Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.07 EBRPD Park/Open Space Bond Measure CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 8, 1988 SUBJECT East Bay Regional Park District Proposed Park and Open Space Bond EXHIBITS ATTACHED A. Correspondence from East Bay Regional Park District RECOMMENDATION j!���.. Information i FINANCIAL STATEMENT : Preliminary Estimates of funds to Dublin - $639 ,303 DESCRIPTION The Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District has approved placement of a $225 million general obligation bond on the November 8 , 1988 ballot. The proceeds from the bond will be used to finance aquisition and development of regional and local parkland and open space. The allocation of funds from the bond is as follows: East Bay Regional Park District: Aquisition of regional parklands and open space - $126 .5 million Development and improvement of regional parkland - $42.2 million Alameda and Contra Costa Cities, Special Districts and County Service Areas : Aquisition and development of local parkland and open space - $56 .2 million Prior to approval of the bond, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors retained bond counsel, a financial advisor and other specialists to work out the details of the proposed bond issue in terms of its feasibility, the total amount of bonds issued, and the formula for the funding allocation to the District and other public agencies. The Board selected the $225 million bond level after review of the polling information contained within the Survey Research Institute Study, which indicated a strong willingness on the part of the District voters to pay additional taxes to purchase and preserve open space. A summary of the survey responses is contained in the correspondence received from Mary Lee Jefferds , President, Board of Directors, East Bay Regional Park District (Exhibit A) . The $225 million bond level will also allow the District to stay under the 1 cent tax increase per $100 assessed valuation or $10 per average household/parcel per year benchmark identified in the poll . It is estimated that Dublins allocation would be $639,303 should the bond be approved by the voters on November 8 , 1988. As there is $1 ,226 , 560 in unfunded park projects in the 1988-1993 Capital Improvement Program, these funds could be used to offset this deficit. It is staffs understanding that the East Bay Regional Park District will be providing the Council and staff with further information on the proposed 1988 Regional Open Space and Park Bond in upcoming weeks. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ITEhi NO. 11 Copies to: East Bay Regional Park District EXHIBIT A BOARD OF DIRECTORS East B a y MARY LEE JEFFERDS,President (� JAMES H.DUNCAN,Vw Presdent JOHN O'DONNELL Seaetery Regional Park District HARLAN COMBS KAY G District/t/'Il JOCELVN COMBS KAY PETERSEN TED RADKE 11500 SKYLINE BOULEVARD,OAKLAND,CA 94619-2443 TELEPHONE(415)531-9300 July 22, 1988 RECEIVED Honorable Linda Jeffery JUL 25 1988 Mayor City of Dublin nURl IN City Hall P.O. Box 2340 Dublin, CA 94568 Dear Mayor Jeffery: The Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District on July 19 voted unanimously to place a $225 million (Exhibit 1) general obligation bond on the November 8 ballot. The Board also determined the allocation of funds from the proposed bond as follows (Exhibit 2) : $126.5 million for acquisition of regional parklands and open space, $56. 2 million for use by local agencies for acquisition and development of local parkland and open space, $42 .2 million for development and improvement of regional parkland. The Board selected the $225 million bond level after review of the polling information contained within the Survey Research Institute Study (summary enclosed) which indicated a strong willingness on the part of District voters to pay additional taxes to purchase and preserve open space. The $225 million bond level will also allow us to stay under the 1 cent tax increase per $100 assessed valuation or $10 per average household/parcel per year benchmark identified in the .poll. On August 2 the Board has scheduled three items: the District's list of park and open space projects; approval of the ordinance ordering the bond to be placed before the voters; and adoption of a resolution covering details for placing the measure on the ballot. The Proposed Park and Open Space Bond will provide allocations to cities, local special districts and county service areas ' totalling $56, 250, 000 (outlined in Exhibit 3) . As you can see the direct allocations for your agency are significantly higher than the local funds provided through Proposition 70. In view of the immediate needs of the cities the District plans to allocate the city portion of the proposed bond during the first and second 45 million dollar bond issues contemplated for 1989 and 1992 . July 22, 1988 - page two The list of potential projects submitted by your agency included a number of important parkland and recreation projects that will benefit your community. We suggest that you select the final projects that would most appropriately