7 The Post spoke with all seven candidates about their experience and policy positions, focusing on housing, environmental sustainability, city services and community inclusivity. "There's a lot of different types of neighborhoods in Palo Alto; everyone is free to live where they want," Summa said. That's what we need so people can walk to the doctor, to the dentist, to their accountants, etc.," Summa said. View Map. 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. Contact Us At the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting, City Council approved the Resolution 10015 to adopt the 2022 Council Summer Break and Winter Closure dates: Council Summer Break is from Wednesday, June 22, 2022 through Sunday, July 31, 2022. The exemptions for small businesses shifted his view. Become a member today. Paper registration forms are available at the County Registrar of Voters Office, U.S. Post Offices, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and public libraries. See our announcement about requiring registration for commenting. Express / Weekend Express News Humans need shelter, and we dont have enough of it in Palo Alto.. Our city has survived and continues to show her resilience in the face of adversities such as high turnover rates for our city employees as well as our police department. "I'm not in favor of building any more office that is not neighborhood-serving, local, small offices. Why was my question about candidate Barragans current profession removed? I have been the recipient of that kind of cruelty, and I will not stand for that happening to other people.. Council member Alison Cormack is completing her first term and has opted not to run for a second. Obituaries The City Clerk's Office also assists with ballot initiatives, referendums and measures. Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. Circulation & Delivery, About Us SMITH: Gentrification, preservation, obtainable affordable housing, producing livable-wage jobs and careers in our community for our residents; also safety, equity, diversity, inclusion. She has also expressed interest in increasing green transportation options, such as electric school buses. Political signs do not require a permit but there are some regulations to follow. On Saturday, February 5, 2022 the City Council selected . In an . She owned and operated a real estate brokerage in East Palo Alto and tax-preparation service. Lythcott-Haims suggested opening a gym at Cubberley, an idea that others also embraced. 2022; Three City Council . "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. Greatest concerns about the city? There appears to be huge amounts of empty office space with for lease signs and empty parking lots all over town. Typically, priorities have a three-year time limit, although some may continue beyond that time period. Comsa said he wants to use the funds to fill more police department positions. Stalling and kicking the cans down the road. 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. Dinan has lived in Brazil, Mexico and England and speaks Spanish and Portuguese. I appreciate the COVID-19 and mental health services. Redwood City Pulse 2022 Palo Alto Online. She said she wants to prioritize affordable housing and is a proponent of denser developments closer to downtown and higher transit areas. and may be deleted if deemed inappropriate by our staff. Become a member today. She was appointed to the East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Board and is currently on the Senior Advisory Board. I know firsthand that there are a lot of really great people in our city, and they show their greatness when the times get tough. As a proponent for revitalizing Palo Altos libraries, Veenker said she hopes increased library hours and funding would help reunite residents after isolation during the pandemic. 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. Im gonna put the time into [city council] to get it done.. those who are registered users. Like Lauing, Summa supports the prioritization of affordable housing and was in favor of the Wilton Court development in January 2019. Embarcadero Media ""I think we got something to work with here, though $3 million a year doesn't put up too much affordable housing," Lauing said.While the candidates were in accord on the need to speed up planning on grade separation, the redesign of the rail corridor so roads are split from tracks, they offered different views about what that would entail. She was sentenced to 27 months incarceration. Work plan adaptation to these priorities will be considered in the coming months. "I think that could have a pretty chilling effect and we should be really careful before we go to that extreme," Hamacheck said. We have staffing issues that may be hindering the effectiveness of programming as well as other things. 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. An incomplete list of problems includes: increased crime, an understaffed PAPD, a lack of affordable housing, the grade separation conundrum, what to do about Cubberley, an unreliable electricity grid, water supply and treatment , youth mental health, and the fiber issue. We had to do our grocery shopping in other cities. [email protected]. Description ; Benefits ; Questions . Thanks Weekly and Candidates for this good Forum. 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. The city has gone after grants, which resulted in rebuilding Bay Road, building a bike bridge over 101, and other infrastructure improvements. Comsa, meanwhile, supported the council's recent decision to explore a "partial underpass" at the Churchill crossing, which he said should be done in conjunction with improvements to Embarcadero Road. Thank you Weekly for this debate that confirmed my votes for Julie Lythcott-Haims and Lisa Forssell! The City will hold an election for two (2) Council Members to four (4) year terms beginning in December, 2022. Not everyone, however, was thrilled about the measure. East Palo Alto City Council Candidates Forum - Zoom Invitation. Signed and completed forms must be returned in person or by mail, they cannot be faxed or e-mailed. Gentrifiers noticing this and are further making confusion. 