Council Candidates Tackle Issues at Forum

candidates kept a focus on the need for city transparency, fiscal responsibility and infrastructure fixes during a forum Wednesday night that set the local campaign season into motion.

Seven of the eight City Council candidates answered questions from residents during the forum, which was hosted by the Homeowners Associations of Long Point and drew about 100 people to . The participating candidates were Eric Alegria, Susan Brooks, Dora de la Rosa, Jerry Duhovic, Ken Dyda, Dave Emenhiser and Jim Knight. Candidate Cynthia Smith did not attend the event. 

The Nov. 8 election campaign marks the first time in the city’s history that there are three open council seats and no incumbents, according to Councilman Brian Campbell, who served as the forum's moderator.

During the forum, most of the candidates agreed that a closer look had to be taken at the long history of bonuses, cost-of-living increases and pension benefits for city staff.

“I think it’s trending in the wrong direction,” said Dora de la Rosa, former practicing attorney and current president of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education. “[We need to] do a real assessment of the jobs that we have … [and] try to save the city money.”

Dave Emenhiser and Jim Knight, who are current Rancho Palos Verdes planning commissioners, and Eric Alegria, a small-business owner and teacher, all mentioned pursuing pension reforms for city staff.

Some candidates argued staff salary information needs to be made clearer and more accessible to residents.

“We cannot find out how much money our staff is making,” said Susan Brooks, former Rancho Palos Verdes mayor. “This is a crucial issue we have to address.”

Candidates also discussed the , which became a contentious issue for many residents.

The project would have created a community center with a focus on animals at Lower Point Vicente in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Council candidates agreed the project had problems from the start.

Jerry Duhovic, current vice chairman of the RPV Finance Advisory Committee, said the project was an issue that divided the city, but one he didn’t see resurfacing in the future.

Emenhiser said proposals for certain elements contributed to the project's unpopularity among residents.

“I don’t think the residents of Rancho Palos Verdes ever bought the dog and cat element,” Emenhiser said, referring to plans for animal care in project proposals.

Transparency issues are also part of what stalled the project, de la Rosa said.

“Public input was brought in down the road instead of at the beginning, like it should be,” she said.

And while the project might have sounded like a good one on the surface, the proposed location at Lower Point Vicente wasn’t the right place for it, Knight said.

“It was the right idea, but the wrong location,” he said.

Most candidates also agreed the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax—a tax primarily based on hotel revenue at that brings about 10 percent of gross revenue to the city—should continue to be saved for capital improvements, instead of used toward the reduction of some local taxes, such as the storm sewer tax.

“TOT should be used for infrastructure,” said Ken Dyda, former Rancho Palos Verdes mayor. “It has to be used based on commitments we made to citizens."

While Duhovic addressed the need for infrastructure fixes, he said a portion of the money should be used to reduce residents’ taxes. Brooks also agreed with a break for taxpayers.

“[Some] monies should be used to offset various taxes and user fees [residents] currently pay,” Duhovic said.

Candidates were also asked about a hot topic on the Peninsula—bringing a and to the Hill, in addition to more recreational areas.

Alegria said one of his top priorities would be to create more active parks in the community, and that he advocates a skate park on the Peninsula.

Brooks said additional Palos Verdes cities would need to contribute for the parks to become a reality for residents.

“It’s absurd we’re paying for everything,” she said, citing that Rancho Palos Verdes has the majority of parks on the Peninsula. “We have to focus on our priorities.”

Most candidates were also in favor of restoring offices for council members at .

“We need to be present at City Hall,” Duhovic said. “It’s difficult for someone to be held accountable when your manager’s not present.”

Alegria and Knight said having offices isn’t a critical need.

“We are here to represent [residents],” Knight said. “Whether we have an office in City Hall, we need to hear from [residents]. I’m not sure if an office is necessary to do that or not.”

And as the city considers constructing new City Hall offices, or initiating upgrades to the current building, candidates agreed a new building was low on the priority list.

“We have to fix and remedy the , then we can do a little bit of thinking,” Emenhiser said. “Citizens are more interested in infrastructure than a new City Hall.”

Candidates also discussed working with other jurisdictions to address what to do with two butane storage tanks on North Gaffey Street in San Pedro that Dyda called a “serious problem” and a threat.

Knight suggested a full inspection as well as better surveillance of the tanks, while Alegria called for relocation.

“This is really serious,” Brooks said. “We can’t ignore this any longer.”

For more information on the Nov. 8 elections, visit lavote.net and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes website.