John Bauters

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John Bauters
Councilmember of Emeryville
In office
2016–Present
Preceded byDianne Martinez
Mayor of Emeryville
In office
2023–2021
Preceded byChristian Patz
Succeeded byCourtney Welch
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Education
WebsiteCampaign website

John J. Bauters is an American politician, attorney, and nonprofit policy director.[2] He is a city council member for the city of Emeryville, California. From 2021 to 2023, he was mayor of Emeryville.

Early life and education[edit]

Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Bauters spent most of his childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[1] He got his B.A. in Government & International Studies and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.[2]

Career[edit]

Before his political career, Bauters was disaster relief coordinator, a public policy advocate, and a legal aid attorney.[3]

Bauters began most of his political work in 2012, when he moved to Emeryville.[4] After his time in the nonprofit sector, he worked on the Housing Planning Commission, citing it as an issue he is sensitive to.[5] Bauters also has worked on the Housing Committee in Emeryville, as the policy director at Housing California, and at the CalWorks Housing Support Program, specializing in care for homeless mothers.

Bauters ran for a city council position in 2014, but lost by under 200 votes.[6] When running for city council in 2014, Bauters stated that one of the main issues that he wanted to work to address would be affordable housing.[7] He ran for city council again in 2016 and was elected. The city of Emeryville uses a council–city manager system, so its council is the main legislative body.[8] Every year, one mayor and one vice mayor are chosen from, and by, the members of the council.[9]

From 2021 to 2023, Bauters held the position of mayor.[10][11][12] He was the first Emeryville city councilmember to serve two consecutive mayoral terms since Ken Bukowski served in both 1997 and 1998.[12] As mayor and member of the council, Bauters has helped create the city's budget and policies, while also being appointed to both city and regional advisory committees.[13]

In 2021, under a new state program, Emeryville sought a "pro-housing city" designation which would allow them more access to state housing funds.[14] As mayor, Bauters supported intergenerational and affordable housing, including public housing projects.[15][16] He hosted several town halls per month to discuss housing developments with constituents.[16] On social media, Bauters has often been critical of other cities in the Bay Area and their refusal to build more housing.[17]

In April 2023, Bauters, alongside other mayors, was voted into The Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety, which is partnered with AARP and Smart Growth America. Emeryville, the city which Bauters represents, has the smallest population of any city represented by the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety. Milwaukee mayor Cavalier Johnson praised the addition of Bauters.[18] The mayors meet monthly to discuss solutions to pedestrian safety hazards in cities.[19]

In September 2023, Bauters visited Ann Arbor, Michigan for a bike ride in which residents were invited to participate. A few days later, Bauters spoke as a guest at the Ann Arbor mobility summit, along with Christopher Taylor.[20] When he goes on group bike rides, Bauters says he discusses "people-oriented infrastructure and community safety" with local community members.[21]

In October 2023, Bauters lobbied for funds to improve biking, walking, and bussing conditions in Emeryville as part of the 40th Street Multimodal Project.[22][23] The project, which some business owners opposed,[24] would add two-way bike lanes, bus-only lanes, and improved pedestrian features to the area.[25] City council ultimately approved the project 4–1.[24]

On December 6, 2023, Bauters was replaced by Vice Mayor Courtney Welch as mayor of Emeryville.[26] Emeryville rotates its mayoral position amongst its city council members, with the Vice Mayor typically promoted the next year. While Bauters is no longer mayor, he retains his position on the council and continues to be a part of each advisory committee. Bauters also announced his intent to run for a third term as councilmember in 2024.[citation needed]

Advocacy[edit]

In addition to being a councilmember of Emeryville, Bauters currently holds multiple positions for different political and social organizations and committees.[2] He is a state director for Alliance for Safety and Justice, a board director for California Association of Councils of Governments,[27] a chapter executive committee candidate and member of Sierra Club,[28] board chair of the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program,[29] and board member for the Alameda-Contra Transit Interagency Liaison Committee.[30] Bauters has also advocated for more usage of bikes by organizing bikes with groups of local politicians in order to bring attention to the importance of bikes in cities.[31]

Electoral history[edit]

Emeryville City Council[edit]

Bauters was first elected to the Emeryville City Council in 2016; he was one of the candidates competing for 3 available seats that year.[32] Emeryville residents elect five city council members to four-year terms.[33] City council elections are held in alternating even-numbered years, with three members being elected in one election and two members elected in the following election.[33] Every year, Emeryville's city council selects a mayor and vice-mayor from the council.[33]

2016 Emeryville City Council Election
Candidate General election [34]
Votes %
John J. Bauters 2,312 22.68
Ally Medina 2,121 20.81
Christian Patz 1,247 16.90
Louise Engel 1,389 13.63
Jon Van Geffen 1,247 12.23
Write-ins 18 0.18

