G-7 STAFF REPORT MEETING DATE: September 25, 2018 TO: FROM: City Council Regan M. Candelario, City Manager Laura McDowall, Management Analyst II 922 Machin Avenue Novato, CA 94945 415/ 899-8900 FAX 415/ 899-8213 www.novato.org SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION FOR UPCOMING BALLOT MEASURES REQUEST Adopt a resolution of support for Proposition 1 - Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018; a resolution of support for Proposition 2 - No Place Like Home Homeless Housing Ratification; a resolution of support for Proposition 3 - Supply and Water Quality Bond Act of 2018; and a resolution of opposition to Proposition 6 - Repeal of Recently Enacted State Transportation Funds. DISCUSSION Many important public policy decisions affecting the future of cities are being decided through statewide ballot measures this year. The League of California Cities (LOCC) has seven standing policy committees which may choose to take up ballot measures or proposed measures that have a direct impact on California cities under their issue expertise and make recommendations to the League Board of Directors for action. Not all measures heard by policy committees go to the full board. If a measure is taken to the full board, it must receive a vote by two-thirds of the directors present for the League to adopt an official position. The LOCC has issued official opinions supporting Proposition 1, Proposition 2 and Proposition 3 and an official opinion opposing Proposition 6. The LOCC is requesting that City Council s adopt resolutions of support and opposition as well. PROPOSITION 1 This proposition would enact the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018, which, if adopted, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $4,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. Of the proceeds from the sale of these bonds, $3,000,000,000 would be used to finance various existing housing programs, as well as infill infrastructure financing and affordable housing matching grant programs, as provided, and $1,000,000,000 would be used to provide additional funding for the above-described program for farm, home, and mobile home purchase assistance for veterans, as provided. This was known as SB 3 (Beall) in the last legislative cycle, which the League advocated to pass. LOCC Opinion: Support cc18-170 1 1
PROPOSITION 2 This proposition would authorize $2 billion in bonds from the Mental Health Services Act to build supportive housing under the No Place Like Home Program for Californians living with a serious mental illness who are homeless or at great risk of becoming homeless. In 2004, voters approved Prop. 63, the Mental Health Services Act, a tax on millionaires to dedicate funding to mental health services. Years later, much of this funding was still unspent and in 2016 the legislature passed the No Place Like Home Act which shifted $2 billion of this funding. $1.8 billion would go to competitive grants that would fund permanent supportive housing projects for homeless who would be eligible for Prop. 63 funds and $200 million was set aside for funding direct to the counties. The 2016 legislation has been tied up in the courts since it was signed by the Governor with opponents suing to argue that this was not part of Prop. 63 s intent. Late this year the Legislature and the Governor decided to put this back onto the ballot as Prop. 2 to ask the voters to reaffirm that this money could be used for this purpose. LOCC Opinion: Support PROPOSITION 3 This measure authorizes $8.877 billion in state general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects: $3.03 billion for safe drinking water and water quality, $2.895 billion for watershed and fisheries improvements, $940 million for habitat protection, $855 million for improved water conveyance, $685 million for groundwater sustainability/storage, and $472 million for surface water storage/dam repairs. It appropriates money from the General Fund to pay off bonds and requires certain projects to provide matching funds from non-state sources, and gives priority to disadvantaged communities. LOCC Opinion: Support PROPOSITON 6 A 2016 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment provided a critical analysis on the deteriorating condition of local transportation networks and funding needs. The Assessment determined that cities and counties need approximately $2 billion in additional funding per year just to maintain current pavement conditions. In an effort to address the statewide need for additional funding, the State Legislature passed SB1 known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The Act adjusted gas taxes and car registration fees to generate $52 billion over the next 10 years for transportation related infrastructure improvements. Of the $52 billion, $15 billion is directly allocated to cities. If passed by voters in November, Proposition 6 will eliminate the SB1 funding dedicated to transportation infrastructure improvements, eliminating funding for over 6,500 bridge, road safety, transportation and public transit improvement projects currently underway throughout California. cc18-170 2 2
LOCC Opinion: Oppose RECOMMENDATION Adopt the resolutions of support and opposition. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution of Support for Prop 1 2. Resolution of Support for Prop 2 3. Resolution of Support for Prop 3 4. Resolution of Opposition to Prop 6 5. Full Text of Prop 1 - available online at: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/sb3-ch365.pdf 6. Full Text of Prop 2 - available online at: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/ab-1827-ch41.pdf 7. Full Text of Prop 3 - available online at: https://www.oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/17-0010%20%28water%20bond%29.pdf 8. Full Text of Prop 6 - available online at: https://www.oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/17-0033%20%28gas%20and%20car%20tax%29_1.pdf cc18-170 3 3
Attachment 1 G-7.1 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NOVATO RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 1- THE VETERANS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACT WHEREAS, housing affordability is an urgent issue facing families and communities across California, and the cost of housing means many people and families can t afford other basics like food and transportation; and WHEREAS, addressing California s lack of affordable housing must be an urgent priority at a time when more than half of California households that rent (more than 3 million) spend more than 30 percent of their income toward rent and nearly one-third (over 1.5 million households) spend more than 50 percent of their income on rent; and WHEREAS, the devastation of the housing crisis is evident in homelessness in our communities; and WHEREAS, California s homeownership rates are at the lowest point since the 1940s and recent housing production levels are far short of the state s projected housing need for 180,000 new homes per year; and WHEREAS, the proceeds from the 2006 housing bond that helped create and preserve affordable apartments, urban infill infrastructure, and single-family homes have been expended; and WHEREAS, even though federal funding for affordable housing comprises a significant portion of California s resources to support affordable housing, there has been a decline of 51 and 66 percent, respectively, in funds allocated to California by the crucial funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs; and WHEREAS, last year the Legislature passed, and Governor Brown signed SB 3 (Beall), which the City of Novato supported, that placed the $4 billion Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act on the November 6, 2018 general election ballot; and WHEREAS, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act dedicates funding to help military veterans have a safe place to call home, provides stable housing for struggling families, people experiencing homelessness and individuals with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act builds affordable homes for hardworking people, enabling them to live in the communities where they work and near transit to reduce long commutes and curb pollution; and Res2018-xxx 4
