Meet the Candidates for Emeryville City Council

The information below is based on personal interviews with the candidates and is either quoted directly or paraphrased (in the first person), with the exception of information in parentheses. Council candidate Frank Flores declined to be interviewed for this story.

Jennifer West
(interviewed by Juanita Carroll Young)

Who

Age 40, married, two children: Clara, 8, and Fiona, 4 (pictured here with Jennifer)
Emeryville resident since 2004: #9, 5514 Doyle Street (Doyle Street Co-Housing)

Occupation: teacher, since 1995. Worked 12 years in the San Lorenzo school district; one year at North Oakland Community Charter School (NOCCS), where daughter Clara attends. (Note of clarification: a charter school is a public school, not a private school). Supervised student teachers at Emeryville Secondary school through a Mills College teacher training program. Substitute teacher at Emeryville Secondary and NOCCS.

Civic engagement: Civically involved since age 7, working on local political campaigns in Indiana with her parents. In 1992, worked as a paid staff member on Barbara Boxer’s first senate bid. As a teacher, have been involved with CA Teachers Association phone banking on important propositions. Volunteer on local political campaigns: Councilman John Fricke (2005) and Shilen Patel (2007). Active member of Emeryville Organic Community Garden since 2005. Resident participant at many civic meetings, including General Plan, Bike/Pedestrian Path at 53rd Street, Emeryville Center for Community Life; City Council, City Council committees.

“In my work as a teacher, I was trained as a facilitator. I led the decision-making process in participatory manner. I’ve used these skills elsewhere, in community and co-housing groups.

Why

“I am running because I would like to bring the residents’ perspective to our city, in a partnership of Emeryville residents, workers, small and large business owners, city staff and leaders, and the school community, including all of the families who attend our schools. I’m also running to find common ground and a collaborative tone of inclusivity and constructive dialogue.”

“Personally, I was inspired by my involvement with the Emeryville Town Hall (July 27, 2009) and the community engagement of RULE (Residents United for a Livable Emeryville). The new spirit in town gives me hope. I am also transitioning from teaching to public policy. With two city council members leaving, I saw the need for balance there.”

“I was very fortunate to be part of a teacher bargaining team in San Lorenzo, where I saw and participated in successful budgeting and negotiating sessions. The attributes I can bring to the city council are curiosity, enthusiasm, budget/math skills, and a keen interest in this kind of public service to improve our community.”

What

Taxes

Support raising taxes. “The fiscal crisis means that we have to look at both revenue and expenses.” The Card Room tax (Measure K on the November 2009 ballot) would contribute about $250,000 annually to Emeryville.

On the Landscape and Lighting District tax:
Would affect both homeowners and businesses (property owners), but would require larger businesses to pay more through their square footage. Support the Landscape and Lighting District in general, but need more information (noting that the city of Emeryville website is difficult to navigate and find documents on.)

The city can raise more money by taxing private parking meters and parking lots as well as public parking, which would also encourage visitors to use of public transit “instead of adding to pollution and congestion in our streets.”

Business tax: Support increasing the city’s business tax – among the lowest in the Bay Area – so it is more in line with other municipalities. Also believe all businesses, small and large, should be taxed the same percentage of their gross receipts (currently, all business are only taxed on the first $3 million in gross receipts). “Our town is poised to take advantage of its success at attracting businesses over the past 15 years.”

Development and Community Benefits

Believe developers should be required to enter into community benefits agreements if residents request it. “All developers and leaders in Emeryville should listen to the community and residents, at the minimum.”

Example of good development – the proposed Marketplace project by TMG Partners, on the site of what is now the Public Market. Developer has been open to input on how to improve the project, which has won a LEED (environmental excellence) certification.

Example of bad development – Bay Street Mall, which caters to regional, not local, shoppers. Poor design with no sidewalk or entry on Shellmound Street. High-end retail that does not serve residents’ needs. “Bay Street is not a community center; it’s a missed opportunity to create one.”

Notes the increase in vacant storefronts in town. Believes the design of a building or development “can make or break the success of a business,” and does not favor large parking lots at street level. “Retail stores should be warm and inviting to those on the street. The city should continue to make storefront improvement grants to businesses.”

Arizmendi bakery – and the block where it is located – is an excellent example of the city supporting local business. “For five years, Emeryville used redevelopment funds to help businesses there, which I believe is an excellent use of those funds.”

Housing, Schools, Open Space

Emeryville needs residential units that are affordable and large enough to accomodate families. The city has been “pretty good” at providing housing for singles and couples at market-rate and slightly below market-rate, but needs more housing for working families.

While housing is important for attracting families, an investment in city schools is also crucial. Also see need to implement the new General Plan calling for a significant increase in the amount of open space. “Families need open space. The Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a Healthy City Initiative which also helps to evaluate the ‘health’ of the city at many levels, including physical and financial. I applaud these efforts.”

Concerned about the loss of architecturally significant buildings in town. Lives in a mixed old/new building, which has “great character, while serving our community’s residential needs.”

RULE (Residents United for a a Livable Emeryville)

“Great to see residents here make their voices heard. Their concerns are valid and their efforts are laudable. The Coalition for a Better Bay Street helps combine efforts of many stakeholders, who should be part of the decision-making process. I have differed at times with the tactics of one of the Coalition’s members—EBASE—but I agree with many of their goals for Emeryville.”

Emeryille Center of Community Life (ECCL)

See it as “fantastic vision… As a longtime teacher, I think that reaching the community through the schools makes sense, with community activities and services.” There are still some concerns that need to be addressed. Financing will be challenging for a city Emeryville’s size at an estimated $125 million.

“My understanding is that the school district will match the city’s investment in the Center. It is of great benefit to the school community. Emeryville is also actively pursuing state and local funding for ECCL, and Rep. Barbara Lee recently secured federal stimulus money for it. If Bay Street Site B is deserving enough to get $47 million from the city’s Redevelopment Agency, why wouldn’t this project also deserve funding?”

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

“What interests Massachusetts in Emeryville? It seems like EMPAC is representing an outside interest trying to influence what happens in our town. It would be good if the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce would be clear and open about their goals in city politics.”

“I have no automatic judgment against candidates who accept EMPAC money; they need money to run campaigns! But I would be interested to know the implicit or explicit trade-off.”

“I would like to work with the Emeryville Chamber—I intend to partner with the business community for sake of our town.”

Jennifer West Campaign website