1. Would you support the creation of a Police Review Board? If you support the creation of a Police Review Board, would it be directly elected by the voters and operate with subpoena power?

The City recently established a Police Review Board. The three individuals selected have excellent credentials and experience in this arena. In conjunction with the ombudsman, and the Citizens Advisory Board, I believe they will serve our community well.

2. Do you support corporate expansion here in Davis, such as bringing in a Target or Trader Joe's? and if so, what are your explicit justifications for such expansion?

In 2003, the City of Davis conducted a retail survey of its citizens. On average 70% of the respondents agreed they wanted more clothing, housewares, electronics, soft goods, bulk items, and other necessaries of life, available for purchase in Davis . 6% of the respondents specifically wrote “Target” into the comments section, and 15% wrote in “Trader Joe's”. To reduce air pollution, and for convenience, I support bringing for diverse retail to Davis . Furthermore, we need a more diversified sales tax base. Currently, 25 businesses (mainly auto dealers) contribute 61% of our sales tax revenue. That is bad for our economy. During a recession, people don't buy cars, so our sales tax base dissipates, leaving the city needing to resort to taxes or borrowing during bad economic times. While I support more retail, I oppose Target on 2nd Street for three reasons: I think it is a bad idea to create a new general plan designation for a specific project. I think the size (136,000 sq ft, or 2x the size of the Woodland Target) is abrasive. Finally, I think it is unfair to the neighbors, they couldn't have conceived the possibility of a store that big behind their homes. Notably, the final project proposal has not yet been released. I would want to see the mitigation proposed for the neighbors, and if their concerns are not adequately addressed, I would not approve the project.

3. Specifically, the area on the north side of second street between the pedestrian bridge and the AM/PM gas station is currently zoned light industrial. There have been several attempts to develop commercial/retail projects there. Would you support or reject rezoning/conditional use permits to use this area for retail.

It depends on the proposal. Actually, some of that land is commercial, and some is light industrial. Commercial is generally a less intensive use than industrial. The Target proposal would require a new designation, relating to large retail (Target would be 136,000 square feet), which could be considered more intensive. I think zoning changes need to involve the neighbors. People should be entitled to rely upon the regulations we establish for a specified period of time, and decisions must be respectful of their reasonable expectations.

4. Where do you see future housing expansion occurring for group living, such as the potential for a fraternity and sorority row, in order to meet existing and future needs?

The best place for a Greek Row would probably be on campus. The university has the land available, and the cost of acquisition off campus could otherwise make it prohibitive to build or occupy by most students.

5. Are you a renter or property owner, and if you are a property owner, do you rent your property out?

I own a house that I live in. I have no rental properties. Before I owned a house, I rented an apartment.

6. Would you propose a law that makes any house that is built under the affordable housing criteria to remain always under that criteria by setting its price permanently to be a fixed percentage of what its market value is at the time of sale?

We already have such an ordinance, with an appreciation cap to keep them affordable in perpetuity. Low and moderate income homes are fixed at 3.75 % appreciation cap. Middle income affordable housing units are fixed at a 5% appreciation cap. This was done to tie income levels at which individuals would qualify to the buying power of the income of individuals within the county. For environmental reasons, and for community reasons, we need to find ways for our public workforce to be able to afford to live here. However, restricting equity in housing private housing may have unintended consequences. I don't want to see low income recipients receive windfalls at the public expense. I also don't want recipients to be trapped into subsidized housing. Any system should be designed to help them achieve subsidy independence.

7. Do you believe the police and/or the District Attorney's office acted improperly in the Halema Buzayan case?

As an attorney of 15 years, and a volunteer traffic judge, I can say that the laws governing police conduct are exceptionally complex and nuanced. While the case could have been handled with more sensitivity, based upon what I know of the applicable law, it does not appear that either the officer or the District Attorney acted improperly. For instance, she could have been issued a notice to appear at a subsequent time.

