Answers to "Business Surveys"

By Barry Michael Seybert

Barry's answers to surveys sent to all the Candidates.

A. What should be done about the city's business revenue tax?

The San Fernando Valley City needs to reduce the Business Revenue Tax to the levels more in line with Burbank and Glendale to reverse the trend of run-away business and become competitive with the neighboring communities.

1. Should a new city be formed and you be elected to its city council (or mayor), what would be your strategy to attract new businesses to the city?

We need to reduce the tax burden imposed on businesses. We need to streamline City Hall to reduce the amount of time and money spent on studies, fillings, and paperwork before something can get done. This will make life easier for businesses as well as the residences. It will also mean less city funds being wasted, as less tax dollars will be brought into the City per $1,000.00 in Gross Receipt Taxes. A leaner, more responsive city should still end up with more funds available as we will draw additional businesses into the City and increase the job pool. Neighborhood Councils should be made stronger by giving them more power within their communities. Here, residences and businesses can come together to discuss local issues and iron out their differences in a Town Hall environment. The Valley City will be too large to be a "Mayberry", but through Neighborhood Councils the communities can come together as if in a small town. With smaller Council Districts, the Council Members will have no excuse not to be present or have representation at Neighborhood Council meetings. With the smaller Council Districts, the Councilperson will be able to be more in touch with the community. A Valley City will most likely have its City Hall within the Municipal Buildings in Van Nuys. This will make it much easier for any business owner to take care of any issues that they may have with the City without removing themselves from their business for an entire day. I would like to see City Hall staff be proficient in English, not a staff of ESL graduates who know enough English to pass a government test like we presently have downtown. We should have a bi-lingual staff proficient in the many native languages that make up the Valley's demographics to assist those more comfortable speaking in their first language. These interpreters will stay with the inquiring person throughout their City matter. Large Corporations interested in relocating into the new Valley City could be given incentives including taxes. This would need to be looked at on an individual basis based on the amount of new jobs it would create and the impact it would or would not create on the community and environment.

2. What is your plan for reforming L.A.'s current business tax policy (including the gross receipts tax) and do you believe a new city's financial condition will allow for substantial tax reform?

The San Fernando Valley City needs to reduce the Business Revenue Tax to the levels more in line with Burbank and Glendale to reverse the trend of run-away business and become competitive with the neighboring communities. We must streamline City Hall to reduce the amount of time and money spent on studies, filings, and paperwork to make life easier for businesses. This will also mean less city funds being wasted, as less tax dollars will be brought into the City per $1,000.00 in Gross Receipt Taxes. A leaner, more responsive City should still end up with more funds available as we will draw additional businesses into the City and increase the job pool. The City of Los Angeles has some of the highest paid staff in the country. Our Valley City will save millions on salaries by paying salaries to elected officials and department heads more in line with other western cities of similar size with some cost of living adjustment for the high cost of living in Southern California. (Union employees will retain their same pay, same benefit package for the same job and will retain their seniority.) As we mature and our payment to Los Angeles is reduced by 5% per year, we will have a larger tax base available to use in the Valley City. This dollar amount will allow $1.3 Billion more to stay within the Valley City than the Valley currently sees now in tax funds being used by the City of Los Angeles for the Valley.

3. What is your position on expansion of the Van Nuys Airport?

There are two sides to this issue. One side wants to see the airport expanded and the other wants to see the land used as a business park. I believe a compromise needs to be reached so that some expansion of the airport can be accomplished but the trade off would be a restriction on the unmodified noisy jets. A restriction would also need to be placed on the hours of operation with the media helicopters forced to pool a story from a single craft after certain hours.

4. What is your position on the development of the Ahmanson Ranch property?

The property has a lot of beauty to it and is part of a wildlife corridor that should be preserved and protected. The property is home to several endangered species. I will try to persuade Washington Mutual that it's in their best interest in community relations and customer loyalty to abandon development plans through City Council. The new City should join in the fight to stop the development. We should reduce the traffic flow on Victory Blvd. west of Valley Circle to the county line fence down to a single lane in each direction. If Ahmanson cannot be stopped, Victory Blvd. should only be an emergency exit or entrance. I firmly support the efforts of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to purchase the land. I want to see safe corridors created and maintained for the animals that live around us in the hills. I believe that those of us living in the hills (I am one, too) are living on their land and need to respect their right to survival. There is vacant land inside the Valley and there are areas in dire need of revitalization that developers should proceed in building upon. The remaining natural land surrounding the Valley needs to be protected, not just Ahmanson Ranch. We need this land protected for the wildlife, for the fresh oxygen it produces, and for the simple relaxation it can bring as a get away from hectic city life.

