| All candidates are in alphabetical order |
Land Use Policy - Affordable Housing |
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| Scott K Miller | Chaps Poduri | |
| What is your position on affordable housing? Please be specific with regards to policies you support or oppose. | Affordable housing is essential. In Pacific Grove this is especially true for working and workforce families, as well as seniors. We need to secure a reliable, affordable, safe and sustainable water supply so that affordable housing can be developed as auxiliary units in particular, as existing regulations allow for it, but water creates a major stumbling block. This would provide in-fill on existing lots, without expanding the City's footprint. | I support affordable housing and believe that we need to tie all housing developments with affordable housing policies. |
| Do you support modifying city policies or regulations to make it easier and cheaper to build housing? If so, what specific policy changes do you support? | The City has already modified the process to construct auxiliary units, moving from a complex and lengthy series of approvals to a "counter" approval. This can significantly expedite the building process and reduce costs, which I support. Obtaining water credits for construction remains costly and difficult. We need to advocate for our water supply needs at an affordable cost. | I am in support of any policy modification that improves upon the current policy. |
| Do you support requiring developers to actually build inclusionary units instead of paying an "in lieu" fee? | Yes, whenever physically possible, i.e., land exists on which to build. | Yes. |
| Do you support requiring that "inclusionary housing" units be made permanently affordable, even upon resale? If not, please explain. | Yes. The point of "inclusionary housing" is to create affordable housing. There should be a formula for resales clearly understandable and enforceable, so everyone is aware prior to original purchase. | Yes. |
| 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? | The workforce housing impact should be addressed in Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and considered by the public body approving any such large development, as is the traffic impact of forcing workforce workers to commute. In general, we should be encouraging workforce housing elements to be included in any large development project. | Yes. |
| What other housing policies do you support or oppose? | Senior housing considerations should be a priority as our local population ages. | [no answer] |
Water Supplies |
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| Scott K Miller | Chaps Poduri | |
| What specific proposals do you support to ensure your community can meet its water demands without increasing the overdraft of the County's groundwater aquifers or violating the SWRCB's Cease and Desist Order regarding taking water from the Carmel River? | I support the "portfolio" approach to meeting our region's water demands. I believe in capturing, treating and recycling storm water runoff and effluent, along with retrofitting all large water consumers, as has been done at the PG golf course. I believe a "right-sized" desal plant that can be done safely, efficiently and affordably may be important to a long term and sustainable solution. I'm following the current discussions on the alternatives. This is the Peninsula's most urgent need and should have been completed years ago. | I am in support of any proposal that is environmentally sound, meets requirements to provide new connections, does not violate SWRCB's orders and which meets the needs for the long term future without imposing any further constraints. |
| Do you support expansion of Pure Water Monterey as an alternative to building a desalination plant? | Yes, if that is, in fact, a safe, affordable, reasonable alternative. I do NOT support the recycling of toxic agricultural runoff and recycling, as I believe that is an unscientific and unproven technology at the present time. I'd prefer not to have my children and grand children be the guinea pigs. Ultimately I believe a properly sized desal plant is a rational part of a regional water portfolio which doesn't push unbridled growth, but allows for "lots of record" to build and for businesses to be supported. | Yes. |
Sprawl Reduction |
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| Scott K Miller | Chaps Poduri | |
| 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? | [no answer] | I am in favor of any urban growth boundary that helps protect the environment. |
Transportation |
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| Scott K Miller | Chaps Poduri | |
| Poorly planned, non-infill commercial developments and hotels create more trips and additional vehicle miles traveled 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? | Applicable to Pacific Grove, I specifically support the City of Monterey's plan to change Lighthouse Ave. between PG and the Presidio to one way traffic east-bound, including a lane designated for mass transit. This would significantly reduce traffic congestion and pollution. It has been in the planning stages for years, but has lacked funding. I worked on this plan as a member of TAMC back in 2007-08. | I believe the recent shift to flexible schedules and working from home has had a good consequence for the environment in terms of fewer miles traveled and reduction in emissions. As we come out of the crisis, businesses and the City should provide an option for employees to be flexible with their day to day routines. This will aid the environment and create employee satisfaction. |
