October 2014 – Page 4 – San Leandro Talk

Shelia Young Answers on What She Can Do for Oro Loma Sanitary District

Shelia Young Answers on What She Can Do for Oro Loma Sanitary District People, Politics 1 Response »

Oct 102014

Shelia Young

The Oro Loma Sanitary District includes parts of San Leandro – which parts, I’m not actually sure. They have contracted with Waste Management for garbage collection, so if you live in San Leandro and get your bill from WM, you are in the Oro Loma district. Oro Loma has an elected board of directors, and this year five candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for three seats. I have sent all candidates a 3-question questionnaire based on the fact that I assume others, like me, know very little about sanitary districts.

Here are the answers and candidate statement from Shelia Young. San Leandro’s Mayor Emeritus is vying to be the first woman ever elected to the Oro Loma Sanitary Board.

What does the Board of Directors of the Oro Loma Sanitary District do and why are you best suited for that position?

It’s important to note what OLSD governance is about, as well as know that a majority of the public agencies in California set policy only – and management implements. OLSD provides wastewater collection and treatment services, and residential and commercial solid waste and recycling services to its customers. And the District stresses on its website that it strives to “Provide the best possible service at the lowest possible cost.” I have considerable background in public agency policy work for more than 25 years, as well as prior service as President and/or Chair or member of most of the environmental agencies in the Bay Area that help us reach our goals in recycling and reuse, including air quality concerns. My service areas are well documented in my campaign ballot statement.

What will be the most important issues facing the Board in the upcoming four years, and how will you tackle them?

Working closely with the StopWaste organization, which is tackling some of the tougher issues around food waste recycling, and hazardous waste disposal in both the commercial and residential arenas. This task will bring us much closer to 100 percent of our goals for removing garbage and trash from our landfills. Since OLSD has a seat on that board, I would like to help the board members work with StopWaste but also outreach to the community to assist with those goals.

An important project the agency is working on is the Ecotone project which will seek to work cooperatively with other wastewater treatment plants to support habitat seepage levees; the OLDS project includes a treatment wetland and upland slope for polishing treated wastewater. I’m excited about working on anything that deals with adaptable strategies related to sea level rise, etc.

When the contract with Waste Management expires, will you consider contracting with California Waste Solutions or another company that does not have its transfer station in San Leandro?

There are several companies that provide waste management, including recycling and reuse and disposal. Since Waste Management Inc. was just recently given a new contract by OLSD, it’s not clear who or what will be available when that contract is completed. When the time comes, I am certain appropriate outreach will be done to make sure local work, local jobs and money stay local, especially including anything that affects the service area of OLSD. We are fortunate to have 2 transfer stations in San Leandro and know when, where and how our waste is managed.

Candidate Statement

Shelia Young
Occupation: Business/Environmental Consultant

My education and qualifications are:

In 2008 I was named Mayor Emeritus of the City of San Leandro after years of effective
public service. It is time for a new perspective on the Oro Loma Board, one that offers
innovative thinking focused on our future. I possess the knowledge, education and
experience to address our wastewater collection and treatment needs and to provide
innovative and cost-effective solid waste and recycling services. During my years as
mayor, I served as a member and also Chair of the East Bay Dischargers Authority,
a joint powers organization formed to collectively manage wastewater treatment and
disposal services for a population in Alameda County of 800,000. I also served as
President of both the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and the Source
Reduction and Recycling Board. These agencies are responsible for the environmental
choices and changes that make us so much more conscious of conservation and mindful
of waste reduction and recycling. I would be the first woman to serve on the Oro Loma
Board and have the proven tools to assist the District in decisions regarding our future. I
respectfully ask for your vote.

Shelia Young on Smart Voter

Oro Loma Incumbent Tim Becker Answers My Questions

Oro Loma Incumbent Tim Becker Answers My Questions People, Politics No Responses »

Oct 092014

Here are the answers and candidate statement from Timothy Becker, an incumbent who’s been on the board since 2007.

