AgdaPkt 2008-07-28 Clsd and Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

9A Page 6 AB 1033 (Caballero): Provides cities an additional tool to stem gang violence by creating a misdemeanor charge for any persons whose actions, or lack there of, contribute to a minor becoming part of a criminal street gang. {Support} Bill location: Senate Third Reading AB 2262 (Tomco): Allows cities to designate fire agencies as child safe surrender sites for children seven days old or younger. (Support) Billlocatlon: Senate Appropriations Committee - Suspense File AB 2151 (Jones): Increases city authority in the transfer or renewal request process, under the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, of an alcoholic beverage license if it will contribute to blight or if the request Is for a license within a redevelopment area. (Support) Bill location: Senate Third Reading SB 1519 (Yee): Provides cities the authority to tenninate telephone services used to promote or conduct business of unlicensed taxi cabs within their jurisdiction. (Support) Bill location: Assembly Third Reading Transportation AB 642 (Wolk): Allows cities to use design-build contracting for building construction projects as well as wastewater facilities, solid waste management facilities, or water recycling facilities for more efficient, cost-effective public works projects. (Support) Bill location: Senate Appropriations Committee AB 983 (Ma): Requires cities to provide full, complete, and accurate plans, including cost-estimates on all public works projects. which would reduce incentives for contractors to report errors in plans during bidding because additional ex'penses could be recouped through change-order claims against the public agency. (Oppose) Bill location: Assembly Judiciary Committee Supreme Court Finds Open Space Assessment Violates Proposition 218 The California Supreme Court earlier this week struck down an assessment to fund future open space acquisitions. In doing so, the court found that the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA) had not demonstrated a special benefit to the assessed property, and the amounts assessed were not proportional to any special benefItS that the assessed property may receive. There are potentially far-reaching impacts with this decision. This case demonstrates the importance of a properly drafted assessment engineer's report that accurately specifies the special benefit to each assessed property, and correctly assesses each property in proportion to the special benefit to each property. The court emphasized that a general enhancement of property values in the community is by definition not a special benefit. It also aiticized Santa Clara's OSA for determining the amount of the assessment based on what property owners would likely be willing to pay, and then determining an annual spending budget based on what the likely assessment would generate in revenues. As one commentator on this case notes: "Thus, great care will now be required in drafting engineers' reports for such assessments and legal review of those reports is essential." The case is Silicon Valfey Taxpayers Association v. San Clara County Open Space Authority. 6