The candidates submitted written responses to the following questions:

Question: What is your position on short-term rentals in residentially zoned areas?

Chavez: I support short-term rentals only under certain guidelines. For example, the total number of times rented per month, or the short-term rental is on the same property as the primary residence.

Lujan: The position Councilor (Patti) Bushee has taken is an interesting one. There may be some residential districts where short-term rentals are welcome and warranted. Generally speaking, neighborhoods should be protected from unwanted commercial development. As a District 3 city councilor, I will work with the other members of the governing body to make sure that any legislation adopted by the current council will be enforced so that neighborhoods in District 3 are protected from illegal uses.

Question: Recent city debates have highlighted a conflict between encouraging infill and avoiding sprawl while also preserving existing neighborhoods. How can these goals be balanced?

Chavez: Both infill and sprawl have to be managed better. Infill, as it impacts existing neighborhoods, could be balanced by developing neighborhood plans/neighborhood conservation districts. Sprawl, as it impacts the Southwest Sector, Tierra Contenta and the Airport Road area, could be better managed by considering the Southwest Area Master Plan when approving new development in the area.

Lujan: If I am elected to City Council I believe that there will be a more unified voice amongst the council which will allow us to create an effective plan for future development in Santa Fe. The plan will address the double bind of infill and sprawl, allowing and encouraging reasonable infill while restricting the type that would impede on currently well-balanced neighborhoods. The plan would also restrict sprawl by following bylaws for urban planning and neighborhood design that builds mixed used and mixed income communities with amenities.

Question: Rate public safety in Santa Fe and provide insight on how to improve conditions.

Chavez: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, I rate public safety at 5. One suggestion to provide better public safety to neighborhoods would be a revised Neighborhood Watch Program tailored for each neighborhood to reduce residential burglaries and graffiti. In addition, continue funding to fill vacancies and provide housing in the Santa Fe area and provide other incentives to aid in recruiting.

Lujan: Public safety concerns in Santa Fe are not just about rating the effectiveness of the Police Department. The responsibility for reducing crime falls on all citizens to adopt a zero-tolerance mindset. Given the budget restrictions and employee vacancies within the Police Department and additional challenges faced by that department, my approach to improving public safety distributes the responsibilities to all Santa Feans in the following ways:

A) Education — Educating our communities about how to fight crime and what crimes are solvable via increased Neighborhood Watch efforts. Schools, local businesses and neighborhoods can work together to prevent crime through awareness efforts, communication and caring.

B) Resources — Making sure the Police Department has the resources it needs to address crimes, enforce laws, and be an active and visible force throughout the city.

C) Accountability — Making sure that the council is held accountable to provide the resources and only generate ordinances that can be enforced. Hold police officers and the department accountable to their pubic oath. Encouraging constituents to report crime.

Question: Do you believe the city makes the best use of its revenue? In what specific areas is the city wasting money? Where is it not spending enough?

Chavez: I don't believe the city always makes the best use of its revenue. I believe the Planning and Land Use Department could be more efficient in providing better service. For example, better use of staff time, ongoing training and use of updated technology could reduce the number of complaints and appeals in this department. The city is not allocating enough funding for maintaining existing roads and sidewalks, or planning for future road networks.

Lujan: I believe that there is room for improvement within the city's allocation of budget and its spending. We need to re-evaluate all expenditure line items to determine where cuts can be made sensibly. We need to change our mindset on how we do business given a leaner budget. Also as city councilors, we have to be well educated on the city's budget so that our requests do not exceed the bounds. We need to continue to invest in fire and police departments to increase public-safety measures. I would also like to see more professional-development spending for employee education and training.

Question: The city has increased property taxes and water rates to fund the city's water system as it grows. How do you favor paying for future hikes in the cost of water?

Chavez: Revenue for the water system has been generated through water rates. As the system grows, the city will have to depend on increasing rates, using impact fees and one-quarter-percent gross-receipts tax.

Lujan: I suggest creative community efforts. For instance, I propose that we create policy to address the long-term costs of bringing water into Santa Fe. We should lobby our state legislators and federal leaders who could assist us in securing the funding for an adequate water supply. We should take advantage of our national recognition for our water conservation efforts by hosting educational events at which alternative financial networking could take place. Timely completion of the (Buckman Direct Diversion) is necessary and I will work to ensure that any fee increases will not overburden the working families of District 3.

Question: Do you favor broad annexation of land outside the city borders to gain control over fast-developing areas?

Chavez: Yes. The city and the county entered into a Joint Powers Agreement in 2000 and were directed to develop a recommended strategy and annexation plan for this fast-developing area.

Lujan: Annexation must be dealt with strategically. I believe the city has a much better land-use code than the county, and the Southwest Area Master Plan will help control undesirable development in the Southwest Sector. Although the city is already providing many services in the unincorporated area, annexation does come with a cost, like increased police and code enforcement. We must make sure that revenues are generated to cover the additional costs that come with annexation.

Question: What is your position on a real-estate transfer tax?

Chavez: I support the concept of a real-estate transfer tax that would support affordable-housing programs for first-time home buyers and to keep families in existing homes.

Lujan: A real-estate transfer tax is a noble idea, as long as the middle class is not impacted by it. The thresholds should reflect this. Additionally, the city of Santa Fe must be absolutely clear about how the money generated from this tax is going to be spent. Will monies be allocated equally among the various affordable-housing initiatives, or will one particular initiative receive more money than another? These questions must be answered before I would support such a tax.

Question: Did you or would you have voted for the current affordable-housing ordinance?

Chavez: I have always supported affordable housing. I did not support the 2006 affordable-housing ordinance because it did not include specific programs for public safety and other city employees.

Lujan: YES! And there are two main reasons. No. 1: It applies to those developments of two or more units to provide its share of affordable-housing opportunities and not just to projects that go before the Planning Commission for preliminary and final reviews. No. 2: The city's Housing Needs Assessment suggested that there is a need for down-payment assistance. The proposed "fee in lieu of" will mean that monies will be collected that can be used to provide down payment assistance. Thus the ordinance is creative enough to provide the housing as well as needed funds. As a city councilor, I will continue to advocate and seek out multi-dimensional solutions for all aspects of affordable housing.