Questions and answers on current issues facing Albany.

By Robert "Bob" Lieber

A- I am running for re-election to the Albany City Council to protect the Albany shoreline from inappropriate development, preserve open space, and complete the East Shore State Park. But the next four years is also about bringing our community together around the many important issues we face. Working together we can make Abany even better. Under my leadership as Mayor, Albany has been recognized as the Greenest City in the State of California. I am committed to Social Justice, the Environment and Peace. Albany in my home and extended family, I want us to prosper.

Q- Elected office provides the opportunity to pro actively lead by placing new ideas on the agenda for consideration and development. What are some specific ideas you intend to pursue if elected?

A- I was a leader in the fight to stop the pesticide spraying over Albany and the Bay Area against the light brown apple moth. I have brought resolutions to support Universal Health Care both at the State and Federal level to the Albany City Council. I proposed the creation of the Social and Economic Justice Commission to Albany and proposed the new Community Access Committee. I proposed and passed a Styrofoam ban. I brought forward Integrated Pest Management and saw it through to approved policy for our city. I introduced rational cell tower controls for Albany. I brought forth a resolution to support the Department of Peace. I brought forward and passed many Resolutions Opposing war, supporting peace and the environment. I fought to maintain an open Council when rule changes were proposed to stop members from bringing issues to the agenda. I was instrumental is stopping the Caruso Mall. Recently, I brought resolutions opposing Prop. 4 (restrictions on a minors rights to reproductive choice and a attack on privacy) and opposing Prop 8 (Discrimination against people being able to marry who they love and receiving equal rights under the law). They passed on a 3-2 vote. If re-elected, I will continue to be an activist for peace, social justice, and the environment.

Q- Albany is currently conducting a visioning process for the waterfront to pro actively establish the community's desires for this part of the city. Do you support the current visioning effort? Why or why not? What is your vision for the future of the Waterfront? What was your position on the development proposed by Magna/Caruso?

A- I introduced the concept of a community based visioning process for Albany. I support the community making their desires known so that any development that may happen at our waterfront is community driven, not developer driven. We are protecting Albany's revenues by being proactive. rather than reactive. We need to have a plan in place should the racetrack close. I was instrumental in stopping the Magna/Caruso Mall. I support maximum open space.

Q- What is your opinion of the proposed development at UC Village? What do you think the city's goals should be in negotiating with the University regarding the UC Village/Gill Tract property?

A- I support the development at UC Village, but I also believe that we need to solve all of the outstanding problems related to UC before approving any plan. Ball fields, creeks, and the Gill Tract, and their ultimate fate must be addressed in the negotiations regarding this development. The Gill Tract is important agricultural open space and needs to be protected from development. The Little League fields and creeks need protection too. I support a pedestrian friendly, well planned, sustainable project.

Q- What is your opinion concerning dense infill developments, such as have occurred at the former mortuary site on San Pablo and are under discussion for Safeway on Solano and planned for the southeast corner of El Cerrito Plaza? What mitigations do you envision to balance the impact of dense infill?

A- I support well planned, sustainable infill along mass transit routes. I also believe that developments need to conform to Albany's green building codes which were rewritten recently to maintain our small town feel. The development in El Cerrito Plaza is inappropriate as it directs large amounts of traffic into Albany. I have been working to close the streets going into El Cerrito Plaza to improve the livability of those neighborhoods that are affected. These closures were in the works before this development was proposed and as a result of increasing impacts of the remodeled mall. I hope to complete the project soon. I support the Safeway project but we must listen to the neighborhood who must live with the final design. Albany has very little open space or parks. We need to maximize and improve what we do have. I support height limits and mitigations that help meet our needs of maximum open space that improves livability.

Q- Albany's General Plan states "The City of Albany is committed to working toward an overall goal of reducing reliance on the automobile as the primary means of transportation." How do you envision supporting this goal?

A- Currently, the City is working with a bicycle master plan and hopes to complete a section of Class 1 bike path on Pierce Street. We also hope to obtain a section of property from Caltrans on Pierce Street to complete that Class 1 bike path and ultimately connect it with the Bay Trail. Buchanan Street is also in the planning stage to receive a class 1 path upgrade in cooperation with UC and USDA. A new class 1 path on the Berkeley boarder along Cordonises Creek has been approved with creek restoration. Lighting and path improvements will come with BART's earthquake retrofit along the Ohlone green way. We need to connect the Bay Trail though GGF. Education and outreach should be a continuing part of our city's commitment. The City should move away from gasoline powered cars to electric or reasonable alternative fuels. We should promote public transit and consider a local stop for BART on Solano (no parking) which I have ask to be considered in the 50 year BART plan.

