First Term Accomplishments
During my first term, I contributed to numerous accomplishments on behalf of our residents:
- Drove down long-term pension costs by paying down existing debt $1.82MM
- Developed a pension funding policy that
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- Pays $250K/yr minimum towards pension debt within budget
- Contributes 30% of annual surplus dollars towards pension debt by policy
- Changed medical insurance brokers to reduce costs
- Secured reimbursement of insurance costs from city concessions
- Lead efforts as Mayor to negotiate a balanced MOU with the Palos Verdes Police Officers Association
- Increased employee contributions through negotiations to the maximum allowed by law
- Reduced exposure as attrition leads to lower future new pension costs
- Shifted compensation to mix of pensionable and non-pensionable with stipends and special pays
- Eliminated pensionable overtime pay back shift
- Capped sick leave hours and cash out maximums
- Secured a commitment from the City Manager to commit to Zero Based Budgeting
- Added pension liability information in budget documents, increasing transparency for decision making
- Tightly managed budgets which led to improving fund balances
Protected the Character of Our City
- Appointed Commission and Committee members with a focus on residents and character
- Increased fines to shut Down Short Term Rental “Party House” Abuse
- Lead Butcher Hill Ad Hoc to provide a Draft EIR response and pressure the developer to pause the project
- Pushed back on a proposed Via Valmonte office project, collaborating with City of Torrance
- Opposed housing density bills and collaborated with neighboring cities
- Withheld League of California Cities dues, demanding opposition of SB9/10 housing legislation
- Supported numerous development appeals and reasonable Neighborhood Compatibility applications
- Supported retention of local control through advocacy groups
- Refused SB9 Legislation by supporting PVHA’s refusal of lot splits and mandated building plan stamps
- Shaped Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance and CUP Process
- Lead and Support Encroachment Abatement Strategy
- Transitioned to a full-time Code Enforcement Officer
Secured the City’s Technology Infrastructure:
- Supported joining South Bay Fiber Network to ensure the city maintains resilient, secure Internet access
- Drove Improvements in Information Technology security and processes, protecting residents
- Collaborated on a Technology Ad Hoc focused on mitigating risk and improving customer service
- Began work towards the development of a Request for Proposal for a new ERP finance and human resources solution
Defend and Support Residents and City Concessions
- Supported Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club Concession Agreement renewal and modernization
- Commenced Afternoon Control to begin addressing traffic congestion @ Via Corta Intersection
- Listened to and acted on resident concerns about proposed PVDW/Via Corta public works projects
- Supported PV Transit Authority as a Member of the Board
- Lead and Implement a city-wide RV Ordinance
- Collaborated as a Liaison with the Palos Verdes Homes Association
- Collaborated as a Liaison with the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club and the Palos Verdes Golf Club
- Supported improved Internet access by collaborating with Cox and supporting Frontier’s fiber rollout
- Supported a balanced solution protecting both historical use, operator and neighbors nearby La Venta Inn
- Supported increasing fire abatement and tree management
- Eliminated the use of Side Letter Agreements for labor negotiations
