Candidate questions asked by the Concord Transcript and the Pioneer.

By Betty Weibert

My full text responses to the questions posed to each candidate.

Each council meeting has a public comment time period for items not on the agenda. The council calls special meetings, many joint with the planning commission, to discuss items such as the housing element. Any council member can request agenda items be scheduled and any citizen can make a request to staff to bring an item to the council for discussion and action. Meeting times are posted in the paper, on bulletin boards, and in the public library. Staff and council keep important issues on the proper time schedule. The housing element time schedule was reagendized as approval is needed before additional monies can be released to the city for funding planned city projects. Letters will be generated while continuing negotiations.

2. Many Clayton residents prize the city for its "small town" feel. How can the city generate enough revenue to provide needed services without compromising this small-town atmosphere?

Citizens should support local merchants. We need to attract more retail, service, office and restaurant businesses. Increased retail adds to the tax base. We have the data and need to market our community amenities. Building a downtown park, a great trail system and restored historic buildings add attraction to the area. We should partner with county, regional and state funding programs for project capital, restoring existing facilities and maintaining our infrastructure. Current state and county funding cuts mandate conserative spending and use of resources. Partnering with agencies and negotiating contracts with developers for fair share revenues for city amenities and housing element needs is critical.

3. Historic preservation is costly, yet many Clayton residents treasure the community's heritage. How can the city preserve historic buildings such as the Keller House without sacrificing funds needed for other city uses?

The city acquires from many sources funds for the rebuilding of historic projects such as the Keller House. Grants from foundations, benefactors and governmental programs that foster historic preservation are obtainable. Knowledgeable consultants, architects and contractors can provide information on these grant programs. A city and citizen committee is formed. It works creatively on the Keller House scope and funding. The support of the entire community is directly sought. Clayton projects and the money needs usually take several years to bring to completion. The most important issue is money needed long term to maintain the projects. More revenue from increased downtown retail is needed to supplement the budget portions assigned to maintenance.

Clayton Pioneer Questions: October 15, 2002

TO: City Council Candidates

FROM: Harry Green, Publisher, Clayton Pioneer

RE: Questionnaire for Clayton Pioneer Publication

Name: Betty Weibert Occupation: Retired Regulatory Analyst City Involvement (Council/Commissions/Organizations):

Commissions: Planning Commission, 1997 - present, Vice-Chair, 2002-2003 Chair, 1999-2000 Community Services Commission, 1993-1996, Chair, 1994 City of Clayton, Library Commissioner to County Library Commission, 1995 - present Planning Commission Representative, TRANSPAC, Regional Transportation Consortium of Central County Cities, 2001 - present RAISE A GYM Committee Member, Planning Commission Representative Keller House Restoration Project, Planning Commission Representative

Organizations: American Association of University Women, Clayton Branch, Past President, Community Representative Clayton Woman's Club, Member Clayton Business and Community Association, Member Clayton Library Foundation, A Founding Mother, Past Treasurer, Incorporating Officer Clayton Community School, A Founding Mother, Chairperson, Treasurer, Incorporating Officer Clayton Garden Club, Member

Education: Bachelor of Arts, California State University, Fullerton - Psychology

Second major in Mathematics, minor in German

1) How do you feel about present day Clayton? Clayton is a beautiful community. You can see the pride and caring this community has when you look at the facilities, businesses, the houses, trails and parks. The citizen volunteer base is phenomenal as is evidenced by our library, holiday events, and citizen participation activities such as Clayton Cleans Up, Downtown Park and Keller House projects. We have a business and community organization that donates major amenities to the beautification of the community and the schools and sports groups. We have many organizations that contribute to the well being of all us citizens providing enrichment activities, events and programs. All of us live here because of the positive elements this community provides. We have always faced the challenge of being a bedroom community without the strong financial base that our neighboring cities have, and we have responded with dedication and a can do attitude. I see a community that makes decisions based on careful listening and concern. These decisions take into account the health, safety and well being of all citizens.

2) What do you see in store for Clayton's future? A vibrant community that has added more retail into its town center. I see Clayton maintaining its western historic influences. I see Clayton providing more services in the form of enrichment activities for the community. I see Clayton continuing to form partnerships to get the jobs done and I see the volunteer interest and base continuing. I see Clayton as a destination that all citizens will want to continue to be a part of.

3) What are the top five issues you see facing Clayton? Creating revenue sources to provide funds to operate, improve and maintain our community and provide quality policing and safety elements without burdening the citizens through tax increases. Pressures for mandated housing and transportation needs brought on by regional growth with the need to protect our boundaries, ridge lines and open space as neighboring cities expand. Funding cuts from the State of California and mandated state housing programs with the accompanying resultant shifts in jurisdictional authority. Making sure our schools are more than adequate and can provide Clayton citizens priority enrollment. Building a community which provides for diversity in age, housing, jobs and adequate programs for youth after school and seniors and special interest groups.

