Swanson 5
Rochelle Swanson
City Issues
Ø What do you feel is an ideal growth rate in Davis?
Aside from the state mandated minimum growth rate for the city, I believe Davis should grow as slowly, smartly, and sustainably as we can. The wonderful and unique character of our community is not dependent on a specific population or boundary size, but on maintaining a vibrant community and continuing the quality of life our citizens rightly expect. This includes matching any residential growth with the necessary upgrades in infrastructure and city services. We have experienced growth in the past that did not coincide with such infrastructure upgrades, and our community suffered as a result.
I also believe that any residential growth must be carefully considered and reflective of what we already know works in Davis. Ideally any project would include policies to not only provide for sustainable, affordable and achievable carbon reductions, but provide for retrofitting of our existing housing. We have wonderful examples of communities that make Davis a landmark of livability, whether it is the special community of Village Homes, the greenbelts of North Davis, the unique homes in Willowbank, the Dos Pinos housing cooperative, or the inclusive design of Rancho Yolo.
Ø High housing and rental prices, as well as a vacancy rate of less than 1%, cause 8,000 UC Davis students to live outside of the City of Davis. How will you work to create affordable housing in Davis?
The law of supply and demand is the first enemy of affordable housing in Davis. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as we are all in favor of slow growth (low supply), and of Davis being a great place to live (high demand). But the inability of students and young families to afford to live in Davis is indeed a problem. Rather than focus on only affordable housing programs, I believe we need support more market-rate affordable housing and be sure that we have an adequate supply of rentals to accommodate off-campus housing for students who do not want to live outside of Davis.
Ø What is your understanding of the nature of the city's fiscal problems and how do you suggest we address these problems in the coming council session?
It is my understanding that our current fiscal climate and budget shortfall is not only a reflection of the financial crisis at the state level, but the optimistic projections of revenue based upon assumptions of higher property values and economic expansion.
A careful and considered examination, line-by-line assessing basic necessary services and infrastructure and funding of these are imperative. Followed by prioritization and needed funding assessments of programs and services that enhance our quality of life. We must look at our current programs and proposed future projects as if they did not exist, and ask ourselves “Would we start that program today?”
I also support the extension of the sales tax as a necessary bridge to our current gap in funding, but I will not support a further extension because as a City Council member I will work to reduce the city’s annual operating deficit within the period of the current proposed extension.
Ø Do you believe that a councilmember can effectively negotiate with an employee group from whom they accepted campaign donations?
I believe that effectiveness is undermined when a councilmember has taken group campaign donations because of the perception of possible bias. I do not believe that individual employees who live in Davis should be excluded from contributing to local elections, but combined contributions from employee groups can lead to that perception of bias and provide doubt that a contract was fairly negotiated. In addition, these group endorsements and contributions contribute to the potential of an expectation of access and/or deference in regards to negotiations.
Student Issues
Ø Do you believe that students and faculty living on campus, including those living in the West Village expansion, should be enfranchised for city elections?
Students are affected by municipal decisions, pay sales tax to the city, and have the right to participate in the political process. I would like to see more involvement and inclusion of students and resident faculty in City of Davis affairs. I would support measures, like a special assessment district, that would allow voting in City elections. I will continue to look into college communities where the vote for local elections have been extended to cover students and faculty living on campus.
Ø How can the City of Davis better promote a positive relationship with the university and its students?
The city and University have a symbiotic relationship and must recognize their importance to one another. UC Davis is by far the largest employer in town, and is the reason most people come to visit, and stay to live, in Davis. The University benefits not just its students, but the community as a whole, by fostering educational and cultural opportunities for Davis citizens of all ages. I would also like to explore the possibility of a student representative on the Council similar to the high school representative on the DJSUD board of trustees.
I would hope that our city leaders understand the importance of our relationship and work to enhance it. This includes meetings with stakeholders on specific projects, as well as standing meetings to discuss general relationship issues. One area that needs improvement is Landlord/Tenant relationships. In addition to the revamping of the model lease, we need procedures and guidelines in place that foster resolutions of disputes between the landlord and tenant, as well as neighbors, thereby improving relationships and avoid ongoing conflicts. The city should also work to maximize economic opportunities presented by the University, including the creation of start-up incentives of local investment, and by working with University on pilot programs where appropriate to foster local projects.
