HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13096 (Opposition to Abolish RA)RESOLUTION NO. 13096
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNORS PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES IN CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, as part of the 2011-12 budget proposal, the Governor has proposed permanently
abolishing California's more than 400 local redevelopment agencies; and
WHEREAS, this proposal will bring very little financial benefit to the State. According to the
State Controller's Office, redevelopment agencies have more than $87 billion in bond and other
contractual obligations that legally must be repaid before revenues are available for any other
purpose; and
WI IEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency has voluntarily limited the Agency's receipt
of tax increment generated within the Central San Rafael Redevelopment Project Area, the
schools, and other local taxing entities annually receive the benefit of increased property taxes
resulting from redevelopment activities. The San Rafael Agency tax allocation bonds will not be
retired until 2025. Therefore, the elimination of the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency will
result in minimal increases in property tax revenues to local taxing entities before 2025; and
WHEREAS, eliminating redevelopment will take away one of the few tools San Rafael has to
comply with State requirements to plan for more compact urban development supported by
housing, jobs and infrastructure such as housing and mixed use development adjacent to SMART
stations and within Downtown San Rafael; and
WI IEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency has been instrumental in the revitalization
of Downtown San Rafael including development of the Downtown Vision, the installation of
street trees, street furniture and new sidewalks, the redevelopment of the Rafael Film Center,
land acquisition and resale resulting in the construction of Rafael Town Center, Lone Palm and
Centertown apartments, the construction of two parking garages with a total of 1,000 spaces,
construction of San Rafael City Plaza, Laurens Place and Tamalpais Avenue, land consolidation
for the construction of Bettini Transit Center and land acquisition and resales along Irwin Street
resulting in the development of the French Quarter and other buildings; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency has provided funding to construct the
Recreation Center at Albert Park, the Parkside Child Care Center and the Palm Promenade and
developed and implemented the Mahon Creek Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency has provided funding to improve the Canal
neighborhood and East San Rafael including the land acquisition and construction of the
Pickleweed Community Center and Library, the Picklweed Park playing fields, the widening of
Bellam Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency has provided funding to improve the West
Francisco Boulevard area including the construction of Andersen Drive and the relocation of
Francisco Boulevard. The Redevelopment Agency participated in land acquisition, assembly and
resale which resulted in the construction of RAB Motors, Sonnen Motors, the Toys R Us and
Shamrock Centers; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency has provided funding for flood control in all
parts of the Redevelopment Project Area; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency housing funding has been responsible for
the development of 457 new units in mixed income housing that serves our local workforce and
life safety improvements to preserve 404 existing housing units occupied by low income persons.
The Agency funds a residential health and safety standards enforcement program for housing
occupied by very low and low income residents; and
WHEREAS, shutting down redevelopment agencies is a violation of multiple State and Federal
constitutional provisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT Rt -,SOLVED that the San Rafael City Council hereby formally
opposes the Administration's proposal to abolish redevelopment in California.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the San Rafael City Council hereby authorizes its council
and city staff to communicate its opposition to this proposal to the Governor, the Legislature,
business groups, and citizens.
I, Esther C. Beirne, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council held on the 7`" day of February 2011, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Brockbank, Connolly, Heller, Levine & Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk