Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Leo Medrano

Current job title: VP Finance

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Cypress City Commissioner

City where you reside: Cypress

Campaign website or social media: www.leo4cypress.com

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I am aware of and understand the challenges Cypress faces. There is a shortage of housing, and Sacramento has tried to solve this truly economic problem (of supply and demand) by passing legislation that is overly onerous. State housing mandates frustrate many. Cypress residents want to keep Cypress the way it is, and nearly all Cypress residents don’t want more traffic and more parking problems.

The worst solution for this housing problem is to concentrate housing in areas that already struggle with traffic issues. I will steadfastly fight against high-density housing that will cause more traffic for Cypress residents.

Additionally, it saddens me to hear stories of how grandparents can’t see their grandkids because family members have been priced out of living in Cypress.

So to make housing more accessible to seniors, young professionals and new families starting out, we should work with elected officials at the state and federal level to explore tax credits or other initiatives to assist buyers with down payments and explore making new developments more affordable.

California is working toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Where does climate change fall in your list of priorities? How, if at all, would you address this as a councilmember? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Climate change is a top priority because it directly impacts the long-term health, safety and prosperity of our community. Addressing climate change would be central to my agenda as a councilmember. I would take the following steps to address it:

– Better partnerships and collaborations: Work with neighboring cities, state agencies and businesses to implement effective climate solutions.

– Community education and engagement: Start programs to educate businesses and residents about sustainable practices and more actively involve the community in planning.

– Projects: Invest in climate resilience projects, such as enhancing green spaces and improving water management systems, and more climate-friendly ecosystems.

– Renewable energy: Promote the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and educate residents and businesses about incentives for residential and commercial properties to transition to clean energy.

– Sustainable urban planning: Encourage increased carpooling, public transportation, an energy-efficient infrastructure and greener building standards (that make economic sense).

By prioritizing these we can ensure a more sustainable and safer future for Cypress.

How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Cypress is in a relatively strong financial position ($200 million in reserves). But if we are not careful, things can deteriorate quickly. I am very concerned about lawsuits that waste taxpayers’ money, businesses shutting down, higher taxes and having an unsafe city that will cause businesses and consumers to go elsewhere (thereby decreasing tax revenue).

So, it is imperative that Cypress makes smart decisions to protect our city’s long-term fiscal health.

First and foremost, we must continue to make public safety (our police department) the top priority. Safety is the cornerstone of any community. People want to shop in safe cities. Businesses want to operate in safe cities. Keeping Cypress safe is an economic win for individuals, communities and businesses.

Second, we must continue to strive to lower taxes and fees. By currently having one of the lowest sales tax rates in Southern California, Cypress attracts more businesses with consumers continuing to shop here. All this leads to better financial stability for Cypress.

Third, we must eliminate wasteful government spending and prioritize the things that matter most (public safety, parks, roads).

Fourth, create a business-friendly environment to generate more economic opportunities.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

There exists a strong sense of civic pride within Cypress, making Cypress one of the safest places to live, work and raise a family in California. However, I feel the biggest need our fine city faces is addressing internal fighting and division within the community. This issue undermines social cohesion, hampers progress and creates an environment of mistrust.

To address this, I would focus on:

– Facilitating more open dialogue: Create more town hall meetings and forums where residents can discuss issues openly, share perspectives and find more common ground.

– Promote community events: Organize events that bring groups together. These events can better foster a sense of unity and build relationships.

– Inclusive policymaking: Ensure that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. This inclusivity can help prevent feelings of disenfranchisement that often lead to conflict.

– Conflict resolution programs and education initiatives: Offer conflict resolution programs within the community to help people manage disputes constructively.

By focusing on these strategies, we can reduce internal fighting, build a more cohesive and resilient community and ensure a brighter tomorrow for Cypress.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I’m a second-generation Navy veteran, engineer, finance executive and father.

I’m the first in my family to attend college. After graduating from Stanford Engineering School and Stanford School of Economics, I served as a U.S. Naval Officer. Later, I attended UCLA Business School and worked for two decades as a finance executive for large and small companies. I know how to balance budgets and plan for a sound financial future.

After the Navy, my call to service continued locally, serving as a Cypress city commissioner and volunteering with various organizations.

My children have attended Landell, Lexington and Cypress High School.

As a member of the City Council, I will continue to listen and engage with our community members to ensure all groups are represented through the programs and services we provide.

As for my leadership style, every decision I make will need to answer: “Will my actions (votes) create a brighter future for the people of Cypress — as one of the safest and most desirable cities in the state to live, work and raise a family.”

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