As the City Budget tightens in response to the economic downturn, and in response to a projected long-term revenue gap, which programs and services should receive the highest priority?
As planned, the city must reduce the number of employees, though, I would phase out jobs that are not currently filled and that are not essential to the operation of the city.
This has to be the one of most difficult decisions a city manager has to make. Losing jobs is not good for the economy, in the long run.
We have to be creative, such as having furloughs occur the day before or after holidays, or closing the municipal building on the same days.
Obviously, we have to decide what is nonessential services provided to Boulder residents. No one wants to cut critical services such as police, fire and human services, but, I do think that we could be more efficient in these areas.
Personally, I think we should move towards decriminalizing marijuana and thus cut some funds from the Boulder's Drug Task Force and spend a little more on drug education and a lot less on enforcement and interdiction.
I do believe the police department, for example, could delay hiring cops.
I support the decision not to close any library branches or recreation centers but I think it's unwise to shorten the hours of operation at the main Library.
In these difficult economic times, the library is being used more than ever.
Preserving community resources is a position shared by the public. But, with Open space reliant on sales taxes we need to prioritize what maintenance, upkeep and additional trail work is necessary at this time. With loans/bonds owed over time for existing land purchases we might have to take a long pause before making any new purchases.
Our budget revenue is too heavily based on sales taxes, and thus, we find ourselves with such a budget deficit during this recession, not only because residents are tightening their belts but there is less tourism and they too are spending less.
I would attempt to institute a progressive income tax, and perhaps, restructure sales taxes.
I would like to eliminate food sales taxes all together, but, then we'd have to find, raise or restructure other taxes and fees.
I support hikes in levies on commercial property and sales, some of it going towards affordable housing and some to retain essential services and maintain infrastructure.
So how do we have fiscal sustainability without eliminating core services?
The allocation of funding available from the removal of the remaining TABOR restrictions on property tax, approved by voters in November 2008, helps.
This will allow funding for core city services such as those identified as critical deficiencies, including fire apparatus, information technologies, energy costs and facility maintenance.
Whenever possible we should look at re-inventing programs through grant funding and partnerships, rather than eliminating them.
The city manager should better align staff to assess current trends and opportunities such as going after ‘green’ projects money.
We must do an inventory of simple savings measures, such as making city buildings energy efficient, switching the lights at traffic signals, having private groups, local neighborhoods and residents "adopt" the maintenance of some streets and street medians.
I think we are not estimating how much we might benefit from the national stimulus dollars coming into our city.
Nonetheless, I am not naïve enough to believe that the solution will not have to include cuts.
I believe that the Economic Vitality Program funds should be cut, $750,000 spent for 2009, if not eliminated. It's not fair to give out tax breaks to businesses while we are making public sector cuts. I would not be opposed to micro loans, but, the Chamber of Commerce actually wants to double the budget for this program in 2010.
I do not support including reductions to health and human service programs. Cuts might even mean the closure of some popular and much needed antipoverty and mental health programs, as is expected in Lafayette. I think the effects of those cuts would cost the city more in the long run.
Protecting the safety net and stabilizing communities is key and so I would fight hard not to make cutbacks in those areas.
We have a lot of wealth in this city, and we have to move it around to alleviate the deficit.
I'm open to new revenue measures but it's got to go hand in hand with reform, which includes consolidating departments and streamlining government.
We have to be very careful with the greatest of our assets; open spaces, parks and recreation, arts and culture. That's what brings people to visit and live in Boulder.
The current City Council has identified as one of its priorities creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe community for all. How can our police department best support this vision?
The Boulder Police department should embark on a comprehensive process to become a fully dedicated community-policing agency.
There should be an intensified program to educate police officers on the most effective ways to work together with neighborhood residents to maintain order legally, humanely, respectfully and equitably.
In the recruitment of police officer's there should be strategies/outreach to employ more officers with a precise set of strengths, especially communication skills, is needed.
The premise is that the single most important step in the development of a good officer is the initial one - identifying the right candidate. From the beginning recruitment goals have to be clear. While all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, mature, service-oriented residents from populations, which have been traditionally undeserved in the community, should be especially sought.
Community outreach done in partnership with community members is also necessary.
There should be more of building relationships with the many educational institutions and community agencies in our area, while going directly to the people they serve for opinions, advice, and participation in recruitment campaigns.
The Boulder Police department should clearly define its community policing strategies, and educate it's officers and officer's to use these strategies in an interactive, community-oriented curriculum, which take students/officers out of the classroom and into the neighborhoods.
