AB1487 - New Regional Taxes and Debt

State Senator Glazer has asked for feedback regarding AB1487. AB1487 is a regional bill that would enable the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to raise billions of dollars in taxes and new debt to fund the production, preservation, and protection of affordable housing. AB1487 is a bill authored by State Assembly Member Chiu and coauthored by State Senator Weiner.

In response, I wrote a letter that I'd like to share:

If you have comments or concerns, please let me know, or respond directly to your local elected representatives.

Ongoing Legislative Update - ACA1 and new taxes

I have been following a few ongoing legislative items that may be relevant to folks around town.

Very telling regarding the direction that some of our state legislators are heading. Co-authored by State Assembly member Chiu and State Senator Wiener, ACA-1 proposed to make it easier for the legislature to raise taxes. Our own State Assembly Member Grayson also voted in favor of this.

If passed, it would provide an exception to the 1% base property tax if the money is used for affordable housing, among other items, allowing the state to levy even greater property taxes to fund affordable housing. Possibly even more egregious, ACA-1 would reduce the threshold of voter support needed to raise and create new taxes. Currently it takes 2/3 voter approval, but Chiu and Wiener want to lower that threshold to 55%.

State Assembly Member Chiu and State Senator Weiner are the same folks who, with AB1487, want to create a new quasi governmental entity to place new bond measures and taxes on the ballot to fund affordable housing.

In one hand, they want to be able to place new bonds and taxes on the ballot, and in the other hand they want to make it easier for those new taxes to pass. If these items come to fruition, folks in Clayton and all across the region will pay more to benefit the folks in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. This is what stacking the deck looks like.

If this is of interest to you, reach out to your local elected state legislators and let them know what you think.

8.20.19 Meeting Summary

There were four significant items discussed at last night’s meeting:

1. Downtown planter box repair and replacement project
   The Council awarded a low bid contract to repair and replace 12 planter boxes on Main St., including removing six trees that have outgrown and damaged the planter boxes and adjacent sidewalks.
   
   Despite widespread appreciation for the many trees on Main St., the council heard compelling reasons for why this project should move forward. The root systems of some of the trees were not conducive to the planter boxes and were damaging them and the adjacent sidewalks and streets. This damage resulted in risks to public safety. Each of the 12 planter boxes on Main St. (this does not include Center St.) will be repaired or replaced, with the goal of having them look consistent. 6 Chinese Pistache trees will be removed and replaced with Crepe Myrtles.  This work should conclude by the end of the year.
   
2. Structure of minutes
   I requested that the minutes capture a summary of Council discussions in an effort to increase transparency. The rest of the Council did not support this and felt that the video recordings combined with the minutes that only capture Council votes was sufficient. I also suggested making the minutes text searchable for ease of finding information and the city is currently implementing that functionality.
   
3. Traffic and pedestrian safety
   We received an update on various efforts around town including installing new barricades at the intersection of Mitchell Canyon Rd. and Four Oaks Ln., the same location where a pedestrian/vehicle collision occurred. In addition, the police have committed to being a more visible presence when possible around both the middle and elementary schools during drop off and pickup times.
   
   I’d also like to recognize that the PFC at Mt. Diablo Elementary funded an additional crossing guard which should aid in traffic safety.
   
   The city is continuing to look at grant funding to facilitate various efforts including pedestrian traffic beacons, flashing stop signs similar to the ones at Pine Hollow and Pennsylvania Blvd., as well as improving pedestrian crossing in front of the middle school.
   
4. Land use subcommittee
   A sub committee of two Planning Commissioners and two Councilmembers was formed to provide both city staff and developers more comprehensive and timely feedback on potential developments and land use policies. Myself and Mayor Catalano will represent the Council, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission will represent the Planning Commission.
   
   I was concerned about the risk to the city in communicating in a way not appropriate, as well as the potential of setting certain expectations at these initial meetings that may not ultimately come to fruition. In addition, given the direction the rest of the Council decided to go with minutes and the lack of video at these meetings, it will be a challenge for the public to stay abreast of the actions of this committee. It seems like this role is more appropriately performed by the Planning Commission, however there is potential value in having some conversations up front to provide feedback early on.
   
   I was concerned whether it should be a goal of the city to expedite development projects, as was the stated purpose of this subcommittee. As long as we comply with the law, I’m comfortable with the city having a rigorous land use approval process to ensure projects conform with applicable requirements

Upcoming City Council Meeting 8.20.19

In an effort to provide more time to read agendas and prepare questions in advance, the city is attempting to publish agendas for City Council meetings approximately 1 week in advance, instead of the Friday prior to the Tuesday meetings.  A few significant items are on the agenda for the upcoming 8.20.19 meeting:

• A discussion about the format of minutes for Council meetings.  In the past the city prepared summary form minutes.  This means a summary of key discussion points were documented along any actions taken, and the final tally of any vote.  Recently the city moved to what is called Action style minutes where only the final vote of any action is recorded and there is no summary of discussion presented in the minutes. 
• An update on various traffic and pedestrian safety efforts that have been taken since I requested this item at the 5.17.19 meeting.  At the previous meeting there were several informational inquiries about potential actions the city could take and there will be an update on some of those items.
• A proposal to form a land use sub-committee in order to provide developers and staff more comprehensive and timely feedback on ongoing land use matters, including setting land use policies.  This sub-committee is proposed to be comprised of four individuals: two City Councilmembers appointed by the Mayor, and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission.