1) What does the Board of Directors of the Oro Loma Sanitary District do and why are you best suited for that position?

The formal answer to this question is on our website and in practice is the same with several other activities related to the various committees that are chaired by individual board members.

The Board of Directors makes all policy determinations through the enactment of ordinances and resolutions, and has final authority in the implementation of these policies. The Board determines how the District will obtain and spend funds, and reviews and approves the District’s Operating and Capital Budget. The Board also appoints the General Manager and Legal Counsel, as well as the members of the District’s five standing committees. As a part of its policy foundation, the Board and staff collaborate to establish a Ten-Year Vision for the District.

I feel I am best suited for this position because my education includes a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Science degree in geology coupled with 28 years of environmental consulting related to wastewater, solid waste, and recycling. As I’m sure you know, the treatment plant relies on scientific principles for optimum operation and performance. My experience as a business owner and executive in the environmental industry also provide a valuable perspective when evaluating the risks, benefits, and drawbacks of new projects or partnerships.

2) What will be the most important issues facing the Board in the upcoming four years, and how will you tackle them?

As there are a number of issues facing the Board in the upcoming four years, I will provide an example that is emerging and one that is continuing. The emerging issue comes from a concern within the wastewater community that the San Francisco Bay may be reaching a tipping point related to nutrient (primarily nitrogen) loadings. Up until now, the Bay has been resilient to higher loadings and associated phytoplankton (algae) blooms that have impacted estuaries around the country. New regulations are being considered that would require treatment plants to increase their treatment to a higher level. Currently, we are actively partnering with state regulators, environmental stakeholders, and the San Francisco Estuary Institute to perform a research and modeling effort to better understand the potential problem as well as appropriate solutions to emerging nutrient concerns.

Another example that is ongoing and will continue through time is our responsibility to keep our infrastructure up to date and in good operating order. One of many ways we accomplish that goal is through our capital improvement projects. We are committed to keep that program moving forward because a well planned approach maximizes the public’s existing investments and provides proper environmental protections.

3) When the contract with Waste Management expires, will you consider contracting with California Waste Solutions or another company that does not have its transfer station in San Leandro?

Because we have a long term contract in place, that issue is not expected to arise in the near future. However, at the time the contract is being considered for renewal or to have another company provide the services needed, all companies will be considered. As we evaluate potential future partners, we will seek to provide our rate payers with the best service, the least environmental impact, and highest value for the services provided.

Candidate Statement

Timothy P. Becker
Oro Loma Sanitary District
November 2014

I have served the Oro Loma Sanitary District as a Director since August 2007. As a result of the decisions of very capable and efficient District staff and other Board members, sewer rates remain the lowest of any other sewer district in the state of which we are aware. Additionally, all long term district bonds have been paid off leaving the district debt free. The District is solid financially and otherwise. I have been fortunate to be elected to the California Association of Sanitation Agencies Board of Directors giving Oro Loma meaningful influence at the state level. I have lived in the Fairview area of Oro Loma for over 28 years. I am a Vietnam era veteran, have a business degree from UT El Paso, a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Oregon, and 28 years of experience in the environmental services industry, including work related to wastewater, solid waste, and recycling. I feel my experience and education allow me to continue to be a positive influence for the District into the future. I would appreciate your vote. Feel free to contact me at 510.581.3597 or tbecker@oroloma.org

Tim Beck’s Smart Voter page

School Board Candidate Evelyn Gonzalez Answers Questions

School Board Candidate Evelyn Gonzalez Answers Questions People, Politics No Responses »

Oct 092014

Evelyn Gonzalez

In order to better get to know the candidates for San Leandro offices, I sent out a questionnaire to all School Board candidates. The following are the answers from Evelyn Gonzalez. She is running for the San Leandro Board of Education At-Large seat against three other candidates. The winner will be chosen by a plurality of the vote.