In addition to a curriculum of traditional subjects such as constitutional law, use of force decision making, defensive tactics, firearms, penal code and motor vehicle law, students should learn about the history, culture and values of Boulder's many different populations. Other courses should include Milestones in Civil Rights Legislation, Non-Violent Management of Aggressive Behavior, Alternative Dispute Resolution, HIV/AIDS, the Boulder Needle Exchange Program ( there should be a legal one ), Sexual Harassment, Bias and Hate Crimes, and Individuals with Memory, Hearing and Seizure Disorders. The department should be committed to police understanding of child and adolescent behavior.
I have personally spoke in front of groups of police officers on the subject of mental health, to sensitize them to the plight of those afflicted with a mental disorder, and, to emphasize a non-aggressive approach towards managing conflicts.
Inclusive, non-militaristic language should be used in all classes, assignments, and publications: students are no longer recruits, cadets or trainees; police department has replaced police force; policemen and women are police participates in structured clinical rotations within the community agencies, in independent research and in classes held onsite in such diverse locations as soup kitchens, battered women's shelters, centers for homeless and runaway youth, HIV/AIDS information clearing houses and substance abuse clinics. Students should complete fieldwork supervised by academic advisors from the collaborating agencies; they meet, rather than merely hear about, the wide variety of citizens they are being trained to protect and serve.
Providing continuing education for both sworn and civilian department members is key. Every year review training should be conducted in state-mandated subject areas such as legislation, firearms re-qualification and sexual assault. At the same time, the there should be a series of state and national conferences to provide opportunities for enhance the learning process, as well as to create a forum for department and community members to interact with officers and advocates from throughout the country. . In addition, officers should be trained in areas such as bias and hate crimes, violence against women, firearms, defensive tactics, domestic violence, youth issues, sexual harassment, investigative techniques, alternative dispute resolution, motor vehicle law, race and gender issues, report writing, alternative sanctions, drug intervention and treatment programs, and gang violence.
The Boulder Police department should arrange for department members to attend Police Mountain Bicycle and Field Training Officer (FTO) instructor certification schools.
The Boulder Police Department should look for innovative methods for increasing the number of women and minorities and for improving race and gender relations, both within the agency and the community.
And, I believe, there should be a civilian board to oversee and investigate police actions that come into question.
I do not support the use of tasers, as they have not been used properly in the past and there is a tendency, I believe, to use of such force when unnecessary.
One good idea might be to assign police officers to specific neighborhoods and to make it known who those police men or woman are, either by posting it in a centrally located spot or by passing out cards with officer's picture and information included.
The City has made many fine efforts to solicit input from underrepresented communities, such as the “Meetings-in-a-Box” component of the last community survey. Participants often feel, however, that they do not know what happens as a result. How can the City do a better job of following up with those underrepresented communities on their input?
Officials should use a variety of informal processes, behaviors and skills that facilitate engagement.
These included:
1. Making the timing, location and format of engagement forums accessible.
2. Using participatory methods.
3. Going to where communities are. That could be those involved with the specific issue, but, I would also like to see the City Council find a way to change the location of Council meetings, moving from one community to another over a period of a year.
4. Effective communication skills.
5. The ability to manage conflict.
But, how to address the 'feed back' on the final results of these previous "engagements?" which is the essence of this question.
I would use the same strategies mentioned above, with a follow up meeting or meetings, describing how they came to their decisions and what the final conclusions were.
The skills and capacity of officials shape the kind of interactions that take place in engagement settings.
Boulder officials have said in the past that it was particularly helpful to engage with people through an ongoing dialogue.
It provided them with an opportunity to get and give feed back on the results of earlier engagements and allowed community participants to develop a better understanding of the issues involved.
But, they, "the officials" should follow up with in an engagement setting to inform participants of the results of the "meetings-in-a-box" component and public input meetings.
As well, sending out that information, results, to those who have signed up an e-mail list or given address to be informed on the "issue" that they participated in, shown interest in and/or gone to previous meetings.
I, personally, am committed to responding to residents questions and concerns.
I will look into any inquiry, idea or suggestion and get back to that individual or group who makes such an inquiry.
What is your position relative to the City’s diversity initiative and what more can or should the City do to support expanded leadership representation for underrepresented communities on Boards and Commissions and on City staff? Would you, for example, support a City Charter amendment to allow resident non-citizens to serve on Boards and Commissions?