WHEREAS, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act invests in Californians priorities: building homes, creating jobs and boosting the economy; the initiative is expected to create 137,000 jobs and pump $23.4 billion into California s economy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Novato does hereby support Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURHTER RESOLVED that the City of Novato supports and can be listed as a member of the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act coalition. * * * * * * I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Novato, Marin County, California, at a meeting thereof, held on the 25 th day of September, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: City Clerk of the City of Novato Approved as to form: City Attorney of the City of Novato Res2018-xxx 5
Attachment 2 G-7.2 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NOVATO RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 2 - NO PLACE LIKE HOME WHEREAS, more than 134,000 people are experiencing homelessness in California, with as many as a third living with an untreated mental illness; and WHEREAS, decades of research shows providing people with a stable place to live along with mental health services promotes healthy, stable lives; and WHEREAS, without the foundation of a stable home connected to mental healthcare, people suffering from serious mental illness are unable to make it to doctors appointments and specialized counseling services, often showing up in emergency rooms as a last resort; and WHEREAS, permanent supportive housing significantly reduces public health costs, reduces suffering for patients, and achieves better health outcomes; and WHEREAS, a recent Research and Development Corporation (RAND) study in Los Angeles County of supportive housing programs similar to what Proposition 2 will do found early success with more than 3,000 people moved off the streets into housing and care, which saved taxpayers more than $6 million after just one year; and WHEREAS, Proposition 2 uses proven models of pairing housing and mental health care which keeps Californians experiencing homeless off the streets, out of hospitals and emergency rooms and allows them to receive the mental health services they need, while easing the burden on emergency responders and saving taxpayers millions; and WHEREAS, Proposition 2 - No Place Like Home will help connect people who have a serious mental illness to the supportive housing they need to get treatment and care in the stability of a home. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Novato does hereby support Proposition 2 No Place Like Home. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Novato supports and can be listed as a member of the Proposition 2: No Place Like Home coalition. * * * * * * I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Novato, Marin County, California, at a meeting thereof, held on the 25 h day of September, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: Res5197 6
AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: City Clerk of the City of Novato Approved as to form: City Attorney of the City of Novato Res5197 7
Attachment 3 G-7.3 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NOVATO RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION 3 - THE WATER SUPPLY AND WATER QUALITY ACT OF 2018 WHEREAS, the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018 has qualified for the November California Statewide ballot as Proposition 3; and WHEREAS, the City of Novato, like many other cities across the state, seeks to improve the reliability and sustainability of its water supply; and WHEREAS, in many instances the water challenges faced by the City of Novato are of regional and statewide interest; and WHEREAS, the Water Supply and Water Quality Act includes important funding for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation, groundwater/brackish desalination, stormwater treatment, wastewater recycling, watershed restoration and water conservation, infrastructure repair in addition to other funds of importance to our city and other local agencies; and WHEREAS, these grant funds would result in significant cost savings for cities and ratepayers, healthier watersheds, and improvements in both water supply and quality for urban areas. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Novato does hereby support Proposition 3 the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018. * * * * * * I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Novato, Marin County, California, at a meeting thereof, held on the 25 h day of September, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: City Clerk of the City of Novato Res5198 8
Approved as to form: City Attorney of the City of Novato Res5198 9
Attachment 4 G-7.4 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NOVATO RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF OPPOSITION FOR PROPOSITION 6 WHEREAS, cities and counties own and operate more than 81 percent of streets and roads in California, and people depend upon a safe, reliable local transportation network; and WHEREAS, the 2016 California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment, which provides critical analysis and information on the local transportation network s condition and funding needs, indicates that the condition of the local transportation network is deteriorating at an increasing rate; and WHEREAS, California has more than 1,600 bridges and overpasses that are structurally deficient and unsafe and 89% of counties have roads that are in poor or at-risk condition; and WHEREAS, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, there were more than 3,600 fatalities on California roads in 2016, with poor road conditions as a major factor in vehicle collisions and accidents; and WHEREAS, Prop 6 would eliminate more than $52 billion over the next 10 years in existing transportation funding, including the $15 billion in direct apportionments, and $11 billion in available competitive grant funding, to cities and counties statewide; and WHEREAS, Prop 6 would stop funding for more than 6,500 transportation improvement projects currently underway or planned in every California community; and WHEREAS, Prop 6 would jeopardize public safety by eliminating thousands of projects to fix unsafe bridges and overpasses, repair crumbling and unsafe roads, and enhance pedestrian safety; and WHEREAS, voters overwhelmingly passed Prop 69 in June thereby ensuring transportation funds can only be used for transportation purposes and the State and local governments are accountable to taxpayers; and WHEREAS, Prop 6 would eliminate transportation revenues that are accountable to taxpayers, can t be diverted or borrowed, and that voters overwhelmingly dedicated to fixing our roads. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Novato does hereby oppose Proposition 6. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Novato can be listed as a member of the No on Prop 6 coalition, a diverse coalition of local governments, public Res5199 10
safety organizations, business, labor, environmental leaders, transportation advocates and other organizations throughout the state. * * * * * * I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Novato, Marin County, California, at a meeting thereof, held on the 25 th day of September, 2018, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: City Clerk of the City of Novato Approved as to form: City Attorney of the City of Novato Res5199 11