HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.1 PECG Initiative (2)
.
.
.
.
CITY CLERK
File # D~~[Q]-~[Q]
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 17, 1998
SUBJECT:
Written Communication: Government Cost Savings and
Taxpayers Protection Amendment (pECG Initiative)
Report Prepared by: Lee S. Thompson, Public Works Director
EXHIBITS ATTACHED:
/ 1)
2)
3)
Letter from URS Greiner and attachments
Resolution Opposing PECG Initiative
A representative from the Consulting Engineers and Land
Surveyors of California (CELSOC) will attend the meeting to
make a presentation and answer questions.
RECOMMENDATION:/7d/ 1)
f {JfP 2)
Receive presentation
Adopt resolution opposing initiative
FINANCIAL STATEMENT:
The perceived impact of this legislation is increased costs for Capital
Improvement Projects due to lack of competition for design services,
as well as delay of projects and loss oflocal control.
DESCRIPTION: The Professional Engineers in California Government (pECG)
organization has been successful in getting an initiative on the June, 1998, ballot as a constitutional
amendment. This initiative, the Government Cost Savings and Taxpayers Protection Amendment, would
give the State a virtual monopoly on designing significant capital projects. This requires cities, counties,
schools, special districts, and regional governments to use the State to design roads, parks, hospitals,
schools, and other critical structures.
The City of Dublin has contracted with private engineering consulting firms since incorporation for design
of all Capital Improvement Projects of any significance. Even in recent years, in-house staff has only
designed smaller projects, such as median landscaping improvements, sidewalk repairs, and drainage
improvements. Contracting with private firms can be cost effective and also provides an opportunity to
choose firms who are best qualified in terms of staff, experience, and references.
'While the initiative provides that private firms could bid on design work for projects, it is also specified
that the State would then perform an analysis to determine whether State employees could do the work at
a lesser cost. The major concern is that the State analysis would not include the overhead items that are
part of a project cost. In order to have staff available, the State would have to hire a large bureaucracy of
engineers to design projects for cities and other local agencies. The City would lose local control of its
-------------------------------------------------------------------
COPIES TO: Tom Wintch, URS Greiner
ITEM NO.
7.1
g:\agenmisc\celsoc
projects and become bogged down in red tape. Also, under this initiative, the State Controller would
become the chief design manager for the State. Opponents of the initiative feel that the Controller's office
is not equipped or sufficiently experienced to manage a program of this size, which would delay many
projects.
The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed initiative and Staff's analysis of its impacts and agrees with
the information presented in this Staff report.
A number of government agencies have already gone on record as opposing this measure (see attachment
to Exhibit 1). Staff recommends that the City Council receive the presentation from the CELSOC
representative and adopt the resolution opposing the initiative.
Page 2
.
.
.
.
.
.
/ c:6 I)..
URS Greiner
URS Greiner, Inc.
7901 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 427
Pleasanton, California 94588-3600
Telephone: (510) 463-2000
Facsimile: (510) 463-0510
Offices in Principal Cities Nationwide
January 27, 1998
r;~~
t.,l:!~,~
J4N2 t::D
PU!"\ . [} i99R
CJ I ""I
'-lC /..
vila
AlIS
Mr. Lee Thompson
Public Works Director
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568-2658
Re: Government Cost Savings and Taxpayers Protection Amendment (PECG Initiative)
Dear Mr.~: ieJi?
As I discussed with you yesterday, the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) has been
w~oing a campaign to prevent private sector competition on virtually all state and local design and
engineering contracts. They have been successful in getting their initiative, the Government Cost Savings
and Taxpayers Protection Initiative, on the June 1998 Ballot as a constitutional amendment.
Currently, state, regional, and local governments are allowed flexibility to contract with private firms, on a
competitive basis, to design a variety of capital projects. This process allows government the essential
flexibility to use private firms to deliver a project on time and cost effectively.
The Government Cost Savings and Taxpayers Protection Initiative completely changes the process by
giving the State a virtual monopoly on designing every significant capital project. This will thereby cause
cities, counties, schools, special districts, and regional governments to use the State to design roads, parks,
hospitals, schools, and other critical structures. This may include all engineering design, geological, and
environmental work related to the particular project.
This initiative would also make the State Controller the chief design manager for the State. This is
problematic in that the Controller's office is not equipped to manage a program of this magnitude (e.g.,
staff, equipment, fiscal resources, etc.). Because of this inexperience and the time needed to manage the
process, it is estimated that the Controller's Office would slow down the process for a variety of capital
improvements statewide, regardless oflocal priorities.
