Today's news tidbit comes from a recently constructed watchdog group from San José called Ballpark Tax Watchdogs. The group filed a rebuttal to San José City Attorney Richard Doyle's April 22 memorandum, which advised the city and the Redevelopment Agency on how it could proceed to acquire the individual parcels that make up the Diridon South site. The controversy revolves around whether or not the purchase of the Diridon South lots and related expenditures, when used for the eventual construction of a sports facility, requires a referendum.
Doyle's opinion is that the purchase of the land and related costs such as feasibility studies are not subject to a vote. Only actual construction costs, when financed by public means (bonds/taxes), are subject to a vote.
BTW believes that any costs, including site acquisition and exploratory expenditures, do require a referendum.
Who's right? Take a look at San Jose's Municipal Code Section 4.95.010:
4.95.010 Prohibition of the use of tax dollars to build a sports facility
The city of San José may participate in the building of a sports facility using tax dollars only after obtaining a majority vote of the voters of the city of San José approving such expenditure.
A “sports facility” for the purpose of this chapter is to be any structure designed to seat more than five thousand people at any one time for the purpose of viewing a sporting or recreational event.
“Tax dollars” for the purposes of this chapter include, without limitation, any commitment to fund wholly or in part said facility with general fund monies, redevelopment fund monies, bonds, loans, special assessments or any other indebtedness guaranteed by city property, taxing authority or revenues.
Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the city from allowing the construction of a sports facility funded by private investment.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, then the remainder of this chapter and application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Where one stands on this issue is largely dependent on how one views sports facilities projects and similar redevelopment work in general. In the end, it appears that this ordinance, enacted in 1988, may have been specifically worded (notice the use of the word "building") to allow for planning-related work to occur. The real question here is, "Will the ballpark opponents take this to the next level?" That level, of course, is court. The last line of BTW's home page indicates this threat is possible. Whether or not they follow through on it remains to be seen.
Note: The BTW domain was registered only 2 days ago (5/2), and the rebuttal was submitted on 4/30.
4 comments:
I always wondered whether Magowen could just get a group together that would be ready to sue once a dime was spent on anything ballpark releated. I wouldn't be suprised if he was involved.
I don't think he'd get involved this soon. It would make more sense for him to start throwing his weight around when he senses an immediate threat. That won't come until the San Jose ballpark is much further along in the process AND the A's actually have discussions with San Jose. That's a long ways off. It certainly didn't appear that the Giants had any effect on the discussions between the A's and Santa Clara.
One of the ways to fight this is to make everyone aware that the City's URBAN RENEWAL is operating illegally already. The tax increment bonds that financed all of this so called "Urban Renewal" of "blighted areas af the City", (including most of the high tech industrial area off North First Street) were paid off years ago and all of the urban renewal properties were to have been put BACK on the General Fund Tax Rolls. Somehow the City Council instead of paying off the bonds - got and "ADDITIONAL ADVANCE" under the Bond's notes and that is what they are using to finance all of their current "Civic Improvements."
Al Ruffo (former Mayor and promenant Attorney) fought as long as he could and would have had it in court except that the city stalled the case until Ruffo died. If there are no available illegal funds - there will be no ball park.
All of the current city council members are aware of the urban renewal illegality but are hoping that they can keep it from ever getting to Court because they are afraid they will lose if it ever gets before a Judge.
One of the ways to fight this is to make everyone aware that the City's URBAN RENEWAL is operating illegally already. The tax increment bonds that financed all of this so called "Urban Renewal" of "blighted areas af the City", (including most of the high tech industrial area off North First Street) were paid off years ago and all of the urban renewal properties put back on the General Fund Tax Rolls. Somehow the City Council instead of paying off the bonds - got and "ADDITIONAL ADVANCE" under the Bond's notes and that is what they are using to finance all of their current "Civic Improvements."
Al Ruffo (former Mayor and promenant Attorney) fought as long as he could and would have had it in court except that the city stalled the case until Ruffo died. If there are no available illegal funds - there will be no ball park.
All of the current city council members are aware of the urban renewal illegality but are hoping that they can keep it from ever getting to Court.
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