Public Policy Advocacy

• Author and proponent of the successful 2025 referendum seeking voter approval of the City Council’s proposed pay increase. Voters rejected the proposed pay increase by a 56% to 44% margin.
• Author and proponent of a City Charter amendment requiring permanent voter approval for changes to City Council compensation and benefits.
• Author and proponent of Measure M(opens in new tab) (2018), the successful citizens’ initiative limiting short-term vacation rentals.

City Council Work (2020–2024)

Government

• Brought forth Ordinance to implement City Council’s Inquiry Authority per the City Charter. This important ordinance clarifies the Council-Manager relationship and codifies the free speech protections afforded to each member of the City Council.
• Brought forth Ordinance to implement signing of legal documents by the Mayor per the City Charter. This important ordinance ensures Council oversight via signature authority.
• Brought forth Ordinance to implement Mayor Pro Tempore duties and responsibilities per the City Charter.
• Member of the City Council Subcommittee to hire a new City Manager.
• Member of the City Council Subcommittee to hire a new City Attorney.

Finance

• Proposed that City Council pay increases be approved by the voters.
• Initiated an actuarial analysis of the City’s CalPERS Miscellaneous and Safety Plans.
• Brought forth financial analysis of Golf Course and Local Water Project Operations.
• Brought forth monthly reporting of all City-issued checks (check register).
• Fought for 10% down payment for any water entitlement sold under promissory notes.

Land Use

• Introduced a Council goal to explore and assess the grandfathering of existing non-conforming “granny units” as part of the Council’s affordable housing priority.
• Brought forth Ballot Measure Q (2024), which successfully strengthened the City’s longstanding prohibition of timeshares.
• Member of the City Council Parklet Subcommittee that brought forth outside dining and safety improvements, including an extended sidewalk for permanent outside dining at the southwest corner of Lighthouse and Fountain.
• Voted for the four-way stop option, instead of a roundabout, at the Congress and Sunset Intersection.
• Lone vote opposing the initial design of the ATC Hotel Project (The California Coastal Commission agreed and appealed the Council’s majority vote seventeen days later).
• Brought forth Ordinance to increase short-term vacation rental penalties.
• Inquiry of Homekey project developer Shangri-La Industries.
• Liaison to the City’s Planning Commission.

Environment

• Brought forth Baseline Biological Assessment for a revised George Washington Park Master Plan.
• Initiated better protection of the Monterey Pine Forest, including a budget recommendation to hire a full-time City Forester.
• Brought forth CWPAC implementation plan — including the formation of a permanent Wildlife Protection Subcommittee.
• Brought forth Ordinance to limit roadwork along Oceanview Blvd during seal pupping season.
• Liaison to the City’s Beautification and Natural Resources Commission (BNRC).

Transparency

• Brought forth City Council Policy allowing public comment from remote (Zoom) participants at meetings of legislative bodies.
• Brought forth contract amendment with AMP Media allowing more local broadcasts of City Council meetings as well as live streaming on YouTube and Facebook.
• Brought forth City Council Policy limiting use of electronic communication devices (cell phone / texting) during City Council meetings.
• Brought forth City Council Policy allowing all City Council members to receive correspondence sent to our Boards, Committees, and Commissions.

Miscellaneous

• Brought forth recommendation to list Chautauqua Hall on the National Register of Historic Places. Chautauqua Hall was officially listed on January 12, 2026.
• Brought forth concept to reestablish a trolley service into downtown.
• Proud supporter of the Youth Ambassador program.
• One of the four councilmembers to vote yes on allowing the 2022 Pet Parade.

Professional Career

I spent 29 years with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) designing, building, and deploying chemical sensors. I am the co-inventor of the ISUS nitrate sensor, which is used throughout the world for dissolved nutrient analysis and modeling. Research publications that I contributed to can be found on my Research Gate page. I am happily retired and remain actively engaged in public policy issues.