Town of San Anselmo Council-Referred Memorial Park Ordinance, Measure E (November 2015)

See also: Town of San Anselmo Memorial Park Initiative, Measure D (November 2015)

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A council-referred measure concerning the use of Memorial Park was on the ballot for San Anselmo voters in Marin County, California, on November 3, 2015. It was defeated. The competing citizen initiative, Measure D, was approved.

If approved, Measure E would have allowed the city to draw up a specific plan for a flood basin, as well as updates and renovations, at Memorial Park. Measure E would have made it town policy to make recreation the chief purpose of Memorial Park but would have allowed the park to be used for flood control as a "subordinate accessory use." Measure E would have required an environmental review of the specific plan and then voter approval before the proposed flood basin and renovation project could have been carried out. Initial estimates put the cost of the project at $17.4 million.

Measure E was put on the ballot by the town council to compete with Measure D, a citizen initiative designed to prevent the use of Memorial Park for anything but recreational activity and prohibit the construction of a flood detention basin. Since Measure E and Measure D were competing measures, if both had been approved, the one with the most "yes" votes would have been enacted, and the other would have been rejected. Measure E was rejected, however, and Measure D was approved.

Supporters of Measure E argued that it would leave open the opportunity for using up to $3 million in state and county funding to lessen flood risks through the basin at Memorial Park, as well as providing a chance to perform updates, renovations and improvements to the park's facilities. Proponents pointed out that Measure E required an environmental review, community input and a final vote before ground could be broken for any project at Memorial Park. Supporters of Measure E said that the competing measure, Measure D, would shut the door on the possibility of accessing millions of dollars in state and county money to improve the park and reduce flooding and would leave no flexibility for the town council or the voters.

Opponents of Measure E argued that building a flood basin at Memorial Park would significantly harm the aesthetic, recreational and historical value of the park. Critics also argued that the basin project would cost millions and would provide only insignificant flood relief, while shutting down the park for two years for construction. Critics of Measure E claimed that it was just a gimmick put on the ballot by the town council to distract and confuse voters in order to prevent the approval of the competing measure, Measure D.

Election results

San Anselmo, Measure E
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		2,414	57.24%
Yes		1,803	42.76%

Election results from Marin County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The following question appeared on the ballot:

“

Shall an ordinance be adopted to amend the Town’s General Plan to affirm continued use of Memorial Park as primarily a recreational facility and to permit accessory use of Memorial Park for flood control by way of a detention basin only if a majority of voters approves a specific plan detailing development of the park for flood control following environmental review?

”

Picture of Memorial Park field

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure E was provided by the office of the town attorney:

“	Ballot Measure E is a proposed ordinance that would add a policy to the San Anselmo General Plan to specify that Memorial Park is to be used primarily as a recreational facility, unless the voters at a future election approve a specific plan allowing for flood control by way of a detention basin, as a subordinate accessory use in the park. Measure E was placed on the ballot by the Town Council of the Town of San Anselmo. Under current Town law, Memorial Park is governed by the policies within the Park and Open Space section of the Land Use Element of the San Anselmo General Plan. The General Plan policies applicable to Park and Open Space state that parks will only be improved with facilities for which the park was intended (e.g., tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and open playfields). Measure E would add a Memorial Park-specific policy to the Town's General Plan Land Use Element. That policy would provide that Memorial Park shall be used primarily for recreational facilities. The policy would allow for flood control by way of a detention basin, as a subordinate accessory use to the recreational facilities at the Park only if the majority of voters at a future election approve a specific plan that includes both uses. A specific plan is a tool authorized by state law for the systematic implementation of the General Plan. State law mandates certain contents of specific plans. If the Town prepares a specific plan for Memorial Park, recreation would continue to be the primary use at the Park. Before placing the specific plan on the ballot for voter approval, the Town would be required to comply with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. A "yes" vote on Measure E favors adoption of the ordinance. A "no" vote opposes adoption of the ordinance. A majority of "yes" votes is required for the Measure to pass. This measure is a competing measure to Measure D. If both measures pass, and this measure receives more "yes" votes, Measure D will fail. If both measures pass and Measure D receives more "yes" votes, then this measure will fail. If adopted, this ordinance could not be changed or repealed without voter approval. (quote)	”
—Town Attorney Robert F. Epstein

Town council race

According to local columnist Dick Spotswood prior to the November 2015 election, the fate of Memorial Park "is dominating council campaigns." Two council seats were open, with four contenders on the November 2015 ballot. The candidates were:

• Incumbent Ford Greene, a constitutional lawyer a
• Incumbent Doug Kelly, owner of a point-of-sales technology company
• Challenger Lise Stampfi Torme, a teacher who also works in graphic design
• Challenger Matt Brown, a commercial real estate broker a

Kelly and Torme opposed Measure D. Kelly stated that he considered the proposed Memorial Park basin project to be “an essential part of any serious flood control.” Kelly said, “I want to put shovels on the ground.”

Greene and Brown supported Measure D and opposed Measure E. Council Member Greene said, “In my opinion, this council is scared of the people’s initiative. In order to water down the chances for success of the people’s initiative, this council seeks to co-opt it.” Referring to a flood mitigation task list containing 182 items, one of which was the flood detention basin at Memorial Park, Greene said, “There are 181 other things that should be done first, including increasing capacity at Phoenix Lake.”

Both Greene and Brown were elected to the town council positions, defeating Kelly and Torme.

