Accomplishments

List of Accomplishments 2022-2025

As a council member, I participated in and voted on many items that directly affect our community. These included: issues concerning Campus Town, sidewalk and city infrastructure repairs, awarding grants to various organizations, and setting budget priorities for the city. At the same time, I took principled stands on items where I disagreed with the majority. My accomplishments are listed below.

Working to Keep the Community Safe

  • Public safety is a priority,  and in addition to voting for budget increases, I supported our police and fire departments through various activities, such as the Lights On Program, where we gave people vouchers to fix burned-out lights on their vehicles, the Seaside Police Athletic League’s Basketball Banquet, attending the Fire Department mural unveiling, and the Police Department’s swearing-in of new employees. I voted for license plate readers and supported the initiatives started by our Police Chief.
  • Fireworks have been a point of contention for the city. I lobbied and succeeded in getting Measure CC on the ballot to ask the voters about the future of firework sales in our city.
  • Growing cat and dog populations strain our animal control department, so I worked with stakeholders to adopt a citywide ordinance requiring spaying and neutering.
  • In addition, I secured City Council funding for a monthly low-cost SNIP spay-and-neuter clinic.
  • The San Pablo Bridge has been closed and I have advocated for the funds to fix it.

Working to Complete the Vision for a Better Seaside

  • I advocated for an economic development director. The position was created and filled within six months.
  • Economic growth is vital for Seaside, and I have supported the development of Seagrove, Campus Town, and the Grand Hyatt.
  • Sports are essential to our community, and I helped to create a strong bond between the City of Seaside and the Monterey Bay Union Football Club. At my urging, the city agreed to raise the Union flag outside city hall and switch to blue lighting when the team wins. I donated tickets to the police and fire departments during first responders’ night. Seaside was featured on the USL league’s homepage.
  • Soccer is important to many youth, and I lobbied Seaside PAL  to bring a soccer program to the city. I coached all of the teams.
  • Keeping our city attractive is important. I worked with the Neighborhood Improvement Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission to paint utility boxes throughout the city.
  • In addition to advocating funding for parks, I participated in several park clean-ups with the  Friends of Seaside Park Association (FOSPA). I  successfully advocated for funding for the following parks: Cutino (phase 2), Highland Otis, Sabado, Fernando, Wheeler St tennis courts, Havanna Soliz, and Lincoln-Cunningham Park walkways. Also, I was able to help aquire funding for the tenth anniversay party for our dog park.
  • It’s important for Seaside to become a destination for tourists and peninsula residents. I have advocated for cultural projects such as a Fort Ord Museum, art galleries, and the Seaside Amphitheater and Cultural Center.
  • My additional duties on the City Council included representing the city by serving on the Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Cal Cities Committee, and as Seaside’s board member on the Community Human Services Joint Powers Authority. 

Working to Make  City Agencies  More Responsive 

  • Keeping people informed is extremely important, and  I publish a monthly newsletter to increase communication and engagement among the residents. In my newsletters, I highlight outstanding city departments, commissions, and individuals who make significant contributions to the city. From 2022 to 2025, I recognized eleven city departments and commissions, eighteen individuals, and six local groups.
  • I co-hosted a town hall with Dave Pacheco to solicit input from the community.
  • Timely responses to public requests are essential, so I established the “Respond within 48 hours” policy so no messages are ignored. I have encouraged other council members to do the same.