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Changing Redwood City’s Charter

On the November ballot are two ballot measures that intend to change Redwood City’s Charter.

The first ballot measure is on the ballot through the efforts of a coalition fronted by the Friends of Redwood City, with the financial resources of Save the Bay. This ballot measure proposes to change Redwood City’s charter by requiring any changes in use on lands labeled “open space”, be placed before the voters of Redwood City and receive a two-thirds approval of the voting public.

The second ballot measure is being placed on the November ballot and is intended to focus on the main issue – the Cargill property. The Council’s measure simply states that when Cargill submits a project proposal to the City, if the Planning Commission and City Council approves their project proposal, the project will go before the voters for approval by a simple majority.

The ballot measure submitted by the Friends of Redwood City suffers from several deficiencies, including:

• Not all of the City’s “open space” is included, and not all of the existing parks are covered,
• A number of private residences are covered, including several residences around Red Morton Park, Docktown and hundreds of homes in Redwood Shores
• The measure does not provide any means to acquire or create open space
• The measure requires a super majority to approve any project.

The Chamber is very concerned about the impacts of this measure on the overall quality of life in our community. All of the Chamber’s standing committees have reviewed the proposed ballot measure, and all of the committees have recommended to the Board that the Chamber oppose this ballot measure. Based on our committee recommendations and further analysis, the Board of Directors has voted to oppose this ballot measure.

There are three major reasons for the Chamber’s opposition:

1. This ballot measure puts the City at risk for significant litigation,
2. Legal fees and expenses will require the diversion of funds away from vital and critical public services, including safety, public works and other city services, and
3. The ballot measure infringes upon the civil liberties of private homeowners.

The magnitude of this potential change will affect all of us in Redwood City and our business community. Because of these concerns and others, the Board is launching a program to inform and educate our community about the impacts and consequences of this measure.

What You Can Do to Help?
The proposed ballot measure will have a chilling affect over all of our community. Changing the planning approval process, litigation, special elections and other dynamics will cost our community precious public funds.

Consistent with our mission to educate, inform and advocate for the quality of life in our community, the Chamber will be an active opponent of this ballot measure. Our initial efforts are being funded from the Chamber’s reserves. Of our annual budget, approximately one-third comes from membership dues. Membership dues are not deductible as a charitable contribution, however as much as 90% of your membership dues may be deducted as a business expense in accordance with the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993.

We need your help to get the word out, and we will need your financial support. The chamber has established a special fund, “Redwood City Chamber Committee to Protect our Charter.” Checks should be made out to the “Redwood City Chamber Committee to Protect our Charter, and sent c/o the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, 1450 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94063. Financial support form members and non-members are welcomed.

Getting the Word Out
Over the next several weeks, we will be asking all of our members, friends and neighbors to work together to educate and inform Redwood City voters of the consequences.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and get plenty of rest – there is a lot of work waiting for us in September!

Jeff Gee
Chairman

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