June 6, 2017
On February 15, 2017, the City Council adopted a Resolution calling a Special Election for June 6, 2017. The election was an all-mail ballot election. The Council placed the following advisory measure on the ballot for consideration:
Ballot Question
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?
Text of the Measure
Measure L was approved by Atherton voters in 2012 as an advisory measure supporting the use of donor funds as the primary funding source for the Civic Center Project. Since 2012, the Town has spent four years in the design process, completed 100% Design Development and is now engaged in the preparation of construction documents. Donor funds have served as the primary funding source for all of this design work; but current donations are not sufficient to complete construction of the designed project.
The City Council has developed a funding plan that would supplement current and future private donations with available general funds without adding any new project-specific taxes, changes to the current Parcel Tax or use of the Town's mandatory reserves. Other funding sources include funds derived from building fees and grants. The City Council would like input from the voters as to how best to proceed with respect to additional funding needs. They pose the following question:
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?
Election Details
The following was logistical information regarding the all-mail June 6, 2017 Special Election.
Deadline and Details for Ballot Arguments - The deadline for the filing of a ballot argument, not to exceed 300 words was 12 pm on Friday, March 17.
Authors of this Argument
- Mayor Michael Lempres
- Vice Mayor Cary Wiest
- Council Member Elizabeth Lewis
- Council Member Bill Widmer
- Council Member Rick DeGolia
- Argument Against Measure A (PDF)
Authors of this Argument
- John Ruggeiro, Former Vice Chair of Transportation Committee
- Charles Ramorino, Former Member of General Plan Committee
- Jim Massey, Member of the Finance Committee
- Kathy McKeithen, Former Atherton Mayor
- Sandy Crittenden, Former Park & Recreation Commissioner
Deadline and Details for Written Rebuttal Arguments - The deadline for the filing of a rebuttal to a written argument, not to exceed 250 words was 12 pm on Monday, March 27.
- Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure A (PDF)
- This argument was authored by the same authors of the Argument Against Measure A. This argument rebuts the Argument written by Atherton City Council supporting Measure A
- Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure A (PDF)
- This argument was authored by the same authors of the Argument in Favor of Measure A. This argument rebuts the Argument written by the individuals opposing Measure A
Deadline and Details for the City Attorney Impartial Analysis - The deadline for the filing of the City Attorney Impartial Analysis, not to exceed 500 words was 12 pm on Friday, March 17. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this deadline was extended by the Elections Officials to March 27.
- City Attorneys Impartial Analysis (PDF) - Authored by Atherton City Attorney Bill Conners
General Information
Rebuttals, like primary arguments, must include the standard argument submission form and include the following title:
"Argument in Favor of Measure ___" or "Argument Against Measure ___" and "Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure ___" or "Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure ___" respectively.
There was a 10-calendar day examination period for public review of all arguments. The review period for primary arguments in favor of or against ballot measures started at 5 pm on March 17. The review period for rebuttals to primary arguments in favor of or against ballot measures started at 5 pm on March 27.
For more information, please email Theresa DellaSanta, City Clerk - (650) 752-0529
Election Day Information
Voted ballots that were mailed back were required to be postmarked by June 6 and received by the County by June 9.
Voted ballots could also be dropped off at Atherton town offices, 91 Ashfield Road, during business hours, weekdays from 8:30 am to noon and from 1 pm to 4 pm, or at the County's Voting Center in the Registration & Elections Division at 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm.
On Election Day, June 6, the Voting Center wwas open from 7 am to 8 pm. Ballots could be dropped off at the Town Offices until 8 pm that day. No other polling places were open on Election Day.
Voters may also vote in person at the Voting Center.
ShapetheFuture.org can verify when ballot materials were mailed and when the Registration & Elections Division received voted ballots. This Shape the Future website also provides information on the results on the election.
Below are the County's Semi-Official results as of June 16:
The County certifies the election results (within 30 days of the election). The City Council certified he results at its July 19 City Council meeting. A simple majority was required for Measure A to successfully pass. The Measure obtained a 61.4% majority.
