2026 City Council Candidate Responses

Claremont Streets for People sent all 6 Claremont City Council candidates running for office the same 5 questions about transportation policy in Claremont. CSP’s questions and the candidates responses (listed alphabetically) are below. 

As of October 19th, CSP has received responses from Anna Jacobsen (District 4), Jennifer Stark (District 3) & Sonia Stump (District 3), however, questionnaire responses have not been received from Aundre Johnson (District 4), Lawrence Mueller (District 4) or Ed Reece (District 2). 

Note: CSP has endorsed Anna Jacobsen & Jennifer Stark for City Council based on their commitment to & prioritization of safe streets & active transportation during their campaigns.

1. What is your vision for improving active transportation (walking, rolling, biking, public transit) in Claremont over the next decade? How would you begin implementing that vision next year, if elected?

Anna Jacobsen (District 4)

I'd love to see Claremont become a place where walking, biking, and transit are safe and convenient ways to get around. We're fortunate to live in a relatively compact city, but getting between neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses without a car isn't always easy or safe. Over the next decade, I'd like us to build a connected network of sidewalks, safer crossings, and bike routes that make it easier for people to get around town. Claremont's Active Transportation Plan is an important step, but I think we need to be ambitious about what it accomplishes. Protected bike lanes are an important part of creating a safer network, particularly along busier streets. I don't want us to rule out improvements simply because they might require rethinking how our streets are currently used. I also recognize that changes to our streets can raise concerns about parking, traffic, and access for the people who live and work nearby. I believe we can take those concerns seriously without losing sight of our goals. That means involving residents early, considering different design options, and being open about the decisions we're making. In my first year, I'd focus on ensuring the Active Transportation Plan has clear priorities and a realistic implementation strategy, including funding opportunities and projects we can move forward on in the near term. I've worked with cities long enough to know that adopting a plan is just the first step. What matters is following through. I'd also like to revisit our traffic-calming policy. I don't think residents should have to organize their neighbors and help pay for improvements just to make their streets safer. We should be prioritizing those investments based on where they're needed most.

Jennifer Stark (District 3)

My long-term vision for active transportation in Claremont centers on cultivating an environment where walking, cycling, rolling, and public transit serve as easy, safe, and reliable choices for every resident. Fully realizing the potential of the Claremont Active Transportation Plan (ATP) requires establishing an interconnected, accessible network that directly addresses safety hazards throughout our city. This transformation demands practical roadway design focused on traffic calming, safer school corridors, and clear links to regional transit hubs. To ensure lasting progress, we must also identify key thoroughfares where immediate full-scale reconstruction is not financially feasible, establishing a clear schedule to modernize these corridors over time.

To make steady progress in the coming year, we can build upon current ATP initiatives by reviewing policies in our General Plan and proposing updated policy direction and funding allocations in the 2028–2030 budget. In addition, we will work closely with Claremont Streets for People, community stakeholders, and City staff to adopt and execute an Active Transportation Plan featuring dedicated, protected pathways while funding physical traffic-calming solutions.

At the same time, we will build safe pedestrian and bicycle connections to the forthcoming Metro A Line station. Finally, by using the ATP strategy to position Claremont for external funding and actively competing for regional grants through County and State Measures, the State Gas Tax, and other opportunities, we can maximize community benefits while protecting the City's General Fund.

Sonia Stump (District 3)

I believe safety education for kids biking, skateboarding, scooters etc. is essential, being a defensive rider, but also following common sense rules for riding. E-bike injuries alone have doubled from all of 2025 to July 2026, not a good trend. Quite a few streets in Claremont are slated to have speed limit reduced by 5 miles per hour, Mills being one example. I would like to see more traffic enforcement near schools, too many speeding vehicles. Arrow and College is one example.

2. In your view, how should the extension of the Metro A line to Claremont be incorporated into Claremont’s transportation plans? How would you ensure Claremont maximizes the benefits of the new station, including development around the station?

Anna Jacobsen (District 4)

The promise of the A Line coming to Claremont was one of the reasons my husband and I chose to move here. I grew up taking the train to high school and have always valued having access to public transportation. I'm really excited that we'll soon have that connection here in Claremont and all the possibilities it brings for our community. To make the most of the A Line, we need to think beyond the station itself. Our transportation planning should make it safe and convenient for people to reach the station without a car, with good connections to surrounding neighborhoods, the Village, and the Colleges. That means safer crossings, better bike routes, accessible sidewalks, and bus service that connects well with the trains. I'd like the Active Transportation Plan to prioritize these connections and identify what improvements we can make before the station opens. The area around the station is also one of the places where additional housing makes the most sense. I'd like to see a mix of housing options, including affordable and workforce housing, along with shops, services, and public spaces that encourage people to walk. Village South is an example of why we need to think carefully about how new development connects to transit, supports local businesses, and fits into the surrounding community. We have an opportunity to accommodate some of our housing needs in a location where residents have alternatives to driving. We also need to prepare for the effects of the new station on traffic, parking, and surrounding neighborhoods. The City should be working closely with Metro, local transit providers, the Colleges, businesses, and residents to understand those impacts and identify needed improvements. I'd want us to be planning for those investments now, including how we'll fund them, rather than waiting until the station opens. 

