League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA February 2, 2010 Election
	Nancy "Sunny" Bostrom Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Piedmont

The questions were prepared by the LWV Piedmont and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Discuss the current process of utilities undergrounding project development in Piedmont and how to make it more effective.

Revisiting project issues, plans and budget projections for project completion is essential. Cost overruns, if and as they occur, must ultimately be born by each District's property owners contracting for the undergrounding, not inequitably from the General Fund of the City. Resolution of this critical issue is not in hand and mutual consensus must emerge. Also: Some litigation is underway, and further comment is not appropriate. Other issues going forward include, at Council level, a mentality to avoid potential problems in the first place, coupled with improved executive oversight and action on executive management-level information, with improved Project Management and contract understanding and the use of the common project management language. The objective is to facilitate an equitable, community-wide solution, effective planning, communication and project execution. The core issues are Scope, Schedule, Budget and Deliverables, as in ANY project. Better project management (in this city where Bechtel families have flourished!) seems obvious in hindsight, and should be the norm going forward.

2. What role do you think the citizen commissions should play in the city government decision-making process?

Open and transparent communication tapping the broad expertise and knowledge of Piedmont citizens is essential. Citizen commissions have and should continue to play a vital and critical role in research, the shaping of stakeholder involvement, crystallization of issues, and in forging consensus on policy options, so that consensus for timely, prudent positive action can emerge. These summaries and recommendations, presented to City Council, should thus facilitate the best, most sound and prudent executive decisions by the City Council.

3. The Blair Park Sports Center is a controversial project that is under consideration by the City Council. Please address the decision making process, including public input, regarding Blair Park.

Maximum, continuing public input on ALL issues is essential to assure that fact-based consensus emerges, and that the overall Piedmont community interest is best served by any resulting project. We must assuring proper stewardship and balance regarding use of our overall land (including the Moraga Canyon gem) and financial assets. At Issue: Is the presently-proposed project the BEST project, at the BEST, ENVIRONMENTALLY-SOUND LOCATION,, at the RIGHT financial moment? I conclude the case for this has not yet been convincingly made, and more community involvement is essential before the BEST decision can be made.

4. Piedmont faces serious challenges to its budget with reductions in revenues and continual increases in expenses. Discuss possible cost containment and revenue accrual measures that would keep the budget balanced in the years to come.

Fiscal policy and budget plans must always evolve and be adjusted to meet economic reality in difficult and changing financial times. I favor a zero-based, highly-transparent review of City finances and budget projections. One outcome of this effort should be Council consensus on a Five-Year Plan, with short-term (One Year Plan) focus on the adjustments and compromises that presently seem essential. Specifics must follow improved public understanding of the present financial conditions and projected plans, and options therefore. emphasis should be be on improved maintenance and life-extension of existing facilities and equipment, rather than incurring capiytal costs for replacement. Avoidance of cutback to our valued and experienced staff should be avoided if at all possible. Budget Plans can always be changed due to new or worsening necessities, and contingency plans can and should be crafted.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits for answers are 400 words for all 4 questions. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 1, 2010 13:40
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