Briefly, tell us about you and why you believe you are the best candidate for this School Board seat?

I am passionate about and dedicated to San Leandro public schools. I have demonstrated my passion and dedication, through 15 years of active involvement at school sites and district committees. As the mother of four children educated by the San Leandro school system, two SLHS graduates and two SLHS juniors, I understand firsthand the challenges facing students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school sites. Fifteen years of firsthand experience and involvement affords me deeper knowledge of both the issues and the people who are addressing the issues. I have regularly attended and spoken at school board meetings for the last three years. As a result, I am already up to speed on the current SLUSD goals, and the challenges facing the district. Since the At-Large seat is a short term seat, the board member will not have time to learn on the job.

For the last three years I have represented the SLUSD on the Recreation and Parks Commission. This role has allowed me to work with both the city and the school district. I have worked collaboratively with both the City and the District, and have helped drive collaboration between the two. This makes both our schools and city better. I have also been a board member on San Leandro and national non-profit boards. Board positions have allowed me the opportunity to look critically at financial statements, ask good questions, and help shape the direction of an organization. This experience is critical for a school board member.

Finally, I am backed by a spouse that is equally passionate about public education, brings excellent financial analysis skills, and is committed to supporting our schools.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the San Leandro School District and how would you tackle it?

The School Board must address: instruction that meets the needs of all students, support for teachers and staff, better communication, enhanced transparency and accountability, and improved technology. SLUSD faces a multitude of changes: a new funding formula and method for developing budgets, new common core curriculum and testing, and new administrators (both at district office and many school sites). There is a great potential with these changes, but there is also a great risk that poor decisions will be made. The school board needs to take a strong leadership role in overseeing these changes in our school district.

At its most basic level, the key to achieving these goals is communication. I will communicate with the employees, parents, and students at our school sites. I will explore whether these new ideas are working. Are the trainings and staff development helpful? Are our expenditures having the expected outcomes? What do classroom teachers need with respect to the new curriculum and changes in testing? How are administrators doing? Open channels of communication enable the assessment of progress. My 15 years of involvement in the schools gives me the credibility to facilitate open and honest communication.

What ideas do you have for creating a better relationship with the City and Community?

Since I have been active in the city for over 15 years, I personally have a great relationship with many city staff members. Moving the district office to City hall certainly allows for more school and city conversations, and greater collaboration.

One of the keys is that school board members need to attend city meetings (e.g., transportation, housing, etc.) and listen for impacts to our schools. School board members need to give feedback to the City. Currently, we have a city manager who is supportive of our schools and a superintendent who wants to work with the city. As a school board member we need to encourage that collaboration. We also need to identify areas where we can work together.

Some specific areas that would benefit from greater collaboration are: recreational spaces, lack of east-west transportation, and technologically bringing our schools into the modern world.

Do you believe there are systemic problems with racial/sexual/gender-based or other discrimination in San Leandro schools? How would you tackle them?

Over the years, I have observed some behavior that appears discriminatory. Some of our elementary schools have adopted great programs for their school sites. We need these programs to be available for all schools.

We need to create a school culture where staff and students work together to provide a safe place for everyone; a place where differences are celebrated.

Do you support turning the 9th grade campus into a High Tech campus? If so, what will you to have it become a reality?

I think this could be a great use for the new building. The 9th grade separation has not worked as effectively as envisioned. Our academies at the high school successfully provide students with a small school feel within a bigger campus. Although I’ve not seen a formal proposal to do so, I would be very open to utilizing the 9th grade building as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy or a STEAM (STEM plus art brings a creative element to STEM) Academy.

I would enjoy working with San Leandro businesses to help make this a reality. Our city is going in this direction and I think we can get help from the community to make this happen. I would also work with San Leandro Education Foundation (SLED) to find funding and support.

Do you support warrantless searches of student lockers? Drug-sniffing dogs on campus?

