My First Six Months in Office

By Chris Cate

Cate explains what his top priorities will be during his first six months in office and his rational behind each priority.

We are on a path that is moving in the right direction, and we can ill-afford to take a step back. This election is critical to ensuring the next councilmember from District 6 is prepared to hit the ground running on day one in office. My past experience starting my own small business, working at City Hall, and advocating on behalf of residents for a transparent and efficient city government will allow me to begin working on behalf of District 6 residents immediately. In the first 6 months of my term, my promise is to:

● Hold 6 budget town halls across the district to increase transparency, knowledge and receive community feedback about the City's budget ● Facilitate community outreach meetings between the San Diego Police Department and each neighborhood in District 6 to understand services being provided to residents and hear community feedback and needs ● Help oversee creation of an online strategic plan for placing all interactions between small businesses and city government online ● Amend municipal code that currently criminalizes start-ups and entrepreneurs for working out of their garage

As I walk neighborhoods and talk directly to voters, there continues to be a sense of distrust with how elected leaders make decisions and how our tax dollars are being spent. This may be due in part to a lack of the City initiating the discussion of how our budget works, and how voters can be involved. Former Council President Tony Young first began the "San Diego Speaks" town halls, asking residents for their ideas and explaining how the budget process works. When elected, I will continue to personally hold these town hall meetings with residents both to receive input prior to the adoption of our budget, as well as after the budget is adopted, to brief residents about how the City intends to use our tax dollars in the upcoming budget year.

Our new police chief Shelley Zimmerman has embraced this idea of communication and outreach since taking over the San Diego Police Department. Chief Zimmerman has gone to each council district to introduce herself and talk directly to residents to hear their concerns and educate the public about the operations of SDPD. These outreach meetings should continue, not only at town council and planning group meetings, but also to other service groups and resident groups throughout the district. As your next councilman, I will immediately work with SDPD and neighborhood leaders, community groups and residents to make sure there is an open dialogue between our officers on the streets everyday and those who depend on them.

Last year the City's Independent Auditor conducted an audit of the web services provided by the City and determined there is not a strategic vision for the placing of services online. The Auditor recommended "developing specific goals and objectives for increasing online services offered, with clear roles and responsibilities for City departments, and milestones that are incorporated into the City's strategic planning documents." When elected to the council I will work with our new mayor to develop a strategy and timeline for our city to place services online. As the eighth largest city in the nation, we need to be making it easier for residents and small businesses to interact with City Hall.

District 6 is home to a great number of entrepreneurs looking to start and grow their businesses. As a city, we should be adopting policies that foster creative thinking and promote economic growth. One barrier that can be easily overcome is amending the City's Home Occupation Ordinance. This law restricts individuals from working with others out of their home to start a business, essentially preventing the next Google or Amazon from being created in San Diego. Within my first six months, I will work with my council colleagues to amend this code and make sure we are encouraging individuals to be creative and look to develop their own businesses.

While the first six months in office may be a time for some to learn the ropes and get familiar with how the City functions, I will make sure I will be productive and working to get things accomplished beginning on day one in office.