5. Should a new city adopt L.A.'s current rent control ordinance? If not, what changes should be made?

I am one of the candidates who signed the Pledge to adopt the existing rent control ordinance. I would like to see the rent control expanded to include buildings built after 1977 as well. If we can successfully reduce taxes to the property owner, I feel the property owner should be able to stabilize the rents within the rent control guidelines.

6. Should a new city adopt L.A.'s current living wage ordinance? If not, what changes should be made?

No. Even though Los Angeles is an expensive place to live and the current minimum wage rates make it very hard to survive in Los Angeles, I would support the current rates. Raising the wages would become a burden to business owners who would turn around and pass the increase on to the public. Then the higher wages would still be too low a rate of pay. This becomes a vicious circle with no clear winner. Unfortunately, the unskilled or under-skilled wage earner will always be the one who suffers. I am hoping that as a separate city, the Valley City can apply for Federal funds to redevelop impoverished neighborhoods within the Valley. Part of these funds can be used to create new jobs as we improve the communities. I'd also like to see job training and low cost housing built. This plan will improve the life of those working for minimum wages. It will not create the ripple effect of higher costs across the board that I mentioned above.

7. What actions should be taken in a new city to streamline the permitting and licensing processes?

We should have a "one stop" location for all permits and license processing. We should also encourage the State to consolidate its Valley locations into single one-stop locations as well. Appointments could be taken to expedite the process. As a new City starting with a fresh slate, we could have a modem current computer system that will allow many processes to be done over the Internet.

8. If elected, how would you approach potential conflicts between business interests and neighborhood interests?

The residences are the ones who vote and the businesses are the main thrust of the tax base, so both are equally important. I would encourage both sides to discuss their issues in Neighborhood Council, which should be made of a cross section of the Community and have City Council representation for the District present. Neighborhood Council will be empowered to act as a Town Hall with its Board acting as a Congressional body. The City Council Member for the District may accept or veto the Neighborhood Council's vote. This should allow for compromises made by both sides and decided upon by the Community for the Community.

9. What else should our readers know about your positions on issues impacting the Valley's business community?

I want to see the Valley City create our own Police and Fire Departments. We should be able to retain many of our existing officers presently working our neighborhoods at the same pay and benefit levels. We can re-institute the Watch Command Program and provide the flexible schedule that the rank and file officers have been asking for over the years. I believe the Beat Program and the Bicycle Officer Program provide more and better protection within the business districts. By having our own Police Department we will be able to have enough officers to provide these programs. These programs have been cut because the Los Angeles Police Department has reduced the amount of officers serving the Valley and those left are needed for patrol car duty, as they must cover a very wide area. The Valley needs more Police Stations to cover its additional size and to reduce response time. For example: the West Valley Station is currently in Reseda, which is now considered a more central valley location. A new West Valley Station needs to be located inside of the new 8th Council District.

As our own city, we can adopt and carry out a "no tolerance for gangs, graffiti, or hardened criminals" judicial process. I would support gun registration and gun education programs. I am not against the ownership of guns, as I do believe in the NRA's slogan that the outlaw will always have a gun. I feel that starting to register guns and regulate gun sales will, over time, lessen the criminal's availability to an untraced gun. Some cities need to get an ordinance such as this passed to build momentum across the country. To purchase a gun, the individual must pass a test and / or take a gun safety class to acquire a certificate. The certificate would also be needed to purchase ammunition in the City. Only ammunition for the registered gun could be obtained except for organizations that instruct gun safety (including Scouts, camp programs and the like). I would like to see the NRA involved in this like AAA became with vehicle registration and licensing. With a proven gun program, a compromise might be to allow more concealed weapon permits which could discourage some criminal activity.

I am in favor of improving mass transit across the Valley. I support light rail or a monorail system. I would like to see MTA increase Metrolink hours of operation so that we can have a system as efficient as New York or Chicago. Only then, will we use it instead of our vehicles for convenience.

We need to redevelop depressed neighborhoods through Federal funding with low cost housing and jobs. As part of Los Angeles, very little funding of this type makes it "over the hill" as so much has been needed in other neighborhoods. As our own City we can apply and receive our own funds. Jointly, the Valley City and Los Angeles should be able to receive more funding for the region.

We should expand our recycling programs to include the private trash collectors serving apartments and businesses. The City could train recycling staff through a rehab or grant program for the low income or homeless. The private collectors could then hire from the City program allowing the City to rehab more individuals. This would also create a job market and work experience for those very much in need of an opportunity. Recycling income would create a return on investment above the actual costs. Trash to energy should also be looked at to see if it's feasible to do financially and environmentally. It could reduce our dependence on D.W.P. and provide power back to the "grid". This would also lessen our use of landfills and offset any costs of using the rails to take our trash to the mega dumps in the desert.