This initiative is currently opposed by several professional organizations in the building trade industry, as
well as several local governments and regional taxpayer associations. Recorded opposition to date
includes:
.
50 Statewide Associations
12 Counties
90 Cities
36 School Districts
21 Local Government Agencies
70 Irrigation and Water Districts
28 Regional and Local Business Organizations
~ti~ir~~f7
',,"--,~'~.. !!i r..l, ~ ~
.
.
.
.
I
-,.,......~~
L~ -ard Ath~!.hYW1is
.
IDUBLINWPD
I ~ ~ I~
URS Greiner
Job #
January 27, 1998
Page 2
Passage of this initiative will have serious consequences for The Tri-Valley and all ofCaliforrua. We need
to begin pooling our resources and concentrating our efforts to educate our staff and the general public on
this initiative. I have attached some information for you to review, including a Resolution and opposition
form for your endorsement
We are counting on your support in the efforts to defeat this initiative. Please contact me or Melania
Ciapponi at 510/463-2000 if you have any questions or would like to discuss this initiative further.
Information may also be obtained through the Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California
(CELSOC) web site at www.celsoc.org
Thank you in advance for your interest and support.
Very truly yours,
URS Greiner, Inc.
~
Thomas M. Wintch, PE, TE
Vice President
\DDBLlN.WPD
.
.
.
,~ CELSOC
:76(j/c
School Districts, Cities and Counties Oppose
the PECG Initiative!
.
Here are the school districts. cities and counties currently opposed to the "Competition Killer Initiative" sponsored by
PECG, a s~te employees group. More and more local governing bodies are opposing me initiative every day. The
votes to oppose are almost always unanimous and cross the whole political spectrum. These locally elected officials
rightly see that the PECG initiative would increase the power of the state bureaucracy and cause a dramatic loss of
local control.' ,
. COUNTIES'
.
Calavares County Board of
Supervisors
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Humboldt County Board of
Supervisors
Kings County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors
Northern California County
Supervisors Association
Orange County Board of Supervisors
Placer County Board of SUp"'...rvisors
Santa Cruz County Board of
Supervisors
Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Trinity County Board of Supervisors
Yolo County Board of Supervisors
. --. CITiES -- '.'
.
Alameda City Council
Antioch City Council
Barstow City Council
Belmont City Council
Belvedere City Council
Camarillo City Council
Cerritos City Council
Chula Vista City Council
City and County Association of
Governments of San Mateo County
City of Campbell
CloverdaJe City Council
Colfax City Council
Corcoran City Council
Corona City Council
Cotati City Council
Covina City Council
Cupenino City Council
Daly City City Council
Dixon City Council
Duane City Council
Enciniras City Council
Eureka City Council
Exeter City Council
Fon Bragg City Council
Fontana City Council
. Fonuna City Council
Fresno City Council
8
Garden Grove City Council
Gonzales City Council
Gridley City Council
Hanford City Council
Hawaiian Gardens City Council
Healdsburg City Council
Hennosa Beach City Council
Indian Wells City Council
Jackson City Council
La Palma City Council
Laguna Hills City Council
Lancaster City Council
Livermore City Council
Los Banos City Council
Marin County Council of Mayors and
Council members
Mill Valley City Council
Monterey Park City Council
National City City Council
Noreo City Council
NovalO City Council
Orland City Council
Palos Verdes Estates City Council
PJeasanton City Council
Ponerville City Council
Poway City Council
Rancho Mirage City Council
Redondo Beach City Council
Rohnett Park City Council
RoIling Hills Estates City Council
San Bruno City Council
San Gabriel Valley of Governments
San Jose City Council
San Luis Obispo City Council
San Mateo City Council
San Rafael City Council
Santa Barbara City Council
Santa Clara County Cities Association
Santa Cruz City Council
Santa Maria City Council
Santa Paula City Council
Sebastopol City Council
Sonoma City Council
South San Francisco City Council
Stockton City Council
Sunnyvale City Council
Taft City Council
Temecula City Council
Tiburon City Council
Tulare City Council
Ukiah City Council
Visalia City Council
Wesuninister City Council
\\!'jnrers City Council
Woodland City Council
SCHOOL DJSTRJCTS
Alhambra School District
Alum Rock School District
Anaheim City School District
Antioch Unified School District
Barstow Community College District
B~l Union Elementary School
Cajon Valley Union School District
Cbula VISta Elementary School District
Clo\'is Unified School District
College of Sequoias Community
College District
East Side Union High School District
Hanford Joint Union High School
Junction School District
Kerman Unified School District
KingsbllIl: Joint Union High School
District
Laton Unified School District
Lincoln Unified School District
Lodi Unified School District
Milpiras Unified School District
Mojave Unified School District
Napa Valley Unified School District
New Haven Unified School Disoict
Pasadena Unified School District
Placer Union High School District
Ponerville Union High School District
Rio Bravo-Greeley Union School
District
San Juan Unified School District
San Luis Obispo County Board of
Education
San Pasqua! Union School District
South Bay Union School District
Tulare City School District
Tulare Joint Union High School District
Turlock School Districts
Vacaville Unified School District
Val Verde Unified School District
West Fresno School District .
