Agenda Breakdown
By Agenda Breakdown
Agenda BreakdownSep 27, 2021
Housing Matters, Part 1: the Evolution of Zoning
There are not enough affordable homes for all of the people who want to live in San Luis Obispo. At the same time, there seems to be a lot of empty commercial space. So why not just convert those empty storefronts to places where people can live?
The answer is so complicated that it's going to take more than one episode to explain it. This is the first conversation in a series about how public policy and public input affect how cities make housing decisions.
In this episode, I talk with Peter Brown, the director of Public Works for the City of Belmont, California, about the evolution of zoning laws.
This is more of a homework assignment than a typical action item. The goal is to learn about zoning so you'll be ready when it's action time.
Read the recent NYT article about this issue: "American Cities Have a Conversion Problem, and It’s Not Just Offices" (gift link).
Take a look at the zoning map and regulations for the City of SLO.
Learn about the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO).
Episode produced by Jordan Triebel. Music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for updates and action opportunities. Subscribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or where you get your podcasts—and if you liked the show, please leave us a review!
Should SLO have more housing downtown?
Like most cities, San Luis Obispo has laws on the books that limit the construction of new housing—because having too much housing in a given neighborhood used to be a common concern. Times have changed, and the lack of affordable housing has topped the city's list of priorities in recent years. So city leaders are proposing a plan that would remove some of the obstacles to building more housing units in the city's downtown core. Michael Codron, community development director for the city of SLO, joined me to talk about the Downtown Flexible Density Program and what it may mean for the future of housing in downtown SLO.
Action Item:
The Open City Hall survey on downtown housing is open through Wednesday, Feb. 15. I'll post a link in the show notes, or you can access it directly at slocity.org/OpenCityHall. After the survey closes, this topic will go to the Planning Commission on Feb. 22 and then to city council on March 21. If you want to stay informed about those meetings and other opportunities to give feedback to city leaders, subscribe to the city's email notifications at slocity.org. I'll put a direct link in the show notes.
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
Help SLO decide how to set its budget priorities
Every other January, the city of SLO hosts a public workshop where residents can weigh in on the city's spending priorities for the next two-year budget cycle. I spoke with Whitney Szentesi, the public communications manager for the City of SLO, about how the budget process works and what to expect at the community forum.
Action item:
Before you go to the community forum on Jan. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ludwick Community Center, take a look at the results of the online survey that closed last month. Reading some of the 1,300 responses may help guide your thoughts about your own priorities.
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
How should SLO tackle climate change?
San Luis Obispo adopted an ambitious climate action goal in 2020: to become carbon-neutral by 2035. Since then, there's been progress in green electricity, active transportation, organic waste reduction, and more. Now the city has drafted a Climate Action Work Program that will guide its actions in the next several years.
Chris Read, San Luis Obispo's sustainability manager, talks about the six pillars of the Climate Action Plan, the role of environmental justice, and how community members can help shape future climate initiatives.
Action item:
Take a look at the "Public Review Draft of the Climate Action Plan Work Program," then go to slocity.org/OpenCityHall to submit your thoughts by Nov. 16.
While you're there, weigh in on SLO's first Strategic Plan to Prevent and Address Homelessness (Nov. 19 deadline) and the fire department's upcoming strategic plan (Nov. 14).
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
Election 2022: a bond measure that aims to make SLO schools safer
Aging classrooms, leaky roofs, broken toilets and nonexistent fences. That's what supporters of Measure C-22 hope to fix with a local school bond proposal that voters in the San Luis Obispo Coast Unified School District will weigh in on in the Nov. 8 election.
I spoke with Jay Beck, a community banker who is one of three co-chairs on the “Taxpayers for Safe Schools" committee, to find out how school bonds work and what C-22 would do.
UPDATE: Since this interview was recorded, I learned that there was a typo on the Nov. 8 ballot. A percent sign was used instead of a cent sign in the description of the school bond Measure C-22. The correct bond rate is 4.9 CENTS per $100 of assessed value (not 4.9%—oops).
Action Item:
When your ballot and voter guide arrive in the mail, read the section on Measure C-22 to get acquainted with the full text of the measure. You can find the same information online at the County Clerk-Recorder's website. Conveniently, that's also where you can make sure you are registered to vote at your current address. You have until Oct. 24 to register online, and you can register in person on election day.
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
What does it take to run a local political campaign?
The countdown to the Nov. 8 election has begun, and you're probably seeing signs of it all over SLO County. Literal signs—yard signs—are popping up all over our neighborhoods, and mailboxes will soon be bursting with campaign materials for city council candidates, school board candidates and more.
