Editor’s note: “The Coronado News reached out to all 2024 mayoral candidates with questions to learn more about their priorities and philosophy in running for mayor. This list of questions is the second half of the total list; the first half ran in the Sept. 20 print edition and can be found online at thecoronadonews.com. Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.”
Q: Do you favor an ordinance with greater e-bike regulations?
Donovan: We absolutely need more regulations and guidelines with the goal of improving e-bike safety for both e-bike riders and for others who are at risk of being involved in an e-bike related accident. The main challenge currently is that the State of California considers e-bikes in the same category as pedal-powered bikes, and as a result, has offered no special safety guidelines for regulating e-bikes.
A step forward has happened in our current state legislative cycle with AB 2234 (sponsored by our California Assembly Member Tasha Boerner) which, among other things, sets an age limit for operating e-bikes at 12 years and older. If approved, this bill forms a foundation to move forward with additional safety provisions.
Q: What is a topic/issue in Coronado that was not referenced in these questions that you believe you can bring expertise to?
Donovan: As the only mayoral candidate with a combination of Navy experience, corporate business experience, and public service experience on the Coronado City Council for the past eight years, I have an understanding of Navy operations and priorities. And, serving as chair of the Coronado Naval Complexes Working Group (which is a public meeting held monthly with membership of the Commanding Officer of Naval Base Coronado, two council members and the city manager) has enabled me to stay current on the major base activities that impact our city.
Q: As mayor, how do your duties differ from that of City Council members and how are you going to lead the City Council?
Donovan: While the mayor has one vote, just like any other member of the City Council, I think the key additional responsibility of the mayor during council meetings is to build consensus and drive compromise on issues where there is not a clear majority. All council members will not always agree on how to address some specific issues, but unless we have the ability to discuss and compromise, nothing will get done.
Of course, the other main responsibility of the mayor is to represent the city with outside agencies and groups. As mayor, I will strive to drive consensus and compromise where needed, and to represent our city with respect and dignity.
Q: What is the most significant change that you intend to make in Coronado?
Donovan: As mayor, I would not consider it my role to make any kind of significant change in Coronado; nor would I run on the promise of making a significant change in Coronado. That’s not really how our city works.
Instead, the council works together to build consensus for any kind of “significant change.” This is a gradual process, one that tends to evolve incrementally, and always involves the council, city staff and our residents. The most significant thing I can do as mayor is to maintain openness and transparency in this process.
Q: City-wide ordinances have not been implemented for things like single-use plastic ban. Where do you stand on this?
Donovan: As a candidate, it would be easy to answer a question like this by saying that I would support a complete ban on all single-use plastics because of their impact on our environment. But as mayor, it would be my responsibility to make sure the council examines the consequences of this action, some of which may be unintended consequences.
For example, a restaurant manager recently pointed out to me that, while his large restaurant can probably afford single-use plastic alternatives, he worries that “mom and pop” size local businesses may not be able to survive.
I would also want to look at other things we could do to keep plastics out of our ecosystem and find a way to actually recycle them. I am a proponent of fully understanding all the consequences of taking an action before I take a stand, even if the initial answer seems obvious.
Q: Local cities and governmental entities have declared local emergencies for the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis. Will you push for Coronado to do the same?
Donovan: This was an agenda item at our Sept. 3 City Council meeting. Instead of declaring a local emergency, the council voted unanimously to issue City Council Resolution No. 2024-48 “… asserting the necessity and urgency to resolve cross border water pollution and restore environmental quality and access to coastal waters.”
Since the cross-border sewage issue is not under our local control and must be funded by the U.S. and Mexico federal governments, a declaration of emergency will not provide any added flexibility or authority enabling the resolution of the problem. With a City Council resolution, we communicate a strong statement of support without the added bureaucracy of actions required to maintain an emergency declaration. The resolution adequately expresses our commitment to taking the actions within our control to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible.
