City of Brentwood

City Administration

Current Agenda and Past Meeting Information

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO. 10

Meeting Date: September 23, 2008

Subject/Title: Adopt a Resolution, on the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Commission, in support of the extension of the existing East Bay Regional Park District Regional Open Space, Wildlife, Shoreline and Parks Bond

Prepared by: Craig D. Bronzan, Director of Parks and Recreation

Submitted by: Craig D. Bronzan, Director of Parks and Recreation

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution, on the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Commission, in support of the extension of the existing East Bay Regional Park District Regional Open Space, Wildlife, Shoreline and Parks Bond.

PREVIOUS ACTION
None.

BACKGROUND
At the August 28, 2008 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission had a presentation and discussion related to a request by the East Bay Regional Park District’s Board of Directors to consider endorsing the Park District’s proposed park bond extension measure to be placed on the November 2008 ballot. As a result of that discussion, the Park and Recreation Commission is recommending City Council adopt a Resolution in support of the bond extension.
To summarize, the Park District’s Board of Directors has acted to place a bond measure on the November 2008 ballot which would extend the 1988 voter approved Measure AA that made possible the addition of more than 34,000 acres of regional parkland and shoreline as well as provided $60 million in funding for local parks and recreation projects. Brentwood received $255,017 in funding for Sunset Park Development from Measure AA.
With the population in the East Bay growing faster than the number of parks and trails serving residents, the future of local parks and recreation projects and regional parks projects depend on funding from an extension of Measure AA. The bond extension measure as developed by the Park District’s Board of Directors would provide $500 million in funding to permanently protect open space, ridgelands and shorelines for future generations. Twenty five percent (25%) or $125 million of the bond revenue would go directly to local parks and recreation departments (and special park districts) on a per capita basis to meet local park needs. Brentwood would receive $2,313,312 in funding from this measure to meet local parks and recreation capital project needs.
Seventy five percent (75%) of the funds would go to the East Bay Regional Park District to fund regional park acquisitions, open space preservation, park development and habitat restoration.
The bond extension measure must be approved by two-thirds of voters in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Importantly, this extension will not increase the existing tax rate for property owners because the issuance of bonds will be structured to retain the property tax rate at or below the existing tax rate of $10 per $100,000 of assessed value for property owners. Park District Board Member Ted Radke will be attending the City Council meeting to make a short presentation and answer any questions related to the bond.

FISCAL IMPACT
None.

Attachment: Resolution

RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOODS SUPPORTING THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT REGIONAL OPEN SPACE, WILDLIFE, SHORELINE AND PARKS BOND

WHEREAS, the City of Brentwood and the East Bay Regional Park District are public agencies jointly responsible for providing important public services to our resident constituents; and

WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District has expanded by more than 34,000 acres of parkland and shoreline in the last 20 years, largely as a result of funding provided by the 1988 voter approved bond measure AA which also provided $60 million in funding for local parks and recreation projects; and

WHEREAS, in response to continuing community interest, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors has approved placing a bond measure on the November 2008 ballot to extend the Measure AA program; and

WHEREAS, the proposed measure would replicate and extend the successful $225 million Measure AA bond passed in 1988; and

WHEREAS, the specifics of the Park District’s proposed park bond extension measure are as follows:
• The proposed issuance of bonds is structured to retain the property tax rate at or below the existing tax rate of $10 per $100,000 of property value for property owners.
• The $500 million bond initiative must be approved by two-thirds of voters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in November 2008.
• $125 million (25%) of the bond proceeds will fund local park and recreation projects on a per-capita grant program to Cities and other local agencies.
• The City of Brentwood would receive $2,313,312 in funding from the bond extension measure.
• $375 million (75%) of the bond proceeds will fund regional park acquisitions, open space preservation, park development, habitat restoration and an emergency reserve.
• A detailed project list has been complied which is available to the public.
• The Park District Board of Directors will conduct annual public hearings on projects to be selected and funded by the Measure.
• EBRPD’s Park Advisory Committee provides oversight review.

WHEREAS, At the August 28, 2008 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Park and Recreation Commission is recommending City Council adopt a Resolution in support of the bond extension.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Brentwood does hereby endorse the East Bay Regional Park District’s Proposed Extension of the Regional Open Space, Wildlife, Shoreline and Parks Bond which will be placed on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Brentwood at a regular meeting held on the 23rd day of September 2008 by the following vote:

City Administration

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