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Election Q&A with Oceanside City Council candidates

OCEANSIDE — Nearly all Oceanside mayoral, council and city treasurer candidates participated in The Coast News’ questionnaire about their stances on local issues before the November election.

Incumbent Mayor Esther Sanchez will face Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim, who will forgo seeking reelection in District 3 for a shot at the mayor’s seat.

Four candidates, Jimmy Figueroa, Tom DeMooy, Laura Bassett, and Austin Sorensen, are vying for the District 3 council seat.

In District 4, incumbent Councilmember Peter Weiss will face Amber Kae Niuatoa and Omar Hashimi.

As for the city treasurer’s office, incumbent City Treasurer Victor Roy will face challengers Phyllis Dominguez, a local businesswoman, and Jack Fernandes, an experienced businessman and treasurer.

City Clerk Zeb Navarro is running unopposed in this election.

Can the state-mandated housing requirements be balanced while maintaining local control? Does the RHNA process need to be reformed, and if so, what would that look like?

MAYOR

SANCHEZ: Oceanside’s RHNA requirements, 5,443 dwelling units, have always been planned for and included in our Housing Element. Our plan is based on sound smart growth policies — higher densities along major transportation corridors, maintaining our city’s character and zoning laws. There is absolutely no need for the state to pass laws that take away local control. What these unconscionable state laws have done is transfer significant development costs to the cities and destroy neighborhoods.

Developers are the only entities that have benefited. These laws have NOT increased affordable housing or lessened homeless counts. Reforms are badly needed, beginning with restoring our city’s local control. Funding should be made available to cities, which would then be available to builders on a competitive basis, including which projects would provide the best, architecturally superior residential projects and most affordable units, consistent with our city’s character and zoning laws.

KEIM: The city of Oceanside is working diligently to provide new housing at all levels of affordability while also protecting the character of our neighborhoods and community. We can do that successfully without the one-size-fits-all mandates, including “density bonus” legislation from the state that doesn’t take into account the nuances of our unique city. These misguided policies from Sacramento have the ability to drastically alter our unique neighborhoods and outpace existing infrastructure. Additionally, the RHNA calculations should be established with much more municipal input that actually responds to the needs and desires of our residents. 

DISTRICT 3

DeMOOY: Yes, we need to carefully balance the projects throughout Oceanside neighborhoods and where these projects will be built. We need to slow down development and look hard at making the right zone changes to our current Housing Element plan. Developers purchase property and build the maximum number of units allowed in the State of California, satisfying themselves and their own investors.

The City Council needs to act by looking at the traffic circulation, electric bike safety, bicycle and pedestrian safety, school locations, parks and our environmental issues should always be paramount and limit where we build. If elected, I would propose that South Oceanside be designated as a Historical District from Interstate 5 to the beach, from the lagoon to Oceanside Boulevard. This community can then initiate stricter zoning rules more favorable to the neighborhood. Nobody wants overdevelopment in South O. We needn’t too hastily build neighborhoods and then carelessly destroy others.

BASSETT: The Regional Housing Needs Assessment program is in urgent need of reform. In fact, all the state mandates regarding development need to be revised to return greater local control to city councils.  Unfortunately, changes to state law have made it impossible for us to balance anything with regard to housing requirements. My objection to the Regional Housing Needs law is that distant bureaucrats in Sacramento are telling us what we need to build without allowing the city to make its own decisions on what works best for Oceanside.

SORENSEN: While state mandates are a good starting point, they are very hard to control when it comes to so many different diverse cities like Oceanside. We are nowhere close to a Los Angeles type of city and should not be held to the same standards, but the minimum standards should be a statewide mandate. The RHNA is very interesting as it does separate people into four categories, which I think is not necessarily the correct category; we need to focus on individual home buyers and push out corporations buying up homes.

FIGUEROA: Compliance with state mandates presents a continuous challenge. Local data and community engagement are essential for effectively implementing state mandates, especially in addressing affordable housing in Oceanside. Prioritizing plans that reflect community needs requires a data-driven approach while ensuring compliance with state regulations. Reforming the RHNA process to adjust income-level distributions would allow Oceanside to build housing that aligns with its unique economic and demographic landscape without compromising existing and future infrastructure demands.

