LIVE Council Appointment Coverage: Wolk Wins

Editor’s Note: The Council, sitting as the RDA Board, will consider very important funding measures (pdf) beginning at 4:30pm.  Bernie Goldsmith has graciously agreed to cover that portion of the evening, so check back for a separate post. READ HERE.

Well, tonight is the night… after months of hand-wringing over Don Saylor’s departure to the Board of Supervisors, our esteemed City Council will appoint a citizen to join them up on the dais to make decisions over the next 16 months.

Need help with remembering the difference between Kari & Kerry, Walt & Wolk?  Check out our handy-dandy Quick Glance Guide to Council Applicants.

Dig a little deeper with our coverage of last week’s Council Applicant Public Forum, hosted by the good people at the League of Women Voters of Davis.

Or, watch the Public Forum for yourself courtesy of our good friends at Davis Media Access (DMA) by clicking on the following link: http://dctv.davismedia.org/show/27257

Predictions? Prognostications? Bets? Odds? Thoughts? Questions? Leave them in the comments below.  I’ll be in Community Chambers by 6pm, but it’s very possible that the RDA matter will take more time than expected.

6:15pm – Hello Davis!  The trains are not running on time, but we’re not far off schedule.  The Mayor just announced we’ll be starting in 3 minutes.  Candidates are getting their first glance at Council questions now.

6:21pm – Mayor Krovoza has called this meeting to order and is now offering the public an introduction to this process of representative democracy.  And check that out, a shout-out from the Mayor to Davis Voice!

Greenwald is thanking everyone for their participation… “every person who applied would be an asset.”  Souza is thankful for all the applicants and think that we’d be well served by all of them.  Swanson agrees and thinks that this is a tough decision.  Also, Swanson thinks that this has been an incredible learning experience.

6:27pm – The first round of questions will be about an hour long and then each Councilmember will vote for their top four applicants.  Public Comment is now open. Joannie Setler (sp?) is now speaking on behalf of Kerry Daane Loux.  Steve Tracy is also speaking on behalf of Loux. Public comment is now closed.

Interesting note: Loux received the only Public Comments tonight (2), Kari Fri received a huge majority of the public input form comments (15, see staff report) and Dan Wolk received the only Letters to the Editor of The Davis Enterprise (4, I think).  Right now, there are 18 people in the audience.

QUESTION 1 from Souza: What would be your options for addressing the long-term implications of unfunded pension liabilities?

Boylan: Have no preconceived ideas.

Bunter: Create a second tier for new hires.

Fry: Stay open-minded and collaborative; bring on to balance sheets ASAP.

Harrison: Tiered pension plan for new employees; reduce salaries for current staff members; 401K for future.

Loux:Would need to do a lot of research; Continue deferred benefit or combination of defined contribution; work regionally.

Parfitt: Investigate safety employee benefits and actuarial tables.

Smith: Cut liabilities, reduce salaries, create 2nd tier program.

Williams: Develop more scenarios based on future CalPERS numbers.

Wolk: 2-tiered retirements, increase health care contributions, line by line expenditures.

Wyatt: Does not believe in 2-tiered plans; investigate medical cost increases.

6:48pm  QUESTION 2 by Swanson -  Taking into consideration upcoming items on the Long Range Calendar, including but not limited to the budget, please explain how you will prepare referencing at least 3 specific upcoming items.  As appropriate, give specific examples of knowledge and qualifications you currently possess and what you would need to learn to prepare.

Harrison: Will look for a variety of resources from internet to colleagues. Issues: General Fund operation, Senior Housing, Low income housing.

Loux: Using human resources is important.  Issues: Water agreements, Vision for Davis, Appointment of new City Manager.

Parfitt: Issues: High-tech innovation center; Cannery Park; Budget and status of Reserve Fund.

Smith: Unsure of issues but would prepare with internet, library and human contact.

Williams: Has budgeting ad land use experience.  Issues: Budget, West Village annexation and General Plan update.

Wolk: Experience with Social Services Commission and professional experience with finance & legal matters. Issues: Affordable housing, budget and transportation circulation program.

Wyatt: Issues: Housing growth for lower income people, Mental Services & Drug Treatment programs.

Boylan: Clarifying that the Long-Term Calendar is an actual document… indeed, it is (though I’m not seeing much on there).  Issues: West Davis annexation; Budget; City Manager hiring.

Bunter: Wants to learn more about the long-term forecasts and detailed department budgets. Issues: Budget, City Manager & Parks Tax.

Fry: Experience in finance & budgeting, find creative community based solutions.  Issues: Budget, Affordable Housing Workshop & West Village annexation.

