Candidate for
Council Member; City of Mill Valley

John McCauley - Addressing Our Issues

Mill Valley has a tradition of City Council members serving only two terms. We lose two very experienced City Council members this November and the remaining three in two years. That's why this election is so important. The candidates who win this November 2013 election cycle will, in two years, become the most senior City Council members.

John McCauley has extensive local land use and planning experience. He also spent 35 years in accounting, eventually becoming a PricewaterhouseCoopers partner where he managed more than 300 people and a $100 million budget. This combination of local public service and business success make John well equipped to handle the City's budget, management and future challenges.

Mill Valley is a wonderful place. We have great schools, physical beauty, a vibrant arts community, a great library and community center and, best of all, a balanced budget. This did not happen by accident. We have an engaged public and a history of skilled City Council members who have lead us to success.

We also have our challenges. Local-serving businesses leaving, pressure from developers, and the need to deal with poor roads, flooding, sea level rise and public safety concerns.

John's experience on a variety of issues will be valuable as Mill Valley navigates these issues:

City Budget and Finances

While the City's current financial position is good, with a reasonable level of pension funding, there is little currently set aside for post employment health care benefits. Both the benefit levels and funding strategies have been carefully considered by the City Council recently, but continued focus is needed here to ensure that the City continues its strong record of prudent fiscal management.

The town will also face challenges to find the funds needed to deal with our roads, sewers and needed flood mitigation improvements.

John will use his accounting and budget experience to protect Mill Valley's finances, while still delivering results that improve our City.

Housing Diversity, Not Density

One of the great strengths of our state is the diversity amongst us. John McCauley wants Mill Valley to continue to reflect this diversity while maintaining the small town character of our city. This includes support of housing options for varying income levels as well as options for seniors, but not for large projects that fundamentally transform our city. John is a strong supporter of ordinances that encourage the construction of affordable, second units on existing building sites as a means to this end.

As a planning commissioner and a member of the team that drafted our new General Plan (MV 2040), John also supported the proposed changes to make it easier to build small "infill" low cost housing above retail establishments. All projects will still need to go through a public comment process to take into account project specific concerns.

John has a history of thoughtful action to support diversity but not density. John approved the small units of mixed use housing above the Tyler Florence shop downtown with the rest of the Planning Commission members, and worked to ensure that the approved "pipeline" projects along Miller Avenue were acceptable.

Promoting Sustainability

John is committed to sustainability in Mill Valley. In 2008, he strongly supported the "Build it Green" Greenpoint checklist with rater verification requirement, a proposal to change our building ordinances to include measuring the environmental efficiency of construction. He supports programs like "safe routes to school," which promotes safe, non-motorized ways for kids to get to school. While on the Miller Avenue Design Advisory Commission, John championed a redesign that meets the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists who contribute to sustainability, in addition to considering motorists.

John supports the proposed plastic bag ban, and the City's contract with our refuse company, which now includes convenient recycling and composting. He also supports regulations and City operating activities that protect and enhance our waterways, riparian zones and sensitive habitats.

Our city and citizens care deeply about protecting our environment, and good ideas continue to present themselves. John seeks out and listens to the advice of citizens and experts alike.

Committed to Fire Safety

The Emergency Preparedness Committee and Fire Department are doing a great job to manage risk for the citizens of our town, but John understands that fire safety is not to be taken for granted, especially in Mill Valley. Threats from invasive and non-native species (Scotch Broom and Eucalyptus trees for example) need to be reduced consistently. Loss of life and property damage could be severe.

We need to stay abreast of the latest expert thinking on mitigating this risk because of its severity, while also allowing for the needs of our natural environment so we can maintain the beauty of our surrounding open spaces.

Improving Neighborhood Roads

If you drive around Mill Valley, it won't take you long to feel that our roads are in severe disrepair. According to the most recent Metropolitan Transportation Authority study, Mill Valley ranks in the bottom 25% of Marin cities regarding road quality. Not only is this frustrating while driving, our poor roads contribute to car repair costs and greater greenhouse gas emissions. This makes them a drag on our economy and efforts to curb our impact on the environment.

John strongly supports more maintenance and improvement of neighborhood roads because it's one of the smartest investments we can make as a community. That was part of the reason the voters renewed the municipal service tax. It is also important is to remember that our budget is limited, and we need to engage the public in a discussion to set our budget priorities. John knows how to engage the public and build consensus around what road and infrastructure improvements should be tackled and in what order.

Supporting Mill Valley's Local Economy and Arts Community

We are more than a suburb of San Francisco. We have our own identity. This is why John supported Sweetwater and other businesses that fit our small town character. John knows that a vibrant downtown that serves our residents and visitors contributes to the health of our town.

John also saw the momentum that came from the general planning process as indicating how important the Arts are to Mill Valley residents. John wants the City to step up and make a small investment to support the ideas generated by the Arts Committee of the General Plan to promote the health of this sector.

Dedicated to Public Service and Accountable Government

While it is not easy to anticipate what issues will be before the City Council over the next four years, a successful council member should have certain characteristics. A good council member does his/her homework. They come to meetings with a point of view based on years of experience, but they also listen carefully to the public and fellow council members before rendering a decision. The focus of any deliberation should be what is best for the City.

John McCauley has years of experience as a businessperson and public servant here in Mill Valley. He wants to use that experience to work with you and help Mill Valley flourish as a small town.