Cathedral City Page 1 of 2 Printed on 7/28/2022
Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.B
Meeting Date: August 3, 2022
From: Tami Scott, Administrative Services Director
Title: Resolution in Support of Parks & Recreation Ballot Measure
City Council
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider adopting a resolution in support of the Parks and Recreation Ballot Measure which, if approved by Cathedral City voters, would allow the City to invest up to $39 million in capital improvements to City parks and recreation facilities up front, and provide an annual revenue stream of approximately $4.5 million for parks and recreation services within the City.
BACKGROUND:
On August 3, 2022, the City Council of the City of Cathedral City approved a resolution calling a special election for Community Facilities District (CFD) 2 022-1, asking the voters to adopt a measure levying a special tax on property within the City, raising $4.5 million annually and authorizing bonds in the amount of $39 million that will be repaid through the special tax revenues, with all funds being used for parks and recreation facilities and services within the City of Cathedral City (the “Parks and Recreation Ballot Measure”).
DISCUSSION:
Cathedral City is the only Coachella Valley City without its own local parks and recreation department. As a result , local children, families and seniors have access to fewer parks and recreational programs and services than residents in surrounding communities. In addition, Cathedral City has been unable to maintain local parks and facilities to the same standards as neighboring communities. As such, the City has been working with Desert Recreation District (District) on efforts to annex the City to the District and allow the District to provide parks and recreation services within the City, including taking over the maintenance of existing and future planned parks in the City.
By the City annexing into the District, the District would be able to expand community recreational programs and facilities to provide Cathedral City’s 14,000 children and youth after -school, we ekend and holiday programs. Upgrading maintenance of Cathedral City parks, to the same standard as other DRD parks throughout the region, will help maintain safe drinking water at parks, repair deteriorating facilities and improve security lighting and fen cing. A nnexing into the District would give Cathedral City residents access to the parks and recreation facilities, programs and classes offered by the District a t lower resident rates, including community and fitness centers, sports
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fields, swimming pools, a golf course and driving range, as well as other various parks and open space.
Revenues generated from the Parks and Recreation Ballot Measure will fund capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities within the City and provide funding for on-going operations and maintenance, and cannot be diverted to other uses, ensuring a continual funding source for parks and recreation services for the City.
Based on identified facility needs and input from the community, Cathedral City is considering placing a local funding measure on the November 2022 ballot . If approved by voters, this measure would cost property owners 15 per building square foot annually on single-family residential units to:
Provide safe and clean parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities in Cathedral City ● Maintain and improve neighborhood park safety
● Maintain safe drinking water and improve water conservation ● Enhance youth drug and gang prevention programs
● Provide affordable after-school and senior programs
● Address homelessness in local parks
FISCAL IMPACT:
Should voters vote in favor of the measure, this would raise approximately $4.5 million annually and authoriz e bonds in the amount of $39 million , which would be repaid through the special tax revenues from the measure. All funds must be used for parks and recreation facilities and services within the City of Cathedral City
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution Supporting CFD 2022-1 Ballot Measure- Final