Jennifer Stark (District 3)

Incorporating the Metro A Line expansion into Claremont's overarching transportation blueprint requires blending regional light rail service with our local land-use priorities, actively coordinating station design, multimodal integration, and community-level land use preparations for the Metro A Line extension. The Village South Specific Plan is the perfect example of how Claremont plans to cultivate dynamic transit-oriented growth, combining walkable residential options, lively storefronts, and multimodal pathways that seamlessly guide incoming commuters straight into the Village and neighboring educational centers. To welcome regional visitors to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park without increasing vehicle congestion, we can establish a dedicated transit connector linking the new Metro A Line station directly to the park.

Capitalizing on these advantages demands preemptively tackling associated pressures, such as heightened local traffic, increased Village parking strains, and heavier utilization of shared civic areas. Implementing strategic traffic-calming measures, adaptive parking solutions, and upgraded bike corridors will ensure our neighborhood streets stay safe and accessible. Concurrently, addressing regional challenges, including delivering dedicated support to unhoused community members with high service needs, requires continuous collaboration with LA Metro, Los Angeles County agencies, and local non-profit partners. Through balanced, transit-aligned community development alongside compassionate inter-agency cooperation, Claremont can leverage the A Line connection to strengthen neighborhood businesses, preserve our historic charm, and support vibrant, active living.

Sonia Stump (District 3)

A line will bring some opportunities to connect with Metrolink and Foothill Transit, I would like to see Bike services, it was tried before but wasn't used enough. Trends are different now, bike services might be more appreciated. I would love to see a new bike shop incorporated as well since we lost our Bike Shop on First, maybe a snack/coffee shop. Creative thinking, a citizens think tank could be formed to come up with ideas to incorporate.

3. What are your ideas for improving traffic and transportation to our local schools?

Anna Jacobsen (District 4)

As a parent of three kids in Claremont schools, I see the challenges around school traffic firsthand. I also know how much of a difference it would make if more families felt comfortable having their kids walk or bike to school. One of the first things I'd like to do is lower our school-zone speed limits from 25 to 20 mph. State law is moving us in that direction, but I don't think we need to wait until 2031. And posting a lower speed limit isn't enough on its own. We need to look at how our streets are designed so drivers actually slow down. The school walking audits completed as part of the Active Transportation Plan give us a good place to start. The City has identified 75 potential improvements around our schools, including safer crossings, sidewalks, crossing guards, and changes to drop-off and pick-up areas. I'd like to work with CUSD to prioritize those recommendations, identify funding, and start making improvements where they're needed most. We also need to look beyond the immediate school entrances. Kids need safe routes through their neighborhoods, not just the last block before they reach campus. Better bike connections, safer intersections, and organized walking and biking groups could help more families leave the car at home and reduce some of the congestion around schools. I'd love for more Claremont kids to have the independence to walk or bike to school. But for that to happen, parents need to feel confident that their kids can get there safely. 

Jennifer Stark (District 3)

Improving traffic and transportation safety around local schools requires a comprehensive approach focused on safety, accessibility, and a cultural shift toward active travel. By prioritizing the City's Safe Routes to School program and building on the draft recommendations of Claremont's Active Transportation Plan, developed through extensive school walk audits and parent feedback, we can establish safer walking and biking routes surrounding every campus. This includes targeted infrastructure upgrades within a quarter-mile of schools, such as physical traffic calming, high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, and improved queue lanes to manage drop-off and pick-up congestion effectively.

Achieving lasting results requires ongoing collaboration with the Claremont Unified School District, individual school sites, and School Site Councils to align campus procedures with roadway safety measures. Beyond physical infrastructure, we must encourage a community-wide culture shift that supports walking and rolling to school. Expanding organized bike buses, installing secure bike parking at every campus, and partnering with local service clubs and community groups for volunteer support and education will help ensure our school routes are safe, welcoming, and accessible for all students.

Sonia Stump (District 3)

I think the flashing speed limit signs are effective but honestly traffic enforcement several, unannounced times each year would be effective. Also each school needs to remind parents regularly in newsletters, PFA meetings etc. to slow down. Ask them for ideas to make safety a priority. Encourage students to ride bikes or walk to school.

