Submitted questionnaire

Hamid Khajavi

Residential builder & real estate agent

This is the candidate’s public questionnaire. It is not a ForChange recommendation. Committee recommendations will be published after the review is complete.

1. 01 · Why are you running for Kelowna City Council?

   I'm running for council to bring a level of pragmatic thought and efficiency that I feel is lacking. I've lived in Kelowna for forty years. I was born here and I love this city. I sincerely believe my experiences will be an asset to council, and my deep roots here provide the understanding, and sympathy residents deserve. From a young age, I've always wanted to be more involved in helping shape the community and I wholeheartedly believe now is the time. There are reasons I chose to stay in Kelowna and raise my family here and there are reasons people continue to migrate here. I intend to help make sure those reasons are maintained for the next generation, and that Kelowna continues to responsibly mature & grow without losing the charm we all love about it. I'm bound and committed to this city and I want to serve.

2. 02 · Issue #1: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Community Safety. A level of safety is lacking in almost every neighbourhood in Kelowna. Hearing about people being harassed or assaulted in public spaces or while minding their own business turns my stomach. Kelowna has all income levels, and every person should feel safe, regardless of their neighbourhood. Two specific actions I would take are advocating for fewer wet-housing sites in residential neighborhoods and rerouting resources that currently provide comforts to some transients toward increased security & cleaning contractors. City Council can directly influence both of these initiatives. There are consultations with BC Housing regarding wet-facilities, and we do have a say during them. The city also manages the mentioned resources and can allocate them more effectively. These resources could perhaps also assist in increasing the RCMP presence in neighbourhoods needing it.

3. 03 · Issue #2: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Responsible Growth. Kelowna will continue to see growth. The desirability of living here remains high. As a result, we must support growth, development & revitalization. However, some elements need review. Some development is neither practical nor responsible. There is a lack of consideration for form & character, and infrastructure is not being planned or executed as required. Some specific actions I would take are allowing the city to provide feedback on form & character similar to how new home designs are regulated in certain urban centres and reviewing similar cities as a model for improved planning. City Council can influence these initiatives by supporting and working with staff and by considering certain amendments if they mean improvements for responsible, timely development. There is room for improvements that support development while also satisfying our residents.

4. 04 · Issue #3: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Support Locals & Businesses. Without them, we don't have a city. The common themes I'm hearing are a lack of execution & waste. Council's duty is to our residents, and it must deliver in a timely manner. A specific action I would take is a conservative approach to expenditures to keep property taxes as low as possible. This will provide financial support to every resident & business. Furthermore, residents must feel and see the impact of the money being spent. Some resources that might be lost or wasted in certain areas can be reallocated towards local events, maintenance or various community building initiatives. Council can influence this by prioritizing local vendors & contractors for city projects. We have some of the most talented people in the country here and I commit my availability to them as part of the larger, Kelowna family to listen and assist however I can.

5. 05 · What experience, skills, and community involvement do you bring to the role?

   As a local builder and real estate professional, I understand what it takes to build partnerships, create jobs, manage complex projects & budgets, and navigate the challenges facing families, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. Passionate about public service, I helped establish the BC Conservative Kelowna-Mission Constituency Association in 2012, later serving as the party’s Okanagan Regional Director and coordinating its AGM before the 2013 provincial election. I have collaborated with homeowners, builders, trades, consultants, local businesses, and other stakeholders on projects requiring planning, accountability, and teamwork. My knowledge of Kelowna’s neighbourhoods, housing market, and development landscape gives me a balanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our growing city. Like many young families, I’ve spent the past several years building my businesses, supporting local clients, raising a family, and contributing to Kelowna through my work. As my family grows, I firmly believe now is the right time to put my experience to work by serving the community on Kelowna City Council.

6. 06 · How will you approach council decisions when priorities compete for limited resources?

   Every decision affects multiple stakeholders. Since keeping everybody happy is impossible, one must consider the greater good when priorities compete for limited resources. Every decision involves a trade-off. With today and the future in mind, we must analyze those trade-offs, determine the value gained and lost with each option and then proceed with what is best for the majority and our city itself. Furthermore, it's important to consider what each neighbourhood currently has or might need. If resources compete, perhaps it's wise to help some areas catch up to others. This instance requires a high level of consideration and analysis, but it's nothing out of the ordinary. People weigh pros & cons and trade-offs every day. I’ve done this for years with clients and homeowners at a high level when building complex projects or researching real estate. This will be required at a larger scale. That said, the process should be efficient and deliver results as soon as possible.

7. 07 · How do you work with people who see an issue differently than you?

   In custom home building and real estate, I encounter differing thoughts, opinions, and ideas every day. Whether I’m working with clients, trades, consultants, or other stakeholders, I believe differences in perspective can lead to better outcomes when they are approached with mutual respect and an open mind. I make it a priority to listen, understand where others are coming from, and engage in productive, respectful dialogue, even if we strongly disagree. I don’t believe that having a different opinion must create conflict. Consideration, collaboration, compromise, and a willingness to find common ground are essential to moving a goal forward. Ultimately, we are working toward a common goal, doing what is best for the city and its people. My experience has taught me that when people feel heard and respected, we can work through differences constructively and arrive at solutions that everyone can stand behind.

8. 08 · What else should voters know about you?

   I was born and raised in Kelowna, and I hold this city dear to my heart. I've lived here for forty years, I graduated university here, met my wife here and am raising my children here. I've worked jobs and run businesses for 20+ years in Kelowna. My experiences have given me the patience, temperament and level of critical thinking required on City Council. I’m forward-thinking and solution focused. I understand costs, trade-offs, planning and how the world actually works. Through years of working with people and assisting them in building or finding great personal investments like the homes where they raise their families, I have developed a level of understanding, mutual respect, and sympathy seldom seen in politics. I'm grateful for everything Kelowna has given me and now I'm ready to put my experiences to work in a way where I can give back.

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