Our homeless shelters should be open year round to house the homeless working in City sponsored rehab programs. The shelters should operate like a Youth Hostel with some responsibilities given to those housed there. Some people in the program will be responsible for the actual shelter upkeep. All of this will be a training program for re-entry into the work force. The shelter will be able to provide a working phone number for those getting ready to move on.

Daily News questions:

1. Please give your name, the number of the council district you seek, and phone number or contact info.

2. Supporters of a Valley city say local control will lead to more efficient government, better services and higher quality of life. What is your vision for an independent Valley city? (100 words or less.)

The city of San Fernando Valley should have its own Police and Fire Departments along with its own Public Works divisions. The Police force alone should be twice the present size. The west valley deserves a Police station that is located within the new 8th district. When someone places a call to City Hall the operator should speak, understand and spell in English as well as the other city employees. When a caller wishes to speak in another language, a bilingual interpreter should handle the call and follow the call completely through. We should operate more like Burbank or Glendale.

3. Critics say L.A. City Hall is out of touch with the public. What steps do you have in mind for making the Valley city government more accountable and responsive to the public? (100 words or less.)

The Valley city government will have smaller council districts to better represent the communities. This will also make the council members more accessible to the community. Neighborhood Councils will be fully supported and will have a voice in shaping the issues. City Hall itself will not be an hour away and a full days trip with traffic and parking. Issues will be more common to our community. Everyone involved with the city will have a better understanding of the "city" as it will not be 400 plus square miles. The smaller size will increase the knowledge of the neighborhoods to city employees.

4. Please describe the top priorities/goals/issues you would focus on as an elected official in the Valley city. Give specific outcomes you want to see accomplished. Specify up to six priorities/goals/issues. (150 words or less.)

Create a local Police and Fire department. Give current officers in the local stations first right to join the force at equal pay, pension and seniority. Increase the current amount of officers on Valley duty and build additional Police stations to provide better coverage and faster response time. This will reduce crime, gang and drug violence.

Work towards creating a new school district for the Valley. Give current teachers in the local schools first right to join the district at equal pay, pension and seniority.

Fight Ahmanson Ranch and encourage the sale of the property to the Santa Monica Conservancy. If Ahmanson is developed, restrict traffic flow on Victory Blvd west of Valley Circle. Protect other natural areas surrounding the Valley as well from development.

As our own city, we will be able to seek our own federal funds to re-develop depressed neighborhoods and curb gang violence and drugs. These projects can revitalize run down neighborhoods, create low cost housing, job training, and bring new jobs and improve mass transit.

Eliminate some of the current "hidden taxes" currently paid to make the Valley city more business friendly to attract more and better businesses. This will also make it a better choice for homeownership, hence, upholding and increasing property values.

5. Opponents of secession say running a brand-new city will be difficult at best. What contribution will you supply to the effective governance of the new city, whether in terms of your experience, leadership abilities, skills, knowledge, education, temperament or personal traits? (100 words or less.)

Neighborhood Planning and Neighborhood Council, has shown me the importance of listening to the community and taking their input into consideration before casting a vote. I am not a "suite in an ivory tower" personality. I want to be available to the community and work along side the community. I want their input into decisions that will affect us as a community. I am a team player who wants to contribute for the good of the team and the community. My first two years of college I was an Architecture major so I have some background on design and urban planning.

6. Why did you decide to run for office? (100 words or less.)

I've enjoyed volunteering as a member of the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee, Neighborhood Council, and Bicycle Advisory Committee. We've helped shape our community and I like being part of that. As a member of Friends of Caballero Canyon, we protected an area from development that is now part of Topanga State Park. That proved to me that a grass roots effort can stop a powerful lobby force at City Hall. I want to contribute to the well being of the community I live in. I want it to be a community my neighbors and I are proud to call our home and will feel safe living there.

7. Renters are concerned that their housing costs could rise dramatically if the new city discontinues rent control. What is your position on continuation of rent control? (100 words or less.)

Rent control needs to remain in tact. Presently, rent control only applies to buildings built prior to 1979. If we can offer landlords some tax savings to offset rent increases, we may be able to extend rent control to newer buildings as well. We also need to encourage more affordable housing to those in need.

8. Do you favor trying to contract with the city of Los Angeles to continue providing as many public services as practical as long as Valley service targets are met? Or do you prefer to contract with new providers whenever possible? (100 words or less.)

With the Valley as it's own independent city we can contract for the amount of services we need from Los Angeles and get that amount. Currently we pay for 2000 Police officers in our taxes but only have 1100 and are powerless to demand more. As a contracted city, we could request 2000 and get 2000. Initially, we should contract with the city of Los Angeles for services to keep things moving smoothly. This will also give us and the contracted employees a chance to see each other and determine if the employees wish to work for the new city as we develop our own infrastructure. We can determine if we want to hire them.

