R-10281F:\atty\muhi\laws\mjm\SaveOurStateReso Santa Monica, California
City Council Meeting 3-25-08
RESOLUTION NUMBER 10281 (ccs)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA SUPPORTING THE SAVE OUR STATE PARKS
CAMPAIGN.
WHEREAS, the California state park system is home to 278 state parks,
beaches, historic parks, recreation areas, and other park units;-and
WHEREAS, annually, over 77 million visitors take advantage of the myriad low-
cost opportunities for recreation, educatioh, fitness, and other outdoor pursuits in state
parks; and
WHEREAS, many of the state's most unique natural, cultural, and historic
resources and artifacts are contained within the state park system; and
WHEREAS, Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park provide
invaluable recreational and educational opportunities to the citizens of the City of Santa
Monica; and
WHEREAS, state parks are an important economic engine to the local
communities in which they are located and studies have shown that every $1 invested
in the state park system returns $2.35 to the State's' General Fund, largely in the form of
economic activity in local economies; and
WHEREAS, the proposal in the Governor's 2008-09 State Budget proposes an
unprecedented closing of 48 state parks and drastic lifeguard reductions oh 16 popular
state beaches; and
WHEREAS, the 48 state parks slated for closure represent 17 percent of the
entire state park system and visitation at the 16 state beaches that will. have reduced.
lifeguard staffing- represents more than 30 percent of the visitation to state parks; and
WHEREAS, such a proposal creates considerable harm for local governments
that rely on tourism from state parks for their community's livelihood and community
identity; and
WHEREAS, closure of these state parks will jeopardize Californians' access to
treasures that were specifically set aside to be experienced by the public; and
WHEREAS, the funding required to keep state parks open and restore lifeguards
on state beaches represents a mere fraction (0.006 percent) of the entire budget
proposed by the Governor;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. City of Santa Monica hereby supports the Save Our State Parks
Campaign and urges the Legislature to reject Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to
cut State Parks' budget and close 48 state parks; to uphold the public's trust in
protecting and preserving public access to the treasures in the state park system; and to
identify funding to enable all 278 state parks to remain open for the public's access and
enjoyment.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~`" ~"
M RSHA O ES MOl RIE
Ci y Attor ey
J
Adopted and approved this 25th day of March, 2008.
Katz, Mayor
I, Maria Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 10281 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the 25th day of March, 2008, by the following vote:
Ayes: Council members: Genser, Holbrook, McKeown, O'Connor, Shriver
Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz
Noes: Council members: None
Abstain: Council members: None
Absent: Council members: None
ATTEST:
Maria Stewart, Cit Clerk