HomeMy WebLinkAbout4A-JohnsonApplication nstructions: Use this f - '~ erve on any of the City of Petaluma, California's Boards, Commissions, or
Committees. Please fill o completely. If a question does .not apply, type or write N/A in the space
provided. When completed, please forward to the Office of the City Clerk, 1 1 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952.
All applications are reviewed by the City Council.
Name =
Ray Johnson
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Home Address, City, State~and Zip Code:
206 Park Place Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954
Home i'hone: (If appointed ~o ya~u want,this ~'~ ~~ ~ .. ,~
number to be available to the~pubfic?j , ~ _ : ~ Work, Phone: _
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~;~ YES- D aNO~ ,
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707 766-8714
Retired -cell phone 707 364-8149
f E Mail (If,appointed do you-want this address to be ~:
FAX _ 2 ~=YES `' 0 NO.
. _ ~ ~, a~ ~ ; ;available to the public,.,J_ . ,_
707 766-871.3
Planning Commission
Retired
rayvs@pacbell.net
~ Johnson, Ray IDS
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Job Title: _ ~ '~ ~~ ~ ~ f~
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Previous Go~ernmentgl Bodies/Elects ~e'Off~ces you have served Posifion/.Office' Held `and Dates: ' yi `
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Current member of SPARC - 6(08 - 6/10
Civic or.Charitdbl'e Q ganiiation to•"whichyou have belonge°d Position/Office Held, and Dates:
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Cinnabar Theater -Board of Directors - 2002 - 2006
Special Olympics -Regional Coordinator -1991-1995
What Special~lnterests/Skills/Ta{erits would you bring to'this,Baard Comm-ssion, or Commitfee2
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To quote the Committee general responsibilities:
"to uti/ize the appropriate techniques in crystallizing and testing pub/ic sentiment on major
public issues"
Based on a 30 year sales track record, I have developed the ability to facilitate diverse
agendas, consult and coexist in a competitive environment where multiple objectives must be
compromised.
Whether it be the board room, the back room, a public forum or the planning commission,
the interests of all parties require, patience, perseverance and a degree of compassion. Sales
with multiple $000's have required me to fine tune these attributes combined with a 7/24
willingness to persevere.
College Professional Voca~tional4Schoofs Attended (Ivla~or Subfect, Dates; Degree/Date)::
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ashington 8~ Jefferson College - BA Economics - 1976
Special Awards. `or Recognition Received:' .~ ~ _ ."
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Many sales awards headed by President's Club 7 times, Yearly Achievement awards 15 times,
Lead National Fund Raiser, March Of Dimes, American Cancer Society
Please~"state reasons .why you.,want to become;d member of-this Board, Cornrriission or Committee;
~; ~' '~ ~ ~ r of this aduisb~ ` bo
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~includiri `-what; s ecific~ob ecfives" ou would.,be workin t'owartl: asfa;rr;~embe`
Petaluma is a City rich in History, beautiful and unique from all the surrounding
communities, but at the same time, at a significant crossroads. How can we continue
our rich heritage, fund it with the necessary financial tax base and take advantage of
the current sustainability espoused by so many. The very heart of this effort is the
Planning Commission vested with the General Plan, chartered with creating an
environment that is sustainable and insuring that benefits of all projects cover
assessment.
I have made Petaluma my home for 25 years and because I have the energy of a
transplanted New Yorker I want to insure that the next 25 years are devoted to making
Petaluma a desired location for all of us to proudly promote
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Is (here any o~ther~lnforrnatiori that.~you feel would be useful~fo the,.City Council in reu,iewingyour
a ~ lication`~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~° ,
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he only thing I might add is positive attitude can best be demonstrated in a face to
face contact. I look forward to personally presenting myself to all those participating
in this adventure. The pen is mighty but without action it's only words
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Are„you associc!'ted with any~®r~ganization/Employmen,~t that°~rnightabe deemed. a conflict of interest m ~`
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erfor`min our duties.if,a ~ ointed~to this. osrtion?,~.- . ,_- ~=' $#
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^ YES X NO
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{Byes, please staate name, of Or arrzation/~Employrnert s ;~ ~ - -
.,~ ~ ti - m ~ ~ . . ~ ,
City policy directs all appointed;,advisorybody :members snot` to vote on `m6fters where there exisfs~a "~
P. otential conflict,of:interest:.;lN,ould~ ou.,t?e~willin~ ~fo abstair frorn~uotin- if'such a.conflict,arises? tl
~ YES ^ NO
How dici~you near about thi openmg2 ~ ~ ..~ = r.
