League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Council Member; City of Morgan Hill

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Experience, Concerns, Balancing interests Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council? Answer from Gordon Siebert: 4 years on Morgan Hill City Council 6 years as Morgan Hill Director of Public Works (1989-1995) 1 year as Morgan Hill Finance Director (1990-1991) 4 years as a city manager, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (85-89) 2 years on Santa Clara County Measure A/B Citizens Oversight Board, 1 year as Audit Committee Chair 6 years as Deputy Director, Public Works, San Jose, CA currently serving as City Engineer, Atherton, CA Budget Director, Rockville, MD (1974-79) Municipal consultant, various cities, 1980-85, 2003-08 League of CA Cities, Revenue and Tax Committee 2011-2013 Answer from Donna Brusaschetti: This is my first foray into Municipal Politics. I have twenty years experience on multiple Boards and Non Profits, including operating within the Brown Act. I believe my well rounded past experience; being a thirty year Morgan Hill resident as well as command a strong working knowledge of our city; combined with strength and common sense qualifies me to make the correct decisions for our future. 2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them? Answer from Donna Brusaschetti: Morgan Hill is positioning itself to have to deal with an Identity Crisis. Our explosion of growth and projected estimate of nearly doubling our population must be carefully considered taking our unique agricultural based environment combined with a progressive minded government into account as well as our future growth to ensure our goal is reached in the most thoughtful manner possible. The issues obviously include Growth and the housing and infrastructure necessary to sustain and support that growth. I believe high density housing downtown near transit hubs and the planned master community (Master Plan) will be the most logical solution. This will also support continuing the path to an even more vibrant and vital downtown for our merchants as well as our community. Answer from Gordon Siebert: 1. Increasing residents' understanding of City finances - I have requested that the City's monthly financial reports be placed on the regular Council agenda where they will be prominently shown and discussed. I have met with civic groups and homeowners' associations to explain City finances, and have even taught high school civics classes on this subject. I am working with the City Manager to have a presentation made in Fall 2014. 2. The City's infrastructure, especially its roads, are deteriorating faster than they are being repaired. Delay in repairing roads leads to unsafe driving conditions and greater costs than if timely repairs are made. I have requested that more analysis be performed and that the results be presented to City Council, along with a plan to resolve this problem. 3. The City's long-term finances need to have revenues and expenses in balance. I have asked that the City prepare a 20 year analysis for consideration and that the Council develop policies to effect this balance. 3. 3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests? Answer from Gordon Siebert: I make myself available to all individuals and groups who want to meet with me. So my first step is to listen to all who have concerns. Then I contact subject matter experts on City staff, and in other cities, using my extensive network of former employees and contacts, to learn about how others have handled the issues before. I also contact residents throughout the City to seek their input on issues. Finally, I listen to the public debate at City Council meetings and use the experiences I have gained in 40 years in local government to make a reasonable decision. Answer from Donna Brusaschetti: The answer to this question is constantly changing as our community needs change. We need to revisit our outstanding needs more frequently to make sure we are in tune with current issues. We do an excellent job of long term forecasting and planning, but I believe we can do more for short term and immediate needs. This can best be achieved by more open forums to hear the public ideas and discuss whether it is a viable option with our current plans. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.