Novato Advance Interview

By Eleanor Sluis

Eleanor Sluis answers questions for the editors of the Novato Advance

In these times of challenging economics, the most pressing issue is to design viable plans for added safety, appropriate housing and attracting new businesses. There is a lack of adequate community involvement in deciding capital improvement projects (such as city offices downtown, historic buildings and parking lots) and budgetary issues, which has led to dissension between community groups. My aim is to bring our businesses, our community and our city together so that we can benefit from each other's unique strengths.

2) Should Novato have more affordable housing?

Not in these down-turned economic times, bordering on depression. The forecasts say that the recession might be longer than a few years and that we will see slow growth of 2-3%. Novato does not have the money to provide for and subsidize more residents. The city and community has bent over backwards to provide resources, personnel and infrastructure for new housing. High-density development leads to more stress and fewer services for all of us. It means an increase of noise, traffic congestion, air pollution, and water consumption to name a few.

3) Novato is considered metropolitan by the state as it relates to affordable housing. Do you see the character of Novato as metropolitan, suburban or rural?

Novato's vision has always been that of a small town with carefully considered growth. This is a suburban, rural community. This designation should be respected by developers and non-profits who want high density of over 40-100 units per acre. These interest groups do not realize the negative, costly impacts high density will have on the infrastructure, and on the few, available resources of the city.

4) If elected, would you opt to hit the pause button on the construction of city offices?

Yes - in the best interest of the community we need to stop and take another look at the use of 12-15 million dollars for one office building. A better use of our limited funds is to buy an existing building and save 4 + 6 million dollars. The savings could be used for new storm drains, parking lots and the repair of historical buildings and other capital improvements. Also, the government offices do not need to be 20,000 sq. feet. With modern technologies, such as internet and web cameras, personnel can work from home. Storing records and computers in a brand new building, for 650 dollars a square foot is a waste of taxpayers' dollars. Other solutions are to reduce the size of the new building to half with a smaller staff, utilizing the city hall as office space, or sharing space with the school district. That way, there would be funds for either remodeling or replacing the Community House.

5) How will you encourage economic growth in Novato?

One strategy is to attract young, innovative companies with high ethical and environmental standards into our community by offering them tax incentives and easy and expedited granting of permits. Also, I plan to include College of Marin into our joint efforts. We need a curriculum that will better enable our students to participate in the new job markets, preferably here in Novato. For this purpose, we need quality education in fields such as solar power, bio-technology, design, engineering and construction.

6) What can be done to improve public safety in Novato?

We need to allocate resources to keep gangs, abuse, bullying and theft under control. Novato wants strong police presence with their expertise in counseling, and as school resources. Furthermore, public safety includes preparing for emergencies like flooding, earthquakes and fire.

7) How can Novato be a more active partner in solving the problems that plague Marin as a whole?

Novato already is an active partner in solving such issues as transportation, housing, aging, education and economics. Marin will have to make a concerted effort to strategically plan together and focus on what is best for retaining the quality of life and future of this county. For example, San Rafael, Novato and other Marin cities have unemployed people on the streets who want work. Novato could be a partner in programs coordinated with the county to involve them in community activities and jobs.

8) What are your plans for balancing the city budget, immediately and in the long-term?

By law the budget must be balanced every year. Novato does this. The real issue is the long-term lack of funds. Lack of revenue and increases in spending need to be taken into account. Novato has already adjusted spending. However, further cuts may need to be negotiated. In the meantime, added revenues will come with the opening of the downtown Novato Theater and bring in more diners and shoppers.