Q- Where should the funding for the city budget come from in the future? How do you propose to ensure Albany's future financial health?

A- The City has had a balanced budget for the last four years. It is anticipated that we will continue to do so with only mild reductions in income due to the current slump in the economy. The development of the new Safeway and UC Village Whole Foods will generate new income. We have hired a redevelopment/development consultant to look into other means of generating revenue. In addition, Fern Tiger's outreach to the community for Waterfront planning is fiscally responsible so that the City is prepared to replace any incomes lost should the racetrack close. Other ideas that have been floated that are worth discussion are parking meters along San Pablo and Solano Avenues. Possibly owning a high tech sign along Interstates 80 and 580, which conservatively could generate a half a million dollars a year. Support of our existing businesses is a continuing responsibility.

Q- Do you think the City Council should try to participate in or influence regional, state and/or national policy? What are your criteria for making this decision?

A- All politics is local. Issues of social justice, the environment and peace affect us all. We must raise our voices in support of these principles. I have heard others say that we should just leave these issues to our Representatives in Washington or Sacramento, but I believe that we are the principal protectors of our own freedom. I have a record of supporting important issues at the Council level, such as; opposing urban casinos at the local, state and federal level, bringing our troops home, impeachment of the President and Vice-President, single payer universal health care at both the state and federal levels, climate controls that reduce greenhouse emissions at both the state and federal levels, and protection of public health at the local, state and federal levels. Freedom and justice are never silent.

Q- What would you propose for Albany's response to the current global warming crisis?

A- Albany is a member of ICCLEI + Local Governments for Sustainability. I am currently Albany's representative to this group. We have completed a carbon footprint inventory of our city and are currently working on a plan to reduce that footprint such as joining with other communities to buy only green sources of electricity and financing home owner solar instillations. Also, during my term on the Council, Albany has adopted new green building codes, banned Styrofoam, adopted a rational IPM ordinance to protect residents and the environment from toxic chemicals. We continuing to engage in education of our community to help everyone live a more sustainable lifestyle. Under my leadership as Mayor, Albany has been recognized as the Greenest City in the State of California.

Q- What is your vision of Albany in 5, 10, 20 years? How would you promote community-wide dialog and participation regarding sustainability?

A- I hope Albany is much the same as today with fine schools, small town feel, and a safe environment for all residents. I also hope that global warming has started a downward trend, partly because of our actions today. I hope that the Gill Tract has a small educational farm producing organic produce with recreation fields maintained with integrated pest management principles. In 20 years I envision that we are energy independent, producing energy from clean sun, wind and geothermal technologies. We need to continue to engage in the kinds of community programs that we have started the last four years to get there.

Q- What is your opinion of the proposed charter amendment to switch from an appointed to elected mayor?

A- I support a directly elected mayor in Albany. We should have a voice on important decision making bodies that affect our city. The Alameda County Mayors' Conference will not appoint a rotating mayor to a regional body such as the BCDC, MTC or BAAQMD that make decision about the air we breath, our S.F Bay and transportion throughout the Bay Area. We also need leadership that lasts long enough to build relationships that will help us be competitive in a difficult environment for local, state and federal funds. In addition, with the current system of rotating mayors, the City bureaucracy/City Administrator is the defacto driving force for decision making in Albany, and like all bureaucracies, tend to be very conservative and rarely proactive on issues. Lastly, the charter change calls for electing the mayor with greater than 50% of the vote, thus giving the elected mayor a mandate for important issues that concern our citizens.

Q- Who else has endorsed you or is supporting your candidacy?

A- I am proud to be endorsed by Democratic Party of California, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, Parks Board Member Nancy Skinner, Board of Supervisors Member Keith Carson, EBMUD Board Member Andy Katz, President of the Alameda County Board of Education Jacki Fox Ruby, Albany School Board Member Miriam Walden, former Albany Mayor Robert Cheasty, All members of the Albany Schoolboard, Albany Councilmember Marge Atkinson, Albany Councilmember Joanne Wile, the California Nurses Association, Citizens for the Albany Shoreline, the Sierra Club, The Green Party of Alameda County, and many Albany residents.