2004-08 Accomplishments
Friends,
During my first four years as a member of the Davis City Council, we have made tremendous strides on a number of fronts. Here is a summary of some of the key actions we have taken together.
RESPONSIBLE PLANNING
- Secured over 500 acres of open space in permanent agriculture easements.
- Adopted an ambitious affordable housing ordinance that requires 45% of any housing project with over 25 homes be targeted for very low, low, moderate and middle income groups. State law does not require any proportion but there is a state guideline of 10% for very low and low.
- Adopted a stringent agricultural mitigation ordinance that requires two acres of permanent agricultural land for any one acre taken out of agriculture for residential use.
- Adopted an ordinance requiring new homes be visitable for those with mobility limitations.
- Presented to voters a draft neighborhood project as the first test case for consideration under Measure J. While this project was not passed, it did set a bar for any future projects, in terms of minimum contributions to the community and neighborhood and enviromental planning.
- Adopted vision for B Street transition zone between the campus and downtown.
- Approved infill housing sites at Cassel Lane, Willowbank, Parque Santiago, Los Robles, and Cal Aggie House - all with careful consideration of surrounding neighborhoods and contributions to the city's infrastructure needs.
- Commissioned a Housing Element Steering Committee to systematically assess the feasibility of potential sites for housing.
- Initiated careful neighborhood planning for Cannery Park, Chiles Ranch, Wildhorse Ranch and the Grande surplus school site. Of these sites, Wildhorse Ranch would include a Measure J vote and the remaining sites are categorized as infill sites. `
- Opposed selected regional projects that would have negative impacts on Davis community - Dixon Downs Race Track and Cortina Landfill.
FISCAL STABILITY
- Eliminated an annual operating deficit of about $2 million over the four-year period.
- Secured long-term bargaining agreements with all labor groups.
- Kept number of city staff constant despite increasing service levels.
- Implemented cost recovery program to systematically assess fees and rates consistent with cost of services.
- Improved budgeting practices, reduced operating budgets in all city departments, and implemented a five-year forecasting and financial planning model.
- Revised development impact fee structure.
- Changed water fees to volume based rates.
- Passed Park Assessment renewal and a ¼% sales tax increase that requires reauthorization in 2010.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
- Supported the Davis Bicycles group to mark a 12-mile bicycle loop around Davis and systematically improve routes.
- Earned the first and only Platinum City Award recognition from the United States Bicycle Association.
- Opened John Barovetto Neighborhood Park - thus completing the Parks Master Plan.
- Rehabilitated Manor Pool to repair leaks, upgrade equipment and expand useable water features.
- Completed Mace Ranch Community Park.
- Opened Toad Hollow Dog Park and dog runs at several other parks.
- Constructed the Brady Family Aquatics Building at Civic Center Pool.
- Assisted Explorit Science Center move into their new building.
- Supported the installation of Central Park Garden.
- Constructed new operations building for the Farmers Market.
- Located the Frankl Family Memorial shade structure at Arroyo Park.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Invested in a vibrant downtown Davis.
- Purchased the Varsity Theater building and leased it for use as an indpendent film venue.
- Approved a proposal to relocate and restore the historic pumphouse near the Hunt Boyer mansion and construct an active use in its place.
- Opened the Bistro 33 restaurant in the historic city hall.
- Upgraded the 3rd Street corridor.
- Conducted a comprehensive study of campus/community connections and launched a proposal to implement a shuttle system between downtown and the Mondavi Center area.
- Increased investments in the Davis Downtown Business Association and the Yolo County Visitors Bureau.
- Hosted the AMGEN bicycle race route through downtown Davis in 2007 and 2008.
- Supported numerous events and special projects in downtown, including the annual Ceramics Conference, Harry Potter openings, and Celebrate Downtown.
Enhanced retail shopping opportunities.
- Approved zoning necessary to permit a Trader Joe's store to locate at the University Mall after showing all potential sites to Trader Joe's. Supported private negotiations among three business entities to amicably resolve lease and location decisions.
- Approved Alhambra Neighborhood Shopping Center at the corner of Alhambra and Mace.
- Allowed voters to approve Second Street Crossing, a community serving retail center near Mace and Second street, including a Target Store and four other mid-sized retailers.
- Secured Dollar Store for Davis Manor Shopping Center.
- Engaged in ongoing discussions about uses for Westlake Shopping Center.
Supported business attraction and startup.
- Joined the Golden Capital Network as a founding member.
- Attracted DTL, an industrial software development and design company, to locate their expanded business operations in Davis.
- Established an annual Business of the Year Award and presented the first award to Pam Marrone, a successful local entrepeneur.
- Participated in regional efforts to assist startup businesses in the area.
PUBLIC SAFETY
- Constructed a new reliable public safety communications tower to establish safe communtications for police and fire personnel in emergency situations.
- Added three police officers.
- Established "Party Patrols" in conjunction with UC Davis Police Department.
- Conducted neighborhood policing meetings in all areas of town.
- Established on line crime mapping so residents can check on activity by neighborhood.
- Established the "Street Smarts" program to increase voluntary compliance with traffic safety laws.
- Reduced collision rates in Davis.
- Conducted Rape Agression Defense (RAD) classes for women.
- Expanded police and fire volunteer programs
- Expanded responsible police oversight
- Ombudsman
- Citizen Advisory Committee
- Police Review Committee
INTERJURISDICTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
- Established the award winning "Neighbors Night Out" program to ease tensions between student residents and long-term residents of our community. (In 2005, Don sponsored the first of these events - a one neighborhood block party at the Oeste Manor neighborhood - using his City Council expense stipend. Followup events in 2006 and 2007 increased to some 85 gatherings in neighborhoods all over town.)
- Supported the Davis Joint Unified School District in planning for best use of Grande school site and Wildhorse/Nugget Fields site.
- Worked with Yolo County and UCD on revenue sharing agreements.
- Advocated for local land use control in the Yolo County General Plan process.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTH
- Established strategic leadership framework within city government through bi-ennial Goal Setting and six month monitoring process. As member of the Council subcommittee on retreat planning Don has been a leader in organizing Council goal setting processes.
- Established routine annual performance evaluations for City Manager aligned with City Council goals. Don has served as a member of the City Manager Evaluation Subcommittee.
- Created Telecommunications Commission to address cable franchise and related issues.
- Created Bicycle Advisory Commission to enhance our strong bike tradition.
- Overhauled and standardized charge, membership and terms of all Commissions.
- Established procedures for Council and Commission meetings based on Rosenberg Rules of Order and provided training to all Commission Chairs on these procedures.