The Green Valley Civic Association, Poway Chamber of Commerce, COX, and Poway Kiwanis partnered on two Virtual Candidates Forums to find out where candidates stand on important issues that will affect you and your community.
Q: Describe your personal/professional background
Phil Factor: Retired Teacher, Coach, and Counselor
Caylin Frank: Born and raised in North County, I received my Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of San Diego and began my career in public service with the US House of Representatives. I later went to the County of San Diego, where I served as a senior policy advisor for over a decade. When my husband and I moved to Poway to raise our family, I saw an opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to make my children's hometown great. I've proudly served on the Poway City Council since 2018. We have two children, a 2.5 year old daughter and a six month old son. I'm a proud member of Soroptimist International of Poway and work closely with the Poway Chamber of Commerce.
Chris Olps: Systems Engineer
Barry Leonard: Retired business owner/current City Councilmember
Q: Why are you seeking this office?
Phil Factor: I am running for Poway City Council District 2, because I want to ensure the needs of the community come first. I moved to Poway over 40 years ago with my wife. We have raised our two sons here and it has been one of our greatest decisions ever. I am deeply rooted and devoted to the community. I have worked as a teacher for 42 years, as well as a counselor, coach, and community advocate. I have provided guidance and support to my students and their families. And going forward I want to do the same for my community.
Caylin Frank: Choosing where to raise your children is a hugely important decision. When we chose Poway, it was because of it's community values, top-notch amenities and safe neighborhoods. With my background in local government and public policy, I am able to use that experience to be a better advocate for South Poway residents. As the only woman with young children on the council (or running), I represent a perspective that has not had a voice on the council in some time. Many people come to Poway and stay in Poway to raise their families and we need to think about the future of Poway for the next generation. South Poway is a wonderful community that is continuing to get even better and I will represent residents well as I continue to advocate for things like park improvements, safer streets, and better commercial destinations to enjoy.
Chris Olps: South Poway has been unrepresented for far too long. I have been advocating for our values in issues like appointment reform, gerrymandered districts, preserving Big Stone Lodge, and most recently the Fairfield development.
Barry Leonard: Continue to improve the City
Q: In light of recent calls for reforms to law enforcement policies and practices, where do you think Poway gets it right and where do you see room for improvement?
Phil Factor: Poway is consider one of the safe places to live, thanks to our outstanding Sheriff Department. Most of our Sheriff Deputies have told me that they really like working for the City of Poway. The are well trained and true professionals. Reforms I would like to see. I would like to see them work more with getting to know our youth in positive ways. I would like to see them visit our students at Poway High and Abraxas, working on earning trust and respect through positive experiences. I also would like to see our Sheriff walk the communities and get to know the people in neighborhoods.
Caylin Frank: First, I think Poway gets it right by contracting with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Not only is it the most fiscally responsible use of taxpayer dollars to provide law enforcement services, but we get a quality of service that would be hard to provide on our own. We also have access to important specialized units that may not be needed everyday, but are critical when the time comes. I have made it clear to our law enforcement leadership that they need be partners in our community and I think we saw that in the cooperation between deputies and protesters during our recent protests. There is always room for improvement and learning from past experiences. Communication between law enforcement and our residents can always be improved and it's important that our deputies have continued training in mental health intervention, homeless outreach, anti-bias education and de-escalation techniques.
Chris Olps: Poway outsources to the county for law enforcement. This allows for reduced liability and a shared cost for more diverse resources. Poway can improve by using government allotted money that should be spent locally for resources such as mental health and homelessness, but that continues to be spent in other communities.
Barry Leonard: Law Enforcement in Poway is under contract with the County for Sheriff services. The Sheriff Department in Poway continues to perform a difficult job in a very professional manner. Poway is consistently rated the safest city in the County. However, the cost of Public safety consumes a majority of our budget when added to the Poway Fire Dept. We need to be aware of the cost. The Sheriff Department provides a mix of specialized personnel to meet the unique needs of Poway. This includes traffic, patrol, detective and juvenile deputies and their support staff. Poway pays for a Deputy to be assigned at Poway High and to cover other Poway schools as needed. The City Council and City Manager determine the number of people and the mix of coverage. Policing is changing and our Deputies need to handle frequent calls that involve mental health and the increased use of drugs. These people are not necessarily criminals and require more sociology/psychology than law enforcement. Specialized positions like PERT are in constant demand to handle these calls. Better and more treatment facilities are also needed. It is not appropriate to say that all Law Enforcement needs to change. This is especially not true in Poway. The Sheriffs Department as a whole needs to review their tactics and personnel and make changes only where necessary.