As a general principle, I believe in creating positive school environments that are based on trust. I am a strong supporter of individual rights. At times, the privacy desired by students can come into conflict with the needs of the broader school community (e.g., safety). To the extent that we need to pursue the needs of the broader community, we must always do so lawfully, i.e., consistent with Ed Code and court decisions.

Do you support school dress codes that ban clothing commonly worn outside of school?

I support the creation of a school culture that supports student education. This can include how we dress, how we speak, and how we treat other people. How we speak and dress at home may be different than what is expected at school. Creating and defining a school culture needs to be process that involved students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators and community members. When our students enter the work force, they will need to understand that many workplaces have a workplace culture, with expected norms and behaviors. Our school culture needs to be sensitive to the many home cultures present in our school district. We need to listen to many voices in the creation of school policies around creating a school culture.

Do you believe religious texts, practices or songs should be part of the school’s curricular or extracurricular activities? If yes, please specify how.

I am not opposed to the use of religious text, practices and songs. So much of a person’s cultural identity is embedded in their religion. Students can learn a lot about a culture through their religious text, songs and practices. We are very lucky in the Bay Area to have so many different cultures and religious beliefs present. I would be concerned if we were only focused on the texts, practices and songs of one religion, and did not expose our students to the broader set of the world’s religions.

Do you believe that back gate of the High School should be left open before and after school hours, so the community can access the sports facilities?

I believe all the school district recreation spaces should be open to the public when school is not in session. These spaces should also be secured after dark. We have staff on site at the high school until 9:00 p.m., so one of the responsibilities could be securing the space after dark.

Evelyn’s candidate statement, website, facebook page

Lee Thomas, candidate for City Council District 3, Answers Your Questions

Lee Thomas, candidate for City Council District 3, Answers Your Questions People, Politics No Responses »

Oct 082014

Lee Thomas

In order to better get to know the candidates for San Leandro offices, I sent out a questionnaire with questions provided by San Leandro residents and relevant to San Leandro. Lee Thomas is the first candidate from District 3 to submit his answers.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

1- Do you have a website, Facebook Smart Voter page with more information about you and your platform?

My website is Leethomasforcitycouncil.com and my
Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/leethomasforcitycouncil

2- What is your political philosophy?

My vision as a City Council member to tackle the issues that matter most to San Leandro families: public safety, economic development, particularly revitalizing San Leandro’s downtown and strengthening programs and adding services for families, including the relationship between the city and the school district.

3- How do you evaluate when to stick by your principles and when to compromise?

Principles are important yet so is the need to compromise. It’s important to find the proper balance between the two when representing the people you serve as a city council member.

4- How often have you attended City Council meetings in the last year and what, if any, issues have you spoken out about in such meetings?

I have attended many City Council meetings

GOOD GOVERNANCE

5- The San Leandro City Council is no longer producing full minutes of its meetings, and instead produces an audio/video recording and a record of its votes (but not comments/discussions). Would you restore full minutes?

6- Do you support a sunshine ordinance in San Leandro? Be specific as to terms.

7- Do you believe the City Council should censure Vice-Mayor Benny Lee for lobbying the Oakland City Council against renewing its $1Billion garbage contract with Waste Management? San Leandro collects $500K in taxes annually from WM’s transfer station.

Members of City Council need to be mindful that they are representing their City, whether they intend to or not, when speaking at events or meetings. And as a Councilmember, you must always remember you represent the people of your community first.

REVENUE

8- What’s your position on measure HH?

I support Measure HH. If its successful it’s important that we have a strong citizens oversight committee with meetings open to the public to ensure revenue utilized to benefit the city of San Leandro and our residents.

9- Do you support continuing or making permanent the business license fee holiday for new businesses? Why or why not?

10- Do you support pension reform in San Leandro? Be specific.

11- What are your plans for increasing revenue and/or cutting costs in San Leandro? Be specific.