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.SMITH: Gentrification, preservation, obtainable affordable housing, producing livable-wage jobs and careers in our community for our residents; also safety, equity, diversity, inclusion. Their son, Mateo, 12, attends La Entrada Middle School through the Tinsley Program. Phone. Webster Lincoln, 35, is a third-generation East Palo Alto resident and homeowner and has lived in the community for nearly 30 years. On Tuesday, October 11, the Palo Alto Weekly hosted a live public forum on Zoom with seven candidates running for the two seats on East Palo Alto's City Council. To achieve that, Lauing said he believes that the council might need to pursue public-private partnerships. I strongly believe that family is one of the most important and valuable things in this life. BARRAGAN: I believe that our community is going in the right direction. Lauing said he believes that providing affordable housing is the key to creating more economic and ethnic diversity in Palo Alto. 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. Ive worked for over 15 years on city committees and commissions and whatnot, Summa said. Sports 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 City Council Chamber is ADA compliant. Its relevant. Check back on Monday for part 2 of this Q&A with the East Palo Alto City Council candidates. He met his Peruvian wife, Fabiola Puerta, in Brazil. 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 attended the Ravenswood City School District as a child, going to Ravenswood High School the last two years of its existence. We need efficient service for Palo Alto residents as described above. "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.". For me, this is home.. Palo Alto is a small city which takes a long time to get things done. 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. Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. Don't miss out on the discussion! Potential candidates who are issued nomination papers and qualified . "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. 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. While just about everyone supported lowering the cap for individual contributions, they had different takes on an overall spending limit for candidates. Blogs I know that Menlo Park has had a lot of success with street closures, and by making it a more inviting place, its going to bring more business, more people are going to come out just to be there., To learn more about Hamachek, visit his website here. But if [residents] really want to step up to what I think is a moral imperative of having lower income people in our town, which translates to ethnic and economic diversity, then I appreciate that they have their heart there, not just their pocketbook on the issue.. East Palo Alto breaks ground on University Avenue pedestrian overcrossing, Martha Barragan edges out Webster Lincoln in East Palo Alto City Council race. Our city has survived and continues to show her resilience in the face of adversities such as high turnover rates for our city employees as well as our police department. Summa wants to support helping small businesses in downtown areas through increased parking availability and more thorough city zoning. Summa suggested that "neighborhood character" has less to do with whether a residence is a single-family home or a multifamily complex and more to do with places where residents can meet. "There's historic state and federal dollars available if we do it quickly," she said. She was chosen to be on the East Palo Alto Sanitary District Rate Advisory Committee and is also a Rotarian, she said.Wilkerson, then Gail Dixon, was convicted in 1995 of 14 counts of felony aiding and abetting preparation of false tax returns for overstated itemized deductions for four taxpayers through her tax preparation business. Political signs may be erected in conformity withSection 16.20 in the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC). The complete San Mateo County November 8, 2022 certified results will be available at the County Elections page within the Statement . 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. The 2022 East Palo Alto City Council candidates are, top row from left to right, Ruben Abrica, Jeffrey Austin, Martha . Come out to hear the views and priorities of your 2022 candidates for East Palo Alto City Council. 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. She attended Menlo Atherton High School, San Mateo Jr. College and "just about every college on the Peninsula," she said. It was supposed to be a statement bridge that would make those driving by think Wow, Palo Alto. Passcode: 914233. 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. 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. I'm very pleased to see the progression our city has gone through. We don't need statement ideas. 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.. Virtual event on Oct. 11 will offer perspectives on a range of topics. This housing development at 2755 El Camino Real in Palo Alto is designated as workforce housing. 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. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Veenker said a new gym would be an asset both as a way to promote health and to strengthen the community. A partial underpass option at Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto would allow cars to make limited turns onto Alma Street. A new state bill seeks to regulate all of that. 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. LINCOLN: I want to see our community continue to thrive and grow. The amount of current employee turnover in East Palo Alto would be significantly detrimental to any governing body. East Palo Alto Mayor Ruben Abrica was elected to another City Council term in the 2022 general election. He is a Christian and has been a member of St. Mark AME Zion church for the last six years. Help sustain the local news you depend on. Read the latest progress report on the Community and Economic Recovery plan. See our announcement about requiring registration for commenting. She was sentenced to 27 months incarceration. Decrypting the police radio might seem like a small thing, but its an indication of a broader change [of how the police] are viewing interacting with the public, Hamachek said in a forum hosted by the Palo Alto Daily Post. Summa said she supports Palo Altos electrification and climate goals but has voiced concern about moving too fast. The City of Palo Alto uses the online systemNetFilefor entering and disclosing candidate's statements. Skip to main content. What has been done well? 