2018 Marina Mayor Candidate LandWatch Questionnaire Responses

All candidates are in alphabetical order

Land Use Policy - Affordable Housing

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
What is your position on affordable housing? Please be specific with regards to policies you support or oppose. I want people living now in all of our communities to be able to afford to stay here if they wish. Marina in particular is experiencing rental increases forcing families earning less than $100K out of Marina. For sale homes of course are costing far too much for most of our working class. I support an unbiased assessment of East Palo Alto's and Los Gatos' rent control as well as others (2018 Santa Cruz) that have failed (Santa Monica). Whatever Marina does in this regard has to take into account our jobs-housing ratio of 0.62 compared to 1.25 jobs for every home needed for a community to be financially healthy. For affordable housing, we should consider extending mobile home parks on the former Fort Ord; in Preston and Abrams park where infill development possibilities exist, we should build small housing units that are affordable by design.
Do you support modifying city policies to make it easier and cheaper to build housing? If so, what specific policy changes do you support? Marina is a bedroom community and its history as such has put us in a precarious financial position as we strive to become a full service City not, just a place for other communities' workers elsewhere to sleep. All of our communities need a balance so where there is an imbalance of not enough housing there should be granny unit and infill policies that result in more affordable housing. Within Marina’s current housing regulations, you cannot build Accessory Dwelling Units. Changes in zoning ordinances need to occur to help create additional affordable housing.

The prevailing wage has created a problem in Monterey County because it has destroyed what was once an available labor skill pool by increasing the cost of building a home by as much as 80%. There is not enough labor to fulfill the current and future projected housing demand. To complete these developments, the skilled labor pool needs to be rebuilt. By rebuilding the job pool locally, high skilled and high paying jobs will be created within the existing infrastructure and people will not have to commute to work which will also help alleviate traffic congestion.
Do you support requiring developers to actually build inclusionary units instead of paying an “in lieu” fee? Yes. In Marina developers are building inclusionary units. Yes, I do because “in lieu” fees allow developers to circumvent affordable housing by paying a fee instead of improving living conditions for those most needing it. Paying “in lieu” fees contribute to driving up the cost of housing, making it less affordable for those living within the local economy.  Specifically, those who are already living in Marina and are dependent upon affordable housing may be forced to relocate elsewhere, where the cost of housing is less. 
Do you support requiring that “inclusionary housing” units be made permanently affordable, even upon resale? If not, please explain. Yes. We will need higher numbers of affordable units as our population increases. Allowing one homeower to reap the windfall benefits after previous owners didn't would also remove one home from the affordability of a future homeowner that needs it. It makes no sense to me that rules would change at an arbitrary date and someone could make a profit on an affordable unit that simultaneously takes removes that unit from being able to benefit another family that needs it. Yes, until the housing market evens out between availability and demand, “inclusionary housing” units should be made permanently affordable.
Do you support requiring developers of hospitality, commercial and industrial projects that significantly increase demand for already scarce housing resources to also build workforce housing? Yes. Such single-use developments are a main source of commuters trying to find bedroom communities and adversely affecting those bedroom communites which have to pick up the tab of services (police, fire, streets, and subsidized recreation) while the more commercial cities' economies grow stronger doing less than their share to house working families. Yes, doing so enhances the quality of family living (due to less commuter time), alleviates traffic congestion for commuters, and mitigates the impact on the existing transportation infrastructure.
What other housing policies do you support or oppose? I would support the development of secondary housing units.

Water Supplies

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
What specific proposals do you support to ensure your community can meet its water demands without over-drafting groundwater aquifers or, if you live on the Monterey Peninsula, also the Carmel River? Conservation first, recycled water second, desalination as last resort. Specifically, expand Pure Water Monterey to its maximum extent for another 2250 acre feet per year and then more if it is possible. Ensure that all wastewater  produced in our area has the chance if feasible of being recycled. Push for state and county ordinances that encourage grey water from showers and sinks to be used for landscaping. I support the use of a combination of reclaimed water and ground infusion augmented with desal drawn from a regional solution.
Do you support expansion of Pure Water Monterey as an alternative to building a desalination plant? Yes. Paul Sciuto of Monterey One Water provided comment at recent CPUC hearing that his agency already had 30% design completed and water sources identified for 2250 afy expansion of PWM. Yes. I support the Pure Water Monterey Phase 3 solution until a regional a long-term sustainable solution can be developed. Compared to the Cal Am desal project, this project is a timelier and less expensive replacement solution and should be implemented.