7:04pm - Souza is encouraging applicants to bring their beverages to the table… I assume that they are not adult beverages.

QUESTION 3 from Greenwald – What is your position on additional big box retail and/or large malls within Davis or its planning area?

Smith: No Wal-mart or malls.

Williams: Easy response is against these types of developments, but we should be open to bringing new retail and stopping future tax leakage. Would discourage a mall or big box.

Wolk: Opposed to big box retail and/or large mails.  Admits to shopping at Target so thinks there are some businesses that we should welcome.

Wyatt: What’s the definition of “big-box”? Borders has not damaged local economy. Not everybody in this town is a professional and  they need lower cost shopping options AND jobs at such places. So, yes in principle.

Boylan: Thinks Target is fine but that big-box are dangers to Downtown merchants.

Bunter: Against any large big-box or malls because it would destroy downtown.

Fry: Doesn’t think that we need them now, but would consider on a case by case basis. Consider Climate Action Plan… ensure that residents have shopping choices… don’t threaten downtown.

Harrison: Not in favor of a huge, big-box mall.  Strengthen downtown.

Loux: Economic development and tax revenues are important… Not in favor of large shopping malls or traditional big-box stores… Larger businesses can fit in downtown… like Fry, would consider case by case.

Parfitt: Against big box but would consider a small mall that is in walking distance of neighborhoods.

QUESTION 4 from Krovoza – Please share your ideas for building stronger connections between our city government and neighborhoods.  What would be your main objectives in this area?

Wyatt: Invite neighborhoods to City Council meetings for area based meetings.

Boylan: Go door to door… and follow up.

Bunter: Would reach out to existing Neighborhood Association meetings, educate them about upcoming issues and show them how to access resources.

Fry: Agrees with Bunter. Develop good process for talking with neighborhoods… ensure follow through on goals with time lines and clear expectations.

Harrison: Regularly scheduled Town Hall Meetings (N, S, E & W) with follow up and feedback… All City Council members should attend.

7:25pm – 2 minute Break.  I should note here that I’m surprised by the small number of people in the audience… about 20.

Loux: Encourage interactions between existing commissions, neighborhoods, groups etc etc. Against district elections.

Parfitt: Careful analysis of neighborhood strengths and weaknesses; Townhall meetings, potlucks, use West Village Annexation matter to bring people together.

Smith: Identify neighborhood representatives for each district to serve as a point person.

Williams: Thinks city government and residents do an excellent job of connecting with citizens.

Wolk: Roving City booth that goes to where people are rather than just Farmers Market; Roving Council meetings; Reach out to neighborhood groups based on specific actions.

7:35pm - 1st Round of questions is now closed.  Time for Council members to VOTE! Each Council member will vote for their top 4 candidates in no particular order. Every applicant who receives at least 2 moves forward to the next round.  Souza is attempting to clarify how this is going to work… Stachowicz is explaining that the goal is to narrow the field to about 5… Krovoza is unsure… and now everybody is confused.  Greenwald thinks we need a decision now.  Ok, so I think we have some closure on that… time will tell.

Lots of whistling in the crowd…Jeopardy theme and all.  Krovoza comments that this was a gut-wrenching experience but is thankful for all 10 of those folks who stepped forward to the call of duty. Greenwald thinks that, to much appreciative laughter, it probably would’ve been easier to just hold an election. Souza wants to ensure that the 9 folks who don’t get appointed, “Please, please get involved… this City needs you.”  Greenwald is now trying to explain how she voted: how well she knows them, neighborhood, issue compatibility.  Swanson agrees that it’s tough to choose but did have an open mind walking in tonight… she is looking mainly at who is ready to serve next week… and thanking the community for their input… and stay involved!

VOTE 1 - # of Votes (Councilmember voting in favor)

Boylan – 2 (Swanson, Greenwald )

Bunter – 0 ( )

Fry – 2 (Souza, Swanson)

Harrison – 2 (Krovoza, Greenwald )

Loux – 2 (Souza, Krovoza)

Parfitt – 2 (Swanson, Greenwald )

Smith – 0 ( )

Williams –  2 (Souza, Krovoza, )

Wolk – 4 (Souza, Swanson, Krovoza, Greenwald)

Wyatt – 0 ( )

And those that will be moving on for another vote: Boylan, Fry, Harrison, Loux, Parfitt, Williams, Wolk

7:58pm VOTE 2 - # of Votes (Councilmember voting in favor)  Each Council member will vote for three from the remaining applicants.