Ø How will you ensure that the needs of students, including safe entertainment options, are met in downtown Davis?
It is my belief that Davis suffers from a lack of diversity among its downtown businesses, and that this lack of diversity may in turn lead to a lack of safe entertainment options. Davis has a lot of bars, bistros and boutiques, but little else. A student cannot be blamed for thinking that his or her only options for entertainment is to drink at a bar (or at home), or to drive to a neighboring city. Neither of which can be considered a safe or desirable option. I hope that city leaders would work with students to identify their needs for safe entertainment options and then work to make such options a reality.
Social Issues
Ø How will you address homelessness in Davis?
I support the ongoing work of the task force that is working to improve the conditions and better understand how we as a city and community can address the current situation. I have met with members of this task force and I have been impressed with their level of compassion. City leaders often view homelessness through the prism of those who encounter the homeless population, complaints from citizens and business owners who take issue with someone living where they work and walk. Often ignored are the homeless individuals themselves and the varying circumstances that have led to someone sleeping on the street and begging for spare change. I don't believe that anyone has chosen such a lifestyle, but it is either a result of circumstances or more often a result of mental illness, and/or dependence on alcohol and/or drugs. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step in addressing how we support transitions where appropriate and improve the co-existence between the local and transient population. Such individuals deserve the essential dignity and safety we all take for granted.
I would be disingenuous to claim I have the silver-bullet answer to solve the issue of homelessness, as it is an issue that is both universal and perpetual. But I know that half-measures may only make the problem worse. If you offer a place to sleep but nothing to eat, or a place to bathe but nowhere to wash clothes, and undue burden is placed on the surrounding community.
Ø Two issues that have come up at UC Davis are fee increases and hate crimes. What role should the city play in promoting an affordable education and a hate-free community?
While these two issues are both timely and important, they are widely different in nature, scope, and ability for a city to address.
Regarding university fee increases, we are dealing with an issue much larger that UC Davis in particular, and one that the city has precious little ability to affect. I think we all would like cost not to be a prohibitive factor in someone attaining a public university education but, unfortunately, that is not the case. Such a scenario would require widespread changes in the way we finance education statewide and the city has neither the budget, nor the jurisdiction, to make such changes.
Hate crimes, while also an issue that extends beyond Davis, offers more of an opportunity for civic involvement and resolution. Foremost, it is the job of local and university authorities to provide for the safety of all students and citizens. We must ensure that such entities have the capacity to effectively respond to such incidents in a satisfactory manner. Also, the city plays a vital role in facilitating positive interaction among disparate groups, and resolving potential incidents. City leaders can start by setting a positive example, not engaging in hate-speech, and generally fostering a sense of community.
Environmental Issues
Ø How can we utilize land use policies to better promote carbon reduction?
The major culprits in a city like Davis, which has little in the way of polluting industry, are our homes and our modes of transportation. The way we use the land on which we live can greatly affect both.
Regarding housing, any new homes must be built, and existing homes must be retrofit, to provide for sustainable, affordable and achievable carbon reductions. Economic sustainability should also be an integral part, as it is important we not only work to utilize the latest in energy efficiency, but that it is affordable, accessible and sustainable. When people are at home, as the saying goes, they want “cold beer and hot showers” and will not settle for anything less.
Regarding transportation, land use affects our needs as well as our options. The closer our homes are to where we work, shop, and learn, the less distance we will have to travel and the less carbon we will release into the atmosphere. We also must continue to provide the best biking options possible to make carbon-free transportation a possibility for the largest number of our citizens. But I also understand that sometimes you have to travel across town, and sometimes you can't use a bike. Planning must also incorporate better modes of alternative transportation for families, the elderly and the disabled for whom bicycling is not always (or ever) a possibility. We would be well served to address their needs as well when planning our transportation options. A robust public transportation system and a viable park-and-ride are two possible solutions to reduce carbon emissions without ignoring the needs of these groups.
Ø Will you advocate for alternative street designs to promote safer bicycling and multi-street use?
Protecting the health and safety of our citizenry is the paramount task of any city leader. I am open to projects that will make Davis a safer place to live, work, and travel through. I will advocate for Design Review that incorporates multi-mode transportation, with a focus on safe bicycle and pedestrian use, in the early stages of any project, rather the current model of input from different commissions in varying stages of review—usually near the end. I will support the newly formed Mobility commission to play a proactive role in design.