Reforming flexibility in timelines and allocations would enable better accommodation of local growth patterns and infrastructure readiness and prevent overdevelopment. Emphasizing the jobs-housing balance is crucial, as Oceanside currently has a jobs-to-housing ratio of 0.83, significantly lower than nearby cities. This disparity leads to a high percentage of residents commuting long distances for work. By concentrating on housing close to jobs and public transportation, Oceanside can better address its residents’ needs and create a more sustainable community.

DISTRICT 4

HASHIMI: All cities in the state of California lack local control, including Oceanside. That doesn’t mean we can’t ask for thoughtful housing projects. Developers have demonstrated a willingness to work with city officials. We can ask for attractive projects that have more parking, but we cannot stop them from building. The RHNA process is clearly flawed. We cannot change it at a city level. It is a state regulation, and our city officials need to ask that the process be modified. Now.

NIUATOA: There is a desire for local control against RHNA mandates. Although regaining complete local control may not be feasible, we can balance this process in other ways. Oceanside can implement another increase in our inclusionary housing requirement, raising its affordable housing minimum to 20%, thus matching neighboring cities like Carlsbad. At the same time, Oceanside can continue to pursue programs like No Place Like Home and grants that will incentivize developers to help us meet our low-income RHNA numbers. 

The RHNA process does need reform. Improvements could include increased state funding for infrastructure improvements on roads, water systems, and grids. State legislators can recruit more federal dollars to create more subsidies and grants to help cities like Oceanside realistically meet their RHNA requirements. RHNA requirements should also be tailored to Oceanside’s unique environmental constraints, existing infrastructure, and job-to-housing ratios.

WEISS: I do not believe we can balance state-mandated housing requirements and maintain local control. With the current State Density Bonus Laws in place, the State has effectively removed any local discretion over housing projects. I think the current RHNA process is fine – I understand the need for more housing in the state and believe there needs to be more housing across all income levels; however, the state should allow local agencies the ability to approve or deny projects based on the local agency’s criteria – not a one size fits all requirement across the entire state.

Some residents worry that providing more services for homeless individuals will impact their quality of life. What can you do to provide homeless services while also maintaining residents’ quality of life?

MAYOR

SANCHEZ: The city spends between $11 and $15 million on homeless-related activity every year, and our homeless numbers have increased. It is time to re-evaluate our approach and methodology with the help of experts in the field and the latest data, make changes that will actually lower our homeless numbers and stop wasteful spending. The latest homeless counts are reflective of higher rents and generally higher costs of living. We need to make a bigger effort to keep people in their homes. Overall, lessening our homeless numbers will actually increase our residents’ quality of life by keeping crime in check and homeless individuals off the streets.

KEIM: For decades, the city of Oceanside has shouldered an oversized burden of the response to the homeless crisis in North County due to the sheer amount of resources located here. These services have attracted a significant homeless population that may not have a nexus to Oceanside. While it is critical to provide these compassionate resources to those who will accept them, it is not fair for our residents and taxpayers to pay the bill for individuals needing services from across the county or state.

As a city we need to partner and coordinate with our neighboring jurisdictions to ensure everyone in the region is involved in addressing the homeless crisis. Just as importantly as providing services, we also need to enforce our quality-of-life laws and keep our residents safe by cleaning up dangerous encampments and proactively addressing crime.

DISTRICT 3

DeMOOY: We need not forget the homeless nor forget this issue. We have a chronic homeless issue in the Tri-City area, and the truth is I don’t have the answer to the “easy way” to help the homeless. Relocating the homeless, putting them in jail, or moving them to another spot will not solve this issue, but I do know over $24 billion state dollars in the last few years were spent to help our homeless, and all this money went to cities and charitable organizations with little or no results.

Our law enforcement needs to have the authority (without the fear of harassment from progressive groups) and the tools to stop drug manufacturing, stop organized gangs and stop selling drugs to our homeless and children. We need our stricter laws back and provide more rehab clinics for the addicts.

