Pre-Election
Archive - November 2005
Issues
Here
are answers to some of the questions people have asked
since I began my candidacy. I hope they help you get a
better idea of this candidate and future City Councilmember.
These issues reflect just the tip of the iceberg of possible
areas of interest to city voters. I welcome your questions
and comments anytime. granthouseforcouncil@gmail.com
Grant
What
are your views on other important issues facing the City?
Why
are you running for City Council?
Serving on City Council is the natural progression in my
community work. I have been working toward this my entire
life. While others sought public office, I have been contributing
from the community perspective as a consensus builder and
participant. Now is the right time for me and it is the
right time for the city I love.
As one who has
worked long and hard to craft and implement the city's most
important policies, I know a lot is at risk in this election.
I work well with our city's staff and with the other members
of City Council, the various boards and commissions, and
regional leaders. I support organized labor, believe in
a Living Wage, and hold fast to the notion that we must
be stewards of the environment, enthusiastic participants
in a vibrant economy, and caring companions for one another.
I embrace these values and offer myself in service to the
community.
What
are your top three policy priorities:
#1
General Plan Update
I have invested many years helping to craft and implement
city environmental, housing, and transportation policies.
I am a facilitator and community organizer. I know that
nothing is more important than full participation of all
sectors of the community in the General Plan Update process.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get our policy
foundation firmly established as we chart the course ahead.
We had a preview of the ineffectiveness of a top-down low-involvement
process during the first phase of the Circulation Element
Update several years ago. I worked with others to open the
process and generate broad community authorship and consensus
on the final outcome. It worked and showed us all how to
do it in the future. I will do everything in my power to
ensure that no one is left out of the GPU process, especially
those who typically are overlooked or who only receive token
representation.
#2
Housing, Transportation, and Open Space
Because land-use and transportation are inextricably linked,
increased support for local and express transit and commuter
rail must be complemented with increased low and moderate
income housing within walking distance of bus stops and
jobs. Constraining development to areas where infrastructure
already exists and reclaiming viable sites from land that
was squandered in an outdated car-centric era are land-use/transportation
equivalents of reduce, reuse, recycle. A clear benefit of
this approach is the ability to preserve and restore open
space both within the urbanized areas and on the edges.
I will continue to work toward the most efficient use of
natural resources possible (see Environmental
Stewardship and Social Equity, 1999).
#3
Improving Level of Service Not Merely Holding the Line
Very few of our existing policies and programs (let alone
new ones such as the renewed General Plan) can be implemented
without more revenue. A common fallacy inherent in organizations
that use budget cuts to improve efficiency is the tendency
to continue cutting in the face of diminishing returns.
To maintain the infrastructure and level of service we have
come to expect from our city, both in the short-term and
in the future, we must first stem the tide of cuts in public
services and staff and stop deferring maintenance. Then,
I will initiate a conversation about the optimum level of
service and the acceptable level of service. We should set
goals to achieve at least the acceptable level with strategies
to attain optimum performance within a defined period of
time. Public/private partnerships, leveraging limited local
funds, and readjusting some development fees that currently
do not cover the costs of permit processing all deserve
consideration. This will require a concerted effort on the
part of a unified City Council. We must give clear direction
to the City Administrator about our expectations and our
commitment to see them through.
What
are your views on other important issues facing the City?
Finances
I will honor the city's careful approach to fiscal matters.
The city is resilient due to the foresight of past city
leaders, but there are serious challenges ahead. We will
need to generate more revenue to meet the needs of aging
infrastructure (water, sewer, streets, sidewalks, etc.),
to recover important positions lost to attrition in each
city department, and to fill gaps in funding due to state
raids on our property taxes, the sunset of Measure D, the
winding up of the Redevelopment Agency, and the national
trend under the present administration to reduce support
for public assistance, housing and transportation funds.
I will bring my ideas to the table with the other council
members to ensure we do not suffer a decline in the quality
of municipal services we have come to expect.
Jobs/Housing
Imbalance
As one who has been involved with the development of the
city's housing policies and as an outspoken affordable housing
advocate, I embrace the most recent Housing Element Update
and the overarching goal of ensuring that we have an adequate
supply of quality affordable and workforce housing. I believe
it is in the city's interest to address the housing needs
of those who live and work here. Santa Barbara is a regional
leader in this area but we can do more. The jobs/housing
imbalance requires an integrated, regional approach. This
is an area where I can be of particular assistance since
my work in the areas of transportation, housing, and air
quality has created partnerships and alliances throughout
the region.
