VALUES

It is widely accepted that California has a shortage of affordable housing and Pacific Grove is no exception.  Meeting state housing mandates is a top priority which includes updating the General Plan’s Housing Element. This effort will require significant staff and consultant resources (and funding) and community outreach.  We have no time to waste despite the state’s December 2023 deadline.

Housing strategies were already identified in The Welcome Home - an Affordable Future Initiative. They need to be acted on where they make sense and additional strategies considered.

A vibrant small town must help its small businesses thrive and create job opportunities.  City government can provide a supportive economic environment.  

I support excellent collaboration between city government and the Pacific Grove and Monterey Peninsula Chambers of Commerce. This relationship can provide the feedback needed to find opportunities to welcome potential new businesses, streamline commercial regulations and make permitting as easy as possible.

Because tourism is the city’s largest industry local government should continue to support marketing efforts by the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB). Working with the MCCVB to promote responsible tourism that respects our residents and environment.  

A beautiful and welcoming downtown is key to a healthy local economy and should be supported. Adding trees, continuing the façade program and promoting music during First Fridays are excellent examples.  The parklet program, now temporary, should be made permanent.  

If approved by the voters, a retail cannabis shop should be allowed.  It would be located at a location likely near Monterey or at the top of Forest Ave.

Everything local government accomplishes is a result of the efforts of many people.  Below are items in which Council played a role during my tenure on Council.  My contributions have been small and large depending on the topic. 

• Affordable Housing – The first affordable housing townhall was conducted in 2018.  Since then, the City has conducted the Welcome Home Affordable Housing Study and started an update to the Housing Element to promote additional affordable housing.  Many Accessory Dwelling Units, aka Granny Units, have been built with City water entitlement purchases.

• Finances – General Fund reserves have been maintained at 35% despite significant loss in tourism tax dollars during the pandemic

• Infrastructure – The Library Renewal and Point Pinos Coastal Trail Projects were completed.  Road and sidewalk maintenance has received more funding.  As a result of the City’s water recycling project, water entitlement sales are available for residential housing and businesses.

• Local Economy – Parklets and downtown business façade programs were implemented.

• Environment – Additional coastal wildlife protection measures are being considered, single use plastics for take out food and grocery bags were prohibited, and regulations passed to prohibit public smoking and vaping in public spaces and multifamily residences.

• Transparency, Public Engagement & Effective Government – Council meetings continue to encourage respectful public dialogue.  Financial reporting now includes several online quarterly reports.  A CalPERS pension report clarified the City’s pension obligations.  New Council policies were created for Workplace Safety, Council goals, City Manager performance evaluation, and Code of Conduct.  A new Boards, Committees and Commissions Handbook was written.