Business Council Officers
Ch&irm.n of th. SNrd
StC"l"e T aa:aer
T a.DeI" bu:.raD~ BnNtcn
1'1UJdent
To... O'MaIIcy
V"~~t
J. Bruce up..!
TK Oonn eo...paIl)'
Secnrbll)'
Midode SiIYa
P.cifIC Cas 4< El<ctric Co...poay
Chief FIn.ncJ.J Ofric<<'
Weld.. MOI'doIod
M_OJNI 4< Dovil
Business Council Directors
>>0"" AJJe8
u~
Krwia Booelr.
TK N.1ioaoI Food Laboratory 1IIc.
Toaya..rp.
Lo...-"" ~ N.t'f Lob
Joe CoI.....,.
U.s. Boak .r CoIifonlio
!'ot c.t<:IIo
CrowD CKnoIet
Robert Eaco
Eaco Pnoperti<:s Co.
EM TRota'l
a..ck FarlllOll
F.........t Baak
Jilll GIoid_
Sipotare Pnopertjer
Steft CillOoar
Lc:inIre Sporu, u.c.
Marcy Feit
Voller Con Health S)"kIO
'IDo..... H_
Soadio N.tioDOl Lob
Marty la4erbi_
Martia ~Atty.
Pat Kaaoa
carrriad
R_ Con,-
U.s. Iloak or CoIironoU
Foothill 1lMsi....
>>.vid RODDa.
Volley Times
Robert Silva
DcSiI... G....up
Mark S""""'"Y
a.cicada Mktg. & Safes Corp.
Linda Todd
VavriDek, T riae. Day & Ol.
PbU Weate
'Weak Viaeyanb
TDolllU Waata
GreiDer, be..
. ",.. :~tf!l/P'
f rff"':,' ~'I:,-: '.
'. '3': {.:-
;' ::: (.I,~ '.
"\
Cj (
L/ 1/d-
ey
ess
ncil
~r-,.....~~;,.-__
r~ =. ._.. _ - ; <:~ .::.. =_ .:
.
UEL: 1 - 1:::'37
C;'.<,
."
........ ......._6; iI..-'_
To:
Busint:ss Council?vlt:mbers
Enclosed for yom review are the 1vlinutes from the };ovember 25, 1997 Business
Council Board Meeting.
We call your attention to the Board Presentation by Dick Kam regarding proposed state
legislative initiative, "Government Savings and Taxpayers Protection Amendment". The
Business Council Board approved a resolution opposing this Initiative. TI1is bill would
severely limit, if not eliminate, the ability of private companies to bid on state contracts
relating to design and engineerin& architectural, landscape architecture, smveyIDg,
environmental, or geology services, or for services such as construction, operations or
maintenance. Our concern is that, rather than provide the cost savings inferred by the
title of the initiative) if approved, the state would be required to hire up to. 12,000 new
~ployees at a cost of $1.5 billion a year. Eqwilly important is schedule performance
and quality. 'We believe schedule performance and project quality are key factors in
contract awards and performance, yet such factors ~ill not be part of the selection
criteria - only cost.
The Initiative may not have a direct bearing on your business. but it will certainly impac.
your ta"{ dollars, as well as new or improved highways, schools, hospitlls, parks, etc.
Recorded opposition to the measure to date includes:
. 50 StateVvide Associations
. 12 Counties
. 90 Cities
. 36 School Districts
. 21 Local Government Agencies
. 70 Inigation and \Vater Districts
. 28 RegioruU and Local Business Organizations
If you want to help finance the campaign against this Initiative, please contact the .
Taxpayers Fed Up \Vlth 1\-10re State Bureaucracy at 111 Anza Blv<L #406~ Bur1ingame~
CA 94010, or call (415) 340-0470. Business CounciIrepre~'"Iltative, DickKarn (510)
846-7907. is also available to respond to your questions.
Steve Tanner
Chairman of the Board
T ri- Valley Business Council
.
P.O. Box 3258 A
Livermore, CA 94551-3258 ... (510) 816-5927 ... FAX (510) 463-0192
"
. \ \ ~'-9~nT!I!P'
:\((~(jli~R
---.-LW.
