Jon Mason , July 13, 2010 and July 22, 2010
File
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
This collection contains recorded interviews with Boise citizens. Notable topics include Boise Bench history, Greenbelt history, Foothills Levy history, Boise Fire Department history, Boise Police Department history, and personal and political histories of former mayors and councilmembers.
Dates
- July 13, 2010 and July 22, 2010
Biographical / Historical
Jon Mason was born in Fresno, California, and moved to Nampa, Idaho in 1980, and started to work at Morrison Knudsen. He designed and built plants to process copper, led, and zinc. After three years, MK decided to discontinue the project. Mason and his family wanted to remain in Boise, so he found work at Boise State University teaching construction and engineering. Mason served on the Boise City Council from 2000 to 2003.
Extent
1.3 Gigabytes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
In two interviews with Brandi Burns on July 13 and July 22, 2010, Jon Mason discusses his career in engineering at Morrison-Knudsen Company and as a professor at Boise State University. He describes how he worked on several committees prior to entering government including the Boise Vision Plan and his appointment to the Design Review Board by Mayor Coles. He explains how the city’s poor handling of transportation problems led him to run for city council and discusses the many solutions that were debated to ameliorate those issues. He also discusses issues with the Greenbelt, historic districts, housing developments, and the Foothills Levy.
Jon Mason served on the council during the end of the Coles’ administration. He describes how the council functioned, explaining how meetings were set up and run, and his experience during the controversy that led to Mayor Coles resignation.
Names and Places Index
San Joaquin Valley; Design Review Board; Morrison Knudsen; Boise State University; Boise Visions Plan; Bus system; CCDC; Capitol Boulevard; Anne Hausrath; Transportation; ACHD; Greenbelt; Bicycling; Historic Districts; Boise’s North End; Foothills Levy; Open Space Committee; Downtown; Canyon County; Brent Coles; Office of Internal Audit; Carolyn Terteling; Three Cities Bridge project; Parks and Recreation bond; Library bond; Purchasing cards.
Time Index
July 13, 2010 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:26 Mason spoke about living in California’s San Joaquin Valley. When the construction company that he worked for shut down, he relocated to Boise, ID to teach construction and engineering at Boise State University.
02:20 Mason mentioned being appointed to the Design Review Board by former Mayor Brent Coles in the 1990s before he ran for an elected position
03:27 Mason described the work he did at MK. He explained that it was primarily mining and metals processing. He discussed his work designing and building plants to process copper, led and zinc. After three years, MK decided not to continue with that project.
04:50 Mason explained that his family wanted to stay in the Boise area after his work with MK ended, so he found work at Boise State University (BSU). He spoke of adjusting to a lower salary at BSU.
05:35 Mason spoke about the schools that wife and children attended.
06:50 Mason discussed his work for the Boise Visions Plan. He explained that he worked primarily on the transportation aspect of the plan. As Boise grew, traffic became increasingly worse and the bus system was inadequate.
08:53 Mason discussed working with the Design Review Board. He sent in a resume to the Mayor and was appointed to the committee to decide what the city should look like as it expanded.
09:58 Mason spoke about criticizing the decisions of the CCDC. He talked about the plan to develop Capitol Boulevard. He spoke about approving buildings for Capitol Blvd which he later regretted.
12:08 Mason described his discontent with city policies as what led him to become involved in city government. Ann Hausrath encouraged him to run for her seat on the city council after she retired.
13:50 Mason talked about the issues that he ran on, primarily issues related to transportation. He mentioned that the city had ceded transportation responsibility to the Ada County Highways Department (ACHD). He expressed his belief that the city needed to take more control in its relationship with the ACHD.
15:48 Mason discussed how the possibility of ACHD being eliminated encouraged them to work more closely with the cities. He talked about creating committees and reorganizing the city planning organization to handle the rapid growth of Boise and to explore new modes of transportation.
17:47 Mason talked further about reducing the role of ACHD by better managing the decisions of the city planning organization. He described the leadership role of former Mayor Coles in questioning ACHD’s commitment to city planning.
