Pacific Sun Questionnaire

By Barbara Coler

Responses To Questionnaire

1. Why are you running for office and what experience makes you qualified?

When there were upcoming vacancies on the Fairfax Town Council earlier this year, many community leaders asked me to step forward and apply. In May, I was honored to be appointed by the Council to fill the term vacated by Pam Hartwell. The same and many other community leaders asked me to run to continue my service to the Town. I am dedicated to public service to our Town and its citizens so I am "stepping up" to run for a four-year term on the Council.

I currently serve on the Fairfax Town Council. I am a scientist with a long term commitment to protection of public health and the environment. I have Bachelor's and Master's degrees in biological sciences with my primary emphasis on environmental resource issues. I have decades of public service experience + I formerly lead statewide hazardous waste site cleanup and permitting programs for Cal/EPA (Department of Toxic Substances Control, DTSC) and, for the last nearly 5 years I enforced air quality laws and regulations for the nine Bay Area counties under the jurisdiction of the Bay Area Air District (retired + effective date October 8, 2013). I was also involved in major climate change initiatives for the Air District and the state. I have drafted and negotiated numerous types of legislation for statewide programs. In the past, I testified in Congress (Senate EQ Committee) on behalf of the then Governor and the National Governor's Association for 2 days on "Superfund" matters. I have lived 24 years in Marin County with 17+ in Fairfax. Prior to my Council appointment, I served on both the Fairfax Planning Commission and the Open Space Committee. For the last several years, I have also volunteered as an election poll officer, as a Chief Inspector for 2 precincts in Fairfax.

I am an Incumbent on the Fairfax Town Council. Several community leaders have already stepped up to endorse me, most notably Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice. Other key endorsements include: the Marin County Democratic Party, the Marin Professional Firefighters Association, the Marin Women's PAC, the Marin Association of Realtors (MAR), Fairfax Mayor John Reed, Fairfax Councilmember Larry Bragman, Fairfax Councilmember Renee' Goddard, Ross Valley Sanitary District Director Frank Egger, Ross Valley Sanitary District Director Pamela Meigs (RN), Marin Health Care District Chair Jennifer Reinks and San Rafael Councilmember Damon Connolly. See http://www.barbaracoler.org for a complete listing of endorsements received to date. I am deeply committed to protection of public health and the environment which is demonstrated by my work, education and public service. My education, and my many years of public service with state and local government has given me not only a good understanding of how government works, but also the ability to understand what doesn't work and most importantly, how to get things done.
2. What are the three primary issues facing Fairfax and the city council in the coming four years?

• Maintaining and Improving our Aging Infrastructure + We can achieve this goal by implementing critical disaster and other hazard mitigation projects in the near term. Ensuring that we have adequate lighting, roads, pedestrian walkways and other projects conducted which may pose safety concerns for our residents. We must proactively plan for the future by identifying needed public works projects, funding and grant opportunities.
• Living within our Budget + To do so, we will: seek opportunities to increase revenue while preserving our small town qualities by attracting businesses which complement and enhance existing businesses; identify and obtain grant funding; and increase revenue without overburdening residents. We should reduce revenue expenditures only when we are assured services will not be negatively impacted. My highest priority is ensuring we achieve long term economic vitality and that we provide high quality, locally-controlled public services to all Fairfaxians.
• Supporting/Enhancing our Environmental Sustainability Ethics & Protecting our Ridgelines and Open Space + We can achieve this by preserving and acquiring open space, providing biking and adequate pedestrian trails and promoting other low carbon modes of transport (telecommuting, encouraging use of internet tools, buses and other non-single occupant commuting). We must adopt a climate change plan and promote zero waste by living by our motto "reduce, recycle & reuse." Fairfax is defined by its vast open space and beautiful ridgelines. We must protect our open space, our ridgelines, wildlife corridors, ecology and the visual landscape. We must preserve and protect our biological and cultural resources. We must prevent any development or construction on our ridgelines and open space or any projects which could mar or otherwise impact our visual landscape. We will continue to acquire open space and preserve our existing open space for our Town.

