League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Marty Miller Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Cupertino

Questions & Answers

1. What is your position on the initiatives that are before the voters?

While the writers of the initiatives have good intentions, and I respect their opinions, the initiatives as written have undesirable and unintended consequences for Cupertino. They are inconsistent in their application. For example, they allow construction to a height of 45 feet on the HP campus, but only allow construction to a height of 36 feet on the Apple campus. In the Wolf road commercial corridor, the initiatives would allow some construction of unlimited height if the structure is built within 500 feet of the Wolf road centerline.

In my discussions with residents while walking voting precincts, many expressed concern with the pace and amount of development happening in the City. The initiatives would not limit either. Two separate developers are proposing housing projects in the Vallco area of approximately 17 units to the acre. The initiatives would actually allow an increase in the density of those projects to 30 units to the acre.

The initiatives would not address the concerns that Monte Vista residents have about a proposed single family housing project on the old Measurex site. Nor would they address the concerns of residents on Rainbow and Poppy Way for a single family housing project currently under construction in their neighborhood.

The initiatives will not control growth effectively. Good decision makers on the City Council and good planning will. The Planning Commission, of which I am the current Vice Chairman, recently recommended changes to the General Plan that will address growth and development in the City much more effectively than the initiatives. I would further advocate for a planned approach for major parcels in the City, such as the Vallco area, and involve the community in that planning.

Regardless of whether the initiatives are passed or not, I encourage both the supporters and the opponents of these initiatives to work together with the new City Council to address Cupertino's challenges in a collaborative way. Despite differences of opinion, we all want to preserve Cupertino's suburban character. I am optimistic about achieving consensus and workable solutions. Please join me in this effort by voting for me on November 8th.

2. Where do you see the money coming from to run the city?

The City currently has a structural operating budget deficit of approximately $1.8 million a year. There are only two ways to make Cupertino financially sound: reduce expenditures and increase revenues.

Reducing expenditures requires a careful review of the City's current operations and spending patterns in search of more efficient ways to operate while minimizing the impact on services and service delivery.

Increasing revenues requires an evaluation of the City's current sources of income in search of ways to enhance those sources. It also requires identifying and implementing new sources of revenue that are compatible with the City's long term plans and objectives. For example, revitalizing our retail business districts and adding new establishments where residents would shop will increase the City's sales tax revenues. Furthermore, Cupertino must allocate resources to economic development (such as hiring a business development manager) in order to make that happen.

Addressing Cupertino's budget deficit requires attention to marketing and finance. I have more than 30 years of business experience in marketing and finance at technology companies; and, for the past 7 years, I have run my own business. As a City Council member I will apply my skills and experience to addressing the City's budgetary challenges. Please vote for me on November 8th.