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.All seven candidates agreed that when it comes to development, Palo Alto should retain strict limits on office development while allowing higher density for housing developments. Two seats are up for grabs: current council member Regina Wallace-Jones is vacating her seat; incumbent Ruben Abrica, whose term expires at the end of this year, is running again. My children are older, I have a supportive husband and my family that supports my decision. The two-hour discussion will be moderated by Olatunde Sobomehin. 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. A new state bill seeks to regulate all of that. I believe the city council will benefit from my land use expertise, from my balanced approach to housing and common sense, Comsa said. Hamachek said he would support building a tunnel, an option that the council had previously considered and discarded as too expensive to be feasible. Channel 29 (local television) at the time listed above. I dont want to just put people in a house, I want people to be part of a community, Summa said. He has five daughters, two sons and two granddaughters. Email [email protected]; [email protected]. Julie Lythcott-Haims graduated from Stanford in the class of 1989. All postings are subject to our TERMS OF USE, 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. 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. 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. News Unless we figure that out, with those huge loopholes it doesn't make sense," Summa said.The candidates all supported the city's proposed business tax, which will appear on the November ballot. She was born in Fresno and briefly lived in San Jose and Redwood City before her family settled in East Palo Alto. If you are already a registered user and the commenting form is not below, Your contribution matters. It is the responsibility of the candidate and/or committee to file the required campaign disclosure statements in a timely manner. Outlook (iCal) Google. "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. Dinan has also used hyperbole when discussing other issues, which other residents have called out. Term Expiration. 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. Promotions The County declared Lisa Gauthier, Carlos Romero, and Antonio Lopez the winners. . 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. Hamachek said he wants to prioritize supporting local businesses, especially after the pandemic. "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. South Palo Alto, none, which is poor in services. He met his Peruvian wife, Fabiola Puerta, in Brazil. Privacy Policy Thursday, September 29, 2022 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Summa suggested that "neighborhood character" has less to do with whether a residence is a single-family home or a multifamily complex and more to do with places where residents can meet. I had thought about running as a board member for the school district, but my plans slightly changed when I became a mom. 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. 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. This specific priority includes looking at a cohesive vision for our commercial cores. 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. Mobile site. Veenker also supports investment into parks and other spaces where residents can meet. Its just a fact that affordable housing projects dont come our way, you know, falling from the blue sky in our laps.. +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) If there is a topic you would like addressed in the next update, please feel free to send an email at [email protected] . Uploaded: Fri, Sep 30, 2022, 7:09 am Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. you need to log in. East Palo Alto breaks ground on University Avenue pedestrian overcrossing, Martha Barragan edges out Webster Lincoln in East Palo Alto City Council race. East Palo Alto, CA 94303. To register for the forum, go to PaloAltoOnline.com/epacc. The San Mateo County Elections Office today certified the East Palo Alto City Council election and Measure V election. 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. Embarcadero Media file photo by Veronica Weber. She was born in Fresno and briefly lived in San Jose and Redwood City before her family settled in East Palo Alto. 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. Comsa, meanwhile, supported the council's recent decision to explore a "partial underpass" at the Churchill crossing, which he said should be done in conjunction with improvements to Embarcadero Road.The candidates are running for the three open seats on the seven-member council. Instead of focusing on improving the basic elements of local government, our city has fallen into disarray as the council members have pursued their own personal agendas. To learn more about Forssell, visit her website here. To learn more about Veenker, visit her website here. 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. 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. Mountain View Voice Does anyone have any firm ideas of where these new residents for new housing will materialize? Investments, interests in real property, and business positions held on the date of filing your declaration of candidacy must be reported. 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. ^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. The City of East Palo Alto will conduct local elections with the State elections on November 8, 2022. And overall along with my colleagues on the council, I have made sure that the city government has healthy financial reserves.The various employee groups and the city have also worked as a team to get through these times and reach collective bargaining agreements. Comsa said he wants to increase the diversity of small businesses and give them increased opportunities to settle in Palo Alto. Palo Alto Neighbors Association host a City Council Candidate Forum for the November 2022 General Election. Veenker supports electrification and said she wants residents to move away from gas as quickly as possible. Instead of focusing on improving the basic elements of local government, our city has fallen into disarray as the council members have pursued their own personal agendas. Also deleted: My comments that a candidate listed their residence in a different city in a recent bio, that another candidates age was inaccurately reported by more than a decade and their listed criminal record incomplete, and that same candidate lost their real estate license due to violations. He is originally from Wisconsin and moved to the Bay Area in 1997. Saying no to market-rate housing only leads to the displacement of residents living in existing housing stock.Enforcement: EPA has not enforced the most basic rules around speeding cars, parking, fireworks, and other public safety measures.Parks: On Labor Day, MLK Park was locked off to the public and completely empty. 