HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07 opposition Abolish RDARESOLUTION NO. 2011- 07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH IN OPPOSITION
TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCIES IN CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, as part of its 2011-12 budget proposal, the Governor has proposed permanently
abolishing California's more than 400 local redevelopment agencies; and
WHEREAS, this proposal represents more of the same misguided and illegal State budget raids
of local government funds that voters have repeatedly sought to end, most recently in
November 2010 when an overwhelming 61 % of voters elected to stop State raids of local
government funds, including redevelopment funds; 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 to any other
purpose. In fact, according to the State Department of Finance's own budget documents, there
will be zero State savings in out years from shutting down redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, this proposal will destroy local economic development, including hundreds of
thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in local economic activity throughout California; and
WHEREAS, throughout California, redevelopment activities support 304,000 jobs annually,
including 170,600 construction. jobs, contribute over $40 billion annually to California's economy
in the generation of goods and services, and generate more than $2 billion in state and local
taxes in a typical year; and
WHEREAS, eliminating redevelopment will take away one of the few tools local governments
have to comply with state requirements to plan for more compact urban development supported
by transit-oriented development, housing, jobs and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, eliminating redevelopment will destroy the development of affordable housing in
California. Redevelopment agencies are the second largest funder of affordable housing,
behind only the federal government, responsible for over 98,000 units of affordable housing
since 1993; and
WHEREAS, shutting down redevelopment agencies is a violation of multiple State and Federal
constitutional provisions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Ukiah formally opposes the Administration's
proposal to abolish redevelopment in California.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Ukiah authorizes its council and
city staff to communicate its opposition to this proposal to the Governor, the Legislature,
business groups, and citizens.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Ukiah City Council this 2nd day of March, 2011, by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Landis, Thomas, Crane, Baldwin, and Mayor Rodin
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Mari Rodin, Mayor
ATTEST:
a-oAnne Currie, City Clerk