BASSETT: We need to make sure any services provided are done with the intent of getting people off the street. The navigation transition shelter is a perfect example of a model that gets people off the street with the intention of placement into housing. We can’t merely offer a bed only without providing real help to get people the physical and mental help they need.

SORENSEN: Our current resources are being used to help both housed individuals and unhoused individuals, so training and employing specialists to help with the unhoused individuals will allow the current first responders to be available and be better prepared for the situations that arise. Mental health is a major contributor to people becoming unhoused which is why we need to have people trained to deal with these situations so they can make sure less of the situations escalate and we can provide the correct resources to help them get off the streets.

FIGUEROA: As the former executive director of a local homeless shelter in North County serving Oceanside, I bring proven leadership in helping our unhoused community access essential services and transition back into housing. Successfully providing homeless services while maintaining quality of life requires effective coordination that benefits both individuals and the broader community. Prioritizing public safety is essential, and addressing quality-of-life issues necessitates collaboration with city staff, service providers, nonprofits and law enforcement using trauma-informed and data-driven best practices.

Enhancing outreach programs can connect homeless individuals with vital resources such as shelter, mental health services, treatment, mobile showers and job training while enhancing community safety. Engaging residents in this process ensures their voices are heard, and fosters trust. By balancing the needs of homeless individuals with community concerns, we can create an inclusive environment that promotes dignity and respect for all, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Oceanside.

DISTRICT 4

HASHIMI: Upon election, I will meet with service providers who are already in place here in Oceanside. Interfaith Community Services is doing a great job of addressing homeless issues in Escondido. I believe they can help us here also. San Diego Rescue Mission offers limited shelter and services to local homeless individuals. They currently have room for more residents. I will work with our city officials to place more people with needs in their facility, located away from homes and schools.

NIUATOA: The majority of homeless individuals in Oceanside are local residents, highlighting the need for affordable housing as a critical factor in maintaining a high quality of life for everyone. Seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, with many who have worked hard their entire lives now living in their cars or on the streets due to rising housing costs.

Veterans and families also represent a significant portion of the unhoused population, as even those who have served our country struggle to afford housing in our military town. This is why I strongly support environmentally responsible affordable housing developments that prioritize homes for veterans, seniors and families. Many of my students (some with families) are living in their cars, which is why I support the use of safe parking lots. These lots offer a secure place for people to sleep while also preventing them from parking on neighborhood streets.

WEISS: We all need to recognize the challenges of homelessness affect more than just the people living on the streets. Helping Oceanside’s homeless has been a priority, as it should be. This is a compassionate city, but compassion without accountability fails. Some of the city’s homeless residents are disruptive and resistant to services.

Yes, there are families and people who have had some bad breaks and want nothing more than to get back on their feet. We have plenty of services for them, but there are also people who willfully remove themselves from society, demonstrate unacceptable behavior and commit crimes that harm the rest of the community. We have to make it increasingly uncomfortable for the homeless to disrupt public spaces so they have a greater motivation to seek out services that provide housing, food, job training, health care and treatment of addiction.

How do you ensure fiscal responsibility? What are some ways that cities can raise revenues?

MAYOR

SANCHEZ: Before the state began passing mandatory housing laws, new development essentially paid for itself. Developers had to address all environmental impacts, including traffic, parking, and safety issues, along with aesthetics like landscaping and undergrounding utility lines. Now, they do not. Taking back local control will result in ensuring fiscal responsibility, requiring developers to once again pay for their own impacts.

The city is raising revenues via Measure X, a half-cent sales tax that is on the November ballot to extend for another 10 years. We are being fiscally responsible by ensuring routine and necessary maintenance of infrastructure, including roads, and helping to pay for public safety needs. Measure X helps keep essential projects moving forward by paying for engineering needs while researching the availability of grants to build those critical infrastructure projects, such as the rebuilding of the concrete part of the pier.

KEIM: Being a responsible steward of taxpayers’ money is one of the most important roles of local elected officials. City leaders need to focus on the core services a city provides (public safety, streets, water/sewer, etc.) and do so in the most efficient manner possible. Successfully focusing on these critical city services creates an environment that attracts new investment and business, ensures existing businesses can prosper and grows the tax base. This allows leaders to provide great public services without raising taxes.

