City Council and Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire Thank you for participating in the San Antonio Currents City

Council and Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire. Your answers will appear in our online voter guide and potentially in print in our April 17 issue. You may answer as much of the top biographical fields as youd like to. If youd rather not answer, put no answer. Be aware may fill in those blanks using publicly available election documents. You must answer 10 of the following 15 questions. For those questions you choose not to answer please write No Answer. You may also address additional issues after question 15. Please return via email to cenlow@sacurrent.com. We can also accept faxed versions at 210227-7733. DEADLINE IS APRIL 9, 6 p.m. Name as it will appear on ballot: Shirley Gonzales Current employment (if retired, please describe your previous career): Business Owner 50-word bio: My family has owned Bills Pawn & Jewelry in District 5 for 52 years, and I have worked at the business for 20 years. I hold a BBA and MBA from St Marys University, completed Leadership San Antonio, and am currently in Leadership SAISD. I am married to Kevin Barton. 50 word reason for becoming a candidate in this election: My residence and business are on the Westside, which reflects the needs and potential of District 5. District 5 needs accessible and responsive leadership that will engage constituents, address their needs, and promote economic development. I have the experience and motivation to provide that leadership. 1) Could the Citys recent ethics reforms be better enforced, especially in terms of conflicts of interest? The City of San Antonio Ethics Code is extensive and I do not have the legal background to judge its technical merits. However, I strongly support the principles of service without impropriety or appearance of impropriety. Our ethics code requires continual review and scrutiny to ensure they are not only comprehensive and effective, but they are understandable and implementable by city officials and employees. 2) Whats your opinion on encouraging economic development and civic programming via public/private partnerships, especially where public land, such as Hemisfair Park, is concerned? I support public/private partnerships, particularly those that promote sustainable development in the city core. The Center City Strategic Framework Plan recommends public/private partnerships to increase housing, jobs, and tourism in downtown. Similar strategies can be developed and implemented to generate economic opportunity and development in the citys near east, south, and west sides. 3) Should the city establish an independent police monitor to better oversee the San Antonio Police Department? Why or why not? No, the city does not need to contract an independent monitor for San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). The SAPD serves the community admirably, yet remains

accountable to the community. Citizens, media, and city government serve as an independent monitor. That functions does not need to be contracted to a third party. 4) Do you support the way the health department currently regulates food trucks? If not, how could the regulations be changed to better serve San Antonians? The mobile vending licensing procedures through the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District balance public safety with the interests of vendors. I support the current regulations and procedures, but will seek input from my constituents, both vendors and the public, and address their concerns. 5) How can the City support sustainable transportation options? The transportation system reflects our choices on land use, and our land use choices are codified through zoning and the Unified Development Code (UDC). I strongly support a transportation system that prioritizes the needs of pedestrians first, followed by cycling, public transportation, and private automobiles, in that order. Creating that transportation system requires a commitment to the land use choices that make pedestrian, cycling, and public transportation modes viable. The city should actively promote and encourage use of the infill development zone, commercial retrofit, and transportation-oriented development patterns provided in the UDC within the city core. These development patterns promote the density needed to support sustainable transportation options, and sought in other planning efforts such as SA2020 and Center City Strategic Framework Plan. 6) What value do you think the arts bring to San Antonio? In what ways can the City support local arts organizations and individual artists? The arts improve quality of life, and help create a city that retains and attracts talented and entrepreneurial citizens. The arts provide the foundation of a powerful creative economy. The economic impact of San Antonios creative economy (i.e., printing,
broadcasting, advertising, and performing arts) was $4.6 billion in 2011, and jobs in San Antonios creative economy grew at 11% while wages grew at 12.7% in 2011. I will support the arts and encourage establishing a center of excellence for the creative economy in District 5.