I'm afraid I'm not aware of the City's diversity initiative, so, obviously more can be done.
I know CU has such an "initiative."
One good idea is the creation of internships for racial/ethnic groups, who might not have the initial qualifications required, but could go through successful internships with the city that could lead to positions within City Government.
Municipal governments must make equity and equality the cornerstone of the way they work, do business and govern to enjoy the full benefits of future growth
and productivity.
The City should support staff training and ensure that services are
inclusive and diversity sensitive.
The City should have a community liaison who's job is to be receptive to the "diverse" segments of our population.
As well, in collaboration with the different "diversity" groups, City Council should appoint one of it's members to be a liaison.
The question I have is, for example, who or what organization would you say "represents" the interests of the chicano community?
We do have the Human Relations Board which, in a way, acts as a liaison between and advises the city on diverse, underrepresented communities and other "social justice" concerns brought to them.
As a City, we should focus on improving early childhood education for minorities.
It is my impression that BVSD has not dealt well with the increasing minority enrollment in our public schools. However possible, we should be supporting efforts like what is developing at the former Mapleton Elementary school and programs like the Family Learning Center.
Can the City pitch in and increase teenage youth leadership grants for minorities and the "disadvantaged?"
I do support expanded leadership representation for underrepresented communities on Boards and Commissions and on City staff.
I support a City Charter amendment to allow resident non-citizens to serve on Boards and Commissions, as long as the person has been a legal resident for a year. i do not support illegal immigrants to have that right, and, feel that mistake on the previous ballot was the cause of it's defeat.
I see no need to bring this before the voters. Council should simply make the changes to the City Charter and allow legal residents to serve on Boards and Commissions who have lived here for at least a year.
Of course, we will need an open minded Council, one that will not choose well connected supporters and contributors to their campaigns. There is a "political elite" of individuals and groups. We must look beyond those easy choices, the familiar and established, and make bold choices by choosing those people from the community that will have bring a new perspective to the decision making process due to their different life experiences.
Mobile homes provide some of the most affordable housing in Boulder, but mobile home residents are quite vulnerable because landlords control pad rent and park management. What should the City's role be in preserving this form of housing and protecting mobile home residents?
This is not a new problem. in 1996 more than 1,000 Boulder tenants gathered to call for a city-wide rent strike to protest out-of-control rents and lousy housing conditions. A fantasy? In the last decade I can recall several fights to save mobile home parks, to protest substandard management practices and markedly rising rent increases. These are a couple of the intimidating tactics employed by property owners in future hopes of selling the land or redeveloping it.
Presently, we've see this "scenario" played out at Orchard Grove and Vista Village.
I was pleased to read that City Council has put "reforming property rights" on top of their agenda in 2010, to address mobile home owners rights.
It would be wonderful if it were possible for the tenants to buy the land as a co-op with the help of the city and/or a non-profit organization like Thistle Community or Boulder Housing Partners.
I think there should be a discussion on tenants rights and rent control not just for Mobile Home owners but renters in general.
Apparently, there is a State law that prohibits local rent control.
Can the City of Boulder challenge this? Does this apply to Mobile Homes?
I will make a principled stand in support of tenants/mobile home owners rights and affordable housing.
Many in the community feel that the contamination issue at Valmont Butte, a sacred Arapaho site and home to an historic settler’s cemetery, remains unresolved. How would you propose to address this issue?
I think "unresolved" would be an appropriate word to describe the progress, or lack of, in regard to Valmont Butte.
How the city came to buy this land primarily for a fire training facility without knowing the extent of the "environmental challenges"and the historical and religious importance it had with members of the public, is anyones guess?
Should there be an investigation, some accountability in regard to the purchase?
It is quite likely that operations at Valmont Butte had contaminated water on and off the site with radioactive substances.
And, it doesn't appear the "cap"that was supposed to contain the site for 200 years has been effective, as prairie dogs have been able to burrow in and out of the supposed contained area.
The city is in the process of trying to clean up the site but are only in discussions with former polluters of the site for voluntary contribution to the cause. This doesn't seem fair to the residents of Boulder, to pick up part the tab of cleaning up a site that was bought without forethought, it seems.
I am not opposed to civil litigation if Honywell refuses to help substantially with the cost of clean-up.
What's mystifying to me is that the city was ready to sell the 71 acre site to Trust for Public Land who then would sell parts of the site to interested Indian tribes and other non-profit organizations.
