Your contribution matters. He met his Peruvian wife, Fabiola Puerta, in Brazil. Martha Barragan, 44, has lived in East Palo Alto since about age 1. Veenker acknowledged the need for future funding and says she may look to outside help. Local law enforcement owns millions of dollars in 'military equipment.' I am a product of the California Department of Education public school system," she said.Gail Wilkerson, 60, has been a lifelong resident of East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park. Generalities replaced specific knowledge by just saying "yes" to stuff - greater housing density (easy to say given state law requires 6,000 more units in town), office caps, etc. We need to be at more tables. Voter Registration Deadline: 15 days before Election DayUse theCalifornia Online Voter Registration Systemto register to vote! The City Council will adopt a resolution to certify the results on December . Even smaller office space in Midtown and similar commercial areas seem to be in abundance. Uploaded: Fri, Sep 30, 2022, 7:09 am Thats diversity of gender, which would really help in police, as well as diversity of ethnicity.. Lauing said he also wants to see an increase in the diversity of police officers to create a more effective police force. Council member Alison Cormack is completing her first term and has opted not to run for a second. Dec 11, 2022. What has been done well? We didn't have a Boys and Girls Club, YMCA or even a performing arts center. They will also elect their representative of their lone congressional district. Comsa said he wants to use the funds to fill more police department positions. A Gym? It was supposed to be a statement bridge that would make those driving by think Wow, Palo Alto. Don't be snarky or belittling. Lythcott-Haims said she wants to make the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan a higher priority for the council and offer incentives and resources for families to switch away from fossil fuels. His biotechnology career began at Stanford Research Institute, and he currently works as a data scientist for Genentech. However, Lauing said the council should move with caution and give residents and the citys infrastructure time to accommodate the changes. "I would very much like to see each candidate rank Palo Alto's problems and priorities in writing and submit those to the Weekly and Daily Post for publication simultaneously before ballots are mailed." The annual priorities adopted by City Council have been recorded since 2016. Please make sure your comments are truthful, on-topic and do not disrespect another poster. Summa also suggested that the city should build bike crossings at the tracks before grade separation begins. East Palo Alto Mayor Ruben Abrica was elected to another City Council term in the 2022 general election. I believe we should be working on building relationships with our local districts and utility providers and not giving away local control or our rights to govern ourselves to outside interests who don't have to live with the consequences or impact of the decisions they make. Term Expiration. Palo Alto is a small city which takes a long time to get things done. On Saturday, February 5, 2022 the City Council selected . Not everyone, however, was thrilled about the measure. Seven candidates are competing for two spots on the Palo Alto City Council: Alex Comsa, Lisa Forssell, Brian Hamachek, Ed Lauing, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Doria Summa and Vicki Veenker. The city has invested funds and built strong collaborations with the county and health providers to provide accessible and free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations throughout different neighborhoods.Personnel, financial and outreach resources have been provided to assist renters, homeowners, and small businesses during these hard economic times.We have managed police services and public safety in a responsible and community-oriented way rather than a confrontational conflictive approach. She attended Menlo Atherton High School, San Mateo Jr. College and "just about every college on the Peninsula," she said. Only two candidates didn't do what I think of as cheating - giving a false impression of more knowledge than candidates have. Council Chamber (1st Floor) 2415 University Avenue. In order to encourage respectful and thoughtful discussion, commenting on stories is available to East Palo Alto City Council Chamber is ADA compliant. Ruben Abrica, 73, is currently East Palo Alto's mayor and the sole incumbent in the race. EPA has not seen a new market-rate apartment building open in over 20 years. Dinan has lived in Brazil, Mexico and England and speaks Spanish and Portuguese. Lythcott-Haims supports removing or severely reducing the usage of K-9 units in the police department, which she said have a history of violence towards African-Americans. . Hamachek was born and raised in Palo Alto and currently works as a software engineer at HP. If you have any questions please consult the FPPC's campaign disclosure manuals or ask the FPPC for advice. Lauing wants the city to require new buildings to be all-electric, expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and make the electrification process easier for residents. Thank you, Jeff Liu. Their lack of expertise. How lucky we are to have 3 kick-ass woman candidates to vote for! 2022 Palo Alto Online. Each year, the City Council reviews its priorities for the year at its annual Council Retreat. We do need to get things done. I am a product of the California Department of Education public school system," she said. Comsa works is a real estate agent and the founder of the Cosma Group, a real estate agency affiliated with Palo Alto Coldwell Banker. Read the latest progress report on the City's Race & Equity work. My children are older, I have a supportive husband and my family that supports my decision. From talking to the police chief and other people, I think those funds [from Measure K] will be critical for improving our public safety in general, Comsa said. Veenker supports electrification and said she wants residents to move away from gas as quickly as possible. There are private entities that support this and can partner with us, Veenker said. City.Clerk@cityofpaloalto.org. Veenker said the existing office restrictions appear to be working and responded with the aphorism, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Office Hours. He serves on the East Palo Alto Public Works and Transportation Commission. (PDF,298KB). SAPs take a long time to do when done right like SOFA (not like Ventura, so far a failure). I had hoped that this