-S 4 Jd-
DmD
COMPETITION KillER INITIATIVE
. RECEIVED
Taxpaver Report
JUL 1 61997
A st~te bureaucrats ~roup (Professional Engineers in California Govemment) has spent nearly $2 milHon to place an initiatk on the next
state~: ballot the~ claim helps taxpayers. But it's really a Competition Killer. It would create a rigged bidding system to restri::t private sedor
competition for deSign and engineering projects, increase taxpayer costs and delay bU/7ding new sdlools and other vitti projects.
Cities and Counties Oppose
Competition Killer
"Ibe initiative would be expected to
reduce local control, create major po-.
tentia! delays of county projects, af-
fect local jobs and economies and in-
crease State Controller costs by about
S 1 million annually. "
The League of California Cities
joined dozens of local governments
recenfiy in the fight to defeat the Corn-
- petition Killer Initiative.
The core issue with the Competi-
tion Killer Initiative is a simple one:
Should virtually all design and engi-
neering project development work for
local gov-
ernment be
done by state
employees
instead of
contractors
hired and
managed by
local city
councils and
rounty super-
visors?
Any park, public oorks, school, road
or jail project is captured by this initia-
tive if any state funding is involved in-
cluding band funding - or if the state
has any ownership, liability or respon-
sibiiity for construction, operation or
maintenance.
Eliminates local control
over infrastructure projects.
This initiative creates a rigged bid-
ding system that effectively means
most infrastructure projects would be
designed only by the State of
California, not private contractors that
are accountable to the needs of local
cities.
New State Bureaucracy
Would Delay Local Projects
Building new projects already takes
too long. But this initiative would add
a whole newlayerofbureau~. The
initiative
requires
that each
and every
Joe a I
project be
reviewed
by the
S tat e
Conlroler's
Office
along with tens of thousands of other
state, local and private building
projects, Ber-vause the measure speci-
fies no deadline by which this office
must act, it would become a project
bottleneck further delaying projects
that are needed now.
Nonna! con~t conditions, such as
delivering a project on schedule and
within the budget are conspicuously
missing from this initiative, and whafs
more local governments would have
no say in the prcrvess.
County of Los Angeles
Schools Boards Say,
"StOD the Competition
Killer"
Concerned it would cause delays in
school construction, the California
School Boards Association (CSBA)
representing more than 1,000 K-12
schoo! districts throughout the state,
joined the fight against the Competi-
tion Killer,
'This initiative reflects bad public
policy and will have a profound effect
on school districts,' said CSBA Presi-
dent Juanita Haugen.
'The initiative will likely result in fur-
ther delays in the approval process for
school construction. This comes at a
time when districts are trying to find
more classroom space to meet class-
size reduction needs."
COPy-Cat legislation
Amended
Due to strong opposition from
schools, health care and local govern-
ments, the Competition Killer copycat
bills (S8 479 and AB 376) were radi-
cally amended as they left their houses
of origin.
Despite PECG's protestations to the
contrary, these bills as introduced were
identK;a1 to the PECG Initiafive and did
indeed apply to virtually all state and
local infrastructure projects including
school construcfion. They now only ap-
ply to local and state transportation
projects.
Would a State Bureaucrats Group Reallv
Spend $2 Million Just to Help Taxpavers;J
Its promoters woiJld like you. to
befleve their measure would protect
taxpayers and ensure competitive
bidding. But if that's true, why are
the California Taxpayers' Associa-
tion, California Chamber of Com-
merce, California HealthCare Asso-
ciation, California T ransitAssociafion,
California Highway Users Confer-
ence, California Minority and Womens
Businesses Coalition among those
who oppose it
Promoters Claims vs. The Facts
ClAIM: The Competition Killer
Initiative Would Save Taxpayer
\ Dollars Because. State Engineers Are
\, Cheaper than Private
! Sector Laoor.
FACT: Initiative promoters base their
claim on a deceptive study which bi-
ases public sector costs downward
I by mixing in low-wage clerical staff
I and does not even consider over-
I
, head costs,
Not taking overhead costs into ac-
count is a very big mistake when you
consider an agency like CALTRANS
is much more top heavy than trans-
poru3tion departments in otherstates.
A nationwide study found that
CALTRANS administrative costs are
almost twice as high as the national
average.
BOTTOM LINE: The Competition Killer Initiative in-
creases taxpayers costs by up to $1.5 billion a year
because the state would be forced to hire up to 12,000
new employees.
6 ~ (;/---
PEeG v. CALTRANS
Decision
In 3 disappointment for California
taxpayers, the California Supreme
Court recently ruled in favor of keep-
ing some restrictions on private sec-
tor design and engineering contracts.
