Politics & Government

City Council Candidate Q&A: Tracy Jensen

Alameda Patch has compiled information about the candidates running for office in the Nov. 2 election. School board member Tracy Jensen is one of eight hopefuls vying for two seats on Alameda's City Council.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? I am running for the City Council because I have the experience and the skills to get Alameda City hall back on track. Alameda is facing several critical opportunities, and I have the ability to meet those challenges:

(1) The City Council must hire a permanent City Manager. I am the only candidate that has hired two successful public agency managers (superintendents) with public input and without controversy.  I am the only candidate with job responsibilities that include hiring, evaluating, disciplining and releasing city staff. I know what an effective evaluation plan and process should be, and I understand the role of the City Council, the City Manager, city staff and Alameda residents. 

(2) The City Council must move forward on Alameda Point. I am the only candidate that has job experience putting out city funds for competitive bidding.  There are other candidates that have experience, as I do, in negotiating with contractors, hiring a project manager, and approving public works projects. But I am the only candidate that has successfully closed public facilities (Woodstock, Longfellow and Miller schools) in order to relocate staff and students to a new facility (Ruby Bridges School). My decision to oppose Measure B came after thorough review of the proposal and extensive discussion with school district and city staff.  Only after the public forums was it clear that the proposal did not meet the needs of Alameda public school students, nor did it contain any plans to address the traffic burden.   I grew up in Alameda when the naval base was thriving and Harbor Bay Isle was not yet imagined.  It was only by working together that the City Council was able to develop the Bay Farm Island parcels and close the Alameda Naval Air Station.  That cooperation is not happening now and until it does there won't be any development at Alameda Point.

Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

(3) The City Council must address the public safety worker pension expenses and negotiate a contract with the firefighters union. I am the only candidate that has successfully negotiated public employee contracts. I am the only candidate who has implemented city budget reductions by laying off staff–after negotiating the layoffs with two public employee unions.  On the school board I have successfully negotiated contracts over eight years with three different unions.  I have the experience to ensure that our public safety workers are fairly compensated despite the economic uncertainties.

(3) The City Council must stop the contentious communication and partisan decision-making. The role of the City Council is to share information, inform debate and make decisions that best address the City's mission. One of the reasons for the public's distrust is the lack of a clear requirement for disclosure of information to the public. I will support a specific Sunshine ordinance, similar to those in other local cities. I am the only candidate with public contracting experience—as a city administrator I have developed applications, vetted proposals, and awarded publicly-funded contracts to local organizations in compliance with Brown Act and Sunshine requirements.  I understand the communication between the City Council, the City staff, and the public because I am required as part of my job to prepare and present staff recommendations for action to a City Council.  My ability to address critical issues is evident in all of my professional and elected experience.  

Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What will be your single most important priority if you are elected? My immediate priority will be the hiring of a permanent City Manager.  My most important priority will be addressing the land use at Alameda Point.

What sets you apart from other candidates? I am the only candidate that has hired two permanent agency directors, reviewed and evaluated public agency staff and managers, managed a budget of $2.5 million in City General Funds, made budget cuts and laid off public employee union-represented staff, negotiated public employee contracts with union representatives, closed and opened public facilities, analyzed data and made recommendations directly to city, state and federal decision makers.

Where do you work and what is your job title? I work for the City of Oakland, and my title is Senior Services Administrator.

Age and birthplace? 49, Oakland

Children? Julian, age 9

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when: Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Associate of Science in Physiology, Cal State East Bay, 1987 . Masters' degrees in Business Administration and Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA 1990

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office? Elected Alameda Unified School District Trustee in 2002, re-elected in 2006.

Have you ever run before for an elected public office? In addition to two successful campaigns for the school board I ran unsuccessfully for the Alameda City Council in 2008.

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign, both total spending and personal? I am running a local, grassroots campaign, and I expect to spend less than $5,000. 

How long have you lived in Alameda? I've lived in Alameda for a total of about 30 years.

What's your favorite thing about Alameda? My neighbors.

What is the biggest problem in Alameda? A state budget system that continues to reduce funding for public schools, local infrastructure and safety net programs for needy residents.


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