upcoming city council election in Palo Alto would bring out an array of candidates who were, dedicated, knowledgeable individuals with local government experience, people who would serve well for the next four years on the council. He serves on the East Palo Alto Public Works and Transportation Commission.Webster Lincoln, 35, is a third-generation East Palo Alto resident and homeowner and has lived in the community for nearly 30 years. I am tired of attending council meetings and being dismissed by the council, then having them, three or four months down the road, use my ideas/thoughts as their own, never coming up with bringing our city into a better direction? He was born and raised in Mexico, where he attended a vocational night school, and came to California as a teenage immigrant when he was almost 14.A 43- year resident of East Palo Alto, Abrica received his masters degree in education at Stanford University in the Linguistic and Cultural Pluralism Program. Local elections were held on Calamba City on May 9, 2022, within the Philippine general election, for posts of the mayor, vice mayor and twelve councilors. On Oct. 11, the Palo Alto Weekly will host a live public forum on Zoom with the seven candidates running for East Palo Alto City Council. We can't have everything and often spend a small fortune on overly ambitious projects, hiring pricey consultants with no local knowledge and end up worse off than we started. If we were to talk about electrification in general, I would support funds [that] go to improving our electrical grid, Comsa said. Your contribution matters. Hamachek said he would support building a tunnel, an option that the council had previously considered and discarded as too expensive to be feasible. I don't really care what it is called, but pleased now that we have a bridge after over 10 years talking about it. Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more. Phone. on Nov 8, 2022 at 10:52 am Hmmm is a registered user. East Palo Alto City Council candidates talk about the issues facing their city on Oct. 11, 2022. To fund affordable housing options, Veenker wants the city to reach out to other entities, like Santa Clara County or private companies like Meta or Google. TheSixFifty.com One suggestion - next time have all candidates in person to video/zoom to the public, preventing constant reliance on crib sheets and texts to answer most questions. New! Veenker also stressed the importance of both financial and engineering feasibility, noting that it's hard to place trains underground in some areas. By increasing affordable housing, Lauing said that Palo Altos economic and ethnic diversity could increase. Affordable apartments debut at Wilton Court, Stanford board committee hires former federal judge to lead review into president's research. Most Fridays from 10-10:45 a.m. online by appointment. In an . View Map. Forssell said she wants to reopen the program and supports the current councils decision to pilot an on-demand transit service. The City will hold an election for two (2) Council Members to four (4) year terms beginning in December, 2022. Subscribe Express / Weekend Express Where we meet to do business together is where we come together a lot as public, Summa said. Additionally, candidates running for local office are required to file Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests). you need to log in. Palo Alto Online is hosting a virtual forum featuring the seven candidates for East Palo Alto City Council. To fill out the online questionnaire, go to surveymonkey.com/r/Campaign2022. I want [Palo Alto] to have better ties with reasonable transit.. Here's how this year's Palo Alto City Council candidates want to serve you if elected, Get ready for election season through numerous forums with local candidates, council's decision to allow the reconstruction of Castilleja School, Affordable apartments debut at Wilton Court, Stanford board committee hires former federal judge to lead review into president's research. I love the power that local government has to affect change on issues that matter to me, Forssell said. And were going to need to look to all of those resources because its not just that we need to do it we need to do it quickly But [electrification has] just got to be a top priority.. I had thought about running as a board member for the school district, but my plans slightly changed when I became a mom. She has served on the board of directors of WIREforWomen and the advisory board of FundHer and was the president of the board of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Palo Alto Chapter. Office of the City Clerk: City Hall 7th Floor. She also emphasized the importance of addressing issues around race. Home She was appointed to the East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Board and is currently on the Senior Advisory Board. This council will be tasked with producing 6,086 housing units by 2031 per a state mandate, continuing Palo Altos Sustainability and Climate Action Plan and budgeting for essential workers and city infrastructure. He was born and raised in Mexico, where he attended a vocational night school, and came to California as a teenage immigrant when he was almost 14. I truly believe that these [small businesses] need a lot of help, Comsa said. We had a building surge in 2000 when hundreds of housing units of all kinds was built. What it has done right: Our city has respected our traditions, diversity and community values. Register for our next candidate forum featuring the four candidates for the Palo Alto Board of Education on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. Since Palo Altans are environmentally conscious and inclined to work towards and even sacrifice for the good of the environment, I think it's best to focus on the most critical issues that are truly within the council's purview: local health and safety, local housing, local transportation issues (including grade separation). The City Clerk is the Election Official for the City of Palo Alto and administers all municipal elections for the City. And overall along with my colleagues on the council, I have made sure that the city government has healthy financial reserves. [Portion removed.] In catching up on what's happening on election day in East Palo Alto I've seen one candidate calling for Mark Dinan to resign from city commission he's on and concede the election because apparently there are serious allegations of Dinan writing racist comments. The division would be made up of professionals ranging in specifications and would help act as an in-house resource for the city to manage various