1. 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?
Public safety is a top priority. After that the services that maintain our quality of life in Boulder should receive the highest priority ¬ senior services, the public library system that has many programs like Boulder Reads (a literacy program), and internet skills classes that help a population with the greatest need. The non–profits need to be funded as they are part of our social safety net. We can find creative ways of funding these program such as the Dream Machine recently acquired by Special Transit and funded in cooperation with the City of Lafayette.
2. 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?
Minority hiring in the police department should be increased. A good relationship between the police department and the community can nip problems in the bud. On going engagement would prevent targeting of any community by the police department.
3. 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?
The City needs to show continued concern for underrepresented communities. Perhaps need to follow up “Meetings–in–a–Box” with “Results–in–a–Box” to see what has been done, to address the concerns raised in the survey and show respondents that they have been listened to and their ideas respected. The Orchard Grove community is a good example of a case where citizens concerns were identified and then addressed, and the residents of this community treated with respect.
4. 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?
The City’s diversity initiative should be continued. Members of underrepresented communities should be mentored and encouraged to carry their civic participation to the next level. I myself have received such encouragement and that is how I gained the confidence to run for a seat on the Boulder City Council. Sometimes all it takes is a nudge to make a community leader see the possibility of continuing their activism at a more visible level.
I would not support a City Charter amendment to allow resident non–citizens to serve on Boards and Commissions. Citizenship should be the base requirement for participation in our democracy.
5. 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?
In Boulder mobile homes are sometimes the most affordable housing available. The City should work to establish zoning especially for this type of housing, so that the land cannot be arbitrarily sold for redevelopment. Mobile home owners can form cooperatives and buy the land on which their homes sit, with help from the City in negotiating such an agreement. Resident Boards should be formed in such communities to prevent the landlord from hiking fees for charging for cable, water etc. without any agreement with the mobile home owners. The State should consider legislation that protects the rights of mobile home owners, who are vulnerable to the whims of the land owners of mobile home parks.
6. 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?
The contamination on the site is going to be quite expensive to clean up. With our present fiscal constraint this cannot be an immediate priority but the issue should remain something we address when it is possible to do so. The liable parties need to participate in the solution.
7. 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?
Access to recreational and sports activities for children is an investment in their future. The City should work with the Parks Department to expand programs that serve our youth. These programs should not function as an exclusive club but be accessible to all., with fees being set on a sliding scale, with no charge below a certain income level.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
KC Becker's Response
1. 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?
Those which provide access to safety net services ensured through full funding of the human services fund should be the services receiving the highest priority.
Boulder has adopted the Boulder County Human Services Strategic Plan which provides a guiding document for service provision, in partnership with Boulder’s HHS Master Plan. This should be used as a blueprint when considering program priorities. Cuts to those who are already struggling in our community often times end up costing us more long term.
The City recently engaged its community members in determining priorities for services. It was an affirmation of our community’s values that health and human services are top prioritizes. Educating residents on the consequences of cuts is essential, especially when those consequences often hit community members who don’t have a voice or opportunity to weigh in.
2. 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?
There are several ways that our police department can support an inclusive and safe community: They should rigorously enforce anti-discrimination policies and provide on-going anti-bias training for officers and administration. An effective program of recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting people of color and who are bilingual is tremendously effective. Having Spanish or bicultural officers can make some of our residents feel much safer calling police and asking for assistance. Partnering with agencies like Intercambio de Comunicades can help officers learn more about immigrants’ needs and perceptions of police. Utilizing training such as Dialogues on Immigrant Integration can also be an effective way to help both our police force and residents understand issues and experiences that can lead to an environment that is not inclusive.
3. 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?
City staff can host presentations at different community centers like San Juan del Centro and Boulder Housing Partner or churches like Sacred Heart of Jesus, and senior centers to communicate information gathered and keep the citizens informed of next steps. These meetings should be advertised through word of mouth, not just email or a notice in the newspaper. Asking participants of past meetings how they would like to be informed and kept up to date is essential, since “business as usual” is not often an effective communication vehicle. There is some new research that suggests under represented populations are cell-phone users and social marketing efforts should be investigated as a method. Perhaps a pilot with one of the aforementioned groups would be useful.
4. 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?
Although I understand and support the idea behind this proposed amendment, I probably would not support it because I don’t think it will achieve what it intends. We do need representation from the immigrants in our community, but a system is not in place to protect non-citizens or make them feel welcome. Also, we have major barriers to even getting people involved and letting them know that they can be involved and that are things for them to help with.
There also needs to be a better understanding of what are the barriers to service for immigrants. Do Boards and Commissions need training on diversity and inclusion Dialogues would be a good resource for this. City staff should ask immigrant leaders what they view as the barriers, and then attend to those.
City staff should meet with leaders of organizations who represent immigrant and minority interests and ask them to recommend candidates. Outreach to these candidates could better ensure that potential recruits actually apply. Also, better publication of the procedures and due dates, like at community centers, libraries, and non-profit organizations could lead to higher numbers of underrepresented groups applying. The People Engaged in Raising Leaders program (PERL), which is a collaboration between the Community Action Program and Community Foundation, trains people from underrepresented communities on how to serve on a board. The City should consult with them when recruiting representatives for city boards and commissions.
5. 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?
The city can do a lot to protect mobile home owners. Given the fact that mobile home residents own their “house” but not the land on which it sits, and given the fact that mobile homes are not easily or quickly moved, mobile home residents to deserve some special consideration by the legislature. I currently serve on the City of Boulder’s Planning Board and I voted to protect Orchard Grove residents from a sale that would have forced them to move. Several weeks ago, I met with residents of Orchard Grove to hear more about their efforts to buy their mobile home park. They raised several important legal efforts that could be made to better protect their rights that I support. First, mobile park residents should be given a right of first refusal before a mobile home park is sold that could displace residents. Second, mobile home owners could be required to provided “just cause” notice before eviction. This is important because they can’t easily move when evicted. Third, mobile home park owners could be required to guarantee a minimum pad rent period, instead of the month-to-month lease that most residents are on. Lastly, the city could require licensing for mobile home park owners to guarantee that owners are providing the necessary infrastructure and safe site needs that would be required of any other landowner.
