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Mayor Art Yoon |
Key VotesUse of Treated Wood in Valley Park Taxicab FranchiseI voted with the majority in a 3-2 vote to grant a franchise to 4 taxicab companies: South Bay Yellow, All Yellow, Bell, United Independent. The franchises will allow us greater control over the 140 cabs permitted to operate in the city including mandatory drug testing of drivers and modernization of the cab fleets. All this was accomplished at a better economic deal for the city as well. Use of Treated Wood in Valley ParkI voted with the majority on a 4-1 vote to refrain from using wood treated with a controversial arsenic-based compound in Valley Park. In my opinion, when we can eliminate risk, we should. Zero Emission Vehicle policyThanks to the idea raised by HB resident, Dency Nelson, I am initiating the South Bay’s first zero emission vehicle policy. My goal is to encourage the use of ZEVs by giving preferential parking to its owners. Under my pilot program, ZEVs will be allowed 2 hours free parking in the structure Monday-Friday during the non-summer months. If this program is successful, I hope to expand the program but I think this would be a good start. Speed Hump PolicyI believe speed humps are a valuable option for traffic calming. On a 5-0 vote, Council asked the Public Works Commission to develop fair standards. I hope to potentially apply them to certain impacted areas in the city so parents will feel safe to allow their children to play in their neighborhoods. City Operated LibraryWhile I will reserve final judgment, at this time I felt that it would be imprudent to leave the county library system. The issue became access v. resources. I did not believe that our current accessibility at 35 hours per week was low enough to risk losing resources that the county provides. If the County moves to draconian cuts in our hours of operation again as it has in the past, I will be forced to change my vote to ensure our residents have a library that is open. Community WatchThis is a program which essentially combines a Neighborhood Watch program and community policing plan. At the heart of this idea is the notion that all residents can help our law enforcement to make our neighborhoods safer. Residents know better than anyone else what is happening on their streets and in their neighborhoods. Together we can make our city even safer than it already is. At the March 25, 2003 meeting, I hope to get the Council’s approval to move ahead with this plan. |