Home » Pittsburg Down to 4 Finalist for Vacant Council Seat

Pittsburg Down to 4 Finalist for Vacant Council Seat

by CC News
Pittsburg

On Monday, the Pittsburg City Council narrowed down the field to 4 candidates who have applied for its vacant city council seat.

The finalist are Wolfgang Croskey, Joanna Marie Hernandez, Arlene Kobata and Robert Lewis and one of them will be selected at its next special city council meeting on January 13, 2025.

The vacancy comes as former councilmember Shanelle Scales-Preston was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 5—she submitted her resignation notice on December 17, 2024. At the Dec 16 meeting, the council opted to make an appointment, versus spending as much as $700k on a special election.

Interview Order:

  1. Nicole S Arrington
  2.  Johanni Benitez
  3. Wolfgang Croskey
  4. Iztaccuauhtli Hector Gonzalez
  5. Jamal Harris
  6. Joanna Marie Hernandez
  7. Alvin Jackson
  8. Arlene (Siu Ling) F Kobata
  9.  Robert T. Lewis
  10.  Lisa N Mapheators
  11. Marcus Derell Mcfarland
  12.  Dana M. Mims
  13. Matthew Muegge
  14.  Andy Nguyen
  15. LeJon A Payne
  16. Erik Alexander Perez
  17. Ivelina Dimitrova Popova
  18.  Shaniea Lanay Rodgers
  19.  Khurram Shah
  20. Sonja Shephard
  21.  Donna Marie Smith
  22. Lailani Souza
  23. Romero Amariyah Wesson

Round 1 recap:

19 of the 23 original applicants took an interview during the meeting. If any candidate received two votes they would automatically move onto round 2. After two rounds of voting, only Croskey and Kobata had two votes which is when Banales suggested the council to continue the process until they had four candidates for round 2.

Here is the round 1 voting:

Mayor Jelani Killings

  1. Wolfgang Croskey
  2. Ivelina Dimitrova Popova
  3. Robert T. Lewis

Vice Mayor Dionne Adams

  1. Arlene (Siu Ling) F Kobata
  2. Joanna Marie Hernandez
  3. Robert T. Lewis

Councilmember Angelica Lopez

  1. Arlene (Siu Ling) F Kobata
  2. Lopez only wanted to pick Kobata
  3. Microphone did not pick up name

Councilmember Juan Antonio Banales

  1. Arlene (Siu Ling) F Kobata
  2. Wolfgang Croskey
  3. Joanna Marie Hernandez

Advance to second round: Arlene Kobata, Wolfgang Croskey, Joanna Marie Hernandez and Robert Lewis.


Round 2 (Paraphrased)

Banales asked candidates about their understanding of Pittsburg finances/fiscal year adopted budget.

  • Croskey did not have an exact numbers, but showed an understanding of the budget for revenue and expenses—along with types of funding and what it could be used for. He said the budget was in “positive” right now, but possibly could have short-comings in the future.
  • Hernandez: admitted she did not have a general understanding of the budget, but know there is a budget they are responsible for. She highlighted an understanding of budgets as has worked with budgets in the past in other roles.
  • Kobata: she understood they have a budget and give out grants but admitted that was all she had.
  • Lewis: understood contract negotiations were coming and suggested tiered salary increases. Called cutting expenses a limited opportunity with little discretionary available, needed to find ways for income and attract new businesses. Said city had to do more to retain business.

Killings asked candidates they could tell them about a policy that he agrees with or could be improved.  (could be policy agreed with or believe could have been improved or made stronger)

  • Croskey: façade improvements could be improved. He said that program is one that residents can see the impact, says it could be improved is to add a loan component at very low interest citing $10k is great, but it didn’t go very far. Some buildings need up to $200k—questioned if city could lend to property owners to do true upgrades and then pay the city back.
  • Hernandez: she wanted to support more funds for the schools and supporting the schools—she wanted more language access to help more in the community to participate.
  • Kobata: was happy about the ADU policy that was passed. She said she had nothing else to add.
  • Lewis: called technology center a positive step but questioned how council did it given deed restrictions for recreation. Called it a good income generator which will help with budget.

Adams asked how candidates would ensure the needs of residents were met (Note -she tweaked this question based on the applicant)

  • Croskey: a councilmember needed to listen and see where they were coming from—even if you didn’t agree. The second was being a team player, it’s a group of 5 that work together with give and take. He also added they needed to reach the shadow population that did not have their voices heard.
  • Hernandez: being present in the community and not just being in the building during meetings—wants to be involved.
  • Kobata: says she encourages people to go to council meetings and let the council know how people feel. She wants people to reach out.
  • Lewis: says they have to look at constituents using programs versus ability to pay for them—modify how city approaches services that costs increase or programs be dropped. Wanted to be inclusive while managing bottom line.