In regards to non-legislative solutions, the city can provide mediation services to a mobile park owner and the residents to help facilitate mutually beneficial results.
5. 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?
My understanding is that the city is pursuing clean up efforts through the federal Brownfields program and Colorado’s Voluntary Clean Up Program. They city is also contacting Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP’s) to determine their responsibility for cleanup. I am not sure how the contamination issue is unresolved, but I think these efforts to clean I up and make PRP’s pay for their part of the clean up are the right steps to take.
If the city needs to further address community concerns, the city has mediation services. Those that feel concerned about the contamination issue could be brought together with the city or previous landowners to come up with a solution.
6. 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?
Yes I absolutely think this is a priority. There is a correlation between children and youth who participate in recreational activities and sports and greater engagement in school. Students who are engaged are much more likely to stay in school and stay focused on goals and successful behaviors. Free or reduced-fee passes for those who live in Boulder Housing Partner or Thistle Community Housing properties are a good way to ensure access. And Recreation Center staff should be trained about how to involve and interact with minorities in a way that engages them and makes them feel welcomed.
Those which provide access to safety net services ensured through full funding of the human services fund should be the services receiving the highest priority.
Boulder has adopted the Boulder County Human Services Strategic Plan which provides a guiding document for service provision, in partnership with Boulder’s HHS Master Plan. This should be used as a blueprint when considering program priorities. Cuts to those who are already struggling in our community often times end up costing us more long term.
The City recently engaged its community members in determining priorities for services. It was an affirmation of our community’s values that health and human services are top prioritizes. Educating residents on the consequences of cuts is essential, especially when those consequences often hit community members who don’t have a voice or opportunity to weigh in.
2. 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?
There are several ways that our police department can support an inclusive and safe community: They should rigorously enforce anti-discrimination policies and provide on-going anti-bias training for officers and administration. An effective program of recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting people of color and who are bilingual is tremendously effective. Having Spanish or bicultural officers can make some of our residents feel much safer calling police and asking for assistance. Partnering with agencies like Intercambio de Comunicades can help officers learn more about immigrants’ needs and perceptions of police. Utilizing training such as Dialogues on Immigrant Integration can also be an effective way to help both our police force and residents understand issues and experiences that can lead to an environment that is not inclusive.
3. 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?
City staff can host presentations at different community centers like San Juan del Centro and Boulder Housing Partner or churches like Sacred Heart of Jesus, and senior centers to communicate information gathered and keep the citizens informed of next steps. These meetings should be advertised through word of mouth, not just email or a notice in the newspaper. Asking participants of past meetings how they would like to be informed and kept up to date is essential, since “business as usual” is not often an effective communication vehicle. There is some new research that suggests under represented populations are cell-phone users and social marketing efforts should be investigated as a method. Perhaps a pilot with one of the aforementioned groups would be useful.
4. 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?
Although I understand and support the idea behind this proposed amendment, I probably would not support it because I don’t think it will achieve what it intends. We do need representation from the immigrants in our community, but a system is not in place to protect non-citizens or make them feel welcome. Also, we have major barriers to even getting people involved and letting them know that they can be involved and that are things for them to help with.
There also needs to be a better understanding of what are the barriers to service for immigrants. Do Boards and Commissions need training on diversity and inclusion Dialogues would be a good resource for this. City staff should ask immigrant leaders what they view as the barriers, and then attend to those.
City staff should meet with leaders of organizations who represent immigrant and minority interests and ask them to recommend candidates. Outreach to these candidates could better ensure that potential recruits actually apply. Also, better publication of the procedures and due dates, like at community centers, libraries, and non-profit organizations could lead to higher numbers of underrepresented groups applying. The People Engaged in Raising Leaders program (PERL), which is a collaboration between the Community Action Program and Community Foundation, trains people from underrepresented communities on how to serve on a board. The City should consult with them when recruiting representatives for city boards and commissions.
5. 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?
The city can do a lot to protect mobile home owners. Given the fact that mobile home residents own their “house” but not the land on which it sits, and given the fact that mobile homes are not easily or quickly moved, mobile home residents to deserve some special consideration by the legislature. I currently serve on the City of Boulder’s Planning Board and I voted to protect Orchard Grove residents from a sale that would have forced them to move. Several weeks ago, I met with residents of Orchard Grove to hear more about their efforts to buy their mobile home park. They raised several important legal efforts that could be made to better protect their rights that I support. First, mobile park residents should be given a right of first refusal before a mobile home park is sold that could displace residents. Second, mobile home owners could be required to provided “just cause” notice before eviction. This is important because they can’t easily move when evicted. Third, mobile home park owners could be required to guarantee a minimum pad rent period, instead of the month-to-month lease that most residents are on. Lastly, the city could require licensing for mobile home park owners to guarantee that owners are providing the necessary infrastructure and safe site needs that would be required of any other landowner.
In regards to non-legislative solutions, the city can provide mediation services to a mobile park owner and the residents to help facilitate mutually beneficial results.
5. 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?
My understanding is that the city is pursuing clean up efforts through the federal Brownfields program and Colorado’s Voluntary Clean Up Program. They city is also contacting Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP’s) to determine their responsibility for cleanup. I am not sure how the contamination issue is unresolved, but I think these efforts to clean I up and make PRP’s pay for their part of the clean up are the right steps to take.
If the city needs to further address community concerns, the city has mediation services. Those that feel concerned about the contamination issue could be brought together with the city or previous landowners to come up with a solution.
6. 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?
Yes I absolutely think this is a priority. There is a correlation between children and youth who participate in recreational activities and sports and greater engagement in school. Students who are engaged are much more likely to stay in school and stay focused on goals and successful behaviors. Free or reduced-fee passes for those who live in Boulder Housing Partner or Thistle Community Housing properties are a good way to ensure access. And Recreation Center staff should be trained about how to involve and interact with minorities in a way that engages them and makes them feel welcomed.
George Karakehian's Response
1. As the City Budget tightens in response to the economic downturn, and in response to a projected longterm revenue gap, which programs and services should receive the highest priority?
