2020 election: Q&A with Toni Duran, candidate for San Diego City Council District 3

Toni Duran, a candidate for San Diego City Council's District 3.

Oct. 16, 2020 5:33 PM PT

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board recently emailed a series of questions to Toni Duran, a Democrat, who is running for election to San Diego City Council District 3 against Stephen Whitburn, also a Democrat. Here are the questions and her responses.

Combined with flu season, the pandemic may pose even greater problems for San Diegans this winter. How will you balance public health and the economy if shutdowns are needed?

I am going to rely on the experts at the state and county level to advise the city on best practices moving forward as we have done thus far. The county oversees health and human services, and I will work closely with it to ensure we keep our residents well informed on what can be everchanging regulations that are being put in place to keep people safe. At the city level, we will need to act quickly to provide shelter and services for our unhoused neighbors; use any money from the state or federal government wisely for renter’s and small business assistance; and cut red tape that would prevent small businesses from operating in innovative ways.

How satisfied are you with the progress the city has made on its Climate Action Plan and how will you ensure its legally binding goals are met?

I am not satisfied and look forward to ensuring that our budget adequately reflects that as we need to increase funding to ensure these goals are met. I will insist upon regular updates from city staff on CAP progress.

One way we can work to reduce carbon pollution is reducing our reliance on cars. We need to safely expand more convenient transit and responsible car-alternative modes of transportation.

We need to explore more telecommuting options for employees.

We need to expand our tree canopy to provide shade and decrease carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Let’s implement cooling streets and sidewalks to reduce the harmful effects of heat on our atmosphere and residents.

We are sunny San Diego — we can lead the way on solar energy and ensure city buildings have solar panels.

Neighborhoods south of Interstate 8, including communities of color, don’t always get the funding or consideration wealthier communities to the north get. How will you address that?

Our current economic forecast is turbulent for many families right now. It’s the same for the city and will be for some time as we work to address the impacts of COVID-19. I will ask for more transparency and more time for both the council and the community to have input on the budget. I pledge to work with our planning groups, town councils and other representatives to establish clear and achievable budget priorities that will benefit all of our neighborhoods. I will ensure adequate funding remains for important infrastructure improvements such as recreation centers, parks, libraries, crosswalks, sidewalks, street resurfacing, streetlights and bike lanes. We need to advance the number of creative revenue opportunities and solutions to help close budget gaps to ensure critical services remain online. Budgets are statements of value, and I promise to work for a budget that reflects the values and looks out for San Diego’s diverse neighborhoods and residents.

How, specifically, will you address the high cost of housing in San Diego?

It has been reported that the current median income in San Diego is $92,700 and individuals are considered low income if they make $64,700 or less. The cost of housing in San Diego more often than not takes at least half of an individual’s income. That is not sustainable. In order to lower the price of housing, we need to increase our housing stock for low and middle income people. We need to have greater density in the urban core and decrease the red tape for development around Transit Priority Areas. (Through their community plan update, Mission Valley and Kearny Mesa added thousands of new units mostly along transit corridors or areas outside of single-family areas.) We must ensure that we have world class transportation and transition our region so traveling on mass transit or other alternative means is convenient, affordable and safe so parking is no longer an issue that increases the cost of building. All the while, I will continue to keep neighborhoods and residents informed to move these plans forward with their input and support.

What will homelessness in San Diego look like at the end of your four-year term?

It’s unclear as so many factors are at play — but ideally, we will see fewer people on the street and more in permanent supportive housing. We will see regular cooperation and coordination at all levels of government and with non-profit service providers. I would like to see more repurposing of unused or underused city-owned buildings and publicly owned land to address the housing and service needs of previously unsheltered individuals. The county should have their behavioral healthcare facility open in Hillcrest by this time, addressing the needs of those with mental health issues. We would also be halfway into the implementation of the Community Action Plan on Homelessness. We will have better outreach with significantly more social workers and mental health care workers who partner with local nonprofits, the city and county all throughout the city. We will also have a clear source of ongoing funding because we no longer are asking police officers to do this outreach work.

Will — and how will — you accept and evaluate Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s proposal to redevelop the sports arena site?

I see the mayor’s selected group (Brookfield & ASM Global) giving a good faith effort to work with the community currently. If the next mayor chooses to continue negotiations, we’ll need to see those terms at council. When the council gets a chance to review those terms, I will ensure that there are significant community benefits (park space, traffic improvements, affordable housing) outlined in the terms. I will also ensure that the community is at the table to offer their feedback. Additionally, we need to ensure Measure E is passed so that we have all options on the table to maximize community benefits and revitalize the Midway community.

Read our interview with the other candidate in this race: