Candidate Dan Murphy, running for Snoqualmie City Council Position #1, submitted answers to five questions we asked.
After the Q&A, you will find a short bio for each candidate and a link to their websites
The summer primary was held on August 5th. Ballots were mailed out on October 16th, and November 4th will be the general election.
1. How can the city improve community engagement so that residents feel their input has a meaningful impact on council decisions?
Over the past several months, I’ve had the chance to speak with hundreds of residents, and one message has come through loud and clear: the city’s communication with its residents is fundamentally broken. Many people have low awareness of the major issues facing Snoqualmie—or worse, they have incorrect information about big topics like the police and the pool. While it might be easy for city leaders to throw up their hands and feel exasperated by the public’s lack of engagement, I believe the problem lies not with the people, but with how we communicate and involve them in decision-making.
The first step is to take a hard look at our communications policies. We need our meetings to align better with the schedules of working families. I’m not suggesting we hold meetings at 9 p.m., but scheduling them at 5 p.m.—when most people are commuting, shuttling kids, or making dinner—sends the wrong signal about how much we value public participation.
We should also make it easier for residents to participate virtually. If councilmembers are allowed to attend meetings remotely, the public should have the same opportunity. I understand the need to prevent disruptions like “Zoom bombing,” but perhaps residents could sign up in advance to speak virtually in a controlled and secure way. This approach is already underway in neighboring municipalities.
I’d also revisit the city’s social media policy. Snoqualmie is currently the only nearby city that doesn’t allow comments on its official Facebook page. North Bend, Issaquah, and Sammamish all do—and it fosters transparency and engagement rather than shutting residents out.
On proactive outreach, I was glad to see the city have a presence at Snoqualmie Days and the International Block Party this year. I’d like to see that kind of engagement expanded—to include informational tables at Mount Si football games, school events, and community gatherings. I also support hosting regular town hall meetings, where residents can speak freely with council members in a more relaxed, less formal setting.
Finally, I’d work to protect and strengthen our citizen commissions and boards. Serving as a Planning Commissioner has given me the opportunity to engage with the city in a meaningful way and contribute directly to its decision-making process. These commissions are essential for keeping residents involved and ensuring community voices shape the city’s future.
When more residents take part in the process, our policy decisions become stronger and more representative of the community as a whole. The best ideas don’t just come from city hall—they come from the lived experiences of the people who call Snoqualmie home. By opening more doors for public participation, we not only build trust, but also ensure our policies are grounded in real needs and real perspectives.
2. Previous surveys showed residents opposed building a swimming pool, yet the Council later approved one without conducting another survey. How do you explain that decision-making process?
The pool remains one of the most confusing issues for residents—many aren’t sure what’s been approved, how much Snoqualmie is expected to contribute, or what the current proposals actually include. There’s a long history here, and some deeply held views, and it’s frustrating that it has taken this long to find common ground on a solution that works for everyone.
Part of the challenge is how we communicate with the public. Citizen input is essential when the city considers a major investment like this, but our outreach efforts and surveys need to capture the full complexity of the proposals. While most residents support the idea of a pool, there are big differences about how we get there, who we partner with, and how we pay for it.
That’s why I was concerned when the City Council spent $1.89 million for the design of a community center expansion without a clear funding path to construction. Without a realistic financial roadmap, there’s now a real risk that we’ve paid for the design of a pool that may never be built.
Today, a significant funding gap remains between what the city has set aside and the actual cost of construction—and it’s unclear how that gap can be closed in the current fiscal environment. What is clear, however, is that Snoqualmie’s “go-it-alone” approach hasn’t served us well. I’m encouraged that the city has now—albeit belatedly—joined the Snoqualmie Valley Aquatics Collaborative to explore regional partnerships that could finally make this long-discussed project a reality.
3. Spring Plaza remains vacant despite its original intent as a coffee shop and event space to generate tax revenue. Is it possible to address this underutilized property?