Boylan –  2 (Swanson, Greenwald)

Fry – 1 (Souza)

Harrison – 0  ()

Loux – 2 (Souza, Krovoza)

Parfitt –  2 (Swanson, Greenwald)

Williams – 1 (Krovoza, )

Wolk – 4 (Souza, Swanson, Krovoza, Greenwald)

Moving on from this vote: Boylan, Loux, Parfitt, Wolk

8:04pm – TEN MINUTE BREAK

And then there were four…

8:17pm – Of the candidates who didn’t make it this far, these folks are still present: Kari Fry, Walt Bunter, Steve Williams, Sherelene Harrison.  Now, Council members will ask direct questions.

Swanson asks, “Please discuss issues, limitations and ideas for improvement to Olive Drive and the Richards Blvd undercrossing (also known as Gateway), including impacts on residents and traffics.”

Boylan: would like to expand Richards, but knows that is expensive; preferred option, if the money is available, would be to build an over-crossing.

Loux: recognizes that this is an old problem; fence along rail is not reasonable; need an at-grade crossing.

Parfitt: We need an equitable solution that involves all stake holders.

Wolk: Does not support UP unilateral action to build a big fence. Work with the CPUC for a comprehensive solution that involves an at-grade crossing and a fence. Re: Richards Blvd… it’s unsafe.  If Nishii property gets developed, could be a good opportunity to solve problems.

Souza asks, “Outside of the budget, what is the most pressing problem that the City faces?”

Loux: Growth… How much is acceptable to the community? What are our high priorities? We need a community vision.

Parfitt: Realignment proposal at the state level is very concerning.

Wolk: Redevelopment Agency funds – protect the projects and dollars that we have, including affordable housing.

Boylan: Agrees with Wolk and thinks that we need more car parking downtown.

Souza asks a follow up question, “Regarding our affordable housing ordinance, are we going down the right path? Are there changes we could make?”

Parfitt: Mixed economic levels throughout town are good.  Missing piece is universal designed and dense senior housing.

Wolk: Affordable housing goes beyond very low economic status people, there are young professionals who grew up here and can’t afford to buy a house.  Glad that we’re discussing current program in greater deal… subsidies per unit could be improved.  Supports a down-payment assistance program.

Boylan: Glad that socio-economic mixed neighborhoods are emphasized in Davis. Require future development deals to include affordable housing.

Loux: Also likes mix of housing types in her neighborhood.

Greenwald asks, “Would you look favorably on widening the Richards Underpass?  Warning, warning, this was a big controversial issue and has been voted down by a small percentage in the past.”

Wolk: Supports the idea of widening Richards and creating a nice gateway to the community but that would be very expensive… wants a study to see if it actually would solve any traffic problems… would there be new bottlenecks?

Boylan: Supports widening Richards Blvd, but it might be too expensive right now… thinks that preserving that bottleneck keeps Downtown “better”… more on lack of parking downtown.

Loux: Primary issue is safety, traffic flow shouldn’t be the only consideration.  Would use widening of Richards as a very last resort… we have other access points to town.

Greenwald asks, “My personal estimate is that 75% of Davis voters are hard-core slow-growthers.  The City currently has a 1% growth guideline, that I’d like to be a cap, which equates to 325 houses per year.  Would you be willing to entertain growing slower than 325 units per year if there weren’t good infill sites available?”

Boylan: There is a plethora of housing available in Davis.  We don’t need to develop more with existing demand and a current huge supply.  Suspicious of the term “infill” if it’s applied to larger places… would prefer to develop only within City limits as they exist.

Loux: Thinks of 1% as a cap to meet internal needs.  Would support whatever the market and community vision supports.  Does not see the need for economic development in this economic downturn.  Consider not just numbers, but quality and styles.  Wants more UCD faculty and staff to live in town.  Focus on infill like the PG&E site and other sites downtown… be proactive rather than waiting for developers to come.

Parfitt: Strong believer in smart growth. Thinks that the 1% should be a cap.  Voters have consistently supported slow-growth.  With the current supply of real estate, growing by less than 325 units per year is reasonable.

Wolk: 325 units is a lot of units; I don’t see the policy as a cap or a minimum but representative that the community wants to grow slowly, smartly and responsibly.

Krovoza asks, “What do you think this city can do in the area of sustainability and carbon reduction to reduce our carbon output by 80% in 2050?”

Boylan: Sustainability is not only noble but a necessity. We should do as much as we can… recycle more… ban plastic bags.

Loux: Climate Action Plan is good but needs more details… work with regional organizations and businesses.  Influencing public attitudes to think more sustainably is key.  Look to European models for areas to improve in transportation, waste, design… solutions are complicated but we must do them.

Parfitt: Sustainability is about our future and the future of our children and grandchildren… Carbon reduction goal is important, and we should strive for it.