be funded by the bond, forwarding your final recommendations to the Park District and to the Campaign Committee which will be established after August 2 . The District plans to use grant administration procedures which are patterned after the State's Proposition 43 and 70 guidelines. We plan to provide your park and recreation Director with a draft copy of these procedures in the next two weeks. Recent population forecasts anticipate growth approaching 450, 000 new residents in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. An increase of this magnitude will surely lead to competition for purchase of remaining open space and park quality land as well as to increased public demand for park facilities. The Regional Park portion of the bond will be used to implement the District's newly adopted 1988 Master Plan for regional parks in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The plan recognizes that the Bay Area is a growing region, and that new and expanded open space areas and parks must be provided to maintain the quality of life for our residents. Thus, a major component of the District' s 1988 Master Plan is the early completion of existing parks, creation of a few new parks and the completion of the regional trails plan. Following the August 2 Board meeting we will provide you and your council with the specific list of District projects which would be funded by the regional portion of the proposed bond. We look forward to working with your agency in finishing the project component of the Proposed Park and Open Space Bond. Our Board and staff are also available to answer questions and provide further information. Sincerely, Mary Lee Jeffe'rds President, -Board of Directors MLJ/JDK:df Enclosures Exhibit 1 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT RESOLUTION No. 1988-7- 261 i July 19, 1988 DETERMINATION THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND NECESSITY DEMAND COMPLETION OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT MASTER PLAN FOR ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL PARKLANDS AND OPEN SPACE AND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL PARKLANDS WITH FINANCING THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District, California, that WHEREAS , Section 5568 of the Public Resources Code of the State of California authorizes districts to issue general obligation bonds to finance regional and local park, recreational and open space land and improvements upon full compliance with the provisions of Article 1, commencing with Section 43600, of Chapter 4 of Division 4 of Title 4 of the Government Code of the State of California (the "Act") ; WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District (the . "District") intends to issue general obligation bonds under and pursuant to the Act to complete the"East Bay Regional Park District Master Plan for parklands -and open space and acquisition and development of local parklands with financing through the issuance of general obligation bonds; and WHEREAS, in order to initiate proceedings under the Act to provide for the financing of the Park Program, this Board must make certain findings and determinations. NOWT THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that: 1. The public interest and necessity demands, and it is the intention of this Board to complete the East Bay Regional Park District Master Plan for parklands and open space and to assist cities within the District with their funding of acquisition and development of local. parklands with financing through the issuance of general obligation bonds (the "Park Program") , subject to completion of the proceedings required by the Act. 2 . The estimated cost of the Park Program is not to exceed $225,000.000.00 Said estimated costs include provision for legal and other fees, and the cost of printing of bonds and other costs and expenses incidental to or connected with the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds to. finance the costs of the Park Program. !;,iroLtask1. Secretary to the Board of Directors �'• •h..+icai iJuy kagional Park District.do herebv cortify thol Oho.shove and foregoing i_o suit .ru¢,and correct copy ot i("oialion 1988-7-261 adopted by the Board of Directors at�a regular meeting held on JulyA 19, 1988/., . . l_i .LCl-L'J✓I�P.J 7v. f! l4Ya-.t�C71nIC_l,' , -. ...._ . ..._._ 3 . This. .Board hereby finds and determines that the costs of the Park Program require an expenditure by the District greater than the amount allowed for it by the annual tax levy of the District. The principal 'amount of general obligation bonds of the District to be issued for the Park Program will not exceed the estimated cost set forth above for the Park Program. 4 . This Resolution is adopted, and general obligation bonds of the District are to be issued, pursuant to Section 5568 of the Public Resources Code of the State of Californai and the Act referred to therein. 