DISTRICT 3

DeMOOY: We have something called the Innovate 78 Corridor. This five-city pledge Oceanside to Escondido adopted back in 2014 is to work together to attract and retain quality businesses along this corridor. Being a MainStreet Oceanside board member for over eight years and along with others we helped guide the future of MainStreet. I will work hard, along with our Economic Development Commission, to promote business and pledge to work together with our five cities to attract and retain business, create job opportunities and raise revenues along this corridor.

I will encourage small businesses and the cottage industry to open in South Oceanside along our historic Highway 101. I will also promote and retain biotech companies in our Rancho del Oro business parks. I will examine our tourism industry and find ways to improve it and bring in more revenue without impacting our surrounding communities and neighborhoods.

BASSETT: We need to ensure the city government is run efficiently and focus on the most important issues a city should, which include public safety, infrastructure and capital improvement, before spending the taxpayers’ money on issues that might be better addressed by the community and private organizations. The city can raise revenue by continuing to attract and support business, industry and residential growth. As a council member, I intend to be tough about spending by the city to ensure that residents are not burdened with an out-of-control bureaucracy.

SORENSEN: Sustainable spending and savings are a huge part of keeping a budget. While our city does get a lot of money from tourism, we also have so many fantastic businesses that call us home or have locations here. These businesses thrive off of tourism and citizens and allow the city to grow and gain revenue via taxes and money being kept in Oceanside. We need to be incentivizing more businesses to come here to get more of these funds and jobs. 

FIGUEROA: As a former CEO of a local nonprofit, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility in managing taxpayer money. To maximize resources effectively, we must empower city staff to create balanced budgets while collaborating with the council to meet community needs. One key strategy for raising revenue is addressing retail leakage, as Oceanside currently faces over $647 million in annual losses to nearby cities.

We can tackle this by developing programs for small businesses focused on customer personalization, using point-of-sale data for tailored offers, and enhancing local SEO and social media marketing. Additionally, providing incentives for new businesses can stimulate the local economy and improve our low jobs-to-housing ratio. By fostering a vibrant retail environment, we can retain more consumer spending, boosting revenue and supporting small businesses. Finally, strengthening our grant writing team with competitive salaries will help secure funding for youth programs, first responders, homeless services, and infrastructure needs.

DISTRICT 4

HASHIMI: Our city staff is cautious with revenues and spending. As a council member, I will be fully informed of where the money is going and how effective it will be. The funds from Measure X have helped us with infrastructure needs like street repairs. There’s much more work to do and that’s why I support voter approval of the next round of Measure X revenue. 

NIUATOA: I will practice fiscal responsibility by ensuring that new developments in Oceanside do not burden taxpayers. One effective way to raise revenue is by increasing developer impact fees, as those seeking profit from our city should contribute to infrastructure costs. For instance, while the Frontwave Arena is a beautiful facility, its infrastructure demands are being shouldered by Oceanside taxpayers. We can boost profits by promoting tourism beyond the downtown area.

Attractions like the historic San Luis Rey Mission, Frontwave Arena and Guajome Park host festivals and outdoor activities that draw tourists year-round. Additionally, I also support the establishment of cannabis dispensaries in Oceanside. As the third largest city in San Diego County, we are losing revenue by delaying the opening of the three approved dispensaries. With Vista operating 10 dispensaries at half our size, these businesses could significantly enhance our city’s revenue while catering to the cannabis tourism market.

WEISS: By adopting a balanced budget and focusing on providing core services. There is always the struggle between providing those services that are “have-to-haves” versus those that are “nice-to-have.” Public safety and reliable infrastructure are basic services that we need to have. We need to remember that governments at all levels do not make money – we take money from the taxpayers. We need to make sure that we are spending taxpayer money in a reasonable manner. For Oceanside, our primary general fund revenues are property and sales taxes. New commercial, industrial, office and residential developments all bring in additional revenues to the city.

What’s a decision the council made in the past term that you supported? Opposed?

