AgdaPkt 2002-02-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IREPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager February 25, 2002 Subject Support for Proposition 40 Recommendation Approve the attached resolution in support of Proposition 40, the Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Bond Act on the March 5, 2002 ballot. Background California voters have a long history of approving parks bond acts which have resulted in the creation of one of the premier state parks systems, and have helped build thousands of useful and beautiful local parks throughout California. These bond acts have helped to acquire and permanently preserve some of the world's most desirable and sensitive coastline and wildlife habitat areas, and have protected such national treasures as Lake Tahoe, the Santa Monica Mountains, and San Francisco Bay. On average since 1960, bond acts of this type have been passed by the voters about every four years. However, due to the recession in California in the early 1990's, only one new bond act has been passed since 1988. The old bond funds have largely been depleted. The one recent parks bond act, passed in 2000, was the first one passed in 12 years, and the overwhelming demand for park, coastal, recreational, wildlife and other projects has virtually exhausted the funds provided by that measure. In fact, those funds will mostly be allocated by the end of 2002. Development pressures continue, however, and without a new bond act some of our most priceless natural treasures will be lost forever, along with opportunities to provide cleaner air and water for today and future generations. Proposition 40 provides $2.6 billion for state and local park projects to preserve California's natural heritage and allow urban areas to expand and improve much needed recreation facilities that serve children, youth, seniors, and families. These funds will be made available to State, regional, county, and city entities for use in protecting the quality of our water supply, preserving coastal lands, improving parks, acquiring open space, and many other quality of life related projects.