Meet the Candidates for Emeryville City Council

Kurt Brinkman

(interviewed by Tracy Schroth)

Who

Age, 56, divorced, two children: Heather, 29, and Ashley, 26; six grandchildren (with another on the way).

Emeryville resident since 1995. Current address: 4375 Adeline Street (loft/apartment and business).

Occupation: owner, Interactive Electronic Systems, Emeryville, an electrical contractor that installs fire alarm systems in hospitals, airports, and schools. 24 employees. In business since 1996.

Civic engagement: current member, Emeryville Board of Education, 6 years, served as vice-president for 1 year; current member, Emeryville Chamber of Commerce, 20 years, serving as vice-chair for 2 years; current member, Emeryville Arts Committee, 10 years, serving as the annual event bartender for more than 15 years; current member, Emeryville (Unified School District) Entrepreneurs, a new youth employment program.

Why

“I want to see a better connection between youth, families, and businesses in Emeryville. There is a racial disconnect in Emeryville right now,” with the youth in town thinking that Emeryville is a “black” town (65 percent of students in the school system are African-American), and the businesses thinking Emeryville is a “white” town (40 percent of the students in Emeryville schools come from outside the district).

“Through youth mentoring programs such as Emeryville Entrepreneurs, I am trying to bring (business and school) communities together and form partnerships with Pixar (Animation Studios) and Novartis, both in Emeryville.” For example, Pixar helps 5th graders make movies, and Novartis has a summer youth employment program. One Emery High student who participated in the Novartis program went on to college, got an MBA, and then came back to Emeryville to work for Novartis.

“I would like to see that for all the kids. I want great schools …” so kids can go on to college – 93 percent of the 2008 senior class at Emery High went on to college – then come back and have a career path here in Emeryville.

“We need to have a strong foundation in the belief that people can improve themselves and that Emeryville is a school district that cares. With the proper foundation, we can provide a good education, good skill sets, and good jobs for people so they can come to Emeryville with their families and live and work here.”

“I am logical. I know how to manage people and money. I will listen and negotiate. I will listen to all parties. I have years of experience working with people. I was the mayor of Gilmore City Iowa at the age of 20.”

What

Taxes

Do not support raising taxes. “I understand the need, but now is not the time to raise taxes. If the economy turns around, we shouldn’t have to raise taxes.” Am “repulsed by the sales tax increase” of more than 10 percent this past year. “I think it’s ridiculous.” Does not support the Landscape and Lighting District tax.

Development and Community Benefits

Believe in project labor agreements that involve local hiring and “pre-apprenticeship training. Also believe that when the city has a large project, there should be direct benefits to residents. Regarding Madison Marquette, the developer of the Bay Street Mall and proposed development of Bay Street Site B north of the mall, believe they should “sit down and have a direct conversation with residents because it’s their city. … I think they should do more.”

“We need to recognize the value of Emeryville and sit down and negotiate that.”

At one time the city needed development, but now Emeryville has “created a tremendous value …there were the days for big-box retail stores, but now we need to change.”

The development model of 15 years ago needs to be reexamined and adjusted. If elected to the City Council, will definitely look at supporting family-friendly housing with green areas and trees. “Some of these projects are a total disgrace.”

Example(s) of good development in past 5 years – Oak Walk on San Pablo Avenue and 40th Street. Looks “nice” and there’s a sense of openness. Likes the density. “It looks like the people living there can get to know each other easily.” Likes several building conversions or renovations, such as Vue 46 at 46th and Adeline streets, a condo/loft project converted from an old factory building, and the $9 million renovation of Anna Yates elementary school. (He could not think of any other developments he liked).

Example(s) of bad development in past 5 years – Pulte Homes Inc. among the worst development projects the city has seen in recent years (Glashaus at 65th and Hollis streets). Also Andante on 40th Street between San Pablo Avenue and Adeline Street (by SNK development based in Phoenix, AZ). Both developments have the problem of too much density. “I’m a big believer in people sitting on front porches and watching people go by. There’s no way people living there can do that. You can’t interact with your neighbors and there’s no place for kids. Kids have to have trees.”

Regarding the city’s glut of vacant storefronts, would like to see some incentives to get small businesses, preferably local businesses, to occupy some of that space. The city should look at financial incentives to help small businesses occupy those spaces.

Believe the demolition of buildings designated by the city as architecturally significant should be done only as a last resort. What makes Emeryville unique is the mixture of different types of buildings. However, “it all depends on the bones of the building. Sometimes you don’t have enough to work with to restore it. Sometimes it’s not feasible.”

Jobs

See potential in green energy types of jobs in Emeryville, “envisioning hundreds of jobs in the region that spin off from the green energy industry such as construction jobs making homes more energy-efficient.” Acknowledge that while Emeryville has a large number of retail and hotel jobs, “ … it’s impossible to live in Emeryville on those wages.”

Would like to see more locally serving businesses in the proposed development of Bay Street Site B, north of the Bay Street Mall.

“I would like to see residents start more businesses in town.”

About Semifreddi’s move to Alameda: “I hate to see them leave. I think the city should have done everything they could have done to keep them here (Semifreddi’s co-owner Tom Franier said the city did nothing to help them find a new location after Pixar took over their current building. Semifreddi’s had been in Emeryville for 25 years.) I believe Emeryville needs to have industrial condos so residents can start businesses here. Right now it’s very hard to find that kind of space in Emeryville. I have the same problem with my business. There are the issues of parking and having enough space and it’s hard to find here.”

Would love to buy a building in Emeryville for own business. “Small businesses want to be here, but often can’t find anything they can afford. I can’t afford anything here that would serve my needs and I’ve been looking. When you get to a certain size it’s hard to find space. It’s difficult to keep growing in Emeryville.”

Would be open to taking some of the city’s redevelopment money to start a small business fund (did not say how much).

RULE and the Coalition for a Better Bay Street

“I have no feeling about them … and am not really familiar with either one.”

Emeryville Center for Community Life (ECCL)

Support it. Renovation of the high school, relocation of the city’s recreation center, and the inclusion of community. The estimated price tag of $120 million is inflated. Construction costs are coming down. It will probably not cost that much, and a piece of the property will be developed or sold to help pay for it.

EMPAC (Emeryville Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, is receiving funding from a Massachusetts Real Estate Investment Trust). EMPAC is providing funding to the campaigns of Brinkman and City Council candidate Frank Flores.

Not aware that it is getting money from an E. Coast real estate investment trust. “Am I concerned? There’s a concern, but it’s politics and lots of strange things happen in politics.” Although EMPAC has funded ads that promote the candidacy of Frank Flores and Brinkman together, “I am not on a slate with Frank Flores. … I’ve lost two elections by one vote – once for the Emeryville School Board, and the first time I ran for mayor in Gilmore City, Iowa. … I prefer to run by myself.”