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<br />7-C-./ <br /> <br />REPORT <br /> <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From Vice Mayor Pierce <br /> <br />February 14, 2005 <br /> <br />Subject <br />Parks for the Future <br /> <br />Recommendation <br />It is recommended that Council provide feedback on the San Mateo County Parks for <br />the Future Initiative. <br /> <br />Background <br />On April 26, 2004, staff asked requested a letter of support for State Legislation that <br />would enable the formation of a Countywide Park District. This district was proposed <br />by a coalition of park advocates (Parks for the Future) from all parts of San Mateo <br />County headed up by Supervisor Jerry Hill and former Supervisor Mike Nevin. Staff <br />support was and continues to be provided by the County Parks Foundation. Council <br />agreed to provide a letter of support, but it was clear that more details on the proposed <br />district would be needed to achieve strong support of the Council. Ultimately, the <br />enabling legislation was not put forward. <br /> <br />Summary <br />In November of 2004, the Coalition held a meeting with interested parties to determine <br />next steps. Based on feedback from this meeting the coalition basically decided to <br />remove any predetermined time frame for creation of the district and do further <br />research and outreach on the specifics of what a district might be able to achieve as <br />well as the political feasibility of such an effort before moving forward. The general <br />consensus was that funds created by a district would need to be available for both <br />maintenance and capital improvement needs. <br /> <br />On January 27,2005, a meeting was held to review the polling data for a park district. <br />The poll looked at likely support for a sales tax, parcel tax and assessment district. In <br />the case of the sales and parcel tax two different amounts were tested. The consultant <br />ultimately recommended that a one-eighth of one percent a sales tax could be viable. If <br />a Measure A type distribution was used this tax would generate a total of $ 16,074,486 <br />countywide and 9.612% or $1,545,080 for Redwood City. The next meeting of the <br />Parks for the Future Coalition is scheduled for February 17, 2005, 11 :30 a.m. at Red <br />Morton Community Center. At the meeting there will be further discussion of fund <br />allocation, distribution and governance. <br /> <br />;ß~uzl2~ <br /> <br />Barbara Pierce ' <br />Vice Mayor <br />