Alameda Youth Sports Coalition Questionnaire

By Lena Tam

I am committed to increasing access and availability of sports facilities for our youth

I am seeking re-election to the Alameda City Council to continue providing leadership on tough issues as we navigate Alameda through difficult times yet maintain our quality of life, including the access and availability of sports facilities for our youth. I have a proven track record of asking the tough questions at City Hall on behalf of our taxpayers to insure every hard-earned tax dollar is spent wisely.

Moving forward, my priorities include (1) working with the community to secure adequate funding to support our schools, (2) preserving our public safety by maintaining our ambulance service, police and fire staffing; and (3) leveraging every tax dollar to create and preserve jobs through business retention and recruitment. This will help provide an economic base to fund our schools, our public safety services, our parks, sports programs, housing opportunities and other public amenities.

I have a verifiable voting record of supporting youth sports in Alameda, including leveraging valuable funds to partner with the schools and non-profits to build new facilities for our youth, such as the Miracle League and the Boys & Girls Club. I provide policy direction in bringing good business partners such as Perforce, Peets Coffee & Teas, and VF Outdoor. During the planning of Alameda Point, I encouraged the dedication of parks, open space and a sports facility as part of the city's vision. We are examining a range of alternatives at Alameda Point and analyzing its corresponding impacts on the community and economy, particularly on traffic.

My family has been in Alameda since 1968 and have benefitted from our swimming, track & field and soccer programs. I would be honored to earn your vote for re-election. Vote Lena Tam. http://www.lenatam.com.

2. Please answer the following brief questionnaire. a. Will you set policy to ensure City staff managing Alameda Recreation, Parks and Golf are supportive and transparent in their dealings with Alameda Youth Sports organizations?

_X_ Yes __ No __ Depends

b. Will you support increasing the 54 acres of planned recreation at the base to 100 acres

_X_ Yes __ No __ Depends

c. Recreation budget includes $4.5m general fund and user fees & assessments of $2.1m.

__ maintain funding _X_ increase funding __ increase fees __ decrease service

d. Should Alameda youth sports organizations pay more than the actual cost of a city service?

__ Yes _X_ No __ Depends

e. What should residents and youth organizations pay in fees for facility access/use (e.g. rental fee for gym, field or picnic rental, golf green fee, pool fee, etc.) as compared to visitors?

_X_ Far Less __ About the Same __ Far More __ Depends

f. The City and the AUSD are both facing fiscal challenges. Do you support increased cooperation to maximize opportunities for sports fields and facilities in Alameda?

_X_ Yes __ No __ Depends

g. Do you support the current 45 hole configuration of the Chuck Corica golf course?

__ Yes __ No _X _ Depends + While maintaining 45-holes, improvement can be made to improve pace of play.

h. Do you support a city "adopt a field" program which would allow preferred access or lease of sports fields for non-profit organizations that help fund field maintenance?

_X_ Yes __ No __ Depends

i. Should the city's policy allow sports entities from outside the city to outbid an Alameda youth sports organizations for the use of fields and facilities?

__ Yes _X_ No __ Depends

j. Do you support a $20 tax per parcel to raise funds to maintain parks and sports facilities?

_X_ Yes __ No __ Depends

k. The City of Alameda acquired land specifically for park use. Should city policy allow sale or swap of that land to a developer?

__ Yes _X_ No __ Depends

l. Have you ever taken a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more from a developer?

__ Yes _X_ No

Recognizing how busy you must be, we have tried to keep the questionnaire short. However, feel free to elaborate on your answers. Please return to Sports Coalition email at gneal@encaptech.com.