Second Part of Council Sierra Club Responses

The Sierra Club Monday officially endorsed the individual candidacies of Rochelle Swanson and Robb Davis for the two open Davis City Council seats in the June 2014 election. The endorsement process followed an exhaustive review of the responses of all city council candidates to a series of questions about their positions on environmental matters in Davis.

On Tuesday, we published the first nine responses. Here are the remaining eight responses from the five city council candidates.

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Question: Do you support the development of a business park(s) in Davis or on its periphery? If yes, what is the size (in acres) and preferred locations that you would support for such a business park(s) in Davis?

Sheila Allen

Yes, I support the development of a research/innovation park in Davis. I have been following the Innovation Task Force’s work and have done some additional research on my own and believe in order for such a park to be successful a minimum of 200 acres is desired. There are current business owners that would like to grow and expand and stay in Davis. Also, connections to professors at UCD could be made to make the jump from theory to industrial application. I currently prefer the site off of Mace Blvd. since it has infrastructure already in place and would not impact local residents. A downside to this site is the good farming soil but mitigations could be done to assure that comparable land is preserved for agricultural open space and wildlife. A positive aspect of this site is that the Leland Ranch has been designated as permanent open space so that it provides a green barrier to additional sprawl in that direction.

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Robb Davis

First, I would like to differentiate between a business park and an innovation park. The former often contains businesses whose vision and mission is very different from the core competencies and inherent character of Davis, which build on the educational/research excellence of UCD and the agricultural uniqueness of both our region and our University. An innovation park should build on and contribute to UCD core competencies, our surrounding agriculture land and City of Davis character.

With that said, I support the Innovation Park Task Force recommendations of a dispersed innovation park model of three sites with a maximum of approximately 200 acres each on two sites (Ramos/Bruner and the property west of the hospital) and up to approximately 50 acres on Nishi (which includes a housing component which I support).

When I say I support the recommendations this means I also support the IPTF recommendation to develop a new fiscal model to project the potential benefits to the city from property and sales taxes on such sites. This means I believe that we must, to the best of our ability, carefully assess the potential of each site to generate jobs and revenue for the city before moving forward. Though some may claim this is my way of attempting to scuttle such projects I view such projections as essential to helping the City Council determine the merits of each site in terms of costs and benefits to the city.

I note that all these sites would be subject to a Measure R (or analogous) process. Other considerations for the development of such sites is the potential to link them to transit lines and connect them to the city’s bicycle infrastructure to encourage those working there to arrive by modes other than automobiles. These sites should be developed to achieve maximum land use efficiency.

Though a willingness to develop these sites may seem to be in contradiction to my aforementioned commitment to maintaining peripheral farmland in agriculture, I believe each has unique features that would allow me to support efforts to develop them (given the caveats mentioned above. Nishi is not appropriate for farming given that it is isolated. Ramos/Bruner is inside a de-facto urban limit provided by the placing of the so-called Mace 391 property into an agriculture easement. And the property west of the Sutter hospital is alkaline soil and carries the potential to provide an excellent non-agricultural open space and flood control element if developed properly.

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John Munn

I would consider business park proposals on an individual basis. My position on economic development is that I would want to be sure that a proposal makes sense, including whether claims of additional revenue pencil out, the layout fits into the City’s transportation and utility systems, job creation statements seem reasonable, and we can maintain a cohesive City footprint. I don’t bring a lot of preconceptions to this subject, but would insist on a review process that provides sufficient information to make a decision on behalf of the community.

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Daniel Parrella

I support a business park on the Nishi lands and am not totally against the idea of a business park on Mace 185. I have become increasingly disappointed with the process of late however. Nishi has become a largely residential development when it was promised to be a business park.

And that is where I draw the line. A big part of my campaign is making Davis a place where young people can find jobs, afford to live here and raise a family. If the business park is financially net-positive for the city, provides space for homegrown companies to expand and creates jobs for graduates I am willing to listen when it comes to a peripheral business park. My dreams of an urban fringe in particular I think coincide with a business park, requiring the developer to purchase land on the periphery in exchange for a favorable vote by the city council is very doable.

I have heard rumblings that some housing might be included in the Mace 185 parcel and I will not support that. Residential Developments always go in the Red and with the Cannery finally being pushed through we do not need any more housing. If we are going to hop Mace Curve it needs to be 100% for business, otherwise I wont support it.

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Rochelle Swanson

I am on the record supporting an innovation park in Davis, not simply a business park. Davis is at a point where we are in critical need of more economic development which is sustainable, so that the City can support itself into the future. We need local jobs and industry to allow residents to work local and commute to work by more sustainable choices.