projects, like large housing developments, according to Comsa. We don't need statement ideas. Summa said she believes that densifying Palo Alto may be necessary to meet the states mandate of 6,086 housing units by 2031, though she has resisted housing developments in the past and spoken out against giving developers less strict zoning requirements. To learn more about Lythcott-Haims, visit her website here. Mobile site. Civic groups plan to host events in preparation for Election Day. Martha Barragan, left, Webster Lincoln took second and third places, respectively in the race for two open seats on the East Palo Alto City Council in the 2022 general election. . The City of East Palo Alto will conduct local elections with the State elections on November 8, 2022. Don't be snarky or belittling. Another issue that I have witnessed is the lack of representation of our city on various boards and commissions at the regional and the state level. The event featured this year's council candidates: Realtor Alex Comsa, Utilities Advisory Commission member Lisa Forssell, software engineer Brian Hamachek, Planning and Transportation Commission Chair Ed Lauing, author and educator Julie Lythcott-Haims, Planning and Transportation Commission Vice Chair Doria Summa and attorney and mediator Vicki Veenker. It would be greatly appreciated if you could report on these issues. She complained that no one spoke of George Floyd/BLM the night our new Police Chief was approved by Council, yet she was there and said nothing about either. I want to revisit our existing policies, especially around multi-family housing. But Lauing and Summa, argued that because independent expenditures can raise unlimited sums on behalf of candidates as long as they are not explicitly tied to the campaigns, overall limits don't make sense at this time. DINAN: Staffing: At one point this year we had many open positions at the leadership level on city staff: city manager, police chief, public works director, city clerk, city attorney and many other staff-level open positions. "To promote more community amenities, every candidate said they would support building a city gym, a project that the council began discussing this year, and renovating Cubberley Community Center, an endeavor that city officials have been debating for decades with little to show for it. While Comsa said he would support allowing more smaller offices, which can serve as incubators, the rest of the field indicated that they are happy with the status quo, which includes an annual 50,000-square-foot limit on new office development in downtown, California Avenue and El Camino Real.And while other cities such as Mountain View and Redwood City have relied on specific plans with commercial components to produce housing, the candidates in Palo Alto firmly rejected that approach and generally agreed that any move that would worsen the city's jobs-housing imbalance would be a step in the wrong direction.Lauing called the approach "a disaster" and said it further skews the imbalance between jobs and housing and leads to more traffic and congestion. Candidates also had different positions on campaign finance reform. Read the latest progress report on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. Requests for disability-related modifications or accommodations, aids or services may be made by a person with a disability to the City Clerk's office no less . Q: Greatest concerns about the city? Typically, priorities have a three-year time limit, although some may continue beyond that time period. She is in favor of higher-density developments for housing and the creation of market rate and affordable housing. She has also served on a wide variety of local committees, boards and associations in the past, including the College Terraces Traffic Calming committee, Residential Parking Permit committee and Palo Altos North Ventura Area planning committee. Local law enforcement owns millions of dollars in 'military equipment.' We didn't have a Boys and Girls Club, YMCA or even a performing arts center. All postings are subject to our TERMS OF USE, PUBLISHED: August 5, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. | UPDATED: August 9, 2022 at 1:27 p.m. PALO ALTO So far seven candidates have filed to run for three open city council seats in the November election . Lauing said he supports the prioritization of funding for essential workers like police officers and firefighters and said he disagrees with previous budget cuts during the pandemic. Time to read: about 10 minutes. Home & Real Estate Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more. She said she wants to prioritize affordable housing and is a proponent of denser developments closer to downtown and higher transit areas. There are currently many vacancies in senior level positions including but not limited to the city manager, attorney, clerk, police chief and the public works director. "I welcome that and I welcome the new community members that we'll all benefit from when they live here. The City Clerk's Office also assists with ballot initiatives, referendums and measures. People need people.WILKERSON: It was time. What has been done well? A high-achieving real estate professional, a small business owner, and a resident of Palo Alto since 2010, he has a wealth of local knowledge to benefit our community. Before placing any signs or sign structures within view of a county or state highway, a statement by a responsible party with a notarized signature must be filed with the Chief of the Highway Outdoor Advertising Program, State Department of Transportation, P.O. We have staffing issues that may be hindering the effectiveness of programming as well as other things. A Council priority is defined as a topic that will receive significant attention during the year. I think our downtown areas are priceless places for us to meet and be together as a people.. This housing development at 2755 El Camino Real in Palo Alto is designated as workforce housing. The City Clerk's Office also assists with ballot initiatives, referendums and measures. Im all about finding a path to yes to get really great sustainable development with different sizes of housing., She said she also wants to create green space, parks and pedestrian and bicycle paths alongside housing so that the city keeps the characteristics that make it a wonderful place to live.. A partial underpass option at Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto would allow cars to make limited turns onto Alma Street. Overkill on improper housing and contributing to traffic. Lauing disagreed and said the city needs to pick an option that makes "fiscal