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 and private grants. In addition, Authority staff point to the urgency of climate change underscoring the need for dedicated funding to continue to protect and steward vital natural infrastructure to benefit the residents of the Authority’s jurisdiction. Authority staff has thus determined that the renewal of a special parcel tax as a dedicated funding stream is essential to sustaining the Authority’s ongoing operations and delivering on the agency’s ongoing commitments to the public.
The purposes of the Measure are to: (1) protect open space, redwood forests, wildlife habitat, scenic hillsides and agricultural land; (2) protect land around creeks, rivers and streams to prevent pollution and improve local water quality and supply; (3) open, improve and maintain parks, open space, and trails; and (4) provide urban open space, parks and environmental education programs through a competitive Urban Grants Program. The Expenditure Plan, which includes minor updates, provides more details on the programs, and is attached as Attachment 1.
The Expenditure Plan also outlines how the proceeds of the Special Parcel Tax would be used. Examples of Projects that potentially could be funded by the Measure are listed in the Expenditure Plan and were informed by the Authority’s Santa Clara Valley Greenprint, a vision plan for the future of the region’s open space. The Example Projects List is also informed by additional conservation plans (listed below) that were subsequently adopted and that identify high priority open space, water resources, agricultural and natural resource areas for protection and restoration.
Importance to Valley Water
Enhancing the quality of life through the protection and enhancement of watersheds, streams, and natural resources is one Valley Water’s primary legislative guiding principles and the foundation for several Ends policies. As such, there is a connection between Measure T’s project goals and priorities, and Valley Water’s legislative guiding principles and Board policies surrounding the protection and enhancement of watersheds, streams, and natural resources including access to trails and open space.
Ballot Arguments
Pros
According to the ballot arguments in favor, submitted by the Friends of Santa Clara Valley Open Space, Measure T supporters argue:
• Measure T continues to provide access to outdoor activities that have become so important during COVID-19.
• Measure T does not increase taxes & 100% of Measure T funds stay in Silicon Valley.
• Measure T requires strict fiscal accountability including an oversight committee and annual audits that will ensure all funds from this measure are spent as promised.
Cons
According to the ballot arguments in opposition, submitted by the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, Measure T opponents argue:
• Local communities are currently devastated by the government shutdown of the economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
• Low-and middle-income earners and the unemployed cannot afford to add a regressive parcel tax at this time, let alone one scheduled to run forever.
• More open space means less room for housing. Less room for housing means the demand for available land on which to build housing becomes scarce, which in turn drives up the price of land and the housing built on that land.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with these recommendations.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: SVOSA Measure Expenditure Plan
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Donald Rocha, 408-630-2338