Housing & Transportation City Council Candidates Forum
Mountain View will select three new City Councilmembers this November to join the four existing Councilmembers. This new City Council will define the character of Mountain View for years to come. During their term, they will decide the intensity and type of development in the San Antonio, North Bayshore, El Camino Real Corridor, and East Whisman areas. They will decide how we will allocate space to motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders throughout the city including California Street and Shoreline Boulevard. They will tackle thorny issues like how much and where to grow the housing supply and office space, the minimum wage, and Bus Rapid Transit. How do the candidates stand on these issues? How do you stand on these issues? More than 120 people turned out at the Housing & Transportation Forum yesterday to join the conversation by submitting their questions and hearing all nine City Council Candidates articulate their vision for Mountain View. As Keith wrote in the comments of our Candidate Forum Page, “The conversation is headed in the right direction. What a special time to be in The MV!”. We agree!
See below to watch the video of the Candidates Forum and to catch the live tweets from @ladyfleur and @jakatmu
The Forum was co-sponsored Great Streets Mountain View, Bicycle Exchange, Community Action Team, Friends of Caltrain, Greenbelt Alliance, Safe Mountain View.
Special thanks to Debbie Mytels for moderating the forum and Wendee Crofoot to for organizing the event!
Candidates for Mountain View City Council
Vote for 3 candidates on November 4th | Register to Vote
- Margaret Capriles http://margaretcapriles.com
- Ellen Kamei http://democracy.com/ellenkamei
- Lisa Matichak http://www.lisaforcouncil.com
- Jim Neal https://www.electneal.org
- Ken Rosenberg http://www.mountainviewken.com
- Mercedes Salem http://votemercedes.nationbuilder.com
- Pat Showalter http://votepatshowalter.com
- Lenny Siegel http://lennysiegelforcouncil.net
- Greg Unangst http://unangst2014.com
Watch the Video
Live Tweets
A7: Neal. I'm against BRT. Trees will need to be cut. Time the signals, add ped overcrossings so traffic can move more freely.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: Kamai: we need wider sidewalks. We can take away parking on ECR to do that and add bike lane too.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: Caprilies: We need partial bike lanes on ECR so people can get to places. All the way down is a death wish.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: Unangst: Issue with transit frequency is density. We should look at new tech: people movers, self driving cars.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: Showalter. Improve traffic flow. Not fan of BRT. We need frequency of buses first.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: Seigel: Don't think we should remove a traffic lane for a bus, specifically mentions impact on ppl in single family homes.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: Salem: not in favor of BUs Rapid Transit on ECR. Maybe a hybrid lane.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A7: transit improvements on ECR?
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Kamai: my parents cut roses here in MV. We need to ensure outreach including translation services.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Caprilies. I think MV has supported undocumented workers, like Jose Vargas. We should look for ways to involve them locally.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Unangst Undocumented people are part of our community. If legally allowed, they should be able to vote in local elections.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Showalter. Our diversity is a wonderful part of MV. We need to support undocumented workers with wage issues.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Seigel; we need immigration. They are part of our future. We need people engaged.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Salem: I'm a big proponent of the Dream Act. I'm a first generation citizen. I want everyone to have that.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Rosenberg: this is why I created the Civility Roundtable to engage everyone.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A6: Neal. I encourage them to speak out. The day worker center can help them.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Q6: (from audience) How can we get noncitizens involved in govt, including undocumented people?
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Salem: no. Sea level will rise, landfill bad in earthquakes.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Rosenberg: I want housing there. Our residents want, our corporations do.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Neal. Only housing for non families. No schools there.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Kamai: no housing at N Bayshore.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Caprilies: I disagree. Can we sustain the growth area long term? Silicon Graphics was once big there, now a few hundred in Fremont.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Unangst: yes, it can decrease commutes. We may need to add school, store.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Showalter: yes. Emissions alone is a reason to do it.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A5: Seigel: It's a no brainer that we put housing at N Bayshore
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Audience Q: do you support housing in N Bayshore (Google)?
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A4: Unangst: we need to preserve single family homes but look to develop new neighborhoods in underutilized light industrial areas.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A4: Showalter. Getting around is critical. We have great activities: swimming, community center, art & wine. Must maintain it.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A4: Seigel: think boldly. Add new schools and other services near new housing like San Antinio Center.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Q4: the other half of the livability question was "while adding 20,000 more jobs." Btw
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A4: Salem: More services for seniors and families to take economic burden.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A4: Neal: we're adding jobs far faster than we're planning for. We need to slow down adding office projects.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A4: Caprilies: need to think about where we want housing. We need open space.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Q4: What can we do for livability?