In this episode, I wanted to put a spotlight on the less visible aspects of those political campaigns, because what I've come to realize in recent years is that running for office as a local, grassroots politician takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and money.
My guest is Quinn Brady, a Los Osos resident and community organizer who has worked on dozens of local political campaigns.
Action items:
- First and foremost, make sure you're registered to vote at your current address—the most important way to support your local candidates is to vote!
- If you aren't sure who is running or which candidates share your priorities, read the candidates' campaign statements and find their websites on the city and county election pages.
- Identify one local candidate whose campaign you'd like to support, and let them know that you appreciate the work they're doing. That appreciation can take many different forms, from making a donation to volunteering at events to offering to serve on a campaign team.
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes and follow us on social media.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
How can San Luis Obispo fix its diversity problem?
It's no secret that San Luis Obispo lacks the diversity of California at large. According to the latest census estimates, more than two-thirds of SLO County residents identified as white, compared to about one-third statewide. In 2020, the Black Lives Matter protests in SLO put a spotlight on some of the challenges faced by marginalized community members here. In response, the city created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, which came up with a list of recommendations that the city council approved unanimously in January 2021.
In this episode, I talk with Beya Makekau, SLO's first manager of diversity, equity and inclusion, about what the city's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has done to follow up on those recommendations—and how she plans to transform SLO into a more welcoming community.
Action item: The deadline for nonprofit organizations to apply for a DEI grant is Aug. 31. The city is offering up to $300,000 for programming that advances the city's goal of making the community feel more welcoming to all.
Also, keep an eye out for Diversity Speaker Series events. Find out about them by subscribing to the city's email updates and selecting "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion."
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes and follow us on social media.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
Will a change in city law make housing more affordable?
There are many reasons to love San Luis Obispo, but the cost of housing isn't one of them. Tuesday night, SLO City Council will consider an update to its Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that could lead to the construction of more affordable homes. Maybe.
I spoke with Rachel Kovesdi of Kovesdi Consulting about the ordinance, the proposed update, and what a housing policy change may mean for out-priced home seekers.
Action item: You can access the proposed update on the city council agenda and on Open City Hall. Questions can go to housing@slocity.org, and of course, you can submit public comment by email, phone, or during the meeting on Tuesday.
This won't be the last time housing issues will come up, so I recommend subscribing to the city's e-notification list so you can stay informed about housing-related workshops, documents and hearings.
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes and follow us on social media. You can also find us and subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
What will happen to SLO's parklets?
The temporary Open SLO program that brought parklets to downtown San Luis Obispo is set to expire this month. On July 5 and 19, City Council will consider a plan to make those parklets permanent. I spoke with Adam Fukushima and Luke Schwartz from SLO's Public Works Department to find out what the city is proposing.
Action item: Take a look at the new Outdoor Dining Guide draft at openslo.org. When that draft comes to the city council next week, you can share your thoughts by emailing, calling or showing up in person to give public comment. The July 5 meeting agenda has all you need to know.
Technical note: We had some audio issues that made our sound quality less than ideal. Apologies for the glitch.
This episode was produced by Samantha Riordan, with music by Wes Bisheff. If you liked the show, you can go to agendabreakdown.com to listen to past episodes and follow us on social media. You can also find us and subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.
Want to support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber? Details at agendabreakdown.com.
Is SLO County facing a democratic crisis?
SLO County residents will have the opportunity to vote for a county supervisor on June 7. My guest, Cal Poly political science professor Michael Latner, explains what our supervisors do, who can (and can't) vote in this election, and exactly what's at stake.
Action item: May 23 is the voter registration deadline. Check your voter status to make sure you're registered at the correct address. The county clerk-recorder's website is the place for local election information. For an impartial guide to everything else on the ballot, take a look at the CalMatters 2022 Voter Guide.
This episode was produced by Francisco Martinez with original music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for update and action opportunities. Subscribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can now support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber. Details at agendabreakdown.com.
How should a city grow and change? SLO has a plan for that
As San Luis Obispo grows, the city must decide where to build housing, how residents will get around, how to manage water and open space, and more. The roadmap for that growth and development is called the General Plan. SLO City Council will hear an update on the city's General Plan next week. My guest, Steve Peck of Peck Planning and Development, talks about what's in the plan, and why this meeting is an opportunity for community members to check in.
Action item: Find the General Plan Annual Report in the city council agenda packet, and read it—yes, read it. It's written in plain language that will help you understand what progress has been made on the issues you care about. If you have questions, email city council or city staff, or come to the April 19 city council meeting to give public comment.