sense." The council hopefuls include the incumbent mayor; a minister and coach; a former teacher; two self-employed business owners; a data scientist; and a candidate who described herself as a product of the public school system.In this forum preview, the candidates touch on the reasons they hope to win a majority of votes. He co-founded and is the former CEO of Nearby, a social networking platform that became popular in India. Don't miss out on the discussion! Everyone agreed that the city should move ahead with a registry program that would collect information about vacancy rates and rent increases, information that would be used to evaluate new policies. Veenker also stressed the importance of both financial and engineering feasibility, noting that it's hard to place trains underground in some areas. She has worked for H&R Block and Intuit, she said.Wilkerson has a bachelor of science degree in paralegal studies from Purdue University. The seven candidates vying for three seats on the Palo Alto City Council all want to see the city build a gym, renovate Cubberley Community Center, adopt a business tax and build housing at a higher density.But they have different takes when it comes to campaign finance reform, rent stabilization and the complex question of what to do about the city's rail crossings.These similarities and differences were highlighted during a Tuesday candidate forum, which was hosted by the Palo Alto Weekly and co-sponsored by the Palo Alto Chinese Parents Club and Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Saying no to market-rate housing only leads to the displacement of residents living in existing housing stock. I believe the city council will benefit from my land use expertise, from my balanced approach to housing and common sense, Comsa said. Mountain View Voice As part of the 2022 priorities setting, which took place February 5, 2022, City Council adopted Economic Recovery and Transition and Community Health and Safety, which closely align with this original 2021 priority. 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I had thought about running as a board member for the school district, but my plans slightly changed when I became a mom. Political signs may be erected in conformity withSection 16.20 in the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC). Like Lauing, Summa supports the prioritization of affordable housing and was in favor of the Wilton Court development in January 2019. In an effort to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council voted to close California Ave. to cars until December 2023. Home His grandparents moved to East Palo Alto in the 1960s, but he comes from a military family and they moved frequently when he was a child. A line drawing of the Internet Archive headquarters building faade. East Palo Alto City Council Candidates Forum - Zoom Invitation. Everyone agreed that the city should move ahead with a registry program that would collect information about vacancy rates and rent increases, information that would be used to evaluate new policies. Does anyone have any firm ideas of where these new residents for new housing will materialize? Wielding a treasure trove of business intel and charm, Alex Comsa is a breath of fresh air in the Palo Alto locale. Measure K, a business tax to be voted on by residents, is projected to raise $9.6 million for affordable housing, rail improvements and public safety. He works as a technical recruiter and has his own business, Dinan & Associates. The Almanac To achieve that, Lauing said he believes that the council might need to pursue public-private partnerships. Mayor Adrian Fine also relatively new to the political scene is not seeking a second term. We have staffing issues that may be hindering the effectiveness of programming as well as other things. Were at the heart of Silicon Valley and it just makes sense for us to be at the forefront of these kinds of technologies, Hamachek said. But Lauing and Summa, argued that because independent expenditures can raise unlimited sums on behalf of candidates as long as they are not explicitly tied to the campaigns, overall limits don't make sense at this time. Campaign finance was asked about, with candidates Forssell, Lythcott-Haims and Veenker all supporting campaign finance caps including Independent Expenditure Committees (IEs), yet none mentioned they had just benefited from ads run the week before in a local paper paid by for an IE. OFJCC Campus in Palo Alto, CA. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. Lythcott-Haims suggested opening a gym at Cubberley, an idea that others also embraced. AUSTIN: My greatest concern for our city at this moment would be to re-engage our city staff and get back to work. Lauing has served as the chair of the planning and parks and recreation commissions and co-chair of the Housing Element Working Group. She was raised in the church and attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Signed and completed forms must be returned in person or by mail, they cannot be faxed or e-mailed. "There's historic state and federal dollars available if we do it quickly," she said.Lythcott-Haims said she favored either the viaduct or a tunnel along the corridor, while Summa and Comsa both said they would support an underpass for the Meadow and Charleston crossings.Summa also suggested that the city should build bike crossings at the tracks before grade separation begins. No sign shall be placed on any public property, including but not limited to any city building, sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, railroad trestle, wire pole, street sign, or traffic sign. A San Jose State University graduate, he studied psychology, chemistry and biological science in graduate school and also took advanced coursework at Harvard Medical School. . Hamachek said he wants to limit dense developments in single-family neighborhoods and he would defer to local residents on issues regarding housing and the creation of new neighborhoods. "I am close to my family, church family and community. The FPPC has manuals that walk you through the process. Lythcott-Haims is also in favor of streamlining development in North and South Palo Alto and increasing support, either through incentives or more streamlined processes, for accessory dwelling units. Cubberley Community Center spans 35 acres, 8 of which are owned by the city of Palo Alto and 27 of which are owned by the Palo Alto Unified School District. Sunday, December 11, 2022: Night work is scheduled from 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 11 through 4:00 a.m. on Monday, December 12 as part of the