Describe how effectively you and your beliefs will fit into the dynamics of this City Council.
My approach is to prepare myself for each meeting by reading each agenda item completely so that I can understand what the issues are and then to inquire of city staff to resolve any questions.
I believe in showing respect for my colleagues on the City Council and their individual dedication to serving our city. I am well aware that there will be tough issues from time to time that will present challenges to our city. When there is an issue that appears to divide the Council, I will be open to a compromise solution that best serves our community.
I believe that the Council can accomplish far more for Culver City by teamwork.
Describe your philosophical approach to redevelopment, particularly the Washington-Centinela project.
The Washington-Centinela area is one of Culver City’s important crossroads. It has great potential for economic development that will help make our tax revenues grow. Our Redevelopment Agency plays a very important role in keeping Culver City prosperous with a balanced economy. There are also the interests of the nearby residents to consider.
With the mobile home parks, MTA station and RV issues, the common thread is that residents have left City Hall too many times with a strong feeling that they and their neighborhood concerns had not been adequately listened to by the City Council. All too often recently, the City Council seems to ignore the very same public input that the council “says” that it is seeking from residents.
I believe that I should make a sincere effort by listening to what the residents have to say since they made the effort to address the Council on an issue that is important to them. Regardless of the outcome on an issue, the residents need to feel that they have been treated fairly at City Council.
Describe the approach you favor, from this point, for establishing an above-grade light rail terminal at Venice/National, and how you will convince your Council colleagues to join you.
The above-grade MTA station is the only solution that does not heap more problems upon the residents of East Culver City and Rancho Higuera. I believe that my colleagues on the City Council will listen to what the voters have to say in this election. Since the entire City Council wants an above-grade station, I don’t think that will take much convincing for us to be united for the right solution. It is important that we successfully resolve the MTA station issue. We need to move past the station issue and start working together on plans to capitalize on the economic opportunities that regional transit will bring to Culver City’s downtown.
Describe your specific solution to the problem of Recreational Vehicles being parked on the street in residential and commercial areas.
We need a two-track solution, one for our residents and another for non-resident vehicles.
First, we have to look specifically about how best to deal with those non-resident RVs and other large vehicles that are causing the problem for Culver City residents. What are our enforcement options? How much will those options cost our Police Dept. to effectively enforce our laws?
Second, we need to be more respectful of our residents (who own RVs) and their neighbors. When the new ordinance was enacted, those Culver City residents were left with a feeling that their concerns had not been listened to by the Council.
The City Council had a real tough challenge that evening. If we had only taken more time to talk with the RV residents, together we might have found a livable solution.
Describe in detail how you do/would prepare for each City Council meeting, and specifically how you do/would follow up on pivotal actions taken at the weekly meetings.
Preparation: Long before significant items even get to City Council, I want to be at neighborhood meetings to actively seek out the views from the very residents to be impacted. Community groups should be much more involved in the front end when proposals or developments will impact their neighborhoods. Residents have a vested interest in their community. I will invest my time and listen to residents at the front end of the process.
Follow-up: On a particular Council action or specific direction to staff, I would like to use the opportunity to build rapport with staff employees by letting them know I that I fully support the job they are doing as professionals. I will be open and listen to them and their ideas about how well things are working out.
Identify three subjects currently facing the City Council that strongly interest you, and explain your resolution for each.
From what I am hearing about increased costs, next year’s budget will be a definite challenge. Balancing the budget is three subjects right there. Do we work to increase revenues to meet the challenge? Do we defer low priority expenses to another year and cut unnecessary spending? Do we reduce the number of employees or cut benefits? Do we cut services to residents?
I believe in a business-like approach to finding the solutions to budgetary challenges. Since the residents are my employers, I do not favor cutting needed services. Since city employees are my colleagues in serving our residents, I think that we have to treat all employees as valued resources to our city. We will need to find the extra revenues and take reasonable, cost-cutting measures so that Culver City can grow its way out of budgetary problems.
What are you reading now? And why?
Between reading the city budget, the old charter, the new charter and trying as best I can to separate out the fact from the fiction, I just have not had the spare time to read a good literary piece.