MAYOR

SANCHEZ: I championed the acquisition of the former Ocean Shores school site for a homeless shelter, and I am very happy that it was a 5-0 vote. I disagreed with the decision on the operator, as well as the model, moving forward. Instead, I supported the staff’s recommendation of choosing Interfaith Community Services, as well as choosing Interfaith’s model, which would have allowed homeless individuals to stay at the shelter for up to 180 days, providing additional time to help stabilize previously homeless individuals and give them more time to come up with their next steps in housing, jobs. The decision on the operator was a 3-2 vote, with Councilmember Keim also voting no.

KEIM: Restoring our beaches and protecting the coastline has been one of my most important goals since joining the council in 2019. I brought our first project before the council more than four years ago and am extremely grateful we finally received unanimous support to move forward with the pilot project to replenish and retain sand known as RE:Beach. Hopefully, this pilot project will be permitted and funded in the next several years so we can take the first real step in decades to get sand back on our beaches. I disagree with the position our city is placed in regarding future development and growth.

Unfortunately, our Planning Commission and City Council have been forced to move forward on development projects that may not fit the surrounding neighborhoods or properly mitigate impacts under the threat of litigation. While these unfortunate decisions do not rest at the local level, we must partner with other local jurisdictions to fight for the ability to plan the growth of our cities at the local level. I recently authored a letter to the Governor and State Legislature opposing these policies and will continue to advocate for Oceanside’s future.

DISTRICT 3

DeMOOY: I disagree with the council not knowing the degree of chronic homelessness in our Tri-City area and the lack of resources being provided in this area. I disagree that our city council is not holding other cities accountable for their share of helping the homeless. We have far more homeless here in Oceanside than in other cities in North County.

I disagree with the City Council not considering or caring about traffic when it comes to new developments. The Olive Park apartments at the terminus of West Olive Drive will have a tremendous impact on the safety of this neighborhood, adding over 1,000 car trips to Olive Drive and already congested College Boulevard with over 50,000 car trips a day. This is not traffic calming. What I agree with is that the council balances the city budget each year.

BASSETT: I strongly agree with the newly passed public camping ban. We need to get our homeless off the streets and clear dangerous encampments. All citizens deserve to feel safe and secure as they walk down the street. I disagreed with not enacting a flag policy for the city. I believe the lack of a policy opens us up to whosoever to fly flags at our city hall and cause division.

SORENSEN: The council has been a big advocate for saving and restoring the sand, and they have been utilizing local groups to help this situation, and that is something I think they made a fantastic decision on. I do think they have not pushed back on some of the expansion of newer communities as they should have, and our traffic grids are the ones paying for that.

FIGUEROA: One decision I strongly supported during the past term was the renewal of Measure X, particularly its focus on prevention and youth programming. Last fiscal year, Measure X funded 16 programs that benefited over 2,500 youth, with participants achieving an average increase of one letter grade in academic performance. Renewing this measure enables us to sustain and expand these essential initiatives while also addressing pressing infrastructure needs, such as traffic calming measures in our neighborhoods.

Conversely, I was disappointed by certain council members’ lack of commitment to affordable housing. The council should have prioritized affordable housing above the 10% minimum inclusionary rate. It’s frustrating that such advocacy is necessary, as affordable housing should be a universal priority. The debate over maintaining a 10% rate versus increasing it to 15% highlighted a troubling disregard for working families and seniors, revealing the influence of developers over certain council members. If I were on the council, I would have pushed for a 20% inclusionary rate.

DISTRICT 4

HASHIMI: We need to take a direct approach to putting sand on our beaches. I support the current proposal to do that job at $50 million. I do not support spending approximately $500,000 every year to maintain the project. 

NIUATOA: The approval of opening a safe parking lot is a decision made in the last term that I fully support. Homelessness is an issue that needs to be approached from every angle. These lots provide safe places for people living in their cars. Most of our unhoused neighbors in cars have jobs. In a safe lot, people don’t have to worry about being ticketed or towed, bathrooms are available, and access to resources helps them secure permanent housing.