19:32 Mason described the ways in which he worked to encourage new modes of transportation in the city. While the mayor was focused on implementing a light rail system, Mason thought the emphasis should be placed on improving the efficiency of the bus system. He mentioned that Boise still needed to improve its bicycle accessibility.
21:27 Mason explained his interest in the idea of bringing an aerial tram to Boise. He liked this idea because it would not involve the ACHD and it would also not require paving more of the city.
23:49 Mason spoke about the issue of people camping along the Greenbelt. The police were asked to check these people for outstanding warrants and discourage the vagrant population
25:22 Mason discussed the city’s approval of historic districts throughout Boise. This prevented historic neighborhoods from being developed or destroyed. It also required home owners to follow certain regulations for their neighborhood.
26:38 Mason described his irritation at the approval of numerous developments which he did not think were appropriate. He disapproved of the development of neighborhoods with cul de sacs which disrupted the city grid. 29:38 Mason talked about the growth of Boise during his time on city council. He explained that they made it too easy for development to occur on the fringes of the city and not easy enough to develop around downtown. He talked about establishing new building criteria for Boise’s North End and Southeast which were aimed at encouraged development within the city.
31:09 Mason described how difficult it was to regulate development within the city under the current law. He talked about his desire to change the laws governing development within the city limits.
32:22 Mason talked about the dynamics of the city council. He mentioned that most council members served for over ten years. He described how they all tried to maintain a sense of humor and to recognize each other’s capabilities.
34:20 Mason explained how the mayor had endorsed another candidate to take Ann Hausrath’s council seat. He talked about how he always asked questions during council meetings. He mentioned that he often voted contrary to the majority of other city council members.
37:22 Mason talked about being on the council when the Foothills levy project came up for a vote. He supported the project. He expressed a concern that the city might decide to sell the property that it had acquired.
39:37 Mason discussed how the council refused to take up bond issues for libraries, police stations and parks. However the council did take up the issue of conserving the foothills.
41:40 Mason spoke about the Open Space committee that was formed to put together the plan and ballot issue for the Foothills levy project.
43:20 Mason discussed his feelings towards development as a citizen and then later as a city council member. He described Boise as a small city with the characteristics of a big city due to the number of large companies operating here.
49:55 Mason described his first impression of Boise’s downtown as “grim”. He described the numerous empty blocks. He explains that while downtown has gained many new buildings and attractions, it has become harder to navigate on foot.
53:57 Mason talked about the first house he rented when his family moved to Boise. Later they purchased a farm in Canyon County.
End Recording
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:26 Mason spoke about living in California’s San Joaquin Valley. When the construction company that he worked for shut down, he relocated to Boise, ID to teach construction and engineering at Boise State University.
02:20 Mason mentioned being appointed to the Design Review Board by former Mayor Brent Coles in the 1990s before he ran for an elected position
03:27 Mason described the work he did at MK. He explained that it was primarily mining and metals processing. He discussed his work designing and building plants to process copper, led and zinc. After three years, MK decided not to continue with that project.
04:50 Mason explained that his family wanted to stay in the Boise area after his work with MK ended, so he found work at Boise State University (BSU). He spoke of adjusting to a lower salary at BSU.
05:35 Mason spoke about the schools that wife and children attended.
06:50 Mason discussed his work for the Boise Visions Plan. He explained that he worked primarily on the transportation aspect of the plan. As Boise grew, traffic became increasingly worse and the bus system was inadequate.
08:53 Mason discussed working with the Design Review Board. He sent in a resume to the Mayor and was appointed to the committee to decide what the city should look like as it expanded.
09:58 Mason spoke about criticizing the decisions of the CCDC. He talked about the plan to develop Capitol Boulevard. He spoke about approving buildings for Capitol Blvd which he later regretted.
12:08 Mason described his discontent with city policies as what led him to become involved in city government. Ann Hausrath encouraged him to run for her seat on the city council after she retired.
