Article Source: San Bruno Council Candidate Laura Davis
San Bruno Patch asked each San Bruno City Council candidate to answer a series of questions so you the voter could better understand where each stood.
Laura's answers are presented below:
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Thank you, Robert and San Bruno Patch, for providing me with this opportunity to address questions provided by San Bruno residents.
1. Where have you served in an elected position?
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My first appointed position in San Bruno was on the Citizens Crime Prevent Committee during my senior year in High School. I continued to serve in this community and was elected to the St. Robert’s Athletic Board which I served for over 15 years. I was also elected to the Capuchino Sports Boosters and have served on San Bruno’s Park and Recreation Commission for the past 12 years.
2. What have you done to prepare yourself for office?
I have been an active supporter for many local organizations. I have held numerous positions which requires me to communicate effectively, negotiate, explain and discuss issues. As a Park and Recreation Commissioner for the past 12 years I’m required to research and evaluate community issues and concerns, engage with all members of the community and be an effective leader.
3. What abilities do you have that makes you qualified for this position?
I’m honest, compassionate and I try to listen carefully to all sides, not only to hear the arguments, but especially to learn what it will take to reach consensus. I try to understand the issues and determine the best course of action. I never veer from my inner values, even when it might benefit me to do so. I have the ability to lead and inspire others. I also understand the importance to recognize criticism and to learn from them and move forward.
4. What will be your priorities be if you are elected?
As a newly elected council member I will work hard to make good decisions on the issues that are brought to council. It’s also important council has all the information and is making informative decisions. I will also work on improving communication between staff, council and the community. We need to use technology to the best of our ability and find creative ways to communicate to others not using technology.
I also want to work with the council to address and prioritize our focus. Parking in the downtown area and how to address the rising cost of Water and Sewer rates are my priorities.
5. Describe your goals and how you will accomplish and fund them.
There are a number of goals I’d like to see the council focus on that are important to the community. The Transit Corridor Development Plan is finally starting to see new development opportunities in San Bruno, which we have not seen in many years. We need to ensure development addresses the concerns of many residents in regards to parking and the impact on neighboring communities. Water and Sewer Rates, Parking in residential neighborhoods, plans for a new Recreation Center and Swimming Pool are also some of my priorities. FUNDING
6. Have you studied the City’s Transit Corridor Plan? Will you support it as San Bruno grows? If not, why not?
I attended a number of study sessions with the community prior to the City Council adopting the Transit Corridor Plan in 2013. The community was very interested in improvements and growth in the downtown area. I did support the plan as well as the citizen of San Bruno and I look forward to new development. However, we need to be sure it’s done right and collectively make the best decisions for the future of San Bruno.
7. How would you propose to improve the residential parking concerns?
There have been tremendous improvements in other cities that adopted residential permits. The strongest case can be made for permit zones for neighborhoods that are near transit lines. Without them the streets are free “park and ride”. It should not be impossible to park in your own neighborhood. It’s important we work together to get public input to understand all options and to try and reach consensus on parking congestion. Currently two members of the City Council and two members of the Traffic, Safety and Parking Committee are reviewing this issue and plan to bring it back to council. I look forward to seeing what suggestions will be offered.
8. What hourly parking meter fees would you support along San Mateo Avenue and ECR if any?
The World’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City in 1935. They were installed due to the lack of insufficient parking space for a rapidly increasing number of vehicles crowding the downtown business district. Retailers loved the meters as they encouraged a quick turnover of cars and potential customers. I also understand the importance of available parking for customers as without the convenience they will shop elsewhere. If the downtown business owners recommend parking meter I feel a minimal fee of $1.00 for up to 2 hours could improve the lack of parking in the downtown area.
9. Would you support the City hiring one or more additional police officers?
This is a difficult question without truly knowing the challenges of our police department. However, our safety is my number one concern. I would support an additional officer based on the available funding and facts.
10. What additional tasks would you support for the City’s Code Enforcement Officers?
I would ensure the list of code violations that affect the livelihood of others are addressed first and foremost. Vehicles parked on our city streets to be used as a place to live is unacceptable. Travelers using our city streets as the airport free parking is unacceptable. We need to ensure parking issues are being addressed.
