League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Chris Albertson Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Petaluma

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What is your position on employee salaries and benefits? If you would like to see a change, please explain.

Employee's salaries and benefits are established through the negotiations process at the bargaining table. As a past public employee with over 38 years of experience, I have participated in these employee negotiations several times, sitting on both sides of the table.

From Management's perspective, you need to ask: Do we have good employees? Do we, as employers, value these employees? Do we want to retain these employees? The employee bargaining group asks similar questions: Do I enjoy my employment? Is my employer fair in dealing with me and my representatives? Would I be happier, or is the grass perceivd to be greener, elsewhere? Open and honest dialog takes place and through mutual negotiations, an agreement is reached. Most recenly, Petaluma's bargaining groups areed to a 3.1% pay reduction, accompanied by employee furloughs, because it was in the best interest of all parties.

These labor/management negotiations cover salaries and benefits. "Benefits" ususally include employee medical and dental costs, life insurance coverage, and of course retirement costs. In some local governments, the employer pays both the employer's and the employee's costs toward the employee's retirement. This is NOT the case in Petaluma. In Petaluma, the employee pays their own retirement contribution. Also, in some municipal and county governments, the employers pay completely for the employee's retirement medical plan. This is NOT the case in Petaluma. In Petaluma, the employee is responsible for obtaining their own medial insurance during their retirement.

I was in the fire service for 38 years. I retired as a Fire Chief here in Petaluma. My department was a $10 million a year municipal organization with 58 employees, 51 of whom were often placed in harm's way. My salary at that time was commensurate to the marketplace for like size jurisdictions. The percentage of my retirment reached its maximum at 30 years but I worked anther 8 years because I enjoyed the job, the people I worked with, and the people I served. I want to continue to serve the City of Petaluma .... as a member of the City Council.

I have long stated (and it is documented on my web page: www.electalbertson.com)that I believe the state's retirement system needs to be adjusted. I do not believe that the current system in place, is sustainable over time. It is my opinion that all new employees, those employees hired "tomorrow", need to be hired under a second tier retirement system that is more affordable and sustainable over time. I have shared this opinion with the city' major labor groups and they have endorsed my candidacy. Long term retirement expense is an issue that Petaluma needs to address but it is not Petaluma's problem to correct by itself. All local governments that participate in the state's retirement plan must also review their retirement policies for their future employees and bring the statewide costs under control. Why not cut the retirement costs for existing employees? Because this benefit was negotiated for and represents a contractual agreement between the City and labor which needs to be honored both ethically and legally.

2. What are your priorities in developing the annual budget?

As stated on my web page: http://www.electalbertson.com, I believe that it is a principle responsibility of local government to protect its citzens through professional police, fire, and ambulance services. The City of Petaluma is fortunate to have an outstanding Fire Department that provides full service fire protection and emergency paramedic ambulance service, and an excellent Police Department. I would want to see that the Police and Fire Departments have the tools, equipment and training necessary to do their jobs in the professional manner that the citizens of Petaluma have come to expect and deserve. In that chase for those limited fiscal resources, services for children and seniors would also rate high.

Developing a municipal budget requires balancing expenditures with revenue. The current city coucil has focused on only one half of that equation, cutting budgets and subsequenty, the services that those reduced expenditures impacted. They have done very little toward raising revenues, in and effort to ensure service levels. I want to promote Petaluma as being "business friendly" and attempt to bring business, both retail and commercial, into the city, creating jobs and tax revenues.

3. As a council person what can you do to stimulate economic growth?

Refer to the answer above. On my web page, the tab "Jobs and the Economy", discusses this issue. Petaluma needs to promote itself in the same manner that it promotes tourism. Retail and commercial enterprises need to be informed about Petaluma and the City needs to develop a synergy between businesses, landlords, and local government that benefits all entities over time. Another item that needs review is the city's development/impact fees. IF .... these fees were lowered, would that spur more growth, equating to more/enhanced tax revenues for the city? Could these fees be delayd until the new business/building is ready to occupy its space and earn income? These are just a couple ideas that the new City Council should discuss.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Candidates may not refer to any other candidates in their answers.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 19, 2010 20:04
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