This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/scl/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Smart Voter

Patrick "Pat" Kolstad
Answers Questions

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 2

[photo]
 
[line]

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?

I am a Santa Clara resident and homeowner, married to Terri (Silva) Kolstad with two grown daughters and one granddaughter. I graduated from San Jose State University and joined the Santa Clara Police Department where I served for over 31 years. After my retirement as a Police Sergeant, I was elected to the Santa Clara City Council.

When I was elected as a Councilmember in 2000, 2004, and in 2010 I promised to work for regional solutions to traffic problems; expand affordable housing opportunities; support high quality public safety; maintain low utility rates and the annual clean up campaign; and keep Santa Clara fiscally sound.

I kept my promise.

While I served on the Santa Clara City Council, I voted to approve twelve balanced budgets. I consistently voted to approve new housing projects, particularly affordable and senior housing projects.

I voted to adopt new guidelines and establish an agreement with a new bank to keep the First Time Homebuyers Program strong. This program has provided loans for hundreds of families to purchase their first home. Santa Clara was ranked #1 in the State of California and #2 in the Country for performance in providing affordable housing options.

I served as Chairman of the City Audit Committee, annually reviewing and recommending the approval of the Audit of the CAFR and the City's financial records. I was Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Mission City 21, working closely with business and the Chamber of Commerce in promoting economic growth in the City of Santa Clara.

I have strongly supported regional solutions to traffic problems including: BART to Santa Clara, Baby Bullet Cal Train, the ACE train to Santa Clara, and the Light Rail Extension.

As Santa Clara's representative to Regional and National Energy agencies, I voted for every generation and transmission project proposed which kept our rates the lowest and our service the most reliable in Northern California. We have refinanced JPA Bonds which saved Santa Clarans millions of dollars.

I have served twice as Vice Mayor, twice as President of the Modesto-Santa Clara-Redding Power Agency and Chairman of the Board of the Northern California Power Agency for four years. I have been a consistent advocate for Local Control and Public Utility issues with our elected representatives and regulators in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

As a member of the City Council for twelve years, I have and will continue to be committed to conducting Santa Clara's business in an open, ethical and professional manner.

In addition to serving on the City Council from 2000 + 2008, and again from 2010 + 2014 I also served as:

City Committees: Water & Power Committees: Leadership: Additional Accomplishments: Community Volunteer:

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

Economic Development Currently we are studying proposed redevelopment of the City Golf Course and two small parcels adjacent to the Golf Course. The proposal is to build a combination of Office and Retail/Commercial on the 230+ acres where the golf course is currently. Currently the golf course provides approximately $1 million in revenue annually. The new proposal is estimated to provide $25-$30 million annually in Lease Payments and taxes to the City. In addition to the annual revenue projected, this project will provide hundreds of construction jobs for the Building Trades during the estimated 15 year build out of the project and then will provide hundreds of jobs in the businesses which will occupy the project. These jobs translate to even more economic growth and revenue to the City going forward. This is the type of growth that will create a sustainable economy for the City for 100 years.

Maintaining Core City Services Currently we have the lowest combined Utility Costs in Northern California. We have among the best maintained City Streets in the Bay Area. We have among the highest rated Public Safety Departments. Our portfolio of Public Parks and Pools are among the best in the Bay Area and our Public Libraries are Award Winning. During the Recession of 2008-2012 we deferred maintenance on our infrastructure, but we must catch up on all deferred maintenance to ensure that our assets are protected for the future.

Fiscal Responsibility I have voted to approve 12 Balanced Budgets. I serve on and have chaired the City's Audit Committee, annually reviewing and recommending the approval of the Audit and the Award Winning CAFR, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Due to careful use of our limited resources we have built our Working Capital Reserve from a low of $2.5 million in 2009-2010 to $18 million in the 2012-2013 Budget. It is estimated that we will have another $5 million to add to these reserves in the 2013-2014 Budget. This is in addition to our Land Sale Reserve which has $79.6 million available, up from about $17 Million in 2007-2008. That record exemplifies Fiscal Responsibility. My record of accomplishment proves that I have and will continue to protect our City's Assets going forward.

3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?

Frequently the needs of the City of Santa Clara and the needs of specific groups within the city are the same, and to provide for the City's needs accommodates the needs of everyone. Occasionally the needs of all groups of people within are not met.

It is important to constantly assess the needs of all special groups within the City and attempt to address everyone's needs. Occasionally, accommodating everyone in the City is not possible because of the lack of resources available. In these situations it is important to attempt to try and do the most good for the most people.

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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 3, 2014 19:29
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.