11. What actions would you support to provide more low and very low income housing in San Bruno?
San Bruno has an opportunity with the passing of measure N to see more housing development. This will require a percentage of low incoming housing. However, this requires residents to support new housing in their neighborhoods. Building low income housing near the transit corridor puts people near opportunities.
12. What kind of off street parking structure would you support and WHERE?
Parking concerns have been an ongoing issue for many years in San Bruno. San Mateo Avenue many years back had parallel parking, but due to the downtown redesign a number of valuable parking spaces were eliminated. This was a tremendous impact for the business on San Mateo Avenue including my father’s deli, Roma’s. As a business owner, he didn’t feel like the decision made by council took into consideration how this would affect our family business. That is something very important that I will do my best to try and understand all sides before making a decision. I support a parking structure that makes sense for the downtown business. Without available parking customers will shop elsewhere.
13. What kind of a San Bruno Shuttle would you support if any?
As new development comes into San Bruno we need to encourage participation in programs to provide residents and employees a way to get to Bart, Caltrans, and downtown area without taking their car. Several San Mateo County cities offer free shuttle programs. Commute.org is also an excellent transportation resource.
14. What steps would you support to improve the City’s water and storm water infrastructure (remembering this as an Enterprise Business and only gets their funds through user rates)?
This is a challenge as we’ve heard it time and time again that San Bruno’s water and sewer rates are way too high and the city has an aging infrastructure. With that said we can’t continue to just raise rates to support improvements. We need to find ways to cut costs. Starting with less contract work and consultants. We need to let our qualified crews do the work and fill vacant positions in a timely manner. We need to educate the community to ensure high water bills are not caused by leaks and to help ensure timely repairs.
15. What steps would you support to address citizen’s concerns about the cost of garbage, recycling, and composting fees?
As a resident of San Bruno, I am very pleased with the level of service I receive for garbage, recycling and composting services. I would encourage more citizens to help in reducing waste by recycling and composting. Landfills are filling up in the bay area which drives the cost of this service. At the same time, we need to ensure the cost for these services are comparable with other cities. Going out to bid for the best rate is not always sustainable, therefore we must constantly ensure our rates are competitive.
16. What would you support to improve the San Mateo Avenue Business District?
We need to work with staff to drastically improve the New Business Process to ensure an effective and efficient process. It’s challenging for all new business start-ups, but when you’re faced with permit delays that can take months your business cannot survive. We also need to be sure code violations are addressed to improve the ascetics of the downtown area.
17. What would you support in trying to retain the use of the Crestmoor Field for local sports?
I’ve attended several meetings with San Mateo Union High School District School board to support the soccer programs at Crestmoor. These fields are vital to their success as there is limited space in our community to replace these fields. This property is not owned by the City, but we need to continue to work with the school district to ensure continued use.
18. What will you do to motive businesses and Caltrans to embrace a bicycle, scooter, and/or car-share infrastructure?
Traffic congestion will continue to increase. We need to encourage and provide incentives for business to provide space for bicycle storage and encourage their employees to do the same. I’d also like to see the city support a pathway that continues from South San Francisco to provide a safe road to travel.
19. Have you studied the City’s Pavement Condition Index and what would you propose to upgrade our City streets?
In addition to routine inspection an ongoing maintenance program is important to prevent deterioration. Streets that require grinding has a very high cost that could be prevented if maintained. However just like you and I during difficult financial times cutback don’t allow for the needed steps. The city needs to continue to prioritize and ensure high priority streets are addressed before they become too costly to repair.
20. How will you speed up street repair? My street has not been repaired in 20 years.
San Bruno has 180 miles of streets to maintain. The cost to repair all streets far exceeds annual budgets. The city must work from a prioritized list of needed streets repair to ensure streets in poor condition are addressed.
“Extra Credit Question” – What will you do to improve the enforcement of our traffic and parking and code enforcement laws?
Be diligent and consistent. Let it be known that if a violation occurs there will be consequences and at a higher price they are paying now.
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Robert Riechel
E=Mail: SanBrunoPatch.Robert@Yahoo.com
My Posts: http://patch.com/users/robert-riechel
Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives
Source Credit: San Bruno City Council Candidate Laura Davis