Watching the meetings on television and contacting the City of Petaluma
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Date: ~
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5/17/2009
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Revised June 1, 2005
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lease return completed questionnaire to the Office of the City Clerk, 1 1 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
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Ray Johnson
'Home~address City,State Zip:: ~~~ s ~ ~~~`
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206 Park Place Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954
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Horne Phone = ~ ' _ ~ _
Work Phone ,
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707 766-87t 4 Retired -cell phone 707 364-8149
Please print or type your answers to the following questions and submit to the City Clerk's Office. You may
submit additional sheets, if necessary, to complete your answers.
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Have you attended any of th=e following meetmgs2~~ ~ ~ ~ _
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. - s - w~ ~ ~ . ~. ~ - ~ , ~ ~ .. _- ,.a ..: r _ ~ _.~.~. _ v ~ ~ .
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Planning Commission Orientation Session ^ YES x NO
Date:
Planning Commission Meeting X YES ^ NO
Date: Several
What do you think qualifies you~to serve on';tf1e Planrnng Commission2 ~~
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Like many committees I have served on, be they work related, charitable or personal, the
requisite challenge is to analyze all facets of the issue, examine both the vested interests of
the individual requesters and the community as a whole and compromise in a way that will
best meet the requirements.
I have spent over 30 years in the board rooms to the back rooms where the interest of the
seemingly minute part of society is at stake and on many occasions I was the guiding light to
resolution.
More specifically I have been involved in the pros and cons of Lafferty park, hiked the City of
Petaluma, worked in Telecom and saw the potential of little Telecom Valley (may it rest in
peace) Petaluma needs significant foresight for the next 150 years and I am a viable
participant .
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ow that I have served on SPARC for a year, I have not only learned the nuances of
Petaluma but also became educated as to the needs both present and future, of Petaluma.
I feel a proactive energy is needed to analyze projects, potential projects and future
consequences in addition to the specifics of each application. Foresight and analysis are
critical
Each of us MUST be actively involved in constantly looking for ways to sustain Petaluma - 1)
optimize what we have, 2) seek out potential businesses that would be beneficial to
Petaluma, 3j design projects that enhance the attractiveness of Petaluma and 4) tell the
world what a jewel Petaluma is
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What do you see as the;best,solutions b~ofh long;;and short term f'or,ecoriornic"deve,lopment in Petaluma?x ,~.:e
IF only the solution both long and short term could be simply summarized in a couple of
paragraphs, the next 150 years would be so simple. There are key principles that must be a
component of any solution:
Benefit =Assessment - No matter what the project, it must be at least matched by the
necessary assessment to not only fund it but also benefit as much of the community as
feasible
Sustainability -Perhaps this fits more in the long term solution but awareness of any and all
environmental repercussions must be considered. The short term perspective of this might be
the flood plain and traffic issues.
Tax Base - As real estate values are sharply lowered, little Telecom valley consolidates and
the economy dabbles in recession, the tax base must be a short term -and perhaps long
term consideration.
Having put the components in place -each project or endeavor must be analyzed
financially and aesthetically, business and local employment must be encouraged,
As delineated in the General Plan the key words are -Retention, Attraction and incubation
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The,>General Plan, (Plan) is the~~guidmg document and vision :for the~City. How would you interpret the policies,
and.,^_goals arficuldted innthe plan2~:;'How flexiblewouldfyou be~,andwould;you:feel com~fortable~not approving`
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~~s ecific land uses allowed in'the P-,.Icing - n ~ "' ;~ ~ p
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The General Plan is both an excellent, well thought out blue print while at the same time, a
fervent attempt to be an over arching solution to all issues. The policies and goals appear to
incorporate the heritage of 150 year old City, the viability of it's centerpiece, the river, as a
key element as it was in Petaluma's inception. The Urban Growth Boundary focuses on
maintaining the innate beauty of our surroundings and what sets us apart from the traditional
urban sprawl.