Lopez asked how candidates would deal with controversial issues (changed this question for each candidate using a different topic)

  • Croskey:  (note -example was Chamber of Commerce) said it began with listening—understanding it’s someone trying to support their family. The other side is business owners who have a business, building and pay taxes, insurance and it’s unfair for someone to pop up. He said the council should find ways to work with those who are operating illegally but not operating nefariously—he wanted to find ways to build bridges. He wanted to help people do things the right way.
  • Hernandez (Note – issue of homelessness): she said the biggest thing is to speak to the community and build trust, find resources. Have the voice before making difficult decisions.
  • Kobata (example was immigration): she wanted to give everyone a chance to speak their point of view. Understand points of view and would not take sides or argue. Will take what they say, would bring it to council to discuss.
  • Lewis: cited the Pittsburg Auto Mall with issue with electronic sign which nearly cost Winter Chevrolet nearly going to City of Antioch. Says they paid $300k for electric sign noting they took a ton of criticism for that. Today, Winter Chevrolet has probably generated 40-50x what city put up.

Banales asked a scenario based question asking if he had $1 million, how would he spend it.

  • Croskey: acknowledged it doesn’t go very far, he would split it between parks and recreation and towards gateways (curb appeal and entry monuments).
  • Hernandez: she wanted to provide more housing opportunities. Transitional housing or create transitional employment. She called on supporting senior housing. She wanted more training for law enforcement regarding racial disparities.
  • Kobata: Improving the city streets, landscaping and visual (curb appeal). Would give funding children’s programs/education. Helping people start businesses. Focus on an animal shelter.
  • Lewis: did not give percentages, but said youth programs, business retention, attract new businesses.

Killings asked how candidates would deal with making unpopular opinions/necessary decisions for the city.

  • Croskey: You go back to vision and goals which are the “North Star” which are developed from the needs of the whole. You have to look what is best for the long-term, not for the now.
  • Hernandez: keeping people informed of decisions and create transparency—find out short-term and long-term goals and impact of decision.
  • Kobata: decisions are based on “findings” and according to law—called herself even-keeled.
  • Lewis: What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right. Had to look at the bottom line of the benefit for the most amount of residents and let that guide decisions. You have to be willing to take criticism as it comes with territory.

Adams asked candidates what would be their platform issues.

  • Croskey: protecting local control, less outside influence on Pittsburg. Make it easier on businesses to operate, create a better business environment. Third, would be how to help youth learn to make money—create an entrepreneurial program.
  • Hernandez: public safety. She said she wanted people to feel safe. Other issues include bringing local hire to Pittsburg.
  • Kobata: children—they are a priority. Focus on city development and progressing it. Protect the environment (air) and getting traffic off Highway 4 by focus on pittsburg having jobs. Focus on getting people to Pittsburg. Giving more support to Pittsburg Police Department.
  • Lewis: would use past experience to finish term. Would not change direction of council but would be a team player. Willing to learn from council and their priorities. Had no hidden agenda or axe to grind—just help make decisions the best way for city to move forward. Business retention, new business, youth/recreation opportunities.

Lopez asked what candidates if they thought youth still needed additional support

  • Croskey: he suggested  “business” noting the city does a good job with recreation, social and emotional learning, diversity, teaching people to get into college, but missed on entrepreneur—wants to expose youth to more opportunities.
  • Hernandez: she called on gender specific services for young people and uplifting young women to create more entrepreneurship. She wanted more opportunities for young people and violence prevention.

Note – Lopez tweaked this question for Kobata asking given her experience with environmental protection, the Sierra club and animal shelters, could they connect those three to include youth environment for environment and animal protections.

  • Kobata: highlighted a program called “Summer Series” where events would involve children to learn about native plants, exposing youth to new things—including EBRPD and Mount Diablo Resource Recovery for recycling. She wants more programs to expose children for a better appreciation of earth and animals.
  • Lewis: said the technology center offering some youth programs would offer some opportunities. Was not happy when he left office the city outsourced the recreation department. Was happy the recreation program has been brought to umbrella of Pittsburg. Was happy at new marina recreation center.

Once the interviews were complete, the council then took no further action and would select a candidate at its next special meeting.


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