Caltrain . He studied business administration and social justice.He is a Christian and has been a member of St. Mark AME Zion church for the last six years. East Palo Alto breaks ground on University Avenue pedestrian overcrossing, Martha Barragan edges out Webster Lincoln in East Palo Alto City Council race. Lythcott-Haims said she favored either the viaduct or a tunnel along the corridor, while Summa and Comsa both said they would support an underpass for the Meadow and Charleston crossings. See our announcement about requiring registration for commenting. He has five daughters, two sons and two granddaughters.Martha Barragan, 44, has lived in East Palo Alto since about age 1. "Since we can't cap on independent expenditures and in-kind contributions, it's sort of meaningless. (PDF,2MB). She is currently a human interface design producer at Apple and has worked in technical and supervisory roles in the software industry for 20 years. Over the past year, they have either left, been forced to leave or have been paid to quit and the council hasn't been transparent about the abrupt departures. Sports I appreciate the COVID-19 and mental health services. "It's a place where we can come together and enjoy each other," Veenker said. To learn more about Veenker, visit her website here. Being a council member is the highest elected position a resident can hold in this city. I am running to continue my involvement in making sure that strong community benefits and jobs for local residents accompany any economic development that takes place and that people have strong protections against displacement.AUSTIN: I have been prompted to run for city council by various members of our community. The survey is also helpful. Too often the people who are trying to move in are of color, or theyre low income, or theyre in some other category that isnt considered traditional Palo Alto, Lythcott-Haims said. "But when it comes to building this new kind of high-rise senior housing, these people deserve the same type of things that make Palo Alto livable and great for everyone else. those who are registered users. I want people to be their best. Uploaded: Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 9:40 am The council hopefuls include the incumbent mayor; a minister and coach; a former teacher; two self-employed business owners; a data scientist; and a candidate who described herself as a product of the public school system. Forssell supports the citys move to make the citys electric utilities carbon-neutral and said she will continue to push for environmental sustainability by electrifying buildings in Palo Alto. She has also expressed interest in increasing green transportation options, such as electric school buses. Council Winter Closure is from Wednesday December 21, 2022 through Sunday, January 8, 2023. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. The candidates had similar views on many of the issues, which he . The County declared Lisa Gauthier, Carlos Romero, and Antonio Lopez the winners. East Palo Alto breaks ground on University Avenue pedestrian overcrossing, Martha Barragan edges out Webster Lincoln in East Palo Alto City Council race, "There's a lot of different types of neighborhoods in Palo Alto; everyone is free to live where they want," Summa said. Ive worked for over 15 years on city committees and commissions and whatnot, Summa said. "Growing up in the countryside no one in my family had the opportunity to attend school beyond first and second grade, so I have always valued and continue to advocate for education for all, children, youth and adults," he said.Jeffrey Austin, 61, has lived in East Palo Alto since 1960, the year he was born. Having worked with the Senior Advisory Committee for the past six years, I felt it was a natural progression to go to the next level of service within our city. Not everyone, however, was thrilled about the measure. Q Smith, who declined to state her age, has been a life-long East Palo Alto resident, she said. I feel that this is a good moment for me to step up and contribute more to the community because I have the comfort of having more support.DINAN: East Palo Alto deserves so much better: safe streets, well run parks, competent and responsive city staff, police that enforce basic traffic laws, and a city that encourages the building of housing. Im running for city council because as a Palo Alto resident for over 20 years, I have come to appreciate that while I am a homeowner, many cannot afford to live in our city, Lythcott-Haims said. Forssell wants to streamline the house-building process by reimagining the citys current multi-family and affordable housing policies. Sign up for our. I think its absurd, frankly, having grown up not here, that school children are driven to school and back by their parents and that you have hundreds of cars every day taking kids to our elementary, middle, and high schools, Lythcott-Haims said in an interview with the Palo Alto Daily Post. Same with my observation about Quen Smiths platform. Im gonna put the time into [city council] to get it done.. "I think that could have a pretty chilling effect and we should be really careful before we go to that extreme," Hamacheck said. Veenker has worked as a patent lawyer and is currently the head of her own law practice. There are currently many vacancies in senior level positions including but not limited to the city manager, attorney, clerk, police chief and the public works director. She was raised in the church and attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church. He serves on the East Palo Alto Sanitary District Rate Advisory Committee and contributes to and supports local nonprofit organizations. The seven candidates for Palo Alto City Council speak about their platforms and positions at a debate sponsored by the Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Chinese Parents Club and Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 13, 2022. Help sustain the local news you depend on. Affordable housing of course is a major issue for all of us that reside in the Bay Area, and East Palo Alto is not any different on this one for sure. All the others will bring more problems to the residents. We have had and seemingly will have a council with grandiose ideas if any of the candidates replies are anything to go by. Our police force has inadequate levels of staffing and only 17 of 34 budgeted positions were filled at last check.Housing: East Palo Alto has not built nearly enough housing in the last decade and displacement is happening at a rapid pace. "I think we should switch to a more proactive approach and targeted opportunities