REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Receive Civic Center Modernization Project, Utility User Tax, and Sales Tax Polling Results, Provide Direction to Staff on Next Steps, and Approve Budget Modification 35
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City recently conducted a survey of Sunnyvale voters to test the viability of two potential ballot measures being considered for the November 2016 election. One measure was a general obligation bond that would provide funding for the Civic Center Modernization Project and a second was to modernize the City's outdated Utility User Tax (UUT) with no increase in the tax rate.
Civic Center Bond Measure
This measure would need at least two-thirds support from voters to be successful. Respondent's first reaction to the draft ballot question was to support the measure at approximately 71% with a +/- 6% margin of error. However, as more information was provided about the Civic Center project during the polling interview support levels declined. Considering the overall results of the poll, coupled with the survey's margin of error, the measure is below the two-thirds threshold by the end of the survey. The City's consultant team has indicated that this measure would not be viable if placed on the ballot this year.
Throughout this process, the City Council has taken a series of actions that acknowledges that there is a need to address our civic center facilities. Specifically, the Council took firm action that there was a need to prioritize the replacement of our temporary structures (South Annex building and the Sunnyvale Office Center). Concerns have also been raised about the existing city hall facility, although there was much more openness to either a rehabilitation or replacement option. Staff presents an option for proceeding within the above context and, without new revenues from a bond measure, the Civic Center Project will need to move ahead as a phased project with funding for the first phase focused on existing City ...
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