HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 374-10City of Palo Alto
City Manager's Report
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TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2010 CMR: 374:10
REPORT TYPE: CONSENT
SUBJECT: Adoption of Six Resolutions Addressing Fall 2010 Ballot Initiatives:
(1) Resolution Supporting Measure E, Foothill-De Anza
Community College District Educational Opportunity and Job
Training Parcel Tax
(2) Resolution Supporting Measure A, Parcel Tax for Healthy
Kids Program '
(3) Resolution Supporting Measure B, Santa Clara County Valley
Transportation Authority Vehicle Registration Fee
(4) Resolution Supporting Measure C, Term Limits for Santa
Clara Valley Water District
(5) Resolution Supporting Proposition 25 Amending the
California Constitution to Change the Legislative Vote Requirement
to Pass the State Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority
(6) Resolution Supporting Proposition 21 Establishing $18 Annual
Vehicle License Surcharge to Fund State Parks and Wildlife
Programs
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to Council direction at the September 27 meeting, staff is bringing forward six
resolutions on fall ballot measures for Council adoption. The resolutions support the following
ballot measures: State Propositions 21 and 25 and Regional Measures A, B, C and E. '
DISCUSSION
, At the September 27 Council meeting, the Council directed staff to return with resolutions in
support of State Propositions 21 and 25 as well as Regional Measures A, B, C and E. This report
presents these six resolutions for Council consideration. Staff was able to prepare resolutions for
Measures A and E, which are attached to this report. Staff will distribute the remaining
resolutions to the Council on Monday prior to the meeting.
Additionally, the Council requested that the Policy & Services Committee evaluate opposing
Propositions 20 and 27 at the September 30 Committee meeting. A separate report on this
evening's agenda brings forth resolutions on those two propositions.
CMR: 374:10 Page 1 of3
Statewide Measures:
Proposition 21 (Position -SUDDort): This measure would establish an $18 annual vehicle
license surcharge to help fund state parks and wildlife programs. A new trust fund would be
created for these funds and the funds would be used solely for the operation, maintenance and
repair of state parks and to protect wildlife and natural resources. There would be no fiscal
impact of this measure on local governments. The measure is anticipated to generate
approximately $250 million annually for state parks and wildlife conservation.
Proposition 25 (Position -SUDDort): This measure would change the legislative vote
requirement to pass the State budget and budget-related legislation from two-thirds to a simple
majority. Ifthe Legislature fails to pass a budget bill by June 15, all members would forfeit any
reimbursement for salary and expenses for every day until the day they pass a budget bill. The
lower vote requirement could affect the content of the budget and spending-related bills but there
is no clear fiscal impact of this measure on local governments.
Regional Measures:
Measure A -Santa Clara County Children's Health Protection (Position -Support): This
measure would enact a $29 annual parcel tax limited to 10 years. The measure is anticipated to
generate $13-14 million annually and would create a source of funding to "protect and maintain
children's health and prevent serious illnesses through regular medical checkups, immunizations,
and early detection; to reduce costs from unnecessary emergency room use; and to prevent
elimination of insurance coverage for low-income children of working families." The measure
would provide funding for the Healthy Kids Program, which provides health care and medical
insurance to approximately 8,400 children in the County. The program is run by the Santa Clara
Family Health Plan, which is a public, not-for-profit health plan that operates solely in Santa
Clara County. Attachment G provides a recent San Jose Mercury News article about the
measure.
Measure B -Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (position -Support): This
measure would increase the motor vehicle registration fee (VRF) by $10 for each vehicle
registered in Santa Clara County to relieve traffic congestion, improve streets and reduce
polluted toxic roadway runoff. Approximately 80% of the revenues from the measure will go
towards local road improvement and repair, 15% will go towards regional programs (leverage for
other funds; regional intelligent transportation systems/technologies; county environmental
mitigation for autos/trucks), and the remaining 5% will go towards program administration. The·
measure is anticipated to generate approximately $14 million in revenues annually.
Measure C -Santa Clara Valley Water District (Position -Support): This measure would
limit Board members, whether elected or appointed, from serving more than three successive 4-
year terms. The term limits would not be retroactive.
Measure E -Foothill-De Anza Community College District (Position -Support): This
measure would levy a $69 parcel tax annually for six years to provide additional revenues for
operations at the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. The measure is anticipated to
CMR: 374:10 Page 2 of3
generate approximately $7 million annually in revenues. Approximately 45,000 students attend
either Foothill College in Los Altos Hills or De Anza College in Cupertino. Attachment H
provides a San Jose Mercury News article with further information about the measure.
RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no incremental resource impact associated with adoption of resolutions supporting or
opposing ballot initiatives.