7) Is it important for the City to strengthen its non-discrimination ordinances to protect LGBT citizens? Why or why not? Discrimination for any reason is unacceptable. Discrimination remains a problem, but the city, state, and nation have made significant progress reducing discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, and disabilities. Yet, progress for the LGBT community lags these groups. I am proud of my endorsement by the LGBT community and Stonewall Democrats. The city needs to move forward with nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBT citizens. However, I also recognize some non-discrimination ordinances are a patch to state laws that fail to extend rights and benefits to the LGBT community. I also support addressing inequities with state laws. 8) Is Animal Care Services doing enough to increase its live-release rate? Is ACS' public-private partnership model is working? If not, what else could be done? Animal Cares Services (ACS) and its partners are doing an amazing job. Live release rates continue to climb, now exceeding 70%. A 100% live release rate is within reach. Achieving a 100% live release rate requires a commitment not only from ACS and the

many volunteers and organizations working with ACS, but also the community. We have the knowledge and resources to end the stray animal problem in the near term, but doing so requires commitment from the community. 9) What would you do to address the high vacancy rate in downtown buildings? I would use the City Central Strategic Framework Plan as the foundation to guide increase occupancy in downtown buildings. The plan proposes increasing residential units in the downtown area to attract residents and grow the businesses that will create a vibrant downtown community. This plan draws on the lessons learned by other successful urban centers in the nation. Recognizing that affordable housing will remain a challenge to downtown development, I support initiatives to improve linkages between the near east, south, and west sides to downtown. These areas continue to serve as excellent alternatives to citizens who desire the qualities of urban living, but may not be able to afford residences downtown. 10) Is the Citys million-dollar incentive to create a downtown grocery store appropriate? Why or why not? Is there a better way to bring a grocery store downtown? Yes. Urban development characterized by revitalization of downtown is necessary for a sustainable San Antonio. City, state, and federal governments have incentivized development that led to the decline of San Antonio through investment in roads, highways, and infrastructure. Public investment for the past 70 years has led to the low density, auto-centric development that characterizes much of our city; and public investment is needed to create a vibrant urban center that could be the foundation of the San Antonios future. 11) How can San Antonio balance economic development with historic preservation? I will fully support the Office of Historic Preservation, and promote designation of Historical Landmarks and Districts. District 5 has sites that potentially meet the criteria for designation either as landmarks or districts that are currently undesignated. Historic preservation is consistent with urban revitalization and sustainable development. I would want to meet with the Historical Preservation department to explore historic designation opportunities that factor in the cost on families residing in historic structures without it being a financial burden. I would explore a win-win approach that enhances historic preservation and entices the homeowners without it adversely impacting families with limited incomes. 12) Do you support union organizers' push for a Tip Integrity Act for the downtown hotel and restaurant industry? Yes. UNITE HERE! San Antonio and the AFL-CIO present sufficient evidence to raise concern that certain businesses in San Antonio are misleading employees and customers on collection and distribution of service charges, and this concern should be addressed. However, the proposed Tip Integrity Act is limited to the Riverwalk area. I support a city-wide Tip Integrity Act. 13) What is the Citys role in making consumer solar power affordable for residents as well as local businesses? The city currently offers incentives to install solar power on residences, schools, and commercial properties through CPS Energy. CPS Energy is the appropriate conduit to

offer incentives for building energy conservation initiatives. I will work with CPS management to explore ways to make solar power affordable for residents; including a possible longer payment period to make it more attractive for residents to install solar power alternatives. 14) Is there more the City could do to protect the Edwards Aquifer in terms of building restrictions, funding conservation easements or other means? Building restrictions and conservation easements have proven effective, but will have to be continually reviewed and monitored to ensure protection of the Edwards Aquifer. However, additional means of protection must be pursued. Infrastructure development that enables development of land sensitive to the Edwards Aquifer should be restricted. Public investment in infrastructure that supports and promotes infill development should be prioritized. There is a disparity between our citys expressed interest and actual commitment to sustainable development and resource protection. That disparity is illustrated in the 2012-2017 Bond Program. The program included two projects to expand roads near Loop 1604 on the north and northwest sides totaling $40.7 million. Those two projects will result in more traffic and development on the fringe of the city and over areas sensitive to the Edwards Aquifer. In contrast, a mere $33 million was committed to District 5 from the same bond program. This trend must be reversed: we must invest more intensely in the city core. 15) What are the most critical components to implementing Pre-K 4 SA? Are there any other opportunities for the City to support education?
As independent school districts sign onto the Pre-K 4 SA initiative, the next challenges will be recruitment of students, parent involvement, and transportation. The city can support education a number of ways. Caf College is one example. There are direct linkages between education success, reduced crime rates, reduced teen pregnancy, and economic success. I will pursue innovative and personal ways to motivate and support students from Pre-K through higher education, especially in areas with the greatest needs which include District 5.