Scottsdale mayoral candidate David Ortega said his new citizen-driven committees and principles will direct city council decisions if elected mayor.

Ortega, a former city council member, said the city council must create a comprehensive and acceptable General Plan 2035, which will define goals for growth, neighborhood life, character, transportation, economic vitality, parks and recreation and human services.

"My motivation is that I have strong experience in city council," Ortega said. "We need training that is more accountable to our elected officials."

Ortega has also been in the architectural industry for 41 years, which he said is an advantage if elected mayor.

"I'm familiar with planning and development issues around the city," he said. "As an architect, planning is a major factor in my work."

One of Ortega's goals focuses around the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Ortega outlined a $5 million plan to expand Pinnacle Peak Park, $10.5 million for a new fire station, $16.6 million for renovations at the police station Via Linda, $6.3 million for a bridge at Reata Pass, $7 million to expand the senior center at Granite Reef.

Similarly, to Ortega's McDowell Sonoran Preserve expansion plans, he voted on Proposition 420, the citizen-driven initiative. Proposition 420 requires citizen-driven analysis and public vote for major improvements in the preserve.

Along with Ortega's goals for improvements to the preserve, Ortega's website, electdaveortegamayor.com, lists his positions for police protection, protecting neighborhoods, voting districts, and stronger ties to Scottsdale schools.

"I offer advantage," he said. "I will be available to the people of Scottsdale. It is a tremendous advantage to be available."

Ortega is running against Lisa Borowsky, a lawyer, and former city council member.

"My positions are very forward thinking with action items," Borowsky said. "I will enhance transparency and citizen involvement."

Borowsky's campaign website, Standupforscottsdale.com, lists her actions for the first 30 days. One of Borowsky's proposals is to make the planning and zoning commissioners directly accountable to a specific city council member and their constituents.

"There is neither transparency nor accountability with the current Planning and Zoning set-up," Borowksy wrote on her campaign website. "We must implement a one per Council member appointment system to insure a direct line of accountability. It provides our citizens with more direct accessibility to the process and increases accountability of Council members' and their appointments."

Borowsky said within her first 30 days as mayor if elected, she would reach out to stakeholders in old town and research into the city's budget.

"If I had a million dollars, I would clean up downtown and old town, and expand user friendly transportation," Borowsky said.

If Ortega is elected, he said he will use the transition period to make an action plan for his goals for the city and fill in the three city council seats.

Ortega said he strives to "Give a voice." "Scottsdale government must be accessible, accountable, balanced and responsive. Districts might be the answer. As mayor, I pledge to lead the discussion," he said.