Sprawl Reduction

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
Do you support the creation of “urban growth boundaries” or expansion of the existing boundary as a way to prevent urban sprawl, and to insure that future growth is compact, efficient, and protective of the environment? If not, what measures would you support to prevent urban sprawl? If yes, will you sponsor an urban growth boundary in the upcoming year, and make it one of your top three priorities Yes. Marina has an UGB since 2000 and it took a lot of work to get the majority of the community to support it! Build up not out. City centered growth is key to financial savings on infrastructure (utility pipes and streets), less driving, and higher ridership on mass transit thus more revenue to increase quality of mass transit. I will be advocating for an extension of Marina's UGB so the current UGB doesn't expire in 2020 however this time around I don't expect much opposition. I promote the principles of smart development as a means of preventing encroachment on Marina’s natural environment and habitat. Until all infill possibilities have been fully utilized, there is no need to change Marina’s Urban Growth Boundary.

Transportation

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
New commercial developments and hotels create more trips and additional vehicle miles travelled on already overcrowded roads and highways. Both residents and visitors pay the price of delay and increased pollution. What specific traffic congestion relief solutions do you support? TAMC's light-rail or alternatively Bus Rapid Transit along RR corridor between Marina and Monterey. In the interim MST's proposal to implement using existing buses to use road shoulders and the RR corridor between Marina and Monterey. In Marina, the development of the 8th St. extension would alleviate traffic congestion of the future Dunes project and between CSUMB and 2nd Ave. Additionally, improvement to 2nd Avenue at Lightfighter Ave. would improve congestion during peak school commuter hours.
Do you support roundabouts on Highway 68 and other roads? What other transportation policies or practices have you seen that local governments should incorporate? Yes. RA's at Holman Highway, in Marina, and elsewhere in Monterey County (Soledad?) have repeated the success of modern roundabouts in several U.S. states. Transportation Agency of Monterey County-funded studies and public workshops have resulted in the plan for up to 11 RA's along Hwy 68 getting the most support. I support speed humps/cushions where speeding is unsafe for nearby residents such that going the speed limit gets you over the humps fine but significantly reduces speeding in residential areas. I support ambitious non-motorized projects such as the proposed 32-mile FORTAG (Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway-see FORTAG.org).
Roundabouts on highway 68 will create smooth and consistent traffic flow. They will also reduce the emissions and harm to the environment that comes from stop and go traffic.

Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA)

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
What is your position on the Fort Ord Reuse Authority? Do you believe the Authority has achieved its original goals? If so, what evidence do you cite? FORA has taken from the less affluent Marina $70M of real estate assets and has spent most of that on the "team approach" to Fort Ord reuse that focuses on building removal(Gigling Rd) and road building (Eastside Parkway) outside of Marina. After Marina, no other city has contributed more than $5M so the imbalance is clearly to the disadvantage of Marina. More equity is needed but FORA appears unable to be neutral in the way other local entities are such as TAMC, Monterey Regional Waste Management District, MST, Air District, etc. FORA's future plan is to collect $72M in Community Facilities District Fees from entitled projects (e.g. The Dunes, Sea Haven, Cypress Knolls) including $55M from Marina but only to spend $12M of that on projects within Marina. This unfair pattern is remarkable. The goal was to complete 80% of the base reuse plan by 2014 yet by 2018 they are at about 30%. There was to be an east-west recreation corridor across the norther portion of Fort Ord but citizens had to fight the referendum fight to force FORA and the County to back off Whispering Oaks proposal to build a bus yard in the east-west corridor. Yes, FORA has achieved its intended goals and it is time to turn over existing and unfinished projects to local control. These projects will be completed more efficiently and effectively when local jurisdictions have control over their own assets and decision-making processes.
Which do you support: 1) sunsetting the Authority in 2020 as current legislation contemplates or 2) extending the Authority beyond that date? If you support extending it, please explain why. Sunset in 2020 and ensure legislation or other tools are in place to pass thru what funding has been going to FORA to other jurisdictions (e.g. TAMC for road projects, Marina Coast Water District for water projects, and cities for Community Facilities District Fees and Developer Impact Fees. This way cities would have the same funding FORA has to fulfill FORA obligations without the political unfairness that has plagued FORA nor the several million dollar cost of FORA administration and continuing pension costs. FORA should sunset in 2020; the current extension should never have occurred in the first place.
What is your position on the Eastside Parkway/Freeway/Road? I support it by widening existing roads but it should be paid by developers as an impact fee on future projects that will benefit from it. I disagree with FORA in that I don't think this road is a mitigation measure of the base reuse plan and it should not be on FORA's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) especially not as a higher priority than blight removal or connecting road from 2nd Ave to Del Monte Blvd in Marina. Marina does not benefit from the Eastside Parkway; Developing it would cause damage to our environmental assets and  would not change Marina’s traffic congestion. The 8th St. and 2nd Ave. extensions are much more crucial for Marina’s planned development.