12- San Leandro is about to lose millions of dollars in taxes and development fees, due to Waste Management losing its garbage contract with the City of Oakland. What would you have done to prevent that situation from occurring and what will you do in the future to support San Leandro businesses?

As a member of the City Council, I would have worked on having joint meeting/s with San Leandro and Oakland City Council’s and both Mayor’s to explain the financial impacts this decision would have on San Leandro and our region. I would have been an active proponent of Oakland keeping Waste Management. Fortunately, this situation has been resolved.

13- San Leandro has invested on creating a fiber loop and is trying to market itself to high tech manufacturing. What would you do to promote these efforts?

To promote and market “Lit San Leandro” I propose San Leandro host a conference or exposition. Inviting high-tech and advanced manufacturing company’s to showcase the benefits of locating or re-locating to San Leandro.

DEVELOPMENT

14- What are your thoughts on redevelopment in general? What should the City do to spruce up downtown and the South part of town?

I support redevelopment on transit corridors and vertical mixed-use, transit- oriented developments. I want the area around the San Leandro BART Station to be active, vibrant areas that encourage people to walk around and enjoy amenities without being dependent on their cars.

For the downtown I want to work to implement the Downtown TOD strategy. This plan was created with input from the community additionally, we need to work to improve the south part of San Leandro and our industrial areas.

15- What are your plans for the development of the Marina? If they include dredging, who should pay for it? Be specific as to what you will work to see happen.

I think the city should continue moving forward with the current plan pending the EIR. I would like to see the dredge-deposition site restored to wetlands, as the long-term financial impact of dredging is not sustainable.

16- What type of affordable housing requirements do you support for new developments?

17- How should the City and the School District collaborate regarding any new housing developments?

The city and the school district should work closely together with developers to mitigate the potential impact new development would have on our local schools.

18- What is your specific plan for repairing streets and sidewalks in San Leandro?

ENVIRONMENT

19- Global warming threatens to raise sea levels. What should the City be doing to help prevent rising bay waters from damaging property?

20- What’s your position on a “tree preservation ordinance”? Please be specific as to any ordinance that you would support.

21- Should the City offer incentives to encourage property owners to install solar systems or other alternative energy sources? Be specific.

22- What will you do to make San Leandro friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists?

SURVEILLANCE & LAW ENFORCEMENT

23- What’s your position on red light cameras and why?

I was opposed to the contract, and keeping the red light cameras

24- What is your position on public/police operated public surveillance cameras?

25- SLPD operates several mobile and static license place readers which photograph millions of license plates and cars. Do you support an ordinance that will restrict how long these records are kept and who they are shared with? Be specific as to terms.

26- How would you tackle the increasing militarization of the SLPD? Do you believe that the SLPD should continue to operate its SWAT team?

27- What are your public safety priorities?

My top priority is ensuring all San Leandro residents are safe by providing our public safety the necessary resources to do their job.

28- When the City Council passed an ordinance allowing citizens to keep bees with a permit, it provided that in order to get that permit citizens had to agree to waive their 4th amendment right to warrantless searches of their properties. What’s your position on this type of requirements? What will you do specifically with the requirement in the “chicken & bee” ordinance?

SOCIAL WELFARE

29- What do you think are the City’s responsibilities vis a vis ensuring that everyone in San Leandro has access to food, housing, health care and other necessities of life? How will you meet such responsibilities?

30- How should the Council promote community health in San Leandro?

San Leandro can work with health care organizations, providers and the county to promote and enhance health care screenings and services and promote healthy lifestyles.

31- Will you support an ordinance to increase the minimum wage in San Leandro? If so, to what amount.

I would support an ordinance that would increase the minimum wage.

32- Do you support reducing development fees, zoning entitlements and construction permits in order to make housing more affordable?

33- What should San Leandro do to aid its homeless population?

