Appointments to Measure V Oversight Committee

City Council Meeting: October 14, 2008

Agenda Item: 8-A

To: Mayor and City Council

From: Dean Kubani, Manager – Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Subject: Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee

Recommended Action

Staff recommends that the City Council establish the Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee with the appointment of at least three members from the Santa Monica Community.

Executive Summary

The Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax (Measure V) was passed by Santa Monica voters in November 2006 in order to raise funds for implementation of the City’s Watershed Management Plan. Measure V created a Citizens Oversight Committee for “audit responsibility” over use of Measure V revenues. At their meeting on May 27, 2008 Council adopted a resolution creating the five member oversight committee that sets the specific duties, responsibilities and terms for the committee members.

Staff solicited applications for the Committee in July and August 2008 and received four applications for the five Committee seats. Staff is continuing to solicit applications and will forward those applications to Council for review and appointment in the future. However, staff recommends that Council appoint at least three community members now to establish the Committee so that it can begin oversight of the Measure V projects currently underway.

Background

The Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax (Measure V) was passed by 67% of Santa Monica voters in November 2006 for the purpose of implementing the City’s Watershed Management Plan. The goals of the Watershed Management Plan are to reduce urban runoff pollution; reduce urban flooding; increase water reuse and conservation; increase recreational opportunities and open space; and increase wildlife and marine habitat. Revenues generated by Measure V can be used for necessary capital as well as operations and maintenance costs related to storm drainage systems and multipurpose capital improvement projects that improve the quality of urban runoff, as well as paying for any indebtedness incurred for these purposes.

Measure V created the Citizens Oversight Committee for “audit responsibility” over use of Measure V revenues. Measure V also requires that each year the City’s Chief Financial Officer file a report with the City Council containing: (a) the amount of funds collected and expended; and (b) the status of any project authorized to be funded as identified in the Ordinance.

Discussion

The resolution adopted by Council on May 27, 2008 created the five member Citizens Oversight Committee. The responsibilities of the Committee are solely advisory to the City Council and fall into three categories: 1) review of proposed capital and operating expenditures from Measure V funds; 2) review of actual Measure V capital and operating expenditures; and 3) review of proposed Measure V capital projects to confirm consistency with established water quality improvement goals of the program. The staff liaison to the Committee will be the Manager of the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment.

The Committee will set its own meeting schedule, but will be expected to meet at least bi-annually. The Resolution stipulates that two of the Committee members will be appointed for an initial one-year term and the remaining three members will be appointed to two-year terms. Committee members can be reappointed by Council for additional terms without limitation. The Committee, with the assistance of its staff liaison, will be charged with preparing and submitting an annual report to Council on the responsibilities set forth above.

Between July 15, 2008 and August 28, 2008 staff solicited applications from community members to sit on the Committee. Despite significant outreach and extension of the submittal deadline three times, only four applications were submitted. Copies of all four applications are attached to this staff report. Applications were received from the following Santa Monica residents: Matmah Salaam, Consultant; Susan Bracey, Finance Executive; Mark Gold, President – Heal the Bay; and Mark Peacor, Architect.

Financial Impacts & Budget Actions

Staffing for the Citizens Oversight Committee will be conducted by existing staff from the Office of Sustainability and the Environment and will not require any additional budgetary allocation. Supplies and expenses for the Citizens Oversight Committee are expected not to exceed $1,000 per year and will be funded annually by revenues generated by the Measure V parcel tax.

Prepared by: Dean Kubani, Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Environment

Approved:

Forwarded to Council:

Dean Kubani

Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Environment

P. Lamont Ewell

City Manager

Attachments: Application Forms