QUALITY OF LIFE

By Jim Aldinger

QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES: A) UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS; B) CLEAN OCEANS & ENVIRONMENT; C) TRAFFIC; D) RECREATION RENOVATIONS; E) EDUCATION; F) BUSINESS CLIMATE: METLOX DEVELOPMENT & VIBRANT DOWNTOWN AREA; G) BUSINESS CLIMATE: REGIONAL ISSUES.

SUMMARY: Jim has lived in Manhattan Beach since 1985; he has proven his commitment to maintaining its unique qualities for citizens, and will continue to fight for measures that protect and improve the City.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• New "Open Space" requirements: Has reduced bulk and density of home construction by implementing a second-story open space requirement (increased from 6 percent to 8 percent in 2004).

• Eased rules governing remodeling of houses.

• Implemented a moratorium on lot splits in rural area of Manhattan Beach (below the "Poet" section).

• Jim is opposed to "Mansionization" + he is interested in promoting the high quality of life that residents appreciate.

• Opposed to the traffic impact of the El Segundo Plaza development at the corner of Sepulveda Blvd. and Rosecrans, which will add 425,000 square feet of retail space across from Fry's Electronics.

B. QUALITY OF LIFE - CLEAN OCEANS & ENVIRONMENT:

SUMMARY: Environmental issues are at the forefront of Jim's attention, primarily concerning clean oceans...which ensures a better quality of life for all Manhattan Beach residents. He has been a member and director of VOICE + Volunteers and Organizations Improving the Communities Environment + for more than 10 years; he has been a Director, since 2002, of the Ballona Wetlands Land trust; and he is also part of the National League of Cities' Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Built Centrifugal Filter Systems to divert storm water pollution from our beaches.

• Manhattan Beach now has a "No Smoking Ban," and joins other beach cities in improving cleanliness of both the beach and the ocean.

• Jim is a proponent of a regional approach to reducing storm water runoff from surrounding communities. This includes implementing "best management practices," requiring new developments to create and follow a plan to reduce their runoff.

C. QUALITY OF LIFE - TRAFFIC

SUMMARY: After much success in 2004 with the completion of the new underground parking lot, Jim will continue to provide attention to upcoming traffic issues, determined that this ensures quality of life for Manhattan Beach residents. Downtown parking issues have been significantly reduced due to the new underground parking structure.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Eased neighborhood traffic congestion by implementing a Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, a process in which residents have input into solving traffic problems.

• Built $15M 2-story underground parking structure at Metlox site with 460 new public parking spaces to help relieve parking situation downtown.

• Addressed issues at Sand Dune Park; installed a parking circle, and moved parked cars away from neighboring properties.

• To reduce cut-through traffic affecting quality of life for residents near their homes.

• To utilize the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program to enable residents to solve traffic issues.

• Jim also continues to find solutions for parking problems near Mira Costa High School.

D. QUALITY OF LIFE - RECREATION RENOVATIONS

SUMMARY: Jim's commitment to the renovation and beautification of Manhattan Beach's parks and recreation facilities lends itself to overall quality of life for people of all ages.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Designed upgrades to The Strand with a $4.5M resurfacing, moving benches to facilitate maintenance.

• Polliwog Park renovations: Spent $1.3M to upgrade restrooms and children's play area.

• Addition of Park Ranger for Sand Dune and Polliwog Parks rendered less disruption to neighborhoods.

• Parquettes have been upgraded with new equipment at three locations: 1) 8th Street, 2) Anderson, and 3) Larsson.

• To ensure that our parks and recreation facilities meet the highest standards of Manhattan Beach's residents.

• The Strand renovations: focus on ensuring that the physical design lessens the need for maintenance.

• Continue to accept suggestions from the citizens of Manhattan Beach to beautify and improve their recreational experience.

E. QUALITY OF LIFE - EDUCATION

SUMMARY: Jim supports the teachers of Manhattan Beach, and understands challenges posed to them over the past few years. He pledges his commitment to the youth of the city in granting a listening ear to their parents regarding ways in which City Council can contribute to the best educational environment possible.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Jim has fostered an effective working relationship with School District personnel to provide an open forum for partnership on joint matters.

• Jim has directed that overrage funds paid to Los Angeles County be used toward purchasing Library land from the County in order to eventually own the property and expand services.

• Jim is committed to ensuring that Manhattan Beach schools offer the highest standards of education for our children.

• Jim is committed to providing a higher quality library experience, including a joint-use venture with the schools to build a library on the Mira Costa campus.

F. QUALITY OF LIFE - BUSINESS CLIMATE/METLOX DEVELOPMENT & VIBRANT DOWNTOWN AREA

SUMMARY: Jim understands that in order to have a healthy Manhattan Beach, it means having a safe and healthy environment, a healthy quality of life, a healthy budget, and also + a healthy business climate. Jim's contributions to the Metlox project will allow Manhattan Beach residents to enjoy a renewed vibrance in the downtown area for years to come.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Jim was elected to City Council in 2001 on the platform of smaller planned development in downtown Manhattan Beach.

• The Metlox development will result in a 40,000 sq. ft. public Town Square with fountains, surrounded by outdoor seating restaurants.

• Built $15M 2-story underground parking structure at Metlox site with 460 new public parking spaces to help relieve parking situation downtown.

• To partner with the business community to ensure that the downtown remains an integral part of Manhattan Beach's community.

G. QUALITY OF LIFE - BUSINESS CLIMATE/REGIONAL ISSUES

SUMMARY: Jim is committed to working with other elected officials and regional entities, such as the South Bay Economic Development Council to ensure the viability of our region's economy. Jim is also part of the Los Angeles Air Force Base Regional Alliance, with the aim of supporting the base throughout Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) activities.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Los Angeles Air Force Base + Worked with other elected officials to retain Los Angeles Air Force Base, which has a large impact on our local economy. The base issues $8B in contracts each year, and indirectly employs 60,000 people, many of whom live in Manhattan Beach and surrounding areas. Approved $40,000 in 2004 to support the effort.

• 310 Area Code Split + Worked actively with the Public Utilities Commission to oppose cell phone companies' desire to split the area code.

• Work to ensure the region's economic health for the South Bay and Manhattan Beach.