Progressive Coalition Questionnaire

By Ryan Coonerty

Here is the Questionnaire I filled out for the Progressive Coalition

1. What are the three most pressing budget issues facing the city?

The three most pressing budget issues facing Santa Cruz are (1) the state government's unpredictable and irresponsible take-aways of city funds (2) the resulting lack of revenues to maintain essential city services and staffing levels provided by both city staff and community programs, and (3) investments in infrastructure. Sacramento has consistently taken portions of sales and property taxes in order to pay for their irresponsible budgeting (more than $12 million since 2001). This has forced cities such as ours to cut programs and investments as well as raise taxes and fees. It is time for city governments and their elected officials to stand up to Sacramento and demand that they restore constitutionally mandated revenues.

2. Besides layoffs, what are your proposals for cost reductions?

There are several ways that the city can avoid layoffs. Council members have a responsibility to look for cost savings in programs and departments. Additionally, the city can offer time-share, furloughs, and comp time to employees who wish to participate. The city work force should also be reduced through attrition, rather than layoffs. Moreover, the council should work with the city's employee bargaining units to identify and implement mutually acceptable cost saving measures. None of these are perfect solutions and the city has reduced its budget to such an extent that revenue creation must be a focus.

3. What two concrete proposals will you make for revenue production?

The first way to produce revenue is to actively organize and build coalitions to protect city revenues from Sacramento's take-aways. Strong coalitions composed of labor, social service providers, elected officials, and city staff need to look beyond their city boundaries and change the balance of power with state government. I have experience building broad coalitions as the manager for successful $86 million school bond campaign as well as treasurer of the recent Save Our City sales tax measure.

Secondly, as a member of the City's Economic Advisory Committee I have looked extensively at revenue creation and will address it, in part, by working with community groups, the business community and political leaders to protect, preserve and promote locally owned business. By building a sustainable, long-term economic plan, we can increase city revenues from taxes for the benefit of the city, local businesses, and community benefit.

4. In your view, what is the role and responsibility of a council member in the budget and finance process of the city?

A councilmember must work hard to stabilize city financing. This means educating, advocating, and overseeing city revenue sources. Once the budgeting process begins, city council members have a responsibility to actively seek input from, and be responsive to, community members and groups. Finally, throughout this process, council members must be careful to address both short term crisis as well as work to create long term sustainability. In all of this a council must coordinate with city staff, employee organizations, and the public.

HOUSING

1. Would you support increasing the percentage set-aside the Redevelopment Agency uses for affordable housing? If yes, to what amount would you raise it? If no, why not?

Housing is extraordinarily expensive in the City of Santa Cruz and directing a larger percentage (5% on top of the 20% mandated by the state) would make sense. One needs to be careful, however, in redirecting too large of a percentage, as the RDA's investment in economic development can create better paying jobs, thus allowing a greater percentage of the workforce to find affordable housing.

2. How many VLI (Very Low Income) units should the city target for development in Fiscal Year 05-06?

The City does not have the ability to directly develop housing. Instead it relies on cooperation with the non-profit and for-profit sectors. The City does need to encourage and support as many of the VLI units are possible in these partnerships. Additionally, the city needs to urge the University to build more housing on their campus, thus lowering the demand and prices for housing in the City.

3. What size units should be considered for future low-income housing developments?

A variety of sizes needs to be built in order to accommodate those most in need of housing + families, single parents, seniors, and the disabled.

LABOR

1. What do you think labor's issues will be in the next four years?

Labor faces many challenges. After discussing these issues with labor activists and at the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, I believe health care coverage, layoffs, the right to organize, and enforcement of the prevailing wage ordinances are key issues. As a candidate who benefited from attending a recent labor educational forum put on the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, I look forward to listening to and working with labor to seek solutions to these issues.

2. Which commissions do you believe are particularly important for labor to be appointed to? What will you do to help make those appointments?

Labor members are a vital voice in city government. As members of the community and experts in a variety of fields their input should be sought often. I believe it is best for labor to decide for themselves which commissions best fit their goals and strategies; however, I believe that they should have a voice on commissions relating to a quality workforce, economic opportunities, and investment in infrastructure. I will actively work to notify and meet with any members of labor that are interested in serving on a city commission.

3. The Living Wage, Prevailing Wage and Local Hire are existing ordinances. What can be done to improve and enforce those measures?

All of the above are existing law and therefore need to be enforced and followed. As a city council member I will work to enforce all ordinances, both in spirit and in law. This can be done through development agreements and effective oversight of projects.

4. If there is a ballot measure to increase the minimum wage in the city in excess of the state's, would you support it? Why or why not?

Santa Cruz is an extraordinarily expensive place to live. A lack of affordable housing and good-paying jobs are threatening the diversity of our population and our commitment to social justice. In general, I am supportive of increasing wages for working people, but I would need to review the specifics of a ballot measure and seek community input before taking a position.