Housing Prices
The impacts of substandard, overcrowded, and overpriced
dwellings affect everyone. Our middle class working families
are being forced out by rising housing costs and gentrification
of modest income neighborhoods. Many now face ridiculously
long commutes each day. The least capable families, some
white, but most people of color, Latinos, immigrant workers,
and First Peoples are forced to double and triple up in
single-family neighborhoods and in run-down apartments.
These issues hurt tenants, long-time homeowners living on
fixed incomes, and working families. They are not just local
problems, but also regional in nature and have serious social,
economic, and environmental costs not only here, but in
the receiving communities. I will work hard to fulfill the
existing Housing Element policies and strategies, move to
implement the Circulation Element, recreate the Conservation
Element to match good science, and actively nurture regional
partnerships to accomplish our goals.
Housing
for City Workers
The city can do a lot. Loan guarantees have worked for higher-level
employees. This is a benefit that could and should be extended
to more full-time city workers, not only in management,
but also in the rank and file. I will work for the conversion
of parking lots on city-owned parcels to mixed-use with
an emphasis on affordable workforce housing similar to the
People's Self Help project that will put 12 affordable units
on the Library side of the Granada Garage. As a Planning
Commissioner, I fought for this when it was thought it could
not be done. I am a champion for affordable housing who
has a long close working relationship with our Housing Authority
and with private developers. I have a demonstrated track
record in housing policy and implementation. I will work
closely with allies already on the City Council to provide
more homes for our workers. Unfortunately, many workers
will still have to suffer a long commute each day. I am
working hard for better transit and commuter rail to reduce
the impacts of cars in our city and to provide an alternative
to being stuck in congestion.
Transportation
As a person who helped write the city's Circulation Element,
I am firmly committed to its full implementation. My experience
in drafting and prioritizing the city's capital program
for several years gives me insights into the intricacies
of that difficult process as has my extensive experience
representing the city with Caltrans and the Santa Barbara
County Association of Governments. Like housing, transportation
is a both a local and a regional issue that requires coordination,
and partnership. Regional facilities are clogged while surface
streets are overrun with cars. How we deal with regional
issues can have a profound impact on our local traffic.
Commuter rail will offer relief for increased congestion
on 101 that will only get worse during decades of construction
that will begin in the coming year or two. It will also
reduce the numbers of cars congesting our streets and filling
expensive parking structures.
Long-Range
Regional Planning
I know how difficult it is to be proactive, years in advance
of a final outcome that the public will recognize. I learned
long ago to think and act strategically as keeper of the
public's trust and steward of the environment. For instance,
I helped write the Highway 101 Design Guidelines a decade
ago but they are being used today by appreciative Caltrans
engineers. My aim since day one has been to use the limited
available resources in the most forward looking, efficient,
and community-serving way possible. The area's jobs/housing
imbalance, air and water quality, and transportation needs
cross all boundaries and require careful coordination between
the cities and counties that shows up in major planning
efforts like the Regional Transportation Plan, Coastal Plan,
South Coast Transit Priorities, and new joint efforts between
all regional partners. Our City Council is a key stakeholder
in these conversations and I am prepared to participate
fully.
Recreational
Needs
The city's parks and recreation departments have been doing
a great job under our new director. There are multiple opportunities
for all ages and incomes. The recent taking over of our
community gardens from the Community Environmental Council
is a wonderful success, but we need more pocket parks, urban/rural/riparian
interface walking paths, and possibly another neighborhood
center and community garden in the upper State Street area.
The community centers are hubs of community activity and
should continue to be funded adequately. I will do all I
can to make sure these and our libraries receive full staffing
and financial support.
As principal
author of the Pro-Youth Coalition's guiding philosophy,
I am particularly concerned for the well-being of our young
people. We are sure to face the onslaught of methamphetamines
and increased gang activity. We must be proactive and not
wait until tragedy strikes to get mobilized. I will continue
to be a strong advocate for youth, sports, cultural and
historical venues, the performing and visual arts, and our
precious festivals, parades, and special events. As with
our joint powers agreement with the School District, relatively
small investments produce dividends that return to the city
many times.
