Tribune Questions and Answers

By Andrew N. Carter

City Council should try to persuade the Dalidio family to have their property annexed into the city in order to bring the project under city review. The goal will be to make sure the negative impacts of the project, particularly traffic, are adequately mitigated. If Measure J passes, the key challenge for Council will be to achieve terms at least as favorable as those negotiated by the city in 2004.

2) Downtown + Describe how downtown would look in 20 years if you got your way in its planning. How tall will it be?

I envision a downtown much like the one we know and love today. That's because most of the buildings in 20 years will be the same ones we have today. The new buildings which are built will remain below our current 75-foot height limit and will complement what currently exists. Taller buildings will include housing on their upper floors and will be stepped back so that sunlight continues to reach pedestrians at street-level.

3) Sales Tax + The City has a recent history of fiscal success. Can that be reconciled with its pursuit of a one-half cent sales tax increase through Measure Y?

The city has remained fiscally sound by decreasing staff and discontinuing capital improvements. I worry, however, about basic needs going unmet. Due to our aging population, emergency response calls are increasing. We do not have enough police to adequately patrol downtown and our neighborhoods on weekends. There are not sufficient funds to finance traffic improvements or creek and flood protection. I believe the sales tax increase will fund services our citizens truly need.