4) How can your election to office make a difference for Clayton? I bring a wide educated experience base to the position. In my 5 ½ years on the planning commission serving both as chair and currently vice-chair, I have had to handle and consider many difficult decisions, diverse projects and work and negotiate with businesses, developers, individuals, neighborhoods and the community as a whole. My chairship included approvals for the Fire Station, Post Office, Endeavor Hall, Center Street improvements, Library re-landscaping and parking and additional commercial office space. I have the experience of working on sub-committess with the city council and report directly to them at council meetings on a regular basis. I bring an educated perspective on planning, community development and on the Clayton community. I did attend and graduate from our Clayton Academy. I have participated at all levels of volunteerism in this community for 25 years and will continue to do so. Prior to the Planning Commission I served this community on the Community Services Commission and spearheaded Phase I of the North Valley Park and drafted our park facility rules and applications. Currently I represent this city on regional boards for transportation and library issues which allows for a greater understanding of what Clayton needs to do to preserve its identity, ideals and work through issues. I attend Association of Bay Area Government regional workshops on housing and transportation needs and the annual statewide Planners conference. I care deeply about this city, and I care deeply about its citizens. I have been complimented many times for my sensitivity to the needs and desires of the citizens and I see my role as representing the citizens in a decision making capacity. I take that role seriously and will always prepare and study the issues and listen effectively.

5) What concerns have Claytonites shared with you during the campaign process? There is interest in the Service Station issue Measure E. I am receiving both positive and negative comments. Many questions are being asked on its location. The council on Tuesday, October 15th voted to put up a location sign to identify the site. I am receiving comments on the need for a skate park, what are we going to do for our youth, improvements to the dog park. I am receiving many many positive comments on the wonderful quality of life we have here in Clayton and how happy the citizens are to live here. There are many questions on the Senior living facility in regards to costs, opening dates and what they will provide. There are comments on traffic issues and on the need for additional policing of traffic.

6) How do you envision Clayton during the next five, 10 and 20 years? At the October 10th Mayor's Conference in Oakley, the Shaping Our Future - a county-wide housing and transportation project, chaired by Julie Pierce, Clayton, presented an update on their process and the direction the results were going. The project is projecting out 20 years. I have participated in the project's workshops and attended this mayor's conference to hear the update. I was gratified to see that the county-wide vision (with all cities participating) still supports Clayton's view of being a compact quality community with a more rural historic western feel. The transportation element is projecting Clayton might have an express bus to connect to the main transportation corridors . The growth boundaries are preserved. Marsh creek road is a two lane highway as it is now. This is an important finding as it coincides closely with what our citizens desire. We still have to grapple with the issues of fulfilling additional housing requirements but our hillsides, ridge lines and open space look to be preserved. I see in the next 5 years Clayton developing a marketing plan to attract more small commercial into the Town Center. I see the gym project completed and use of that facility by the citizens for enrichment activities and a great source of after school programming for our youth. I see more amenities being added to our parks and more parks being dedicated with expansion of our trails. I see continued pride in Clayton and continued working together as a community. I calculated from our housing report of May 9, 2002 that we have the following inventory of available acreage left in town: 12 acres of vacant sites, 31 acres of under utilized sites, 44.5 acres of sites available for re-designation (i.e. the seminary property, old fire station, Easley ranch), 9.6 acres recently approved, and 2.75 acres for second story unit potential. I see some of this being planned into development (property owners have that right) but most importantly I see us being able to hold on to our dream of being the compact quality community with the rural historic western feel filled with parks, trails and natural beauty.

7) If already serving in office, how do you feel the Council overall has performed; if not currently on the Council, how do you feel the Council has performed overall?

I feel the council is composed of dedicated concerned citizens all of whom do their job as they see it and you have elected them to do so. There is diversity of opinion, occupation and experiences along with dedication and caring. Not all council members agree on the issues or the outcomes and their personalities are diverse but that is to be expected and builds a stronger community. I expect professionalism and personal feelings should be left at the door. As Clayton has progressed in the 25 years I have lived here, we have been fortunate to have councils and commissions that take their decisions as seriously as ours do. We have made great progress as a community in our development of infrastructure, providing services and managing finances. It does take time to get to projects, get them funded and then brought to completion. We have a comprehensive plan of projected project expenditures through 2006 and it is published as our Capital Improvement Plan. It is the job of your council to develop and monitor these items. I feel that this current Council has performed and done its job, and I am happy with the way our city looks and feels.