BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt Recommended Position on Measure T, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a position of "Support" on Measure T, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure.
Body
SUMMARY:
Measure T, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure.
Recommended Position: Support
On July 23, 2020, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) voted to place the Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure, a renewal and extension of the existing annual special parcel tax, on the November 2020 ballot.
According to the Authority, they have an increased need for dedicated funding to support ongoing operations, maintenance, and natural resources stewardship on its growing system of open space lands. As of 2014, the Authority was responsible for managing 16,000 acres of protected open space. That acreage has increased to over 26,000 acres today. One of the reasons behind that growth is the Authority's significant capital and management commitment to the public and its partners to complete the preservation, restoration and opening of Coyote Valley. With increasing visitation to the Authority's open preserves (325,000 visits in 2019 and 600,000 visits during COVID-19) the Authority states that there is growing demand for public access to Authority open space preserves and trails. The Authority states that this will require greater investment in public access improvements and staff to maintain preserves and trails and continue the Authority's essential services to the public. The Authority indicates that having a dedicated funding stream to serve as the local match is essential to continuing to attract public...
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