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. I want [Palo Alto] to have better ties with reasonable transit.. The City of East Palo Alto will conduct local elections with the State elections on November 8, 2022. In early 2020, the City of Palo Alto launched an update to the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) to develop the strategies needed to meet our goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030 and other community-wide sustainability goals. While in the past Palo Alto has had YIMBY city council members and was even run by a progressive, building-friendly mayor, the 2020 election saw a strong NIMBY shift with the elections of Pat Burt . 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. "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. Forssell has served on the PTA executive boards at Walter Hays, Duveneck, and Greene Elementary Schools and has been on Palo Altos Utilities Advisory Commission for six years. PR MediaRelease PR MediaRelease In order to encourage respectful and thoughtful discussion, commenting on stories is available to Under California law she remains eligible to run for public office.Q: What has prompted you to run for city council?ABRICA: Currently and in the near future East Palo Alto is facing a second major wave of economic development. EligibilityYou can register to vote if you are: Campaign finance is governed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) of the State of California. He is originally from Wisconsin and moved to the Bay Area in 1997. Circulation & Delivery, About Us Uploaded: Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 9:40 am TownSquare In order to encourage respectful and thoughtful discussion, commenting on stories is available to 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. And, [we need] to be brave enough to say, You know what, were going to make some brave and bold decisions, so that [youth] life is one of greater ease and greater joy, because thats what childhood is supposed to be.. The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on all communities. All rights reserved. We have to [electrify] in a manner that we are sure our local infrastructure and state infrastructure can handle [electrification], Summa said. Obituaries Several SAPs would be needed for El Camino, San Antonio areas, delaying housing by years - a no-starter. Personnel, financial and outreach resources have been provided to assist renters, homeowners, and small businesses during these hard economic times. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. As a planning commissioner, Lauing supported the development of Wilton Court, a 59-unit complex for low-income residents and residents with disabilities. Palo Alto, CA 94301. Forssell wants to streamline the house-building process by reimagining the citys current multi-family and affordable housing policies. We have staffing issues that may be hindering the effectiveness of programming as well as other things. She is in favor of creating deeper ties between the Palo Alto Unified School District and the council and has expressed interest in the creation of a youth mental health task force, a group of elected youth who would work to address the youth mental health crisis. 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. Hamachek said he would support building a tunnel, an option that the council had previously considered and discarded as too expensive to be feasible. Palo Alto, CA 94301 So, we have to really look to budgeting and how were going to spend our money and where our priorities are.. My heart is to serve the people. Community Calendar The City Clerk is the Election Official for the City of Palo Alto and administers all municipal elections for the City. (650) 329-2571. Before his real estate career, Alex spent a decade or so . What's been done well? Find election results from the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters here. 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 . 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 . Q: What has prompted you to run for city council? 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. We had a building surge in 2000 when hundreds of housing units of all kinds was built. 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. Nov. 2022 Palo Alto City Council Candidate Forum. Redwood City Pulse, 2022 Palo Alto Online Get the latest local news and information sent straight to your inbox. I do not see our current leadership adequately responding to meet the challenges of a changing world. I was asked by a few community members if I wanted to run for city council. To learn more about Comsa, visit his website here. Comsa said allowing higher density for residential developments would spur smaller and more environmentally friendly units and suggested that the city identify large sites that can accommodate these projects and take initiative in building housing. Visitor Info, Send News Tips 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? In this forum preview, the candidates touch on the reasons they hope to win a majority of votes. Our city council has worked well during the pandemic to ensure that services continued with minimal disruption. Lauing has served as the chair of the planning and parks and recreation commissions and co-chair of the Housing Element Working Group. Local law enforcement owns millions of dollars in 'military equipment.' 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. I'm very pleased to see the progression our city has gone through. Rendering courtesy Aecom. Gentrifiers noticing this and are further making confusion.What's been done well? those who are registered users. Summa said she wants the council to plan developments thoroughly so that the new units are fully integrated into Palo Alto. 