SR 09-27-2016 13C 13.C
September 27, 2016
Council Meeting: September 27, 2016 Santa Monica, California
1 of 1
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson -Warren, City Clerk , Records & Elections Services
Department
Date : September 27, 2016
13.C Request of Mayor Pro Tem Winterer, Councilmember Davis, and
Councilmember O’Day that the City Council support the Safe, Clean
Neighborhood Parks Measure of 2016 (Measure A) which will provide
funding for: protecting and preserving parks and natural areas; providing
safe places to play; protecting clean water resources, including r ivers and
creeks; removing asbestos, mold and lead paint from aging recreation
centers; reducing gang activity; ensuring that drinking water is safe at park
and recreation centers; and protecting clean and safe beaches.
1444 9th Street ph 310 451 1550 info@healthebay.org
Santa Monica CA 90401 fax 310 496 1902 www.healthebay.org
September 26, 2016
Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Item 13 C - Support for City of Santa Monica to Endorse Measure A
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
On behalf of Heal the Bay, a non -profit environmental organization with over 15,000 members
dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean,
we are writing to express support for the City of Santa Monica endorsing California’s Measure A .
Measure A provide s safe, clean neighborhood parks, beaches and open spaces, and help s protect these
places that makes Santa Monica so special.
Heal the Bay has joined the coalition to ensure the passage of this important measure which will replace
Proposition A due to expire in 2019. Since 1992, Santa Monica has received funds from the LA County
Regional Park and Open Space District to repair and upgrade parks and recreation facilities. The list
includes almost every park in Santa Monica as well as projects close to Heal the Bay ’s heart including the
Santa Monica Beach Trail, Santa Monica Dry Weather Runoff Reclamation Facility and the Santa Monica
Beaches Restoration .
The Santa Monica Parks department recently identified $8 million in deferred maintenance and $26
million dollars in prioritized projects in the Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment. Heal the Bay has worked to ensure the language in the measure would allow the County
Open Space District to create grant programs that could leverage funds to meet multiple City goals
including water quality mandates and projects already identified through Measure V.
Measure A is a 1.5 cent property tax levied annually per square foot of improved property in Los Angeles
County with bond authority requiring citizen oversight and independent audits. Average homeowner
with 1,500 sq. ft. home would pay $22.50 per year . The measure will raise $92,796,612 per year for
parks countywide . T he estimated allocation for S anta Monica is $428,000 annually . Over 9 million
dollars is esti mated in a 22 year projection period. We strongly urge the Co uncil to endorse Measure A
in an effort to protect California’s precious and valuable park and water resources .
Measure A is strongly endorsed by Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Congressman Ted Lieu, Th e Nature
Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters , and the City of Glendale.
For the complete endorsement list please visit YesonAfor LAParks.com .
Thank you for your leadership on this critical environmental issue.
Sincerely,
Meredith McCarthy
Director of Programs
Item 13-C
09/27/16
Item 13-C
09/27/16