However, the court decision permits
contracting out in cases where the
state could not adequately and com-
petentiy perform the wori< such as (1)
personnel shortage?, (2) earthquakes,
(3) economic efficiencies (4) new state
function and (5) higher skiJ/s.
Despite the court decision, the
Competition Killer Initiative remains on
the ballot, and will become part of the
Califomia Constitution if adopted. The
scope of the Competition Killer Initia-
tive goes far beyond this court deci-
sion in restricting private sector firms
from competing for design and engi-
neering contracts. The initiative cov-
ers virtually every state, local, and pri-
vate project including schools, high-
ways, transit, water projects, flood
control and other key infrastructure
projects.
100,000 lOST JOBS
Exceptfor its promoters, no one dis-
putes that the Competition Killer Ini-
tiative would create bureaucratic
gridlock delaying thousands of public
works projects.
This means delays in construction
funding for vital projects. And no con-
struction funding means no construc-
tion jobs. Conservative estimates are
that 100,000 construction and related
jobs would be lost in the first two years
alone due to the construction delays
caused by the Competition Killer,
Taxpayers Fed Up With More S'-&.ate Bureaucracy (Fed Up!) · A coalition of business, engineers, architects and taxpayers
111 Arrz:a Blvd., Suite 406 . Buriingame, CA 94010. (415) 340-0470. fax: (415) 340-1740
We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of CH2M Hill and Kleinfelder, Inc.
~~-
( pet) '<7
WOULD A STATE BUREAUCRATS'
~NION REALLY SPEND $2 MILLION
JUST TO HELP TAXPAYERS?
I
\
\
-
A state bureaucrats' union has spent nearly $2 million to place an initiative on the next stateWIde
ballot they claim helps taxpayers. But its rea//y a COMPETlnON KIlLER. If would create a ri..qged
bidding system to block private sector compefifion and ensure virtually all school transit flood
control, highway and park projects are designed and engineered only by state bureaucrats.
f\TIU
= ..t::J.
c:::;;.:::)
THE COMPETITION KILLER
INITIATIVE IS NOT ABOUT
TAXPAYER PROTECTION OR
COMPETITIVE BIDDING!
?
?
This is a cleverly disguised scheme
bankrolled by a bureaucrats' union to
feather its 000 nest at me expense of
Califomia taxpayers,
Its promoters would like you to believe
mis measure would protect taxpayers
and ensure competitive bidding. But if
thafs irue, 'Why are me Califomia Tax-
pc.ryers' Association, California Chamber
of Commerce, Califomia Health-care
I\ssocianon (hospitals), Califomia Transit
,Association, Califomia Highway Users
Conference, California Minority and
Womens Business Association, local
school groups, cities and counties
among mose 'Who oppose it?
CREATES A RIGGED BIDDING SYSTEM.
?
?
?
Buried in the fine print is a provision that
rigs the system - virtually shuffing out
compeiffion from private architects and
engineers in building bridges, fjcx:xj con-
iTol projects, schools, parks, highways
and moss iTansit.
Here's how mis insider deal would work:
The iniTIative would allow state bureau-
crat costs to appear artificially low by
ignoring essential job expenses such os
employee compensanon, rent, utiliTIes,
phones and office expenses os well as
insurance, health and safety experts,
legal and capital costs.
California taxpayers would be forced
to ante up billions of dollars to add
thousands of new bureaucrats to the
state payroll. Thafs a staggering cost
to rig me system against fair and honest
private sector competition.
.
<7 r/ /{J-
VITAL PROJECTS WOULD A THE STATE BUREAUCRACY WOULD BE
BE BOGGED DOWN IN A F~ UNACCOUNTABLE AND LOCAL .
BUREAUCRATIC BlACK ~f CONTROL WOULD BE LOST.
HOLE!
P Virtually every CaIifomia school and hos-
p This initiafive would create a virtual Pub- pital has been designed by private firms,
lie Works Czar by_ gMng one politician But under mis initiative, schools, hospi-
- the state controller - enormous tals, flood control levees, jails and even
power to decide on tens of 'thousands golf courses would be held hostage by
of projects worth billions of dollars, That's an unaccountable state bureaucracy.
just too much pOwer to give one pOU- r Normal contract condifions, such as de-
tician. Iivering a project on schedule and within
? me budget are conspicuously missing
Because 'the inifiative specifies no dead-
from this initiative. And local govem-
line by which 'this Public Works Czar must
ments would have no say in 'the pro-
act, that office would become a
cess,
proiect bottleneck indefinitely delay-
ing vital schoo!- highway, transit, flood ? The inifiative would 'threaten safety. By
control and bridge projects. eliminating private sector experts on im-
portant seismic and flood control
Tne complete lack of any engineering projects proven experience would be
or architectural experience in 'the state ignored and safety compromised,
controller's office, coupled with 'the enor-
mous responsibilities of managing 'the AND UP TO 100,000 PRIVATE SECTOR
P process, would inevitably delay impor-
tant projects such as replaCing 'the Bay JOBS COULD BE LOST!