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. She credits her parents and their church with modeling service to the community through the volunteer work they did in the children's ministry.Barragan attended the Ravenswood City School District K-8 and Menlo Atherton High School. Lythcott-Haims argued that council members shouldn't be putting developments on the south side if they're not "pretty enough for the north side." The tax is based on square footage and which exempts businesses with less than 10,000 square feet of space. "It's a place where we can come together and enjoy each other," Veenker said.There was a bit more daylight between candidates on the topic of new measures to support renters, who make up about 46% of the city's population. Four seats are open on the Palo Alto City Council and 10 candidates are vying for them. She emphasized the need to create an infrastructure capable of supporting Palo Altos growing power grid. The survey is also helpful. I think the previous two posts have nailed it. Thank you, Jeff Liu. Possibly also Alex Comsa. Home & Real Estate She was appointed to the East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Board and is currently on the Senior Advisory Board. I think that in general, decisions like [the safe parking program] should come down to the people that its going to impact the most, Hamachek said. If you are not registered, you can do so Dial by your location. I believe that even though it's a small city we deserve to have the same amenities as any other city. To fill out the online questionnaire, go to surveymonkey.com/r/Campaign2022. One councilperson used remarks from my "candidate statement" in the last council meeting. you need to log in. Advertising Info We didn't have a Boys and Girls Club, YMCA or even a performing arts center. 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. 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. 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. They will also elect their representative of their lone congressional district. This council will be tasked with producing 6,086 housing units by 2031 per a state mandate, continuing Palo Alto's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan and budgeting forContinue reading Meet the 2022 Palo . He graduated from Marquette University in 1995 with a degree in history. on Nov 8, 2022 at 10:52 am Hmmm is a registered user. Privacy Policy We need to hire a parks and recreation director and competently manage our parks. We have to plan that out to a reasonable timeframe and not have that be a threat angled ahead of our citizens.. Veenker also stressed the importance of both financial and engineering feasibility, noting that it's hard to place trains underground in some areas. Interim Chief of Police. Palo Alto Neighbors Association host a City Council Candidate Forum for the November 2022 General Election. He said he believes that the city should focus on turning dormant city-owned properties that are generally unused or not creating revenue into affordable housing units. Gain insight on major projects associated with these priorities inthis quarterly update(PDF,1MB). Ditto the fiber project. The problem is she doesn't know the consequences. 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. I love the power that local government has to affect change on issues that matter to me, Forssell said. Print Edition/Archives I would also. He serves on the East Palo Alto Sanitary District Rate Advisory Committee and contributes to and supports local nonprofit organizations. Instead we have a very functional bridge which I have heard described as a rusty railroad bridge in appearance. Most Fridays from 10-10:45 a.m. online by appointment. Both said they would favor area plans to guide development so that any new housing comes with amenities for residents. Yes, but also a good public swimming pool. Add to your calendar. By Caroline Chen. 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. Read the latest progress report on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. His biotechnology career began at Stanford Research Institute, and he currently works as a data scientist for Genentech. Veenker said a new gym would be an asset both as a way to promote health and to strengthen the community. To learn more about Lythcott-Haims, visit her website here. 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. LWVPA Palo Alto City Council Candidate Forum Nov 2022 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. She owned and operated a real estate brokerage in East Palo Alto and tax-preparation service. 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'm also concerned about the ability of the existing council to effectively govern our city. Q: Greatest concerns about the city? I don't really care what it is called, but pleased now that we have a bridge after over 10 years talking about it. 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. I care deeply about this city that has given so much to me, and to my daughters, Veenker said. She was raised in the church and attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Unsafe and unlawful signsmay be removed by the Building Division or the Police Department. The annual priorities adopted by City Council have been recorded since 2016. Veenker said the existing office restrictions appear to be working and responded with the aphorism, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Affordable apartments debut at Wilton Court, Stanford board committee hires former federal judge to lead review into president's research. Stay informed on important city government news. Jeffrey Austin, 61, has lived in East Palo Alto since 1960, the year he was born. 2022 Palo Alto Online. As a parks commissioner, Lauing supported habitat and ecosystem preservation by protecting trees, planting native plant species and transforming the old Palo Alto dump into Byxbee Park. 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. Housing: East Palo Alto has not built nearly enough housing in the last decade and displacement is happening at a rapid pace. She credits her parents and their church with modeling service to the community through the volunteer work they did in the children's ministry. 