I am recused from Plan Bay Area as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), my employer, was involved in its development. I am retired from BAAQMD (effective date October 8, 2013) but recused due to my employment with BAAQMD. I support affordable housing goals for Fairfax. Fairfax will be submitting its revised Housing Element to the State soon for its approval + preliminary indications from the State is that it meets the goals and objectives as required. Primary areas planned for Fairfax for affordable housing include: the Lutheran Church property on Sir Francis Drake Blvd., School Street Plaza, and 10 Olema Road). In addition, infill approaches (e.g., amnesty program for unapproved 2nd units) and zoning on the downtown corridor to allow 2nd units "by right" will aid in meeting the goals. An existing ordinance which prohibits condo conversions from apartments will preserve existing affordable rental housing.

4. General thoughts on Plan Bay Area and ABAG: Do you support? If so, why? If not, why--and what's a better alternative?

Same as above: I am recused from Plan Bay Area as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), my employer, was involved in its development. I am retired from BAAQMD (effective date October 8, 2013) but recused due to my employment with BAAQMD. I support affordable housing goals for Fairfax. Fairfax will be submitting its revised Housing Element to the State soon for its approval + preliminary indications from the State is that it meets the goals and objectives as required. Primary areas planned for Fairfax for affordable housing include: the Lutheran Church property on Sir Francis Drake Blvd., School Street Plaza, and 10 Olema Road). In addition, infill approaches (e.g., amnesty program for unapproved 2nd units) and zoning on the downtown corridor to allow 2nd units "by right" will aid in meeting the goals. An existing ordinance which prohibits condo conversions from apartments will preserve existing affordable rental housing.

5. Fairfax has a fast-rising population of young families with young kids. Is there anything the town should/could do to adapt to such a youth movement--one that will become a "teen boom" in a few years?

The reason this is occurring is that Fairfax continues to be one of the most affordable communities to buy into or rent in Marin. Prior Town Councils several years ago took steps to ensure that Fairfax remained affordable, e.g., capping the size of homes, keeping development off the ridges, protecting certain open spaces and passing local laws and housing policies. In addition, to my knowledge, Fairfax is the only city/town in Marin to ban condo conversions and that is why we have such a great stock of apartments, duplexes and four-plexes with affordable rents. In other communities, speculators have purchased apartment and multi-unit buildings and converted them to condos to be sold. Therefore, in Fairfax, there is a good supply of affordable rental units for families and our workforce; even if a family or a young person can't afford to buy a home (Fairfax also has supply of condos/townhouse that were originally built as such on the West end of town where I live).

There are broader steps we can take countywide now to gear up for the "teen boom" and ensure we have an environment which provides opportunities for these youth and their families (some are not within the purview of Town Councilmembers directly but we can and should advocate for these measures). These include: reducing health risks by public awareness of STDs and prevention; ensuring minors have the right to confidential access to a full range of reproductive information and services; providing youth programs; increasing funding for social programs directed toward K-12 at-risk youth (e.g., gang prevention, teen pregnancy prevention); investing in preschools (for our teens of the future); increasing funding for public schools (e.g., local bonds tax measures) with emphasis on increasing funding where students have the greatest needs; supporting policies to establish living wages; promote the appointment of qualified young people to boards/commissions and hiring qualified young people as interns; and expanding affordably priced housing to increase options for younger adults, our workforce, older adults and working families which will also lower our carbon footprint, reduce single vehicle traffic and air pollution.

Along with ensuring we have affordable housing and developing its housing element to meet State goals, Fairfax has taken a number of these steps: we have recently begun a program to have high schools students appointed to Town Boards/Commissions. We established a living wage policy for all Fairfaxians (currently it is > $18/hour). We have hired college students as interns in our Planning Department. Our Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) has a number of youth programs. PARC offers many classes and activities through the Fairfax Open Circle Arts & Sports (FOCAS) programming. PARC is a Town Council-appointed Commission which oversees the public parks and recommends and organizes recreational activities for Fairfax residents. PARC sponsors many family-oriented events; FOCAS has after school programs (e.g., Theatre) and teen programs (e.g., Basketball). FOCAS also offers a CIT program for students ages 12-15 who are looking for an opportunity to strengthen and practice leadership skills while having fun working with children + for Camp Fairfax, a summer camp for kids. We need to restore our youth center for teen use; it is currently being encroached upon for town offices and it should be used for its original intended use, as a drop-in place for kids. At one time Fairfax ran Friday night dances with live bands for teens at the Pavilion and hopefully we can start those up again.

