AgdaPkt 2005-12-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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¿A-Z r?~fJ.()r?....-'- To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager December 5, 2005 Subject Parks for the Future Presentation Recommendation No action is recommended at this time. Parks for the Future representatives wish to share information and get feedback from Council and Commission members as well as the public on a potential 1/8 cent sales tax to provide an on-going stable funding source for parks and recreation activities. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be in attendance for this presentation. Background Parks for the Future is an effort to secure dedicated tax-based revenues to support parks and recreation related activities of San Mateo County, the Cities located within the County, the ladera and Highlands Recreation Districts and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, by placing a measure to increase sales tax by1/8th cent on a future ballot. The legislative permission required to place a 1/8th cent increment on the ballot was secured in 2005 with the approval of SB 203. The revenue, projected as between $13-16 million per year, would be allocated to jurisdictions per a formula and may be used for park and recreation related functions such as maintenance, operations, activities and programs, capital improvements and acquisition. The Benefits Today's parks and associated recreation programs playa significant role in communities. Parks are where we gather with our family and friends. The open spaces offer us solitude, and their beauty and quiet nourish our soul. The wild places provide habitat for native plants and animals, and provide critical functions in water supply and flood control. Well maintained parks, urban tree programs and community landscaping improve neighborhood aesthetics and property values. Recreation programming supports healthy lifestyles and specifically programs for youth and seniors result in improved public safety. After-school programs provide educational support, recreation opportunities and healthy socializing. Senior programs prevent social isolation and support senior health through age-appropriate nutrition programs and physical exercises. Sports and other physical fitness programs now playa critical role in combating California's low rates of physical fitness and high rates of obesity- among youth and adults alike. The Need While parks and recreation programs are important to our communities they have not been funded at an optimal level for many years. As a non-mandated service, they are one of the few areas that can and have been reduced during budget crises. The results 2005 City Agenda format