5. This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption by two-thirds of all members of the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District. Moved by Director Jocelyn Combs , seconded by Director Ted Radke . . , and adopted this 19th day of July, 1988, by the following vote: FOR: Directors Jocelyn Combs, James Duncan, Wary Lee Jefferds, Harlan Kessel, John O'Donnell, Kay Petersen, Ted Radke AGAINST: None ABSENT: None jA ABSTAIN: None Exhibit 2 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 1988-7-262 July 19, 1988 RESOLUTION CONCERNING ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS OF THE PROPOSED 1988 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND AMONG REGIONAL AND LOCAL PURPOSES AND AMONG ACQUISITION AND IMPROVEMENT PURPOSES WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District (the "District") has evaluated the allocation of the net proceeds (the "Proceeds") of the proposed 1988 General Obligation Bond measure among regional and local purposes, and acquisition and improvement purposes; and WHEREAS, as part of this evaluation, the Board of Directors has conducted a public opinion poll identifying the preferences of the voters of the District on this allocation of the Proceeds; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the Proceeds shall be allocated among regional and local purposes, and acquisition and improvement purposes, as follows: (a) ' Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Proceeds shall be allocated to the District for regional park purposes and twenty-five percent (25%) of the Proceeds shall be contributed to cities and other public corporations, districts, agencies or entities ("Participating Entities") for local park purposes; the formula for allocation to Participating Entities will be based on Proposition 43 ; and (b) Of the seventy-five percent (75%) of the Proceeds allocated to the District for regional park purposes, seventy- five percent of that allocation shall be for the purpose of the acquisition of open space and regional parklands and twenty-five percent (25%) of that allocation shall be for the purpose of development of regional parklands within the District. CERTIFICATION i, Debra i. Wroblo—Ai. Secretary to the Board of Directors of +hu Iasi bo,• togionol Purl;Districl, do hareby certify rhui lhr:above and fore.oing is.a full. true and corroct copy of Resolution 1988-7-262 cdaptod by the Board of Directors at a regular meeting hold on July 19, 1988 Section 2 . That the above allocations shall be set forth 'in the Ordinance for the 1988 General Obligation measure which will be considered by the Board of Directors !.at its regular meeting on August 2, 1988 . Moved by Director Jocelyn Combs , seconded by Director Ted Radke and approved this 19th day of July, 1988, by the following vote: FOR: Directors Jocelyn. Combs, James Duncan, Mary. Lee Jefferds, Harlan Kessel, John O'Donnell, Kay Petersen, Ted Radke AGAINST: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None • � i Exhibit 3 y 1-jd8 RE610HAL OPEN SPACE AND PARK BOND R.ELIMIN-ARY-ESTIMgrEg-d):-PURt)g-TO CITIES, SPECIAL bISTRIC_TS, AND COUNTY SERVICE AREAS JULY 20 1988 1 Pr OPULATION i ESTIMATED SHARE• ALAMEDA COUNTY Alameda i` 75,9001 $2,200.595 ! Albany ( 15,900! $460,994 Berkeley 106,8001 $3,096,490 ; Dublin I I 22,050! $639,3031 Emeryville I 1 4,930; $142,937 Fremont i 165.2001 $4,769,702 j , - ivewark i 39.400! $1,142.338 I Oakland ! ! 357,8001 $10,373,821 Piedmont 1 10,4501 $302,981 Pleasanton i j 48,5001 $1,406,178 San Leandro 67,3411 $1,945,454 Union City .5o,1001 $1,452,5671 HARD _ ; ! 214,7531 Sb,226,409 Remainder ( r- 7,7177 $223,74/2 i Subtotal; 1,186,6001 $34,403,510 It ' 1 1 i I CONTRA COSTA COUNTY i Antioch ' 1 54,2001 $1,571,440 °r?ntwood ! 6,4001: $185,557 ! Clayton ! ; _ 6,7251 $194,980 I Concord ! i 108,9001 $3,1.57,376 Danville 1 1. 28,9001 $837,9081 El Cerrito 23.1501 $671,1961 Hercules 12,6001 $365,3161 Lafayette i 22,5501 $653,8001 Orinda _ 17,350' $503,035 Martinez ! 29,8501 $865,4521 Moraga ! I 15,8501 $459,545 i Pinole j 15,2501 $442,149 Pittsburg 43,0001. $1,246,714 Richmond 81,5001 $2,362,9581, San Pablo 21,450i $621,907 ' San Ramon i 30,4001 $681,398 I Walnut Creek ' I 62,5001 $1,812.0841 Pleasant Hill(Dist.) 33,0001 $956.781 1 Ambrose(Dist.)! I 22,000 $637,954 Discovery 53y 4,200 $121,772 Oakley I 12,4001 $359,518 Clyde 4501 $13,047 j Crockett. --3-.2501 $94.226 i Alamo 13,0181 $377,435 i. Rodeo 8,400 $243,544 . Montarabay 10,000 $289,934 1 El Sobrant.e 12.257 $355,372 Remainder 53,950. $1,564,191 � Subtotal 1 753,500 $21,846,490 ! Total Population' 1,940,100 j To Cities,Special Districts,and Service Areasl $56,250,000 * Bond administration costs estimated at 1.5% will be deducted from each agency's allocation. East Bay Regional Park District SURVEY RESEARCH I N S T I T U T E STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY FOR APPROVAL OF A $200-$400 MILLION BOND MEASURE IN NOVEMBER '88 ELECTION Conducted by Survey Research Institute George G. Manross, Ph.D. Michael D. Cozzens, Ph.D. Ana Marie del Rio, MPA Mary Ann Manross, MA July 1988 1' o , t Office Ic, - 4 La favette , CA 9 4 _ 49 415 372 - 3 - z EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The findings of a just-completed survey of registered voters