Alhambra voters will head to the polls on November 3 to elect representatives to three City Council districts. District 1 has two candidates on the ballot, District 2 has one unopposed candidate, and District 5 has three candidates.
Ahead of the election, Around Alhambra asked candidates in contested races to respond to the same set of questions about their priorities, policy positions, and vision for the city. The responses give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about why they are running, what they hope to accomplish, and how they would approach key issues affecting Alhambra. Candidates who submitted responses are presented in the order they were received.
For residents who would like to hear from the candidates directly, the Alhambra City Council Meet the Candidates Forum will be held October 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alhambra Library. The forum will be moderated by the Pasadena League of Women Voters, giving residents an opportunity to hear candidates respond to questions about issues affecting Alhambra ahead of the November 3 election.
Melissa Michelson – District 5
- Why are you running for Alhambra City Council?
City Council is not a stepping stone for me, and I’m not a career politician. I’m running because Alhambra deserves more than promises recycled term after term. District 5 deserves an honest, proactive representative who listens, follows through, and advocates for residents and small business owners even if it’s politically inconvenient.
For years, I’ve met with neighbors, shared updates on decisions that affect them, and advocated for our community, whether as a city commissioner or neighborhood advocate. For 18 years, I’ve regularly attended and participated in Alhambra City meetings and initiatives. I would bring that same commitment and experience to the Council because the people who live, work, and run small businesses in Alhambra deserve a responsive, accountable City Hall. - What is one thing you’d like to accomplish for Alhambra during your first year on the City Council?
I’d like to partner with the Chamber, local business owners, and residents to launch a Legacy Business Program that helps longtime Alhambra businesses stay and thrive. For all small businesses, the city should identify the challenges they face, including expensive City fees and rising rents that lead to vacant storefronts, and work on practical and feasible steps to attract more mom n’ pops to Alhambra, and support them once they are here. Our neighborhood businesses are part of what makes Alhambra home. - If elected, what current issue would you spend less City Council time on and what would you hope to replace that time spent doing?
I’d spend less meeting time on ceremonial presentations and more on the decisions that affect residents and businesses. I would expect staff and consultants groups to present clear data, costs, and options, with enough time for council members to ask questions and discuss the tradeoffs in public. That would not only help the Council make better decisions for the City, but give the community a clearer understanding of why they were made. - What do you think should be Alhambra’s top priorities when it comes to spending public funds?
Quality of life, sustainability, and safety; support for small businesses; and more accountability in City Hall.
Alhambra should spend public funds on what makes it easier to live, work, and do business here: safe streets, welcoming neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure, and a thriving local economy. That includes more trees and shade, practical bike connections, and support for businesses beyond our restaurant corridors.
Alhambrans want more places to spend their time and money locally. They also want opportunities to work near home and live near their families. When storefronts sit vacant, the City should find out why and address the barriers to filling them, rather than wait for them to “transition” as was expressed at a recent city council meeting.
Residents and businesses should have a meaningful say in spending priorities. I would use a reliable citywide survey to help guide budget decisions, then measure whether City programs deliver the results our community wants. - What is the best way to create more housing for those who want to live in the City?
Creating more housing takes more than a one-size-fits-all approach.
I would start by finding out what is delaying already-approved affordable housing projects, including “Mariposa”, planned since 2020 on a City-owned site in Downtown Alhambra, and work to get it moving.
We should also make better use of underused buildings and land through adaptive reuse, mixed-use and live-work spaces, as well as engage in partnerships with community land trusts.
The City can help local property owners sensitively build housing like ADUs, and make it easier for small landlords to compete with large developers. New housing should offer meaningful affordability and with the assurance that traffic, parking, open space, and privacy won’t be negatively impacted, and, where needed, be built only after existing ground contamination is addressed.
As Alhambra grows, we must plan for streets, utilities, trees, and open space so both new and longtime residents can thrive and so that new housing strengthens—not overwhelms—our community. I would also explore pathways to homeownership for residents ready to buy. - Specifically, how can you help businesses thrive in Alhambra: What policies would you champion to support the success of those here and make it attractive for others to open here?
I would review City fees to make sure they are reasonable for small businesses, create a more clear, user-friendly website explaining how to open a business in Alhambra, designate multi-lingual City Hall staff to guide small business and first-time applicants through the process and follow up with and support them long after the initial application period. Making it easier to open and operate a business would help fill vacant storefronts and attract new businesses.
Like other cities, Alhambra can benefit from a Legacy Business Program. I introduced this idea while serving on the Historic Preservation Commission last year. A free public registry and City promotion could raise the profile of long-standing local businesses, while grants, technical assistance, and other resources could help small businesses stay in Alhambra. Supporting these businesses protects local jobs and preserves the neighborhood character that Alhambrans value and that draws others to our city. - What do you see as the primary role of the Alhambra City Council?
The City Council’s primary role is to serve as a steward for Alhambra’s residents and businesses, now and in the future. That means listening to the community, setting priorities, overseeing how public funds are spent, and ensuring essential services and programs are funded. - What do you love most about Alhambra? What makes this City special?
I fell in love with Alhambra’s historic neighborhoods when I moved here in 2008. Since then, I’ve gotten to know longtime neighbors who look out for one another and newer residents who see Alhambra as a place to raise their families. Both care about protecting our quality of life. I also see the potential for a lively arts district in our industrial area, with spaces that bring people together and create jobs. - BONUS: What is your favorite restaurant in Alhambra to take visitors to and why?
That’s a tough one, because I don’t have a favorite, but I enjoy taking visitors to Aloha Food Factory for breakfast or lunch because it’s authentic in food, decor and friendly staff, and for dinner Dolan’s Uyghur Cuisine because the ambiance is welcoming, the noodles are fresh, and the cherry baklava is delicious. It’s a family-owned unique cultural experience where they take pride in their product.