| 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. Roundabouts have been proven to be very efficient, as shown at the Highway 1 and 68 junction at Pebble Beach. I served two years on TAMC and was a law enforcement professional for 31 years. There are many traffic "calming" methods of which I approve and for which I advocate. | Yes. The Highway 68 roundabout has shown that with careful planning we can realize vast improvements. I am open to any such new improvement that is presented. Perhaps a roundabout should be a standard option to be considered as new roads are built. |
Leadership |
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| Scott K Miller | Chaps Poduri | |
| If you are elected, what will be your top three priorities? | My top priority will be helping Pacific Grove weather the economic and cultural effects of the current pandemic. The City budget will be sorely tested. My 35 years of public sector service will provide leadership and guidance through these troubled times. We need proven leaders who won't be learning "on the job." Next, I will insure City government, both elected officials and staff, are accountable for their decisions, and that issues are aired openly, with public input always. Third, maintaining the character of Pacific Grove as a "city primarily of homes," as described in the City Charter. We need to protect our natural environment, traditions and legacy that make our town unique in many ways. |
I will make the City a welcoming community for all residents to live and work and for businesses to flourish. I will bring in fiscal responsibility by creating meaningful revenue streams to offset the growing loss in revenue due to the pandemic and/or any other debt/liability. I will collaborate and establish strong relationships with the community and the neighboring regions and be transparent to the residents in every action. |
| What land use policies would you champion for the community? | We have decent land use policies already in place. We just need to insure City staff and City leaders follow them. We need to maintain our residential character, as well as our natural environment, including our incredible ocean front and our native tree population of oak, pine and Monterey cypress. | Policies that respect the City's traditions. |
| What accomplishments in your career or public service are you most proud of? | With 35 years of public service I'm very proud of many accomplishments. Serving as a law enforcement officer for 31 years, including 18 years at the executive level, was very rewarding. I enjoy serving others. As Sheriff of Monterey County I obtained $92 million in competitive grants to build a. long needed addition to the county jail, to house inmates with particular difficulties. I've hired many outstanding law enforcement officers who continue to serve. As a previous PG council member I helped craft budgets and made difficult staffing decisions that have allowed the City to remain solvent. I proposed and passed campaign finance reform and Charter amendments approved on the ballot. | In 2010, and acting as a Program Manager for a U.S. Department of Transportation project, I was very proud to oversee the launch of Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) – a program that improves highway safety. A study conducted in 2013 estimated that PSP prevented 863 crashes and more than 3,500 driver out-of-service incidents. As a Program Manager I oversaw and managed the transition and rollout for the California Employment Development Department's Debit Card program during 2011-2012. The program allowed easier, faster and more secure distribution of California's unemployment and disability benefits while saving the agency $4 million annually in postage fees. |
Background |
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| Scott K Miller | Chaps Poduri | |
| Occupation | Retired PG Police Chief/Monterey Co. Sheriff | Businessman, Father |
| Years Lived in Area | 62 | 4 |
| Education | Masters Degree in Management Bachelors Degree in Organizational Behavior FBI National Academy California POST Command College PGHS Class of 1971 |
Masters in Computer Sciences; Certification in Project Management |
| Experience | Elected Sheriff Coroner of Monterey County Councilmember, Pacific Grove City Council Pacific Grove Chief of Police Deputy Chief, Salinas PD Adjunct Faculty, MPC/Chapman University |
Presently I am in the banking and financial services industry where I have been working for almost ten years. Prior to that I was in the technology sector for ten years. I have been working with public sector clients (and in particular cities, states and state agencies) throughout my entire career. |
| Luke Coletti, Jill Kleiss, Nick Smith, and Scott Woodfin did not respond. |