City of San Luis ObispoCandidate for City Council

Elected in 2016, Andrea (Andy) Pease serves as Council Member for the City San Luis Obispo. Throughout her time on council, the city has made significant accomplishments in housing affordability, climate action, sustainable transportation, downtown vitality and fiscal responsibility.

 In addition to her city responsibilities, Andy serves on the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the SLO Valley Groundwater Basin. She also serves on the County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC), where she has been elected chair for the past three years.

 Outside of city council, Andy is an architect, business owner and environmental leader.

 She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduated from MIT in 1990 with a BS in Architecture.   She has worked in construction, planning and architecture since then, first in Atlanta, then Los Angeles, and finally San Luis Obispo when she and her husband Frank Basich moved here in 1997.

 In 2008, Andy joined forces with fellow architect Jennifer Rennick to establish In Balance Green Consulting.  Their 7-person firm has helped hundreds of clients regionally and throughout California to create projects that are energy efficient, healthy, cost effective and gentle on the planet. 

 Prior leadership activities include Leadership SLO Class XXIV, co-chair of SLO Citizens for Measure G 2014, Board of Directors for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair of I Madonnari, and founding Board Member of SLO Green Build and, in turn, Central Coast Green Building Council.

She continues to be active in the green building community and the AIA, including teaching and writing on building performance, energy efficiency and healthy environments.

Andy and Frank have two daughters, Mara and Gen, and are enjoying ‘bonus’ family time while work and college remain virtual from home. She enjoys biking, hiking, walks with the family dog, cooking for friends and family and visiting the Central Coast’s many fine wine and food establishments. 

I am honored to serve on the San Luis Obispo City Council and am excited to be running re-election for 2020.

Although these are challenging times, I have great hope. As a community, we have come together with creativity and generosity, looking out for each other when times are hard and celebrating our successes. I love San Luis Obispo, and I am inspired every day.

We have accomplished a lot over the past four years, and going forward, I will build on that foundation. Top Priorities:

Economic Recovery. Over the past few years, we have tightened our city budget and planned for long-term fiscal health, putting us in a stronger position for recovery. I will work to retain local businesses, support head-of-household jobs, and help provide child care for working families, while maintaining essential services for all our residents.

·        Housing Affordability. Our council has prioritized affordability, so more people who work here can afford to live here.  Access to local housing supports business, reduces carbon emissions and is a keystone of social equity, and I will continue to promote more housing options, walkable neighborhoods and great access for transit and biking.

·        Addressing Homelessness. We have strengthened partnerships with the county and non-profit agencies to support the homeless services center and provide services in the field. We must do more, and I support developing transitional housing, deploying social workers to those in crisis and advocating for mental health services for all who need it.

·        Climate action established the target of carbon neutral by 2035. We led our region in adopting community choice energy, so we are now receiving carbon-free electricity, supporting an equitable green economy and saving our residents money. I’ll continue the work of climate action through open space, urban forestry, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency.

·        Equity and Inclusion. Underpinning all of this work is my commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; we must ensure that all of our residents have a voice and fair access to opportunity.

Despite the challenges of our time, I am confident in a bright future. As a council member and a business owner, I have the experience to be effective. I have a balanced approach and listen to all perspectives. And I have a vision for our future that is sustainable, inclusive and thriving.

I’d appreciate your vote this November. Thank you so much!