4. What do you think is the most effective way to reduce parking demand during peak times in the Village?

Anna Jacobsen (District 4)

I think we need to approach Village parking from two directions: making better use of the parking we already have and giving people more ways to get there without driving. I'd like Claremont to develop a Village Parking Management Plan that looks at how parking is being used, particularly during peak times. Are certain lots consistently full while others have available spaces? How much of our most convenient parking is occupied for longer periods? Could we make better use of shared parking, adjust time limits, or improve signage to help people find available spaces? I'd want the City to work with Village businesses, employees, and residents to understand their needs before making significant changes. At the same time, I think we spend too much time talking about where to put more cars and not enough about making it easier to get to the Village without one. Better bike connections, convenient bike parking, and reliable transit can all help reduce demand. This will become even more important as the A Line gets closer. One of the things I love about the Village is that once you're there, you can spend hours walking around without ever needing your car. I'd like us to make getting there just as easy, while making sure parking works for the businesses, residents, and visitors who need it. 

Jennifer Stark (District 3)

To effectively reduce parking demand during peak times in the Village, we should focus on two primary strategies: prioritizing on-street parking for customers and visitors rather than employees, and implementing a modern parking management model. While transitioning from free parking represents a shift for Claremont, the arrival of the Metro A Line offers a timely opportunity to update our parking framework and mitigate congestion. By drawing on performance-based parking principles, such as dynamic rate adjustments, we can reduce unnecessary vehicle cruising and traffic congestion. Reinvesting parking revenues directly into local streetscape enhancements, including sidewalk repairs, enhanced lighting, and transit access, will demonstrate clear public benefits while supporting the goals outlined in Claremont's Community Mobility Element.

Sonia Stump (District 3)

Paid parking, Claremont residents get the first couple hours free and enforcement so employees don't take up half of the parking. This has been an issue for many years.

5. In the US, approximately 30% of all people are unable to drive a vehicle, due to disability, age, legal status or other factors. What will you do to make sure that these groups are able to get where they need to go in Claremont, such as schools, parks, community centers, medical offices, and grocery stores?

Anna Jacobsen (District 4)

It's easy to take for granted how much independence comes with being able to drive. But the more I talk with people in our community, especially older adults, people with disabilities, and those who don't have access to a car, the more I realize how difficult everyday tasks like getting to the grocery store, a doctor's appointment, or even a park can be. I want us to pay closer attention to those everyday trips when we're making transportation decisions. It's not enough to have a sidewalk or a bus stop if someone can't safely get to it, cross the street, or complete the rest of their journey. The Active Transportation Plan includes recommendations for improving sidewalks, crossings, and accessibility, and I'd like to build on that work. We need to make sure we're also looking at connections to grocery stores, medical offices, parks, and community centers, not just schools and the Village. I'd prioritize fixing gaps in our sidewalk network and making it safer and easier to reach transit. I'd also like to take a closer look at how well services like Dial-a-Ride and Get About are meeting residents' needs. Are they available when people need them? Are they affordable and reliable? Are they getting people where they need to go? As we prepare for the A Line, we should be thinking about how these services and our local buses connect with the larger transit system. I also think we need to make sure older adults and people with disabilities have a seat at the table when we're making transportation decisions. We need to hear directly from the people who rely on alternatives to driving, understand the challenges they face, and make sure their experiences help shape the improvements we prioritize. I'd like to see that engagement be an ongoing part of our planning process, not just something we do when a new plan is being developed. To me, this is about independence and being able to participate fully in our community. Whether you're 8 or 80, or have a disability that makes driving impossible, you should be able to get around Claremont safely and with dignity.

Jennifer Stark (District 3)

Ensuring reliable mobility for community members who do not drive, because of age, disability, legal status, or financial circumstances, is fundamental to building an equitable and connected Claremont. Delivering safe, dependable access to vital civic and commercial hubs requires continually strengthening and expanding our local paratransit and micro-transit networks. Supported by programs like Claremont Dial-a-Ride and Get About through the Pomona Valley Transportation Authority, we must enhance door-to-door connectivity, optimize scheduling, and integrate these services into our broader active transportation framework to deliver dignified, accessible, and reliable mobility for all residents.

Creating a truly accessible transportation system also depends on deep, sustained partnerships with key local stakeholders. Close coordination with CUSD, local senior living communities, and community organizations helps ensure service routes align with the daily needs of disabled individuals, youth and older adults. Furthermore, leveraging the expanded capabilities of the Spring Street Center, (recently formed through the partnership of Aging Next and the Service Center for Independent Living, and Aging and Disability Resource Center) provides a vital opportunity to identify service gaps and deliver tailored, accessible solutions. By pairing robust transit investments with proactive community engagement, we can ensure every resident can comfortably and independently navigate Claremont.

Sonia Stump (District 3)

I'm thankful Claremont has Dial-A-Ride, Get About.  ADA compliance is a priority with the City. There are also a couple nonprofits that work to provide transportation for seniors and disabled.