ITEM 12-A

Council Meeting: November 23, 1999 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution in Support of Two Bond Measures on the March, 2000, State Ballot

This report recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 and the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act, two bond measures on the March, 2000, statewide ballot.

The Santa Monica Bay was nominated and accepted by Congress for inclusion in the Clean Water Act’s National Estuary Program in 1988.

The City of Santa Monica is a member of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed Council (SMBW Council) and its Technical Advisory Committee. The SMBW Council was organized to implement safeguards to protect the health and preserve the natural resources of the Bay, and to monitor the progress in reaching the Council’s objectives. These objectives are found in the comprehensive conservation and management plan implemented by the Bay’s stakeholders, called the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan.

Whenever monies become available to the Plan to undertake Bay water quality and habitat improvement programs, such as the distribution of grants to municipalities and non-government organizations, the SMBW Council solicits requests for proposals or requests support of legislation that contains funds for restoration projects.

In March, 2000, California residents will be asked to vote on the two bond measures above. If passed, the Parks Bond will allocate $25 million to implement actions consistent with those in the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan, thereby providing needed funding to carry out activities vital to protecting and restoring the health of the Bay and its natural resources. The Water Bond will allocate to the cities and counties of our State, including those within Los Angeles County, grants and loans to protect watersheds, and to restore and protect the water quality and environment of our State’s coastal waters, estuaries, bays and near shore waters and groundwaters.

Clean ocean waters, healthy marine flora and fauna, and diverse habitats are desirable environmental objectives. Costs of repairing past mistakes and of educating new generations about past problems and solutions, and implementing solutions are high.

The SMBW Council has requested that members actively encourage constituents to support the bond measures.

No financial impact to the City is anticipated as a result of the City Council’s support of these state bond measures. Should the City receive funding as a result of passage of these bond measures, staff will go through the application process for the appropriate approvals.

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution in support of the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 and the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act, and communicate that support to city residents through the city web site, inserts in city mailings and city publications.

Attachments: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica in Support of the two bond measures -SEE BELOW

Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental & Public Works Management

Neal Shapiro, Acting Urban Runoff Management Programs Coordinator

Resolution Number ________ (CCS)

(City Council Series)

Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica in Support of

The Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act

WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica has served as a member of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed Council, working with other stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation and management plan, known as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan, to restore and protect Santa Monica Bay; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature and the Governor of California have placed the $2.1 billion Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000, hereafter entitled the Parks Bond, before the voters on the March 2000 California ballot; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature and the Governor of California have placed the $1.97 billion Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act, hereafter entitled the Water Bond, before the voters on the March 2000 California ballot; and

WHEREAS, the Parks Bond has allocated considerable funding for grants to local agencies and non-profit organizations for acquisition, enhancement, restoration and protection of parks, coastal resources, and wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, the Parks Bond has specifically allocated $25 million to implement actions consistent with those in the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan, thereby providing badly needed funding to carry out activities vital to protecting and restoring the health of Santa Monica Bay and its natural resources; and

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and henceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

______________________________

MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE

City Attorney