The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of the Los Altos-Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Traffic and housing, NASA Ames, Community input

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Patricia Figueroa:

Having a seamless and frequent transportation system encourages the public to reduce using their cars and opens employment opportunities. The Council needs to fight to retain and expand the public transit services currently in place and work with the community to increase route services in high density housing areas.

Answer from Laura Brown:

Our transit systems are not an attractive option for most people because they are slow, expensive, inconvenient, and for the most part, do not take people where they need to go. The entire system needs to be reorganized to make it a realistic alternative to driving.

We must look at rezoning and converting underutilized commercial space to provide more housing, particularly ownership opportunities for first-time home buyers. At least a partial solution to the lack of affordable housing, and one that social equity demands, is that all workers should be paid a living wage in line with the cost of living here.

Answer from Matt Neely:

There are clear links between these public problems.

As a council member, I will champion a wide array of efforts to make Mountain View more affordable and liveable for its valuable workers and residents. I will urge persistence in the efforts already taken by council. I will also present fresh, creative ideas to create more affordable housing, including a critical re-examination of the Housing Element.

I will also push for responsible transportation efforts by the VTA board and other agencies who can combine to create viable transit options.

Answer from Mike Kasperzak:

Local traffic congestion was an issue long before the economic downturn and the resulting cuts in transit service and therefore I don't believe the two are linked. However public transit isn't as attractive a transportation alternative as it should be, partly because of the lack of frequency of service. Unfortunately, the City has limited influence on this issue other than as a rotating member of the VTA Board of Directors

Affordable housing is another issue. While there are not many "help wanted" signs at the moment, it is clear that the cost of housing prevents many, especially lower scale wage earners, from living locally, resulting in commutes so horrendous that it is little wonder that local jobs go unfilled. The City can do more by ensuring completion of the Efficiency Studio Project for low income workers, making City owned land downtown available for affordable housing development and rezoning property in appropriate areas for higher density housing.

Answer from Tom Frankum:

There's an unmistakable link between "help wanted" signs and our chronic lack of affordable housing. The people who provide our vital services can't afford to live here, and we can't expect them to commute from the Central Valley!

In my eight years on the Environmental Planning Commission, including two as Chairman, we created a trust fund for affordable housing. We enacted a Below Market Rate (BMR) ordinance, so developers set aside 10% of new housing units as BMR or pay into the trust fund. We also completed a vital revision of our General Plan Housing Element.

Answer from Robert H. "Bob" Weaver:

Public transit doesn't effectivly connect the dots. Our business parks are auto oriented and the level of mass transit service is limited. The city has limited input to VTA through it's represenitive. Mountain View has made great efforts in preserving the BMR housing that already exists, adopted a BMR ordnance for new construction and is building an efficiency studio complex near mass transit.

Answer from Rosiland Bivings:

It is important that we provide housing that is accessible to all who desire to live and work in Mountain View. Finding and providing housing is the link with all of the issues that we face for the future. We have forced people to seek affordable housing outside of their work region thus contributing to traffic congestion. We have not provided efficient and effective transportation that takes people where they need to go. Providing employment that provides a living wage for workers is a key element in tying housing, transportation and traffic congestion together. Until we can solve all collectively, the community will continue to face these issues.

Answer from Greg Perry:

There is no question that cuts to public transit add to local traffic congestion. When we run Caltrain less frequently, people have to wait longer. If people have to wait longer, they are more likely to choose to drive. One thing the Council can do is appoint a VTA representative who will vote for spending money on service frequency, and vote against wasting money on construction projects.

The problem with insufficient low cost housing has been created by city councils, including ours. By adding 15,500 jobs and only 1660 homes over 10 years, the city council guarenteed that there would be a housing shortage. We need a moratorium on new office space, and to rezone some commercial areas for sensible residential projects.

Answer from Christopher Lee "Chris" Kuszmaul:

I think the council can improve the situation by experimenting with intraneighborhood transit solutions, targeting commute communities, and telecommuting solutions.

With roughly 15,000 people in the city unable to really afford housing here, any attempt to build low cost housing, or to subsidize it, would be like using a washcloth to try to clean up an oil spill. Such an effort may well squander valuable tax dollars and open space.

Zoning for higher density, development, and a reduction in the number of regulatory barriers to development could ease the problem, but eventually we will have a city that cannot take on more residents in it's physical space.

But a revolution is beginning in the very definition of a city. On-line Communities exist now, and they are loosely governed. I consider it critically important that cities find their proper place to exercise jurisdiction there to serve as a balance against the federal government, and to continue to grow even after we are done adding bedrooms.

Answer from Liz Boewer-Ambra:

Yes. Of course, a shortage of public transit and local housing contibutes to traffic congestion. When Moutain View is too expensive for lower income persons, lower paying jobs cannot be readily filled.

The council can encourage the creation of more public transit and more local housing- especially for lower-income persons- in appropriate places.

Answer from Rosiland Bivings:

The concerns are with the balance of jobs versus housing. The project will potentially add over 7,000 new jobs to the Mountain View Community. However, only 1,900 units of housing are scheduled. This impact will not only effect existing housing, but City services and traffic issues associated with this type of development.

Answer from Christopher Lee "Chris" Kuszmaul:

The NASA plan has a poor jobs/housing mix. The simplest solution is to generate more housing on base. The present plan will result in an escalation of housing costs here. This sounds bad, but it is obviously good for land owners, and anyone who wants more tax revenues. We need approaches that put land owners on the same side as renters. Rent-to-own methods are a start.