The Spring Plaza vacancy is understandably frustrating for residents, and it’s something I hear about frequently when speaking with people across town. Many are disappointed that a property with so much potential sits underutilized in such a prime location on the Parkway. The development hasn’t lived up to the promises made when it was approved by the City Council in 2017.
Given how important this site is, the city should engage directly with the property owner and play a more active role in supporting its success. If there are obstacles the city can help address, we should step in. I would also want our development staff to revisit the original 2017 development agreement (and its 2020 amendment) to ensure the commitments for this property are being met. This location is too important for the city to take a hands-off approach.
4. The Housing Accountability Act (SB 5148) introduces the “builder’s remedy,” allowing developers to bypass local planning if housing targets aren’t met. What challenges and opportunities does this present for Snoqualmie, particularly in terms of affordable housing?
Snoqualmie was once one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and now we face real challenges in meeting even modest affordable housing goals in the years ahead. We’re limited by the urban growth boundary, floodplain restrictions, and the fact that most of our land is already developed. At the same time, residents rightly want any new growth to be done thoughtfully and collaboratively.
It’s important that we find ways to add more affordable housing while preserving the small-town charm and historic character that make Snoqualmie special. Without more housing options, local businesses will continue to struggle to fill shifts with local residents, essential workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers will continue to be priced out, and seniors will find it harder to stay close to their families.
The builder’s remedy provision of SB 5148 is a wake-up call for cities to take affordable housing seriously and ensure that our actions match our words. I don’t want to see developers bypass our local process—I believe Snoqualmie, with resident input, knows best how to plan and manage its growth. To do that, we need to invest in our excellent Community Development staff and strengthen our in-house planning expertise. That’s how we make sure our housing goals are realistic and actionable, our local process stays intact, and our community keeps control of its future. Ignoring the issue isn’t an option.
5. What role should the city play in encouraging more retail on the Ridge—businesses that drive sales tax revenue—while balancing the demand for health services?
The Ridge currently has at least four major vacancies, which is concerning to both me and our residents. Snoqualmie has always valued both of its retail corridors, each serving a unique purpose in attracting residents and visitors. On the Planning Commission, I was proud to help advance code amendments that prioritize walkable retail—restaurants and shops that help keep Center Boulevard vibrant year-round.
Health services are well served by Snoqualmie Valley Health’s Urgent Care and the upcoming hospital expansion, but supporting retail requires our immediate focus.
I’d like the city to take a more active role in supporting small retailers. Small businesses are the backbone of Snoqualmie—they create jobs, attract visitors, and give our community its unique character. Yet too often, they face significant hurdles just to open their doors. A new retailer or restaurant may need eight to twelve permits, many with unclear or even conflicting requirements. One new business owner I spoke with described the permitting process as a full-time job on its own.
To help, I support solutions like a business concierge—a city caseworker who guides local businesses through county and city processes, answers questions, and helps navigate the steps needed to open. Cities that have implemented this approach have cut permit wait times by up to 50%, allowing businesses to start operating sooner while generating revenue for themselves and sales taxes for the city. These kinds of solutions can help our retailers not just survive but thrive.
Candidate Bio with linked Website
Dan Murphy lives on Snoqualmie Ridge with his wife, Holly Cowan, their twin daughters, Gwinna and Layla, and their two Pomeranians, Ginny and Teddy. Professionally, Dan is the founding partner of Common Good Strategies, a public affairs consultancy serving clients in transportation and urban innovation sectors in King County and nationwide. He began his career in government service as a policy aide, first to U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and later to NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Dan serves on the Snoqualmie Planning Commission, volunteers at Cascade View Elementary, and is a member of the award-winning Ignite Dancing Dads. When he’s not shuttling his daughters to activities around the valley, he enjoys baseball, hiking, and weightlifting.
Learn more at: http://www.dan4snoqualmie.com/