In addition the problems inherent in today's Petaluma (traffic, flooding, business, historical
perspective) are addressed in a manner that sets a stage. The players on the stage are
many and a key component is the Planning Commission tasked with maintaining all the
piece parts as each change has it's impact
Flexibility is a requirement of the Planning Commission and an attribute of mine and if the
land use cannot pass the test of the communitie's best interest as well as the
aforementioned benefit/assessment, sustainability and overall value, I would have no
problem in not approving as the General Plan is a working document.
My experience on SPARC also taught me the General Plan has to be interpreted with not
only specifics but, once again foresight towards aesthetic, financial and creativity as
Petaluma has a history and afuture -both important
~T,he..;growth man'agern_ent system has been anyelement of the development process in Petalumasince~Fi972;°p
and,~~an Urban GrowtYi,BOundary was adopted in 1998:to,control the physical gcowth'of Petaluma With-°these'
two maforpolices in mind and given the?~pressure for~ongoing~growth during the, nextdecade or o what two''
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~or~tfiree: olicies-and.. _ro rams would ~ ou romote'to~ rofe_ct the'~hiskonc, cultural, and h sisal as e.cts of
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°Pefaluma2, -z , ,
The word policy is mindful of a rigid existing plan. Although infill is necessary to protect the
natural beauty, the intrinsic beauty -such as the prolonged skirmish over 30 W ElRose must
be evaluated .
The definition of both Infill and Mixed Use must be delineated to allow for the big picture as
assimilated by the many individual piece parts. What might be satisfactory for an individual
piece of property may not be in the best interest of the community as a whole.
The Planning Commission must be a watchdog for policy interpretation and the foresight to
look at the immediate and long term affects of ANY project as well as examining potential
future development affected by any decision.
Optimization with foresight requires a big picture mentality needed now.
How~would you; address cuRent an,d°futu~e flo~odng° issues for Pefaluma2`;,
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Based on my 25 years in Petaluma, flooding is definitely a piece part of our community. As
partially delineated in the General Plan and discussed at length at last nights (4/21) Council
meeting.
First of all there must be specific land fill and building requirements as to the flood plain and
it's surrounding. The 100 year flood issue is key but, quite frankly the average Petaluma winter
and the occasional deluges must be accounted for as it's my opinion that from a
destructive and monetary point of view, they probably merit more consideration.
Specifically the Multiple Use Facilities which coincidentally are a big part of the General Plan
can also enhance the flood plan. In addition water movement can be integrated into any
development requirements to enhance the beauty and disperse the water. Low flow
channels and water detention are also viable with the latter providing a potential source of
ground water to alleviate the water conservation issue
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,How would youjaddress_ current and future-traffic congestion in Petalurna? ~ ,~ ~ ~=
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Traffic is a key consideration to any plan. For 30 years I have commuted to San Francisco
and the majority of my concerns were 101 traffic which is, shalt we say, less than satisfactory.
Trains, buses, ferries are all seemingly viable long haul solutions .but, the reality is, even with
gas at $4 myself and many, many others continue the single passenger ritual requiring
subsidies for the mass transit.
So, let's apply the same principles to Petaluma. If I'm traveling cross town, how likely am I to
opt for the bus rather than pay the $4 gas and sit in traffic. In my case zero so the problem
may be require bigger solutions.
Extensive study of traffic flow not just at commute hours but all day
Consideration of businesses that stagger or naturally have non traditional hours and
rewarding them accordingly
Not knowing enough about Petaluma busses and too old to ride a bike,.) will defer to others
more knowledgeable as to their viability
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What infill~pohcies do you think should be adopted in light of the Urban Growth Boundary passed by the voters?-
1-P-28 speaks to an area that merits constant enrichment of Petaluma's history. As I travel the
world and mention Petaluma, we are surprisingly well known as the (former) egg capital of
the world. That is a rich heritage and as I drive to Olema or Bodega Bay, I'm well aware of it
and a reciative.
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herever possible we should maintain an infill preference to the agricultural heritage.
Perhaps as a more current solution we might consider environmental projects such as
wetlands. Don't get me wrong, I'm forever aware of the need of a tax base but as our
Government becomes more and more green and sustainable conscious, perhaps the
finances could be alleviated with funding or tax breaks
As far as within the Urban Growth Boundary, multiple use facilities (again addressing
aesthetics and water deployment) should be an integral part as well as the historical
tradition as exemplified by downtown
However we must define infill as specifically as possible. Viability, sustainability, aesthetics,
history must all be considered.
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5/16/2009
Revised June 1, 2005
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