Government’s basic responsibility is to provide for safety, security and basic infrastructure. Council must have its priorities based on this premise. As a member of Council, I will make sure that we fund first things first like fire, police, courts and streets. Once these items are addressed, I would then prioritize spending on what things provide the most benefit for the most people. However, I know that some fall through the cracks. We should be aware of this. We must look for targeted ways to assist the least fortunate that will help them provide for their own well‐being in the future.
2. 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?
Police must provide a safe community for all its residents. On Council, I will work closely with the police. This will be in both an oversight and support role. Council has to have good lines of communication with the police force to make it most effective.
3. 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?
All of Boulder’s various groups should have an opportunity to have their voice heard. On Council, I will strive to keep my mind and door open to all. In my 40+ years in the Boulder community, I have built ties with many different collections of people. I plan to use these relationships to make sure the process is inclusive. Specifically, I would like to see funding flow back into Channel 8. This is an excellent medium to get the word out about many things. Expanding programming would go a long way to improving communication.
4. 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 noncitizens to serve on Boards and Commissions?
I think one of Boulder’s strengths is its strong Boards and Commissions. The reason for much of this strength is knowledge, background and thoughtfulness of the members. I think that Council should work hard at appointing board/commission members that have different perspectives. I think we should strive to have as much diversity of thought from a multitude of groups.
5. 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?
Mobile homes are indeed one of the community's most affordable types of housing, but the City doesn't own that much of it, and until they do, we can't force through rent controls, or restrictive title covenants on the privately owned complexes. I support the Housing Division or BHP's purchase of existing mobile home sites, and I don't want to consider conversion of existing sites to higher value development (Orchard Grove), but I would look at that on a case‐by‐case basis. Orchard Grove is a wonderfully diverse community and I would work to underpin its' self governing existence, but I would give credence to the property owners' rights as well. Hopefully there's a win‐win there, as well as in other mobile home redevelopment such as Boulder Mobil Manor. We surely need this kind of affordable community, and I'll work to sustain what we have.
6. 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?
The Butte is a markedly bad example of our Facilities planning effort. Seemingly, it was purchased without any real understanding of its limitations or cultural sensitivities. I think Open Space and Public Utilities own it jointly, and neither can use it for any functional purpose. A great deal of money was spent to "discover" those sensitivities, i.e. the cemetery, the "sweat lodge", the contamination, and the prairie dog community, which were all there to begin with. So, I think the process worked in terms of preserving historic and cultural resources, but now we'll have to spend money to remediate the contamination in order to have any hope of conveying the property to the Trust for Public Lands, and getting any of our investment back. I'm not sure I would authorize the remediation effort until the economic future of the City was brighter. I'll be very careful to avoid that scenario in the future, but moreover, I think it’s clear that nothing is simple, ever. One man's bio‐solids processing site is another’s' sacred burial ground. We need to ask as many questions as we can before own the problem.
7. 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?
One of the most embarrassing things in this community is the condition of its youth recreational facilities. Take a trip to facilities provided by neighboring towns and cities and this becomes even more apparent. On Council, I will labor to reassess priorities and funnel more resources into improving our youth‐focused recreational facilities. This will help young people of all backgrounds. If we don’t put resources into the places for our children to play, there will be no place for any of our children to play.
Government’s basic responsibility is to provide for safety, security and basic infrastructure. Council must have its priorities based on this premise. As a member of Council, I will make sure that we fund first things first like fire, police, courts and streets. Once these items are addressed, I would then prioritize spending on what things provide the most benefit for the most people. However, I know that some fall through the cracks. We should be aware of this. We must look for targeted ways to assist the least fortunate that will help them provide for their own well‐being in the future.
2. 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?
Police must provide a safe community for all its residents. On Council, I will work closely with the police. This will be in both an oversight and support role. Council has to have good lines of communication with the police force to make it most effective.
3. 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?
All of Boulder’s various groups should have an opportunity to have their voice heard. On Council, I will strive to keep my mind and door open to all. In my 40+ years in the Boulder community, I have built ties with many different collections of people. I plan to use these relationships to make sure the process is inclusive. Specifically, I would like to see funding flow back into Channel 8. This is an excellent medium to get the word out about many things. Expanding programming would go a long way to improving communication.
4. 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 noncitizens to serve on Boards and Commissions?
I think one of Boulder’s strengths is its strong Boards and Commissions. The reason for much of this strength is knowledge, background and thoughtfulness of the members. I think that Council should work hard at appointing board/commission members that have different perspectives. I think we should strive to have as much diversity of thought from a multitude of groups.
5. 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?
Mobile homes are indeed one of the community's most affordable types of housing, but the City doesn't own that much of it, and until they do, we can't force through rent controls, or restrictive title covenants on the privately owned complexes. I support the Housing Division or BHP's purchase of existing mobile home sites, and I don't want to consider conversion of existing sites to higher value development (Orchard Grove), but I would look at that on a case‐by‐case basis. Orchard Grove is a wonderfully diverse community and I would work to underpin its' self governing existence, but I would give credence to the property owners' rights as well. Hopefully there's a win‐win there, as well as in other mobile home redevelopment such as Boulder Mobil Manor. We surely need this kind of affordable community, and I'll work to sustain what we have.
6. 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?
The Butte is a markedly bad example of our Facilities planning effort. Seemingly, it was purchased without any real understanding of its limitations or cultural sensitivities. I think Open Space and Public Utilities own it jointly, and neither can use it for any functional purpose. A great deal of money was spent to "discover" those sensitivities, i.e. the cemetery, the "sweat lodge", the contamination, and the prairie dog community, which were all there to begin with. So, I think the process worked in terms of preserving historic and cultural resources, but now we'll have to spend money to remediate the contamination in order to have any hope of conveying the property to the Trust for Public Lands, and getting any of our investment back. I'm not sure I would authorize the remediation effort until the economic future of the City was brighter. I'll be very careful to avoid that scenario in the future, but moreover, I think it’s clear that nothing is simple, ever. One man's bio‐solids processing site is another’s' sacred burial ground. We need to ask as many questions as we can before own the problem.
7. 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?
One of the most embarrassing things in this community is the condition of its youth recreational facilities. Take a trip to facilities provided by neighboring towns and cities and this becomes even more apparent. On Council, I will labor to reassess priorities and funnel more resources into improving our youth‐focused recreational facilities. This will help young people of all backgrounds. If we don’t put resources into the places for our children to play, there will be no place for any of our children to play.
