This week, candidates are arranging times to have their candidate statements recorded for public broadcasting.
Unfortunately, we have never received the response from Steve Williams to our questions. At this point, that opportunity has passed, though we invite our readers to read his candidate statement.
This was supposed to be a three part series: part one, part two, part three.
However, due to people’s busy schedule, we did not receive completed questionnaires from some until later in the week.
Here are the remainder of the questions from Kerry Daane Loux and Linda Parfitt.
Kerry Daane Loux:
Kerry Daane Loux:Adequate water supply and water quality relate directly to community health and quality of life. Although it would be great to provide sustainable water sources at low rates, ratepayers need to be aware that the real costs and value of water is high, and must pay accordingly. Davis now relies primarily on groundwater—finding other clean, reliable sources would require optimizing partnerships within the region, including County, Clean Water Agency, reclamation districts and water purveyors. Water supply is also central to land use issues, economic development and environmental stewardship, so impacts of water demand and supply sources need comprehensive focus.
9. Would you be more inclined to cut city services or raise revenues through taxes or other means as a way to balance the budget?
In these tough economic times, we need to look at both. The first step is bringing innovative and efficient solutions to our financial challenges, but obviously more must be done. Keeping an eye on retaining the long-term benefits of important line items such as human resources or parks/open space management, for example, we must make every effort to balance our budget. Key factors will be including the community in selecting where to cut city services or how much to raise taxes, and also to look at creative partnerships such as with the University, special districts, school district and County.
10. How do you plan to deal with Davis’ road conditions given current economic realities?
I perceive Davis’ existing road system to be, in general, very well maintained. I have noticed on-going street repaving in high priority areas just in the last year. We already recycle asphalt from streets being worked on and use other environmentally sound practices. At this time, I do not think that road conditions rise to the highest level of need for budget allocation. However, “down the road,” we should continue to address improvements for bikeways, including regional connections such as the current projects between Davis and Woodland, and other solutions to reduce vehicle miles traveled and maintain road surfaces.
11. What is your view of the proposed annexation of West Village into the City of Davis?
As a community cohesiveness issue, and part of sustainability’s social equity focus, I support annexing West Village into Davis. This allows us to show good faith to the University that we want to be full partners with them and integrate university development and residents into the City. However, this is a complex issue with political and financial challenges. I understand from City staff that annexation could be slightly financially negative initially, but offsetting benefits could make it worthwhile in the long-run. This is an issue that needs significant study, cost analysis and negotiations among parties, before final determination is made.
12. How would you deal with student rental issues?
Addressing reasonable rental opportunities and rates for students is another issue where we can show our willingness to support students and the University in a mutually beneficial way. Students have been hit with ever increasing tuition and other costs of education. Continuing discussion and collaboration among student groups, University representatives and City Council and Commissions is needed to bridge the gap between what students can pay and what rental property owners can provide.
Linda Parfitt:
Linda Parfitt:Answer: I am very concerned about the downturn in the economy and how this is impacting the citizens of Davis. I have seen more home foreclosures, and homeless families, than I have ever seen in Davis over the last 30 years. I know many people who have either lost their jobs or have had their salaries reduced. The Associated Student Council at UC Davis recently opened a food pantry because many students were skipping meals due to the increasing cost of books and tuition. Many social services people depend on have been cut, including assistance with child care costs for low-income parents so they are able to maintain employment, mental health care cuts, school budget cuts will have a lasting effect on many children in our community. The budget cuts have many ripple effects for the city, a loss of property taxes, a reduction in personal income taxes and a greater strain on limited social services. Everyone says the answer is to generate new businesses and jobs for people. It is very hard to launch new businesses in these difficult economic times, but the risk-takers have an opportunity to succeed if they have the necessary business support services and low interest start up loans.
2. What do you see as your top priority if you are the one appointed to the council?
Answer: The budget is my number one priority and how to balance what the citizens need now and in the future verses [sic] what the citizens would like to have now. Priorities need to be established and savings must be captured to offset as many state budget cuts as possible. The next few years will require a very lean budget; hopefully by 2015 or 2017 we will begin to see a slight upward economic curve.
3. What is your understanding of the problems facing the city in terms of unfunded liabilities and pensions?
Answer: The city of Davis is a very good place to work. They offer a very good wage, benefit and pension package. This package acts as a recruitment and retention factor for many talented city staff. The main concern is the sustainability of this wage, benefit and pension package over the expected work life and lifespan of the current and future city employees. There are ways to address this, but it requires careful consideration with all of the bargaining units, the CalPERS fund rate of return, various labor laws, and pending pension reform legislation.