This is also safer for the larger community and keeps people from sleeping in neighborhoods. I agreed with the decision to raise the affordable housing minimum. However, I don’t believe the council did enough by only raising it to 15%. The council could have raised the minimum to 20% citywide, a reasonable adjustment considering there hadn’t been an increase since 1993. They did the bare minimum.

WEISS: I supported the city’s partnership with the San Diego Rescue Mission to open our homeless navigation center. I disagreed with removing key transportation links and corridors from the city’s long-term transportation plan. People complain about traffic congestion, but then do not support projects that would provide traffic relief. 

Do you feel that Oceanside is developing at a reasonable, fair pace?

MAYOR

SANCHEZ: I think Oceanside is developing much too fast. The city is not keeping up with traffic safety, circulation, public transportation/micro-transit and parking needs, especially in the downtown area but also out east. Unintended consequences of building activity and enforcement are moving homeless from the downtown area eastward into residential neighborhoods, making it more difficult to address and impacting more Oceanside residents.

KEIM: Growth and development in Oceanside are inevitable, but the recent legislation from the state of California has forced our city to approve projects that don’t necessarily fit in the area where they are built and also don’t properly address their impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. These impacts to traffic, parking and noise would be better mitigated if the city actually had the ability to regulate development without interference from the California Governor and State Legislature. We need to continue to push back against these mandates and fight for local control of our development and growth. 

DISTRICT 3

DeMOOY: Development needs to slow down a little bit, and again, the City Council needs to take a hard look and make the proper changes to our Housing Element Plan with input from our community. Everyone I talk to in South Oceanside and Fire Mountain wants less development in the area. We need the community to be involved and the city council to listen. These neighborhoods want to keep the uniqueness of the community, and I support that 100%.

BASSETT: I believe we are developing at a good pace, but I want to make sure we don’t lose what makes Oceanside special. We need to fight for local control so we can plan our city the way we see fit versus what the state government tells us we need.

SORENSEN: Throughout the whole city, yes, but District 3 is getting a large number of developments a little too quickly for the traffic and roads to keep up. This includes the creation of the new arena, which is creating massive traffic on Oceanside Boulevard, and all of the apartments and condos next to the arena, putting more people on the road at an already busy intersection.

FIGUEROA: I believe Oceanside is developing too rapidly without sufficient consideration of whether our infrastructure can support this level of growth. While growth can be beneficial, it must be smart growth that assesses roads, safe routes to school, traffic calming, utilities and public services before further expansion. Residents should have a voice in decisions affecting their neighborhoods and the pace of development. Moreover, we need to address our low jobs-to-housing ratio.

Growth should prioritize attracting livable wage jobs to the city, allowing residents to work closer to home. A balanced jobs-to-housing ratio brings many advantages: shorter commutes, more family time, reduced greenhouse gas emissions from less driving, and fewer childcare hours needed. Ultimately, this leads to increased disposable income and a higher quality of life. To achieve these outcomes, we must align infrastructure development with growth and address the current needs of our residents, ensuring that development serves the community effectively.

DISTRICT 4

HASHIMI: It seems that there are many proposals in the pipeline right now, and once built, they will change the look of our hometown. It’s unfortunate that all these projects are being introduced simultaneously, as it limits our ability to assess their cumulative impact on our neighborhoods before moving forward with additional construction.

NIUATOA: Oceanside’s development has faced significant delays, and the current rapid pace is largely an effort to catch up. However, residents are not reaping enough benefits from this growth. The city is losing valuable parking and community spaces, such as the downtown plaza and movie theater. Additionally, taxpayers are bearing the infrastructure costs associated with new projects like the arena and soccer fields.

We need mindful, community-centered development. Developments should respect our unique environmental features, such as the San Luis Rey River, Loma Alta Creek and the farmlands. We need housing for teachers, public safety workers, nurses and service employees. Development should be focused on what is aligned with our population’s needs. Despite more than a decade of development, El Corazon has yet to provide any free public community features like a park. This area was intended to be a public space. We need meaningful developments that are accessible to Oceansiders.