Leadership

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
If you are elected, what will be your top three priorities? Stopping the CalAm production desal slant wells from going in Marina, Implementing downtown revitalization, using funds from the hoped for passage of 2018 Measures N (sales tax revenue), P (hotel tax revenue), and V (Cannabis business legalization) to spend $2M or more  new funding from these 3 measures each year on a 2nd fire engine crew, finally repairing Marina's street, park, and sidewalk network, and implementing FORTAG.
• Development of a sustainable water supply
• Creating a skilled job market
• Creating affordable housing near where people work
What land use policies are you willing to champion for the community? Urban Growth Boundary, pedestrian-friendly and affordable housing included in mixed use zoning for downtown revitalization, narrowing Reservation Rd. from 4 lanes to 2 so more room for pedestrians, bicycles, sitting areas, and landscaping.
• Smart Growth Development Principles
• Development of in-fill possibilities
What accomplishments in your career or public service are you most proud of? 1. Urban Growth Boundary (2000). 2.Turned around an balanced budget (2010). 3. MoCo's only Mobile Home Rent Control (2012). 4. Creative and wise investment to bring Marina our new movie theater (2015). 5. Wisely partnering and in the end no cost or risk toward opening of new Marriott Hotel (2017) for half-million dollars per year of hotel tax to our general fund and perhaps more than that in spin-off contibutions hotel guests are giving to local Marina businesses. 6. Leading the City's effort(2017) toward the 2020 closure of CEMEX sand plant which was hurting everyone's beaches and coastline south of Salinas River. 7. Leading the City's effort (2015-present) to keep CalAm out of Marina. 8. Leading the partnership effort (2017-present) to clean up the Lapis Rd. health hazard and open dumping mess while providing safe parking (thanks to Jane Parker) for people who were sleeping in their vehicles along Lapis Rd.. 9. Working hard(2010-present) so that now Marina is a graffiti-free City. 10. Leading the organization with my wife Natalie of Marina's Earth Day Festival and Labor Day Weekend Parade and Festival from 2010-present. 11. Leading the volunteer effort for Citizens for Sustainable Marina to restore Oak Woodland outside the Marina Library. 12. Helping to lead 3 Eagle Scout projects to beautify Los Arboles Sports Complex. 13. Being the hardest working and most accessible mayor in Monterey County. Being one of the founders of Marina’s Restorative Justice Partners program, which advocates responsible choices as an alternative to being introduced into the criminal justice system is something I am most proud. The program gives youth the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and enables them to have a positive future.

I am also most proud of the work I have done to support women and children in the face of domestic violence. CART (Child Abuse Response Team) and SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) are each  made up of law enforcement, medical professionals, and rape crisis advocates, who work collectively to support women and children who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence. Intended to alleviate the pain and humiliation of being repeatedly questioned and examined in the face of traumatic circumstances, a one-step interview and procedure is carried out in a compassionate and caring way.  This is often the first step toward healing and rebuilding a safe life.

The third accomplishment I am most proud of is my work with various community programs such as the Restorative Justice Program, where I worked with members of the community and members of NAACP to mediate conflict and violence. Our work improved and promoted better relations within Marina’s diverse ethnic communities.

Background

Bruce Carlos Delgado Bob Nolan
Occupation Mayor/Botanist Retired Law Enforcement
Years Lived in Area 22 40
Education B.S Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University. 1990. B.A., Recreation Administration
Numerous Law Enforcement Certifications
Experience Founder of Campus Recycling Project at H.S.U. 1988. Law Enforcement and Community Liaison, High Level Community Engagement for 30 years