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MBCA 2008 CANDIDATES VIRTUAL FORUM:
TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
To create the questions for our Virtual Forum, we polled our members as to what questions they would like candidates to answer. We compiled and edited those questions and emailed the exact same list of questions to each of the candidates in this race.
The candidates were instructed to take as much space as they needed and to make the content of their responses exactly as they wanted them to appear, as we would not be editing them in any way but only copying and pasting. Of note, the responses are solely the candidates’ and should not be assumed to reflect the views of MBCA or the members of its Board.
We acknowledge that an electronic forum does not assure perfect and equal access to all candidates as not all candidates are necessarily comfortable or available in this format. We encourage voters to seek as many sources of information as possible on the candidates, including in-person forums, media interviews, candidate Websites, and the candidates themselves.
We very much appreciate the candidates taking the time to participate in our 2008 Virtual Forum and to reach out to you, the voter, for the betterment of our communities and our desert.
(To return to the Virtual Forum Main page, click here.)
SEE FORUM RESPONSES FOR:
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Note: We did not receive responses from candidates Jim Bagley or Katrina Nguyen.
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CANDIDATE: John Cole
1. What do you see as your primary responsibility as a City Council Member?
John Cole: As a council member, it is important to be part of the team that constantly looks at the vision for the city and develops a pathway to get there. To do that we need to listen to the community members about the issues at hand and the ones that need to be brought to hand.
2. What do you see as our first and foremost economic engine?
A) Our natural desert environment including the relationship to the National Park, cultural attractions, clean air and dark night skies.
B) Our relatively cheap land with its development opportunities for a large increase in population and that population's buying power to spur more commercial development.
C) I have my own ideas about this and they are_________
John Cole: It does not seem that either option A or B by itself is an answer. Preserving the unique characteristics of this basin is very important. Providing an infrastructure and an orderly growth procedure that provides for the safety and well being for all of us living here requires an economic foundation that spurs vitality. There is not going to be a single answer to do that and maintain the environment that keeps so many of us living here.
3. How do you think that new residential and commercial development should pay for the costs related to the additional demands they place on the infrastructure of the community? If you’re in favor of impact fees, explain how you think they should be applied.
John Cole: Any development impacting the infrastructure of the city needs to include plans for the enhancement of that same infrastructure. Impact fees should apply directly to the categories the development effects.
4. If you believe the City should set an example by lowering its energy use, where would you place the priorities?
John Cole: Energy conservation efforts need to have safety and well being at the top of the list of priorities in any reductions.
5. Do you believe it’s possible to grow the well-being of a community without succumbing to the demand for continuous development?
John Cole: I certainly hope so. However, any living entity is always on the move and changing. Moving parts wear out and new and improved versions require changes. Many good people hit 29 Palms Highway each morning and evening to go to jobs in other areas. They do this to be able to live in these desert communities. Others work here to provide for the education of our children and for our safety, well being, and comfort. Economic viability will always be a concern and an issue.
6. Are you familiar with the grading and lighting ordinances of the City? Do you believe they are adequate? Are there changes you would make to them? How would you improve enforcement?
John Cole: I have read some of them. There seems to be a lot of technical terms that will require more study. I need to know more in order to answer the other parts of this question.
PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU STAND ON THESE CONSERVATION ISSUES:
Native Plants
1. What value do native plants afford us in Twentynine Palms?
John Cole: The native plants add to the unique beauty and attraction of the desert communities. They also give us visible guidelines as to how to live with the desert rather than just on it.
2. What do you think of the adequacy of the existing landscaping and native plant ordinances? Do you think they favor either property owners or native plant protection? If you think they are not adequate, how would you change them?
John Cole: I am not familiar enough with the codes or the use of them to comment.
Grading
1. As a City Council member, how would you deal with a property owner’s decision to clear-cut their property for development and the likely negative consequences for the neighbors and the City as a whole (e.g. erosion, environmental health, and scenic views)?
John Cole: It is my responsibility as a council member to involve the city manager, so he can see that the proper department is made aware, and that the proper enforcement procedures are followed.
2. Are existing codes adequate to protect the land from flooding and erosion? If not, how would you mitigate these threats?
John Cole: It is the intention of the codes to protect the city from floods and erosion.. When it becomes known that they need changing, it then becomes a high priority to make the proper adjustments.
Dark Night Skies
1. What value do dark night skies add to our quality of life?
John Cole: The dark night skies add to the quality of life to those who choose the desert as home. It can be a matter of health or a spiritual experience.
