League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Gordon Siebert Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Morgan Hill

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

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?

• 4 years on Morgan Hill City Council
• 6 years as Morgan Hill Director of Public Works (1989-1995)
• 1 year as Morgan Hill Finance Director (1990-1991)
• 4 years as a city manager, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (85-89)
• 2 years on Santa Clara County Measure A/B Citizens Oversight Board, 1 year as Audit Committee Chair
• 6 years as Deputy Director, Public Works, San Jose, CA
• currently serving as City Engineer, Atherton, CA
• Budget Director, Rockville, MD (1974-79)
• Municipal consultant, various cities, 1980-85, 2003-08
• League of CA Cities, Revenue and Tax Committee 2011-2013

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

1. Increasing residents' understanding of City finances - I have requested that the City's monthly financial reports be placed on the regular Council agenda where they will be prominently shown and discussed. I have met with civic groups and homeowners' associations to explain City finances, and have even taught high school civics classes on this subject. I am working with the City Manager to have a presentation made in Fall 2014.
2. The City's infrastructure, especially its roads, are deteriorating faster than they are being repaired. Delay in repairing roads leads to unsafe driving conditions and greater costs than if timely repairs are made. I have requested that more analysis be performed and that the results be presented to City Council, along with a plan to resolve this problem.
3. The City's long-term finances need to have revenues and expenses in balance. I have asked that the City prepare a 20 year analysis for consideration and that the Council develop policies to effect this balance.
3.

3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?

I make myself available to all individuals and groups who want to meet with me. So my first step is to listen to all who have concerns. Then I contact subject matter experts on City staff, and in other cities, using my extensive network of former employees and contacts, to learn about how others have handled the issues before. I also contact residents throughout the City to seek their input on issues. Finally, I listen to the public debate at City Council meetings and use the experiences I have gained in 40 years in local government to make a reasonable decision.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 20, 2014 08:17
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.