Environment
Something that is intuitive for me but that was reinforced
many times on the Planning Commission is that public access
to the environment is the key to our success in preserving
and restoring the environment. I also have learned the value
of partnerships - the city cannot do it all. Measure B is
a great help in cleaning up the creeks and in identifying
non-point source pollution, but the combined effort of an
informed citizenry including the development community is
absolutely essential to reaching our goals. This holds true
for becoming "fossil free by thirty-three". I
will have a keen focus on the Conservation Element during
our General Plan Update.
Green
Building and Efficient Use of Resources
Green building and energy self-sufficiency may be incentivized
and modeled by the city in many ways, but adopting a community
culture of clean air, clean water, reduced waste, and best
practices in building, development, and recycling require
all of us working together to be effective. I will look
for ways to employ best practices and green techniques in
city infrastructure projects and upkeep. We must alter design
review criteria to encourage solar throughout the city including
El Pueblo Viejo. I will work to reduce the uncertainty in
design review that could discourage solar and Green building.
For years, on
the Planning Commission, we included conditions that required
recycling inside new hotel rooms. As a business owner that
fills cardboard and general recycling containers I support
a full service commercial recycling program. I will encourage
city staff to continue to replace aging vehicles with hybrids.
The city should continue to model best management practices
the way it did when it replaced the turbine in the wastewater
treatment plant with one propelled by residual gas.
I will be listening
to our constituents for other ways like this to turn waste
into energy. A spirit of innovation is key. For instance,
owners of a firm visited the Community Environmental Council
a couple of years ago. They showed us how plasma technology
is turning solid waste into fuel without the discharge from
old style incinerators. It is used to generate electricity.
They offered to set this up for the city and operate it
at no charge in exchange for the chargeable electricity.
The benefit? No more waste to be hauled to Tajiguas! I bring
this openness and innovative spirit but we will need the
community's support to implement pilot projects that demonstrate
success.
Living
Wage
I support a Living Wage for city employees and major contractors.
I support the intent and the direction of the current proposal.
Those contracting with the city should not have an incentive
for low wages in the competitive bidding process. Local
businesses that typically pay higher wages than outside
contractors should have a level playing field on which to
compete.
Unfortunately,
that is not how the proposed ordinance was written by the
Ordinance Committee. The current draft includes the following
section:
Section 9.128.020.
Minimum Local Wage Payment Requirements for City Service
Contractors.
A. MANDATORY MINIMUM LOCAL WAGE.
1. City-Owned or Operated Work Locations. Except as provided
in Subsections (B) and (C) hereof, any City Service Contractor
providing services to the City shall pay at least the Mandatory
Minimum Local Wage to all Employees of the Service Contractor
who work at a work location owned or operated by the City.
2. Work Sites Located In The South County. Except as provided
in Subsections (B) and (C) hereof, for those City Service
Contractors where the work performed pursuant to a City
Service Contract does not occur at a location owned or operated
by the City, the Service Contractor shall pay a Mandatory
Minimum Local Wage to all of its employees employed at work
locations located within the "South County" as
that term is defined in Rule 201 of the Superior Court Rules
of Santa Barbara County.
The phrases of
concern to local service contractors and local workers are:
#1 "...all Employees of the Service Contractor who
work at a work location owned or operated by the City."
#2 "...the Service Contractor shall pay a Mandatory
Minimum Local Wage to all of its employees employed at work
locations located within the 'South County...'"
These mean that
service contractors providing services for the city not
on city property or within the South County are exempt and
that all of the employees of South County city service contractors
are included in the minimum wage. I confirmed this with
the City Administrator's office.
These are deal killers since they remove two of the most
important provisions of the original proposal, i.e. that
the living wage creates (for the first time) a level playing
field for local service contractors in the competitive bidding
process where all bidders whether providing the services
within City owned property, the South County, or somewhere
else would have to comply with the living wage provision;
and, only those providing the contracted labor for the City
would be required to be paid the Living Wage.
In the current draft, they create a potent incentive for
local contractors to perform the services outside of the
area where only State minimum wage laws apply and they put
local contractors at a disadvantage in the competitive bidding
process. The lack of focus on employees delivering services
means that the expense of bidding on or accepting a city
contract could be overwhelming to a local firm. Bad for
local businesses, bad for local labor, and bad for the intent
of the Living Wage.
I will continue
to work for a Living Wage ordinance that meets the intent
of the original proposal and protects the interests of local
working families and local service contractors.
