Issues

By Michael Kelly

The daunting tasks facing the Council demand creative, pragmatic and affordable solutions. The future City Council must complete the construction of our Police and Fire facilities; preserve our waterfront and water environment; refine the Marinship Specific Plan without abandoning the characteristics it embodies; and manage resources wisely in the present economic environment.

Public Safety Facilities

The police and fire buildings are under construction. It is essential that we complete the process to provide new public safety facilities for these crucial functions. I have worked as a Councilmember and Mayor to create facilities that give our police and firefighters the tools they need to be highly effective. We have raised $15.5 million dollars through our bond measure, Yes On S, and now we must build these facilities within budget. I pledge my efforts to successfully complete this process.

Waterfront

I support efforts to keep our waterfront open and accessible to the Public. I pledge to work with those groups, such as Friends of Dunphy Park, whose dedication to the waterfront has already enlarged the public land at their namesake site. I support the efforts to use a combination of grants, funding by non-profits such as the Audubon Society, and private funds to acquire sensitive waterfront lands for preservation and public use.

Marinship

Marinship's historical boat building tradition and contribution to the maritime history of Richardson Bay deserves to be preserved and protected. The Marinship Specific Plan is now two decades old and pressures to revisit its premise are building.

I appreciate the special nature of the Marinship lands and the need to maintain the historic uses. I support the continuation of the Marinship Specific Plan and its water and marine related uses. We must also work to promote the vitality of uses already approved.

Fiscal Responsibility

In the current economic environment we must continue to tighten expenditures and search for new sources of revenue that do not place undue burdens on residents or our business community. Revenue generation from land use (property tax, parking income, land rentals, planning & building fees) is our lifeblood providing over 60% of our 2004-2005 budgeted income. Sales tax revenue supplies another 12%. More than ever the Council will need to seek affordable solutions without imposing undue burdens on our residents or businesses

Drawing on my business and real estate experience, I will work to maximize the rental income we receive from city properties (such as MLK), and look for new and innovative ways to build long term income streams. Sales tax paid by tourists is another significant contributor to the financial health of our city. I will work to build mutually beneficial, supportive relationships with our visitors and our merchants. I will give my full support to our new City Manager, Adam Politzer as he trains his staff, boosts their effectiveness, and strives to provide the exception customer service to which he is committed.

Historic Preservation

I believe we must preserve and enhance the characteristics that render Sausalito unique, including our historic fabric, our artist communities, and the diversity of our residents. I encourage the efforts of the Historic Landmarks Board to catalogue our historic buildings so they may be identified and their histories and physical characteristics not lost as improvements are made.

Arts and Artists

Sausalito has garnered a world-wide reputation for its artist community and the Art Festival. As a graduate of San Francisco State University with a music degree, I have a special affinity for the arts. I will support the continuance of the arts in Sausalito, from the Art Festival to Opera in the Park and Jazz by the Bay and more.

Waste Water and Sewer Collection

Major upgrades to our wastewater and sewer collection facilities are needed to ensure safe and reliable service under all conditions, especially during large storms. The City of Sausalito along with the Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District and the Tamalpais Community Services District are under a Compliance Order from the EPA to address sewerage collection and spills into the bay. These are crucial negotiations among three separate agencies and the EPA to put a plan in place to meet regulatory requirements, with cost implications to Sausalito residents. I will bring my experience and negotiating skills to the table in these critical discussions.

Finally,

I am a consensus builder. I bring years of negotiating experience along with my knowledge and skills gained on the City Council. I advocate programs that encourage cost savings and generate new revenue sources. My business experience in urban land use, experience as planning commissioner, Councilmember and Mayor will help me contribute to necessary strategic planning for our precious resources and our future.