Suzy Ageton's Response
1) As the City budget tightens in response to the economic downturn and in response to a projected long-germ revenue gap, which programs and services should receive the highest priority?
The top priority is to ensure that we are adequately funding the basic functions the City is obligated or expected to perform. Public safety, public utilities such as water and wastewater treatment, and other legal and contractual obligations such as meeting federal requirements are at the top of the list. Certainly there is also a community expectation that we provide a variety of other services such as libraries, parks & recreational lands and programs and open space. Indeed, the City Charter specifically mandates the creation of certain departments including the departments of Parks & Recreation and Open Space.
In addition, Boulder has made a strong commitment to human services by creating a department of Housing & Human Services (HHS), a function that many municipalities do not undertake. The many services and programs that HHS provides are critical to the health and well-being of our residents especially during an economic downturn.
Aside from prioritizing the most fundamental City functions like public safety, I would also give top priority to the many important HHS programs and services that sustain many of our residents and reflect a strong community ethic about caring for each other. These include such efforts as our affordable housing program, the human services fund which provides needed revenues to many local non-profits, senior and children’s programs, and many more.
2) The 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 effort?
First, I would say that the Boulder Police Department (BPD) is already focused on providing high quality police service to all. The efforts of our school resource officers are a good example as their ongoing presence in the schools and classrooms has provided many opportunities to build relationships, educate, and provide security when needed.
Let me mention a couple actions I think the BPD can continue or enhance to support the Council’s priority as stated in your question. First, BPD needs to continue to recruit, effectively train and retain a diverse core of officers so that all members of the community see themselves reflected in our department. Over the years I have worked with the BPD (I was the lead consultant on the development of the BPD Master Plan in the mid-1990’s), the department has substantially increased the number of officers that are women and individuals of color, especially Hispanics.
Second, the department needs to continue its community outreach by engaging a wide variety of neighborhood and other special interest groups, These efforts improve the quality of policing through the development of individual relationships and a more refined understanding of the unique concerns that different groups and neighborhoods have. A great example of effective community policing is the work the BPD has done on “the Hill” through its work with the University Hill Neighborhood Association.
3. 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?
First, I think we can use our relatively new quarterly newsletter “Inside Boulder,” to disseminate findings and developments from community surveys and other data-gathering efforts. The newsletter is free and with some more education about where to find it, this could be a good source of communication.
Second, I would like to see the Council take a more active role in engaging our underrepresented communities. We have in the past held Council meetings in locations such as the San Juan Housing complex for the precise purpose of directly interacting with more segments of our community. If we structured a couple meetings in diverse settings and used them, in part, to disseminate information and outcomes from recent community surveys, this would provide a new avenue to feed back information to those who had participated.
4. 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 have favored the City’s diversity initiative because I believe it is important for the organization to actively work on “growing” the diversity of City staff and to create a culture of inclusiveness. Being a welcoming organization to all types of individuals requires an ongoing commitment, yearly training and building in performance goals for each employee. An organization’s culture must be set from the top and I think our new city manager is doing an excellent job of modeling the conduct and actions she expects from others. She is an active member of the City’s Inclusiveness and Diversity Team.
With regard to City Boards and Commissions (B & Cs), the City has worked to recruit a broader set of applicants for these positions. Both the Human Relations Commission and the Immigrant Advisory Committee have encouraged members of underrepresented groups to apply.
One other idea would be to create a more personal recruitment and mentoring program where various Board and Commission members as well as individual Council members, invite individuals, especially from underrepresented groups, to work directly with them on City issues. This would be a way to increase interest in City matters and to provide a broader understanding of City issues. It could also serve as a “springboard” to service on City Boards and Commissions. Many Council members have already worked with youth leaders from CU through an internship program so there is a model in place which could be adapted.
The issue of resident, non-citizen service on City Boards and Commissions is a complex and potentially controversial one. I would be willing to consider this idea which requires a Charter change but only with a full community process to sort out the many issues and to build support for this proposal. I know this group has much to offer and I would like to find a way to more fully engage them in City matters.
5. 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?
Currently, the City has limited authority to address issues of park management and no authority regarding pad rent. The City should encourage action at the state level to address the power imbalance between owners of mobile homes and owners of mobile home parks. The current Council has added this issue to its 2010 State Legislative agenda and I am very supportive of this.
One part of this effort could be to work on improving the terms of the pad lease such as including a “just cause” provision for eviction and a minimum pad rent period of at least one year. Another part could be working to increase the legal requirements on park management with regard to common areas and the control managers exercise over park residents. If the City wishes to preserve mobile homes as affordable housing, it will need to pursue changes to state law. I think this is the right course of action.
6. Many in the community feel that the contamination issue at Valmont, a sacred Arapaho site and home to an historic settler’s cemetery, remains unresolved. How would you propose to address this issue?
I recognize that this site has special meaning to many and that the contamination is a source of ongoing concern. The City has made great strides in cleaning up the toxic material and securing approval from the State that its remediation requirements have been met. This work will continue until the process has been completed, at least in terms of legal obligations. I will continue to support this effort and work to ensure that the City has met it responsibilities as the landowner.
I think it is important to acknowledge that many who love and treasure this site will never feel comfortable or satisfied about its condition. Years of use and abuse cannot be overcome with a technically approved clean-up. I believe that the City is operating in good faith to achieve reasonable site remediation.
7. Would you consider ensuring access to recreational activities and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds a priority? If so, how would you accomplish this?
Given the current fiscal challenges including cutting $5 million and 26 full-time equivalent positions from the 2010 City budget, I do not think it would be prudent to consider new programs, no matter how appealing and important they may be. To accomplish the kind of goal you are proposing would require a significant community process and either substantial cuts from existing programs to fund the new one or development of new revenues. I would expect that other needs would be raised and the Council would be challenged to justify this choice over others that may be equally worthy.
I would note that the City already funds access to recreational and sports activities for some children and youth through the Youth Services Initiative within the Department of Parks & Recreation. We know that there is more need than we are meeting but that is true for a number of services that the City currently provides.