2. Should home security lighting be exempt from lighting codes? If so, why?
John Cole: Safety is always a primary concern. That does not necessarily mean there has to be a blanket exemption.
3. Are lighting codes currently adequate to protect our dark night skies? If not, how would you mitigate these threats?
John Cole: Again, I am not acquainted well enough with them to say for certain. At first blush, they seem to be adequate. Obedience to them may be the bigger issue.
Rural Character
1. What is your definition of rural character as applied to Twentynine Palms, and what does it add to our quality of life?
John Cole: Rural character in 29 Palms includes the “elbow room” of open spaces, the night lights mentioned above, and, in general, living with the natural environment of this area
2. Is development pressure eroding our rural character? Please explain why or why not, and if so, how would you mitigate the threats to our community’s rural character?
John Cole: In 29 Palms the “Character” still exists. We as a community need to be aware of the impacts on it though. Projects such as an expansion of the Marine Corps base and the building of a casino on the Indian reservation can happen without local approval. What we need to do is work to insure they happen within the parameters of desert living not the usurping of them.
Commercial Development
1. What pace of commercial development do you think is best for Twentynine Palms?
John Cole: Within the General Plan of 29 Palms is a mission statement and within that statement is the following:
“The City of Twentynine Palms seeks to create and promote the economic and social well being of its residents while maintaining our relaxed atmosphere and air quality, as well as simultaneously creating a stronger and more diversified economy through attracting arts and tourism development, health/retirement, recreational, and clean non-polluting industries. These goals should be guided by two principles: (1) sustainability, and (2) adaptability. This requires that existing........”
These latter principles should influence the rate of growth.
2. Should “Big Box” development be promoted for economic growth? If so, should tax breaks, reduced impact fees and code exemptions be offered?
John Cole: Each project, “big box” or otherwise, needs to be studied and evaluated on its own merits. Does it meet the philosophy, goals, and guidelines of the city? Can it offer the community something to enhance the quality of life without impairing the character of the community? Then we can decide if help is needed to make it happen and whether we should give it or not.
Residential Development
1. What pace of residential development do you think is best for Twentynine Palms?
John Cole: Need is probably the biggest pace regulator. As the Marine base expands, for example, the whole community, which includes the base, needs to plan for and build to satisfy the need.
2. Should large residential developments be promoted for economic growth? If so, should tax breaks, reduced impact fees and code exemptions be offered?
John Cole: The building of large developments in hopes of filling them up does not seem to make much sense. First of all money has now become very tight and, it would seem difficult to obtain for speculative projects.
If too many regulations are exempted, breaks permitted or fees lost or reduced, the burden is increased upon the community as a whole. Then that which seems like a boon may become an albatross around the neck.
3. What compensations or mitigations would you propose if large residential developments lead to challenging increases in school enrollment, traffic congestion, air pollution, crime and other situations that reduce our quality of life in the entire Morongo Basin?
John Cole: The concerns expressed in this question are very real and need to be addressed. Existing policies within the General Plan address many of these items. Beyond that, I am not at this time familiar enough with “compensations and mitigations” possibilities to present any.
Regional Issues
1. What should be done about regional traffic problems, both from environmental and safety/emergency evacuation viewpoints? How should the City deal with the cumulative traffic effects of increased development in the Morongo Basin?
John Cole: Again, within the General Plan consideration of this particular issue is addressed. It will take coordination with and among all the entities involved. Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, San Bernardino County, Joshua Tree National Park, the Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Caltrans, and probably others are all impacted. The common goals and interests should motivate a successful conclusion.
2. Should Twentynine Palms support and encourage the use of sustainable building materials? If so, how?
John Cole: I do not have enough information about this subject to comment.
3. What other agencies would you partner with in efforts to maintain and improve air, water and land quality, including animal habitat? How would you initiate such an effort?
John Cole: There are a number of agencies such as the MBCA whose members are passionate and knowledgeable about environmental impacts. It seems to me that governmental agencies need to listen and learn. This information is then included in the decision making process.
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CANDIDATE: Joel Klink
1. What do you see as your primary responsibility as a City Council Member?
Joel Klink: My primary responsibility is providing for the health and safety need of the community, creating a family friendly environment for residents by supporting parks and othe recreational opportunities. Also, protecting the environment so that future generations can enjoy the benefits we most often take for granted, such as night skies, native plants, and open space.
2. What do you see as our first and foremost economic engine?
A) Our natural desert environment including the relationship to the National Park, cultural attractions, clean air and dark night skies.