CalPERS investments have suffered from the downturn in the stock market and their investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. CalPERS has changed the balance of their portfolio, but the future unfunded liabilities have not disappeared. There are a number of financial vehicles that could help off-set these CalPERS benefit reductions. Employees should be encouraged to sign up for Roth IRAs, 401 B Plans, annuities and mutual funds; basically, they should start saving for their own retirements as early as possible in their careers. The new health care reform legislation may help address some of the long term medical benefit costs.
4. How would you resolve the city’s budget problems within the scope of the collective bargaining agreements with the various bargaining units?
Answer: I am a current member of the Service Employees International Union. I am also familiar with the AFL-CIO Unions and the California Teachers Association. During the last three years I have worked with a bargaining team and management to develop professional development surveys and programs for Bargaining Unit 21 employees at the California Department of Education. The first thing I would do is carefully read all of the collective bargaining agreements before I would even consider making any suggestions. I understand both management and union member perspectives and work toward finding common ground so agreements can be made that benefit all involved parties.
5. What is your view of the city’s current 1% growth policy along with Measure J and Measure R.
Answer: I strongly support smart, slow growth policies and have voted that way in every election. I support both Measure J and Measure R. I do believe we can’t stop all growth. We need to carefully consider the infill projects first, how to incorporate affordable housing projects a neighborhood at a time, downtown development and student housing needs. I live in the Aspen neighborhood and enjoy the mix of family homes, student apartments, duplexes, co-housing, and creative senior housing options from the University Retirement Center to a small cluster of separate apartments/condos.
6. How do you propose to make Davis more attractive to businesses?
Answer: We need a one-stop center for anyone who is interested in starting a business in Davis. The Workforce Investment Boards have many examples of how to establish small and large business incubators or entrepreneur centers. There are many opportunities in the green technology sector, but the competition to attract those businesses is also a challenge. There will be a number of opportunities in the health sector and security of patient medical records. As the population of Davis seniors increases they will need more specialized services and assistance, i.e. home repair, grocery delivery, transportation to medical appointments, respite care for caregivers.
The Business and Economic Development Commission and the Davis Chamber of Commerce should be sending representatives to major trade shows and conferences to try and attract new businesses to locate in Davis. The University should be a magnet for public/private partnerships. Davis has all of the key ingredients a new business would be looking for: a ready supply of college graduates, near to Sacramento and the Bay area, easy access to all forms of transportation, internet coverage, multiple recreational opportunities, arts and entertainment, a great climate, and excellent quality of life.
7. What is your view of the City’s Climate Action Plan?
Answer: It is an absolute necessity, and includes many ambitious goals and objectives. We can all do something to reduce our own carbon footprint. Davis is a model city for bicycles, alternative energy vehicles and public transportation. Changing all of the light fixtures in the city will take time and resources.
8. How would you balance the need for clean and sustainable water supplies with the concerns of rate payers?
Answer: Water is a precious resource and needs to be used carefully and creatively. We capture rain water at home and use that to water our yard and indoor plants. Water rights are critically important now and in the future. We will eventually need to build a new sewage treatment plant and the cost for that project will be millions of dollars. Clean water and clean air are critical to maintain a healthy environment for all citizens. This is not a choice, this is a necessity.
The concludes our interviews of the candidates. There were a lot of questions that people may have and we may have an opportunity for people to ask council candidates directly. The Vanguard will continue its coverage of the council appointment process with wall-to-wall coverage.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Can someone weigh in on who the real contenders are here? (Assuming someone knows.)
I only see a few candidates that have any real chance of being selected, but I could be totally wrong. We should be nice to people who at least were willing to step up to the plate here, but overall many of these answers are bathed in platitudes and few candidates seem to understand the specific details that one needs to master to be successful in Council.
It would also be interesting to see what these folks have done before–that may be the best indicator of future performance. The only thing I can glean from all of this is that Mr. Wolk may have the political skills (runs in the family?) , but can he master the details? Can anyone else?
Is there anyone here willing to tackle the pension and labor cost issue? Saying that we have a budget problem is nice, but understanding why and having the political skills to deal with these issues is much more difficult.
[i]”Can someone weigh in on who the real contenders are here? (Assuming someone knows.)”[/i]
Everyone who had a California State Senator at his wedding is a real contender.
