Meet Heidi Kenniston-Lee, Candidate For San Ramon City Council

SAN RAMON, CA — Learn more about Heidi Kenniston-Lee, who's running to represent San Ramon City Council's District 4. Some questions have been removed to avoid redundancy.

1) Why are you running for City Council District 4?

I am running because I have a depth of knowledge and experience in San Ramon, a profound connection to San Ramon residents and a sincere passion to help preserve and protect all that we value in our city and to help tackle the challenges that lie ahead. District 4 is a wonderfully diverse district full of community members whom I’m eager to bring together and serve on the San Ramon City Council.

2) What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your constituents?

One of the biggest concerns for our residents is retaining and expanding retail in San Ramon. It’s especially critical that, as we plan for state-mandated housing, we preserve and enhance not only our retail, but our neighborhoods, open space and infrastructure to support both our current and future residents.

3) What do you think the city can do to conserve water?

The City does a great job of utilizing water conservation techniques by using drought resistant plants, recycled water and an Automated Irrigation Control System that adjusts water based on weather conditions. The city is planning for denser housing in the city core that will use less water. It’s also important that the city connects residents with information about water conservation tools including water utility (EBMUD and DSRSD) tools and incentives for conserving water.

4) What can the city do to help its downtown and small businesses?

Through the San Ramon Business Concierge Program, the city has positioned itself as an information hub for San Ramon businesses, connecting them to information and resources to guide their success. We should continue to evaluate and consider providing business incentives that make sense for both businesses and our city. We should consider hiring an economic development manager whose job it would be to attract and support businesses in San Ramon. We should continue to partner with City Center on community events that draw business to our newly developing downtown, listen to our Economic Development Advisory Committee and partner with our Chamber of Commerce. We also need to encourage our tourism district, Discover San Ramon, to step up their efforts to promote San Ramon as a recreation, dining and retail destination.

5) What other issues are important to you?

a) Health and Safety - As Chair of the San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission, I am proud of our amazing parks, trails, open spaces, programs and events that foster mental health, physical wellness, personal growth and work/life balance for folks of all ages and abilities. I am also proud of our first responders who work hard to make San Ramon one of the safest cities in the state and I support their ongoing efforts to connect with residents and
utilize training and best practices to serve our community well.

b) A Connected, Inclusive and Welcoming Community – This means fostering a city where we share common values of family, community, respect, safety, integrity, inclusion, innovation and optimism. It means advocating for effective communication between our city and those who live and work here. It means listening to and sincerely considering all views and perspectives as part of a thoughtful public decision-making process. It also means supporting events, programs and policies that bring our residents together in a meaningful and uplifting way that builds community.

c) Climate Action – Protecting the environment should always be a consideration when reviewing and executing city policies, plans, programs and events. We not only need to update and execute our Climate Action Plan, but communicate to residents the City’s climate efforts, such as Trash-Free San Ramon, and share how all residents can participate in protecting our environment.

d) Fiscal Responsibility – I plan to keep an eye on the bottom line to ensure that we remain a fiscally sound city through responsible financial management, including budgeting and forecasting, and by maintaining healthy, yet sensible reserves.

6) What differentiates you from the other candidates?

The biggest difference between myself and my opponent is that my experience, knowledge and service are primarily based in San Ramon, of San Ramon and for San Ramon. I have a deep and profound connection with the residents of San Ramon and a genuine desire to serve. I also understand both regional considerations and broader entities and how they impact our city.

7) How long have you lived in San Ramon?

26 years.

8) What brought you to the city?

When my husband Jeff and I were young professionals, looking to buy our first home, our realtor suggested San Ramon. The minute she drove us to San Ramon, we immediately loved the open space, the parks and the clean, well- maintained streets and facilities. It was at that moment we knew we’d found our forever home.

9) What is your day job, and how will that prepare you to serve on the council?

My most recent full-time day job was working for the City of San Ramon, managing the TRAFFIX Traffic Congestion Relief Program where I excelled in project management, finance/budget management, member agency coordination, communications, process and program improvement as well as community relations – all skills that are needed to be an effective city councilmember. This position gave me an invaluable inside look at how city government and city traffic programs work and allowed me to be an active participant in reducing traffic in our community. At present, I devote most of my time to San Ramon community endeavors, including serving as Chair of the San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission, and, if elected, am positioned to devote the bulk of my time to the San Ramon City Council.

10) What experience do you have serving the community?

It has been my pleasure to serve San Ramon and the Tri-Valley in many volunteer and leadership roles over the years. Highlights include:

• Chair, San Ramon Parks and Community Services Commission
• Co-Chair, San Ramon 150 Sesquicentennial Celebration
• Commission Representative, San Ramon Library Renovation Committee
• Member, San Ramon Historic Foundation
• Member, San Ramon Valley Diversity Coalition
• Chair, Cal High PTSA Special Needs Committee
• VP, San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs Parent & Community Concerns Committee
• Chair, Iron Horse Middle School Site Council
• Chair, Iron Horse Middle School Special Needs Committee
• Inaugural Chair, San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs Inclusion and Diversity Committee
• Chair, Golden View School Site Council
• President, Golden View PTA
• Girl Scout Leader

11) Of which accomplishments are you most proud?

I’m most proud of the two wonderful young adults my husband and I have raised right here in San Ramon. They excelled in our amazing San Ramon schools and also served the community themselves in several impactful ways. Not only are they good students, they are great people! I am also extremely proud of my extensive service to the San Ramon community!

12) What is your education?

I have a BA in Political Science from UC Irvine, a Certificate in Human
Resources Management from San Francisco State University and have participated in several civic education programs such as the City of San Ramon Planning Academy, Leadership San Ramon Valley, San Ramon Government 101 and the Discovery Counseling Center Mental Health First Aid Course.

13) Tell us about your family.

My husband Jeff works as a Manager of Financial Systems at Albertsons Companies. We have two adult children; Jenna who just graduated from UC Davis and who plans to be a Physician Assistant and Brian, who is studying at UC San Diego. Also included in our family are our two dogs, Koja and Kira.

14) What is the best advice you ever received?

Be yourself!

15) Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

a) My positions are always guided by a thoughtful public decision-making process that incorporates my core values, doing my homework, resident input, staff-provided information and colleague feedback: all thoughtfully discussed at our public meetings.

16) Please provide links to websites and social media.

a) Heidi4SanRamon.com
b) Facebook: Heidi4SanRamon
c) Instagram: Heidi4SanRamon