5. Please list three cost reduction measures you could propose to reduce the need for layoffs.

This is not easy because so many programs have been cut to the bone; however I believe that there are opportunities with work-share and furloughs as well as the aggregate of small cost saving measures on paperwork, supplies, and contracts. I will work to ensure that city creates a climate in which creative cost-saving initiated by the city staff are encouraged and rewarded.

TRAFFIC/PARKING CONGESTION and TRANSPORTATION

1. Do you recommend a yes or no vote on Measure J (Highway Widening)? Please explain. Will you allow either the proponents or opponents of the measure to use your name publicly? Are you in favor of widening the highway regardless of the ballot measure?

I recommend a no vote on Measure J. It is simply too expensive, would use tax revenues that may be needed for higher priority services and programs, and will not be effective in addressing congestion + not to mention the fact that the construction will cause years of delays and inconvenience. I have and continue to publicly oppose Measure J. I believe that the traffic congestion on Highway 1 needs to be addressed by alternative means. It harms the quality of life for residents on the freeway and in surrounding neighborhoods. I favor smaller, less expensive and more convenient measures, such as metering and lengthening on-ramps, feeder roads, and investment in public transportation as alternatives.

2. City residents and University personnel complain about the heavy traffic and parking on streets and in neighborhoods near campus. What specific measures do you recommend or support that could ease neighborhood traffic and parking impacts?

I believe that not enough has been done to reduce traffic burdens on the Westside. I favor working with the University to move non-academic offices off campus to the Westside lands or downtown, create better signage and routing of traffic on more appropriate traffic corridors, and increase alternative transportation programs such as park-n-ride, car share, and other bus service. It is also critical to work with the University to encourage them to limit their growth and seek further mitigations for their impacts on the community.

3. Do you support the permit parking program currently in place?

The current permit program is a good first step in addressing the overcrowding in the neighbors. The council needs to continue to work with neighborhoods, businesses, and community groups to improve the program.

4. Please describe your view of the relationship between public transportation, environmental protection and social justice. Also, do you ride the bus? If so, how often?

Public transportation is essential to environmental protection and social justice. Public transportation is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a community if they wish to provide economic opportunity, diversity, environmental protection and good quality of life. As a Teaching Assistant and Lecturer on campus, I have ridden and continue to ride the bus regularly from downtown to the campus. I also bicycle or walk to work almost everyday.

5. What are your views on the environmental and economic sustainability of being a commuter community?

A goal for every city councilmember and community leader should be to make Santa Cruz a place where its citizens can afford to live, work, shop, raise their children, and retire. If we become a bedroom community we lose our incredible sense of community and quality of life. Supporting affordable housing and locally owned businesses are essential to preventing Santa Cruz from becoming a commuter community.

MINORITY COMMUNITY RELATIONS

1. Do you believe in equal marriage for same gender couples? How would you use your council office to support your position?

Yes, I firmly support equal marriage for same gender couples. I believe it to be one of the essential civil rights issues of our times. I will continue to advocate for changes to our state laws and judicial precedents in every way that I can, especially working with the advocacy groups in the forefront of these efforts.

2. What is your philosophy for working with minority communities, particularly those of which you are not a member.

I am committed to working with minority communities. I am proud to be endorsed by and have several young leaders from these communities on my campaign committee. I look forward to involving them on city commissions, advisory bodies, pubic policy decision-making, and, hopefully, elective office.

3. Do you support or oppose non-citizen voting in school board elections?

I oppose non-citizen voting. Immigrants are the lifeblood of our communities and should be actively engaged by school districts in regard to their children's education. However, I believe that voting is fundamentally a privilege tied to citizenship.

4. The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 requires school districts to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the existing nondiscrimination policy. How would you use your position as a council member to help school districts enforce AB537?

Ending discrimination and intolerance begins with the young. I will proudly work with community members and school administrators to encourage the enforcement of this vital law.

5. Do you support needle exchange programs to help curb the spread of HIV?

I support needle exchange programs. I believe it to be an essential component of public heath policies to preventing the spread of HIV.

6. What direction should the city council provide to the police department on the issue of racial profiling?

The council needs to continue to ensure that our police department complies with the spirit and laws that prohibit profiling. Recently, the police departments in the county commissioned an outside investigation of their practices. I support the continuation of such efforts.

7. How would you use your position as a councilmember to counteract the effects of the Centers for Disease Controls' new guidelines on HIV education and prevention?

Twelve years ago, as a senior at Santa Cruz High, I included condoms in every school newspaper as a statement about the inadequacy of efforts to prevent STDs and teenage pregnancy. It is unfortunate that this many years later, our health policies continue to fail to educate and provide protections for our most susceptible populations. I will continue to work with groups, such as the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, to reverse this backward trend.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. In the context of city revenue, what areas could be targeted for increases?

This spring, I served as treasurer of the Save Our City campaign, which successfully raised the sales tax in the city to provide additional revenue. I will continue to work to find broad-based creative solutions for revenue enhancements, through increased business, well-targeted fees and assessments, and smart planning and investments in infrastructure. Most importantly, I will also actively work to protect local revenues from Sacramento takeaways.

