RIV #4826-0049-5062 v1
RESOLUTION NO. ___
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY
EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR THE BALLOT MEASURE
TO APPROVE THE INCURRING OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS, ESTABLISH AN
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT, AND AUTHORIZE THE LEVY OF A SPECIAL TAX FOR CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2022-1 TO FUND PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND SERVICES
WITHIN THE CITY
WHEREAS, 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) 2022-1, 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”); and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, Cathedral City is unable to maintain local parks and facilities to the same standards as neighboring communities; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, the District would also expand community recreational programs and facilities to provide Cathedral City’s 14,000 children and youth after-school, weekend and holiday; and, WHEREAS, 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 fencing; and WHEREAS, annexing into the District would give Cathedral City residents access to the parks and recreation facilities, programs and classes offered by the District at resident rates, including community and fitness centers, sports fields, swimming pools, a golf course and driving range, as well as other various parks and open space; and WHEREAS, revenues generated from the Parks and Recreation Ballot Measure will fund capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities within the City and 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 City; and
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WHEREAS, based on identified facility needs and input from the community, Cathedral City is considering placing a local funding measure on the November 2022 ballot; and, WHEREAS, 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
WHEREAS, this resolution came before the City Council on August 3, 2022, at which time members of the public, including proponents and opponents of the measure, were free to comment on the measure and this resolution.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows:
The City Council supports 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.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Cathedral City held on this 3rd day of August 2022.
___________________________
ERNESTO GUTIERREZ, MAYOR
ATTEST:
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TRACEY HERMOSILLO, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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ERIC S. VAIL, CITY ATTORNEY