Answer from Robert H. "Bob" Weaver:

The amount of housing proposed for the project is dwarfed by the proposed jobs. The job/ housing ratio must be brought to a balance on this project. While Moffett is in our sphere of influence, it remains a Federal facility over which we have little control.

Answer from Mike Kasperzak:

The issues of continuing concern are the amount of housing that is being provided and the impacts on traffic. Unfortunately, the City has little control over NASA because it is a federal agency. Nevertheless, it is important for the plan to proceed so that the airfield never becomes a commercial, cargo or general aviation airport.

Answer from Greg Perry:

The NASA Ames Development plan add far more jobs than it adds homes. What homes are added are disproportionately added at the end of the project. It is likely that much of this promised housing will never be built.

By adding more jobs than homes, the Ames Development Plan will cause more workers to commute from the central valley, adding to traffic and air pollution. In addition, the added demand for housing will

Answer from Tom Frankum:

Like many others, I thought NASA's initial plans combined too little toxic cleanup and housing with too many jobs and cars. But few in our community appreciate how far NASA has come in addressing those concerns. Their latest plan includes more housing and fewer jobs, and although it's still inadequate, it demonstrates to me a breakthrough in NASA's willingness to listen and respond. My pledge to the people of Mountain View is to always be at the table when these issues are discussed, seeking a plan with the best outcomes for all.

Answer from Laura Brown:

The NASA Ames Development Plan needs to include much more housing, as well as mitigations for the increased traffic it will create, both on our freeways and city streets. However, overall the proposal offers a number of benefits to Mountain View, and is our best hope of preventing commercial aviation at Moffett Field. Council members and city officials must work closely with NASA to expeditiously resolve the housing and traffic issue and ensure that the plan is completed in a manner that makes it a positive addition to our city.

Answer from Matt Neely:

My primary concern is the continued imbalance in the jobs-housing ratio. The revised plans call for over 7000 jobs and only 1100 housing units and this will only exacerbate the housing crunch.

On the other hand, I respect the attempts to plan the area for a wide range of uses and I am particularly interested in the educational and cultural opportunities on the site.

Answer from Liz Boewer-Ambra:

I am concerned about the potentialy large number of employees and vehicles in the future and the shortage of on-site housing. I am encouraged that the proposed development deters expanded use of the airstrip.

Answer from Patricia Figueroa:

That the alternative generates 7,000 employees, 3,000 students but only provides housing for under 5,000; Air quality concerns that will come from the traffic and development; Impact to the wetlands. We must be deligient and make sure that the community is included in all future planning as they committed.

Answer from Robert H. "Bob" Weaver:

Smaller targeted meetings which allow more direct contact with council would be much less intimidating than the formal structure currently used. People are more inclined to speak freely in an intimate atmosphere, and that is when the real issues are addressed.

Answer from Tom Frankum:

I would meet with all the stakeholders in our community, specifically seeking a broader range of participation. Many issues lend themselves to study by broad community task forces before entering the City's formal decision-making process, as we've seen with Stevens Creek Trail and the GTE/Whisman site. In both cases, neighborhood and community concerns were heard and addressed. This process works and can be expanded to other areas. I propose that we appoint such a task force to develop the long-awaited master plan for Cuesta Park, including the annex, and the same process if and when HP vacates the Mayfield site.

Answer from Matt Neely:

This is the primary theme of my campaign. I am passionate about encouraging involvement and engagement in the public process. I am deeply concerned with the lack of "voices at the table" and have worked hard to bring fresh ideas to the public agenda.

I decided to run for this office because I love to help people solve problems and because I was becoming frustrated with the lack of civility in our city.

I hope to help restore civility by serving as a balanced and thoughtful candidate and by actively listening to diverse groups of citizens.

I believe that I represent a wide consitutent base and feel that my years of commitment to families in Mountain View along with my endorsements demonstrate my passion for this community.

Answer from Mike Kasperzak:

As a mediator, I believe that face-to-face communication is the best way to promote true dialogue and anyone with a message can meet with me to thoroughly discuss the topic and determine how best to satisfy the interests involved. I would also like to renew efforts to move the "public input" part of the council meeting earlier in the agenda to make it more convenient to the community.

Answer from Christopher Lee "Chris" Kuszmaul:

I am a strong believer in the use of the internet as a way to develop consensus. However, there is no substitute for walking door to door to solicit concerns. I have learned how to do this well during my campaign, and I plan to continue.

Answer from Patricia Figueroa:

I would like to see the City Council have a Town Hall Meeting on a regular basis. Not just at City Hall but at other places within the City so that there is easy access to all our residents.

Answer from Liz Boewer-Ambra:

The key to increasing participation and dialogue concerning local issues is to elect Councilmembers who are committed to listening to the members of the community.

Respecting and responding to what the community thinks, feels and wants is important to me. My door- my ears- will always be open.

Answer from Greg Perry:

I am willing to talk to everyone, without reservations. By seeking out the opinions of various people in the community, I can bring some of those interests together in policies that make sense.

Answer from Laura Brown:

Uniting the diverse neighborhoods and people of Mountain View is a cornerstone of my campaign. While we rightly celebrate our diversity, we must also focus on our commonalities and support each other in achieving the things we all value, such as secure homes, safe neighborhoods and opportunities for our children.I will make a point of going into the community, as I have on past issues, to get residents' views on pending issues that affect them and to build consensus among differing opinions.

Answer from Rosiland Bivings:

In my experience, residents have addressed issues that only affected their own neighborhood or them personally. It is vital that all residents understand that what affects one resident, affects all residents. As a councilmember, my charge would be to have the community understand this and become involved in a process that interlocks neighborhoods and residents for the good of all.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.