Candidate for
Council Member; City of Azusa

Azusa City Council Candidate Sandra Benavides is committed to bringing a new voice on the council with a fresh breath of enthusiasm and perspective to improve Azusa.

Sandra has devoted over 20 years of her entire career to local government. As a former 10 year employee with the City of Azusa as the Redevelopment Project Manager, Sandra understands municipal government and she knows how to get things done. Sandra has a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Cal State Long Beach and a Bachelor's in Business from the University of Phoenix.

In 2008, she received the Southern California Local Government Leadership Certification from Cal Poly Pomona.

Initially, Sandra held the position of Economic Development Specialist and a few years later, she earned a promotion and became the lead Redevelopment Project Manager.

Sandra has worked closely with city managers, administrators, and council members to develop and implement policy. She is a knowledgeable professional in areas of public policy, community/city planning, real estate development, economic development, housing, business and job creation and can provide details to the financing, planning and development process of new projects. Sandra was the lead project manager and was directly involved in negotiating and managing multimillion dollar projects (i.e., Target store, Starbucks/Subway Center located at Foothill/Azusa, Citrus Crossing Shopping Center, ELS Outlet located at Azusa/Arrow Hwy).

Sandra was proactive in coordinating improvement projects throughout the City while working closely with Public Works, Code Enforcement and Police Department staff to improve neighborhoods. Sandra has established and believes in creating strong connections with the local business community and enjoys working directly with business owners to formulate strategies to improve their business and find solutions. She believes that relationships are the building blocks for all community organizing activities leading to successful accomplishments. Sandra has worked with various developers, architects, consultants, brokers, engineers, contractors, and vendors.

She was instrumental in managing the expansion and relocation of Max's Restaurant and Dahlia's Italian Pizza. Other projects managed by Sandra include storefront and/or public improvement projects such as La Tolteca, Canyon City Dental, and the Breezeway located in downtown Azusa.

As a dedicated committee member of the Azusa Chamber of Commerce, she proactively pursued networking and marketing opportunities while advancing the growth and stability of the chamber and business community. In 2008, she was recognized by chamber for her outstanding contribution and service as the Co-Chairwomen of the Economic Development Committee and was most influential in initiating a collaboration effort between the City and the chamber in promoting the economic development plan/retail study created by Azusa Pacific University and Citrus College to recruit businesses (i.e. Panda, Chipotle, Applebee's) to Azusa.

On December 29, 2011, the California State Legislature voted to eliminate more than 400 redevelopment agencies throughout California to meet budget constraints. That decision triggered the closure of the City's Redevelopment Agency causing Sandra and two other employees to be laid off.

Before starting her job at the City of Azusa, Sandra worked at the Los Angeles County, Community and Senior Services Department and formerly with the Department of Public Social Services assisting families on Welfare.

Sandra is married and has one 16 year old son. Sandra and her husband have been homeowners in the City of Azusa since January of 2002.

Sandra's education and real-world work experience and passion for helping others has prepared her for the challenge of being your public servant to grow Azusa into the community we all dream.