Wolk: Davis has always been environmentally progressive and the Climate Action Plan is a great document… Zero Waste City, Solar Farm installations, work with lenders for a workable private lending program, recommit ourselves to being a bicycle friend City especially the Downtown, start our own public utility for energy like Marin, water conservation.

Krovoza asks, “Serving on this Council is exciting and invigorating… I find myself committing 30-40 hours per week… how are you going to carve out time in your schedules to be an active and involved member?”

Loux: I decided to do this specifically because of the desire expressed by Swanson & Krovoza to see different people get involved.  All the children would be out of the house soon and is up to the challenge.  I do have the time, commitment and energy because I’ve know Councilmembers and staff.  I definitely would need to develop a tough skin.

Parfitt: I’m aware that this is a big commitment… I’ve given it a lot of serious thought.  I have the ability to take a sabbatical from my job at the Public Policy office at the State Department of Education… I’m willing to take that on.

Wolk: I did struggle with this decision because I have a full-time job and a 2 year old at home and another one the way.  I’ve talked with lots of folks about finding this balance, and I think that I do have time… law school has taught me many things including how to read quickly. Can have a flexible work schedule.

Boylan: I’m here because my son is in college now and I have a lot more time on my hands… and some of these major issues are tailor made for me.  My office is here in Davis and I make my own hours.

Swanson asks, “We’ve got a parks parcel tax looming.  Let’s assume it doesn’t pass or we need to raise tax money… how can we mitigate that situation?”

Parfitt: I’ve helped raise money in this community for a long time, and that would be a disturbing loss.  If it doesn’t pass, there will be some really difficult choices… I’m willing to walk and talk within the community about the consequences if it doesn’t passed.

Wolk: Very concerned about the parks tax. With the school board in May, Governor’s taxes in June, I do worry about it.  It is worth studying what happens if it doesn’t passed… will need to go through the budget line by line after that… maybe go back to the voters or identify another revenue source.

Boylan: Doesn’t think that Davisites are part of the anti-taxation trend… when people better understand what the monies are going to, they are more likely pass it… if we’ve warned voters of closures and the tax fails, the parks have to close.

Loux: Thinks that parks tax will probably pass because people understand the value… be realistic with what people can support and transparent about being efficient with public dollars.

9:21pm – Public Comment is now open. Matt Williams, an El Macero resident, is supporting the idea of volunteer work for the community and that since Dan Wolk is pursuing a “professional public career” and should seek to start that career with an election not an appointment. Williams also “believe[s] the best use for the ConAgra site is for housing, but no entitlements for housing should be entertained until Con Agra commits to locating one of its research/development facilities somewhere in Davis the way their competitors Monsanto have. ConAgra as one of the world’s largest agricultural corporations is in a unique position to leverage a relationship with UC Davis by locating a ConAgra facility in Davis. Such arelationship would be good for ConAgra, good for Davis and good for UC Davis.”

Don Winters, who lives a half mile outside of town, is here to support Dan Wolk. Public Comment is now closed.

Before the votes are announced, Souza is asking what the funniest think that’s happened in the process… Wolk: Boylan’s comment that “Candyland is a gateway to Monopoly”. Boylan, “I have shopped at Target but did not inhale.”  Loux, “The introduction to public media has been fun.”

9:30pm – VOTE 3 - # of Votes (Councilmember voting in favor) Each Council member will vote for their top two.

Boylan -  2 (Swanson, Krovoza )

Loux -  2 (Souza, Krovoza)

Parfitt -  2 (Greenwald)

Wolk -  2 (Souza, Swanson, Greenwald)

Moving on to the next round: Boylan, Loux, Wolk

9:37pm – 5 minute break.

9:46pm – Annnnnndddd we’re back for Round 3. Apparently, we’ve got more questions.

Greenwald is not satisfied with the process of elimination as we move forward… Krovoza disagrees.

Greenwald asks, “Sometimes we order food here. Choose one of these five: Lamppost Pizza, Steve’s Pizza, Village Bakery, Bernardo’s or the Meditteranean place, pick 3.”

And I’m taking a break.

No questions from anyone else.

9:53pm VOTE 4 - # of Votes (Councilmember voting in favor) Each Council member will vote for their top two.

Boylan – 3 (Swanson, Krovoza, Greenwald)

Loux – 2 (Souza, Krovoza)

Wolk – 3 (Souza, Swanson, Greenwald)

And then there were two: Boylan & Wolk

9:56pm – VOTE 5 - # of Votes (Councilmember voting in favor) Each Council member will vote for one.

Boylan – 1  (Souza)

Wolk -  3 (Swanson, Greenwald, Swanson)

And we have a winner, Dan Wolk has been appointed to the Davis City Council.