April 25, 2006

SUBJECT: Resolution - Endorsement of Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund Renewal

REPORT IN BRIEF

This report provides an opportunity for the City Council to take a formal position on the Santa Clara County Park Charter Amendment. The Park Charter Amendment will extend funding for the Santa Clara County parks system for park acquisition, development and on-going maintenance without creating new taxes.

Staff recommends Alternative No. 1, Adopt Resolution in support of renewal of the Santa Clara County Park Charter.

The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed this report during their regular meeting on April 12, 2006, and recommended Alternative No. 1, Adopt Resolution in support of renewal of the Santa Clara County Park Charter.

BACKGROUND

Staff is providing this report to afford the City Council an opportunity to take a public stand on the Santa Clara County Park Charter Amendment which will go before county voters during the primary elections on June 6, 2006. The “Yes On Parks” Committee, a group that is promoting passage of the amendment, has requested a formal endorsement from the City of Sunnyvale.

EXISTING POLICY

Legislative Management Sub-element, Goal 7.3C: Participate in intergovernmental activities, including national, state and regional groups, in order to represent the City's interest, influence policy and regulations, and enhance awareness.

Legislative Management Sub-element, Policy 7.3C.1: Represent adopted City policy in intergovernmental activities.

2006 Legislative Advocacy Positions, 2.2 Open Space: 1) Support state and federal funding programs for the acquisition, development and preservation of parklands and open space including river parkways, creeks, stream improvements and wetlands habitats.   5) Encourage open space districts to purchase urban/suburban lands as appropriate and feasible.

Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element Policies: C.1) Support activities and legislation that will provide additional local, county, and regional park acquisition, developments, and maintenance and recreational opportunities.

C. 2) Support public and private efforts in and around Sunnyvale to acquire, develop and maintain open space and recreation facilities and services for public use.

DISCUSSION

On December 6, 2005, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved placing a measure on the County ballot to extend the Park Charter Amendment for another 12 years. The Park Charter Amendment will extend funding for the Santa Clara County Parks System for acquisition, development, and on-going maintenance without creating new taxes. The full text of the amendment and the ballot text approved by the County Board of Supervisors is found in Attachments A and B.

The “Yes on Parks” Working Committee has requested a formal endorsement of this ballot measure from the City of Sunnyvale. A list of local government jurisdictions who endorse the amendment are found in Attachment C. Other local jurisdictions that have taken formal action to support the amendment include the cities of Cupertino, Palo Alto, Gilroy and the Town of Los Gatos.

The most direct impact the county park system has on Sunnyvale is its lease of lands for Baylands Park to the City. Should the City or County choose to not renew the lease when it expires in April 2011, funds provided by the Park Charter Amendment could assist the County in financing the operations and maintenance of Baylands Park along with all the other county parks that are used by Sunnyvale residents. The county parks system fulfills a need for regional open space and trails serving all county residents that is not met by local city park systems, including Sunnyvale’s.

Should City Council choose to take no action or not endorse the Park Charter Amendment, the “Yes on Parks” Committee will not be able to name the City of Sunnyvale as one of the endorsers of the amendment.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact to the City of Sunnyvale.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda and Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the report in the City Clerk’s office, Library, Parks and Recreation Administration office, Corporation Yard, Community Center and Senior Center.

On April 12, 2006, the Parks and Recreation Commission provided a public hearing of this report during its regularly scheduled meeting.

ALTERNATIVES

1.  Adopt Resolution in support of renewal of the Santa Clara County Park Charter.

2.  Take no action at this time.

3. Other action as directed by Council.

RECOMMENDATION

The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed this report during their regular meeting on April 12, 2006, and recommended Alternative No. 1, Adopt Resolution in support of renewal of the Santa Clara County Park Charter. The motion passed 4-0, with Chair Lawson absent.

Staff recommends Alternative 1, Adopt Resolution in support of renewal of the Santa Clara County Park Charter.

Existing City policies support the adoption of the resolution without the need for additional policies or legislative actions.

Reviewed by:
David A. Lewis
Director of Parks and Recreation