Staff Report and Results (PDF)
Staff Report History
The City Council discussed the issue over several public meetings. When available, video links to these meetings can be found via the video link near each item. Links to the staff reports are also below.
This staff report provides for review/approval of language submitted by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the Argument in Favor of Measure to be submitted to qualified electors at the June 6, 2017 Election.
February 15, 2017 - Staff Report update on the Civic Center Project with 100% Design Development Cost Estimate (PDF) (Video Link)
This staff report provides a summary of the project status at 100% Design Development. It includes the 100% Design Development Cost Estimate.
February 15, 2017 - Staff Report with Resolution Setting Rules for Ballot Arguments and Rebuttals (PDF) (Video Link)
This staff report provides a Resolution governing the submittal of arguments, impartial analysis, and rebuttals.
February 15, 2017 - Staff Report with Resolution calling the Special Election for June 6, 2017 (PDF) (Video Link)
This staff report provides a summary of the proposed ballot measure and the attached Resolution calls the Special Election for June 6, 2017.
February 1, 2017 - Staff Report on the Civic Center Project - Review, Discuss and Provide Staff with Feedback Regarding Funding Status and Options Related to Measure L (PDF) (Video Link)
This staff report provides a more detailed summary of the estimated project cost, a proposed Funding Plan, and a discussion of the possibility of Certificates of Participation.
February 1, 2017 - History Report for the Civic Center Project (PDF) (Video Link)
This staff report outlines the history and progression of the Project from its inception to February 1, 2017.
January 18, 2017 - Staff Report on the Civic Center Project: Review, Discuss and Provide Staff with Feedback Regarding Funding Status and Options (PDF) (Video Link)
This staff report provides details on the Funding Status for Atherton Now, Design Costs for the Project, Project Cost Estimates, Available "Other" Funds, a discussion of any "At Risk" Capital Improvement Projects, and a discussion of possible Funding Alternatives.
Project Webpage
The Project Webpage for the Civic Center Project can be found via this project page. The project webpage provides a history of the project, related documents, history documents, design photos, and other design-related documents.
Project Funding Summary
The following table represents the funding plan for the City Hall/PD portion of the Civic Center Project as discussed by the City Council at the January 18, 2017 City Council Meeting. The Library, renovation of Historic Town Hall, and the Site Improvements associated with the Library are fully funded by separate Library Funds. The Funding Plan only discusses the design and construction costs of the City Hall/PD portion of the Project. Further details of the Funding Plan can be found in the Staff Report for January 18, 2017 linked above.
Costs of the Project below are taken from the 100% Design Development Cost Estimate and revenues based on the Mid-Year Budget Report. Data current as of April 4, 2017. Additional information (and updated information) may be found on the Civic Center webpage.
Civic Center Project Funding Plan
| Item/Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| Design Cost Estimate (As of April 4, 2017) | $3,305,255 |
| Construction Cost Estimate (As of April 4, 2017) | $22,253,000 |
| Total Design & Construction Cost | $25,558,255 |
| Atherton Now Donation | ($7,000,000) |
| Remaining Requirement | $18,558,255 |
| Application of Revenue from Building Fees | ($2,935,000) |
| Remaining Requirement | $15,623,255 |
| Available Funding | |
| Projected 2017/18 Unallocated General Funds Available | ($8,104,107) |
| Unallocated Capital Improvement Funds | ($4,423,138) |
| Allocation of FY 2017/18 ERAF | ($1,066,958) |
| Remaining Requirement | $2,029,052 |
| Allocation of FY 2018/19 Estimated ERAF | ($1,000,000) |
| Remaining Requirement | $1,029,052 |
Remaining Requirement to be met by a combination of: Additional Donation Receipts,
Annual Budget Revenues over Expenditures, and
Short-Term Certificates of Participation - without the addition of new tax burdens.