The city needs to continue working with non-profit organizations and find ways to leverage city resources for grant opportunities that may exist for non-profits to support the homeless. I would consider creating a homeless taskforce/commission to provide guidance and suggestions to the city.

34- Do you support an ordinance that would stabilize rents and impose just cause requirement for evictions? Be specific as to what proposals you would support/oppose.

35- What’s your position on having medical marijuana dispensaries in San Leandro?

The City has already approved a medical Marijuana dispensary, therefore I am only concerned that we get the right operator in place to ensure that children, youth and families are safe and that the business is efficient and operates within the law.

BONUS Question

If you are elected, will you vote to stop the SLPD from obtaining an armored vehicle?

Mayoral Candidate Pauline Cutter Answers Questions from Voters

Mayoral Candidate Pauline Cutter Answers Questions from Voters People, Politics No Responses »

Oct 082014

In order to better get to know the candidates for San Leandro offices, I sent out a questionnaire with questions provided by San Leandro residents and relevant to San Leandro. I will be posting the answers as I receive them. Pauline has not yet answered all questions, but she promises to do so in the near future.

Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

PERSONAL INFORMATION

1- Do you have a website, Facebook Smart Voter page with more information about you and your platform?

Yes, www.paulinecutter.com

2- What is your political philosophy?

I work to bring people together to work towards common goals by listening to and engaging the community—working for all of San Leandro.

3- How do you evaluate when to stick by your principles and when to compromise?

I evaluate what changing my mind will do. Is the end result a good compromise for the city? Can we can live with the end result? Does it get us closer to a goal? My answers to these questions determine when I compromise and when I stick to my original position.

4- How often have you attended City Council meetings in the last year and what, if any, issues have you spoken out about in such meetings?

I am a sitting City Councilmember and in the last 4 years have attended all meetings except for 2 due to illness. I speak often.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

4- The San Leandro City Council is no longer producing full minutes of its meetings, and instead produces an audio/video recording and a record of its votes (but not comments/discussions). Would you restore full minutes?

I am researching a solution that would satisfy public requests for full written minutes of Council meetings in a cost effective manner in addition to the audio/video recordings that are available. .

6- Do you support a sunshine ordinance in San Leandro? Be specific as to terms.

Yes.

The City Council needs to educate new Councilmembers regarding their rights and responsibilities while in office. When I was President of the School Board we had a policy that each new member had an orientation about matters of concern to the job. This would include orientation about ethics, the Brown Act, confidentiality, and communications.

REVENUE

8- What’s your position on measure HH?

I support Measure HH. Ideally I would like to dedicate the additional .025 % specifically for deferred maintenance projects such as street and road repair, city infrastructure, unfunded pension liabilities, among other projects. These would be onetime expenses not ongoing.

9- Do you support continuing or making permanent the business license fee holiday for new businesses? Why or why not?

Before we continue the business license fee holiday we must have information regarding the actual loss of revenue, number of new businesses attracted, etc. We need to receive and study the data to understand if business license fee holiday worked in the way intended by the Council.

10- Do you support pension reform in San Leandro? Be specific.

I do support pension reform. By the end of 2014 all city employees will be paying their full share. This was accomplished by negotiating multi-year contracts with all our employee groups. Now we need to get serious about retiring some out the outstanding debt so we are paying down our costs today and not asking future councils to find a way to fund this debt.

11- What are your plans for increasing revenue and/or cutting costs in San Leandro? Be specific.

There is a big push to attract new business to town bringing with them new jobs and employees with money to spend in San Leandro. We need to look at our Industrial area and figure out how we can make it more attractive to business. We want to attract high-tech and advanced manufacturing jobs in that area but we need to have some kind of nightlife or extra curricular activities to assist in attracting new businesses to that location so the employees stay around after getting off work to spend their extra pay in San Leandro.

I would also like to find ways that our Parks and Recs Department can expand to offer more recreation time for the millennial generation. An increase in public transit options, and expanded and safer bike routes throughout the city will also assist in attracting new business.

