Will It Be an Incumbent Sweep? - The Spectrum Magazine
Will It Be an Incumbent Sweep? - The Spectrum Magazine
Will It Be an Incumbent Sweep? - The Spectrum Magazine
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C<strong>an</strong>didates <strong>an</strong>swer <strong>Spectrum</strong> questions <strong>an</strong>d show differences on tax increases<br />
(Continued from page 19)<br />
Redwood City’s hotel tax is lower th<strong>an</strong> our neighboring jurisdictions <strong>an</strong>d it<br />
makes sense to remain close to the competing areas. <strong>The</strong> business license<br />
tax has not been ch<strong>an</strong>ged in Redwood City since 1994; this has deprived the<br />
residents of the potential benefit that gradual increases could have provided<br />
to support resident services. Our neighboring communities have similar<br />
sources of revenue that are helping maintain services in their communities.<br />
Our community needs updated revenues to support our police, fire, libraries,<br />
streets, park <strong>an</strong>d recreation <strong>an</strong>d senior services.<br />
If your <strong>an</strong>swer was Yes, tell why it is fair to gr<strong>an</strong>t pay<br />
increases for upper m<strong>an</strong>agement at City Hall <strong>an</strong>d in<br />
the Fire Department <strong>an</strong>d then ask residents to vote<br />
Yes? Isn’t this just <strong>an</strong> example of taxpayers paying for<br />
out-of-control salaries <strong>an</strong>d benefits?<br />
Alicia Aguirre: No, salary increases were part of the agreements established<br />
in order to get the concessions that we were able to achieve. We have asked<br />
all of our groups to work with the city <strong>an</strong>d they have done so, even without<br />
the salary increases that they deserve.<br />
I<strong>an</strong> Bain: Some salaries were negotiated in exch<strong>an</strong>ge for concessions over<br />
pension pl<strong>an</strong>s. <strong>The</strong>se concessions were essential to making sure that our<br />
budget c<strong>an</strong> be bal<strong>an</strong>ced now <strong>an</strong>d into the future. Additionally, our Fire<br />
Department has taken on more responsibility by providing services to S<strong>an</strong><br />
Carlos, <strong>an</strong> arr<strong>an</strong>gement that will benefit our city fin<strong>an</strong>cially.<br />
Ros<strong>an</strong>ne Foust: Redwood City was the first city in S<strong>an</strong> Mateo County<br />
to work productively <strong>an</strong>d successfully with each of its bargaining units<br />
to close the structural deficit in the city’s general fund budget. Employee<br />
groups, including executive m<strong>an</strong>agement, have had wage freezes, are now<br />
contributing to their health care costs, have increased the retirement age <strong>an</strong>d<br />
accepted a two-tier system for new hires. Please see my previous <strong>an</strong>swer for<br />
additional comments.<br />
Paul McCarthy: See above <strong>an</strong>swer. Does not support either tax increase.<br />
Barbara Pierce: For the past three years the m<strong>an</strong>agement <strong>an</strong>d the different<br />
departments took a pay freeze, including upper m<strong>an</strong>agement. Any “pay<br />
increases” were the result of ch<strong>an</strong>ges in responsibility or “step” increases.<br />
<strong>The</strong> salaries in Redwood City are within the norm for our area <strong>an</strong>d size city<br />
as are our benefits. We have worked with all our employee groups to address<br />
some of the issues regarding health benefit costs <strong>an</strong>d pensions, <strong>an</strong>d this will<br />
decrease our cost in the future.<br />
<strong>Be</strong>sides labor union contract concessions, where do<br />
you see the need for budgetary decreases to bal<strong>an</strong>ce<br />
the budget or decrease the usage of reserves?<br />
Alicia Aguirre: We are working with a three-step approach: labor concessions,<br />
partnering with other agencies to increase revenue such as with S<strong>an</strong> Carlos<br />
Fire, <strong>an</strong>d reorg<strong>an</strong>izing the city departments in order to be more efficient.<br />
I<strong>an</strong> Bain: We have bal<strong>an</strong>ced the budget every year <strong>an</strong>d only used reserves<br />
to soften the blow of some of the budget cuts. We have already made deep<br />
cuts over the last several years, <strong>an</strong>d the public is feeling the effects of this<br />
in decreased library hours, reduced street sweeping <strong>an</strong>d park mainten<strong>an</strong>ce,<br />
among other things. I believe we c<strong>an</strong> find more savings through energy<br />
efficiency projects. We also need to continue attracting new businesses such<br />
as the Old Spaghetti Factory.<br />
Ros<strong>an</strong>ne Foust: A clear <strong>an</strong>d consistent focus of this City Council has been<br />
the alignment of resources <strong>an</strong>d revenue so that reserves remain healthy <strong>an</strong>d<br />
our level of service remains high. Redwood City has also contracted its<br />
services (fire, IT, vehicle mainten<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d fin<strong>an</strong>ce) to other jurisdictions <strong>an</strong>d<br />