I do not support only a park on the periphery or within the city limits. If money and resources were boundless, I would prefer we not build on one more prime acre of farmland. Unfortunately that is not a reality in which we live. Davis is in a unique position to leverage its location and globally dominant agricultural leading university to model the balance of research and industry maximizing and preserving ag lands while striving to sustainably feed the world.

I believe we can find sites, like Interland, for greater densification. However, there are some companies that cannot fit within the smaller footprint. There are agriculture research businesses that need to be on the periphery. My preference is for a site whose infrastructure can be designed and maintained for the best use on the parcel. A site with a proposed use that reflects the local values of green design and usability. Most important, I prefer a site that is financially sustainable while encouraging the greatest preservation of our agricultural buffer. Business acumen needs to be as much of the equation as land use principals and environmental stewardship. Ignoring the financial realities will only spell failure, no matter how “cool” the project.

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Question: Davis prides itself on being a bicycle-oriented city with miles of bike lanes and paths throughout the community to facilitate bike use as an alternative form of transportation. Yet, the bicycle mode-share in Davis has dropped in recent years. What specifically would you propose to make the bicycle a more viable and safe transportation mode in Davis?

Sheila Allen

Increasing education and outreach in the schools and updating the Safe Routes to Schools information for ready access and distribution could make parents of younger students more likely to allow and encourage their students to ride their bike. Assuring access to bikes could increase Junior High age bike riders (the highest proportion of DJUSD bike riding students) and making access to the high school safer and improving bike flow could increase high school age ridership. UCD can do more to improve the percentage of student riders including not allowing persons in the dorm to have a car, continue bike safety information to students and promote bike riding at their West Village locations. Older adults can be assisted with proper bike purchases and safety instructions for health and safety.

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Robb Davis

I have already alluded to the importance of implementing the Beyond Platinum Bicycle Action Plan—a plan on which I collaborated as a member of the BAC and in one-on-one consultations with Dave Kemp the Active Transportation Coordinator.

This plan includes both ongoing infrastructure improvements and programs to enable riders of all ages to ride more safely. It is truly a comprehensive plan that is a model for city plans because it links broad goals (including the achievement of a 30% mode share in bikes) with action items and a work plan. This logical implementation framework includes the routine monitoring and evaluation of key indicators.

I would mention to key issues within the plan that are critical to its success. First, the plan lays out a very logical assessment of key infrastructure needs related to creating a safe cycling environment. I am and will be a strong champion of focusing on the most critical infrastructure challenges (among which the H Street tunnel and Mace Boulevard crossing south of the freeway), which create unsafe cycling situations for the most vulnerable users. Second, the plan uses data collection as a policy tool to guide decisions about what can and should be done to increase cycling. I have been and will continue to challenge staff to put adequate resources into the monitoring and evaluation of each element of the plan. This includes routine collection of primary data for decision making.

Finally, I will continue my work with school children at school rodeos and other events to assure they learn how to cycle safely in Davis. As a League of American Bicyclist-certified “League Cycling Instructor” I have received the training to provide education and guidance on safe cycling. Whatever the outcome of the June election, I will continue my work in this area.I have already alluded to the importance of implementing the Beyond Platinum Bicycle Action Plan—a plan on which I collaborated as a member of the BAC and in one-on-one consultations with Dave Kemp the Active Transportation Coordinator.

This plan includes both ongoing infrastructure improvements and programs to enable riders of all ages to ride more safely. It is truly a comprehensive plan that is a model for city plans because it links broad goals (including the achievement of a 30% mode share in bikes) with action items and a work plan. This logical implementation framework includes the routine monitoring and evaluation of key indicators.

I would mention to key issues within the plan that are critical to its success. First, the plan lays out a very logical assessment of key infrastructure needs related to creating a safe cycling environment. I am and will be a strong champion of focusing on the most critical infrastructure challenges (among which the H Street tunnel and Mace Boulevard crossing south of the freeway), which create unsafe cycling situations for the most vulnerable users. Second, the plan uses data collection as a policy tool to guide decisions about what can and should be done to increase cycling. I have been and will continue to challenge staff to put adequate resources into the monitoring and evaluation of each element of the plan. This includes routine collection of primary data for decision making.

Finally, I will continue my work with school children at school rodeos and other events to assure they learn how to cycle safely in Davis. As a League of American Bicyclist-certified “League Cycling Instructor” I have received the training to provide education and guidance on safe cycling. Whatever the outcome of the June election, I will continue my work in this area.

