AgdaPkt 2004-06-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT . ' .A,I To the Honorable Mayor and City Council FromtheCity.Manager June 14,2004 Subject Enabling legislation to allow for creation of a Countywide Park District Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council, by motion, communicate their support of enabling legislation to create a Countywide Park District to Senator Byron Sher Background San Mateo County Supervisors Mike Nevin and Jerry Hill, along with County Parks Director Mary Burns, Mike Stallings and Sheila Canzian, Parks and Recreation Directors from Daly City and San Mateo respectively, hosted a meeting on March 29th for members of City Councils, Parks and Recreation Commissions and their staff. The goal for the meeting was to introduce the concept of forming a Countywide Park District to ultimately address the shortfalls in funding for operations, maintenance and capital projects within the many park systems in the County. Vice Mayor Pierce, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Robert Yapp and I were in attendance. We learned that San Mateo County is one of only two counties in the Bay Area without a dedicated revenue source for Parks and Recreation; and that local citizens have been working since 1992 to find a dedicated source of funds for County Parks; and that the current County financiai situation has resulted in a 32% reduction in Parks funding over the past two years. Organizers asked that each City secure evidence of their support of the enabling legislation in the form of a letter to Senator Byron Sher who is considering carrying the legislation. The meeting hosts were quick to point out that none of the details for the actual operation of the special district including fund allocations and governance have yet to be worked out. It is important to note that voter approval is required for the establishment of any district. The enabling legislation you are being asked to support, allows the specifics of a district to be developed and put before the voters. If enabling legislation passed the state legislature and is signed in to law by the Governor in 2004, it would become effective in January 2005. A regularly scheduled election in 2005 or 2006 would be the likely time for the measure to be brought before the voters. At their May 12,2004 meeting, the Redwood City Park and Recreation Commission vote to recommend to City Council support for the formation of the Countywide Park District by unanimous vote. Alternative The City Council could choose to decline recommending support to the Countywide Park District enabling legislation. Fiscal Impact a::~ted to supporting the enabling legiSlati~~ . Corinne Centeno d Everett f- Parks, Recreation and Community City Manager Services Director Attachment 1. Proposal to Create a Countywide Special Park District Committee 2. Draft Language of proposed enabling legislation for Countywide Park District -