This episode was produced by Francisco Martinez with original music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for update and action opportunities. Subscribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
New! You can now support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber for 99 cents per month. Details at agendabreakdown.com.
What's all the fuss about roundabouts?
San Luis Obispo County is working on a plan to build two roundabouts on Highway 227, and public sentiment about it is mixed. Cal Poly transportation engineering professor Anurag Pande (@PolyProfPande) helps me explore the science of roundabouts and the complicated feelings that surface in neighborhoods where they're being introduced.
Action item: Learn about the background and timeline of the roundabouts project on the County Department of Public Works project page. Scroll down to the FAQs that address some myths about roundabouts and how to use them if you're on foot or on a bike. You'll have an opportunity to give public comment when this goes to the County Supervisors later this spring. I'll be sure to give you a heads-up.
This episode was produced by Francisco Martinez with original music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for update and action opportunities. Subscribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
New! You can now support Agenda Breakdown by becoming a subscriber for 99 cents per month. Details at agendabreakdown.com.
How is San Luis Obispo spending your money?
It's mid-year checkup time for the San Luis Obispo city budget. City manager Derek Johnson explains how our city funds are being spent, what kinds of changes we may see at the Feb. 15 city council meeting, and how you can weigh in.
Action item: Read the staff recommendations in the city council agenda: slocity.org/agendas, then contact city council with your thoughts about expenditures that align with our major city goals. You can submit your comments by email, voicemail or during public comment at the virtual meeting.
Bonus item: Play the CalMatters budget surplus game to see how your state budget priorities align with Gov. Newsom's. Who knew budgets could be fun?
Episode produced by Francisco Martinez. Music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for update and action opportunities. Subcribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts—and if you liked the show, please leave us a review!
Civics 101: public meetings, demystified
Have you ever been to a city council meeting? Odds are good that the answer is no. After all, weeknights are really busy when you've got a job to wake up for, kids to tuck in, rent to worry about ...
But here's the thing. The relatively small number of community members who DO attend public meetings don't often represent the range of backgrounds and priorities that exist in the community at large. One of the reasons I started this podcast was to encourage more types of people to participate in local government. Cities need diverse participation in order to have fair representation.
So the goal of this episode is to make city council and other public meetings seem more approachable. Journalist Robin Epley helps me break it down: how public meetings are structured, how to participate, how to make sure your voice is heard when you don't have hours to spare.
Action Item: Read the article Robin wrote when she covered government for at the Enterprise-Record in Chico: "How do city council meetings work? Here’s a primer." Then go to San Luis Obispo's website and subscribe to their email updates so you'll know when an issue you care about is coming up for a vote.
Bonus Item: Make a pledge to speak during public comment or email your council members at least once this year. If you can do that, you'll be helping to make sure citizens like you are represented when local decisions are made.
Episode produced by Francisco Martinez. Music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for update and action opportunities. Subcribe to Agenda Breakdown on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts—and if you liked the show, please leave us a review!
What does "redistricting" mean and why should we care?
There's been a lot of chatter lately about redistricting, which is a process that SLO County is going through right now. If you heard about it and your eyes glazed over, don't worry, you're not alone. Cal Poly political science professor Michael Latner talks with me about what redistricting means, how SLO County's district boundaries can impact our lives, and how we can all have a say on boundary maps.
Action item: look at the draft maps to see how your district would be affected, then email the county supervisors about your preferences: redistricting@co.slo.ca.us. You can also give public comment during the Nov. 19 meeting. Agenda will post here.
Episode produced by Francisco Martinez. Music by Wes Bisheff. Follow Agenda Breakdown on Instagram for update and action opportunities.
A new home for the SLO police station
San Luis Obispo's police station is old and run-down. Is a new Public Safety Center the solution? This question will come to city council at a time when cities are reimagining what local law enforcement and community safety should look like. City Engineer Brian Nelson talks with me about what the project would entail.
Action item: read the staff report and submit public comment before the Nov. 2 city council study session.
Episode produced by Francisco Martinez. Music by Wes Bisheff.
What happens when the mayor resigns?
On Sept. 21, San Luis Obispo mayor Heidi Harmon stepped down with more than a year left in her term. I talk with SLO city clerk Teresa Purrington about how city council plans to fill the vacancy and how SLO residents can weigh in on the decision.
Action item: submit public comment before the Oct. 5 city council meeting.
Produced by Francisco Martinez. Music by Wes Bisheff.