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John Munn

I went to school at UCD, have lived in Davis for many years, and don’t understand the statement that “the bicycle mode-share in Davis has dropped in recent years.” If this means that a smaller proportion of residents are relying on bicycles, I would point to the greater distances that many single-family and student residents must travel from more widely dispersed new neighborhoods and rental complexes. The improved bus service has also, I think, cut into the number of bicycle riders. It is neither possible nor desirable to undo these changes. We do need always to be looking for individual chances for improvement, but I think Davis is for the most part on the right track. As with streets, bicycle paths need to be maintained to provide for safe and reliable use.

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Daniel Parrella

The beyond-platinum plan put forth by the city puts a step-by-step plan to increase bike mode share to 30%. Not only is the plan realistic and attainable but it has already helped us receive Grant Money from the state. The parts of the plan I like the most and I believe are the most feasible are increasing the number of two-way protected bike lanes in town. Much progress has already been made and ensuring cyclists have protected paths to take one their way to work will encourage cycling.

Without question I believe the greatest opportunity to improve bike mode share has to do with the schools. Despite easy access to the bulk of the K-12 schools in town many parents choose to drive to school EVERY morning which not only decreases our bike mode share but it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Safety is the reason many parents drive their kids to school and the beyond platinum effort to identify the safest routes to school for children and put more crossing guards in the morning could increase bike use for our school children. I think a report on what intersections are the most dangerous for bikers and how to avoid them could convince a lot of parents that biking is a safe way for their children to get their daily exercise and get to school on time. In particular focusing on the schools with notoriously low bike use and identifying why that is the case and implementing “bike to school” challenges could increase the bike mode share.

The most surprising aspect of the beyond platinum report was that the gender gap in town is increasing. I thought the report did a good job of identifying why there is a gender gap for cyclists in general, but very little information was given to understand why the gap has widened over the years. Figuring out why our gender gap has widened could yield valuable insight into improving our bike mode share.

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Rochelle Swanson

I am on the record supporting bike infrastructure and policies throughout the community. My voting record supports policies that keep us a leader, if not the leader, in being a bicycle-oriented city.

Before proposing more specific bike only policies, I would like to more fully understand why the mode share has dropped. I believe the closing of Valley Oak elementary and the aging of our population, among other factors have impacted the mode share. One area we need to improve is truly completing the bike loop throughout the community. If children are attending schools outside their neighborhood, the routes should be readily available in every school site office. We also need to understand that not every Davis resident has full mobility. When we only talk about bikes as an “alternative” mode of transportation we disenfranchise every child in a wheel chair and every senior who is no longer able to sit upon a saddle.

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Question: Do you support the construction of a new  parking structure near or in the downtown core and why or why not? If yes, where would you like to see it located and how large should it be? If so, how should it be paid for?

Sheila Allen

Yes, I support most of the recommendations of the downtown parking task force including the need for a multi-story parking garage. I have a preference for placing this structure at the Amtrak station rather than on E Street as proposed. The Amtrak sight would increase parking for train riders. I would propose charging non-Davis residents a parking fee or higher fee to decrease the out of town people using up the parking spots. Also, this would be well placed for the concentration of high need parking areas as identified by the task force. A multi-level parking structure (at least 3 perhaps up to 5) would be better suited at this location where business neighbors are not immediately adjacent but is also close for employee parking. This could also be a location for downtown residents to park.

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Robb Davis

As a member of the Downtown Davis Parking Task Force I voted for each of the individual 19 recommendations to better manage the current parking supply and expand said supply. However, I made it clear that I do not support the conversion of the 3/4/E/F lot into a parking structure because that location would bring more traffic into the core—something that I do not believe is prudent.

It is clear that finding a location for any new structure is a huge challenge but may be facilitated by several evolving developments including the development of a hotel and conference center near the freeway; or the redevelopment by the University of the Solano Park apartments and the development of the Nishi property.

There are no city resources available for a new structure in the post-RDA environment and so I expect any move in this direction to be funded by private dollars. The Task Force recommendation to the City Council is to examine potential sites and to fund a feasibility study.

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John Munn

The first thing to consider about downtown parking is whether we have a space problem or distribution problem. My observation, that is backed up by the recent Parking Committee report is that we have a distribution problem, where much of the shortage in downtown street parking is caused by employee or business professional parking and re-parking. So let’s first try to solve the real problem first by encouraging and permitting business owners and employees to use underutilized parking resources, such as in existing parking structures. If there is a remaining space problem, then I would first consider a limited sized, two-story parking structure in the parking lot between E and F Streets and 3rd and 4th Streets. This same approach could be considered for other City parking lots adjacent to the downtown area. Since downtown parking is not a city-wide problem, improvements should be supported by those calling for and benefitting from additional parking. This includes property owners and business establishments that rely on downtown customer traffic and employees who work in the downtown area.