throughout the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), commissioned by the district's Board of Directors and conducted by the Survey Research Institute of Lafayette, California, have led to the following recommendations: 1. EBRPD's Board of Directors should arrange to place a general obligation bond on the November 1988 ballot in the amount of $225 million. This is based upon the finding that 80% of the respondents (well over the necessary 2/3 majority) said they would be willing to support a general obligation bond to protect open spaces throughout the East Bay Regional Park District, assuming that the cost to them in increased taxes remained around $5 per year over the 25-year life of the bond. However, the data also show that, given a carefully designed information campaign, that threshold could be raised as high as $10. According to EBRPD's financial advisor, a $115 million bond issue could be paid off at a maximum annual cost to the taxpayer of $5 per $100,000 assessed property valuation. A $225 million bond issue would have a maximum annual cost of $10 per $100,000 assessed property valuation. 2. A PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN should be carefully designed and implemented in a timely fashion in which the primary focus. remains upon the "protection" of open spaces and wildlife through land acquisition in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, as opposed to the development of additional parks and recreational facilities. 3. The bond measure should either be limited to EBRPD needs and projects; or, if the district's Directors wish to include projects involving the maintenance and development of parks and recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the incorporated municipalities located within the geographic boundaries of the EBRPD district, then the shared funding be limited to a ratio of 80-20 (80% for EBRPD projects and 20% shared amono, the respective municipalities) . The above three recommendations are based upon the findings that: (1) 71% of the respondents in the survey specifically said they would vote for an EBRPD bond measure in November (sae question six in the survey) , while 22% said they would not and 7% declined to answer the question; (2) 68% of the respondents either agreed or Page 1 Figure 2 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT JULY 1988 Outcome of a Bond Measure if Voted on Today Refused to Respond 7%/o No 22 0 /o e Survey Research Institute Figure 4 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT JULY 1988 Priorities for Usage (Question 4) 44 34 22 Recreational Buy Property Balance Facilities to Protect Between Both Open Spaces Survey Research Institute Eas,. Bay Regional Park District SURVEY RESULTS 1. Are there any local issues you are concerned about today? YES NO 559 45% 1.1 If yes, what are they? 2. I will now read a list of local issues. Please tell me, in order of priority, which three of these issues are of most concern to you. (Indicate 1st, 2nd, 3rd) 23% roads 249 housing 469 drug abuse 289 need for protecting open space 359 traffic 119 jobs 119 public transportation 79 need for more or better recreation facilities 429 schools 129 growth 409 crime 3. Do you or any members of your family use public parks and recreational facilities such as trails, lake swimming, and picnic areas? YES NO 809 209 3.1 If YES, what facilities do you regularly use? 3.2 If NO, why not? 4. As you probably know, the East Bay Regional Park District is responsible for creating and maintaining most of the regional parks, recreation areas, and wilderness areas in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It's responsibilities fall into two distinct categories: 1) providing adequate regional parks and recreational facilities for local residents and visitors; and 2) protecting open spaces by purchasing shoreline and ridgeline properties '_n order to protect and er.`,ance the quality of life within the district. Like all public agencies, the park district relies upon tax dollars to carry out its responsibilities. Therefore, it must function on limited funding. Given its limited resourcess, which of the two areas of responsibilities do you think should be given top priority: a) providing recreational facilities, or b) buying properties to protect our open spaces? 229 providing recreational facilities 44% buying property to protect open spaces 349 balance between both 5. Using a 5-point scale, with '1' being "I strongly disagree" and 'S' being "I strongly.agree", how do you feel about the following statements: 1 - I strongly disagree 2 = I disagree 3 = I neither agree nor disagree 4 = I agree 5 = I strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 5.1 We don't have much open space left in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and we must protect what is 49 67 227 257 437 left at all costs. 5.2 The East Bay area needs more parks and recreational facilities for public use. 57 157 277 277 267 5.3 The East Bay Regional Park District already has enough property and public monies should be used to develop parks and recreational facilities on 157 247 247 207 177 this property before spending more money on buying additional land. 5.4 The East Bay Regional Park District is doing a good job of operating and maintaining regional parks 37 57 257 407 277 and recreation facilities. 