Quality of Life and Public Safety

By Matt Rahn

Dr. Rahn has been working in community planning, energy, water resources, and wildfires throughout his career, having the experience and leadership to guide the City in developing and implementing the following programs:

IMPROVING FIRE PROTECTION:The term `wildland fire' has become a misnomer in California. Wildfires frequently threaten homes, businesses and lives, shifting the focus to structure defense rather than a traditional brush fire. We are witnessing a dramatic shift in the frequency and intensity of wildfires due to a variety of factors, most of which are human-caused + less than 5% of our wildfires are the result of natural causes (e.g. lightning). As our City grows, decisions on developing and managing the wildfire risk will determine our vulnerability and the risks imposed on our community and firefighters. I will work to ensure that the City provides adequate protection and planning across several key areas:

Adopting protection standards, brush management, and response protocols to avoids and minimize wildfire risk

Identifying and protecting at risk neighborhoods, business, and infrastructure Working closely with developers and planners to identify ways provide the highest level of home protection and resiliency

Encouraging community planning that addresses high risk areas and updates community protection planning for Temecula Maintaining adequate firefighter staffing, training, and resources

Creating post-disaster response plans to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the regional impacts to wildfires, with an emphasis on protecting our water quality, hillside stability, and integrity of our homes and infrastructure

MANAGING OUR WATER AND ENERGY FUTURE: As we move into another extreme drought year, we must work to ensure a safe and reliable water supply. Further, the City pays a high cost related to its electrical demands including municipal lighting, City buildings, and related infrastructure. We need to continue building upon existing water and energy conservation/efficiency programs. This can also have a positive impact on reducing our City budget. Advancing our water and energy position will significantly improve our ability to respond to severe droughts or energy shortages. These are complex issues that require strong leadership and novel solutions. This includes the following actions:

Working with City Departments, staff, and local agencies, the City can serve a strong leadership role in identifying strategies for improving water resources management

Increasing efficiency in water use, delivery and technology applications (e.g. drip irrigation, precision sprinklers, and soil moisture monitors) to improve water use at City facilities and parks

Ensuring that future development has an adequate water supply without impacting current supplies or water prices

Identifying opportunities for increasing the use of reclaimed water for non-drinking water purposes (e.g. irrigation)

Identifying opportunities to increase energy conservation and efficiency for City facilities, municipal lighting, and infrastructure through energy conservation programs, infrastructure upgrades, and technology

IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC As a fellow commuter, I fully understand and empathize with the burden that long-distance commuting places on our families, our well-being, and our health. While part of my long-term vision includes increasing employment opportunities and business growth in Temecula, I realize that we need to be aware of our existing chronic traffic and transportation issues and ensure that future growth does not increase the problem. This can be accomplished by the following:

Continuing to improve on- and off-ramps on the Highway 15 corridor to improve the flow of traffic

Working to get HOV lanes created for the Highway 15 corridor to ease traffic and facilitate movement

Enhancing the scenic beauty and landscaping of our transportation corridors which has added benefits of reducing noise and air pollution

Streamlining traffic through major city thoroughfares while ensuring that our neighborhoods remain safe, quiet, and free from traffic overflow

Guaranteeing that future growth in our Wine Country does not adversely impact our City streets, increase congestion, or change the tranquility of our neighborhoods

Ensuring that traffic and transportation improvements provide direct benefits in improving our local air quality

IMPROVING PARKING AND FUTURE PLANNING The City has made amazing progress in developing and planning for key business and tourism areas. There are however key areas that require our attention:

Available parking in Old Town is challenging during our busiest weekends and events. Parking will continue to pose a problem as these events gain in popularity and as Old Town grows. We will need to work closely with our planning department, City staff, our local developers, and local business to provide creative solutions.

Redevelopment along the Jefferson Corridor is a fantastic opportunity for the City. This is a perfect area for growth and revitalization. It is imperative that Temecula works closely with our existing business leaders, community members, and new business in developing a future for this area that is consistent with the principles and planning that makes Temecula such a wonderful City. As the northern area of Temecula nears its full potential, we need to work with our community members, businesses, and new (potential) businesses to ensure that the integrity of places like Harveston is maintained (and even enhanced).

CREATING A WALKABLE AND BIKEABLE COMMUNITY I believe that our community must be safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and our motorists. As our City grows, we must ensure that we can safely accommodate all modes of travel, encouraging efficiency, safety, and healthy alternatives. This includes the following key areas:

Ensuring that all pedestrian and bicycle access areas are safe, identifying critical areas that need repairs or enhancements

Working to get all pedestrian crossings properly and boldly marked and made accessible to people with mobility issues

Encouraging and promoting healthy alternatives and continue to grow the city-wide trails master plan for hiking, walking, bicycling and equestrian uses

Creating walkable communities where housing, services (e.g. schools, churches, shopping, and businesses), and parks/open space are comingled and distributed within walking distance of each other