continues to seek opportunities for partnerships <strong>an</strong>d shared services. We<br />
have looked both within the org<strong>an</strong>ization <strong>an</strong>d outside of it to implement best<br />
practices in all areas of the org<strong>an</strong>ization.<br />
Paul McCarthy: In the 2011–12 operating budget, Parks, Recreation <strong>an</strong>d<br />
Community Services has a budget of $12,060,528. A signific<strong>an</strong>t portion of<br />
this is spent on sports <strong>an</strong>d activities. This expenditure could be signific<strong>an</strong>tly<br />
reduced by increasing fees <strong>an</strong>d using private contractors for services.<br />
Barbara Pierce: We c<strong>an</strong>not continue to bal<strong>an</strong>ce our budget by decreasing<br />
services <strong>an</strong>d decreasing staff. <strong>The</strong> city <strong>an</strong>d staff have streamlined m<strong>an</strong>y<br />
services, are determining which services to continue <strong>an</strong>d how best to provide<br />
them. We now provide services for other cities <strong>an</strong>d charge them for those<br />
services; the hybrid model of fire service with S<strong>an</strong> Carlos will provide some additional<br />
focus on the Emergency Operations Center <strong>an</strong>d CERT (Community<br />
Emergency Response Team) <strong>an</strong>d spread some costs across a broader<br />
base. Additionally we need to create revenues by attracting <strong>an</strong>d retaining<br />
businesses, ensure that our property taxes <strong>an</strong>d sales tax base is strong.<br />
What traits should our new chief of police have?<br />
Alicia Aguirre: <strong>The</strong> new chief of police should have a vision for the<br />
department that makes it one of the best on the Peninsula. <strong>The</strong>y should also<br />
underst<strong>an</strong>d the complexities of a city of our size. Someone that is sensitive to<br />
the diverse communities we serve is also import<strong>an</strong>t.<br />
I<strong>an</strong> Bain: Redwood City needs a police chief who c<strong>an</strong> make decisions <strong>an</strong>d comm<strong>an</strong>d<br />
the respect of the department. Ideally, it will be someone who thoroughly<br />
knows <strong>an</strong>d underst<strong>an</strong>ds this community, or who will get involved <strong>an</strong>d work<br />
to underst<strong>an</strong>d it. <strong>The</strong> new chief will also face continued budget pressure, so it<br />
will need to be someone who underst<strong>an</strong>ds fin<strong>an</strong>ce <strong>an</strong>d staffing <strong>an</strong>d c<strong>an</strong> help<br />
stretch our limited dollars while ensuring community protection.<br />
Ros<strong>an</strong>ne Foust: I w<strong>an</strong>t our new police chief to be a champion of the<br />
department by fostering a sense of shared pride in our collective work, the<br />
department, the org<strong>an</strong>ization <strong>an</strong>d the Redwood City community. I w<strong>an</strong>t a<br />
police chief that aligns revenues <strong>an</strong>d resources, is creative <strong>an</strong>d seeks out<br />
opportunities, holds people accountable, is open to new ideas <strong>an</strong>d is willing<br />
to roll up his/her sleeves to work from the bottom up <strong>an</strong>d top down in<br />
continuing the great work of RCPD.<br />
Paul McCarthy: I believe that the new chief of police should have <strong>an</strong><br />
underst<strong>an</strong>ding of local issues <strong>an</strong>d come from the Peninsula law enforcement<br />
community. Although there are m<strong>an</strong>y qualified c<strong>an</strong>didates throughout the<br />
state, I would support the appointment of a chief who has a vested interest in<br />
making Redwood City <strong>an</strong>d S<strong>an</strong> Mateo County a safer community.<br />
Barbara Pierce: Experienced law enforcement profession, strong leadership<br />
<strong>an</strong>d org<strong>an</strong>izational skills, ability to build relationships within the department,<br />
city m<strong>an</strong>agement team <strong>an</strong>d with our diverse community.<br />
What would you like to see done with the 1,436-acre salt<br />
harvesting Cargill site in Redwood City?<br />
Alicia Aguirre: This site in our city is <strong>an</strong> opportunity that few cities have.<br />
I would like to see a very open <strong>an</strong>d inclusive process so that all residents in<br />
Redwood City c<strong>an</strong> benefit from the outcome of this site. I am committed to<br />
keeping <strong>an</strong> open mind <strong>an</strong>d allowing the process to move forward.<br />
I<strong>an</strong> Bain: Ultimately, the voters of Redwood City will decide that. My job is<br />
to review a r<strong>an</strong>ge of options <strong>an</strong>d study the environmental impact of those. My<br />
opinion will be shaped by listening to the public, <strong>an</strong>d we will have a thorough<br />
public input process over the next several years.<br />
Ros<strong>an</strong>ne Foust: I am sorry but I am unable to comment on this project.<br />
(continues on page 25)<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 21