9. What is your position on whether to maintain existing pay levels, pensions and benefits for current municipal employees who begin working for the new Valley city? (100 words or less.)

Any employee working for the Valley city in the same capacity they did for Los Angeles deserves to maintain their existing pay level, pension, and benefits. Some of these employees may find the new city to be much more rewarding to work for as new supervisory and department head positions will need to be filled. Department Head positions should not have the same outlandish salaries that Los Angeles currently pays.

10. What are your views on the appropriate salary for mayor and council members of the new city? Specifically, what pay level(s) do you support for the council and for the mayor? (100 words or less.)

City Council members should receive $75,000.00 per year, which is in line with similar sized cities. This is almost 50% of what Los Angeles pays its current council members. The Mayor should receive between $100,000 and $125,000.00 a year. These are full time jobs and in Los Angeles County these are decent wages, but not outlandish. Los Angeles currently pays outlandish salaries for many department heads and other city officials. These salaries alone will save the Valley a considerable sum of money each year.

Valley Progressive questions:

1.Do you favor secession or not, and why?

I am very much in favor of succession which is why I am running for City Council. I come from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. Each suburb is it's own City with its own local government, Police, Fire, School District ( a few School Districts are two cities combined) and tax base. When Cleveland filed for bankruptcy in the 1970's, the suburbs continued to thrive because they were independent. They were able to assist Cleveland to help it recover because the region was still strong. When Los Angeles is having financial difficulties, we have no other city or group of cities strong enough to maintain the region. An Independent Valley could do this. Los Angeles is larger then many states. The citizens are under represented and the area is so massive that the controlling power block cannot relate to all the problems in different sections of the city. An independent Valley City will have better control of the problems as the Valley region, even though still diverse, most problems are similar across most of the Valley. We also more readily identify with the issues as they are "in our backyard" and not 50 miles away.

2.If the Valley does seceed, what would be your position on rent control?

I am one of the candidates who signed the Pledge to adopt the existing rent control ordinance. I would like to see the rent control expanded to include buildings built after 1977 as well. If we can successfully reduce taxes to the property owner, I feel the property owner should be able to stabilize the rents within the rent control guidelines.

3. If the Valley seceeds, what would be your position on a living wage ordinaince?

Even though Los Angeles is an expensive place to live and the current minimum wage rates make it very hard to survive in Los Angeles, I would support the current rates. Raising the wages would become a burden to business owners who would turn around and pass the increase on to the public. Then the higher wages would still be too low a rate of pay. This becomes a vicious circle with no clear winner. Unfortunately, the unskilled or under-skilled wage earner will always be the one who suffers. I am hoping that as a separate city, the Valley City can apply for Federal funds to redevelop impoverished neighborhoods within the Valley. Part of these funds can be used to create new jobs as we improve the communities. I'd also like to see job training and low cost housing built. This plan will improve the life of those working for minimum wages. It will not create the ripple effect of higher costs across the board that I mentioned above.

4.What city services do you think are most important?

Public Services and Social Services with Police and Fire at the top of the list.

5.What are your thoughts on privatization or de-regulation of water and power

Overall DWP is doing a fine job and they proved it during last summer. The City of Los Angeles has added numerous hidden taxes to our DWP bills and as an independent city, we can fight them to remove or reduce the taxation. Presently, nothing can be done about these because City Hall is in total control. A new Valley City can be a "voice of the People" to fight the Los Angeles City Hall Power Block. We have already seen the mess that comes with de-regulating the utilities. I was in favor of it prior to last year. I feel the Valley City as a partner in the DWP structure can create a "check and balance" system eliminating the monopoly City Hall has enjoyed over DWP.

6. Do you think Instant Runoff Voting would be an enhancement to the Valley secession election of candidates? Why or why not?

I'm in favor of the Candidate with the most votes takes all system. I realize this means the successful candidate may not have captured a majority vote. Runoff Elections cost additional money for the City and the voting turnout is very low so the real majority are the ones who never cast a vote.

7.What are your thoughts about the California Clean Money Campaign?

I am one of the Candidates who signed a Pledge of a Clean Money Campaign. This puts all the Candidates on a level playing field and gives more citizens an opportunity to run for an Office. It removes the "who raises the most money, wins" attitude so many attribute to Politicians and concentrates more on the issues and the Candidate themselves. As one who is running for Office because I passionately care to have the opportunity to create a better Community, I welcome the chance to run in a fair election without concentrating on raising funds by making promises to Special Interest Groups. In this case, I have not raised any money outside of my own investment. I, like many of the other Candidates are not professional Politicians. We come from backgrounds where we have served the community as volunteers and now have a chance to steer it into its new course. This opportunity for the average person to seek an office was what our Forefathers envisioned. The Clean Money Campaign allows it to happen again.