Pasadena City Council District D Candidate:

 

I started paying attention to City government when they wanted to extend Strawberry Rd down my street.  When councilman Jack Douglass learned his constituents didn't want it, he voted against it.  When he was term limited, I didn't see anyone else who would stand up on this issue, so I ran.  I have continued on council because I want the people of my district to have someone who is working for them, not for the government.  I have been fighting for infrastructure improvements, and am finally seeing them.  There are other issues that still need work, and I want to keep working on them.

 

I have served on City Council for 12 years; ten of those in District D, and two at-large.  I have been reading the budget since before I first ran for council.  I attend training through the Texas Municipal League, and was awarded their Certificate of Recognition each of the past four years.

 

This will not be my first 100 days.  Work is proceeding with my priorities now, with sidewalk being added in Deepwater and street reconstruction pending in Pasadena Gardens.  I do want to see a public application process for boards and committees, and a way for councilmembers to get items on the agenda.  Both of those are currently under the control of the mayor, and changes will depend on the new mayor.

 

I am available to answer questions and explain procedures for new councilmembers.  I will continue to try to answer my constituents' questions honestly.

 

Any time the low bid is not accepted I look for a reason why that company is not used.    Laws require bids or an RFP/RFQ, depending on the type of work.  The City is required to accept the lowest bid or the best combination of experience and price.  The Chamber can notify their members of opportunities.

 

Expanding the convention center is a good idea, but I don't think the plans were well enough developed when money was committed.  Also, we could have used some other sources, like hotel/motel tax, and reduced the amount financed and interest to repay.  We need to get rid of the AT&T building.  Infrastructure work on main roads directly helps the businesses on those roads, but work within neighborhoods makes the city a more desirable  place to live, and that also helps business.

 

The Chamber has listed this as one of their priorities.  I would like to be a part of their group designing changes.  The number of required parking spaces is a definite item for adjustment.  We also need a change of attitude, to where the City does not automatically assume someone will change their use of the property after getting a permit.  We can specify what a permit covers, and what is not covered, and make it clear that the City will take action if a person or business violates those limitations.

 

The worst streets in the district have been added to the Capital Improvement Plan.  A couple will done this year, but we still need to identify funding for most of the projects.  Sidewalks are being added to some of the streets in Deepwater this year; an area where most of the streets have never had sidewalks.  I will push for the remainder of those streets to be done next year.  When I get emails about opportunities or am contacted by people with particular interests I try to match them with someone who can use that information.  Within the past week I have connected people regarding wastewater spills and broadband.  In that same time frame I heard we may be expanding our water treatment capability.  The power grid is a state level issue.

 

The City Controller's office is implementing Tyler, a different software for handling accounting records.  The City has also been working on a more automated system for permitting.  Within a group such as City Council each person has certain types of knowledge and experience.  Others within this group and on staff are better resources for information on technology.

 

The number of police officers in the city is growing.  Council has voted for better pay and the hiring incentives that have helped get that increase.  As I talk to people in my district and get details that indicate criminal activity, I pass that information to the police.  I keep an eye on vacant and problem properties, and send information to Code Enforcement when appropriate.  Infrastructure repairs help, also.  When an area looks cared for, people who want to work in the shadows are less likely to locate there.

 

The City can recommend a hospital or medical services area to the governor's office for tax incentives.  The area around Bayshore/HCA Hospital has had a designation.

 

The Economic Development Commission can provide targeted training as an incentive to get a business to locate here.  I would like to see us partner with San Jacinto College on an internship program.  That would provide on-the-ground experience to go with book learning, and result in better-qualified workers.