B) Our relatively cheap land with its development opportunities for a large increase in population and that population's buying power to spur more commercial development.
C) I have my own ideas about this and they are_________
Joel Klink: First and foremost, one must recognize that the Marine Base and Joshua Tree National Park are the main economic engines of the City. Both drive
tremendous amounts of visitors into the community that result in large amounts of money being spent on the hospitality industry. However, it is important to recognize that were it not for the natural environment (open space, native plants, etc.) these two economic engines would not be in existence here in Twentynine Palms.
3. How do you think that new residential and commercial development should pay for the costs related to the additional demands they place on the infrastructure of the community? If you’re in favor of impact fees, explain how you think they should be applied.
Joel Klink: Residential and commercial development should pay for their impacts in the community thru impact fees. Impact fees should be applied through a traffic fee for traffic/road impacts. They should also be applied thru a public parks impact fee that would provide for the funding necessary to build additional parks and open space in the community.
4. If you believe the City should set an example by lowering its energy use, where would you place the priorities?
Joel Klink: The City should set an example in lowering its energy use. The City is currently undergoing an energy audit by Honeywell and is looking for opportunities to power City buildings through solar energy and other alternative energy sources. The City purchased a Ford Escape Hybrid Citizens Patrol vehicle. I place energy savings near the top of my list.
5. Do you believe it’s possible to grow the well-being of a community without succumbing to the demand for continuous development?
Joel Klink: I think a balance can be met when growing the community. If done ith careful thought a community can both enjoy additional residents and retail while still preserving a small town rural feel. It takes a focused effort on planning long term and not compromising ones vision.
PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU STAND ON THESE CONSERVATION ISSUES:
Native Plants
1. What value do native plants afford us in Twentynine Palms?
Joel Klink: Native plants provide us with colored flowers, unusual shapes and textures, and stimulating fragrances. They are hardy in the desert climate, which includes great fluctuations in temperatures, minimal rainfall, summer floods, howling winds, and extreme sunlight.
2. What do you think of the adequacy of the existing landscaping and native plant ordinances? Do you think they favor either property owners or native plant protection? If you think they are not adequate, how would you change them?
Joel Klink: The City has guidelines in place for residents on using native plants. However, the guidelines are ultimately just that, guidelines. In this sense the guidelines or suggestions in place certainly favor the property owners over the native plant protection. Ordinances would draw more attention to what would then be the requirement of using native plants.
Grading
1. As a City Council member, how would you deal with a property owner’s decision to clear-cut their property for development and the likely negative consequences for the neighbors and the City as a whole (e.g. erosion, environmental health, and scenic views)?
Joel Klink: The City has in place regulations that prohibit a propery owner from
clearing lots greater than one acre without a permit. For developers given permits the clearing of the land is limited to the building pads, driveways, and other areas of development. This helps temendously with such negative effects as erosion, environmental health, and blight.
With that said, the native soil is very fragile and as a City Council member I will continue to both enforce the current regulations that are in place, while at the same time work with fellow City Council members to put in place clear cutting regulations for parcels under an acre that more closely mirror those in place for parcels over one acre. Most importantly, we must educate the public on the negative effects of clear cutting.
2. Are existing codes adequate to protect the land from flooding and erosion? If not, how would you mitigate these threats?
Joel Klink: Existing grading codes protect parcels greater than one acre from flooding and erosion by requiring a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. The purpose of the plan is to minimize dust, soil and water erosion after the clearing activity. It can include such acts as revegetation and /or the use of mulching with straw, chippings, and embankment retention netting to adequately control or prevent erosion on a long term basis.
The existing grading codes can always be mor protective of the environment. As a City Council member I would continue to protect the environment by asking my fellow Council members to put a time limit on how long a property can be graded without development taking place, creating compliance by approving stiff penalties for those who do not comply. I would also continue to work towards additional code enforcement. I am happy to say that we have twice as many Code Enforcement Officers today than four years ago. There is limited benefit to the City if we cannot enforce the codes that are currently in place.
Dark Night Skies
1. What value do dark night skies add to our quality of life?
Joel Klink: Dark night skies are one of the reasons our residents have moved to the City of Twentynine Palms. There is tremendous benefits to being able to see what are in the skies at night. Seeing the stars, planets, moons, and the space station fly by is a beautiful benefit that not many citizens in our Country can enjoy today.
2. Should home security lighting be exempt from lighting codes? If so, why?
Joel Klink: I think that home security lighting is important to our residents, as it
provides security and peace of mind. I think that home security lighting should not be exempt form our lighting codes because I believe home security lighting can be effective when shielded.
