CC Min 1998-06-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

. . . . . - and that's mainly the reason that I felt that really I didn't want to address this one particular one. I can guarantee you that Governor Wilson has already been contacted by - the League of Cities and he knows exactly how the League feels, and what the League's position is on this bill. I felt that our time would be much better spent addressing some of these other issues. And that was the reason that we didn't feel that we needed to address this particular issue and bring it before the Council." Vice Mayor Ruskin said he respected his colleague's views, but his concern was while the vote mayor may not divide along party lines in Sacramento, the effect if this were to pass would be non-partisan on our city's budget" Vice Mayor Ruskin said he had researched this issue and was astonished at the impact this would have on the City and said he felt it was worthy of Council consideration. He described how the State of California during its economic crisis several years ago took City funds and moved them to the Education Augmentation Fund. Vice Mayor Ruskin said he didn't see the value of duplicating such a policy now when the State is experiencing good economic times. He said the impact on cities would be enormous, and "Governor Wilson understands full well, I believe, that the intention of present legislation is to guarantee the cities the money coming from the Vehicle License Tax. In fact the legislation states that that money can't go anywhere else but the cities. But there is a loophole that has been found, and that is, you can eliminate the tax itself. I believe Governor Wilson understands the cities need this money, and he has offered to hold the cities harmless to the effects of the loss of the Vehicle License Tax. The problem is that several times in the past decade the legislature in one form or another has agreed to hold the cities harmless, but they have never enacted - the legislation to do so. There has been a series of broken promises. Where might this money come from? The most likely place is to move back from Education. I think that would be a disaster.... In terms of a policy, I think the responsible thing for the legislature to do, if they were to remove the Vehicle License Fee would be to combine that with legislation as to how the cities would be held harmless. And unless those are done at the same time, there is no way we can accept the good faith promise of the state government. They have often acted at their own advantage to the disadvantage of the cities. The effect upon our City and our residents would be catastrophic if this were to go through. Personally I believe it is an opportunity for legislators to look good while they are acting irresponsibly, and I don't believe we should sit quietly by and allow people to have that opportunity and affect the City as negatively as it would be affected." Council Member Leipzig said, "I feel like this is C-Span here. The hour is late and there is no one here listening to the speeches... I'm going to vote 'no' of course." Council Member Leipzig expressed his displeasure that this item was scheduled on the Council agenda after the Legislative Committee chose not to consider it. He said the Committee had decided not to bring it to the Council, "and here it is." Council Member Claire expressed his concern that an important item like the loss of revenues to the City had not been reviewed by the Legislative Committee and brought to the Council with recommendations. - MEMO 6/10/98 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JUNE 8, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 537 PAGE 12