our board meetings are courteous events. When we have a disagreement, it is done politely. Board members are civil to each other. Board members are respectful of staff and staff is respectful to commissioners. Staff and commissioners are gracious to all guests. Challenges are approached as opportunities to improve our services. I will continue contributing to and championing the respectful manner in which Woodinville Water District conducts its meetings and business.

Continue Asking Questions with the intent of providing Honest Solutions: As a person, a landscape designer, and a small business owner, I have an appreciation for water and its impact in my life and on my profession as well as the whole community. I began my term as a water commissioner with the knowledge of the water industry which was similar to most rate payers. The perspective of a rate payer that is also a commissioner is valuable representation on the board. It is a very practical point of view. Often my questions provide a favorable outcome for the District. For example, in 2009 a Woodinville Water District connection to the Bothell sewer system had been eliminated. We were notified that because of the termination clause in the agreement, the District would need to continue to pay a charge to the City of Bothell for two more years. This did not seem fair. I questioned this and at the request of the Board a letter was sent requesting that the two year notification period be waived. 
When the contract was reviewed, it was discovered since there were no longer any connections to the City of Bothell, they in fact owed the Woodinville Water District money and there would be no further charges. My action resulted in a savings to the District of close to $20,000. With your vote, I will continue to evaluate the issues before the Board and ask questions which will allow the District to improve and carry on its operations in an efficient and cost-effective approach.

Represent the Whole District: Woodinville Water District has almost 14,000 water hook-ups and 2,500 sewer connections. We have at least four municipalities within our borders as well as portions of Unincorporated King County. Our district is composed of many different neighborhoods. When issues come before the Board the requests need to be weighed for the impact upon the whole District. By applying resourcefulness and meaningful effort, solutions can often be found which benefit the specific situation as well as the entire District. For example, a recent change to the District’s Leak Adjustment Policy was the result of ongoing discussion and evaluation. This resulted in the board changing the policy from a one-time adjustment to once every five year adjustment period. I take my commitment to the rate payers very seriously.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders? 

Transparency in the government process is very important to me. I believe in local government being local. Listening is a strong suit of mine. I am known as an optimistic and capable person. I approach each situation with energy and integrity. I also like to have fun while applying myself diligently to the task at hand. 

For the past six and half years, I conscientiously perform my duties as your Woodinville Water Commissioner. I arrive at each meeting prepared. I have a 94% attendance rate, while missing four meetings in my six and half years of service. All four of my fellow commissioners, as well as four past commissioners have endorsed my re-election. The sitting commissioners have further shown their respect for my abilities as a Water Commissioner by electing me president of the board for two different terms, one of which I am currently serving. This is significant because even though we have had differences of opinions, I have handled those differences with respect which has resulted in the support of my peers while getting the Districts business done.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election? 

I plan to self finance this campaign, as I did my first campaign. I will be spending less than the PDC’s (Public Disclosure Commissions) mini-reporting level. In 2008, the mini-reporting thresholds were raised to $5,000. The mini-reporting level states that no one other than the candidate can contribute over $500 to the campaign.  

Official endorsements:

Louise Miller, Two-term Metro King County Council, District 3, Six-term Washington State Representative, 45th District, Former Woodinville Water District Commissioner

Al DeYoung , Current President, Evergreen Hospital Board of Commissioners, Evergreen Hospital Commissioner (31 years), One-Term Northshore School District Board Director, Former Woodinville Water District Commissioner

Liz Aspen , City of Woodinville Council Member, former City of Woodinville Parks & Recreation Commissioner (9 years)

Ed Cebron, Woodinville Water District Commissioner

Ken Goodwin, Woodinville Water District Commissioner

Tim Matson, Woodinville Water District Commissioner

Sandra Smith, Woodinville Water District Commissioner

Gwen Maxfield, Former Woodinville Water District Commissioner (17 years)

Maureen Jewitt, Former Woodinville Water District Commissioner (10 years)    

Lucy DeYoung, First Mayor, City of Woodinville, two-term City of Woodinville Council Member

Cherry Jarvis, Former City of Woodinville Planning Commissioner (13 years)