2. What criteria would you use to assess the community impacts/benefits of proposed revenue projects? Please explain your understanding of Accountable Development.

Accountable Development is an important new tool for the evaluation and implementation of new projects. It brings together community groups and developers to determine what mitigations and additions a developer should provide in exchange for community support. This ensures that projects promote affordable housing, living wage jobs, local hiring, and a healthy environment and neighborhoods. These agreements can inform and/or bind projects and are particularly useful when the project receives taxpayer funding.

3. Please list the kinds of businesses you would like to see the city attract.

80% of the business licenses issued in the City of Santa Cruz are for companies with zero employees. We have an incredibly creative and resourceful community. We need to give these entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their businesses. Additionally, we need to recognize the vital role that locally owned business play in the community and actively promote them. Finally, we need to attract business that add to the quality of life of the community, provide good paying jobs, and limit the impact on the environment.

4. What do you believe is or should be the responsibility of the Redevelopment Agency? Do you believe the RDA currently does a good job?

I believe the job of the Redevelopment Agency is to foster economic develop that benefits the community, improve our infrastructure, and facilitate the provision of housing for low income people. This can be done through the creation of affordable housing, revitalizing depressed business districts, and promoting business development in the City. I believe that the RDA does a good job under all the above standards. In the final analysis, however, it is up the political leadership and community to shape the future actions of the RDA or any city agency and this requires fresh, strong leadership.

5. Do you support a hotel/conference center at the site of the La Bahia Hotel? Do you believe that a Community Impacts/Benefits model of project assessment should be used in that case? Please explain.

I am unaware of any proposal for a hotel/conference center at the La Bahia. In terms of the proposed conference center/hotel at the Coast Hotel/Dream Inn, I am supportive in principle of a larger hotel and conference facilities, however I will not make a decision until the economic and environmental impacts are more clear. I believe that this development, like all developments, should be looked at through a community lens.

GOVERNANCE and the ELECTORAL PROCESS

1. Do you believe there should be mandatory limits on campaign contributions and expenditures? Will you or have you signed a voluntary pledge to limit your campaign donations and expenses?

Leveling the political playing field through campaign finance reform is very important to me. Three years ago, I assisted President Carter's efforts to clean up the federal system and now I look forward to turning my attention to our city's ordinances. I am in favor of mandatory limits on campaign contributions. Implementing mandatory limits will be one of my first priorities if elected to the City Council. As such, I am voluntarily limiting my contributions. However, I am not limiting my expenditures. The City's current voluntary system is rife with loopholes and rigged to benefit incumbents and keep newcomers from fairly engaging in the political process.

2. What are your views on the relationship between the city council and the city manager's office?

The creation of a city manager was key component of the progressive reform movement and serves a vital purpose + mainly to prevent the politicization of the daily tasks required of city government. The current city manager has lead our city capably through natural disasters and fiscal crisis and if there has been an imbalance of power the fault lies with the City Council, not with the City Manager.

3. Which advisory bodies and/or commissions are you specifically interested in and intend to make appointments to.

In this age of cynicism, any time a citizen wants to serve their community through city government, I will take an interest.

4. Do you believe city council acted appropriately by eliminating the Citizen's Police Review Board? What are your views on residents having some measure of impact on police procedures?

I do believe the council acted properly. The police have great power and responsibilities. It is the duty of government to provide effective oversight of this function of government. This is most effectively done by actively seeking input from both community members and police officers, then taking effective steps to address the issues and determine long term solutions.

5. How will you build council support and votes for issues important to you?

I will listen. I will prepare. And I will energetically engage the community on important issues. I have experience building broad coalitions in political campaigns, legislative programs, and community efforts.

6. Do you intend to hold constituent meetings during your term of office?

I intend to hold regular meetings in a variety of locations across our community and actively seek input beyond those meetings.

WATER

1. Are you in favor of a desalinization plant serving the city's water needs? What environmental factors should be considered in a project like this?

In the event of significant drought, the city will face serious water shortages. The City Council needs to ensure the community's basic needs will be met. Currently, a desalination plants appears to be a workable solution to the problem. However, I will not take a position on the plant until the economic and environmental impacts are clear. The environmental factors that I will consider when evaluating a desalination plant are the threats to the Bay from both intake of the water and release of brine. Additionally, I will look at whether alternatives are able to meet the needs in a less environmentally damaging way.

2. In what ways can the city maintain its current water supply?

The city needs to continue to improve conservation + particularly in regard to new projects. Additionally, the city could gain a greater water supply by repairing leaks in system and using tertiary water if and when feasible.

3. Do you support efforts to establish a Joint Powers Authority with the Soquel Creek Water District?

In general, I believe that regional solutions make better policy. In this case, I am particularly enthusiastic about partnership agreements because they reduce the economic burden as well as limit the ability of a desalination plant to be growth inducing.