8. How would you try to help the drug addicts and homeless of Davis ?

The Cesar Chavez Plaza was recently approved as transitional housing to provide homes for those who need help to be moved from addiction to a life from drugs and alcohol. I would continue to participate with Yolo County to provide funds for a homeless coordinator. During the cold winter months, I would seek to have the shelter near the fire department on 5 th Street open again. I would seek to coordinate better with all of our sister jurisdictions to avoid duplication of services which wastes resources. I would work to educate the community about the many faces of homeless, to generate more interest and support.

9. Have you read the entire Davis Municipal Code? Can you suggest an existing section of code that you would remove or rewrite?

A more relevant question would be whether I've read the General Plan. That is the guiding regulation for the city of Davis . Given that the General Plan was intended to carry us through 2010, we need to begin a community wide process to determine what needs we have and how we choose to meet them for the next 10 years. The Municipal Code is the administrative document for the city. There are many relevant sections of the administrative code I've read, such as the affordable housing ordinance, the election ordinances, lawn sign ordinance, open container ordinance, agricultural mitigation ordinance, environmental regulations, right to farm and farmland preservation code, etc. There are 41 chapters in the Municipal Code. I would change the resale inspection rules to require an inspection at every point of sale, not just sale every 5 years.

10. What ideas or policies do you believe in which would raise passionate disagreement from a significant number of people here in Davis ?

A member of the public was most disturbed at the environmental forum when I suggested that while I don't want my kids covered in pesticides, I don't want them to contract West Nile Virus. I don't know what number is “significant”, but there is a vocal group of people opposed to aerial spraying by the Vector Control District. I've worked very hard in my career to restrict pesticide use. In fact, I personally defended (successfully) a lawsuit by the manufacturer of the chemical Diazinon that tried to set aside regulations designed to keep Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos (organophosphate pesticides) out of the Sacramento and Feather Rivers . The Vector Control District is not under the jurisdiction of the City of Davis , however. The District's goal is to prevent a West Nile pandemic, which would disproportionately harm our children and older adults. I believe most of my positions would be considered mainstream, but different people are passionate about different issues. In such circumstances, it is important to listen, provide as much information as possible, and maintain a responsible and civil dialogue.

11. How do you view race related issues in town and if elected what would you do in regard to this issue?

Race related issues are inherently charged with emotion. It is essential when such issues arise that everyone maintains a respectful and positive attitude and tone. Vitriol and personal attacks exacerbate difficult situations, and prevent mutual understanding and collaboration. As an environmental lawyer working for the State of California , it is my job to accommodate the interests of as many different stakeholders as we can when we make a regulatory decision. I am also a trained mediator with 50 hours of formal mediation training from the Court of Appeal, and I serve as a volunteer superior court judge. I've tried or settled cases involving difficult racial issues, family disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, and other very emotional cases. On the Council, I would handle such issues as I handle them in my career: With an open ear, with an open mind, and with respect.

12. The City of Davis 2001 General Plan calls for the creation of a Youth Commission "comprised primarily of youth to provide City Council guidance on issues that affect youths" ( http://www.city.davis.ca.us/pb/gp/ General Plan http://www.city.davis.ca.us/pb/gp/005-10-Youth-and-Education.pdf Y&E 3.1a) Do you support the creation of this commission? If so, what could you do to bring it to fruition?

If there was significant interest, I could certainly support it. Presently, there are high school and UCD students on both the Human Relations Commission, and the City-UC Davis Student Liaison Commission. There are also UCD students on Social Services and the Bicycle Commissions.

13. This City Council will be responsible for the creation of the 2010 General Plan, so what are your visions for that General Plan, and how would you change it from the current General Plan?

I want to be sure that the General Plan reflects the vision of the broader community. When changing the General Plan, I would ensure that the process is broad-based and inclusive.

14. Do you feel that the Open Container Ordinance has had an appreciable benefit? How open would you be to repealing the Open Container Ordinance if public sentiment desired it?

I would consider tightening up the language so it is not onerous to those who are not drunk and disorderly.