Q: What is your position on future development of the land in the Hwy 67/Poway grade area?
Phil Factor: I live on Iron Mountain Drive "In the City in the Country" I am absolutely against any future development that would alter the community up here. I have been a leader up in this region since 1988 protecting it as Poway's open rural space. NO on future development.
Caylin Frank: A recent pre-development conference asked the city council to provide feedback on a proposed commercial orchid farm and residence on a parcel at this location. The feedback I shared was that this land is ideal for agriculture, but it should maintain our scenic corridor. Something like orchards or vineyards as opposed to large-scale commercial warehouses would be appropriate. I would especially like to see any kind of agricultural proposal include areas open to the public that might be used for educational opportunities and resident enjoyment.
Chris Olps: These areas are all zoned either RR-A or OS. The city should be doing everything it can to preserve the integrity of the low zoning, and respect the intent of Prop FF.
Barry Leonard: These properties are mostly 40 acre parcels and there is no city water/sewer available. We have only received one request for development in recent history. It was for large greenhouses on the corner of 67/Poway Rd. This City Council did not support it as it was inconsistent with the surrounding area and view scape. If a property owner wants to develop their land within the zoning requirements they have the right to do so. Commercial uses will require a Conditional Use Permit from the Council that may or may not be approved.
Q: What is your position on forming a City “Planning Commission” to help oversee developments in Poway?
Phil Factor: This is Phil Factor's plan: I will Implement a Planning and Development Steering Committee which will allow the residence and businesses owner the opportunity share their thoughts. This will ensure shared decisions making with transparency. (My platform on the ballot....Poway City Council Meeting 9/15/2020 Item #13)
Caylin Frank: In a small town like Poway, we do not need more bureaucracy. The City offers pre-development conferences for any project, which is not something all cities offer. This is a great opportunity for residents and councilmembers to evaluate future proposals before they come to the city council for a vote. The public and councilmembers can offer feedback, share concerns and make suggestions that the applicant can then incorporate into the project.
Chris Olps: The City of Poway currently pays nearly $300 thousand dollars for an economic development director. Council frequently states that “Poway is almost built out”. I believe that a volunteer based planning commission, with representation from each district, is a more appropriate solution for an “almost built out” city than a single highly paid individual.
Barry Leonard: The City Council acts as the Planning Commission. We form specific committees as necessary to gather community input when necessary. This was the case when the Poway Road Specific Plan was created to have a framework for future development along Poway Road.
Q: Prop FF, approved by Poway voters in 1988, requires voter approval of land use changes to certain property if such changes would increase the density or intensify the use permitted. Do you think the proposition is vulnerable to being challenged in the courts or by the state of California?
Phil Factor: Prop FF has been one of the greatest safeguards for the Poway Community. I am concerned that it could be under future attack because of State mandates. I will do all I can as your next City Council Member to protect our City in the Country and stand behind Prop FF.
Caylin Frank: I would not support any efforts to weaken or eliminate Prop FF. That said, the rhetoric and legislation from Sacramento is very concerning for voter approval initiatives like ours. The legislature continues to pass overreaching laws that erode local control and I would not rule out the possibility of Prop FF being evaluated by the courts.
Chris Olps: Yes, I believe Prop FF is vulnerable.
Barry Leonard: Absolutely. There is an effort by many of the Sacramento lawmakers to eliminate Local Control in all cities, especially in regard to housing density. Recently, a law was passed to allow Auxiliary Dwelling Units in single family neighborhoods. These ADUs can allow a home owner to add 1 or 2 additional housing units to an existing home without regard to parking or neighborhood opposition. Local City regulations are over ruled and relaxed permitting must be given. This also applies to private neighborhoods with HOA control. This law alone has the potential to change existing neighborhoods into crowded multifamily areas with no available parking. This past year there were many bills submitted to the legislature that would reduce Local Control and increase density in our Cities. One of these bills would have invalidated Poway's Prop FF. Many of them didn't get to the Governor due to the shortened session. I expect that these efforts will continue and that Prop FF will be declared an illegal anti housing measure.
Q: What has the City of Poway done well in response to COVID-19 and what could the city have done better to support its small businesses and citizens during this pandemic?
