San Ramon Candidates Debate Measure N, Housing Development

SAN RAMON, CA — To quote City Council District 1 candidate Robert Jweinat, San Ramon is “losing two heavy hitters this year.” Indeed, 2024 sees the retirements of Mayor Dave Hudson, who has served on five terms as a councilmember, and Vice Mayor Scott Perkins, who also served five terms on the council.

That leaves the seats for mayor and City Council District 1 wide open, with no incumbent. Competing for the mayor’s seat are Mark Armstrong, a current councilmember who in 2023 served as acting mayor when Hudson took a leave of absence; and Chirag Kathrani, a tech entrepreneur and community volunteer.

Competing for District 1 are Robert Jweinat, an attorney and member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, and Vasanth Shetty, a tech executive who is also a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Sridhar Verose is running unopposed for re-election to City Council District 3.

This year’s council election is centering around a proposed one-percent sales tax to alleviate a $17.6 million budget deficit; housing development and the fate of the Marketplace shopping center; and public safety, among other concerns.

The most immediately pressing issue is the city’s $17.6 million deficit, which is due to flattening revenues and increased costs. In July, the council approved putting Measure N on the ballot, which would increase the sales tax by one percent from 8.75% to 9.75 percent, and raise an estimated $16 million over the 10 years it will be in effect. Currently, San Ramon only collects a portion of sales taxes, but all of the additional revenue from the new tax will go toward the city’s General Fund.

In June, the council also approved $8.1 million in budget cuts across the board, along with plans to un-fund vacant positions, enhance revenue from user fees, and more.

Armstrong, Jweinat, and Shetty have all voiced support for Measure N, arguing that it will prevent further cuts, particularly to critical areas like police, fire, parks, and roads. Kathrani, as well as former San Ramon Mayor Greg Carr and former Councilmembers Mary Lou Oliver and Jim Blickenstaff, have all criticized the measure. Kathrani said the money can be raised through other cost cutting measures, though he said he would never advocate taking money away from the police department.

“I will scrutinize every norm and policy to find ways to turn a deficit into a surplus. One approach is to establish a financial audit committee and take a hands-on role in its operations,” he wrote in a Patch questionnaire.

Opponents of the measure argue that it places an undue burden on residents already suffering under inflation, and because the revenue goes to the General Fund, it may not address the specific areas intended. A citizen oversight committee will be appointed to monitor how the funds are spent.

Housing and development also remains a central issue. All candidates voiced the need for affordable housing and responsible growth that preserves the city’s open spaces. In forums hosted by Danville-San Ramon, all candidates voiced their disapproval for the way the Marketplace Shopping Center was redeveloped after popular stores like Nob Hill Foods and CVS left. While candidates like Shetty and Jweinat acknowledged the need for new housing, they said the Marketplace development did not fit the needs of the city. Jweinat said he expects it will be a “more of a blight on San Ramon,” but emphasized the need to “ensure that the infrastructure around Marketplace continues to be vital.”

Kathrani and Armstrong disagree on plans to build townhomes on 585 acres in the middle of City Center. In a candidates forum, Kathrani said he feels that condos are more appropriate for the area, and that City Center is not a good spot for a future downtown. Armstrong said he supports the plan for mixed-use development and a future downtown around City Center.

All candidates said that public safety remains a top priority, and advocated giving police, fire, and emergency services all the resources they require, despite budget challenges.

See here to learn more about each of the candidates, in their own words. See here to see City Council District 1 candidates on Contra Costa Television, and here to watch the candidates for mayor on Contra Costa Television. See here for a full guide to San Ramon’s 2024 ballot.