Editor's Note: This is the first installment in a six-part series. Each candidate for Sarasota City Commission was asked to answer identical questions on city issues in advance of the March 10 city election. Liz Alpert is running in District 2.

What would be your first priority at the start of your new term? The redevelopment of the Bayfront Cultural District is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will forever change the face of Sarasota. As the nearly 40 stakeholders of Bayfront 20:20 move toward creating a long-term master plan, I will work to ensure the Bayfront remains open and accessible to the public. The late John Ringling and his brother Charles left a great legacy of cultural, artistic and architectural excellence. It’s time we now seize this opportunity, and this economic climate, to cement Sarasota’s preeminence as the cultural and artistic leader of our great state of Florida.  

What past or present city commissioner do you believe you would be most like in terms of how you govern? As a practicing family law attorney I am no stranger to tough situations where two parties are in opposition to one another. I always look to find solutions to for my clients and I will bring this problem-solving attitude to the commission.

What do you believe should be the city’s next step in terms of handling the homeless issue in Sarasota? Homelessness is a humanitarian issue. But it’s also a safety issue, economic issue and quality of life issue.  At any one time, the City of Sarasota has anywhere from 250-400 homeless individuals—6 times the national average. The City Commission must first come back to the table with the County Commission to create a long-term comprehensive plan for the homeless in our community. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We must work with business owners, neighborhoods, and non-profits to craft solutions for the newly homeless, homeless families, and the chronically homeless—many of which suffer from mental illness and addiction issues. This includes better funding those private organizations that are already helping our most vulnerable citizens get back on their feet. In the immediate term, funding additional Homeless Outreach Teams to work with the homeless on an individual case-by-case basis is a top priority.

What is the greatest financial challenge for the city right now and what is the most prudent way to handle it? There are three key financial challenges which the City Commission must address: (1)    The City Commission needs to evaluate and balance the Multimodal Transportations Impact Fee, which the City Commission implemented in 2014 at a discounted rate.  Setting this fee at appropriate level is key to ensure the City is doing all it can to provide alternative means of transportation to reduce motor vehicle congestion on our crowded roads, highways, and bridges. (2) The City Commission needs to work with the County Commission to ensure the Downtown and Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency programs remain funded after their current charters expire in 2016. (3) The unfunded pension liability continues to be a major financial issue which the City must address through its budgeting process.  

What is the one change you would like to see in the way city business is conducted today? The City Commission needs to be focused on solving the big problems that are important to its citizens and stop focusing on the issues that do not move the City forward.