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Daniel Parrella

I would not support a parking garage in the downtown core area. For starters the downtown parking task force was very clear that our current parking structure on Fourth and G is underutilized at all times of the week, including during the most highly trafficked peak hours on Friday and Saturday.

Not only is the Fourth & G structure underutilized but also the entire Northeast quadrant of our downtown is underutilized. Even on-street parking rarely exceeds 60% occupancy rates and before we consider building another parking garage we should focus on directing traffic to the part of our downtown to improve our distribution.

I believe that the Downtown gateway improvement project should have the Wayfinder project as a priority. The Wayfinder project is a series of signs leading from Richards Underpass to the Fourth & G structure as well as the entire Northeast Quadrant. That idea has a lot of merit, the problem right now is we have tourists who have no idea where to go from the underpass and drive around aimlessly trying to find a spot. Not only does it pollute the air but it causes congestion in the downtown area. If we can effectively direct traffic to where parking spots are available we can improve our downtown without needing to increase the supply.

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Rochelle Swanson

I think that this concept is worth reconsideration since we continue to receive complaints about insufficient parking which discourages resident from shopping in our downtown. Every shopper we lose in the downtown is a loss of revenue to our City. I not think it healthy to have cars circling the downtown emitting carbon dioxide and impacting bikes and pedestrian searching for the ever elusive parking space. If we want to be a destination downtown, we have to be willing to have the infrastructure for visitors, as well as residents.

I do not have a one option only position, nor do I envision some monolithic concrete structure. There are examples around the region that incorporate gardens, bio swales, solar panels and other features that blend in the surrounding area and provide more than just a space for a car. I believe a structure should also include bike storage. The location has to make sense in supporting getting people getting out of their cars sooner and staying downtown longer. If land ownership was a non-issue, I would like to see the parking lot behind Davis Commons and the Amtrak lot be better utilized with a multi-story option.

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Question: Do you support the addition of parking meters on downtown streets or in downtown city-owned public parking lots or parking structures and why or why not?

Sheila Allen

Yes, I would support limited smart parking meters downtown as a pilot. The presentation to the DDBA provided information from Sacramento that new meters can improve parking circulation with less ongoing personnel costs. The current city council has decided to not move forward with this approach at this time so I would ask staff to provide a parking update in the next year after additional signage is placed to encourage parking in the existing spaces and structures

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Robb Davis

Yes, I was a proponent of this approach because there is clear evidence that paid parking is an excellent means to manage the current parking supply. Paid parking will not generate large amounts of new revenue but will enable us to better manage what we have. Staff must be given the authority to experiment with rates (something easily done with new smart meters) to achieve the goal of 85% occupancy rates during peak times. This will lead to the desired outcome of providing, at any given time, a free space on each block face.

The Task Force recommended installing paid parking in the “core of the core”—essentially an area bounded by D/3rd/G/1st Streets—at this time. It also recommended setting daily rates for the Amtrak lot (currently free), all-day parking rates for the G/4th garage and the 3rd/4th/E/F lot. Beyond that it recommended creating an expanded permit parking zone in Old North Davis. I support these recommendations because they represent (along with the other recommendations) a truly comprehensive approach to dealing with parking challenges in the downtown.

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John Munn

I oppose parking meters. I consider parking to be a service to customers provided by the businesses that they support. In return, these businesses provide financial support to the City in the form of tax revenues, rate payments, and fees. If we are going to install meters downtown, then why not collect parking fees for the use of privately owned parking areas – or are the promoters of parking meters going to become advocates of private property rights while making exceptions to downtown customers service needs? In addition, having meters does not actually prevent employees and others from re-parking. I also think that a strong argument can be made that many customers will simply choose not to go downtown if they must pay for street parking. Many Davis residents in peripheral developments can go to Woodland, Dixon, and to a lesser extent West Sacramento in not much more time than it takes to get through all the traffic lights going to downtown Davis. There is also Target with free parking in East Davis, and there are shops and restaurants in other Davis shopping centers. Parking meters will hurt both downtown business returns and City sales tax revenue overall, while not solving the parking problem. (Has anyone checked out downtown Sacramento to see if meters free up parking spaces?)

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Daniel Parrella

I did not support the idea of a 3 block by 3-block radius that was originally proposed in the Downtown Parking Task Force report. I thought it was too much too fast and as someone who refuses to pay for parking I thought it would affect downtown businesses.

