Political Philosophy for Ralph Bauer

Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Huntington Beach

COUNCILMAN RALPH BAUER

HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO LEAD

HUNTINGTON BEACH

INTO THE YEAR 2000

Qualifications:

Mayor in 1997. City Councilman since 1992. Grand Jury member in 1986-1987. Former Huntington Beach High School and Ocean View School Board member. Combat Veteran, Korean War; Ph.D. in chemistry. Experienced businessman. Huntington Beach resident since 1964.

Recent Successes in Huntington Beach:

Safest large city in the U.S. Violent crime down 20% in 1997. Additional 900 acres of Bolsa Chica Wetlands saved. Downtown Pier Plaza complete. Five new downtown upscale projects starting. New Huntington Center plans complete. Improved police helicopter service. Library open seven days a week. Ten major businesses expanded in or coming to Huntington Beach. Powerful Nuisance House Ordinance enacted. Youth and adult sports venues expanded. City beautification plan being put in place. Helped High School District improve funding for education. Street pot hole filling and paving plan in place.

Future Goals:

Hire at least ten additional policemen. Save the Bolsa Chica Mesa. Complete construction of new Huntington Center. Eliminate Santa Ana River bridges. Stop offshore oil transfer. Assist schools to enhance education. De-bottleneck high traffic volume intersections. Improve clean water at beaches and channels. Provide more adult and youth sports facilities. Build a new Senior Citizen's Center. Complete sewer and storm drain master plan. Street sweeping twice a month. Complete downtown rejuvenation. Continue to work with each neighborhood to solve their individual problems.

"TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. " Ralph Bauer

-----------------------------------------------------------

A VISION FOR HUNTINGTON BEACH

Comments by Ralph Bauer on Becoming Mayor on 12/1/96

Dreams are the power which drives us to the creation of a reality.

Today's society is replete with the hard realities of everyday living. Many say our culture is degenerating in ways similar to those of the Feat societies of the past. We believe, however, that Huntington Beach can be the beacon which will light the way for other communities to successfully reverse this trend. We can serve as a model for others, nation-wide, even world-wide to emulate. Thus, we have the opportunity to leverage the ideals to which we aspire into far-reaching impacts which can change communities the world over. Thus, by influencing communities around itself, Huntington Beach can be more assured of sustaining its desired quality of life.

We are all born into what must appear to the newborn child a hostile environment. Yet the parents of that child will provide a nurturing environment so that he or she can grow and mature into productive adulthood. In old age, nurturing for the individual often begins again, but this time from another generation. Similarly, a city can provide a multi-dimensional, nurturing environment which through its open space, housing, schools, infrastructure, parks, cultural opportunities, recreational opportunities, and public safety facilities, will allow the individual and the family to grow and mature into that ideal we all cherish. Ultimately, economic development, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit both within city government and private enterprise, is needed to enable the city to provide access to housing, health care, and the multiplicity of leisure-time activities which make being a senior citizen a pleasure, not a nightmare.

-----------------------------------------------------------

PROGRESS IN HUNTINTON BEACH DURING 1997 SUBMITTED BY MAYOR RALPH BAUER 11/17/97

The city has made substantial progress in a variety of areas. Below are the highlights of 1997. These successes were attained through the collective efforts of elected officials, city employees, residents, and businesses. Such teamwork has indeed lead to the continuation of a high quality of life in our city.

Management of the City

1. Adoption of goals and objectives by all 12 city departments for the first time in history.
2. City Council reaffirmed original goals and added three new goals (open, accessible, responsive government; intergovernmental relations, and promotion of tourism).
3. Adopted a two-year budget for the first time with no increase in taxes or fees.
4. Identified all infrastructure needs for the first time in history. Moving to find ways to fund needs through ~ citizens' committee.
5. Established the West Orange County Cities Association, the Orange County Beach Cities Association, and Economic Development began discussions with the Mayors of large cities in Orange County, The Orange County Business
Council, and the three Orange County Universities.
6. Developed an improved citizen complaint resolution system.
7. Approved General Plan
8. City is on the Internet (ci.HuntingtonBeach.CA.US)

Quality of Life

1 . Violent crime down 20% in 1997.
2. New police helicopter purchased.
3. Nuisance House Ordinance established.
4. Assisted in founding the Interfaith Council.
5. Started the Human Relations Task Force.
6. Began organizing a collaborative which matches human needs with community resources.
7. Bolsa Chica Wetlands acquired (900 acres).
8. Added $150,000 annually to rehabilitate youth sports fields.
9. We will have added an estimated 3,700 jobs in the next four years.
10. Library now open seven days a week.
11. Completed a Recreational Needs Assessment, as well as sports field improvements.
12. Dedication of the Veteran's Memorial. 13 . Funded EIR to oppose Santa Ana River bridges.