to create housing and preserve habitat in Palo Alto instead of focusing on small, infill projects," Comsa said.Hamachek, who said his decision to join the race was prompted by his opposition to the council's decision to allow the reconstruction of Castilleja School, was more cautious and said that while he supports higher density in some cases, in many areas it would undermine the character of the neighborhood. She was sentenced to 27 months incarceration. To learn more about Lauing, visit his website here. Dinan has also used hyperbole when discussing other issues, which other residents have called out. "I think we really need to make specific area plans for new areas under consideration for development, spell out that we want trees and green space and walkable and bikeable and safe (streets) and the trade-off will be a little bit of density," Forssell said. Jeffrey Austin, 61, has lived in East Palo Alto since 1960, the year he was born. Wilkerson has a bachelor of science degree in paralegal studies from Purdue University. The candidates were far more bullish when it came to residential growth, with everyone vowing to support more housing. Possibly also Alex Comsa. Ditto the fiber project. Email Tom.DuBois@CityofPaloAlto.org; tomforcouncil@gmail.com. The City of Palo Alto contracts with the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters to facilitate the election voting, but reserves the right to qualify all candidates for office. We had to do our grocery shopping in other cities. The 2022 East Palo Alto City Council candidates are, top row from left to right, Ruben Abrica, Jeffrey Austin, Martha Barragan, Mark Dinan and, bottom row, left to right, Webster Lincoln, Q Smith and Gail Wilkerson. Council Agendas and Minutes (2021 - 2022) Pursuant to the provisions of the AB-361, Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as "hybrid" meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person.To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. She has worked for H&R Block and Intuit, she said. We have managed police services and public safety in a responsible and community-oriented way rather than a confrontational conflictive approach. While others spoke of gas blowers and such she gave a passionate response (that had us in tears) about being a Gunn parent and about the need for mental health services and a sense of belonging and unconditional love for our youth. Climate change can be promoted by others. Under California law she remains eligible to run for public office. Please contact the City's Code Enforcement Division throughPaloAlto311or the City Clerk's Office at City.Clerk@cityofpaloalto.orgto report non-compliant signs. Visitor Info, Send News Tips Our police force has inadequate levels of staffing and only 17 of 34 budgeted positions were filled at last check. The City Clerk's Office assists candidates in meeting their legal responsibilities from election pre-planning to certification of election results and filing of all campaign disclosure documents. But while Veenker said she believes the city should consider rent stabilization to prevent steep rent increases, Hamachek indicated that he would oppose this step. 250 Hamilton Avenue. Lauing likened the proposed tax to "a cup half full.". I believe that even though it's a small city we deserve to have the same amenities as any other city.DINAN: Staffing: At one point this year we had many open positions at the leadership level on city staff: city manager, police chief, public works director, city clerk, city attorney and many other staff-level open positions. I am tired of attending council meetings and being dismissed by the council, then having them, three or four months down the road, use my ideas/thoughts as their own, never coming up with bringing our city into a better direction? The City Council priority (from 2021) is a focus on affordable and workforce housing, funding, and achievable plans. "When asked about ways to balance preservation of neighborhood character with the imperative to build housing, candidates generally agreed that it would be important to include gathering spaces and community amenities for new residential developments. I strongly believe that family is one of the most important and valuable things in this life.I was asked by a few community members if I wanted to run for city council. A work plan on this priority will be considered in the coming months. Summa said she supports Palo Altos electrification and climate goals but has voiced concern about moving too fast. Rendering courtesy Aecom. PR MediaRelease Photo by Magali Gauthier. We have suffered long enough with bad service and it is time that should change. The city has gone after grants, which resulted in rebuilding Bay Road, building a bike bridge over 101, and other infrastructure improvements.LINCOLN: It seems like the council has become more aligned with the developers rather than our residents. So as we densify and grow, I think we have to keep in mind how we can do that best and still provide the things that make Palo Alto seem like Palo Alto: education, parks, open space.. The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on all communities. Lauing disagreed and said the city needs to pick an option that makes "fiscal sense." The City will hold an election for two (2) Council Members to four (4) year terms beginning in December, 2022. Photos by Magali Gauthier. People need people. In addition to that, she said she believes other funding methods or budgeting may be needed to support the department fully. Q&A: Julie Lythcott-Haims '89 runs on platform of affordable housing for Palo Alto City Council. Summa said she wants the council to plan developments thoroughly so that the new units are fully integrated into Palo Alto. Thank you to the community members that shared their feedback on 2022 Council priorities by emailing the Council, sharing thoughts at the retreat, and/or filling out the online survey. Compared to when I was being brought up here, we hardly had any retail stores nearby. If you are already a registered user and the commenting form is not below, The exemptions for small businesses shifted his view.The tax is projected to raise about $9 million annually, with proceeds split between affordable housing, public safety and improvements to the rail corridor. I do not see our current leadership adequately responding to meet the challenges of a changing world.LINCOLN: I want to see our community continue to thrive and grow.SMITH: My compassion and love for people. She credits her parents and their church with modeling service to the community through the volunteer work they did in the