5.5 Protecting local wildlife and their natural habitat should be a high priority item for the 17 67 137 257 557 East Bay Regional Park District. 5.4 Taxes are already too high, I would never vote for a tax increase of any kind. 267 227 237 147 157 6. The Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District are considering putting a bond measure on the November ballot in order to provide for necessary monies for land acquisition and for developing additional parks and recreational facilities. If such a bond measure were to appear on the November ballot for these purposes, would you be likely to vote for it? YES NO 71% 227 7. Thinking in terms of increasing our property taxes to pay for PROTECTING OPEN SPACES here in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, what seems to be a reasonable amount of additional taxes you would be willing to pay? 20% nothing 197 up to $5 per year 217 up to $10 per year 207 up to $20 per year 207 more than $20 per year 8. Thinking in terms of in._ :asing our property taxes to pa, _or PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES here in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, what seems to be a reasonable amount of additional taxes you would be willing to pay? 26% nothing 242 up to $5 per year 207 up to $10 per year 15% up to $20 per year 157 more than $20 per year 9. 'I will read a series of alternative projects that the monies generated through tax revenues would make possible. After I read each one, would you tell me whether it would make you MORE or LESS likely to support a bond measure in the November election? MORE LESS Neither 9.1 If the majority of funds would be used to purchase and protect local hills, ridgelines, and shorelines? 727 17% 117 9.2 If the majority of funds would be used to develop new parks and recreational facilities? 507 347 167 9.3 If the majority of funds would be used to upgrade the parks and recreational facilities on properties the 647 237 137 district already owns and operates? 9.4 If the bond measure were publically supported by the Sierra Club, Audobon Society, and other environmental 517 187 317 protection groups? 9.5 If the bond measure were publically supported. by local elected officials, such as your city council or county 387 257 377 supervisors? 9.6 If the bond measure were publically supported by pro- development group such as local builders and business? 267 527 227 10. Not all parks and recreational facilities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties are within the jurisdiction of the East Bay Regional Park District. For example, virtually every incorporated city provides such facilities as public swimming pools, baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, and some (such as the City of Oakland) even provides a zoo. These government agencies also depend upon tax dollars for purchasing the properties, as well as building and maintaining their parks and recreational facilities. As a result, many of these government entities may decides to place a tax measure of their own on the November ballot in an effort to secure funding. This means that you could find yourself being asked to vote for two separate bond measures, both designed to provide for additional parks and recreational facilities. Would you be more likely to support a bond measure for additional parks and recreational facilities if a way could be found to pool the needs of the cities with the needs of the East Bay Regional Park District and then share the tax revenues according to reed; or would you prefer to keep these bond measure separate, thus having an opportunity to vote for or against each one? 307 one bond measure 619, separate bond measures 97 neither 11. The Oakland Zoo is the only zoo located in the East Bay. Many people are aware of the fact that the Oakland Zoo is experiencing financial problems and may have to be closed. If some portion of the revenues from a park district's bond measure were earmarked for keeping the Oakland Zoo open, how likely would you be to support the bond measure? Not at all Somewhat No Very likely likely Difference Likely likely 169 87 127 247 407 12. Using traditional political labels, how would you describe yourself as a liberal, moderate, conservative? 237 liberal 479 moderate 307 conservative 13. How old were you on your last birthday? 179 18-25 years 117 56-65 years 347 26-40 years 97 over 65 years 297 41-55 years 14. What was the last grade of school you completed? 47 less than high school 197 college graduate 247 high school graduate 177 post graduate 367 some college other 15. Do you own or rent your home? OWN RENT 667 347 16. Which of the following ranges represents your annual household income? 97 Under $12,000 257 $40,001-60,000 167 $12,001-25,000 127 $60,001-75,000 237 $25,001-40,000 157 Over $75,000 17. Sex MALE FEMALE 467 547 18. Party DEM REP Other 567 337 11%