The Island’s CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: Tracy Jensen

Age: 49

Occupation: Senior Services Administrator, City of Oakland

Relevant experience:

→Elected office - Alameda Board of Education 2002-2010

In 8 years on the school board I have been recognized for my

independence and my ability to build consensus. Here are some of the
things that I’ve accomplished:

• Hired two Superintendents to manage the District’s $85 million budget

• Developed a condom distribution policy with input from students and
staff that protected student privacy and ensured that students
received information about the consequences of sexual activity.
• Built the first new school in Alameda in more than 25 years; Ruby
Bridges elementary school was built with support from Catellus, the
developer at Bayport, and with a project labor agreement it came in
under budget.
• Led the Board’s efforts to improve student and employee health
through the adoption of a comprehensive Wellness Policy that
addressed nutrition, environmental, physical, mental, physical health
• Faced a recall because I believe that elementary students must be
taught that all families, and all individuals, deserve respect.

→Community Involvement going back to Alameda High School, where I

started a service organization for girls called Kounteract.

• Member of the board of the Alameda County Community Food Bank,

where I ensure the availability of resources and programs to feed one
in six Alameda county children.
• Co-chair of the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth and their
Families, where with my support Alameda was recently named one of
America’s 100 Best Cities for Youth.
• Member of BikeAlameda, and editor of the bi-monthly newsletter.
• Member of the Alameda Hospital Community Relations Committee,
• Member of the Board of Avalon Village, a non-profit that helps
Alameda seniors stay independent by providing direct support and
referrals.

→Public Service Positions in local, state and federal government. My

career has been spent in public service. I have received awards and
commendations from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services,
and been recognized by employers and community providers as a
resource for seniors and youth.

During my tenure with HHS I was appointed to the White House Health
Care Reform task force, and I spent almost 2 years in the Office of Vice
president Al Gore, working on implementation of the National
Performance Review initiative (“Reinventing Government”). In every
public position I have held my objective has been transparency and
integrity.

I am currently the Senior Services Administrator for the City of Oakland.

• I manage 4 senior centers, a $2 million budget, 4 City contracts, and a

staff of 14.
• I represent the City in negotiations with public employee labor unions.
• I have been recognized by Vietnamese service providers, St. Mary’s
Center of Oakland, Supervisor Alice lai Bitker, Supervisor Nate Miley
and many others for my advocacy, responsiveness, and knowledge of
the issues impacting seniors.
• I am a key member of Oakland’s disaster preparedness team, and I
have been trained to provide services and manage shelters in the
event of a manmade or natural disaster.
• In 10 years as a division manager I have made numerous staff reports
to the City Administrator and to the City Council, with
recommendations for programs, funding, personnel and facilities.
• I improve access to services for seniors, youth and families by being
part of regional panels such as the Alameda County Long Term Care
Task Force, the Senior Services Coalition, and the Bay Are Nutrition and
Physical Activity Coalition.

→Here are some highlights from my previous positions:

• While working for the Maryland Democratic Party I organized the
February 1992 debate between the Democratic candidates Bill
Clinton, Tom Harkin, Jerry Brown, Paul Tsongas and Bob Kerrey
• Served as a policy analyst in the Department of Health and Human
Services in Washington D.C., where I negotiated with public interest
groups and drafted regulations to implement federal Medicare law.
• I served in Vice President Al Gore’s office and developed strategies to
streamline the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP or
CHIP) application process.
• My name appears in the U.S. Federal Register as the author of
regulations to implement federal Medicare law.

Why are you running for this office?:

→I am running for the City Council because I am passionate about

Alameda. Alameda cannot be successful and meet the needs of
residents without city leaders that are dedicated and responsive.

→I am the best candidate for this office because I understand how to

help Alameda families to be successful. It is critical for the public schools
and the City to work together to meet the needs of families, youth and
children. I am the only candidate with experience providing services to
seniors, to children and to families.

→I am running for this office because during 8 years on the school board I
have devloperd the relationships, the knowledge, and the consensus
building skills that Alameda needs to be able to move forward. I am the
only candidate that has hired 2 successful and, so far) un-controversial
Agency heads. The City Council must hire a permanent City Manager,
and give that individual their full support, in order to take advantage of
the opportunities and potential threats we face.

Why should we vote for you?:

→Alamedans should vote for me because I have the most civic,

government, and legislative experience of all of the candidates.

→Alamedans should vote for me because I am the only candidate that

has made cuts to City services (in Oakland) in order to balance my
department’s budget.
→Alamedans should vote for me because I am the only candidate that
has hired 2 Superintendents without controversy and with optimal
outcomes.

→Alamedans should vote for me because I am the only candidate that

has been at the table with employee unions to negotiate the impact of
City budget cuts.

→Alamedas should vote for me because I am the only candidate that

has faced a recall without backing down from the principles of respect
and fairness.

→Alamedans should vote for me because not only have I been a school
board member for 8 years I am the only candidate that has worked in
local, state and federal government. I know how to make government
work!

