HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2012 B2 Levanway KarimMCUING AGENDA
DATE &/5 ITEM # 132-
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
May 24, 2012
Mayor Jan Marx
Members of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
RE: Renewal of Measure Y
1039 Chorro Street • San Luis Obispo, California 93401 -3278
(805) 781 -2670 • FAX (805) 543 -1255
Ermina Karim, President /CEO
Russ Levanway, 2012 Board Chair
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Dear Mayor Marx and Council members,
REC IV 4
JUN 012012
SLO CITY CLERK
The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of our more than 1,350 business
members, respectfully writes to communicate our position on the city's consideration to
seek renewal of Measure Y, the half -cent sales tax increase measure which sunsets in
2015. While the Chamber continues to support the priorities and funding produced
from the original Measure Y, we recommend that renewal of the measure not be
pursued in 2012.
The Chamber has an involved history with this Measure, playing a key support role in
its passage as part of a broad coalition of stakeholders. When it was first put before
voters in 2006, the Chamber believed the measure was a fair way to raise needed funds
to invest in community priorities to enhance the quality of life for our residents. Our
original support was predicated upon significant citizen oversight provisions to ensure
that the money raised is spent consistent with resident priorities.
Over the last several years, Measure Y has proven to be a significant tool to support a
level of service that would not have been otherwise possible given the sharp economic
downturn. The funds have helped to maintain roads and storm drains, to pursue open
space acquisition, to support senior services and other programs.
However, the current economic climate and sentiment from Chamber members
strongly indicates that seeking renewal this year would be an uphill battle. Instead, we
encourage the City to remain focused on the efforts to achieve long -term fiscal
responsibility and address the priorities of the residents. For future consideration of
renewal support, we urge you to continue educational efforts over the next few years
leading up to the sunset of the Measure, demonstrate prudent financial management
and reporting of Measure Y expenditures, and be able to hi -light the potential negative
impacts to services should Measure Y not be approved for renewal.
We look forward to remaining engaged in this important community discussion.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Russ Levanway
2012 Chairperson of the Board
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
Ermina Karim
President /CEO
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
15 May 2012
To:
From:
Mayor Jan Marx and City Councilmembers
Deborah Cash, Executive Director
San Luis Obispo Downtown Association
Re: Measure Y
RECEIVED
MAY 15 2012
SLO CITY CLERK
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Dated Item# 3 7—
The SLO Downtown Association Board of Directors at its May 8, 2012 meeting received
a presentation from City Manager Katie Lichtig on Measure Y, noting that it will sunset
in 2015 and that input from the public is being solicited as to the perceived value and
benefit of the measure as well as issues the council should consider as you are deciding
the future of Measure Y. The Board of Directors went on to consider whether the
measure, if placed on a ballot, should occur in 2012 or 2014.
Later in closed session, the Board discussed that it did consider Measure Y as having
value for the projects it has provided funding for — including those in Downtown— and
that it is worth placing on a ballot for voters to determine if it should be renewed.
The Board voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that it consider placing
Measure Y (or its replacement measure for continuance of the sales tax increase
implemented with Measure Y) on the ballot in the year 2014.
There are advantages to choosing this time frame including the opportunity for the City to
develop two budgets, one that includes a tax increase and one that does not, offering the
advantage of seeing what projects may or may not occur in the two scenarios. It would
also give those assembling the measure time to develop a brand. Finally, anticipated
competing tax measures on the 2012 ballot might result in `tax fatigue' turning voters
against supporting any tax measures.
Thank you for consideration of this request and for allowing our input.
Cc: SLO Downtown Association Board of Directors
SLO Downtown Association Economic Activities Committee
Katie Lichtig, City Manager
Michael Codron, Assistant City Manager
Robert Horch, Downtown Champion
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