Phil Factor: The Covid -19 has hurt our small /large business and citizens in Poway. This has been a struggle for everyone. I think our City has reached out and helped ( small business loans, restaurant tables for outdoor dining, non -fee open parks usage for fitness/exercise business/ and places of worship) the City has de-regulated signs to promote businesses. The City of Poway has promoted health and safety with reminder signs throughout the community. I think most of our residence did stay home from March- July and continue to wear masks when in public. PUSD is doing the best they can in working to educate our youth in school. Health Stats on Covid 19 are available daily so the public here is well informed. I think the old saying we "ALL NEED TO HANG IN THERE" together our City will get through this together.
Caylin Frank: The City of Poway has taken unprecedented steps to support our local businesses and residents while following all state and county health orders. We created the small business loan program (PEARL) funded by our reserves and we eased restrictions to allow expanded outdoor operations. We've provided picnic tables on loan and offered a free signage kit to help businesses comply with required guidelines. We opened our parks to outdoor fitness classes and will be significantly expanding residents' ability to do city business online through new software programs. I will continue to work closely with the Chamber and our business community to support small businesses during this difficult time and into the future.
Chris Olps: Poway has a serious problem with a very limited selection of internet providers. The pandemic has highlighted this problem to the extreme. The city needs to take action to resolve this. I propose Poway identify the internet as a public utility. The effects of this are significant as it can help with budget issues, create jobs, benefit small businesses, residents working from home and students.
Barry Leonard: The City of Poway is in the forefront of supporting our local businesses. We allocated $2m for low interest, small business loans intended to subsidize struggling businesses. We also created a program to provide free picnic tables to local restaurants and to relax the regulations on outside dining. These tables will be redeployed to our parks when no longer needed by the restaurants. The City also created a plan to allow local exercise businesses and houses of worship to use our open space in our parks. These programs have been beneficial to our businesses. The City of Poway is required to follow the directives of the Governor and the County Health Officer. As much as we may like to, we do not have the discretion to allow go against the higher powers.
Q: Proposition 15 – often referred to as Split Roll -- would amend the California State Constitution to require commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value, rather than a property's purchase price, with annual increases equal to the rate of inflation or 2 percent, whichever is lower, as it has been done under the existing Prop 13. Do you support or oppose this proposition and why?
Phil Factor: I am against Prop 15 because it is the wrong timing to implement this on businesses. Many business are struggling with the recession caused by the Covid -19. Businesses should not be taxed more. Let's find ways to help our business get back their earnings...not run them out of the State of California.
Caylin Frank: I absolutely oppose Proposition 15, it would be devastating to our local businesses during a time when they are already struggling to survive. By creating skyrocketing and unpredictable property tax bills, businesses will see soaring rents and residents will see our high cost of living rise even higher as the cost of doing business grows. Proposition 15 is bad for business and bad for residents.
Chris Olps: I have strong reservations based on past propositions from the state, that have been similar in nature. Funds have been misappropriated in the past furthering many of California’s budget issues. I have no position at this time, but I will be following this closely as it may provide additional city and school funding.
Barry Leonard: This is an effort by Sacramento to tax all of us under the guise of equality. They claim it will only affect the big businesses and big landlords while small business owners will get a break and the schools will benefit. This is harmful to all. Big business and big landlords DO NOT PAY TAXES. Their taxes are passed along as higher prices and paid by their customers, you and me. Small business depends on big business to survive. Small business also rents from big landlords. Small business will hire less people and raise prices to pay higher rent. The average person will pay a high price if Prop 15 passes. Jobs will be lost. The taxpayers already pay for the schools but the funds are spent elsewhere instead of flowing to the classrooms. This formula needs to be fixed. The people behind Prop 15 have stated that they will come after homeowners next.
Q: List your top priorities as a Poway City Council member.
Phil Factor: I, Phil Factor will be a representative who listens, cares, and works hard to find solutions with a collective focus. I will put people first. I will work for you.
Caylin Frank: Public safety and ensuring our city remains the safest in the county.
Supporting our small businesses and promoting our local economy. Advocating for park and open space enhancements and responsible revitalization of commercial centers. Protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring they are spent wisely to best serve our residents. Focusing on our future by using long-term vision to keep our city thriving.Chris Olps: Infrastructure, Budget, Development
Barry Leonard: Continue to keep our residents safe.
Continue to improve the quality of life for all. Continue to spend less than we take in. Continue to hire and train incredible employees. Leave the City better than I found it.