13:50 Mason talked about the issues that he ran on, primarily issues related to transportation. He mentioned that the city had ceded transportation responsibility to the Ada County Highways Department (ACHD). He expressed his belief that the city needed to take more control in its relationship with the ACHD.
15:48 Mason discussed how the possibility of ACHD being eliminated encouraged them to work more closely with the cities. He talked about creating committees and reorganizing the city planning organization to handle the rapid growth of Boise and to explore new modes of transportation.
17:47 Mason talked further about reducing the role of ACHD by better managing the decisions of the city planning organization. He described the leadership role of former Mayor Coles in questioning ACHD’s commitment to city planning.
19:32 Mason described the ways in which he worked to encourage new modes of transportation in the city. While the mayor was focused on implementing a light rail system, Mason thought the emphasis should be placed on improving the efficiency of the bus system. He mentioned that Boise still needed to improve its bicycle accessibility.
21:27 Mason explained his interest in the idea of bringing an aerial tram to Boise. He liked this idea because it would not involve the ACHD and it would also not require paving more of the city.
23:49 Mason spoke about the issue of people camping along the Greenbelt. The police were asked to check these people for outstanding warrants and discourage the vagrant population
25:22 Mason discussed the city’s approval of historic districts throughout Boise. This prevented historic neighborhoods from being developed or destroyed. It also required home owners to follow certain regulations for their neighborhood.
26:38 Mason described his irritation at the approval of numerous developments which he did not think were appropriate. He disapproved of the development of neighborhoods with cul de sacs which disrupted the city grid. 29:38 Mason talked about the growth of Boise during his time on city council. He explained that they made it too easy for development to occur on the fringes of the city and not easy enough to develop around downtown. He talked about establishing new building criteria for Boise’s North End and Southeast which were aimed at encouraged development within the city.
31:09 Mason described how difficult it was to regulate development within the city under the current law. He talked about his desire to change the laws governing development within the city limits.
32:22 Mason talked about the dynamics of the city council. He mentioned that most council members served for over ten years. He described how they all tried to maintain a sense of humor and to recognize each other’s capabilities.
34:20 Mason explained how the mayor had endorsed another candidate to take Ann Hausrath’s council seat. He talked about how he always asked questions during council meetings. He mentioned that he often voted contrary to the majority of other city council members.
37:22 Mason talked about being on the council when the Foothills levy project came up for a vote. He supported the project. He expressed a concern that the city might decide to sell the property that it had acquired.
39:37 Mason discussed how the council refused to take up bond issues for libraries, police stations and parks. However the council did take up the issue of conserving the foothills.
41:40 Mason spoke about the Open Space committee that was formed to put together the plan and ballot issue for the Foothills levy project.
43:20 Mason discussed his feelings towards development as a citizen and then later as a city council member. He described Boise as a small city with the characteristics of a big city due to the number of large companies operating here.
49:55 Mason described his first impression of Boise’s downtown as “grim”. He described the numerous empty blocks. He explains that while downtown has gained many new buildings and attractions, it has become harder to navigate on foot.
53:57 Mason talked about the first house he rented when his family moved to Boise. Later they purchased a farm in Canyon County.
End Recording
July 22, 2010 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Jon Mason described the dynamics of the city council during the time that he served. He talked about the large amount of preparation that took place before each meeting. He expressed his irritation at times when the mayor would “walk on” and introduce new material at the time of the meeting.
06:21 Mason spoke about the hourly contract the city council held with a real estate agent to find new properties for libraries. He explained that several of the real estate deals that were made were “walked on”. In the process the contract was changed from an hourly rate to a percentage.
09:38 Mason discussed the growth of Boise. He described efforts to develop depressed areas of the city. He expressed the belief that many aspects of development were rushed through.
14:00 Mason discussed the reaction of the city council to the resignation of former mayor Brent Coles. He spoke of the events leading up to Coles resignation. This led to an auditing of the mayor’s budget. He explained which members of the city government were dismissed as a result of the indiscretions.