The issue you raise is an important one and all the more reason to work hard to stabilize the City’s revenues, become more efficient in our delivery of services and seek new funding sources to meet the needs of our community. I am committed to these efforts.
The top priority is to ensure that we are adequately funding the basic functions the City is obligated or expected to perform. Public safety, public utilities such as water and wastewater treatment, and other legal and contractual obligations such as meeting federal requirements are at the top of the list. Certainly there is also a community expectation that we provide a variety of other services such as libraries, parks & recreational lands and programs and open space. Indeed, the City Charter specifically mandates the creation of certain departments including the departments of Parks & Recreation and Open Space.
In addition, Boulder has made a strong commitment to human services by creating a department of Housing & Human Services (HHS), a function that many municipalities do not undertake. The many services and programs that HHS provides are critical to the health and well-being of our residents especially during an economic downturn.
Aside from prioritizing the most fundamental City functions like public safety, I would also give top priority to the many important HHS programs and services that sustain many of our residents and reflect a strong community ethic about caring for each other. These include such efforts as our affordable housing program, the human services fund which provides needed revenues to many local non-profits, senior and children’s programs, and many more.
2) The 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 effort?
First, I would say that the Boulder Police Department (BPD) is already focused on providing high quality police service to all. The efforts of our school resource officers are a good example as their ongoing presence in the schools and classrooms has provided many opportunities to build relationships, educate, and provide security when needed.
Let me mention a couple actions I think the BPD can continue or enhance to support the Council’s priority as stated in your question. First, BPD needs to continue to recruit, effectively train and retain a diverse core of officers so that all members of the community see themselves reflected in our department. Over the years I have worked with the BPD (I was the lead consultant on the development of the BPD Master Plan in the mid-1990’s), the department has substantially increased the number of officers that are women and individuals of color, especially Hispanics.
Second, the department needs to continue its community outreach by engaging a wide variety of neighborhood and other special interest groups, These efforts improve the quality of policing through the development of individual relationships and a more refined understanding of the unique concerns that different groups and neighborhoods have. A great example of effective community policing is the work the BPD has done on “the Hill” through its work with the University Hill Neighborhood Association.
3. 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?
First, I think we can use our relatively new quarterly newsletter “Inside Boulder,” to disseminate findings and developments from community surveys and other data-gathering efforts. The newsletter is free and with some more education about where to find it, this could be a good source of communication.
Second, I would like to see the Council take a more active role in engaging our underrepresented communities. We have in the past held Council meetings in locations such as the San Juan Housing complex for the precise purpose of directly interacting with more segments of our community. If we structured a couple meetings in diverse settings and used them, in part, to disseminate information and outcomes from recent community surveys, this would provide a new avenue to feed back information to those who had participated.
4. 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 have favored the City’s diversity initiative because I believe it is important for the organization to actively work on “growing” the diversity of City staff and to create a culture of inclusiveness. Being a welcoming organization to all types of individuals requires an ongoing commitment, yearly training and building in performance goals for each employee. An organization’s culture must be set from the top and I think our new city manager is doing an excellent job of modeling the conduct and actions she expects from others. She is an active member of the City’s Inclusiveness and Diversity Team.
With regard to City Boards and Commissions (B & Cs), the City has worked to recruit a broader set of applicants for these positions. Both the Human Relations Commission and the Immigrant Advisory Committee have encouraged members of underrepresented groups to apply.
One other idea would be to create a more personal recruitment and mentoring program where various Board and Commission members as well as individual Council members, invite individuals, especially from underrepresented groups, to work directly with them on City issues. This would be a way to increase interest in City matters and to provide a broader understanding of City issues. It could also serve as a “springboard” to service on City Boards and Commissions. Many Council members have already worked with youth leaders from CU through an internship program so there is a model in place which could be adapted.
The issue of resident, non-citizen service on City Boards and Commissions is a complex and potentially controversial one. I would be willing to consider this idea which requires a Charter change but only with a full community process to sort out the many issues and to build support for this proposal. I know this group has much to offer and I would like to find a way to more fully engage them in City matters.
5. 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?
Currently, the City has limited authority to address issues of park management and no authority regarding pad rent. The City should encourage action at the state level to address the power imbalance between owners of mobile homes and owners of mobile home parks. The current Council has added this issue to its 2010 State Legislative agenda and I am very supportive of this.
One part of this effort could be to work on improving the terms of the pad lease such as including a “just cause” provision for eviction and a minimum pad rent period of at least one year. Another part could be working to increase the legal requirements on park management with regard to common areas and the control managers exercise over park residents. If the City wishes to preserve mobile homes as affordable housing, it will need to pursue changes to state law. I think this is the right course of action.
6. Many in the community feel that the contamination issue at Valmont, a sacred Arapaho site and home to an historic settler’s cemetery, remains unresolved. How would you propose to address this issue?
I recognize that this site has special meaning to many and that the contamination is a source of ongoing concern. The City has made great strides in cleaning up the toxic material and securing approval from the State that its remediation requirements have been met. This work will continue until the process has been completed, at least in terms of legal obligations. I will continue to support this effort and work to ensure that the City has met it responsibilities as the landowner.
I think it is important to acknowledge that many who love and treasure this site will never feel comfortable or satisfied about its condition. Years of use and abuse cannot be overcome with a technically approved clean-up. I believe that the City is operating in good faith to achieve reasonable site remediation.
7. Would you consider ensuring access to recreational activities and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds a priority? If so, how would you accomplish this?
Given the current fiscal challenges including cutting $5 million and 26 full-time equivalent positions from the 2010 City budget, I do not think it would be prudent to consider new programs, no matter how appealing and important they may be. To accomplish the kind of goal you are proposing would require a significant community process and either substantial cuts from existing programs to fund the new one or development of new revenues. I would expect that other needs would be raised and the Council would be challenged to justify this choice over others that may be equally worthy.
I would note that the City already funds access to recreational and sports activities for some children and youth through the Youth Services Initiative within the Department of Parks & Recreation. We know that there is more need than we are meeting but that is true for a number of services that the City currently provides.
The issue you raise is an important one and all the more reason to work hard to stabilize the City’s revenues, become more efficient in our delivery of services and seek new funding sources to meet the needs of our community. I am committed to these efforts.
