HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2000 0202 CC REG ITEM 10DTO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
Honorable City Council
ITEM I0 . D .
CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
of
ACTION: 2141171 Ii71 ,Od h) mrha �f
BY:
Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk
Prepared by La -Dell VanDeren, Deputy City Clerls:�;P
January 27, 2000 (CC Meeting 2/2/00)
Consider Letter in Support of Proposition 26, The Let's
Fix Our Schools Initiative
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City received a request from the League of California Cities
requesting support for Proposition 26 as part of the League's
effort to work for passage of the "Let's Fix Our Schools"
initiative. Proposition 26 will appear on the March 2000 ballot.
Attached to this agenda report is a copy of the League's letter
outlining the reasoning of the initiative and proposed wording for
a resolution in support of the initiative.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff as deemed appropriate.
Attachments: Letter and attachments dated January 13, 2000
0001si
Better Cities —A Better Life
January 13, 2000
Dear City Manager:
LedqUe of California Cities
1400 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
91.6.658.8200
FAX 916.658.8240
www.cacities.org
RECEIVED
JAN 19 2000
CITY OF MOORPARK
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
We are providing the enclosed letter in support of Proposition 26 as part of the
League's effort to work for enactment of this important initiative. We would
appreciate it if you could distribute this letter and a copy of the enclosed sample
resolution to your city's mayor and council members.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Christopher McKenzie
Executive Director
' E" 000152 r ?�. , -
Resolution No.
A RESOLUTION OF THE
SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 26 - THE LET'S FIX OUR SCHOOLS
INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, more than two million California students attend class in temporary facilities, and the
state must build six new classrooms every day if it is going to accommodate the quickly growing
student population; and
WHEREAS, without significant new construction and modernization, existing schools will not be
ready to handle the several hundred thousand additional students over the next decade; and
WHEREAS, The Let's Fix Our Schools Initiative would amend the California Constitution and
Education Code to allow passage of critically- needed local school bonds with a simple majority of
50 percent plus one, rather than the current two- thirds vote required, while holding local school
districts strictly accountable for prudent and responsible spending; and
WHEREAS, at a time when California families want safer schools, more class size reduction, and
better access to 21st century learning tools like computers and the Internet, we need to ensure that
local school districts have the funds to create classroom environments that help students learn; and
WHEREAS, last year voters passed Proposition 1A, a $9.2 billion statewide bond to provide state
matching funds for local school facilities construction and improvements; and
WHEREAS, school districts can only receive Proposition 1A state bond funds if they can generate
matching funds through local bonds; and
WHEREAS, most California voters believe bonds are the best way to build and repair classrooms
and reduce overcrowding in California's schools; and
WHEREAS, local school bonds require a two- thirds vote to pass, forcing many districts to run
numerous grueling campaigns.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the supports
the passage of the Let's Fix Our Schools Initiative on the March, 2000 statewide ballot because it is
a necessary and fair initiative.
IN WITNESS THERETO, we the do hereby adopt this resolution this
day of 2000.
ATTEST:
Name, Title
Name, Title
Name, Title
Name, Title
00015)
Better Cities —A Better Life
January 12, 2000
Dear City Official:
RE: Support for Proposition 26, "Let's Fix Our Schools"
LedqUP of California Cities
1400 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.658.8200
FAX 916.658.8240
www.cacities.org
As some of you may have read in our previous communications, at its November 1999 meeting, the Board of
Directors of the League of California Cities voted overwhelmingly to endorse Proposition 26. This initiative has
won our board's support because we believe that good schools are an essential element in building strong, thriving
cities.
Our purpose in writing today is to advise you of the League's position on Proposition 26, and to urge you
and your city council to join us in speaking out in support of this important initiative.
Background. Proposition 26 will appear on the March 2000 ballot. It would reduce the number of votes needed to
pass local school bonds from the current two- thirds to a simple majority, helping to generate funds to repair and
update aging schools and build badly needed new ones. Just as importantly, it includes rigorous accountability
measures to ensure that voters get what they pay for.
Proposition 26 requires school districts to undergo two independent audits every year to monitor expenditures from
local bonds. One independent audit will scrutinize the finances of each project — making sure that every penny is
spent on school facilities and not on operating expenses. A second performance audit must also be conducted
annually to make sure every voter - approved project is done on time and on budget.
This initiative has broad -based support. Business leaders who see our decrepit schools as an impediment to
economic growth are active leaders in the campaign.
Your Support is Needed. Polls show strong voter support for Proposition 26 -- but there is still a long way to go
until the March election. Support from influential local leaders is critical to the success of this initiative. As
representatives of cities, our board believes we have a special need and responsibility to work in support of this
measure. The data is clear: our efforts to preserve and enhance the quality of life in cities are undermined when
public schools are neglected and decaying. Our work for strong cities must include support for repair and updating
of our schools.
We would appreciate your sponsorship of a resolution in support of Proposition 26 before your city council. Please
fax the enclosed resolution to (916) 554 -1052 as soon as possible. You can find updated campaign and initiative
information at the Prop 26 website: www.letsfixourschools.com.
Proposition 26 gives our children —and our cities —the schools they need and deserve.
We look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
John Ferraro
President, League of California Cities
Christopher McKenzie
Executive Director
000IS4