League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Peter Drekmeier Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Palo Alto

Questions & Answers

1. What specific steps would you support to balance the financial needs of the city with a changing regional business climate and potential effects on the quality of life in the area?

Palo Alto needs to aggressively court retail businesses. I favor recruitment of retail over office to increase sales tax revenues. I support an increase in transient occupancy tax (hotel tax). Incentives for energy efficiency will increase business profits in the long-run. Palo Alto should also pursue businesses with minimal traffic impacts (e.g. business-to-business transactions), and encourage point-of-sale in Palo Alto. Placing complimentary retailers near one another will reduce traffic and create more vibrant retail centers.

2. What are your priorities with regard to the balance of neighborhood issues and the broader needs of all Palo Alto?

Palo Alto needs more affordable housing, yet neighborhoods have valid concerns regarding impacts on traffic, schools and other public facilities. I support infill housing, optimally distributed city-wide to not place undue burden on one neighborhood and located near public transport and jobs. I also encourage dedicated parkland as part of large housing projects - such as at the former Palo Alto Medical Center. The impact fees required of new developments should keep up with inflation to reflect true costs of adding new parks and community facilities. Mixed-use development with a retail plaza on the ground floor and affordable housing above will increase available housing while keeping residents close to shopping areas. It is critical that each neighborhood have walkable basic services (e.g. grocery). Market cost housing should not replace our valuable retail areas. We need to maintain our infrastructure and public services (parks, libraries, and community centers) yet balance our budget. Major budget funding should come from the city, but creative use of volunteers and public/private sector collaboration can help augment available funds, satisfy neighborhood needs, and balance spending.

3. Where do you stand on the goal of retaining socio-economic diversity in Palo Alto, and if you support that goal, what steps would you take to achieve it?

Socio-economic diversity creates a vibrant city and allows people of varied backgrounds to work together and enrich our community. To increase diversity, it is critical to have affordable housing. To minimize impact on the surrounding community, housing should be located near public transportation, jobs, and services. I support reduced rates to low income families for utilities or recreation programs. Locally-owned businesses keep money in the community and are better able to serve community needs. People of all income levels living and working together in one community results in less commuting, less traffic and greater quality of life.