children's ministry. Several SAPs would be needed for El Camino, San Antonio areas, delaying housing by years - a no-starter. I want to see [the crosstown] shuttle come back, Id love to partner with Stanford so that we can all get around our city.. I do not see our current leadership adequately responding to meet the challenges of a changing world. Nov. 3, 2022 . Friday, December 9, 2022: Day work is scheduled as part of the Caltrain Electrification Project. She was born in Fresno and briefly lived in San Jose and Redwood City before her family settled in East Palo Alto. Summa currently serves as the vice chair of Palo Altos Planning Commission and the president of the College Terrace Residents association. Privacy Policy She owned and operated a real estate brokerage in East Palo Alto and tax-preparation service. Posted by Mark Dinan a resident of East Palo Alto on Nov 6, 2022 at 2:23 pm Mark Dinan is a registered user. East Palo Alto breaks ground on University Avenue pedestrian overcrossing, Martha Barragan edges out Webster Lincoln in East Palo Alto City Council race. Print Edition/Archives The City of Palo Alto uses the online systemNetFilefor entering and disclosing candidate's statements. Comsa and Forssell each said they would support lowering overall expenditures by candidates, an approach that Mountain View employs. Their lack of expertise. Its revealing that some candidates are so critical and leave out accurate context. Lythcott-Haims voiced support for a five-story housing development that would provide 20 housing units next to the Town & Country shopping center. The Cubberley conundrum, as important as it is, should not be prioritized over allocating funds to improve health and safety. Can we please get a council that stops thinking we need statement appeal or need to be leaders on an issue and instead get a council that will approve things in a timely manner. The City Clerks Office assists candidates in meeting their legal responsibilities from election pre-planning to certification of election results and filing of all campaign disclosure documents. But they have different takes when it comes to campaign finance reform, rent stabilization and the complex question of what to do about the city's rail crossings. Hamachek, who said his decision to join the race was prompted by his opposition to the council's decision to allow the reconstruction of Castilleja School, was more cautious and said that while he supports higher density in some cases, in many areas it would undermine the character of the neighborhood. PR MediaRelease He graduated from Marquette University in 1995 with a degree in history. Lythcott-Haims said she would have liked to see large companies pay more, while Hamachek said he was initially leaning against it because of its potential impact on small businesses. I feel that this is a good moment for me to step up and contribute more to the community because I have the comfort of having more support. To learn more about Comsa, visit his website here. "There's historic state and federal dollars available if we do it quickly," she said. He studied business administration and social justice. Lauing called the approach "a disaster" and said it further skews the imbalance between jobs and housing and leads to more traffic and congestion. those who are registered users. Unsafe and unlawful signsmay be removed by the Building Division or the Police Department. I would be interested in helping them when it comes to getting permits a bit more faster, [there is] really a high barrier to even opening something in downtown.. Mountain View Voice A great accomplishment has been to assemble all the finances to now begin construction of a second pedestrian/bicycle bridge on University Avenue in late fall. I believe we should be working on building relationships with our local districts and utility providers and not giving away local control or our rights to govern ourselves to outside interests who don't have to live with the consequences or impact of the decisions they make.I'm also concerned about the ability of the existing council to effectively govern our city. While just about everyone supported lowering the cap for individual contributions, they had different takes on an overall spending limit for candidates. This specific priority includes looking at a cohesive vision for our commercial cores. We need housing options of all kinds for all generations, Forssell said. The city has gone after grants, which resulted in rebuilding Bay Road, building a bike bridge over 101, and other infrastructure improvements. Were lucky to live in an age of really great innovation in transportation, Forssell said. Lythcott-Haims suggested opening a gym at Cubberley, an idea that others also embraced. I want more hours, and I want coordinated hours, it may take a while [and] we may have to be a little patient until we get back to pre-pandemic seven days a week.. Compared to when I was being brought up here, we hardly had any retail stores nearby. I was born and raised in Palo Alto, Ive lived here almost my entire life, and I think that that gives me a certain perspective that is pretty unique and valuable to the city council, Hamachek said. Thank you Weekly for this debate that confirmed my votes for Julie Lythcott-Haims and Lisa Forssell! The candidates are running for the three open seats on the seven-member council. Work plan adaptation to these priorities will be considered in the coming months. I would also. I do agree that people like teachers and various support staff for Stanford and service industries will want to live nearer to their work places, I am not so sure we are going to need lots of housing for high tech singles or even couples who might be working here. Don't miss out on the discussion! Infrastructure: East Palo Alto Sanitary District is massively overcharging all development projects, and I agree with the LAFCO report: The city of East Palo Alto should absorb the Sanitary District and provide competent and fair service to the city. The seven candidates vying for three seats on the City Council offered different takes on grade separation, campaign finance reform and renter protection at a Tuesday forum hosted by the Palo Alto . Local law enforcement owns millions of dollars in 'military equipment.' Council member Alison Cormack is completing her first term and has opted not to run for a second. Thursday, September 29, 2022 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Who are the candidates?Ruben Abrica, 73, is currently East Palo Alto's mayor and the sole incumbent in the race. It is located near public transit lines and includes micro apartments