If any of the ballot initiatives were approved, cost and revenue impacts to Palo Alto would need
to be considered at that time.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
These recommendations are consistent with current Council legislative priorities and policy
direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of these Resolutions does not meet the California Environmental Quality Act's
definition of a project pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, and therefore, no
environmental review is required.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution of the City of Palo Alto Supporting Measure A Parcel Tax for Healthy Kids
Program
B. Resolution of the City of Palo Alto Supporting Measure E Foothill-De Anza Community
College District Educational Opportunity and Job Training Parcel Tax
C. Resolution Supporting Measure B Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority
Vehicle Registration Fee (to be distributed Monday, October 4)
D. Resolution Supporting Measure C Term Limits for Santa Clara Valley Water District (to be
distributed Monday, October 4)
E. Resolution S)lpporting Proposition 25 to Amend the California Constitution Amending the
Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass the State Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple
Majority (to be distributed Monday, October 4)
F. Resolution Supporting Proposition 21 Establishing $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to
Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs (to be distributed Monday, October 4)
PREPARED BY:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
CMR: 374:10
KELLY MCADOO MORARIU
Assistant to the City Manager
JA
Cit
Page 3 of3
Attachment A
**NOT YET APPROVED**
Resolution No. ----,--
Resolution of the Council of the City Of Palo Alto Supporting
Measure A, Parcel Tax for Healthy Kids Program
WHEREAS, Measure A is a County initiative which if passed by voters in November
2010 would create a $29 tax on each parcel of land for 10 years beginning January 1,2011; and
WHEREAS, Measure A would produce between $13 and $14 million annually to sustain
the Healthy Kids Program in Santa Clara County; and
WHERAS, the Healthy Kids Program provides medical, dental and vision benefits to all
children up the age of 19 who are living in Santa Clara County, and whose families earn up to 300%
of the Federal Poverty Level, and who are otherwise not eligible to obtain coverage; and
WHEREAS, without the Healthy Kids program more than 10,000 children in Santa Clara
County could lose their health insurance, and
WHEREAS, the Palo Alto City Council supports the provision of health care to children
whose families cannot otherwise afford it.
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Palo Alto by the adoption of this
resolution hereby supports Measure A on the November 2,2010 ballot.
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**NOr YET APPROVED**
SECTION 2. The Council finds that adoption of this resolution does not meet the
California Environmental Quality Act's definition of a project pursuant to Public Resources Code
Section 21065, and therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager
Senior Deputy City Attorney
Director of Administrative Services
100929 sh 8261433 2
Attachment B
**NOT YET APPROVED**
Resolution No. ---
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Supporting
. Measure E Foothill-De Anza Community College District·
Educational Opportunity and Job Training Parcel Tax
WHEREAS, Foothill College and De Anza College rank among the best community
colleges in the nation and our community relies on them for healthcare professionals to serve our
aging population and for skilled workers to fuel our economy; and
WHEREAS, for many local students, Foothill and De Anza are a stepping-stone to
transfer to top universities; and
WHEREAS, community colleges have never been so important or in demand as UC and
CSU schools turn away more and more students and increase tuition, making Foothill and De Anza
the only affordable and accessible college education options for many students in this community;
and
WHEREAS, Foothill and De Anza have experienced more than $20 million in budget
cuts due to state funding. reductions, leading to the elimination of many courses along with hundreds
of faculty and staff positions; and .
WHEREAS, student demand for community college courses is increasing and this year
thousands of local students were unable to get classes they needed; and
WHEREAS, passing of Measure E will allow Foothill College and De Anza College to
continue to provide the academic courses students need to transfer to four-year universities and
compete for good careers in math, engineering, technology and science; and
WHEREAS, Measure E will provide stable funding that the State cannot take away to
help these institutions:
• Maintain core academic classes including math, science and writing
• Prepare students for careers in engineering, math and science
• Help students transfer to four -year universities
• Prepare students for healthcare careers like nursing and paramedics
• Restore classes and labs to meet demand; and
WHEREAS, every penny from this measure will benefit our local college, no funds can
be taken by the State or used for administrator salaries, an independent oversight committee and
annual audits will ensure funds are used properly, and the measure wil~ automatically expire in six
years; and
WHEREAS, local funding measures like this are the only way for community college
districts to secure stable funding for programs and staff and reduce dependency on the State; and
100929 sh 8261434 1
**NOT YET APPROVED**
WHEREAS, this measure requires support from 66.7% of voters to pass and our
community must rally to support t~is measure to protect the quality, accessibility and affordability of
local community college courses for our students;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE
as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Palo Alto by the adoption of this
resolution hereby supports Measure E, the Foothill-De AnzaCommunity College District educational
opportunity and job training parcel tax, on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
SECTION 2. The Council finds that adoption of this resolution does not meet the
California Environmental Quality Act's definition of a project pursuant to Public Resources Code
Section 21065, and therefore, no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager
Senior Deputy City Attorney
Director of Administrative Services
100929 sh 8261434 2