→Finally, Alamedans should vote for me because I can make the dream
come true for Alameda. I understand what Alameda needs and how to
take advantage of the opportunities

What do you feel are the roles and responsibilities of the office you’re
seeking?: Alameda has a Council-Manager form of government. The City
Council works with the community – their constituents – to identify issues of
importance and develop responses in keeping with the City’s mission. The
City Manager’s role is to implement the City Council’s objectives and to
ensure that the City is in compliance with all local, state and federal laws.

One of most visible and most important roles of the City Council is to hire
an effective City manager. I understand this function very well, because I
have hired two successful executives to run the Alameda Unified School
District. And in Oakland I often work with the city manager.

Another critical function of the City Manager is to represent the City

Council in matters of litigation, public contract negotiation, and liability. It
is critical that the City Council give the City Manager the financial,
administrative and policy tools to accomplish these tasks without
interfering in the day-to-day operations of the City.

On the other hand, the City Council must take a strong position and be
prepared to analyze and review all of the City Manger’s
recommendations in order to ensure that the objectives of the City – and
of their constituents, are being met.
I am the best candidate for the City Council because I understand the
role of staff and elected leaders, and because I have the experience of
having hired 2 Superintendents. As an Administrator in a large City I
understand better than any other candidate what it takes to accomplish
the City Council’s mission.

What do you think is the most pressing issue you would face if elected and
what would you do to address it?: The most pressing issue I would face if
elected would be to get the City Council together to work as a team.
Only if that happens can the City Council move forward to respond to the
outstanding issues that will make Alameda a 21st century model city. The
current City Council has demonstrated that they cannot get along, they
do not support their staff, and that they cannot come to consensus on
issues that impact their constituents. Asking the current City Council to
take action on Alameda Point, or Chuck Corica Golf Complex, or
discipline of the Fire Chief, or any other matter is futile because they
cannot come together to achieve the best outcome.

If I am elected I would use my facilitation skills to share information, to

develop consensus and achieve the results that Alamedas deserve.

What do you think needs to be done with Alameda Point – and what steps
would you take to make that happen?: Alameda Naval Air Station is not a
typical open space that can be easily transformed into an economically
viable neighborhood. As opposed to the relatively painless and quick
process that resulted in the beautiful expansion of Alameda known as
Harbor Bay Isle, Alameda Point development is held hostage to a variety
of competing and often inefficient processes. Any development must first
address the lengthy and confusing federal disposition, the need to clean
up the toxins, the lack of building code standards in existing facilities and
a crumbling infrastructure – to name just a few.
A city managed non-profit development corporation may be one of the
best ideas to address the opportunities at Alameda Point. One
advantage would be that if the City were to manage the project we
could move more slowly because it would not be necessary to comply
with a master developer’s investor–driven timelines for production.

The City could take advantage of federal and state incentives for usage –
for example (thinking outside the box) if Proposition 21 is passed the City
might have the opportunity to receive funding to establish shoreline
access and or establish a new State park at Alameda Point. (Note: If
passed Prop 21 will provide funding to “Develop… state park units and
Protect.. coastal waters, and marine resources.”)
There are corresponding disadvantages to a city-run project. If the City
were in charge of the project there would be immediate fiscal burdens,
including payment to the Navy, infrastructure improvement and a great
degree of toxic remediation that would be necessary before
development could begin. A master developer and private investors
would have the means to take on those costs more quickly that the City.

A master developer works best for the developer and the developer’s
investors when the developer makes all of the decisions. It works for the
developer but not for the city. By allowing SunCal to put Measure B on
the ballot the City Council basically offered Alameda Point to a Master
Developer without ensuring that the developer would meet the needs of
Alameda residents. As the San Francisco Chronicle said when they
opposed Measure B, the City Council bowed to political pressure and
quote balked at putting a Measure A exemption on the ballot.” Rather,
the Council allowed the developer to give voters a development
agreement which would have, if passed, left the City and the School
District and all Alameda residents paying long after the Master Developer
were gone.

Of course that is not to say that a Master developer model can work, as
demonstrated at Harbor Bay Isle. The difference between SunCal and
Doric Development is that Doric is still her more than 30 years later. The
Harbor Bay Isle Developer continues to have a stake in the community
and to provide a venue for resolving any issues that may arise with their
project. I opposed Measure B because there was no incentive for the
Master Developer to stay around after the parcels at Alameda Point were
sold to other contractors. In fact, in my opinion SunCal had the opposite
incentive – they would have made more money for investors if they
passed Measure B, done the minimum required remediation and
infrastructure, and departed. That is why I opposed Measure B.

The ideal solution, in my opinion, would be to have a public-private

partnership similar to the Treasure Island Community Development LLC.
While alameda Point does not intend and would not be appropriate for
some of the more intensive social service aspects of the Treasure Island
development, I think that a public-private partnership would more
effectively support a slow growing mix of small business, retail, residential
and light industrial at Alameda Point.