I think parking meters could be useful in certain parts of our downtown. I liked the idea of putting them at the Amtrak station to try and encourage shoppers to park there. I was surprised that the City Council shut down parking meters in its entirety, I figured they would reach some sort of compromise. The idea of a block-by-block rollout from Brett Lee seemed to have some merit in my eyes. The idea of validation parking seemed feasible to me as well. I do think that streamlining our parking downtown will reduce traffic and make downtown Davis a little more walkable.

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Rochelle Swanson

I am on the record supporting the use of parking meters when a reasonable implementation plan is identified, coupled with tangible funding sources. I think meters should be tried as part of an overall plan to improve downtown parking as part of a comprehensive plan. We have made tremendous progress towards implementation of a plan that has been long in the making. I do not believe success lies in meter only or parking structure only solution.

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Question: Davis has implemented a wood smoke ordinance that allows complaints to be filed against wood burners if they are producing visible smoke and it adversely affects a “reasonable” person. Why or why not do you support this ordinance, and what changes, if any, would you support to it?

Sheila Allen

As a public health nurse, I understand the health concerns regarding particulate matter. Persons with asthma, COPD and other respiratory diseases are at risk for compromised breathing with increases in particulate matter. I am concerned that the “visible smoke” and “reasonable person” ordinance is very subjective and will address only a small part of the problem. I preferred the “Don’t light tonight” approach that uses the Sacramento Air Quality measures that identifies when wood burning would cause an increased burden for those at respiratory risk. In additional, I am very concerned about a much more prevalent particulate matter source in Davis: gas powered leaf blowers. I understand that private home owners and lawn service companies find this method a fast and easy way to move organic materials but it puts large amounts of particulate matter in the air. As a clinical professor for Sacramento State for school nurses we could regularly expect asthmatic students to come for their inhalers and assistance on days that the leaves and dust were blown into the air. As residents decrease their lawn watering the ground will become even more dry and this will increase the dust problem. I would propose investigating an ordinance to restrict leaf blowers, especially gas blowers which also are a source of carbon.

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Robb Davis

Here too my background as a public health professional informs and guides my perspective. Many of our city’s residents (including my wife) suffer from respiratory ailments such as COPD. They are particularly vulnerable to air borne pollution of all kinds, wood smoke being one of them. Therefore protecting the most vulnerable is a goal I support.

The challenge for the Ordinance is enforcement and to find the best ways to deal with the relatively few people who choose to ignore it. I put forward one means of enabling citizens to deal with non-compliant neighbors in an article published in The Enterprise (). Unfortunately some readers understood me to be saying this is the only way that enforcement should occur. This was never my intent. Rather, I was trying to offer an alternative that could enable residents to have a safe means to deal with non-compliant neighbors. I stand by what I wrote as one means to deal with this difficult issue.

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John Munn

I think the City Council has approached a reasonable solution to the issue of neighborhood disagreements over wood smoke. This should be treated the same as any other nuisance complaint, rather than imposing city wide regulations, that would be very difficult to enforce, on all users of wood heat from very different types of fireplaces, stoves, or other wood burners; burning different types and condition of wood materials; and having different neighborhood concerns about wood smoke.

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Daniel Parrella

I support it. I also supported the expansion of the program to cover the entire year rather than just specific burn days. Its important to remember that we have about a dozen chronic offenders in our town who have moved beyond the point of reason and a few years of complaints can help identify those people so we can prevent them from continuously burning.

I would not change the ordinance, I thought the NRC made a clear case but I would say that honey is more effective than vinegar in some cases. The wood stove replacement rebate program implemented in Marin County has been very effective in encouraging homeowners to not only remove there wood stove but to replace it with a greener alternative.

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Rochelle Swanson

I am on the record supporting the wood smoke ordinance that best addresses nearest neighbor impacts and still meets constitutional muster. I spent many hours working on this item. I support the ordinance because we need to implement policies that improve air quality. Our location within two highly trafficked highways subjects us to a myriad of airborne particulates. I support the ordinance as another tool, along with supporting clean air transportation options, replacing gas powered mowers and tree planting to further clean the air.

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Question: Pesticide/herbicide use continues to be the primary method for control of insect and plant pests by the City of Davis. Use of some of these chemicals has increased or plateaued in recent years. Currently, the City’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is only an advisory position. What administrative changes or changes in specific practices do you believe can be implemented to reduce overall pesticide/herbicide use by Davis and to encourage the use of least toxic controls by the City and its residents?