Bridge, construction of 'the Alameda Rail. ? Up to 1 00,000 private construction and
Corridor in Los Angeles and seismic ret- related jobs could be lost in me first two
rants mroughout 1he state. years alone, as a result of construction
delays caused by this initiafive.
4/3/97
'.
l' 4 /;,L
WHY ACWAAND LOCAL WATER DISTRICTS
OPPOSE THE COMPEnTION KlLLEIlINITIATIVE
~V.
~
~ -<::?
<::r .c:::::J ~ ~
&=Jsi? c::> c>- ~
...r
The ACWA Board of Directors officially opposed /he so-called "Govemment Cost Savings and
Taxpayer Protection Initiafiverl because it would eliminate local control of wafer projects and
create long delays for vital local projects.
~ WHY IS THE COMPETITION.
~ KILLER ON THE BALLOT?
, A state bureaucra1s' union (Professioool
Engineers in Cafifomia Govemment) has spent
more man $2 mi1/ion to place an initiative on
me ballot to restrict private sector competiiion
and ensure virtually all water treatment, water
supply, school, transit, highway and flood con-
trol projects are designed and engineered only
by state bureaucrats,
SCOPE OF THE INITIATIVE:
The initiaiive applies to all design and engineer-
ing projects at the state .or local level if mey in-
clude any state funds or if the contract involves
a project for vJ1ich the state will have owner-
ship, liability or responsibility,
ELIMINATES LOCAL CONTROL
OVER WATER PROJECTS.
This initiaiive creates a rigged bidding
system ihat effectively means water
projects would be designed only byme State of
Califomia, not private contractors that are ac-
countable to the needs of local water districts,
CREATES NEW STATE BUREAUCRACY
TO DELAY WATER PROJECTS:
Building new water projects already takes too
long. But mis initiative would add a whole new
layer of bureaucracy. The initiative requires that
each and every water project be reviewed by
the State Controllers Office along with tens of
ihousands of other state, local and private build-
ing projects. Because the measure specifies no
deadline by which this office must act, it would
become a project boffleneckfurther delaying
water projects mat are needed now,
Normal contract conditions, such as delivering
a project on schedule and within me budget
are conspicuously missing from this initiaiive,
and, whafs more, local water districts would
hove no say in the process.
WHO IS OPPOSED?
A large coalition including the Associaiion of
Califomia Water Agencies (ACWA), Califomia 1\5-
sociation of Sanitation Agencies, Associated
Genera! Contractors of Califomia, Califomia Tran-
sit /l.ssociation, Califomia T oxpayers Association,
Caiifomia HeaHhcare A.sscx::;ioiion, Consuliing En-
gineers and Land Surveyors of Califomia, Ameri-
can Insiitute of Architects, Califomia Council,
Califomia Chamber of Commerce, Los Ange-
les County, City of San Jose and many others.
Californians Fed Up With More sterle Bureaucrccy! A CooHtion of business, engineers, architects and taxpayers.
111 krza BOLJ}evard #406. Burlingame, CA 9401 0 . (415) 340-0470. FAX: (415) 340-1740
The COMPETITION KILLER Initiative
SECTION 1. TITLE
This Ul snail be known and may be cited as the "Government
Cost Savings and TaxpaYeI Prote::tion Amendment."
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND INTENT
It is the intent of the people of the State of Carlfomia in enacting this
measure that engineering, architectural, and similar services pro-
vided by the state and certain other enlilies.be fumished at the low-
est cost to iaxpayers, consistent with quality, health, safety, and the
pUblic interest; that contracts for such services be awarded through
a competitive bidding process, free of undue political influence; and
Ihal contractors be held fully responsible for the performance of their
contracts.
