BOOK 26_1955-11-28 to 1957-06-17

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I 399 referred to the changing of the $1.00 limitation to 75¢. The City Attorney replied that there wasn't anything in the Charter which stated that.the Council has to tax the x$1.00 limitation. Councilman Stout offered introduction of the disposition ordinance, seconded by Councilman Weiss. This was followed by discussion and the City Attorney recommended that they first consider the other ordinances in order. The motion was withdrawn. retailers, providing for the collection and paying of such tax, and prescribing penalties for violations of the provisions hereof. While the City Attorney was reading the proposed ordinance, the Mayor interrupted him to ask if everyone in the audience could hear. When it was found out that they could hear, the City Attorney proceeded with the reading. Mr. V. Marchi, 1807 Maddux Drive, asked the Council what assurance they had that the mjority of the citizens of the City of Redwood City wanted the sales tax and on w hat grounds did the Counci feel justified in proceeding with the sales tax. This was followed by discussion after which Councilman Stout read several articles which appeared in the Tribune in regard to the sales tax. Lionel Baldwin apposed the sales tax and asked several questions and stated his opinion. This was followed by discussion. Councilman Granger spoke on the subject of his stand in regard to the sales tax. Hes suggested that the people in the audience weigh the situation from both sides and if they did this he felt sure they could see the advisablility of the sales tax. Councilman Granger outlined possible uses the money could be put to if the City had sufficient funds to do the projects. He feels the only way the City could get the necessary funds is from a sales tax. He stressed the pay as you go method. In answer to questions asked of him, Councilman Weymouth stated that he was not an elected official, but had been appointed to fill theterm of Councilman Britschgi. He feels that sales tax is the only method available for funds. The City needs more funds and he stated his thinking on the matter of sales tax. It is his opinion that the major taxpayer will be given a break because of the sales tax and they will benefit from this tax rather then be hurt.. He feels that it is equitable a tax as the City can get and he feels that the City needs funds to operate. This was followed discussion. Councilman Spillers stated that he has been against the sales tax from the beginning and he feels that it should be put on the ballot for a vote. James Fait, 513 Carlos Avenue, spoke on the subject of the sales tax. A. H. Davies spoke against the sales tax. Mr. Chester Lebsack, representing the Automobile Dealers Association and the Retail Merchants stated that he had a petition from 320 merchants opposing the sales tax. His group does not object so much to the sales tax but they feel that the Council should place the matter of the sales tax before the people for a vote. He stated his own his group's reasoning for his statement. The public utilities would be given approximately a 30% reduction in taxes if this sales tax is put into effect. He suggested that the Council adopt the proposed ordinance he had drawn up and which was printed in the newspaper with approximately 700 people endorsing the ordinance.. This was followed by considerable discussion. Dick Harris, 166 Anamor Street, Spoke and stated that he was representing the American Manufactures Associ The Association, comprising of 220 industrial firms, requested that the Council not adopt the sales tax of 1% as they feel that this tax is a penalty to the business man and would discorage expansion. Stephen Serfozo, 196 Columbia Avenue, representing the Painters Union and the Building Trade Council, objected to the Sales Tax. Paul Jones expressed a vote of confidence to the Councilmen. He backed Councilman Granger up on his statement in regard to cutting down the budget and inviting a Citizen's Committee to be formed to study the matter. The ;$1.00 limit has almost been reached. Mr. Jones told the merchants that it wasn't the sales tax that would drive the people to shop elsewhere but,it.was their own merchandising. People shopped out of Redwood City because they couldn't find the merchandise they wanted here. The Mayor asked the City Attorney to read the.proposed ordinance of the City•of Redwood City imposing a license tax for the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, providing for permits to retailers, providing for the collection and paying of such tax, and prescribing penalties for violations of the provisions hereof. While the City Attorney was reading the proposed ordinance, the Mayor interrupted him to ask if everyone in the audience could hear. When it was found out that they could hear, the City Attorney proceeded with the reading. Mr. V. Marchi, 1807 Maddux Drive, asked the Council what assurance they had that the mjority of the citizens of the City of Redwood City wanted the sales tax and on w hat grounds did the Counci feel justified in proceeding with the sales tax. This was followed by discussion after which Councilman Stout read several articles which appeared in the Tribune in regard to the sales tax. Lionel Baldwin apposed the sales tax and asked several questions and stated his opinion. This was followed by discussion. Councilman Granger spoke on the subject of his stand in regard to the sales tax. Hes suggested that the people in the audience weigh the situation from both sides and if they did this he felt sure they could see the advisablility of the sales tax. Councilman Granger outlined possible uses the money could be put to if the City had sufficient funds to do the projects. He feels the only way the City could get the necessary funds is from a sales tax. He stressed the pay as you go method. In answer to questions asked of him, Councilman Weymouth stated that he was not an elected official, but had been appointed to fill theterm of Councilman Britschgi. He feels that sales tax is the only method available for funds. The City needs more funds and he stated his thinking on the matter of sales tax. It is his opinion that the major taxpayer will be given a break because of the sales tax and they will benefit from this tax rather then be hurt.. He feels that it is equitable a tax as the City can get and he feels that the City needs funds to operate. This was followed discussion. Councilman Spillers stated that he has been against the sales tax from the beginning and he feels that it should be put on the ballot for a vote. James Fait, 513 Carlos Avenue, spoke on the subject of the sales tax. A. H. Davies spoke against the sales tax. Mr. Chester Lebsack, representing the Automobile Dealers Association and the Retail Merchants stated that he had a petition from 320 merchants opposing the sales tax. His group does not object so much to the sales tax but they feel that the Council should place the matter of the sales tax before the people for a vote. He stated his own his group's reasoning for his statement. The public utilities would be given approximately a 30% reduction in taxes if this sales tax is put into effect. He suggested that the Council adopt the proposed ordinance he had drawn up and which was printed in the newspaper with approximately 700 people endorsing the ordinance.. This was followed by considerable discussion. Dick Harris, 166 Anamor Street, Spoke and stated that he was representing the American Manufactures Associ The Association, comprising of 220 industrial firms, requested that the Council not adopt the sales tax of 1% as they feel that this tax is a penalty to the business man and would discorage expansion. Stephen Serfozo, 196 Columbia Avenue, representing the Painters Union and the Building Trade Council, objected to the Sales Tax. Paul Jones expressed a vote of confidence to the Councilmen. He backed Councilman Granger up on his statement in regard to cutting down the budget and inviting a Citizen's Committee to be formed to study the matter. The ;$1.00 limit has almost been reached. Mr. Jones told the merchants that it wasn't the sales tax that would drive the people to shop elsewhere but,it.was their own merchandising. People shopped out of Redwood City because they couldn't find the merchandise they wanted here.