Sheila Allen

Historically, the City of Davis and the Davis School District each had a IPM position. This position was also lost at the school district with the recent cuts. I would propose a joint agreement with the school district to re-instate this position. Since most of the schools are co-located next to city parks an integrated approach makes programmatic and financial sense. Also, it is in the health interest of the public and children in particular to decrease our use of pesticides and herbicides. With joint planned and managed facilities and grounds the school district and city could greatly decrease it use pesticides/herbicides and identify best practices using the least toxic approach.

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Robb Davis

This is an issue we have had to deal with at Dos Pinos—the limited equity cooperative housing unit where I serve as president of the board—and one of which I have learned about a great deal over the past four years as a weekly volunteer at a local organic farm. The bottom line is that pesticides/herbicides are used as both a (short-term) cost savings method and as labor reduction method. I say short-term cost savings because, I believe there is clear evidence that relying upon them has both long-term human health and biological system impacts that we rarely fully assess.

Creating a truly integrated pest management system takes time and moving away from herbicides requires more human labor.

And yet, to be an environmentally sustainable community we must come to grips with how we are managing our public spaces. In an earlier question I talked about creating a “re-greened” urban landscape in Davis. I believe that a move away from large grass covered greenbelts and parks provides an opportunity to more intentionally move towards an integrated pest management ecosystem. Weed control may also be facilitated by such a move but my experience would suggest that it will also require more labor. This may require the mobilization of community-based greenbelt maintenance crews (something we have done at Dos Pinos in a limited way).

I have talked to staff about the largely advisory role of the IPM position and I do believe it is time, in conjunction with water saving efforts, to consider how we might reinvigorate our IPM efforts. I am not sure at this time what this could or will mean for staffing changes. Despite my direct experience dealing with these issues I will need further dialogue to assess the best way forward.

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John Munn

No change from current policy.

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Daniel Parrella

The University of California’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program defines IPM as an ecologically based strategy that focuses on long term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, modification of crop production practices, host plant resistance, physical control, and chemicals.

After reviewing the City of Davis IPM Program 2012 Annual Report of Pesticide Use, it does appear that many of the components outlined in the above definition are addressed.

Specifics to improve the IPM program with the goal of reducing pesticide use include:

As of January 2012, it states that the IPM position was restored back to 100% time. Budgets permitting, this position is the key to improving existing IPM programs. In addition, this position needs to have the authority to implement policy.

The annual report only lists herbicides. While these most likely are the dominant pesticides used by the city, there must have been some use of fungicides and insecticides. Without knowing what is applied, it is difficult to comment on strategies to reduce their use. These materials must be listed in the Annual Report.

Utilizing more biopesticides, such as Grandevo® and Regalia® (produced and marketed by the Davis’s own Marrone Bio Innovations) may be safer alternatives that the insecticides/fungicides currently used.
The decline of both honeybees and native bees is a national/international tragedy. Nowhere in the current Davis IPM Program is bee health mentioned. Interacting with the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility and the adjacent Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven could provide insight into bee friendly plantings and IPM strategies that are safe to bees

Interacting with city contractors and planners prior to planting any material is critical to long-term prevention of pest programs. Factors such as host plant resistance, susceptibility to insects, mites, nematodes and diseases as well as how plants will withstand the additional stresses associated with being planted in an urban environment must be considered

Fertilizer use is not mentioned anywhere in the report. Runoff from excessive fertilizer use is problematic for overall ecosystem health and this can exacerbate certain pest problems on city plantings.

Pollution from pesticide and fertilizer use in urban landscapes has been shown to be greater than what may be coming from agriculture. A greater focus on educating the citizens of Davis with respect to proper pesticide and fertilizer use needs to be a continued priority for the Davis IPM program. Natural enemies (such as lady beetles) are available seasonally from Davis Ace Hardware. Programs educating the public about how to use these biological controls in their backyards could contribute to pesticide reduction while supporting local business.

In 1996, a citizen-staffed IPM Task Force was formed to help guide the development of the Davis IPM Program. That was 18 years ago. It may be time to reconstitute this task force and ask them to review the existing IPM program and make suggestions as to how to move forward.

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Rochelle Swanson

I have consistently supported the IPM position and am on the record for wanting to expand the position as we can find the revenues to cover the costs. I would like to see us be more proactive in this area. I would like to see the city address the possibility of limiting and eventually precluding the use of chemicals that damage pollinators. Other responsible communities are already making these rules. The more we plant local native plants to landscape, particularly drought tolerant plants, the less we will need pesticides to eliminate weeds.I am not prepared to propose administrative changes until I know the impact of the current budget cycle and the feasibility of moving from an advisory position to a full position with the authority to carry out actions and policies that continue to reduce, if not eliminate, toxic pesticides and herbicides.