We also need to support our schools.

The situation in Oakland has changed. Waste Management will provide garbage pick-up services in Oakland. In terms of what could have been done to prevent it in the first place. San Leandro staff members were in touch with their counterparts in Oakland and the prediction was that the Waste Management contract would be renewed because CWS couldn’t handle the new services. Oakland staff did everything they could to present the facts and advocated for Waste Management.

It seems the Oakland Council was aware of the ramifications for certain agencies and they took precautions for them as in the case of Stopwaste. It wasn’t public knowledge that they were making sure they were protecting agencies and planning to go with CWS. What we can do is ask that any business that are located in San Leandro and dependent on other cities for their livelihoods keep our city staff informed of negotiations and deals of this sort so this situation doesn’t come up again.

13- San Leandro has invested on creating a fiber loop and is trying to market itself to high tech manufacturing. What would you do to promote these efforts?

We must keep the position of Chief Innovation Officer filled and ensure we participate in tech and manufacturing events where we can feature and market San Leandro to outside businesses and groups. We need to attend events where we can meet the decision makers of these and make a connection, invite them to visit as a first step to them putting down roots in San Leandro. We need to ensure that we keep the loop current and expand it whenever possible by hooking up new businesses and laying new fiber. I would also like to see the city have a system for all residents to take advantage of very low cost or free internet services.

DEVELOPMENT

14- What are your thoughts on redevelopment in general? What should the City do to spruce up downtown and the South part of town?

I think Bayfair is a tremendous opportunity for San Leandro. We need to make sure the shops at the center are those we want to shop at, that there is good public transportation to the shopping mall and that the area is safe to travel to and be around. We have funding for a study for a TOD (Transit Oriented District) at Bayfair that has the potential to completely change that area, and provide additional affordable housing options near the transit corridor.

The downtown is finally seeing some long needed improvements but traffic remains a problem because it runs right through the middle of downtown. We are currently updating the City’s Master Plan which addresses housing and traffic in addition to the businesses. I know there has been much communication to the city from folks in District 5 but I would like to get a wider group involved.

15- What are your plans for the development of the Marina? If they include dredging, who should pay for it? Be specific as to what you will work to see happen.

This issue has been out there for at least the past 25 years. I think every person in San Leandro would like to see a Marina for larger boats maintained. The unfortunate reality is that there is no money to do that without cutting essential services. We have requested (and continue to request) funding for dredging from State and Federal government agencies and they are not supporting funding for smaller Marinas like ours anymore. We have explored a ferry system there but San Leandro is not even on the list of Bay Area Cities that would be considered should funding ever become available. There are now about 35 full time residents who live at the harbor and another 85 or so that rent space there. In order to make necessary changes to the facilities there the costs would need to be raised and those increases wouldn’t allow for dredging. The channel that the boats use to come enter and exit the Marina is silting up and will need to be dredged soon or boats will be stranded in the harbor. This isn’t a decision that can just wait until funding eventually becomes available.

About eight years ago the council started working on this through an ad-hoc committee with Mayor Santos, and Councilmembers Starosiack , and Prola discussing the issue and to find solutions. Eventually out of that committee a Citizen’s Advisory Committee was formed with 30-35 people, from all parts of San Leandro, including residents, business owners, employees, boat owners, etc. They held over 50 meetings between their regular monthly meeting, Townhalls and Council workshops to discuss the viable options for the Marina. In the beginning the committee was committed to find a way to keep the boats in the Harbor as was the developer, Ed Miller. But as more information was gathered and supplied to the committee they voted to adopt the new plan for the Marina. This plan is in place and an Environmental Impact Report is being conducted right now. The report is expected the beginning of next year.

The plan has some very good aspects to it that will allow us to bring in quality restaurants, a meeting venue, a new library, additional recreation areas and will enhance the area while maintaining the natural beauty of the surroundings.