One other item on the consent calendar is an approval of a bid for renovation and rebuild of some of the downtown planter boxes.

If you have any thoughts or questions on any of these items, please comment or contact me and I'll do my best to respond or find out more and report back.

7.16.19 Meeting Summary

There were a few significant items discussed at last night's meeting. A brief summary as follows:

• A series of real property tax assessments were approved based on CPI increases
• Appointment of Joseph Sbranti as Interim City Manager.  Mr. Sbranti recently retired as the City Manager of Pittsburgh for over 7 years and is a Clayton resident.  He has a civil engineering background and is familiar with both the roles of City Engineer and Community Development
• Continued discussion of Contra Costa Transportation Authority's Transportation Expenditure Plan that is targeting the March 2020 ballot.  This plan contemplates a 30 year increase in sales tax to fund various transportation related projects in the region

One item not on the agenda was discussed as well.  AB  1487 received a lot of attention, with three of the councilmembers (including myself) mentioning it during the council reports.  This was element 10 of the CASA Compact that would create a new quasi governmental body to raise, administer, and allocate funding for affordable housing preservation and production, and tenant protection in the Bay Area.  This Housing Authority would do this by placing tax measures on the ballot.  

The ABAG Executive Board is scheduled to discuss AB 1487 at their July 18 meeting, and MTC is scheduled to discuss it at their July 24 meeting.   If you have thoughts on this bill, and whether it should move forward, communication can be sent to ABAG and MTC reps as follows:

Fred Castro, Clerk of the Board, ABAG at fcastro@bayareametro.gov
Rosy Leyva, Clerk of MTC at rleyva@bayareametro.gov

At the Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) meeting there was substantial discussion about the activities of the GHAD, what it is responsible for, and whether these responsibilities were being met.  The GHAD covers routine maintenance and geological monitoring in order to protect public infrastructure from future damage due to geologic hazards.  It does not insure private property.  As the GHAD covers an area comprising approximately 1/3 of all the residences in Clayton, ensuring proper maintenance of the public infrastructure is a matter of widespread interest.

I also requested two items to be added to future agendas:

1. A discussion around the minutes of meetings.  The city recently switched to Action Style minutes which eliminates capturing councilmember comments or the gist of discussions leading up to any actions and simply records the result of the actions.  I would like to explore ways to capture more information regarding discussions at our meetings while at the same time recognizing the administrative burden that our prior process imposed. 
2. A discussion around ways we can capture the activity of the GHAD to give comfort to the nearly 1/3 of Clayton residents that live within the boundaries of the GHAD that the activities are being performed to a satisfactory degree.

Upcoming City Council Meeting 7.16.19

The consent calendar this meeting includes several real property tax assessment increases based on specific areas and various CPI increases.  Other than the consent calendar items, there are a few significant items on the agenda:

• An increase real property tax assessment for the Diablo Estates at Clayton Benefits Assessment District in line with CPI increases
• Hiring an interim City Manager to fill the upcoming vacancy while we pursue a permanent replacement.  The appointment is the former City Manager of the City of Pittsburgh
• Ongoing discussion of CCTA Transportation Expenditure Plan to be placed on the March 2020 ballot as tax increases need voter approval

If you have any thoughts or questions on any of these items, please comment or contact me and I'll do my best to respond or find out more and report back.

6.18.19 Meeting Summary

There were a few significant items discussed at last night's meeting.  A brief summary as follows:

• PGE gave a presentation about their overall Community Wildfire Safety Program, including efforts to reduce incidence and magnitudes of wildfires and conditions for when they would execute a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
• Onsite parking waiver extension was passed after the 2nd reading
• Two incumbent Planning Commissioners were re-appointed for an additional 2 year term
• The preferential parking program for certain affected areas near Regency Gate on a pilot basis was approved.
• I asked for a future agenda item to discuss relaxing animal control ordinances regarding backyard chickens

More detailed thoughts below:

I appreciated hearing about PG&E's plans for reducing wildfire risk.  Especially given recent events it's especially important that everyone is aware of potential risks, steps for mitigation, and preparedness in the event of a fire.  PG&E mentioned that they at times have difficulty in gaining access to certain properties to do their tree and vegetation maintenance.   I would encourage everyone to provide access when requested to facilitate needed maintenance.

I'm very glad that we were able to get the pilot parking program approved.  The intent was always to strike a balance between quality of life of the residents, accessible parking for all, and resource constraints of the city.  I'm hopeful that this pilot does that and after we gather more information we'll learn more about what works and what doesn't.

One of the things that came out last night regarding backyard chickens is that of the 19 cities in Contra Costa County, all but three (including Clayton) allow chickens in some fashion. Contra Costa County recently passed (Jun-18) an ordinance allowing backyard chickens with certain guidelines.  Since many cities simply adopt the County rules and the County allows them, then those cities allows them. We'll have more discussion around this item when it comes back as an agenda item.