Title
Adoption of Resolution Supporting Proposition 5, the Lower Supermajority Requirement to 55% for Local Bond Measures to Fund Housing and Public Infrastructure Amendment, on the November 5, 2024 Ballot. (City Manager)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Proposition 5 on the November 2024 Ballot will lower the necessary voter threshold from a two-thirds supermajority to 55 percent to approve local general obligation (GO) bonds and special taxes for affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. The City of Alameda's (City) support for Proposition 5 is consistent with the principles adopted in the Legislative Agenda.
Staff is asking City Council for direction on whether to adopt a resolution of support for Proposition 5 on behalf of the City. City Councilmembers can also support the measure individually in their role as an elected official.
BACKGROUND
The City adopts a two-year Legislative Agenda that serves as a guide for advocacy efforts. By adopting a Legislative Agenda, City staff and the Mayor and City Council are able to react quickly to most legislative issues as they arise.
On May 2, 2023, City Council approved the 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda (Exhibit 1). The City's adopted 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda supports legislation and proposals that promote financing mechanisms for the provision of affordable housing and land use and assist in the reorganization and replacement of existing infrastructure to support California's growing population and state efforts that would reduce the vote threshold for local initiatives.
On September 8, 2023, the City submitted a letter of support to the California State Assembly for ACA 1 (Aguiar-Curry) which would propose a constitutional amendment to voters to lower the vote threshold from a two-thirds supermajority to 55 percent needed to approve local general obligation bonds and special taxes for affordable housing and public i...
Click here for full text