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.AUSTIN: My greatest concern for our city at this moment would be to re-engage our city staff and get back to work. Gain insight on major projects associated with these priorities in, Report an Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) Grievance, Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), Stormwater Management Oversight Committee, Charleston / Arastradero Corridor Project, Fiscal Sustainability: A Community Conversation, Council Agendas and Minutes (2021 - 2022), Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee, Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP), Sustainability Data and Educational Resources, City Attorney's Office Frequently Asked Questions, Support Palo Alto Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services: Executive Summary, Flood Information and Winter Storm Preparedness, Neighborhood Petition Request for Traffic Calming, Planning and Development Services Staff Directory, Planning Development & Administration Feedback, Doing Business with the City (Bid Opportunities), Learn About the Citys Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response, City Council Meetings and Events Calendar, City/School Liaison Committee Past Agendas and Minutes, Council Appointed Officers Committee Past Agendas and Minutes, Finance Committee Past Agendas and Minutes, Policy and Services Committee Past Agendas and Minutes, Police Department's Public Information Portal, What you need to know about Palo Alto's leaf blower ordinance, Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation, Housing, with special emphasis on affordability, Sustainability, in the context of the changing climate, Grade separation (choose preferred alternative by end of the year), Budget and finance (create an infrastructure funding plan), Grade separation (choose preferred alternative by end of year), The Built Environment: Housing, Parking, Livability, and Mobility, Completion of the Comprehensive Plan 2015-2030 Update. Home I want people to be their best. Wall signs in residential districts shall not exceed an area of one square foot of sign for each forty square feet of wall area. 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. 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 . Palo Alto Online is hosting a virtual forum featuring the seven candidates for East Palo Alto City Council. East Palo Alto City Council candidates talk about the issues facing their city on Oct. 11, 2022. Local law enforcement owns millions of dollars in 'military equipment.' She worked for the Ravenswood City School District as an elementary school teacher for 15 years, including at elementary schools Willow Oaks, Costano and Green Oaks Academy. 5 More information on scheduling an appointment in Council Member DuBois' profile. Wall signs are allowed a minimum area of six square feet and maximum area of one hundred fifty square feet, regardless of wall area. Thats diversity of gender, which would really help in police, as well as diversity of ethnicity.. The candidates had similar views on many of the issues, which he . You know, its always hard to go to the voters and say, Guess what, we have another task for you, Lauing said. . 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. Lauing is an executive recruiter through Equity Search Partners, a firm that helps companies recruit personnel. Nov. 3, 2022 . What has been done well?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.Our city council has worked well during the pandemic to ensure that services continued with minimal disruption. 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. One councilperson used remarks from my "candidate statement" in the last council meeting. We have managed police services and public safety in a responsible and community-oriented way rather than a confrontational conflictive approach. I think we should evaluate doing similar things in downtown Palo Alto, Hamachek said. I appreciate the COVID-19 and mental health services.WILKERSON: The continuing (incompetent) direction of the (seasoned) council people and their "stagnant" behaviors. Award-winning independent student journalists serving Los Altos, Mountain View and Palo Alto since 2020. The council decided to discontinue Palo Altos Crosstown Shuttle in May 2020, a service that provided free transportation for residents along designated routes. I gave it some thought and felt that maybe this was the right time. 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. I want to revisit our existing policies, especially around multi-family housing. Veenker said she wants to make Palo Alto an inclusive city and has conducted community outreach at her church to help support the unhoused. On November 3, 2020 the City will hold an election for (3) three seats on the City Council. TheSixFifty.com Never miss a story. My heart is to serve the people.BARRAGAN: After leaving the Ravenswood City School District I had the desire to continue serving my community. The temporary funding we have maybe will partially be addressed by the business tax, but not completely, Summa said. 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. Forssell wants Specific Area Plans. Comsa said he believes the key to electrifying the city is upgrading its power grid. Comsa and Forssell each said they would support lowering overall expenditures by candidates, an approach that Mountain View employs. That is enough statement for any of us. "I welcome that and I welcome the new community members that we'll all benefit from when they live here. Palo Alto (Alma) Avenue crossing will be disabled and flaggers will be present. 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. I gave it some thought and felt that maybe this was the right time. "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. Are we going to build ghost housing for people who will never live in these developments? Photo by Magali Gauthier. Stay informed on important city government news. Lythcott-Haims is the only candidate who has youth mental health listed as one of her priorities. 250 Hamilton Avenue. 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. We didn't have a Boys and Girls Club, YMCA or even a performing arts center. 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. The tax is based on square footage and which exempts businesses with less than 10,000 square feet of space. 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