Unions
I support organized labor and believe in the right of our
city employees to organize. I support improved wage and
modest benefit packages for the hourly workers. Unions have
long provided better working conditions for non-union workers.
Once a majority has joined, it is clear that the entire
shop operates under the common contract provisions. I support
allowing union members to negotiate an "Agency Shop"
(Fair Share) agreement through collective bargaining. Agency
Shop means that all employees who benefit from the work
of the must either pay a fee or become a union member. When
there are a majority of union members in a unit, an election
to demonstrate support for the bargaining unit becomes unnecessary
and there is no additional cost to the city.
Unless there
is a compelling reason that has the city's workers' support,
sending work out that can be done by existing city staff
seems like false efficiency. If there is a breakdown in
relationship between the City and the bargaining unit, I
will be accessible to the Union members in case there is
something I can do to help resolve the issue. I have been
in the business of training public administrators throughout
the nation in fair employment practices and how to communicate
effectively with their employees with their employees' success
in mind. I will expect nothing less from my hometown management
team.
City
Council Meetings
On behalf of working people like myself, I am grateful for
the City TV and the marvelous job they are doing taping
and presenting important city meetings. Translation into
Spanish is a particular benefit both in the simultaneous
live version in City Council chambers and the rebroadcasts
on cable. The current schedule of City Council meetings
(½ in the afternoon; ½ in the evening) is
a big improvement over the way it was in the past where
the entire meeting was held during the workday. Hearings
should be conducted with an air of respect for all participants.
Public input is encouraged by noticing and posting of agendas
on the web.
I learned an
important skill on the Planning Commission that I wish was
more often used by City Council members. Several years ago
I adopted the practice from previous commissioners of revealing
my thoughts in words so the members of the public could
follow the path of my deliberations. Recognizing the difference
between the worlds of City Council and other deliberative
bodies in the city, I will do my best to make it clear upon
what I am basing my votes. As City Council members, we must
deliberate, not pontificate. This is a mistake I will do
everything in my power to avoid.
Integrated
Policies and Change
The policy framework for an integrated approach to housing,
open space, and transportation is at the top of my list.
Making the process as inclusive as possible will help create
a consensus foundation for the implementation of those policies.
Implementation takes years, even lifetimes, to accomplish.
Incrementally, project-by-project, the policies shape the
community. So the heavy lifting is in the generation of
the policies that guide action. That's why I place so much
emphasis on the upcoming General Plan Update (GPU) process.
The community
dialog breaks down when neighborhoods find themselves backed
into a corner or resist change because of a perceived threat.
The missing ingredient has been a transformation in the
way neighborhoods are treated and see themselves. It is
essential that residents have the tools and assistance to
define the character of their part of town well before a
major proposal for change.
Public
Participation
I was drawn into public service through the personal invitations
of elected officials in the city and county. Even before
I saw it myself, they recognized my potential for civic
leadership as I was becoming more visible as a small business
and local community leader. One of my top priorities is
the active recruitment of future community leaders from
underrepresented and disempowered segments of our population.
With your help, I will be effective in tapping this invaluable
resource and opening the door for a more diverse blend of
qualified and committed public servants.
Here are some
examples of ways to increase the public's access to local
government. There is a cost for the extra effort. One of
my goals is to find the funding to do things like these:
- Televising
public meetings and workshops on cable TV must continue
and be expanded.
- More than
the City Council meeting should be translated into Spanish.
- Inside Santa
Barbara should be broadcast in Spanish.
- The city should
make Inside Santa Barbara available to the public as a
paid for subscription service or available in multiple
languages on a retail basis (visitors could take a valuable
and empowering piece of Santa Barbara home with them;
locals could become even more familiar with what's good
about their town).
- The Mayor
and City Council Members should hold "town-square"
type meetings around the town on a frequent basis to gather
information and insights into the culture, climate, needs,
and desires of the city's neighborhoods before a crisis
arises.
- Distribute
annual customer satisfaction surveys to every household.
- Our Customer
Service Program and the Police Department's Community
Oriented Policing and Beat Coordinator programs have been
highly successful. We need to keep up our efforts in "customer
relations."
- City Councilmembers
should be accessible and willing to listen with respect
to their constituents, including those with whom they
disagree. There is always something to learn from the
exchange of ideas and perspectives.
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