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Question: What are other environmental or climate change-related issues facing Davis and how would you propose the City address these issues?

Sheila Allen

1. Greenways for birds and small animals need to be considered when designing and developing land in and around Davis to allow safe passage and migration of wild life. Planning should include thoughtful mapping to connect to open spaces and urban green space. When considering vegetation for parks and open spaces native plants that are naturally water resistant should be planted to support the native species and to help to conserve water.

2. Davis should evaluate ordinances and neighborhood regulations to allow and encourage use of clothes lines as a way to conserve energy and decrease our carbon footprint. I have a clothesline in my backyard and enjoy listening to the birds in the early morning when I put the clothes up.

3. It is very important to keep our parks and green belts safe, usable (repaired and well-maintained) and attractive reducing concerns about need for lawns and large backyards. These public spaces can be used for relaxing, exercise, sports and children’s play areas.

I am interested in thinking about the community as a whole when we make planning decisions and are working together as a community to decrease our carbon footprint. Care needs to be taken when making policies that isolate those that have from those without. We want public policies that brings the whole community together and forward for our environment and at a pace that is realistic toward real sustainable change.

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Robb Davis

The only one that comes to mind at this point is the issue of dealing with the shipment of volatile Bakken shale extracted crude oil by rail through Davis. I have kept abreast of the situation since the Lac-Mégantic explosion in 2013. I attended the Natural Resources Commission meeting about the issue and am quite happy with the steps that the city staff are taking to join our voices of concern with other cities, to speak into the environmental review processes taking place in bay area cities concerning refinery expansion, and petitioning our elected officials in Sacramento and Washington for support on this issue.

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John Munn

I am running for the Davis City Council to work for fiscal sustainability so that we can all afford to live here. I would consider individual environmental concerns brought to the City Council by Davis residents based on my education, background, and experience in natural and engineering sciences.

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Daniel Parrella

The oil trains coming through Davis are a concern to me. Especially with the development on Nishi those trains will go through highly populated areas and type of train that is being used has less than stellar record. Alone we can do very little, however I think this is a great opportunity to work with SACOG and all the cities from here to Benicia to try and route the trains another direction. If we can work with them to stop oil trains we can work together to achieve our water conservation goals.

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Rochelle Swanson

As for something I would cite as a “local” issue, I would cite waste water discharge that does not meet effluent standards. Our current plant releases waste water discharge that impacts both flora and fauna. Meeting state standards will further protect our local and regional environment. Another “local” issue involves the risk to our amazing tree canopy. The drought coupled with restricted water use is affecting the health of the trees throughout our community. I would like to see the Tree Commission propose an assessment and strategy plan to mitigate disease and death due to these changes.

Climate change related issues just do not face Davis. They are global issues. More than work on policies within our city, I believe we need to proactively support regional and statewide initiatives that further reduce the man-made practices that exacerbate climate change.

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Question: Please tell us about your background and accomplishments and why the Sierra Club Yolano Group should endorse your candidacy?

Sheila Allen

As a member of the Davis School Board we implemented lease agreement for solar power at an elementary school, junior high and high school. Has off set our power needs and produced clean energy for schools. I also helped to write a policy that states the school district will purchase recycled materials whenever possible. Our Farm to School program has significantly decreased the waste from lunches and recycles the containers and food waste at all of our elementary and junior high schools. We are creating a culture of environmentally aware students for the future.

I grew up in rural Wisconsin and our family owns over 200 acres of pristine wilderness. I spent many days in the woods and on the river gaining an appreciation for open spaces and nature. I have shared that approach with my own children and with our family choices. As an elected official I will use this lens when making decisions for the City of Davis in consultation with its citizens. One of the many reasons I choose to live in Davis is that it is in line with my world view of caring for each other, our creatures and our environment.

I am a member of the Sierra Club and have been a long time member of the Audubon Club. I look forward to working with your group if I am elected to make wise choices for our community.

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Robb Davis

I have been a member of the Bicycle Advisory Commission for over three years and of Davis Bicycles! since its inception. In those roles I have worked hard to increase bicycling mode share in the city. I have used both a grass roots teaching/training and public policy advocacy approach in this work with the grass roots work informing policy choices to make it easier and safer for people of all skill levels to adopt cycling as a primary mode of transportation.

I took the lead in negotiating with the developers of the Cannery property and in publicly advocating for improved bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to that site. As noted, I have also had significant input into the new bicycle plan. As a member of the Downtown Parking Task Force I brought forward recommendations concerning how to encourage the use of modes other than cars for transportation into the downtown and on better managing the supply of current automobile parking.