Tim Plass' Response
1. 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?
There are no easy answers when it comes to reducing or eliminating city expenses. I believe that the approach that the city has taken recently is the right one. Input from the public and input from the city staff have helped to shape the difficult cutbacks that our reduced revenues require. The principles that the city is following are sound ones: to maintain public safety and other core services, minimize service reductions for those residents who need the most assistance, and find more efficient ways to deliver services. For the 2010 budget, 26 positions will be eliminated and 16 left vacant—most in sales tax supported positions. However, the safety net services remain funded, and no reduction in police officer or firefighter positions is foreseen. I support this approach. I also support keeping the all library facilities open, though on a reduced schedule, and making sure that all recreational facilities remain open, looking for additional parks efficiencies, with a high priority on parks maintenance.
2. 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?
In our quest for social sustainability, we need to make sure that Boulder creates an inclusive, welcoming and safe community for all. An important part of that effort is how the police force interacts with the public. The police force can support this vision in several ways. First, we can hire people to staff the force who are diverse in and of themselves. Of particular importance is the inclusion on the force of officers who speak Spanish, since a major impediment to a positive experience with the police may be a language barrier. We also need to make sure that all our officers go through sensitivity and diversity training to help them better understand ethnic and other differences that they may encounter while on the job.
3. 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?
I fully support the concept of the meeting in a box to garner input from under-represented communities. Hearing feedback from those who typically do not participate in city processes is an important way to gauge issues and concerns from those communities. To address the meeting in the box participants' concerns as to the result of their input, the city could do several things. The consultants who created the meeting in a box format have come up with the idea of community connector meetings. The connector meetings would be similar in approach to the meetings in a box, but instead of being self-directed, would include a staff presentation on topics of interest. The meetings would be led by a facilitator with information on the matters to be covered given to the participants in advance. The community connector meeting approach seems like a sensible one to me. The city could also look to give individual responses to concerns raised by those at the meeting in a box.
4. 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 support diversity in our city and believe that it is a key to having a vibrant and interesting community. The City of Boulder's Diversity Commitment states it well: “We should all explore with each other and the Boulder community the most inclusionary solution for every opportunity. When we are responsive to the needs of an organizational culture that encourages and embraces the expression of diversity, the result is a strong, enriched and sustainable community.” As to the issue of a city charter amendment to allow non-residents to serve on city boards and commissions, I think that there are opportunities for increased inclusiveness, particularly on boards that are advisory. I would need to understand more about the legal implications of having non-residents on boards and commission that have been delegated decision-making powers from the council. Those boards would include the Planning Board, BOZA and Landmarks.
5. 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?
In my opinion, mobile homes are an important part of the solution to our affordable housing issues, and the city should look for avenues that preserve mobile parks. The current situation at Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park has highlighted the vulnerable position of the mobile home owners. Options at the municipal level for preserving mobile home parks could include some form of rent assistance or even purchasing the underlying ground. Unfortunately, the city's options may be somewhat limited by state law, and lobbying at the state level may be appropriate. Such lobbying could include efforts to limit rent increases to once per 12 months, limiting increases to 10%, a right of first refusal to purchase the park, a state fund for relief of rent increases and a fund for the relocation or evicted or displaced mobile home owners.
6. 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?
The contamination of Valmont Butte has been a difficult issue to address. The city has attempted remediation of the contamination on the site with a concrete pad and other measures to prevent the spread of the toxic material. Prairie dogs at the location have added to the difficulties in properly remediating the site. One of the most important things that the city can do is make sure that there is full access to the public regarding information on the cleanup. The city also needs to be sensitive to Native American issues. This summer a Native American monitor was scheduled to be onsite for soil sampling tests. One possible approach for removal of additional contaminants from the site would be to seek funds from potentially responsible parties who may have contributed to the original contamination.
7. 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?
I do consider assuring access to recreational and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds a priority. These activities are character-building and also give a constructive outlet for channeling energy, rather than getting into trouble. In addition, the opportunity for youth of different backgrounds to interact on the playing field offers a unique chance for bonding and an opportunity to overcome stereotypes. Although funding is a challenge in these difficult economic times, the recommended 2010 budget gets it right, I think, in terms of assuring that parks maintenance remains a high priority and that all recreation facilities remain open. I also support the Youth Services Initiative, which is a community-based after school and summer program for children living in public housing. The program partners with other agencies, including Boulder Housing Partners and the I Have a Dream Foundation to remove economic, transportation and language barriers to participation.
There are no easy answers when it comes to reducing or eliminating city expenses. I believe that the approach that the city has taken recently is the right one. Input from the public and input from the city staff have helped to shape the difficult cutbacks that our reduced revenues require. The principles that the city is following are sound ones: to maintain public safety and other core services, minimize service reductions for those residents who need the most assistance, and find more efficient ways to deliver services. For the 2010 budget, 26 positions will be eliminated and 16 left vacant—most in sales tax supported positions. However, the safety net services remain funded, and no reduction in police officer or firefighter positions is foreseen. I support this approach. I also support keeping the all library facilities open, though on a reduced schedule, and making sure that all recreational facilities remain open, looking for additional parks efficiencies, with a high priority on parks maintenance.
2. 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?
In our quest for social sustainability, we need to make sure that Boulder creates an inclusive, welcoming and safe community for all. An important part of that effort is how the police force interacts with the public. The police force can support this vision in several ways. First, we can hire people to staff the force who are diverse in and of themselves. Of particular importance is the inclusion on the force of officers who speak Spanish, since a major impediment to a positive experience with the police may be a language barrier. We also need to make sure that all our officers go through sensitivity and diversity training to help them better understand ethnic and other differences that they may encounter while on the job.
3. 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?
I fully support the concept of the meeting in a box to garner input from under-represented communities. Hearing feedback from those who typically do not participate in city processes is an important way to gauge issues and concerns from those communities. To address the meeting in the box participants' concerns as to the result of their input, the city could do several things. The consultants who created the meeting in a box format have come up with the idea of community connector meetings. The connector meetings would be similar in approach to the meetings in a box, but instead of being self-directed, would include a staff presentation on topics of interest. The meetings would be led by a facilitator with information on the matters to be covered given to the participants in advance. The community connector meeting approach seems like a sensible one to me. The city could also look to give individual responses to concerns raised by those at the meeting in a box.