WEISS: There are not many large-scale developments that can be developed since we no longer have those types of properties left. The majority of the density bonus residential projects we are seeing are along or near transit corridors and given the state mandates, in my opinion, are changing the character of the community. 

Regardless of state mandates, do you feel that Oceanside needs more affordable housing? If so, what should such housing look like, and what are the best avenues to acquiring more affordable housing?

MAYOR

SANCHEZ: Oceanside definitely needs more affordable housing, both single family and multi-family units. The city has never experienced such a low vacancy rate in rental property, making it difficult to impossible for our city’s workforce to continue to live in Oceanside, negatively impacting our city’s businesses. The city council agreed on a compromise on short-term vacation rentals, basically banning them east of Coast Highway, restoring housing stock availability for our workforce.

However, it will take time for enforcement to make these units available again. The city needs to buy land and partner with the public and/or private sector to build both affordable and attainable housing. Oceansiders are being priced out, and this is completely unacceptable.

KEIM: Oceanside needs more affordable home ownership for local residents. As someone who grew up here and fought to afford a house in Oceanside, it’s incredibly frustrating to see friends and family forced to move away from the city they love. Much of the recent development spurred by misguided state laws has been rental products and has not made the dream of home ownership any more realistic to young families.

While the macroeconomic factors contributing to the exorbitant price of houses may be out of the scope of city leaders, we can fight to reform antiquated regulation that unnecessarily drives up the price of homes. Local leaders can also work with developers to encourage more for-sale affordable units and prioritize local residents when these units come on the market.  

DISTRICT 3 

DeMOOY: Yes, I support affordable housing for our community, and there is enough suitable land in Oceanside to build. Also, I will never support any type of eminent domain to obtain property. The city, council and community need to be more engaged in the beginning stages of the planning and development. This goes for all the development in Oceanside.

We then make sure these developers are in the planning stages and then build the proper projects without impacting our communities or environment. I don’t want to see these housing projects destroy other neighborhoods like the Olive Park development with traffic, noise and the impact on our estuaries and waterways.

BASSETT: We absolutely need more affordable housing at all income levels. We definitely need more single-family homes. One of the challenges of the current housing market is the high cost of starter homes. We make it possible for young people to buy a home and begin to secure their economic future, and participate in creating intergenerational wealth. We need to build more mid-and-lower level units and add to the supply so overall prices adjust. We also need to make sure we are building workforce housing to allow options for all levels of income, not just the super-high and super-low-income levels.

SORENSEN: Oceanside needs to be doing more to create affordable housing. For multiple years, we became the city that people moved to because they could not afford to purchase in the city they were born and raised in, and that is not what Oceanside should be. Oceanside has so much beauty and so much potential. The city needs to help create opportunities for first-time homeowners and keep out the corporations buying multiple homes and raising the prices.

FIGUEROA: Oceanside definitely needs more affordable housing, which should be smart, sustainable and designed to meet diverse needs, including senior housing and family units. By offering a variety of housing types, we can ensure that a wide range of residents have access to affordable options. As a council member, I will prioritize collaboration with nonprofits and county, state and federal agencies to increase affordable housing availability in our city.

This is crucial for supporting our working families, students, veterans, and seniors. Affordable housing is essential in addressing the rising homelessness among these groups, particularly as our senior population faces the highest rate of first-time homelessness. During my time running the shelter, I encountered numerous families living out of their cars with young children, often from Oceanside, who lacked access to the limited affordable housing options available. We should explore strategies like public-private partnerships, leveraging state and federal funding, and incentivizing developers to create affordable units. This focus will help expand affordable housing options and improve the quality of life for all residents.

DISTRICT 4

HASHIMI: Oceanside clearly needs more affordable housing. We must build market-rate homes at various price points so that the next generation of homebuyers can afford them. Not many working families, veterans, or seniors can afford million-dollar homes.

NIUATOA: As a lifelong resident of Oceanside, I believe we urgently need more affordable housing. Many of my peers have been forced to leave due to rising costs. We must prioritize affordable housing for fixed-income residents, including seniors and disabled veterans. I would advocate for increasing the affordable housing requirement to 20% for new developments. Additionally, we should audit city land to identify spaces suitable for housing projects aimed at specific populations.

