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07 Park Charter i,;~1 If ,\ \~ -:::::J City Hall 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertiuo. CA 95014-3255 (408) 777-3262 FAX: (408) 777-3366 I F CUPEIQ1NO PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE SUMMARY Agenda Item ~ Date: February 27, 2006 Subject: Adopt a resolution in support of renewal of the County's Park Charter. Background: The "Yes On Parks!" Campaign Committee has initiated the campaign to renew the County's Park Charter in order to assure an essential and stable funding source for the Santa Clara County park system. On December 6, 2005, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved placing a measure on the ballot to: , Extend the Park Charter Amendment for another 12 years; , Preserve the current level of funding (1.425 cents per $100 of assessed valuation); and, , Dedicate at least 15% of the fund for parkland acquisition, 5% for needed capital improvements, and the remainder for park operations. The "Yes On Parks!" Campaign Committee is fully committed to ensuring the successful passage of the Park Charter and is seeking endorsements from several public and private institutions, including the City of Cupertino. Many have already committed support to the campaign - a partial list of supporters is attached along with the ballot language. The Park Charter is not a new or additional tax and the amendment will continue the mandate to set aside a small portion of existing County property taxes for the care and expansion of our County parks and regional trail system. Since 1972, voters have approved five extensions of the Park Charter Amendment, most recently in 1996 by over 80% of voters. The Park Charter is a cost-effective and proven way to maintain and enhance the quality oflife of our residents. Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to sign and send a letter Adopt a resolution in support of renewal of the County's Park Charter. Submitted by: Approved for submission: '-y~ Therese Smith Director Parks and Recreation Department ~ David W. Knapp City Manager Printed on Recycled Paper Î-I RESOLUTION NO. 06-038 DRAFT RESOLUTION OF THE CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF RENEWAL OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY PARK CHARTER WHEREAS, the Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund, which provides the primary mechanism for financing the Santa Clara County Parks System, was enacted in 1972 through a vote of the people and has since been consistently renewed by Santa Clara County voters, and; WHEREAS, on December 6, 2005, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved submitting to the voters a proposed amendment for the renewal of the Park Charter Fund to be placed on the June 6, 2006, primary election ballot, and; WHEREAS, the proposed Park Charter Fund amendment would extend funding for the Santa Clara County Parks System through June 30, 2021, providing an assured financial base for park acquisition, development and operation without creating new taxes, and; WHEREAS, Santa Clara County parklands, park facilities and programs are essential in meeting the current and future needs of County residents, and; WHEREAS, the Park Charter Fund contributes necessary funding to operate a "necklace of parks" that is one of the most diverse in all of California and consists of 28 regional parks, 45,000 acres and over 260 miles of trails located along the County's precious streams, lakes, foothills, mountains, and other areas of outstanding natural beauty, and; WHEREAS, the County of Santa Clara and the City of Cupertino have partnered to create a rich diverse regional park and open space network and to improve the quality of life for Santa Clara County residents. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Cupertino supports the renewal of the Park Charter Fund by the voters of Santa Clara County on June 6, 2006. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cupertino this 27th day of February 2006, by the following vote: Vote Members of the City Council AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN : ATTEST: APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor, City of Cupertino 7-;2 Complete Text of the Park Charter Amendment (I) Beginning on July 1,2009, through and including the 2021 fiscal year, the Board of Supervisors shall transfer ITom the general fund to the County Park fund an amount of money which shall not be less than an amount estimated by the Auditor-Controller to equal the amount that would be raised for that year by a tax of $0.01425 per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of assessed valuation of all real and personal property situated within the County of Santa Clara. In addition, the Board of Supervisors shall transfer into such fund all fees and revenues generated by the operation of county parks and all other monies received from the United States Government, State of California, or any other public agency or any person for county park purposes. Any interest earned on the investment of money in the county park fund shall be credited to the fund. (2) The Board of Supervisors shall appropriate the money in the county park fund for the acquisition, development, or acquisition and development of real property for county park purposes and for the maintenance and operation of county parks. At least 15% of the funds transferred from the general fund shall be set aside and used for the acquisition of real property for county park purposes and at least 5% used for park development for county park purposes, and the remaining funds shall be used for county park operations. (3) The county shall not acquire real property for any park purpose until the Board of Supervisors has determined that the acquisition is in conformity with the adopted county parks and recreation element of the general plan. (4) This section shall be operative commencing with the 2009-2010 fiscal year (July 1,2009) and shall be repealed at the end of the 2021 fiscal year; provided, however, any unobligated monies remaining in the fund on June 30, 202 I, shall be used only for the purposes set forth in subsection (2) of this section. (5) The intent of this section is to ensure that a minimum amount of money will be placed into the county park fund for acquisition, development, operation and maintenance purposes. Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on the amount of money the Board of Supervisors may transfer into the county park fund for county park purposes or otherwise appropriate for county park purposes. 7-J Formal Endorsements Received for the Park Charter Amendment. 2/12/06 Santa Clara County Boord of Supervisors Congressman Mike Honda Sheriff Laurie Smith Santa Clara Valley Water District MROSD Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Santa Clara County League of Women Voters Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Girl Scouts Bay Area Ridge Trail Council Bay Area Open Space Council Audubon Saciety of Santa Clara Valley Greenbelt Alliance Native Plant Society California Apartment Association/Tri-County New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Santa Clara County Horsemen's Association Quicksilver Endurance Riders Youth Science Institute Silicon Valley Land Conservancy Santa Clara County Volunteer Coordinating Council Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Almaden Valley Community Association ROMP Santa Clara County Park Rangers' Association Friends of Santa Teresa County Park Bear Flag Foundation, Morgan Hill New Almaden Community Club, Inc. Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Sierra Club - Loma Prieta Chapter Committee for Green Foothills South County Democratic Club Yes On Parks! Pat Dando, Honorary Co-Chair (President, San Jose Chamber of Commerce) Mary Davey, Honorary Co-Chair (Board Member, MROSD) I~V COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA CBARTERAMENDMENT MEASURE Measure Amendment to the Without increasing taxes, shall the Santa Clara County Charter of the County Charter be extended to provide for the acquisition, of Santa Clara development, maintenance, and operation of parks, Yes by continuing the annual transfer from the general fund of an amount estimated to equal $0.01425 per No one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of all real and personal property commencing on July 1,2009 for twelve years'? I ~ <.:;