16- What type of affordable housing requirements do you support for new developments?

I support affordable housing in the city. We will need to look at our transit corridors for future “smart” development areas. I do not want to see a lot of infill housing in

the neighborhoods.

17- How should the City and the School District collaborate regarding any new housing developments?

The school districts should be aware of possible new housing development and should have input to the Master Plan as we are discussing housing and the impact to local schools.

18- What is your specific plan for repairing streets and sidewalks in San Leandro?

We need to start addressing the very worst streets as well as maintaining the streets that are not so impacted. I am supporting both Measure BB which will bring over $35 million to San Leandro for street and road improvements but most importantly San Leandro Measure HH which will give our city local control over money that can be used to repair city streets.

ENVIRONMENT

19- Global warming threatens to raise sea levels. What should the City be doing to help prevent rising bay waters from damaging property?

As a city we should work toward decreasing our Carbon Footprint. We need to consciously make decisions based on conserving energy. It should be conservation first then look to becoming “greening” our buildings, operations. And eventually our city.

20- What’s your position on a “tree preservation ordinance”? Please be specific as to any ordinance that you would support.

I would like to see an ordinance that is not punitive in nature but will focus on educating people about the importance and significance of heritage trees in the city.

21- Should the City offer incentives to encourage property owners to install solar systems or other alternative energy sources? Be specific.

If we put in place a conservation program in our City we could use the savings to fund a program to assist home owners with the cost of solar installations. This would need to be offered to many people not just a few so I see it more in the way of a no interest loan instead of money granted to homeowners without them paying it back.

22- What will you do to make San Leandro friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists?

As we are looking at the roads and transportation aspects of the city we need to create safer bike routes around the city. We also need more bike stands and lockers for people who commute by bike. I also would like to see a system in place for bike sharing.

If we want more people to feel the downtown is a destination place then we need to slow or lesson the traffic there so pedestrians feel safe.

SURVEILLANCE & LAW ENFORCEMENT

23- What’s your position on red light cameras and why?

I voted against red-light cameras.

24- What is your position on public/police operated public surveillance cameras?

I supported surveillance cameras as a tool to keep our community safe.

I would consider an ordinance to restrict the amount of time these records are kept and with whom they are shared.

26- How would you tackle the increasing militarization of the SLPD? Do you believe that the SLPD should continue to operate its SWAT team?

27- What are your public safety priorities?

Keeping our neighborhoods safe is my top priority.

SOCIAL WELFARE

It is heartbreaking to me that there are people in our community without the basic necessities to survive. I will continue to work with the community and non-profit agencies to provide for the basic needs of those in our community in need. And also work toward providing the tools needed for them to become self-sufficient—quality jobs, education and job training.

30- How should the Council promote community health in San Leandro?

31- Will you support an ordinance to increase the minimum wage in San Leandro? If so, to what amount.

Yes, I support an ordinance to increase San Leandro’s minimum wage.

32- Do you support reducing development fees, zoning entitlements and construction permits in order to make housing more affordable?

I am supportive of affordable housing and will consider all avenues to provide additional housing of this type in transit corridors. But I do know that the schools depend on part of these fees to mitigate the impacts new development will have on the schools.

33- What should San Leandro do to aid its homeless population?

There is no easy fix for the homeless population in our community. People are without basic shelter for a wide variety of reasons. We need to work with non-profits and other agencies in order to provide the services needed to stabilize their situations and get people into housing. I am very supportive of the Homelessness Ad Hoc committee our city is forming to help us get a better understanding of the scope of the situation and ways to ease it.

34- Do you support an ordinance that would stabilize rents and impose just cause requirement for evictions? Be specific as to what proposals you would support/oppose.

35- What’s your position on having medical marijuana dispensaries in San Leandro?

I consistently supported medical marijuana dispensaries in San Leandro.

BONUS Question

If you are elected, will you vote to stop the SLPD from obtaining an armored vehicle?

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