4. 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 support diversity in our city and believe that it is a key to having a vibrant and interesting community. The City of Boulder's Diversity Commitment states it well: “We should all explore with each other and the Boulder community the most inclusionary solution for every opportunity. When we are responsive to the needs of an organizational culture that encourages and embraces the expression of diversity, the result is a strong, enriched and sustainable community.” As to the issue of a city charter amendment to allow non-residents to serve on city boards and commissions, I think that there are opportunities for increased inclusiveness, particularly on boards that are advisory. I would need to understand more about the legal implications of having non-residents on boards and commission that have been delegated decision-making powers from the council. Those boards would include the Planning Board, BOZA and Landmarks.
5. 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?
In my opinion, mobile homes are an important part of the solution to our affordable housing issues, and the city should look for avenues that preserve mobile parks. The current situation at Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park has highlighted the vulnerable position of the mobile home owners. Options at the municipal level for preserving mobile home parks could include some form of rent assistance or even purchasing the underlying ground. Unfortunately, the city's options may be somewhat limited by state law, and lobbying at the state level may be appropriate. Such lobbying could include efforts to limit rent increases to once per 12 months, limiting increases to 10%, a right of first refusal to purchase the park, a state fund for relief of rent increases and a fund for the relocation or evicted or displaced mobile home owners.
6. 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?
The contamination of Valmont Butte has been a difficult issue to address. The city has attempted remediation of the contamination on the site with a concrete pad and other measures to prevent the spread of the toxic material. Prairie dogs at the location have added to the difficulties in properly remediating the site. One of the most important things that the city can do is make sure that there is full access to the public regarding information on the cleanup. The city also needs to be sensitive to Native American issues. This summer a Native American monitor was scheduled to be onsite for soil sampling tests. One possible approach for removal of additional contaminants from the site would be to seek funds from potentially responsible parties who may have contributed to the original contamination.
7. 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?
I do consider assuring access to recreational and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds a priority. These activities are character-building and also give a constructive outlet for channeling energy, rather than getting into trouble. In addition, the opportunity for youth of different backgrounds to interact on the playing field offers a unique chance for bonding and an opportunity to overcome stereotypes. Although funding is a challenge in these difficult economic times, the recommended 2010 budget gets it right, I think, in terms of assuring that parks maintenance remains a high priority and that all recreation facilities remain open. I also support the Youth Services Initiative, which is a community-based after school and summer program for children living in public housing. The program partners with other agencies, including Boulder Housing Partners and the I Have a Dream Foundation to remove economic, transportation and language barriers to participation.
Macon Cowles' Response
1. 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?
The priority responsibilities of government are those that create public goods that are not provided by the private sector. These include social services, fire and police, roads, bike/ped facilities, transit, libraries, open space, rec centers, affordable housing, water, and sewer. As categories of service, none could or should be eliminated completely. However, there are inefficiencies within each of these areas that need to be addressed, including reductions in staff. After an extensive outreach to the community and within the City itself, these inefficiencies and staff reductions have been addressed by the City Manager in the 2010 City Budget. Overall, the City Manager has done an exemplary job.
2. 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?
It is absolutely essential that our police not engage in racial profiling, and that they treat everyone with whom they come in contact with equanimity and respect.
3. 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?
Communication is the most important element to establishing an environment of inclusiveness. We must improve our communication with underrepresented communities. One way to accomplish this would be to more fully utilize the excellent outreach and collaborative potential provided by such organizations as the Anti-Defamation League, Bias Incident Hotline, Boulder Pride, Community Action Program, El Centro Amistad, New Vista Equity Cohort, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, Strategies to End Oppression, and the YWCA in order to better serve people in underrepresented communities.
4. 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?
The diversity initiative is important, and it is important too that Councilors take initiative in promoting diversity. Here is what I have done during the last two years to increase the meaningful participation of ethnically diverse people in the City of Boulder.
First, I have encouraged the participation of two minority women who applied for Boards and Commissions. One of these women, Mary Young was appointed to the Planning Board. The other woman, Jyotsna Raj, was not appointed, but I encouraged her to run for Council and she is now a candidate—an excellent one—for City Council.
Second, I am the point person in saving the O*r*c*hard G*r*ove (please leave the asterisks in the name) Mobile Home Park from development, which would have thrown out all the residents of the Park to make room for a medium density development. I brought the impending sale to the attention of Council in 2008, made the appropriate motions, obtained the cooperation of others on Council and as a consequence the property was rezoned to prevent this community from being taken apart. It should be noted that this is a highly diverse and vital community. 39% of the people identify themselves as ethnic minorities. It is also an economically stressed community: 26% of the residents live below the federal poverty line; and 77% of households in this community earn less than 50% of the Area Median Income.
Third, I was the only Boulder City Council member to participate in the August 2009 Intercambio Dialogue with immigrants in the county. From this Dialogue I learned about the many hurdles faced by Latinos in our community and particularly in our schools. This led me to initiate a follow-up meeting between myself, several Latina representatives, two members of the BVSD, and the number two staff person at BVSD, so that we can engage in further conversation, with the goal of producing a solution to ending the prejudicial behavior that was identified at the first dialogue.
Fourth, I supported elevating the rights of mobile home residents as a priority issue on which the City will ask our local state legislators to advocate at the state capitol this year. Fifth, I obtained the consent of the rest of Council at a meeting on September 9, 2009 to make the passage of The Dream Act a legislative priority for the City. This Act—with both federal and state counterparts—would make it possible for children who have graduated from Colorado high schools to go to Colorado colleges and pay in state tuition.
5. 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?
First, we need to complete the work in saving the mobile home park that I referenced in my previous answer. Second, we need to encourage the development of additional land that is zoned manufactured housing in the county, so that mobile home owners will be less vulnerable to the threat of eviction from their current mobile home park. Third, we need to work with state legislators to improve the rights of mobile home owners in relation to the park owners.
6. 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 believe the first step is to more clearly define the extent of contamination. Once we more fully understand the extent of the problem I recommend that we take the appropriate remedial measures.
