Positions

Over the past eight years, the City has made progress to address our aging infrastructure. We have repaved old streets, built sidewalks, and repaired sewer lines. There is more work to be done. There are more sidewalks to build and connect and there are more roads, alleys, and sewer lines to repair. We must continue to diligently track infrastructure related issues within the City and work to address these issues on an ongoing basis. Council is now waiting for results of a facility assessment to help prioritize needed maintenance on buildings such as City Hall, Police Station, and Youth Center.

The City is in good financial health.  We have over ten million dollars in reserves and are meeting the reserve policy we set many years ago.  We have strong tax revenues which will increase due to new hotel taxes.  I believe we must be wise as to our expenditures and use of funds. As Mayor, I’m determined to continue to have a balanced budget and strong reserves.  

As a parent of three young daughters, and huge believer in sports and recreation, I wholeheartedly support the enhancement of our youth recreation programs, which became one of our primary council goals in 2023.  Since embarking on this goal, we have added many recreation program options for our youth and enhanced Summer camps.  As Mayor, I’m determined to grow our youth recreation programs to include water sports, surfing, kayaking, and ocean education programs.

We have one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world in Pacific Grove and unparalleled natural gifts throughout our region. Environmental stewardship, including acting to reduce impacts, and adapting to climate change are priority areas of concern to me. I will continue to support policies that protect the Bay from pollution or harm, continue to support enhanced storm drainage, which protects the Bay, and push for policies that enhance our coastal trail, for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty of the Bay. I support the City's efforts to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change and adapt and build resilience to the consequences of climate change such as sea level rise. For example, I’ve supported hiring expertise to develop GHG emission reduction targets for the City through 2030 to 2050.  It’s only a first step, but an important step. 

Though we have made progress on building sidewalks and repaving roads, I believe we need to re-focus this process as part of a great effort to implement a complete streets approach to planning, designing, and building streets.  This multi-modal approach to transportation fits well with the natural beauty of the City and active residential population.  We must ensure safe access to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists alike.  In this regard, I will continue to support a Safe Routes to Schools policy for our students. As Mayor, I’m determined to work toward a more walkable and bike-friendly Pacific Grove and enhance the safety of all using our streets.  

Over the past several years, the City has made progress in having a more transparent City government in moving more City documents online for public view.  We’ve enhanced agenda reports to reflect real-time fiscal statistics, project specifics for capital improvements, and contract details.  I pushed to continue using Zoom for all meetings, to allow people to call in from home.  As Mayor, I’m determined to continue these processes and finding ways to be more transparent.  I will continue to advocate for greater technological advancements in Council Chambers to increase the public’s ability to participate in meetings in-person and virtually.

Housing is scarce in our community and very expensive. Macroeconomic factors create an impediment to progress in this area. The City has adopted policies for Accessory Dwelling Units to be used to create more housing and I will continue to support these policies that provide more affordable living arrangements for residents.  I will also support policies for workforce housing to those to members of the community that live and work in the community. I pledge to seek opportunities to create more housing in our City.

Undoubtedly, Pacific Grove is a beautiful City.  But there are opportunities to enhance older, aged buildings, improve facades, and maintain planters and trees within the business district.  Making our downtown as attractive as possible will bring people together, residents and visitors alike, and boost our local economy.  As Mayor, I will work with stakeholders to work toward making these needed improvements and identify potential areas where the City can assist in this process.

As Mayor, I will support more efforts to connect with underserved communities and communities of color.  An example is expanding library programs and materials in Spanish including use of the library’s Mobile Outreach Vehicle electric (MOVe) to meet them at home or school.  I’d support surveys to identify better means to communicate with these communities, especially through online means, and to partner with Pacific Grove Unified School District in this endeavor.