Support

Supporters

Supporters of Measure E opposed the competing measure, Measure D. The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of Measure E:

• John Wright, mayor of San Anselmo
• Doug Kelly, vice mayor of San Anselmo
• Kay Coleman, council member, San Anselmo
• Tom McInerney, council member, San Anselmo
• Steve Burdo, chair of San Anselmo Parks and Recreation Commission

The Marin Democratic Party endorsed a "yes" vote on Measure E and a "no" vote on Measure D.

Arguments in favor

Measure E supporters argued that it would leave open the opportunity for using millions in state and county funding to lessen flood risks through the basin at Memorial Parks, as well as performing updates, renovations and improvements to the park's facilities. Proponents pointed out that Measure E required an environmental review, community input and a final vote before ground could be broken for any project at Memorial Park. Supporters of Measure E said that the competing measure, Measure D, shuts the door on the possibility of accessing millions of dollars in state and county money to improve the park and reduce flooding and would leave no flexibility for the town council or the voters.

Official arguments

The following statement was submitted as the official argument in favor of Measure E:

“	A Yes vote for Measure E is a vote for Memorial Park and for public safety. A Yes vote for Measure E preserves Memorial Park, community input and community choice. Measure E leaves open our opportunity to have both a beautiful Park with improved recreational fields, play structures, and all the amenities we enjoy now, and a Park that helps to prevent flooding—all without significant cost to the Town. Measure E leaves open our opportunity to use millions in state and county funding to renovate Memorial Park, including better irrigation, improved drainage, and new sports fields. Measure D, the other measure on this ballot, takes away these opportunities forever. It is an extreme measure based on the false premise that there is already a fixed, unchangeable plan for flood control that would destroy the Park. This is simply untrue. Your Yes vote for Measure E will ensure that the community has a full voice in the Park's future. Measure E affirms the primary use of Memorial Park for recreation. Measure E would allow flood control at the Park only through a plan approved by you the voters. It will require the Town to undertake a full public planning process that will require input from all segments of our community. At the end, you will have the right to vote on a final plan. We believe that Measure E is the responsible approach to ensure that voters have accurate and complete information before deciding to reject millions in state and county funds to improve Memorial Park. Our community deserves no less. Vote Yes on Measure E and No on Measure D. (quote)	”
—John Wright, Doug Kelly, Kay Coleman, Tom McInerney and Steve Burdo

Opposition

Opponents

Save Memorial Park campaign image

Some opponents of Measure E supported the competing measure, Measure D.

The following individuals signed the official argument in opposition to Measure E:

• Jeff Kroot, former mayor of San Anselmo
• Nancy Oswald, San Anselmo citizen since 1971
• Barry Spitz, author of "San Anselmo, A History"
• Daniel Maguire, taxpayer
• Kathleen Lipinski, artist

Council Member Ford Greene was the only council member to vote against putting Measure E on the ballot.

Arguments against

Measure E critics argued that building a flood basin at Memorial Park would significantly harm the aesthetic, recreational and historical value of the park. Opponents also argued that the basin project would cost millions and would provide only insignificant flood relief, while shutting down the park for two years for construction and creating traffic congestion while the project was ongoing. Critics of Measure E claimed that it was just a gimmick put on the ballot by the town council to distract and confuse voters and prevent the approval of the competing measure, Measure D.

Official arguments

The following statement was submitted as the official argument in opposition to Measure E:

“	The purpose of Measure E is to thwart the people's initiative to Save Memorial Park, Measure D, by attempting to confuse voters. The Town Council never considered, nor wanted, voter input, so 1,447 San Anselmo residents petitioned to put Measure D on the ballot. Do not be misled. Vote Yes on Measure D and No on Measure E. Measure E proposes a costly $1.6 million and lengthy CEQA process. Millions have been spent on consultant's fees to date, without a single project undertaken. Measure D, which protects Memorial Park for all time, eliminates this needless expenditure. Measure E will not change the fact that all of Memorial Park—every tree and blade of grass, Millennium Playground, the Elders Garden—will be torn up, to be replaced by a walled pit smaller in size and with diminished views. San Anselmo once rose up to protect a single tree, which still stands on the Drake High field. Measure E will not change the fact that the detention basin will only withold a portion of the flow of Sorich Creek, a small tributary running under Memorial Park, which represents less than 3.8% of the Ross Valley Watershed. Measure E insures [sic] that in a 2005-like storm, downtown will flood just as badly, while a large portion of our flood fee will have been wasted. Everyone wants to lessen flooding in the Ross Valley. There are many effective, cost-efficient ways to do so. Destroying Memorial Park, and Measure E are not among them. Please join those who wish to preserve the community of our beautiful, natural park. Vote NO on Measure E to Save Memorial Park now! Vote Yes on Measure D, the people's initiative to remove Memorial Park from consideration as a detention basin. (quote)	”
—Jeff Kroot, Nancy Oswald, Barry Spitz, Daniel Maguire and Kathleen Lipinski

Path to the ballot

Measure E was put on the ballot by the town council as a competing measure with Measure D, a citizen initiative. On August 5, 2015, the town council voted 4-1 in favor of putting Measure E on the ballot. Council Member Ford Greene was the only dissenter.

Related measures

a Measure D: Town of San Anselmo Memorial Park Citizen Initiative

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms San Anselmo Memorial Park measure Measure E. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Town of San Anselmo Council-Referred Memorial Park Ordinance, Measure E (November 2015) - Google News

See also

• Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot
• Marin County, California ballot measures
• November 3, 2015 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Marin County Elections Office website
• Town of San Anselmo Government, "Memorial Park Detention Basin Project"

Opposition

• Save Memorial Park website, Facebook page and Tumblr