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A3: Seigel: We built for cars and you have to change land use to fix that.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Lenny Siegel: infrastructure needs to keep pace with growth; housing part of the vision
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: Salem: Safe crossing of roads is personal to me. Know man who was hit by driver and died crossing ECR in Atherton.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Mercedes Salem: less traffic fatalities; personal experience with fatalities on El Camino. Run shuttle.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: Rosenberg: 8 yrs from now, MV will be newer, more urban. We need to embrace the change.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Ken Rosenberg: will be housing in North Bayshore in 8 yrs; MV is an urban-suburban hybrid.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Matichack departs early; Jim Neal: pedestrian overcrossings and roundabouts to "get pedestrians out of the way"
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: Neal: We don't need Bart. Caltrain is more efficient, has bike cars. Traffic rotaries, pedestrian crossing over ECR at San Antonio.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A3: Malachaik: I want Bart here. Better bike ability esp to work areas.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Lisa Matichack: BART down the peninsula. TMA should be wildly successful with shuttle; light rail should be more effective
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: Kamai: More efficient transit. Caltrain electrification with extra bike car. "Feet first city"
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Ellen Kamei: coordinated regional/local transit; Caltrain electrification important.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Margaret Capriles; open space should be protected/cherished. High density housing concentrated next to housing— frequent shuttles important
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: Caprilies: "How much can we build and still have the open space and still have walkable and bikeable community?"
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Greg Unangst: building housing near jobs and services key. Every commute we can make shorter is reducing greenhouse emissions
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: Unangst: "every person that rides a bike is not driving a car"
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A3: Showalter: New community shuttle is a start. Mentions double tracking rail.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
On what MV will look like in 8 years– Pat Showalter— connectivity important and regional relationships key; Caltrain electrification
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A3: What transportation improvements would you support?
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Margaret Capriles: aggressively pursue new ideas on affordable housing for nurses, firefighters, and police officers
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A2: Caprilies. Private/public partnerships. (At least three others mentioned that too)
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Greg Unangst— MV needs to lead the way; accessory dwelling units and public Private Partnerships highlights
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A2: Unangst: We're killing the middle class here. MV needs to lead the way.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A2: Showalter. Mortgage assistance for teachers & public safety workers. Granny units.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Pat Showalter— rapidly use city's affordable housing $ for rent subsides and loan assistance; loosen restrictions on grammy flats
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A2: Need to dramatically increase housing in N Bayshore and San Antonio. Only way to balance is to put brakes on office and build housing.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Lenny Siegel: supply and demand real problem— need to increase the number of units in N Bayshore and San Antonio; start with N Bayshore
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Mercedes Salem: BMR a drop in the bucket but construction of new units key— pathway to a home for families— build housing in change areas
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A2: Saleem on housing. Affordable isn't enough. Need to build housing five change areas.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A2: Rosenberg on affordable housing: reduce parking requirements, allow in-law units.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Ken Rosenberg: housing regional issue but city should increase supply for all incomes, rethink expense of parking, in law units
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Jim Neal: I do not want to live where I work. Removing extra amenities (gym, pool, etc) from housing will drive down costs.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Lisa Matichak: housing is a regional issue; improving transportation a higher priority; but add housing in Whisman areas.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Q2: What can we do about affordable housing in Mountain View?
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
On housing: Ellen Kamei < 2k affordable units in MV. BMR ownership housing and mixed income projects; realistic goals in housing element
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Jim Neal: Address things like uplifted sidewalks; all modes of transportation should be safe and effective.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Lisa Matichack: things we can do in commercial areas like building sidewalks; focus on trails a priority.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
A1: OK, improving biking and walking is Mom & Apple Pie issue. When it impacts cars then we'll see what they say.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
A1: All candidates so far in favor. Ideas: road diet on Cal. St, bike blvd on Latham, wide sidewalk. Better crossings at Central & ECR.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Ellen Kamei: building on precise plans key to implementing bike/ped improvements. Connectivity important.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Margaret Capriles: need to create infrastructure and environment so we can be safe— important to plan for all types of alternatives to car
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Q1: What would you do to promote biking and walking? …
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Greg Unangst: coordinated plan for biking key. Funding and staff time key.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Pat Showalter: we need places that are safe on the street. Sidewalks key.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Get ready. I'm live tweeting from the #mountainview city council candidates forum.
— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014
Lenny Siegel: safe attractive places with places to go are important for walkability.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
Mercedes Salem: likes the concept of California Street road diet; pleased with council decision to study corridor
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
MV council candidate Ken Roesenburg: I'm in favor of almost anything that will increase biking and walking.
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014
At the Mountain View housing and transportation candidates forum. 9 candidates for 3 seats! pic.twitter.com/pL8GNSBihw
— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014