Atherton, California, Town Center Funding, Measure A (June 2017)

• Text of measure
  • Ballot question
  • Impartial analysis
• Support
  • Official argument
• Opposition
  • Official argument
• Path to the ballot
• See also
  • External links
  • Footnotes
• More
  • Local ballot measures
  • State ballot measures
  • Local politics

Measure A: Atherton Town Center Funding
The basics
Election date:
June 6, 2017
Status:
a Approved
Topic:
Local advisory vote
Related articles
Local advisory vote on the ballot June 6, 2017 ballot measures in California San Mateo County, California ballot measures Local government budgets, spending and finance on the ballot
See also
Atherton, California

A town center funding advisory question was on the ballot for Atherton voters in San Mateo County, California, on June 6, 2017. It was approved.

A yes vote was a vote in favor of allowing the town of Atherton to use non-dedicated general funds to meet funding shortfalls for the construction of the town center.

A no vote was a vote against allowing the town of Atherton to use non-dedicated general funds to meet funding shortfalls for the construction of the town center.

Measure A was an advisory question, which means that the vote did not carry the weight of law. The results were instead used to gain a better understanding of what residents want.

In 2012, voters in Atherton approved a measure that asked if the town should primarily use private donations to construct a new town center.

Election results

Measure A
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		1,182	61.40%
No		743	38.60%

Election results from San Mateo County Elections

Text of measure

Ballot question

The following question appeared on the ballot:

“

Should the Town of Atherton supplement private donations with available non-dedicated General Funds to meet the funding shortfall, where one exists, for construction of the new Town Center?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Atherton City Attorney:

“	In 2012 Measure L was passed by the voters to allow design and construction of a new Town Center City Hall complex. That measure asked voters what type of funds might be used to pay for the new structures, and indicated, possibly erroneously, that if approved, more than half the costs of construction would need to be non-general fund taxes. It was specifically noted that donations, grants, and existing building fees would be the primary source of funds. Measure L was proposed by the City Council and was intended to be binding on future Councils. Recent case law interpretations would indicate the matter was advisory only because it failed to include an ordinance making the vote a law. The Town Center project has gone through extensive design and is ready to move forward to construction. Despite extensive fund raising, it is clear that the substantial donations to date are insufficient to fund the total cost of the project. The Town has substantial general tax funds it has identified that could be used to complete the project. While it is probable the City Council could simply approve use of these funds without voter approval, because of the confusion that Measure L might create, the Council has chosen to submit the matter to the voters for their opinion as to whether or not it is acceptable to use these available funds to complete the project, and they have placed this matter on the June 6, 2017 ballot for that purpose. A yes vote on this measure would advise the Council that their desired use of general fund tax money to supplement the building fees and citizen donations is an appropriate means of funding this needed and essentially designed project. A no vote on this measure would indicate that you do not wish the Council to use the available general tax funds to supplement donations and fees to allow completion of this project. Regardless of how voters respond, the City Council will remain free to pursue design and construction of a new Town Center if appropriate funding sources can be identified.	”
—Atherton City Attorney

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:

• Michael Lempres, mayor
• Cary Wiest, vice mayor
• Bill Widmer, councilmember
• Elizabeth Lewis, councilmember
• Rick DeGolia, councilmember

Arguments in favor

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:

“

A 'Yes' vote means that you support supplementing private donations with non-dedicated General Funds to build the new Town Center. Atherton’s main facilities have needed replacement for years. Over the past twenty years, Town staff, several City Councils and four different resident committees have recommended replacing these facilities, which include seven 'temporary' trailers in deplorable condition. These facilities are essential for the daily operation of the Town, including Administration, Police, Public Works, Building and Planning, and a separately-funded Library. These facilities were built decades ago when our needs and requirements were very different from today. The Council believes it is imperative these facilities be replaced to improve the Town’s ability to deliver essential services to our residents and hire and retain top quality staff. The new Town Center has involved thousands of volunteer and professional hours in the design, including input from Council members, staff, committee volunteers, hundreds of residents, and hired professionals. Now that the design is complete and a construction cost estimate has been obtained, the Council has developed a realistic funding plan without creating any new tax burden on its residents. Previously, Measure L supported paying for these facilities 'primarily using private funds.' Today, with the design complete, the Council has determined that it is necessary to supplement private donations with non-dedicated general funds. Furthermore, the Town is in a more stable financial position and the Council believes it would be prudent to use non-dedicated General Funds to meet any funding shortfall for the construction of the Town Center. Additional information concerning the Town’s forecasted financial outlook, and proposed design plans are available at www.ci.atherton.ca.us/civiccenter. To tour the existing facilities call (650.752.0500).