Ross Valley Schools have a great reputation for attracting families (Fairfax schools have a wide variety of cultural and sports programs for youth/teens). Fairfax continues its emphasis on being a walkable/bike-able community. Our Safe-Routes-to-Schools and Bike Spine projects helps ensure kids can bike to school safely. Our police station is open and staffed 24/7 (one of the last in Marin) for anyone to drop in - it is located close to downtown so teens know they can always drop by for help or advice or to just ask a question.

6. Name an important issue in Fairfax that is being under-reported in the local media.

Fairfax has made significant strides to achieve its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions Emissions goals for the year 2020 and is close to completion of its Climate Action Plan. Fairfax adopted a GHG reduction target of 20% below 2005 by the year 2020, a target that exceeds the State goal (15% reduction by 2020). The Council approved our 2010 Greenhouse Gas Inventory on September 4th. Overall, Fairfax reduced its community GHG emissions 4.6% between 2005 and 2010, from 36,516 metric tons in 2005 to 34,516 metric tons in 2010 + a reduction of 1,650 metric tons CO2e. The greatest reductions were in the transportation, waste and residential sectors. Another highlight is that Fairfax has already achieved and exceeded its 2020 GHG reductions for its government operations emissions (a 25% reduction). In addition, the Town saved tens of thousands of dollars in staff time by leveraging use of its Marin County & Energy Partnership (MCEP) dues and participation to develop the GHG 2010 inventory.

The Council has taken a number of steps to reduce its GHG emissions to meet the 2020 goals. For example, recently for the waste sector, on September 4th, we on the Council adopted an ordinance to require recycling of Construction, Demolition and Renovation project debris. There will be a second reading on another new ordinance on October 4th to require Mandatory Commercial Recycling in Fairfax.

7. Name a commendable decision made this year by the Fairfax Town Council. Name one in which you think they blew it.

The Council held a Public Nuisance Abatement Hearing on August 5, 2013 to consider the violation of Town Code section 1.12.045 by the owner of the Marin Town & Country Club for his refusal to grant access to the Town to perform bank stabilization work in the San Anselmo Creek. The Creek bank had been eroding to a point where it was endangering the property at 45 Pastori Avenue. The Town sought access to conduct repairs to stabilize the Bank. The Town sought access through a Right of Entry (ROE) agreement and in return was providing insurance coverage and reasonable financial compensation to the Owner. The Owner had refused for some time to provide the ROE. This was a long standing problem which spanned a couple of years. After the Council held the hearing, the Owner agreed to the ROE and the bank stabilization repairs are being conducted and should be completed by mid-October, prior to the start of the rainy season. A condition of signing the ROE was that it would not include a revocation clause for the Owner in the ROE.

Last year, prior to my tenure on the Council, the Town entered into a ROE with the Owner which included a revocation clause in the ROE. The Town had begun the repairs, the Owner revoked the agreement a few days after the initiation of the project. The repairs could not be conducted, there was further erosion of the Bank due to the rains of last year, and the "mob/demob" costs were significant to the Town. In hindsight, allowing the inclusion of the revocation clause in the ROE was a poor decision.

8. How would you describe Fairfax's "character"? Feel free to mention both the good and the "needs improvement"...

Visually, Fairfax is defined by its vast open spaces and beautiful ridgelines. It is also defined by its small town look and feel with a wide array of local businesses, very few "brand or formula" commercial ventures and no "big box" stores. Size of homes is "capped" at two stories only and there are limits on overall size so as to prevent both marring the visual landscape and a focus on "McMansions" as seen elsewhere in the County. Our character is defined by celebrating the diverse values of our citizens through openness and transparency in our government; striving for economic vitality while preserving our small-town character; and providing leadership on social justice and environmental issues. We continue to strive to meet affordable housing goals to ensure we provide adequate housing for families, seniors, our workforce and others. Biking and pedestrian trails abound and we promote low carbon modes of transport. Our goal is to achieve zero waste by 2024 + our motto is "reduce, recycle and reuse." We must continue to promote alternative modes of transport and enhance our zero waste initiatives to achieve our GHG emissions reductions goals by 2020.