and fewer than normal parking spaces. Veenker said she wants to make Palo Alto an inclusive city and has conducted community outreach at her church to help support the unhoused. A new state bill seeks to regulate all of that. I want law enforcement colleagues to be able to speak frankly about the issues we face because if you cant speak frankly, if you cant talk about them, you cant face them, Lythcott-Haims said. Palo Alto Neighbors Association host a City Council Candidate Forum for the November 2022 General Election. My heart is to serve the people. Greatest concerns about the city? But while Veenker said she believes the city should consider rent stabilization to prevent steep rent increases, Hamachek indicated that he would oppose this step. Community Calendar In a post about the city's stray animal population and the need for more animal services, he claimed there were 50,000 cats and 10,000 dogs in East . Why would you cut the staff in police and fire who are the people that take care of you [and] keep you safe? Lauing said. "I think that could have a pretty chilling effect and we should be really careful before we go to that extreme," Hamacheck said.Candidates also had different positions on campaign finance reform. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. More than one of these problems is fat and thorny, making it impossible to choose which one is the most serious and thus worthy of the most CC and Staff time and attention. A new state bill seeks to regulate all of that. While the council's recent efforts to add housing have largely focused on south Palo Alto, both Forssell and Lythcott-Haims made the case for a more balanced approach that would spread new residential developments across the city. The only one who deserves a vote is Brian Hamachek. I've lived here all my life, and I was just too young and inexperienced prior in handling the other original (founders) fantastic, strong personalities. 2022 Palo Alto Online. The event will take place at 7 p.m. and will explore the candidates' positions on topics, including affordable housing, development, infrastructure, policing and other issues that are important to the community. He attended the Ravenswood City School District as a child, going to Ravenswood High School the last two years of its existence. The council approved a safe parking program allowing people to park their cars and spend the night in First Congregational Churchs parking lot a controversial decision amongst residents. So I decided to come forward and to use my own correct thoughts and experience/expertise and give the citizens of East Palo Alto the proper education of my expertise. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. I'm also concerned about the ability of the existing council to effectively govern our city. Gentrifiers noticing this and are further making confusion. Palo Alto, CA 94301 Read the latest progress report on the Community and Economic Recovery plan. As part of the 2022 priorities setting, City Council adopted four revised priorities, two of which are Economic Recovery and Transition and Community Health and Safety, which closely align with this original 2021 Community and Economic Recovery priority. One councilperson used remarks from my "candidate statement" in the last council meeting. ABRICA: I am a little concerned about tapping too much into reserves but also confident that the next few years of balanced economic development will provide a stronger long-term financial stability to improve services for the community and needed infrastructure. Outlook (iCal) Google. Email. "I think we really need to make specific area plans for new areas under consideration for development, spell out that we want trees and green space and walkable and bikeable and safe (streets) and the trade-off will be a little bit of density," Forssell said. Summa said that she wants to use the projected money from Measure K to increase police staffing. The city has invested funds and built strong collaborations with the county and health providers to provide accessible and free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations throughout different neighborhoods. On Saturday, February 5, 2022 the City Council selected the following priorities: Economic Recovery and Transition, Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation, Housing for Social and Economic Balance, and Community Health and Safety. Hamachek said he supports increased police transparency, for example, through radio decryption. All candidates for state and local office and any committee formed to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure are required to file campaign disclosure statements. I love hard and serve people in my life. This is a useful overview with some important specifics. It is important that voters know the facts. I believe I have a good set of skills to apply to the problems that the city faces today.. The City of East Palo Alto will conduct local elections with the State elections on November 8, 2022. "Growing up in the countryside no one in my family had the opportunity to attend school beyond first and second grade, so I have always valued and continue to advocate for education for all, children, youth and adults," he said. EPA has not seen a new market-rate apartment building open in over 20 years. The seven candidates vying for three seats on the Palo Alto City Council all want to see the city build a gym, renovate Cubberley Community Center, adopt a business tax and build housing at a higher density. I think we should evaluate doing similar things in downtown Palo Alto, Hamachek said. We have to plan that out to a reasonable timeframe and not have that be a threat angled ahead of our citizens.. All rights reserved. WILKERSON: The continuing (incompetent) direction of the (seasoned) council people and their "stagnant" behaviors. "I think we got something to work with here, though $3 million a year doesn't put up too much affordable housing," Lauing said. To learn more about Summa, visit her website here. The event will take place at 7 p.m. and will explore the candidates' positions on topics, including affordable housing, development, infrastructure, policing and other issues that are important to the community. SMITH: Gentrification, preservation, obtainable affordable housing, producing livable-wage jobs and careers in our community for our residents; also safety, equity, diversity, inclusion. ^LWV of Palo Alto^, (Sept 29): ^Palo Alto City Council Candidate Forum for the November 8, 2022 General Election^ - (video w/ no transcript) (1:40:50) - 2022-10-01. 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