City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 07/23/12 Item Number: A-2
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Argument
in Favor of the Question Designated as Measure Y -– Enactment of a Half-Cent
Sales Tax (which Automatically Expires after 10 Years) to be Considered by the
Voters at the Special Municipal Election of November 6, 2012.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Martin R. Cole, Assistant City
Manager/City Clerk
Phone Number:
(310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (07/20/12)
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (07/19/12)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (07/20/12)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (07/20/12)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (07/20/12)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution approving the argument in favor of the question designated
as Measure Y -– Enactment of a Half-Cent Sales Tax (which automatically
expires after 10 years) to be Considered by the Voters at the Special Municipal
Election of November 6, 2012.
BACKGROUND:
At the City Council meeting of July 16, 2012, the City Council considered (and
ultimately unanimously approved) a proposal to place before the voters a ballot
measure which, if approved by a majority of the voters, would enact a half-cent sales
tax (which automatically expires after 10 years). At the same meeting, the City
Council created and appointed two Council Members (Mayor Weissman and Council
Member Clarke) to the Ad-Hoc Subcommittee on Drafting the Argument in
Favor/Rebuttal to Argument Against a Measure (Question) to Enact a Half-Cent
Sales Tax. The Subcommittee has prepared an Argument in Favor of the Measure
for the City Council’s consideration and approval.
The City Council is requested to discuss, make desired changes if any, and approve
the argument in favor of the Question.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Consideration of the Ad-Hoc Subcommittee’s Argument in Favor of the Measure
Pursuant to the Elections Code, the City Council, authorized members of the City
Council, citizen associations and private citizens may submit arguments for or
against the proposed Measure. Only one ballot argument for and one ballot
argument against each measure and rebuttals to each may be printed in the sample
ballot. The Elections Code gives preference to the arguments submitted by the City
Council, as a body, or by Council Members authorized to submit arguments by the
City Council.
On July 16, 2012, the City Council adopted Resolution 2012-R071, which
designated all five Council Members as authorized to sign the argument (and
rebuttal if necessary and desired). Pursuant to the Elections Code, up to five
signatures may appear with the argument(s) as printed in the sample ballot. A
rebuttal argument would only be needed in the case a primary argument against the
measure is filed. If a rebuttal argument is necessary, then staff recommends the Ad-
Hoc Subcommittee be retained and exercise its existing authority to draft and submit
to the City Council on August 6, 2012 a rebuttal argument.
Section 9286(a) of the Elections Code provides, in pertinent part:
“…the city elections official shall fix a date 14 days from the calling of
the election as a deadline, after which no arguments for or against any
city measure may be submitted…”
Section 9285(a)(4) provides, in pertinent part:
…A rebuttal argument relating to a city measure shall be filed with the
elections official no later than 10 days after the final filing date for
primary arguments…”
Pursuant to Resolution 2012-R069 adopted by the City Council on July 16, 2012 and
the Elections Code, the City Clerk has fixed July 30, 2012 at 5:30 PM as the
deadline for submission of arguments for or against the measure (Primary
Arguments). Primary Arguments shall not exceed 300 words in length. Rebuttal
arguments are due 10 days after the primary arguments are due and shall not
exceed 250 words. The deadline for rebuttal arguments would be August 9, 2012 at
5:30 PM and only be applicable if an argument against the measure is timely filed.
All arguments must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office no later than the date and
time announced in order to be considered. Late filings are not accepted.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Approval of this item does not create a fiscal impact to the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution approving the argument in favor of the Question designated
as Measure Y -– Enactment of a Half-Cent Sales Tax (which automatically
expires after 10 years) to be Considered by the Voters at the Special Municipal
Election of November 6, 2012.
MEETING DATE: July 23, 2012
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Argument in Favor of
the Question Designated as Measure Y -– Enactment of a
Half-Cent Sales Tax (which Automatically Expires after 10
Years) to be Considered by the Voters at the Special
Municipal Election of November 6, 2012.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Proposed Resolution.
1-3
ATTACHMENT 1
1 EXHIBIT “A”
We are proud to live and work in Culver City. We enjoy high quality services
and programs that provide an exceptional quality of life. But since 2008, City
revenues have shrunk by over $6 million and Sacramento has taken over $4.5
million in funding and eliminated redevelopment, depriving us of as much as $40
million annually and threatening our successes.
We have taken unprecedented measures to deal with this crisis: reducing the
City workforce by nearly 18% and reducing the operating budget deficit through a
combination of departmental cuts, retirements, and healthcare concessions. In
addition, all our labor unions agreed to pay their full share of pension costs and
to cap health care expenses, thereby reducing the City's costs for pensions and
health benefits, now and into the future.
Yet, despite these steps, our reserves are being drained to pay for essential daily
services, resulting in an annual general fund deficit of nearly $8 million. To close
this gap, we need a balanced approach that continues to reduce expenditures
and generates new revenues.
A ½ cent City sales tax (example: 5 cents on a $10 purchase) will enable Culver
City to continue to provide its many essential services.
All tax funds from Measure Y will stay in Culver City and cannot be taken by the
State. The ½ cent tax will end in 10 years and a Public Advisory Committee will
ensure full accountability and transparency.
Measure Y enables us to avoid cutbacks in vital services such as 911 emergency
and paramedic response, police and fire protection, parks and recreation
programming, as well as programs for the disabled, senior citizens and our youth.
We urge a Yes vote on Measure Y - a vote for locally controlled funding - to
maintain and protect the continued safety, security and services for Culver City
residents.
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