THEREFORE, THE PEOPLE OFTHE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO
ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACTS FOR
ENGIN~KING. ARCHITECTURAL AND SIMILAR SERVICES
Ar1icIe VII. section 12 is hereby added to the California Conslilulion
to read:
(a) This section shan apply to contracts for enoineerino. ar-
chitectwal.landscaoe an::hi1ec1ur.31. survevinc. environmental. or en-
oineerinc ceoloov services awarded by the state of California or by
any state agency to any public or private entity. As used in this
section, "~e agency" means every state office officer, agency, de-
partment, division, bureau, board, and commission but does not in-
clude the University of Carrfornia, the California State University and
Colleges, and local public entities. 'State agency' also includes a
state agency acting jointly with another state agency or with a local
publi:: enlily. As used in this sec1ion, 'Iocal public entity" means any
city, county, city and county, including a chartered city or county, public
or municipal corporation, s:;hool dis!1ic!, special district, authoriiy, or
other pub)i:: entity formed for the local performance of governmental
and proprietary fundions wifhin limited boundaries. .Lo::al public
entiiy" also includes two or more local public entities ading jointly.
all money
approprial_ . _' ",' ;~;u, _ ;UI penditure by the state or 2 state
agen::y and all money inciuded in special funds that the state or a
state agen:;y controls.
(c) Prior to the award of any contract covered by this section,
the Controller shall prepare and verify an anal)'Sis of the cost of per-
forming the wor)( using state civil service employees ano the' cost of
the contra..'i. In comparing cost.s, the cost of performing the work
using slate civil service employe<>...s shall include onlv the additional
dire:1 costs to the state to provide the same services as the contdc-
tor, and the c:ost of the cont.-a::! shall inciude all anticipated contra::!
Continued
A bogus .!nd deceptive title dreamed up by initiative
promoters to deceive voters. Ask yourself. Would a state
bureaucrats' union really spend $2 million to help l4XPay-
mZ
Promoters say their intent is competitive bidding. If that's
true why are the California Taxpayers' Assodation, Califor-
nia Chamber of Commerce, California Healthcare Associa-
tion, local school groups, dties and counties against it
among many others?
This section was written to hide what the measure would
really do: create a ri~ed biddillE system to block private
sector competition from private architects and engineers in
building bridges, flood control projects, schools, parks,
highways, schools and prisons.
This was written specifically by the state bureaucrats to
cap1l1re all design and engineering work for bridg<>..5, high-
ways, mass mnsit, prisons, schools, flood control and other
projects.
If it becomes law, the state would be forced to hire UP to
12.0DO new employees at a cost of S 1.5 biHion a year.
The initiative would threaten safety. By eliminating private
senor experts on important seismic and flood control
projects proven experience would be ignored and safety
compromised.
Almost every California school and hospital has been
designed by private fillllS. But under this section virtually all
schools, hospitals, flood control levees and jails will be
designed by rote employees.
LOud control would be lost under this seetion because
local projects could be held hostage by an unaccountable
state bureaucracy. Nonnal conmet conditions such as
deiivering a project on schedule and within budget are
conspicuously missing from this initiative. And local
governments would have no say in the process.
Tnis section creates a riE\!ed bidding system - virtually
/ shutting out competition from private architecr.s and
enEineers.
Herr' 5 where the initiative would allow Slate bureaucrat
com to appear artificialiy low by ignoring essential job
expenses such as employee -compensation, rent, utiiities,
phones and office expenses as well as insurance, health and
safety experts, legal and capital costs. No such breaks for
privau: companies, however, who must include these real-
wond expenses in their bids.
lP 41~
". .'". .
. ..... ....::.;:: .:'- . ..... .".::: . ,':.",
......... ".' '", .........;
I ·
coS's an8 all :::s:s to be incurred by the state, stale agencies, and
the comra::!in; entity for the bidding, e~-aluation, and contra:: award
process and lor inspecting, supe;v;.sing, verifying, monitoring, and
overseeing the contra:!.
(d) The cont'Clct shall not be awarded if either of the lollowing
conditions is lil"..t (1) the Controller's analysis concludes that ~tate
civil servi::e employe<>..5 can perform the work a! less cost than the
cost of !he contract, unless the services are such an urgent nature
that pubJi: inteT"..st, health, or safety requires award of the contract
or (2) the Controlier or the contracting entity concludeS that the con-
tract would not be in the public interest, would have an adverse ir&-
pact on pubfic health or safety, or would result in lower Quality work
than if s:ate civD service employe<>..5 performed the services.
( e) Except for contracts for which a delay resufling from the
competilive bidding process would endanger public health or safety,
every contract, induding amendments, covered by this section that
exce<>...ds iifty thousand dollars ($50,000), adjusted annually to reflect
changes in the appropriate consumer price index as determined by
the Controller, shall be awarded through a publicized competitive
bidding pJ'OCO..5S involving sealed bids. Each contract shall be awarded
to the Iow<>...st Quarrfied bidder. If the contract cost based on the lowest
QuarRied bid exceeds the anti::ipated contract costs the Controller
estimated pursuant to subsection (c), the Controller shall prepare
and verify a revised analysis using the contract bid cost, and that
revised analysis shall be used in appiying subsection (d).
