Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Parcel Tax, Measure Q (November 2014)

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A Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Parcel Tax, Measure Q ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority in Santa Clara County, California. It was approved.

Measure Q authorized the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to levy a tax of $24 per parcel annually for 15 years. The tax was designed to produce an estimated $7,883,760 per year in additional revenue for the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority.

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure Q.

Election results

Santa Clara County, Measure Q
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		170,359	67.95%
No		80,363	32.05%

Election results via: Santa Clara County Elections Office

Text of measure

Title

The formal title of the measure was:

“

Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water and Increased Public Access Funding Measure

”

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

To protect and preserve natural open space areas for future generations by: improving parks, open spaces and trails; protecting land around creeks, rivers and streams to prevent pollution and improve local water quality; preserving wildlife habitat; expanding public access; enhancing environmental education; and protecting scenic hillsides, shall Santa Clara County Open Space Authority levy a special tax of $24 annually per parcel for 15 years, with citizen oversight and all funds benefitting local open space?

”

Priority actions

According to Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, the following was a list of priority actions that were designed to be funded by Measure Q, along with a map showing the location of each project:

A map showing the location of each priority project listed below by number

1. San Francisco Baylands Restoration: Increase wildlife habitat and reduce pollution by restoring salt ponds to tidal marsh, provide enhanced flood control, and develop new public access to the Bay.
2. Alviso Adobe and Higuera Adobe Parks: Establish Alviso Adobe as a historical museum, and refurbish the historic Caretaker’s Cottage in Higuera Adobe Park in collaboration with the City of Milpitas.
3. San Francisco Bay Trail: Increase public access by closing gaps in Bay Trail walking and biking trail connections.
4. San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail: Provide Water Trail public access amenities at Alviso Marina.
5. Ulistac Natural Area: Increase educational programming, and restore natural habitat.
6. Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve: Establish staging area and trails, convert historic residence to visitor hostel, and restore pond and wildlife habitats for endangered species.
7. Penitencia Creek Trail: Complete trail linking Penitencia Creek community to Alum Rock Park and Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.
8. Five Wounds Trail: Develop additional trails connecting to future public transit station.
9. Guadalupe River Nature Center and Environmental Programming: Partner with nonprofits to establish outdoor environmental education learning center and interpretive programming for youth and families.
10. Coyote Creek Trail: Expand walking and biking trail connections and restore natural habitats.
11. Silver Creek Trail: Increase walking and biking opportunities by creating connections to regional trails, parks and transit.
12. Three Creeks Trail: Complete eastern trail alignment.
13. San Tomas Aquino /Saratoga Creek Trail: Construct walking and biking trails through cities of Campbell and Santa Clara.
14. Thompson Creek Trail Improvements: Complete walking and biking trail improvements.
15. Guadalupe River Trail: Expand walking and biking trail connections.
16. Martial Cottle Park: Partner with County Parks to develop trail link to Blossom Hill Light Rail Station and implement recreation and wetland restoration projects.
17. Santa Teresa Hills: Partner with City of San Jose, County and Santa Teresa Neighborhood Association to protect land and develop regional ridgeline trail connections to create more access to local trails.
18. Coyote Ridge: Establish new open space preserve with parking and regional trails, and protect and restore habitat for endangered species.
19. Calero County Park: Partner with County to establish a staging area, public access and trails at Rancho San Vicente and at McKean Road.
20. Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve: Build an outdoor learning center and a loop trail accessible to seniors and people with disabilities, and restore and enhance wetland habitat.
21. Coyote Valley Agriculture and Natural Resource Reserve: Preserve agricultural lands, enhance natural resources, establish public access, and protect wildlife corridor.
22. Youth Agricultural Education and Demonstration Farm: Partner with Cities of San Jose and Morgan Hill, Sobrato High School, nonprofits and agricultural organizations to establish an agricultural education and demonstration farm in the Coyote Valley Greenbelt.
23. Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve: Restore wildlife habitat, build an interactive education center, and construct new staging area and regional trails for increased public access.
24. El Toro Peak: Partner with City of Morgan Hill to establish an open space preserve with staging area and trails, and restore natural habitat.
25. Southern Santa Cruz Mountains: Establish regional trail connections between Uvas Reservoir, Uvas County Park and Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, develop staging area, and protect wildlife corridor.
26. Uvas Creek: Protect wildlife habitat and corridor, protect natural lands for water supply and water quality, and increase trails to close gaps in regional trails.
27. Palassou Ridge: Establish open space preserve, restore historic stone house for visitor center, develop multi-use trails connecting to Henry Coe State Park, and implement wildfire prevention and habitat restoration projects.
28. Diablo Foothills: Establish open space preserve, restore wetlands and bird habitat, and implement public access improvements.
29. Sargent Hills: Protect wildlife corridor, create staging area, public access and regional trail connections to the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
30. South County Agriculture: Conserve working farms and ranches near Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Pajaro River for greenbelts and agricultural viability and to enhance flood control, water quality, wildlife habitat and connectivity.

Support

Friends of Santa Clara Valley Open Space campaign logo

Supporters

The group organized in support of the measure was called Friends of Santa Clara Valley Open Space.

• Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-19)
• Rod Diridon, Sr., president of the Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters
• Gloria Chun Hoo, president of the League of Women Voters of Santa Clara County
• Steve Tate, mayor of Morgan Hill
• Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure Q:

“	We are fortunate to enjoy beautiful open vistas, parks, trails and unique natural areas right here in Santa Clara Valley. From urban parks to scenic hillsides, the open spaces we preserve are a legacy for our children and grandchildren. They ensure protected natural areas and access to local trails. Vote Yes on Q to preserve open space for current and future generations, so local residents can experience nature here in Silicon Valley. Measure Q will: Preserve scenic hillsides, open space, wildlife habitat, redwood forests, agricultural land and urban open space Increase public access to open space, maintain local parks and trails, and expand trail connections among local and regional parks Protect lands around creeks, streams and rivers to prevent toxins and pollution from getting into our drinking water Provide outdoor environmental education opportunities for children and adults All Measure Q funds will preserve open space in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill and unincorporated Santa Clara County--the state cannot take away a single penny. Independent citizen oversight and annual audits will ensure funds are spent as promised. Measure Q expires in 15 years. As our region continues to grow, protecting scenic hillsides, open spaces, and creeks and streams is increasingly important to maintain our high quality of life in Santa Clara County. Business and community leaders agree that open space makes Santa Clara County a wonderful place to work and live. Parents and educators agree that access to open space is essential for hands on science education and places for kids to explore nature. Please join us: Vote Yes on Q to protect the natural areas that make Silicon Valley a beautiful place to live, now and in the future.	”
—Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-19), Rod Diridon, Gloria Chun Hoo, Steve Tate and Carl Guardino

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure Q:

• Omar Chatty, vice president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association
• Edward Leo Wimmers, chair of the Libertarian Party of Santa Clara County
• Elizabeth C. Brierly, district homeowner/resident
• Steven B. Haug, treasurer of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure Q:

“	If you thought the Open Space Authority (OSA) was protecting your "view shed"---think again. Much of its property in the Diablo Range is east of the western ridgeline. Of the vast areas that OSA has in the Santa Cruz hills, only small areas are visible from the valley floor. The large parcels here are not only out of sight, but out of reach--to all but the most avid hikers. What's going on? A new dynastic bureaucratic-elite is now enjoying its vast spread of land. The land for the most part is so steep that only a small fraction of our citizens can ever enjoy it. OSA calls the trail up to Sierra Vista "bracing". The OSA is already taxing typical homeowners $12 a year, and for 2014- 2015 will raise $4,216,965. OSA's Engineer's Report shows an "ESTIMATE OF COSTS" for the year. Only $80,000 is earmarked for land acquisition. But $4,228,254 is for "General Operating Expenses" of which $1.9M is for payroll and another $0.82M for benefits. The OSA staff is very well paid. Now they want to get an ADDITIONAL $24 per year from us. If they do, how long do you think it will take for the "General Operating Expenses" to double and then triple to keep this bloated bureaucracy in place? Six years ago, the California Supreme Court unanimously held that OSA's $20 "assessment" was unlawful; OSA Illegally took over $50M from us. But OSA ended up keeping over $30M, which has allowed its annual expenditures since then to exceed income; and now they are using a big slice of these ILL-GOTTEN GAINS to run an expensive "EDUCATIONAL" effort to get your favorable vote on this measure. Tell OSA "NO"! Vote "No" on Measure Q.	”
—Omar Chatty, Edward Leo Wimmers, Elizabeth C. Brierly and Steven B. Haug

Reports and analyses

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure Q was provided by the office of the county counsel:

“	Upon approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by voters in an election, California law permits the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to enact a special tax, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 35172 and Government Code sections 50075, et seq. and 53724. The Governing Board (Board) for Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (District) proposes Measure Q, a parcel tax to be levied at $24 per parcel per year for a period of 15 years. If approved, the parcel tax will commence on July 1, 2015 and expire on June 30, 2030. The parcel tax shall not levied on any property that is legally exempt from paying ad valorem property taxes in any tax year. State law requires the District to state the specific purposes for which the tax proceeds will be used and only spend the proceeds of the tax for these purposes. The stated purposes of the tax proposed by Measure Q are to: (1) protect open space, redwood forests, wildlife habitat, scenic hillsides and agricultural land; (2) protect land around creeks, rivers and streams to prevent pollution and improve local water quality; (3) open, improve and maintain parks, open space and trails; and (4) provide urban open space, parks and environmental educational programs. The District is required by law to provide additional accountability measures for the proceeds. These measures include: (1) depositing the proceeds into a fund that is separate and apart from other District funds; and (2) providing an annual written report to the Board detailing the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any project authorized to be funded from the tax proceeds. The Board will establish an independent advisory committee of citizens to review the expenditures authorized by Measure Q. Measure Q was placed on the ballot by the Board. A "yes" vote is a vote to approve a parcel tax of $24.00 per parcel on parcels within the District for 15 years. A "no" vote is a vote to not approve a parcel tax of $24.00 per parcel on parcels within the District for 15 years.	”
—Susan Swain, Lead Deputy County Counsel

See also

• Parcel tax elections in California
• Parcel tax
• California parcel tax on the ballot
• Santa Clara County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Santa Clara Open Space Authority Measure Q website
• Friends of Santa Clara Valley Open Space website