Personal life[edit]

Bauters is gay.[35][36] He and his partner Aaron chose to move to Emeryville in 2012 because they sought a smaller, civically-engaged city that valued public transit.[1] As mayor, Bauters was one of the few gay mayors in California.[35][36] He is known to be an animal lover, bicyclist, and outdoors enthusiast.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Arias, Rob (2014-09-17). "Meet your City Council Candidates: Public Policy Director John J. Bauters". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. ^ a b c d "Staff Directory • Emeryville • CivicEngage". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  3. ^ "Full Biography for John J. Bauters". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  4. ^ Landes, Emily (2022-04-25). "Emeryville Mayor John Bauters talks about building housing instead of political careers". The Real Deal. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  5. ^ "Episode 41: Not Your Traditional Politician". TransLoc. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  6. ^ Arias, Rob (2016-02-22). "John Bauters officially declares candidacy as Emeryville Council Race warms up". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  7. ^ Arias, Rob (2014-09-17). "Meet your City Council Candidates: Public Policy Director John J. Bauters". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  8. ^ "City Council | City of Emeryville, CA - Official Website". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  9. ^ "Council Members | City of Emeryville, CA - Official Website". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  10. ^ "Staff Directory • Emeryville • CivicEngage". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us.
  11. ^ Vargas, Theresa (4 February 2023). "Meet Nimbee, the mascot who scorns bike lanes, development and change". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b Arias, Rob (2023-12-06). "Welch Elevated to Mayor; Mourra Vice Mayor in Surprise Vote; Bauters declares intent to seek 3rd term". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  13. ^ "Staff Directory • Emeryville • CivicEngage". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  14. ^ Dineen, By J. K. (2021-12-09). "It's one of California's most YIMBY city councils — and one of the few surpassing housing goals". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  15. ^ "Emeryville takes 'can-do' approach to affordable housing". KALW. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  16. ^ a b "SPUR Talk: Emeryville Sets the Way for Housing, Bike Infra - Streetsblog San Francisco". sf.streetsblog.org. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  17. ^ Staff, T. R. D. (2021-12-13). "How Emeryville's Housing Production Has Been Shaming Bay Area Neighbors". The Real Deal. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  18. ^ "Milwaukee mayor joins national group of mayors looking to improve pedestrian safety". TMJ4 News. April 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety". Mayors Innovation Project.
  20. ^ Stanton, Ryan (September 14, 2023). "'America's bike mayor' coming to Ann Arbor, area cyclists invited to join in social ride". mlive.com.
  21. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/02/04/nimbee-bee-mascot-satire/
  22. ^ Goard • •, Alyssa (2023-10-23). "Emeryville mayor in DC pushing for federal funds for local transit improvements". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  23. ^ "40th Street Multimodal Project | City of Emeryville, CA - Official Website". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  24. ^ a b Arias, Rob (2023-07-25). "Arts Center "Back to Square One"; Planning Director Bryant Retires; Contentious 40th St. Safety Project Approved". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  25. ^ of, Emeryville, City (2020-08-04). "40th Street Protected Bikeway and Multimodal Improvements". ceqanet.opr.ca.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ Arias, Rob (2023-12-06). "Welch Elevated to Mayor; Mourra Vice Mayor in Surprise Vote; Bauters declares intent to seek 3rd term". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  27. ^ "Board of Directors". California Association of Councils of Governments. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  28. ^ "2023 Candidate Statements | Sierra Club". www.sierraclub.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  29. ^ "Board Members - Lead Poisoning Prevention Program - Community Development Agency - Alameda County". www.achhd.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  30. ^ "Alameda-Contra Costa Transit district - City of Emeryville - AC Transit Interagency Liaison Committee". actransit.legistar.com. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  31. ^ Warren, Brent (7 June 2023). "'America's Bike Mayor' Has Some Thoughts to Share About Columbus and Bike Lanes". Columbus Underground. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  32. ^ Arias, Rob (2016-09-16). "2016 Emeryville City Council Candidate Questionnaire: John Bauters". The E'ville Eye Community News. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  33. ^ a b c "City Council | City of Emeryville, CA - Official Website". www.ci.emeryville.ca.us. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  34. ^ "General Election Summary Report Results" (PDF). Official Election Site of Alameda County. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  35. ^ a b Garofoli, Joe (June 19, 2022). "This Pride Month, California's few LGBTQ leaders are facing death threats and harassment". San Francisco Chronicle.
  36. ^ a b mission, fifth & (June 24, 2022). "What's tough about pride for Emeryville's gay mayor". San Francisco Chronicle.
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