Issues

We need to build more housing for all income levels, ages, families and we need to build smart.

• Since I have been on Council we’ve built 4,000 units of housing including 651 affordable units
• My advocacy for housing helped get Mountain View named a Prohousing City by the State of California
• I support using the Community Land Trust model to buy properties for low and moderate income families to maintain economic diversity
• I support policies intended to mitigate the impact of redevelopment and gentrification

My political efforts have always focused on increasing our housing supply and protecting our environment. Recently, the City of Mountain View has been recognized for our efforts. The State of California named us a Prohousing City, one of only 50 jurisdictions so designated. We also received an “A” grade by the Carbon Disclosure Project which evaluates jurisdictions all over the world for their sustainability efforts. Only 119 worldwide received this “A” grade. My advocacy for housing and sustainability efforts during my years on Council helped make these honors possible.

Mountain View has an extensive affordable housing program. I have been a strong supporter of affordable housing since my days on the Environmental Planning Commission where I helped craft our original Below Market Rate Ordinance which established a fund based on development fees. We now have over 1,700 affordable units in Mountain View and more in the pipeline. I will work to make sure that affordable housing we have zoned for is actually constructed.

In addition to encouraging more affordable units in areas currently zoned for housing, I support the development of mixed-use housing in old commercial strips that are no longer economically viable. Placing housing above street level businesses creates a synergy. These developments are typically along public transit routes.

Our rent control system helps many low-income individuals. The Rental Housing Committee is the body that oversees our rent control program. This Board operates independently of the City Council. I will make sure that the people who are appointed to the Rental Housing Committee are genuinely committed to making our rent stabilization program successful. I voted for a displacement ordinance that provides financial assistance to renters who are being displaced by redevelopment and rental assistance through the Community Services Agency.

In Mountain View, we work with developers on a regular basis to ask that they voluntarily provide community amenities even when the City is not allowed to require them. Many developers are happy to provide some amenities, if only because it improves the value of their investment.

The City needs to make sure that housing is well planned and safely constructed, so that our built environment meets our needs and is built to last. Reelection to City Council will allow me to champion moving projects forward.

We recently gave staff direction to get started on a Community Land Trust, a model program that purchases land to insure permanent affordability. There is an organization in our community called the Mountain View Solidarity Fund (Fondo de Solidaridad de Mountain View) which is interested in using the Community Land Trust model to buy properties for low and moderate income families. We voted to set aside $4 million as seed money.

We need to ensure that unhoused individuals have access to programs that can provide bridge services to permanent housing solutions.

• In my first term, I spearheaded the improvement of our homeless services program and continue to push for better services.
• I advocated to establish and expand our Safe Parking Program
• I support our ecosystem of community based organizations that work with City and County staff to provide services.

During my first term as Mayor, I spearheaded the improvement of our homeless services program. It has grown into one of the best, if not the best, in Santa Clara County. It includes a range of services such as Safe Parking, LifeMoves Interim Housing, police officers specifically assigned to work with the homeless and connect them to social services and a range of programs through the Community Services Agency. There is an entire ecosystem of community organizations, City and County departments that work with our homeless residents. We evaluate our homelessness programs on a regular basis, learning from our experience.

We need to reduce greenhouse gasses and adapt to climate impacts like sea level rise, volatile water supply and increased heat.

• I’m the only environmental professional on council or running. I’ve been called the Eco-Mayor.
• I support projects to mitigate sea level rise along the San Francisco Bay.
• I serve on the Bay Area Conservation & Development Commission. This group leads the regional sea level rise protection efforts.
• Mountain View received an A grade from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a global rating organization, for sustainability, one of 119 communities worldwide to be recognized.

Mountain View must keep evolving to remain a welcoming environment for technological innovation and an inviting place to live and work.

• I helped transition Castro Street into a pedestrian mall creating an exciting place to gather, eat, stroll and shop.
• I supported increasing City staff to work directly with small businesses throughout the community to increase their success.
• I supported the creation of a new Economic Vitality department to create livable, sustainable neighborhoods, and a strong innovation-driven local economy.
• I support collaboration with our major employers to improve the community.

The city of Mountain View has been blessed with economic good fortune since its beginning. Hay and wheat growing gave way to the lucrative stone fruit industry. Mountain View was a vital part of the “Valley of Heart’s Delight”. Publishing, canning and seed production were strong industries before the introduction of new technologies of aircraft, transistors and computer components. The creation of the internet, faster computing and the information industry has provided a firm foundation for the city.
Two years ago, I supported the creation of a new Economic Vitality department “to create a thriving community where small businesses, innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversity are encouraged and flourish.” Dedicated staff, experts in planning, are guided by Mountain View’s Economic Vitality Strategy that recognizes the unique character of our businesses and community as well as identifies and addresses opportunities and challenges.

The Economic Vitality Strategy aligns the City’s vision for a welcoming, vibrant city that plans intentionally and leads regionally to create livable, sustainable neighborhoods, access to nature and open spaces, and a strong innovation-driven local economy. Our Economic Vitality Strategy identifies 25 implementation strategies and 164 actions the city and its partners can focus on for the next 10 years.
The vitality of Downtown Mountain View is a focus of city management and City Council. COVID gave us the opportunity to see how closing three blocks of Castro would affect its appearance, activities and dynamic. After much input from the community, a three-block pedestrian mall was designed on Castro Street. This will be a short-term and long-term process to create an exciting place to gather, eat, stroll and shop.

I serve on the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Issues & Public Policy Committee which educates me about issues that the City might assist with. I support programs at the Day Workers Center which teach skills and promote the opening of micro-businesses such as the Mompreneurs (Mom Entrepreneurs).
I support measures to help small businesses downtown and throughout our city because our small businesses provide needed goods, services, experiences and jobs. Small businesses that are started by local innovators may need a helping hand to be successful.

I support policies that promote regional public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle friendly communities.

• I advocate with State and Federal legislators to maximize financial support of Mountain View projects.
• I’m working to improve Castro and Rengstorff railroad crossings and to secure state and federal funding for these projects.
• I support adding bicycle lanes to improve safety, promote commuting by bike, reduce vehicle traffic and pollution.
• I support improving and expanding pedestrian paths, walkways and crossings to enhance safety, quality of life, and promote complete streets.
• I voted to extend the community shuttle hours and increase routes for school aged children.