These efforts show a strong commitment to working on transportation issues so as to reduce mode share in cars, thereby contributing to a decrease in the single most significant form of GHG emissions in the city. I believe that providing easily used, safe alternatives to automobile transportation is the best way to encourage their use.

But I also want to note that I have made significant changes to my own (and my family’s) lifestyle in order to live according my conviction that we must each individually do what we can to reduce our carbon footprints on this planet. Eleven years ago in March my wife and I sold our only car and have lived car-free ever since. Nearly 5 years ago I left behind a career in international health when I took the step to no longer fly. Though it was a career changing move, I felt it was necessary to live according to my understanding of the damage done to the environment by that mode of transit. My wife and I have consistently downsized our lifestyle living now in a dense housing community with shared spaces and resources to limit our consumption of water.

I will use my position to encourage broad community dialogue on issues such as those raised in this questionnaire and seek to bring opponents together in respectful dialogue to achieve the best solutions for the community going forward.

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John Munn

I have practical experience with natural systems from growing up on a farm and a ranch. My education includes degrees in soil and water sciences and in engineering. And my employment with the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and some private consulting work gives me broad experience in water quality, wildlife, and natural systems. You may choose others for supporting particular policy goals, but you will not find another candidate for Davis City Council with a better understanding of the natural environment.

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Daniel Parrella

I was born and raised on the outskirts of Davis and attended four different DJUSD schools before graduating in 2009. I am not a biker but I am an avid Hiker. I have spent much of my time hiking the foothills around Lake Berryessa and my favorite Hike by far is the “Sky to the Sea” trail in Marin County.

I went to UCSB for 2 years and stumbled across a wonderful program called “Solarize Santa Barbara”, a group purchasing program designed to encourage adoption of solar power. When I came home for the summer I launched “Solarize Davis”. By using neighbor-to-neighbor strategies and a lot of canvassing I successfully convinced 19 people to go solar. Since then I have been marketing and selling solar panels in the east bay area.

I believe I am uniquely qualified to help Davis become an early adopter for innovative technologies and ideas and look forward to having Davis be a worldwide leader in environmental efforts. “Failure is Overrated” is my favorite quote and is the biggest reason why I started my own company at the age of 20 and am currently running for Davis City Council. The city of Davis needs people who are willing to take risks and adapt to failure if we are to truly to achieve our waste reduction, water conservation and carbon footprint goals. I would be honored to have the Sierra Club endorsement, thank you!

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Rochelle Swanson

I have been an advocate for good environmental policy and my voting record has been solid while I have been on the City Council. I believe you should endorse my re-election because I will continue to support environmental policies that will have the greatest reach and greatest change for support, acceptance and implementation. Simply advocating strong measures without balance risks lost votes and delays in meaningful improvement to our local and regional environment.

I grew up in Southern Oregon where all the vacations and summers were spent in the mountains or at the beach. While a child in grade school I helped my family harvest pine cones for seeds to supply teams for reforestation every summer holiday. Our garage was always full of recycle cans and bottles from our own use and from weekend excursions cleaning up bike path and road sides where people had thrown them out the window. I didn’t grow up with the term “environmentalist.” Biking, walking and riding the bus were just part of getting around. Using a backpack for groceries instead of a bag for a small trip was commonplace. What I see deemed today as being an environmentalist today was just normal, responsible behavior.

I’ve been using reusable bags long before it was vogue and have planned vehicle trips to hit as many errands as possible in one outing, rather than a few short trips. I proactively choose contracts and jobs where I telecommute more than commute in a car. I believe people taking small steps are just as important as those that are able to make big changes in policy and end up in careers that move mountains. It takes everyone doing their part.

When I was elected, all commission and council members – except Stephen Souza – used binders where all materials were printed and DELIVERED to each person’s home. Without belaboring the details, I am happy to report printing and use of binders is on an opt-in only basis. All Council members and most commissioners now use electronic devices. Council gets their materials via “Dropbox”. It didn’t happen overnight, but my persistence eventually won out. Council snacks and community receptions were made up of candies, cookies and sugar laden drinks. Now you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, water and juices. Humans and their health is also part of environmental stewardship.

So while I may not have walls or binders filled with awards and certificates in Environmental advocacy because my social justice and advocacy has been geared to child protection, victim advocacy and family support measures, my record as an elected supports the ideals and goals of the Sierra Club and everyday environmentalists who want to pass along a greener, healthier planet to future generations.

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