3. Are lighting codes currently adequate to protect our dark night skies? If not, how would you mitigate these threats?
Joel Klink: Lighting codes are not currently adequate to protect our dark skies. As a Councilmember I have asked that our staff become involved with the County of San Bernardino and the Town of Yucca Valley to create a comprehensive Night Sky Ordinance that will be consistent for all the communities of the Basin. We need a more practical Night Sky Ordinance that will be more easily understood by residents as well as code enforcement. We need to educate the public on the night skies and publicly thank those who do their share to protecting this valuable resource.
Rural Character
1. What is your definition of rural character as applied to Twentynine Palms, and what does it add to our quality of life?
Joel Klink: Rural character to me has to do with the "feel" of the community. Do you see open space? Do I enjoy housing that is not crammed together? Are my roads free from congestion? Do I have opportunity to view the mountains and surrounding basin? These characteristics add tremendous value to one's
quality of life experience.
2. Is development pressure eroding our rural character? Please explain why or why not, and if so, how would you mitigate the threats to our community’s rural character?
Joel Klink: Development pressure can erode our rural characteristics. I think some of that has taken place over the past few years of more intense growth in the City. The best way to mitigate the threats is to become involved as a City Council and Planning Commission in advanced planning. With the proper planning in place and the will to "stick with the game plan" we ultimately control our own fate.
Commercial Development
1. What pace of commercial development do you think is best for Twentynine Palms?
Joel Klink: The best pace for commercial development is when the commercial
development can be supported by the community. It doesn't do our community
any good to bring a business to the City that will untimately fail.
2. Should “Big Box” development be promoted for economic growth? If so, should tax breaks, reduced impact fees and code exemptions be offered?
Joel Klink: Our residents deserve better shopping opportunities. In general, businesses come into communities when the economic conditions favor their presence. However, at times they have a choice as to where they will locate. It is important to recognize that a business cannot build a store in every location that is desirable and that they will often look for advantages to coming to on City over another. I think the City should use all the tools in its economic development tool shed to entice retailers that will do well in our community and provide important jobs and tax revenue to improve our quality of life.
Residential Development
1. What pace of residential development do you think is best for Twentynine Palms?
Joel Klink: The best pace of residential development for the City is one that minimizes the vacancy rates in homes.
2. Should large residential developments be promoted for economic growth? If so, should tax breaks, reduced impact fees and code exemptions be offered?
Joel Klink: Large residential developments offer a specific way of life. Often in a
residential development on will find improved wastewater control to protect the environment. One can also fine amenities, such as a home owner's park and/or swimming pool. Perhaps even a club house with work out facilities. I think large residential developments should be built when demand calls for them and that in general tax breaks, reduced impact fees, and code exemptions should not be offered.
3. What compensations or mitigations would you propose if large residential developments lead to challenging increases in school enrollment, traffic congestion, air pollution, crime and other situations that reduce our quality of life in the entire Morongo Basin?
Joel Klink: I would propose impact fees to allow large residential developments to pay their fair share in regard to school enrollment, traffic, air pollution, crime and othe negative impacts.
Regional Issues
1. What should be done about regional traffic problems, both from environmental and safety/emergency evacuation viewpoints? How should the City deal with the cumulative traffic effects of increased development in the Morongo Basin?
Joel Klink: Regiona traffic problems are going to get worse unless we take proactive action. In addition to doing a better job supporting public transportation,
we need to think about our building practices. We should embrace development that minimizes the amount of travel required for everyday errands. Doing so will create incentives for residents to ride their bicycles and utilize othe forms of healthy transportation. We need to utilize our Measure I funding appropriately to build adequate capacity in our regional transportation corridors, as well as find alternative corridors to allow movement of residents in the event our primary corridor, HWY 62, is shut down.
2. Should Twentynine Palms support and encourage the use of sustainable building materials? If so, how?
Joel Klink: The City should support and encourage the use of sustainable building materials. Incentives should be offered to developers who choose to lead the way in this regard.
3. What other agencies would you partner with in efforts to maintain and improve air, water and land quality, including animal habitat? How would you initiate such an effort?
Joel Klink: As a member of the City Council I make sure our City is partnering with many agencies to pomote the environment, including the Marine Base, the Water District, JTNP, CMC, the State and Federal Government, the Indian Tribe, and the Town of Yucca Valley. As a City Council we ask for a status report each month from staff on these efforts, and take action as members of Task Forces in nurturing and guiding these important relationships.
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