(PLEASANTON, Calif.) — Vin Krutiventi emphasized business recruitment and revenue growth, while Kathy Narum highlighted her public-service experience and infrastructure planning during a candidate forum hosted by Pleasanton Weekly along with Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce in the City Hall of Pleasanton.
Photo Credit: OpGov.News Staff (Vin Krutiventi(Left) Kathy Narum (Right))
The candidates addressed the city’s finances, public safety, water supply and housing, often agreeing on the problems while proposing different ways to tackle them.
Krutiventi introduced himself as a business owner who would bring financial experience to council decisions. He identified the structural budget deficit, public safety and responsible growth as his priorities, arguing that Pleasanton needs a stronger business base to support services.
Narum pointed to her committee experience and service on the Zone 7 water board. She identified water as her first priority, followed by public safety, and stressed maintaining emergency-service staffing.
Photo Credit: Pleasanton Weekly/YouTube Channel
Budget and business recruitment
Both candidates supported the forum, which described he forum as a proposal to increase the hotel tax from 8% to 12% in two steps. Their reasoning differed.
Krutiventi expressed reluctant support, saying the additional revenue would make only a small contribution toward addressing the city’s financial problems. He cited projected proceeds of $1.2 million in the first year and $2.4 million in the second, and argued that expanding the revenue base would be essential to a lasting solution.
Narum supported the measure because visitors, not residents, would pay the tax directly.
Economic Development:
Economic-development staffing became a point of disagreement. Krutiventi called for a dedicated employee to contact brokers and companies regularly, saying a needed position remained vacant. He cited a 22% vacancy rate while discussing opportunities at Stoneridge and Hacienda.
Narum credited Mayor Balch with advancing economic vitality and said the city already had an economic-development manager and a full-time employee conducting outreach. She cited an updated vacancy figure of 18%. The candidates’ figures and descriptions of staffing were not reconciled during the discussion.
Water costs and emergency services:
Krutiventi said residents he had spoken with were worried about rising water bills, particularly those living on fixed incomes. He called for greater predictability and expressed hope that new wells and technological improvements could make water and sewer services more affordable.
Narum drew on her Zone 7 experience to discuss investment in groundwater infrastructure and the need to prepare for another prolonged drought. She said water costs would come down once the new wells were operating.
Public Safety:
Krutiventi said fire-department staffing had not increased since 1995 despite a 160% rise in call volume. He argued that the budget discussion should account for the additional cost of adequate staffing. Narum emphasized the importance of the fire department following a recent fire and pledged to maintain staffing levels.
Stoneridge, housing and Castlewood
Both candidates identified obstacles to redeveloping Stoneridge Shopping Center.
Narum said the involvement of three property owners with veto rights had complicated progress. She proposed shorter development-agreement time frames and requiring owners to demonstrate progress.
Krutiventi called Stoneridge the city’s biggest opportunity, envisioning mixed-use housing, businesses and gathering spaces for younger residents. He said the council should hold Simon and other owners accountable for moving redevelopment forward.
Housing:
Narum stressed thoughtful planning and homes that are affordable by design. She said state mandates and the threat of developer lawsuits constrained local decisions. Krutiventi criticized state housing mandates and said the city should create conditions that allow builders to deliver housing.
Both expressed caution about Castlewood annexation. Krutiventi said he would not support it without complete financial information, citing existing pressure on the budget and first responders.
Narum proposed financing water-infrastructure improvements through a bond paid by Castlewood residents or through county funding. She also wanted a property-tax agreement before a decision.
Campaign Finance and Endorsements:
Krutiventi said he had received no money from special-interest groups.
Narum reported endorsements from police officers, firefighters and Bay East real estate representatives, along with a $1,000 contribution from the latter.
The forum highlighted a choice between Krutiventi’s emphasis on business-led revenue growth and Narum’s emphasis on experience, infrastructure financing and managing development within existing constraints.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at harika@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
0
0
Comments