23:54 Mason spoke about the creation of the office of Internal Audit as a result of the incident with former mayor Coles. He said that the office has been vacant for years. He discussed the need for this position and the importance of protecting tax payer money.
27:32 Mason described the conditions of the council following the resignation of Brent Coles. The council worked together more closely after this incident.
28:28 Mason spoke about the council’s reasons for choosing Carolyn Terteling to replace Brent Coles.
34:11 Mason mentioned the halting of the “three cities” bridge project. 35:41 Mason described his admiration and fondness for his fellow council members. He praised their insisting on an audit of the mayor’s budget.
37:07 Mason talked about Carolyn Terteling’s decision to not run for mayor after taking over the position from Brent Coles. He spoke of the position as being a “public service”, not a career.
39:25 Mason spoke of the large amount of time and preparation that went into being on the city council and the tendency of council members to become less meticulous over time.
42:15 Mason described how the city council’s projects were effect by the scandal surrounding Brent Coles. He mentioned the lack of a parks and recreation bond issue as well as a library bond issue.
43:10 Mason described the reluctance of the city council to take up any bond issues. He spoke specifically about the lack of a bond issue for the police station.
44:23 Mason spoke about the tendency of the city government to keep excesses of revenue on the budget to “cover their debt”. He expressed his belief that the debt does not need to be covered so heavily.
47:21 Mason discussed his suspicions about the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC). He described how property taxes associated with new development are going to CCDC instead of the city.
50:02 Mason spoke about the city’s decision to purchase a railroad.
53:12 Mason explained how the Purchasing Cards introduced by the city did not provide the ability to track funds.
End Recording
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Jon Mason described the dynamics of the city council during the time that he served. He talked about the large amount of preparation that took place before each meeting. He expressed his irritation at times when the mayor would “walk on” and introduce new material at the time of the meeting.
06:21 Mason spoke about the hourly contract the city council held with a real estate agent to find new properties for libraries. He explained that several of the real estate deals that were made were “walked on”. In the process the contract was changed from an hourly rate to a percentage.
09:38 Mason discussed the growth of Boise. He described efforts to develop depressed areas of the city. He expressed the belief that many aspects of development were rushed through.
14:00 Mason discussed the reaction of the city council to the resignation of former mayor Brent Coles. He spoke of the events leading up to Coles resignation. This led to an auditing of the mayor’s budget. He explained which members of the city government were dismissed as a result of the indiscretions.
23:54 Mason spoke about the creation of the office of Internal Audit as a result of the incident with former mayor Coles. He said that the office has been vacant for years. He discussed the need for this position and the importance of protecting tax payer money.
27:32 Mason described the conditions of the council following the resignation of Brent Coles. The council worked together more closely after this incident.
28:28 Mason spoke about the council’s reasons for choosing Carolyn Terteling to replace Brent Coles.
34:11 Mason mentioned the halting of the “three cities” bridge project. 35:41 Mason described his admiration and fondness for his fellow council members. He praised their insisting on an audit of the mayor’s budget.
37:07 Mason talked about Carolyn Terteling’s decision to not run for mayor after taking over the position from Brent Coles. He spoke of the position as being a “public service”, not a career.
39:25 Mason spoke of the large amount of time and preparation that went into being on the city council and the tendency of council members to become less meticulous over time.
42:15 Mason described how the city council’s projects were effect by the scandal surrounding Brent Coles. He mentioned the lack of a parks and recreation bond issue as well as a library bond issue.
43:10 Mason described the reluctance of the city council to take up any bond issues. He spoke specifically about the lack of a bond issue for the police station.
44:23 Mason spoke about the tendency of the city government to keep excesses of revenue on the budget to “cover their debt”. He expressed his belief that the debt does not need to be covered so heavily.
47:21 Mason discussed his suspicions about the Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC). He described how property taxes associated with new development are going to CCDC instead of the city.
50:02 Mason spoke about the city’s decision to purchase a railroad.
53:12 Mason explained how the Purchasing Cards introduced by the city did not provide the ability to track funds.
End Recording
Source
- Mason, Jon (Narrator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Collections Repository