7. 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?
This is an issue that I raised in my 2007 campaign. In response to my concerns and others, the Parks Department has stepped up its efforts to ensure that City sporting fields are accessible to teams of all backgrounds. Furthermore, I am concerned that the price of our recreational facilities is too steep for many Boulder families that are economically stressed. To that end, I want to see the Parks Department develop a program that will permit these families to use Recreation facilities at a lowered fee.
The priority responsibilities of government are those that create public goods that are not provided by the private sector. These include social services, fire and police, roads, bike/ped facilities, transit, libraries, open space, rec centers, affordable housing, water, and sewer. As categories of service, none could or should be eliminated completely. However, there are inefficiencies within each of these areas that need to be addressed, including reductions in staff. After an extensive outreach to the community and within the City itself, these inefficiencies and staff reductions have been addressed by the City Manager in the 2010 City Budget. Overall, the City Manager has done an exemplary job.
2. 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?
It is absolutely essential that our police not engage in racial profiling, and that they treat everyone with whom they come in contact with equanimity and respect.
3. 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?
Communication is the most important element to establishing an environment of inclusiveness. We must improve our communication with underrepresented communities. One way to accomplish this would be to more fully utilize the excellent outreach and collaborative potential provided by such organizations as the Anti-Defamation League, Bias Incident Hotline, Boulder Pride, Community Action Program, El Centro Amistad, New Vista Equity Cohort, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, Strategies to End Oppression, and the YWCA in order to better serve people in underrepresented communities.
4. 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?
The diversity initiative is important, and it is important too that Councilors take initiative in promoting diversity. Here is what I have done during the last two years to increase the meaningful participation of ethnically diverse people in the City of Boulder.
First, I have encouraged the participation of two minority women who applied for Boards and Commissions. One of these women, Mary Young was appointed to the Planning Board. The other woman, Jyotsna Raj, was not appointed, but I encouraged her to run for Council and she is now a candidate—an excellent one—for City Council.
Second, I am the point person in saving the O*r*c*hard G*r*ove (please leave the asterisks in the name) Mobile Home Park from development, which would have thrown out all the residents of the Park to make room for a medium density development. I brought the impending sale to the attention of Council in 2008, made the appropriate motions, obtained the cooperation of others on Council and as a consequence the property was rezoned to prevent this community from being taken apart. It should be noted that this is a highly diverse and vital community. 39% of the people identify themselves as ethnic minorities. It is also an economically stressed community: 26% of the residents live below the federal poverty line; and 77% of households in this community earn less than 50% of the Area Median Income.
Third, I was the only Boulder City Council member to participate in the August 2009 Intercambio Dialogue with immigrants in the county. From this Dialogue I learned about the many hurdles faced by Latinos in our community and particularly in our schools. This led me to initiate a follow-up meeting between myself, several Latina representatives, two members of the BVSD, and the number two staff person at BVSD, so that we can engage in further conversation, with the goal of producing a solution to ending the prejudicial behavior that was identified at the first dialogue.
Fourth, I supported elevating the rights of mobile home residents as a priority issue on which the City will ask our local state legislators to advocate at the state capitol this year. Fifth, I obtained the consent of the rest of Council at a meeting on September 9, 2009 to make the passage of The Dream Act a legislative priority for the City. This Act—with both federal and state counterparts—would make it possible for children who have graduated from Colorado high schools to go to Colorado colleges and pay in state tuition.
5. 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?
First, we need to complete the work in saving the mobile home park that I referenced in my previous answer. Second, we need to encourage the development of additional land that is zoned manufactured housing in the county, so that mobile home owners will be less vulnerable to the threat of eviction from their current mobile home park. Third, we need to work with state legislators to improve the rights of mobile home owners in relation to the park owners.
6. 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 believe the first step is to more clearly define the extent of contamination. Once we more fully understand the extent of the problem I recommend that we take the appropriate remedial measures.
7. 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?
This is an issue that I raised in my 2007 campaign. In response to my concerns and others, the Parks Department has stepped up its efforts to ensure that City sporting fields are accessible to teams of all backgrounds. Furthermore, I am concerned that the price of our recreational facilities is too steep for many Boulder families that are economically stressed. To that end, I want to see the Parks Department develop a program that will permit these families to use Recreation facilities at a lowered fee.
BCU Boulder City Council Candidate Questionnaire 2009
Boulder Community United
Boulder City Council Candidate Questionnaire 2009
Dear Candidate,
Boulder Community United is a union of organizations working for social justice in Boulder. It includes the following and is open to all organizations working toward this goal:
Anti-Defamation League
Bias Incident Hotline
Boulder Pride
Community Action Program
El Centro Amistad
New Vista Equity Cohort
Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center
Strategies to End Oppression
YWCA
As a prospective Council member, we would like to understand your position on the following questions, and to extend an invitation to speak at our forum at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 4th at the YWCA, 2222 14th St., Boulder. David Thielen has graciously offered to post this questionnaire and your responses on his website, www.davidthielen.info. Please respond to bcu.detre@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 15 to be included on the website and in our email blast to constituents. Thank you for your attention to these issues, which are so critical to our community sustainability.
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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?
Thank you again for your time and thoughtful answers. We look forward to understanding you better.
Sincerely,
Boulder Community United
Boulder City Council Candidate Questionnaire 2009
Dear Candidate,
Boulder Community United is a union of organizations working for social justice in Boulder. It includes the following and is open to all organizations working toward this goal:
Anti-Defamation League
Bias Incident Hotline
Boulder Pride
Community Action Program
El Centro Amistad
New Vista Equity Cohort
Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center
Strategies to End Oppression
YWCA
As a prospective Council member, we would like to understand your position on the following questions, and to extend an invitation to speak at our forum at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 4th at the YWCA, 2222 14th St., Boulder. David Thielen has graciously offered to post this questionnaire and your responses on his website, www.davidthielen.info. Please respond to bcu.detre@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 15 to be included on the website and in our email blast to constituents. Thank you for your attention to these issues, which are so critical to our community sustainability.
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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?
Thank you again for your time and thoughtful answers. We look forward to understanding you better.
Sincerely,
Boulder Community United
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