Economic Development Projects Completed or Launched

1. Edinger Corridor-Warner Avenue Cluster

Huntington Center, New Home Depot, home remodeling center.

Rancho View Site, Five Points, Auto Dealers, and Inventory of available land complete.

Pier Plaza, Duke's of Huntington, Chimayo's, Plaza Almeria, Zeidan Brothers Project, new beachfront hotel, Blocks 104 and 105, Seacliff Shopping Center, 31 acre site on Pacific Coast Highway.

Sharp, Cambro, Airtech, long-term-stay hotel, Dynamic Cooking former Weiser Lock building, Sares-Regis, QuikSilver, Boeing Acquisition of McDonnell Douglas, Gibo Manufacturing, Konica.

Holly Seacliff (10 builders), Ocean Crest, Meadowlark, miscellaneous small builders up to about 30 units.

In Closing

Although we haven't completely recovered financially, we are recovering from the bankruptcy and the recent down turn in the business cycle.

As America's safest large city among the 100 largest, and the 12th best city of cities with over 100,000 population to raise children, and with the advent of commercial, industrial, and quality residential development, the golden age of Huntington Beach is indeed upon us.

-----------------------------------------------------------

CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ADOPTED CITY GOALS

1. Maintain a safe community.
2. Assure long-term adequacy of the city's infrastructure facilities.
3. Enhance and maintain the environmental quality of the community.
4. Improve the city's long-term transportation system and integrate it into the regional system as it evolves.
5. Establish policies and strategies to ensure a viable business environment throughout the community and expand the city's revenue base.
6. Adequately address the city's human issues and recognize their importance to preserving the health and safety of the community.
7. Provide for diverse housing stock throughout the community and maintain the quality of housing stock.
8. Maintain and continually improve organizational effectiveness.
9. Continue to provide diverse educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for all citizens
10. Pursue entrepreneurial approaches for seeking new businesses and tourism to expand the city's revenue base.
11. Ensure that the Huntington Beach local government is open, accessible, and responsive to all citizens it serves.
12. Establish and maintain relationships with the United States Government, State of California, County of Orange, cities of Orange County, local school districts, and all elected officials, as necessary, to promote the interests of Huntington Beach.
13. Recognize tourism as a prominent industry in the future of Huntington Beach and actively seek its promotion and development.

-----------------------------------------------------------

CITY 0F HUNTINGTON BEACH FISCAL POLICIES

o On-going expenditures should be supported by on-going revenues.

o The General Fund reserves should be maintained at no less than 3%, with a 5% reserve being desirable.

No new capital improvements should be approved until associated operating costs are funded by recurring revenues.

o Each enterprise fund should reflect the true cost of operation including direct and indirect costs supported by the General Fund.

o If the city's budget is balanced, General Fund reserves in excess of 5% should be transferred to the Capital Improvement Project Fund on an annual basis.

o To implement the above fiscal policy statements, a phase-in period will be required.

-----------------------------------------------------------

WHAT DOES ClTY GOVERNMENT DO?

A REMINDER OF FUNDAMENTALS

1. Develops organizational structure-manageable processes. "A firm foundation on which to build"

2. Generates funds to carry out desired programs. Has comprehensive budgeting and financial accounting systems in place.

"Money drives the system" or "Take care of the money and it will take care of you"

3. Provides efficient delivery of traditional services. Appropriate support services must also be in place.

"Do for the residents what they cannot conveniently do for themselves"

4. Provides special programs and services desired by the residents. "Citizen input provides direction"

5. Develops goals and objectives together with the long-range strategies via appropriate planning techniques.

"What is our vision?"

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE GOOD GOVERNMENT?

Integrity

o Integrity starts at the top with elected officials, city administrators, and department heads
Practice open government o Don't do anything you wouldn't want on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper o Do what is right, even if no one is watching o One inappropriate act will cause you to lose your integrity forever

PROFESSIONALISM

o Use merit when hiring and promoting o Establish a fair competition when promoting and hiring
Pay a fair wage for the competence level you are seeking o Institute training programs

PRINCIPLES

Establish written goals and objectives and evaluate against these standards
Establish mission statements
Develop plans, strategies, and budgets on a rational basis

PARTICIPATION

o Develop a participative, rather than an autocratic, management style o Empower the citizenry o Develop mechanisms for citizen participation o Establish citizen-based boards, committees, and commissions o Deal with employees fairly

EVALUATION

o Evaluate individuals and departments against goals and objectives o What does the public say at public meetings and in letters to the city
What do newspapers say, including letters to the Editor o Comparisons with other cities by third parties o How well are we doing in comparison with the best we have ever seen