HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2014-124 N.C.S. 7/21/2014Resolution No. 2014-124 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF NON-SUPPORT FOR A COUNTYWIDE QUARTER
CENT SALES TAX MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 2014 BALLOT
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is currently contemplating placing a measure on the
November 2014 ballot giving Petaluma voters the opportunity to raise the local sales tax to fund
local projects including repairing aging streets and sidewalks, modernizing and expanding fire
stations, replacing outdated fire engines, ambulances and police cars, restoring police officer
positions, modernizing the police station, completing flood protection projects, and completing
the Rainier Cross-town Connector and Interchange project; and,
WHEREAS, scientifically valid public opinion polling confirms more than sufficient
voter support to pass a properly crafted local tax measure for these critically important purposes;
and,
WHEREAS, at the same time, the County of Sonoma is contemplating placing on the
Countywide ballot in November, 2014, its own quarter cent local sales tax measure, primarily to
repair rural roads; and,
WHEREAS, 70 percent of Sonoma County's residents live within the city limits of the
County's nine cities, and those residents could be expected to pay 70 percent of any new
Countywide sales tax; and,
WHEREAS, the County's network of primary roads is in good condition, and the
County's primary need is to maintain small remote roads rarely used by city residents; and,
WHEREAS, the current draft County sales tax measure would provide limited funding
to the City of Petaluma for road maintenance, but in amounts insufficient to resolve Petaluma's
road maintenance problems in a satisfactory marmer; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed Countywide sales tax measure would provide no funding for
any of the other critical priorities targeted for Petaluma's local tax measure; and,
Resolution No. 2014-134 N.C.S. Page I
WHEREAS, the proposed Countywide sales tax contains no funding to complete the
widening of Highway101 to the Marin -Sonoma County line, the completion of which project
currently has no identified funding source; and,
WHEREAS, polling reveals that the addition of the contemplated Countywide measure
would undermine voter support for Petaluma's local measure; and.
WHEREAS, the County's threatened unilateral action to place a sales tax measure on the
ballot that purportedly helps the City of Petaluma, but in reality undermines the City's own
efforts, would be counterproductive and could lead to the defeat of both measures.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma expresses its non-support for a proposed Countywide sales tax measure that would
provide funding for local street maintenance but in amounts insufficient to do the job, and at the
same time, fails to provide any funding to complete the regionally important widening of
Highway 101.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify, the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the .Approvr�s ib
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 21" day of July, 2014, 1 fo
by the following vote: t
City Altorn
AYES: Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Harris, Healy, Vice Mayor Kearney, Miller
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
City Clerk TiAytf
Resolution No. 2014-124 N.C.S. Page 2