[img]http://www.loiswolk.com/images/Wolk5122514PM.jpg[/img]
Also, everyone whose mother rides in the back seat of yellow convertibles in this manner is a real contender:
[img]http://www.loiswolk.com/images/cincoVGA13723PM.jpg[/img]
Finally, everyone whose mother has really big scissors is a real contender:
[img]http://www.loiswolk.com/images/LibraryOpeningVGA13808PM.jpg[/img]
Dr Wu – I am more than willing to vigorously tackle the pension and labor cost issues. I do that on a daily basis and have done so many times in the past as a negotiator representing public agencies. But I certainly won’t discuss here any of the strategy or tactics I might employ if I were the lead negotiator for the City – because I am not the lead negotiator and won’t be. The best any of us can do – and all that should be expected from the public – on this issue is keep an open mind, learn fast what has been happening in existing negotiations, and then do our best to help as help is needed and or welcomed – neither of which is assured.
I teach negotiations to law and business students. Negotiation theory and practice are far more complex than even someone as capable and intelligent as you might imagine. If selected, I will be happy to share my professional and academic experience with my fellow board members and the City’s negotiating team. I am eager to do so as a means of giving back to the community at a time when it seems to be needed most. But I will do it only in closed session, and with the firm understanding – and acceptance – that my suggestions may not be accepted or even welcomed.
The bottom line here is that, as far as the pension/labor cost issues go, you aren’t going to get a public discussion on it here, at least from me. That isn’t ducking the issue based on an underlying incompetence. I am a recognized expert in the field. I won’t discuss possible labor negotiation strategies or tactics here because doing so would eviscerate the effectiveness of the strategies and tactics discussed. I suspect that most if not all of my fellow applicants are shying away from the issue for the same reasons.
[i]The bottom line here is that, as far as the pension/labor cost issues go, you aren’t going to get a public discussion on it here, at least from me.[/i]
It’s your perfect right to decide what you think is appropriate to discuss and what is not. However, the notion that individual members of the council cannot or should not publicly state what the City’s position should be with regard to benefits or pensions or salaries or reductions or additions to any of those is malarkey. Members of the Council have every right to publicly state what they individually think on this sort of topic. Moreover, for a member of the Council to not publicly state his views on the subject is contrary to the public interest. It unnecessarily keeps the taxpayers in the dark about what is happening with their money.
If you’d like to see an example of members of a City Council doing just that, watch this video ([url]http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=2198[/url]) from the City of San Mateo budget workshop, in which EVERY member of that Council in open session stated just how to reform their unaffordable labor contracts in advance of any negotiations:
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=2198
Rifkin – The sentiments you express are part of the reason why I wish to serve in this position without considering running for the seat in an open election. You have a powerful voice and your reasoning is compelling. Someone seeking your vote would be tempted to agree with you and perform as your suggest. But that would be a mistake because it be political theatre – i.e., a performance for political benefit (appeasing/appealing to the electorate) that works against pragmatic results. For example, the House of Representatives reading the US Constitution out loud: there is no finer example of political theatre. It made the extreme right wing of the GOP feel all warm and fuzzy but it contributed not one calorie of effective work towards much needed problem solving. It served to further divide, not unite around shared goals and values.
I want to help solve the problems confronting Davis. I am lucky enough to possess exceptional experience and skill that can possibly help do just that. Unfortunately, my experience and skill dictate that, to be effective in labor negotiations, it is essential not to spout out theories or solutions until all of the facts are known, including but not limited to the history of any particular negotiation and the trust relationship between the parties, if any. That means not giving you the details you want. I apologize for that and invite you not to vote for me if I ever seek elected office (which I won’t).
I am happy to state my goal – which is to assist the City’s negotiating team in any way I can to help achieve an amicable settlement to the labor disputes confronting the parties. I can’t tell you how that will be achieved because I don’t know all the facts (yet) and even if I did know all the facts I wouldn’t tell you because revealing the strategy for negotiations before the fact is, from a negotiations point of view, sort of stupid if you actually want to achieve any results.
That being said, I can say I favor the interest based negotiations model, which is open and honest. I even favor public negotiations as opposed to negotiations behind closed doors. I believe that a party’s interests, no matter what they are, should always be acknowledged and, if possible, met. I’ve helped settle many seemingly intractable deadlocks by identifying the true interests of those involved.
This may not sound like much, but it is a very important place to start. The interest based model is not the positional model, and it is positional bargaining that, in my experience, so often leads to game-playing, deception, victory via ambush and inevitable bitterness that serves no purpose other than to plant the seeds for future conflict.