(f) For every contract covered by this section, the contractor
hall 25SUlTle full responsibility and liability for its performance of the
ntrii::: and she:: d5fend, indemnify, and hold the state, the con-
tacting entity, and their agents and employe<>..5 harmless lrom any
legal a::iion resulting from the performance of the contract
(g) Tnis section shall not be applied in a manner that will re-
sult in the loss of iederallunding to the contracting entity lor con-
tracts lor service.
SECTION 4. S=vERABILITY
If any provision of this Amendment or its application to any person or
circull's.an::e is held invalid, that invalidity shall no! affect other pro-
visions or appli:aiions of the Amendment which can be given effect
without the invaiid provision or applicafion, and to this end the provi-
sions of this Amendment are severable.
SECTION 5. APPLICABILITY OF CURRENT LAW
Nothing in this Amendment shall expand or restrict the stale's consti-
tutional authority, as determined by decisions of the Califomia Su-
preme Court and California Courts of Appsal In effect on the effec-
tive daIe of this Amendment, to enter into contracts with private or
public errtrJo..5.
SECTION 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER MEASURES
To the enent t".at any other measure on the same subject shall be
on the ballot at the saine election, it is the intent of the '~ot~~ that'th.is:~:
~--.... -,.- ~... . - , .. -....... . -. .
-asure be deemed; to the maxrriilimeXfeiJrpossible,-no~t? be in,'
"nfiict with suc.'l other measure,.butrather tr.at thismeaSuk'should '
be harmonized with the other ffi<'..asure.
These sections would mare a bureaucratic black hole for
vi;:a! school, trilnspor..ation, flood conrrol, seismic safety and
other projeas.
Tne initiative creates a virtUal Public Works Czar by givin~
one politician - the stlre controDer - enormous power to
deode on rens of thousands of projects worth bilfions of
dollars. That's ;ust too much Dower to l!iYu!n.tPJiliti.c;ian,
BeGluse the initiative specifies no deadline by which this
Public Works Czar must act, that offire would become a
proiect bottleneck indefinitely delaying vital school,
highway, trilnsi4 flood control and bridge projects.
The complete lack of any engineering or architectural
experience in the state controTIer's office, coupled with the
enormous responsibifnies of managing the process, wmilil
inevitably delay important projects such as reDlacin!! the
~ay Bridge, construction of the Alameda Rail Corridor in
iJ1.s Angeles and seismic retrofits throughout the state.
This bogus section talks about competitive bidding. But
beGluse of the rigged cost-comparison there won't be any
competitive bidding for design and engineering work. Only
stare bureaucrats will get these jobs, and taxpayers will pay
the price.
Contrilctors are already fulfy p'..5ponsible for their work and
GIn lose their licenses and oment and furore business if they
don't perform. But this section is unfair because it requires
design consultants to be p'..5ponsibie for the mistlkes of
others indudin~ the stare bureaucrats
Engineering and archirectUral services are the gateway to
construction. As the state is denied these privare sector
services up to 100,000 private construction and relared jobs
could be lost in the fim two years alone, as a result of
construction delays caused by this initiative.
Tne initiative would be locked into the California Constil1l-
tion and would supersede all arrrent procurement staMes.
To correct any flaWS, another constinrrional ballot issue and
statewide vote would be required. Even the legislature
couldn't correct the serious flaws.
Taxpayers Fed Up With
More State Bureaucracy
111 Anz:a Blvd. #406
Burlingame, CA 94010
(415) 340-0470
10# 960380
-~-
/ / 4 JJ-
-. . -. -.
.".-::-0; .:...:.
.......
/) 1 /J-
RESOLUTION NO. - 98
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
.
11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11: 11:
OPPOSING THE "GOVERNMENT COST SAVINGS AND TAXPAYERS
PROTECTION AMENDMENT" (pECG INITIATIVE)
WHEREAS, State, regional and local governments currently have control of design and contract
administration for local projects; and
WHEREAS, the "Government Cost Savings and Taxpayers Protection Amendment" (pECG
initiative) would change this process by giving the State control of Capital Project design; and
WHEREAS, this would cause the local agency to lose control of the design of its projects; and
WHEREAS, this loss of control could cause project delays and loss of quality control;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin opposes the
so-called "Government Cost Savings and Taxpayers Protection Amendment" (pECG initiative).
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of March, 1998.
.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
g:\agenmisc\resopecg
.
~v~:;~r~ &
.....,^~ ~~~ t ~_ ^--, ~
b 00(/~L~'Yl