Yuba City candidates discuss their stance on local issues

Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)

Oct. 14--Editor's Note: This is the last of a three-part package summarizing remarks by Yuba City City Council candidates at a Wednesday forum.

The forum hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Appeal-Democrat gave nine candidates for three council seats the opportunity to address an audience. They were asked to address four specific issues (public safety, infrastructure, pension liability and homelessness) and had six minutes to speak. In a second round, they each had a minute for rebuttal.

Each part of the series features three of the candidates in the order that they spoke.

Video of the forum, as well as previous forums, is available on the Appeal-Democrat Facebook page.

Yuba City City Council:

Dave Shaw, financial consultant:

Public safety: Shaw said agencies are undermanned with 0.9 officers to every 1,000 residents. He said it's a sad state to seek the federal SAFER grant for fire departments, which only temporarily funds firefighters. He said he would not support any future pay increases for administration until a higher benchmark is met.

Infrastructure: He said the city needs to fix what's broken instead of focusing on beautification projects.

Homelessness: Shaw said the city has chosen not to make this issue a priority, while other organizations do a great job trying to solve it. He said municipalities can contract with those seeking employment. His priorities include getting people back into a normal life, mental health and substance abuse and reclaiming the river and city.

Pension liability: Much of the solution is up to the state, he said. He commented on news that the city recently paid ahead on its liability and that the city should not throw money at the $70 million liability "for the sake of good press." He said paying any further down would not be responsible since the state could ask for more money at any time. He said he will work to have elected officials removed from the pension plan.

In his rebuttal, Shaw said this election is about leadership, respect and accountability.

Sukh Sidhu, farmer and senior executive in medical technology.

Pension liability: Sidhu said PERS is being mismanaged and the city needs to invest better. He suggested raising the retirement age by two or three years and coming up with an investment strategy.

Homelessness: He said he was pleased to see the city partner with the county to invest in coordinated entry. He hopes to help streamline the building process, as he believes there are too many fees, forcing builders out of the county.

Infrastructure: Sidhu supports development and opportunities for ecological tourism with local natural features.

Public Safety: The big issues are gangs and school safety, he said.

In his rebuttal, Sidhu said he stands for hard work and commitment to the community. He said he will advocate for school safety, senior care, access to work training and improvement of the Highway 99 and Colusa corridors.

Stan Cleveland, retired commercial contractor, City Council incumbent:

Pension liability: Cleveland said the city is on the cutting edge of state pension reform and is very involved at the local and state levels. In 2016, the city adopted the rate stabilization fund and has been working to pre-pay pension debt, which he said reduced the debt by almost $3 million last year.

Homelessness: He said the city contributes staff time and over $300,000 each year in services and housing to at-risk residents, and $97,000 for the regional continuum of care. He said he will insist on continuing progress and advocating for more housing and mental health services.

Infrastructure: Cleveland said the council adopted a compliance SB1 road plan last year. He said the council acquired funding for projects including the widening of portions of Butte House Road, Garden Highway and Franklin Road; rehabilitation of a portion of Bogue Road; and beautification of Plumas Street. He also touted the Fifth Street Bridge Replacement Project and the replacement of the sewer system and improved wastewater facility. He said he will continue to seek funding for such projects.

Public safety: Cleveland said public safety is the city's largest success with acquiring large grants and funding to hire, train, retain and equip police and fire without raising taxes.

In his rebuttal, Cleveland said the city's solid waste collection agreement with Recology is the best in the region and as a result, residents will have the lowest rates for the next decade starting next year.

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