I’m not sure what more I can say to reassure you that I know what I am talking about.
Tell me: what negotiations model did San Mateo use, and what was the result of their negotiations? Did they balance their budget? Did they cut services and raise taxes? What happened?
[i]”Tell me: what negotiations model did San Mateo use, and what was the result of their negotiations?”[/i]
As you know, that video I suggested you watch–apparently you decided not to–was from just last November, right after Thanksgiving. As you would have learned from the video, their labor contracts do not expire before June 30 of this year. And what you would have learned by watching the video is that the SMCC was preparing its workforce and its citizens for a radical change. They needed to make this known in public, because as the city manager laid out, they cannot continue on the same course.
[i]”But that would be a mistake because it be political theatre – i.e., a performance for political benefit (appeasing/appealing to the electorate) that works against pragmatic results.”[/i]
I don’t have such a patronizing view of the taxpayers and voters as you do. I think they need to be informed that we are in bad shape due to the labor contracts that our council agreed to. And they need to know what changes are necessary to avoid bankruptcy. After all, the members of the council are ultimately working for the taxpayers, not the workers.
Likewise, I think it is important that the public statements of our city leaders are honest with the workers who will be affected by the changes we make; or what pains will come if no changes are agreed to.
It sounds to me like you are not really interested in serving on the city council so much as you would like to give them negotiating advice.
I was riffing on one issue. I am not happy that you interpreted that as only being interested in giving negotiations advice – especially after all I’ve written here since I got interested in applying. I blame myself for failing to communicate effectively. I will sincerely attempt to do better in order to avoid such misunderstandings whenever possible.
I suspect I lost your vote some time ago.
I have to say Mr. Boylan, that in this thread you give the impression of being elitist and having a low opinion of the Davis electorate. Perhaps this is misleading.
Also, when you say things like
” It made the extreme right wing of the GOP feel all warm and fuzzy”
you appear to be divisive and partisan.
I don’t get the impression you are helping your case for appointment.
LOL No doubt.
I confess that this is an incredibly valuable learning experience for me. Before this, I never realized how easily and quickly I can be misconstrued as a elitist, divisive and partisan. My motive was to help, to give back a little to a community that has given me so very much. There is no doubt I can do that but it appears increasingly likely that this is not the avenue for doing it.
I am much more impressed than ever those who can navigate the political maze.
But, for the record (if it makes a difference) I do not have a low opinion of the Davis electorate. I trust no group of people more to make informed decisions. I am proud to be part of an uncommonly educated and articulare polity. I do, however, have a very low opinion of the modern the political process in general, which is why an appointment appealed to me and election does not.
I am more than happy to fail at this. If the City Counsel doesn’t want what I have to offer, I will be more than content with that decision. As I said earlier, this is an incredible learning experience.
I can hear the criticism now: “Mr. Boylan, you appear to be more interested in watching what happens than in in being selected…”
[i]”I suspect I lost your vote some time ago.”[/i]
Your wife reminds me: I have no vote.
And to withdraw from any snarkiness: My mind is open. Were I on the council or advising anyone on the council, I can honestly say I don’t have a prefered candidate yet; and the fact that you are participating in Vanguard threads raises my opinion of you.
Regardless of who is chosen by the Council, I would hope you will continue to participate in this aspect of democracy in Davis. I always appreciate it when people who see the world differently than I do point out what I got wrong or what they think I got wrong.
One of the shames of the communication to me with my Enterprise column is that those who disagree with me rarely will write me emails. If I made them mad enough, they will write a letter to the editor. But I get a volume of emails after most columns, almost all from people who tend to share my views. I’d prefer it were the reverse. Send letters of praise to the editor. Send me your harsh appraisal. I’d be happy to go back and forth with emails or phone calls with those who disagree with me, especially if the other person has a persuasive argument to make.
A big advantage, thus, for The Vanguard, is this rapid interchange of opinions and in some cases the presentation of facts. The only thing I think most readers tend to underappreciate–and I tend to not say often enough–is how much work David Greenwald does to produce his blogs. It’s fine to criticize him. (I do at times.) But keep in mind that his columns reflect a ton of background work.
My wife, just returning home from work (very long hours this time of year) and reading over my shoulder advises me to keep my day job.
I didn’t realize until just now you are the guy with the Enterprise column. From now on I will be more careful proof reading my comments to correct typographical errors. The journalists I represent are particularly fastidious about that sort of thing.