Issues
Good Government Policies
I was appointed to the El Cerrito Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) in 2019. Over the last 5 years I witnessed the financial and Covid-19 challenges that affected our city. I saw first hand the hard but necessary decisions that the City Council made.
I managed a city commissions budget and I know how to make prudent fiscal decisions while still providing crucial services. I will examine the city budget critically and make tough decisions that balance financial solvency with the needs of our residents.
Representing my neighbors means listening to concerns, and sharing city information. I will actively encourage and practice more transparency and clearer communication with residents. I want to and will make it easier for residents to find out what the city is doing on their behalf.
Affordable Housing
Rising housing costs impact renters, homeowners, and landlords alike.
One of the greatest assets of El Cerrito is our mom and pop landlords. It is important to protect not just the people who need homes but also those who are providing homes. I want to bring landlords, tenants, and homeowners together to collaborate and create solutions.
I will fight for more homes in our community. I support community projects such as the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan and the Transit-Oriented-Development Plan at the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station. Current and future projects will not only ease housing cost pressure but will also improve our city for current residents.
I also support initiatives such as the County’s Housing Security Fund. $15,000 can be used to support rapid housing initiatives and diversion programs aimed at preventing homelessness directly in El Cerrito.
Infrastructure and Deferred Maintenance
It is important to be prudent and thoughtful when assessing the immediate needs of the city. While the finances are in a better place it is time to conservatively start addressing the city's deferred maintenance needs. This includes projects such as replacing parts of the roof of the community center, and city hall leak repairs. It is also necessary to update the public safety building to bring the facilities into the 21st century.
El Cerrito will benefit greatly from the new projects in the future such as a larger public library with its meeting spaces, community programs and public resources. The Richmond Complete Streets Project will implement safety, accessibility and much needed structural improvements along one of El Cerrito’s busiest thoroughfares.
While I do not have a timeline I do support creating and/or finding a place where seniors and older residents can have a designated space to meet and build community. I want to thoughtfully and sustainably create a space where seniors won’t have to worry about being displaced. That might be a senior center in a multigenerational building and not a standalone structure. A place where there is enough staff and resources to be open everyday in the same place.
Public Safety
We deserve safety for everyone who shares our roads, trails, and paths. El Cerrito should remain accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, or those with disabilities.
After meeting with both the Fire and Police Departments it is important to support new technology that will reduce and deter crime and emergencies in the Plaza, in the flats, and up in the hills. Updated technology will also protect the lives of our first responders and El Cerrito Residents.
Collaborating with the City of San Pablo and Contra Costa County Health & Homeless Services (H3), El Cerrito has initiated a new C.O.R.E Pilot program. The program will provide on-the-ground outreach to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with essential services and support. I want to see more programs like this in El Cerrito.
Environment and the Hillside Natural Area
Fire abatement and vegetation management protects first responders, makes neighborhoods more resilient, and supports insurers to cover homeowners. The efforts in the Hillside Natural Area are ongoing, and will aid in protecting our homes and the city from the threat of forest fire. I will support funding initiatives, grants, and outreach to continue this endeavor.
We are vulnerable to threats beyond our city, and while solutions must start with El Cerrito, they can’t end there. El Cerrito must expand its use of renewable energy and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Contra Costa County needs to encourage regional solutions. High-quality public transit reduces pollution, eases congestion, and combats climate change.
Measure G
I support Measure G. We currently pay this, this is not a new tax.
This sales tax makes up approximately 10% of the city’s annual budget. The revenue from Measure G funds the city’s: fire protection, emergency medical services, rapid 9-1-1 emergency response times, maintains crime prevention, investigation resources, and maintains critical wildfire prevention programs. Measure G also maintains: after-school programs for children and teens, library program hours for children, adults and families, and maintains city parks, paths, playfields and open spaces.
