Petaluma Tomorrow
City Council Candidate's Questionnaire

Candidate: Cindy Thomas
Date: September 2, 2002

  1. Should the City's new software Traffic Model be applied to development projects that are currently in the pipeline, e.g. Redwood Office Center, Outlet mall expansion, Southgate, etc., and all future developments?

Yes. The data in the current General Plan is outdated. The Traffic Model software will more accurately reflect current and future conditions.

  1. Would you vote to support a development, without having the Traffic Model data?

No. There must be a traffic model data source to properly evaluate the effects on traffic.

  1. How would you propose that Petaluma pay the $140,000,000 cost of bringing Petaluma's city streets up to modern standards?

By way of consensus. I'm hopeful that the Blue Ribbon Citizens Advisory Committee will offer the city council some positive recommendations. On a personal note, I'd like to see the developers of future building projects be responsible for repairing access roads surrounding their development projects.

  1. What do you believe Petaluma's current position should be with regard to Lafferty Park? Do you believe full public access is important?

We should continue to seek solutions for removing the barriers that prevent access to our park.

Do you believe that full public access is important?

Yes - we should already have it.

  1. What is your view regarding development projects in the Petaluma River Flood Plain?

NO expansion of the Outlet Mall (no building in the Flood Plain, period!) and NO Rainier cross town connector. (How about development of a park with bike paths and ball fields instead?)

  1. Do you have any proposals for minimizing the damage from future fiooding that will occur in Petaluma?

We need to seek environmentally friendly solutions to divert water. Our tributaries need attention as the continued overgrowth is choking them. Also, the debris that collects at the train trestle behind the Anderson property prevents an even water flow.

  1. It has been shown that Petaluma is not in compliance with its current General Plan, as regards the number of acres oflocal parks per 1, 000 residents. Do you see this as a significant planning issue? If your answer is affirmative, do you have any solutions to propose?

Yes, this is a planning issue. Perhaps a Citizens Advisory Committee to come up with recommendations is in order here to address the non-compliance issue. One solution might include future developments with parks that could compensate for the shortage of existing park acreage.

  1. Do you support the current Petaluma law on campaign financing?

Yes, I do. I also support the California Clean Money Campaign

  1. Do you view wastewater as an asset or a liability?

Influent wastewater is a liability before it reaches the treatment plant. After tertiary treatment, it becomes an asset.

  1. "Tunnel Vision Development" is a situation in which projects are evaluated on an individual basis, without adequate regard to "total cumulative impacts." Please comment on this concept as it relates to the current General Plan and the pending new General Plan.

I don't see "Tunnel Vision Development" as a concept that could support the vision of the General plan as you need to look at the "Whole Picture" to determine total cumulative impact. The pending new General Plan must include community involvement which would conflict with the "Tunnel Vision" concept.

  1. Many communities in Northern California have adopted solar ordinances that require all new construction (both municipal and private) to devote some portion of the project to solar energy. Would you support a Petaluma solar energy construction ordinance?

Yes, I would support.

  1. Do you support Petaluma's Wetlands Park adjunct to the new Wastewater Plant?

Yes, I support it 150%.

  1. Do you believe that the reviewprocess for any development, at either the Planning Commission or City Council, may weigh "Quality of Life" issues as determined by the project's share of cumulative impacts?

Yes.

  1. If the answer to question #13 is affirmative, would you support placing development projects in Interim Study Districts, if cumulative impact data / tools are not yet available, but will be forthcoming in the new General Plan?

If the terms were right, Yes.

  1. To which developments would you give greater priority, support and resources: (a) developments concentrated in downtown and within the boundaries of the Petaluma Central Specific Plan, or (b) developments around the periphery of the City, that may require annexations and/or changes in the General Plan?

(a) Developments downtown and within the boundaries.