”

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:

• John Ruggeiro, former vice chairman, transportation committee
• Charles Ramorino, former member, general plan committee
• Jim Massey, member, finance committee
• Kathy McKeithen, former Atherton mayor
• Howard (Sandy) Crittenden, former commissioner, Atherton Park and Rec. Commission

Arguments against

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:

“

In 2012, 74% of Atherton voters approved a new civic center, provided it was paid for by donated funds. The current council now wishes to divert more than $14M of unallocated taxpayer dollars. Is this the most desirable course? Yes, the building department occupies temporary buildings and our library is earthquake unsafe, but they can be replaced utilizing their own special funds which cannot be used elsewhere. Yes, the police department needs improvements, but is the answer a huge $24M structure --more than $10,000 per household -- with a large foyer, gym, copper gutters and potentially millions more needed once bids are received, plus the cost of furnishings, increased upkeep, landscaping and more? Recent studies concluded Atherton needs $36M for drainage deficiencies, $20M to make bike and pedestrian routes safe for residents and school children. More than $16M of health and pension costs remain unfunded. Obviously, Atherton has considerable debt and many financial obligations. Without tax increases, how will these be funded? Why did the civic center committee raise so little over so many years? Having been conceived with the idea that it was to be privately funded, has this proposed complex become too grandiose for our actual operational requirements? Atherton residents are successful, hardworking people who invest and spend money wisely. If potential donors have seen an extravagant town center as a poor investment for private funds, why should taxpayer money - much of which has indirectly become available due to parcel taxes levies – be used? This measure would essentially wipe out ALL uncommitted funds, anticipates the use of millions in future educational rebates from the state and assures that more special taxes will be required. Now is the time to consider a much smaller, combination remodeled and new structure. Vote NO! There is a better way!

”

Background

In 2012, voters in Atherton approved Measure L, which asked if the town should primarily use private donations to construct a new town center. The measure was approved by more than 73 percent of voters and allowed for funds gained through building fees or future grant money to be used, but specified that general fund and parcel tax money was not to be used.

In 2015, the group Atherton Now was formed to raise money to construct the town center in order to meet the requirement of private donations dictated by Measure L. However, at the time of the June 2017 election, the group had raised less than $7 million of the $25 million that was anticipated to be needed. Due to the funding shortfall, the city council decided to ask voters to overturn Measure L and allow the city to spend general funds to fund construction, and placed Measure A on the ballot.

Atherton City Attorney Bill Conners suggested that Measure L was also actually a non-binding advisory question, citing a California Supreme Court case that ruled that in order for ballot measures to be binding, they must be in the form of an ordinance or law. Opponents to 2017's Measure A argued that the court ruling does not apply to local measures. An attorney from Los Angeles also indicated that Measure L was not a binding question because voters do not have the authority to restrict the city council's authority over fiscal matters and also because the language of the question indicated that the results were not mandatory, due to the use of "should" rather than "must."

Media editorials

Support

• The Almanac said the following:

“

A new town center for Atherton is long overdue, and the plan will not place an onerous financial burden on the residents who will benefit from it. Vote yes on Measure A.

”

Opposition

Ballotpedia has not found any media editorials in opposition to Measure A. Please send any information about media editorials in opposition to Measure A to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a unanimous vote of the city council of Atherton, California, on February 15, 2017.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Atherton Local advisory vote Measure A. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Atherton, California, Town Center Funding, Measure A (June 2017) - Google News

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2017
• Local advisory vote on the ballot
• Local government budgets, spending and finance on the ballot
• San Mateo County measures

California

• June 6, 2017 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Atherton, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• San Mateo County Elections Office website