Middle-income families also lack affordable homeownership options. We need to encourage developers to build smaller, more affordable homes for our teachers, first responders and nurses. Zoning adjustments should allow for duplexes and triplexes, and we can collaborate with county and state programs to support residents in building accessory dwelling units on their properties. This will help retain Oceanside’s next generation and ensure our city remains accessible to all.

WEISS: I do believe we need more housing across all income levels. We desperately need workforce housing so that the people working in Oceanside can actually live here. The city is in the process of developing the Smart and Sustainable Corridors Plan, which will focus on higher-density projects along transportation corridors like the Sprinter rail line. Not only would that support additional housing, but being along the rail and other transit corridors would also reduce our reliance on vehicles.

CITY TREASURER

Incumbent Treasurer Victor Roy did not respond to The Coast News questionnaire; however, both of his opponents did.

What motivated you to run for city treasurer?

DOMINGUEZ: As a longtime resident of Oceanside, I have witnessed firsthand the numerous controversies and scandals that have plagued the treasurer’s office, and I believe we deserve better. These issues motivated me to step up and run for city treasurer, a position where I could use my experience and education to help my community. I believe Oceanside can and should have a treasurer who prioritizes transparency, accountability, and integrity.

I have always been deeply involved in our community, from volunteering as a PTA mom in the classroom to attending City Council meetings and community workshops. This involvement has given me a strong understanding of what our city needs and a passion for making a positive impact. I am confident that my background, community involvement and dedication to ethical governance will help restore trust and confidence in our city treasurer.

FERNANDES: I want to bring transparency to Oceanside’s finances. Our last treasurer ran unopposed but potentially lost us millions of dollars and watched pornography in the public library while treasurer. Oceanside deserves better.

FACT CHECK: A 2022 investigation into Roy’s conduct found that he viewed “inappropriate material” at the library, including images of nude adults, but could not confirm whether or not the material was actually pornographic or depicting any sex acts.

How do you ensure fiscal responsibility as city treasurer? 

DOMINGUEZ: I would ensure fiscal responsibility by focusing on the core function of the city treasurer, which is to safeguard the city’s 500-million-dollar investment portfolio. The objective would be to preserve principal, provide sufficient liquidity and manage investment risks while seeking the best return.

Because managing the city’s investments to maximize returns while minimizing risks is essential, I would ensure that we have a diversified investment portfolio that aligns with the city’s financial goals and liquidity needs. I would also work to identify and mitigate financial risks to protect the city’s assets by assessing potential challenges and proactively addressing them.

In addition, I would ensure all financial activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations and would support regular audits to help identify and mitigate any financial risks or irregularities. To further maintain transparency and accountability, I would prepare and distribute regular financial reports not only to city officials, but also to the public and would personally present the treasurer’s quarterly report at the City Council meeting.

FERNANDES: You have to fight for it. Elect me to be our watchdog. A watchdog has to be community-driven while fearlessly asking tough questions to put our city first. I will fight for audits and tax decreases while being a true O-side champion.

What qualifications do you have that make you a good fit for this position?

DOMINGUEZ: I have a master’s degree in business from the University of Phoenix with additional certificates in financial planning, investor relations, and project management from the University of California, Irvine. Because I am a big believer in continuous learning, I have additional coursework in Finance for Strategic Decision Making from the University of Michigan Business School and Promoting Innovation and Organizational Change from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

I worked in the treasurer’s office at a Fortune 500 company as an investor relations manager dealing with pension funds and investment banks. I also have over 20 years of experience managing projects and large groups of people, often under challenging conditions.

FERNANDES: I’m an experienced lawyer and businessman with strong ties to Oceanside and endorsements from key local leaders. I’m committed to fighting against all tax increases while putting O-siders first, no exceptions. Let me tell you a bit about my background.

I’m the first in my family to graduate college: I stocked freezers and even sold my blood to pay for school. After UCLA Law, where I was a senior editor on law review. I built businesses, creating jobs and opportunities in Oceanside. I’m here to be the people’s champ, our O-side watchdog treasurer. 

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