Los Altos City Council candidates respond to Q&As

The five candidates competing for three open seats on the Los Altos City Council in the Nov. 5 election agreed to participate in a series of Q&As with local nonprofit groups highlighting key issues that may affect the city as they take the dais. The following are questions about the environment, strengthening democracy and women’s rights.

Question:  What environmental initiative will you vigorously support and pledge to accomplish in the next two years?   

Ibrahim Bashir: In two years, we can streamline the permitting, contracting and rebate processes for solar panels, heat pumps and other installations that reduce emissions and increase efficiency. My stance on climate action is why Living Classroom founder Vicki Moore, 350 Silicon Valley Action and LCV have all endorsed my campaign. 

Larry Lang: Climate change is real, and electrification is a key response. Though court rulings have limited mandates, we can create incentives and streamline adoption. Los Altos can lead by innovating solutions others can follow, while ensuring green policies consider the needs of older neighbors on fixed incomes. 

Sally Meadows: I will focus on implementing our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Incentivize installation of electric heat pump appliances through education and financial rebates and programs that facilitate an easier transition for residents to electrify. On the adaptation side, ensure that our Emergency Operations Center is fully operational.  

Eric Steinle: I want to see a ride-share program, sponsored by the city, to help people get around town without having to drive their cars, and that would connect with other public transportation. This would also help to reduce the strain on our parking facilities. 

Jonathan Weinberg: I will continue to vigorously support incentives to encourage developers to electrify new construction. Los Altos adopted a plan for the city to be carbon neutral by 2035. We are behind schedule, but building electrification is an achievable policy to help get us back on track. 

Question: What are some practical steps the city council and city management can take to strengthen democracy?   

Ibrahim Bashir: People’s participation is the core of democracy, and both council and staff need to encourage and enable that; ideal governance depends on community engagement. Practically speaking, this might mean more office hours in places where residents congregate (farmers’ market), an ombudsman or hotline, and accessible communications on plans and progress. 

Larry Lang: City council and city management can strengthen democracy by prioritizing transparency, promoting public participation (e.g., special meetings about districting), ensuring accountability through ethics policies and audits, improving civic education, fostering diverse representation, and leveraging technology for citizen engagement and communication. These steps build trust and encourage active involvement. 

Sally Meadows: Being diligent to respect the city council-city manager form of government is how to have an effective and strong local democracy. The balance between council setting policies, the city manager implementing them and ensuring staff delivers on goals, all while keeping residents in the loop is optimal.   

Eric Steinle: Go where the people are going to be. Hold some city council and commission meetings at Grant Park. Organize council/staff informational pop-ups at grocery stores and parks. Include a robust FAQ section in the updated city website.

Jonathan Weinberg: The hallmark of a strong and healthy democracy is a government responsive to the people. The city council and city management must engage Los Altos residents to educate and solicit opinions and ideas. Those public perspectives must then be reflected in city decisions and policies. 

Question: How will you promote career paths for women at City Hall to ensure equal opportunity for advancing to leadership positions? 

Ibrahim Bashir:  I personally know what it’s like to be denied opportunity, and my support for women’s careers would focus on equity and inclusion. Decades of management have taught me that equal access and pay need to be standards,  along with hiring and promotion transparency. And, I’m endorsed by Planned

Parenthood. 

Larry Lang: Start with recruiting, ensuring women are part of diverse candidate sets. Clarify each employee’s goals and advancement through direct manager and mentor communications (avoid unspoken assumptions). Promote flexible work-life balance, celebrating family (positive for everyone). Support helping women after career breaks to bring back their valuable experience into the workforce.

Sally Meadows: We’re doing this already! We will continue to hire and promote from within talented women to senior leadership, including roles traditionally held by men; current examples of this are our Police Chief, Public Works Director and Building Official. Other executive-level women leaders include our HR Director and City Clerk.   

Eric Steinle: The only way to ensure that women get to be leaders is to have a positive policy and continuing commitment by both the Council and the City Manager, who is responsible for staff hiring and training. I support such a policy. 

Jonathan Weinberg:  As a council member, I strongly advocate that the City employ best practices like inclusive recruitment, leadership training, flexible scheduling, anti-bias training, and career advancement pathways to achieve a dynamic workforce. 

These initiatives ensure Los Altos is an employer where women and others have equal professional opportunities.