What steps would you take to bolster Alameda’s economic base?: The first
step would be to come up with a community supported plan to move
forward at Alameda Point. One of the most successful recent drivers for
the City’s economy has been the wineries and other businesses at
Alameda Point. Expanding the opportunities at Alameda Point is the best
and most available way to expand Alameda’s economic base.

Alameda should also move forward to being a greener city and

attracting customers who view environmental sustainability as an
incentive to patronize a business. I would provide incentives to businesses
to become greener, to recycle green waste, and establish a “green
certification” to help businesses attract environmentally-aware shoppers.

I have been working with businesses to ensure that any new parcel tax for
Alameda public schools is equitable. Alameda businesses care about our
city and they care about our youth – that is one of the things that makes
Alameda so attractive to families. One of the most effective things that I
can do on the City Council is to continue the partnership between the
City and the School district that I established with Mayor Johnson in 2002.
Prior to my election the City and the School Board did not meet to discuss
issues of mutual interest. Since I came onto the school board I established
bi-monthly meetings with the City council, the School Board, the city
manager and the Superintendent to ensure that City continued for fund
critical crossing guards and school resource officers, to address
improvements at School fields and city parks. To discuss issues related to
the new Boys and girls club, and to ensure that the City was behind the
parcel taxes proposed by the district.

One of the most contentious and critical issues that I worked on with the
City Council was a review of the Measure B initiative. I took an early and
prominent position against Measure B after lengthy discussions with city
staff and the school superintendent.

Questions have been raised about whether the city is transparent enough
in conducting its business. Do you think this is an issue and if so, what do
you see as being specific problems and how would you seek to resolve
them?: I think that it is always critical for elected officials to be available
and accessible to their constituents. The City Council must make it clear
to their staff, beginning with the City Manager that information is to be
shared without question whenever it is easy and appropriate to do so. In
my position as an administrator in the City of Oakland I am well aware of
the tensions and barriers that can arise when requests for information on
sensitive subjects are received, and I also know how much it can improve
the city’s image and staff morale when information is shared.

The City Council must adopt a Sunshine Ordinance to outline and clarify
the roles of both the City staff and the City Council in sharing information.
The Brown Act is clearly not enough to inform either council members or
staff about the best practices for sharing information, and their fiduciary
duties to keep certain information confidential. I would move quickly to
address that issue with a clear and concise Sunshine Ordinance, similar to
the one that I have complied with on my 10 years as a manager for the
City of Oakland

At this point there are some candidates who are making transparency a
big issue for this election. I think that transparency will result from a City
Council that has the same objectives and shares a common mission.

Pensions and retiree health benefits will be a huge financial issue for the
city. How would you address it?: The only way that the pension liability
can be addressed is through open communication. The City Council has
been avoiding the issue, like many other California agencies.
Unfortunately it will not go away, and the longer the City Council avoids
asking their public employee unions to help with the analysis the longer it
will take to resolve the problem.

City employees are critical to Alameda. Public safety, public access,

clean streets, parks, infrastructure and maintenance, and so many other
services we rely upon would not be possible without dedicated public
service employees. Those employees cannot be asked to change the
retirement system under which they began their employment, however
new employees can and should come in under a different and less
generous system if it means the City’s solvency.

Would you seek to preserve Measure A or amend it and if you’d amend it,
under what circumstances would you do so?: I will not independently
challenge Measure A under any circumstances. Measure A is a
tremendous benefit to our dense, island City, and it has done more than
any other incentive or penalty to retain our historic architecture. It is not
the role of the City Council to challenge or change Measure A – that can
only be done by the voters.

This City Council allowed a developer to use Measure A to put a choke

hold on the City. The City Council should never have reneged on their
responsibility to address the issues at Alameda Point by giving free rein to
SunCal to put Measure B on the ballot. And so while I would always seek
to preserve Measure A to ensure that Alameda’s historical heritage is not
lost, I would also take responsibility for addressing the opportunities at
Alameda Point. If a publicly supported development plan for Alameda
Point could only be realized with an amendment of Measure A I would be
supportive of placing such an amendment for Alameda Point on the
ballot for voters to decide.

How are you financing your campaign and to whom are you reaching out
for money?: I am financing my campaign with donations from people
who think that I would be the best candidate for the City Council. I have
the most grassroots campaign of all of the City Council campaigns with
very few donations over $100. I have no contributions from organizations,
interest groups, developers, or labor unions. And finally, I am not soliciting
or accepting donations from outside of Alameda. My friends in Atlanta,
Washington D.C., Reno and Annapolis have asked if they could send
money but I declined.
I think that this race should address the issues of Alameda and if the
money for my campaign came from outside of Alameda then it may not
be long before I am asked to provide some support, or information, or
encouragement for an outside entity. That would be biased, that would
be inappropriate, and that would not be good for Alameda.

I am passionate about Alameda, my support comes from Alameda and I

plan to stay in Alameda. If I am elected to the City Council I will always
put the needs of Alameda families first.