I think selling of this land is unethical in the state that it's in.
I would prohibit any public use other than the right of religious ceremony, if requested.
It's a difficult situation. We must find a way to clean up the site before even thinking of the possibility of allowing Native American representatives, who wish to preserve the butte as a sacred site, to acquire the adjacent land and perhaps to establish a cultural center.
But, as well, their are preservationists, who wish to obtain historical landmarking for the mill and perhaps to refurbish that.
Then, there are pioneers’ descendants, who wish to protect the cemetery, which is still in use, and who are concerned that development at the site would disrupt serenity and access. finally, there are the neighbors, organic farmers, and downstream municipalities who are concerned that development could release airborne or waterborne contaminants that would impact them.
I am against any decision about the property's future until environmental cleanup issues are more fully resolved.
And, I'm not sure the site will ever be in a condition for public use.
One idea is to put a solar farm up there to recover some of the dollars (the city) has put in it. That sounds like a great idea to add to Boulder's renewable energy sources, but, how would this conflict with the rights of all the other interested parties? Could a solar farm work while still preserving the butte as a sacred site? Do we want to landmark the mill and work to preserve it? How will a solar farm effect the surrounding neighborhood?
Like you, I'm waiting in limbo.
Would you consider ensuring access to recreational and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds a priority? If so, how would you accomplish this?
Of course, ensuring access to recreational and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds should be a priority.
The City of Boulder should recognize the importance of free play for children, especially in the “GOOD OL’ SUMMERTIME !”
Play provides for creativity, along with social, physical and emotional well being, as well as teamwork and bonding.
I have a vision that “Parks & Rec” offers a supervised PLAYground program for youngsters in grades 1-8 at the major neighborhood schools/parks during the summer. Perhaps, there would be six locations spread throughout Boulder.
It seems like a lot to undertake, transforming your summer Parks and Rec programs, but you could combine existing programs with the neighborhood schools/parks summertime program as a focal point.
i don't know how you'd shift Parks and Recreation finances around or generate extra funds needed for personnel and such, but, it's a great plan to work on for the not too distant future. Schools should be the center of every neighborhood community.
And, it provides opportunities for those who do not have the time or can't afford to send their children to more costly organized sports programs.
Parents would be encouraged to send their young ones “outside to play” at the park closest to their home.
After registering, the children are free to enter and leave the parks on their own volition.
However, requiring that the youngsters consult with a staff person and provide exiting information before leaving.
It is very important to all parties concerned, that the parents who want their children to stay in the program all day, should stress this to their children. So, this "program" could also be some help in the area of childcare for two parent working families
I hope that this gives “your kids” an opportunity to partake, grow and benefit from many wonderful activities, some centered at "their park"but also many competitions and activities away from "your" local park.
This summertime “playground” can be done with cooperation and mutual support from the City of Boulder, the School Department, School Board, Police Department and the Parks & Recreation Department.
This would also give opportunities for older youths, teenagers, and possible interns and students from CU to be used in a supervisory role, while there would be at least one adult staff person at each park to direct the activities.
This type of program was instituted in my hometown and has been very successful for more than 35 years.
They have a “Fun Bus” that provides transportation to and from activities away from “your” local park.
There are field trips, art activities, games and much more; bowling programs, a swimming program, baseball “sandlot” leagues for girls and boys, flag football, tennis lessons, kick ball and on and on... There are competitions against other local parks.
There is even a summer ending "olympics," where each school centered playground competes against one another in track and field and other olympic events.
For any activity which costs a fee, there should be a sliding scale much like the school lunch program.
Addressing the role of police, there is even a cops to kids basketball program where kids from grades 9-12 actually pair up with police officers and play ball!
I would also like to see youth nights at our local recreation centers to give kids and teenagers, specifically, a place to gather that is positive., Have the kids take ownership of a friday and saturday youth cafe of sorts at their local Recreation Center.
Of course, I would expect all recreation centers to be able to reman open until around 9:30 PM on these nights.
That is not the case at this time.
There is a potential for providing a wide range of developmental, educational and information programmes to young people in this sports centered "cafe."
Again, a city and/or council liaison should be established with relevant departments/agencies on developments in line with the play and recreation policies, and to help facilitate the development recreational programs, such as the one I suggested, that could be identified as "a high community need activities and services."
Parks and Recreation should maintain and expand existing partnerships with community agencies serving at risk youth, seniors and people with disabilities.
