City of Chula Vista
Staff Report

File#: 18-0009, Item#: 4.
A. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADDING CHAPTER 3.34 TO TITLE 3 OF THE
CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH A ONE-HALF CENT GENERAL
TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE BOARD OF
EQUALIZATION INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT AND
ACCOUNTABILITY (FIRST READING) (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
B. 1. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA: (A) AMENDING
RESOLUTION NO.2018-004 CALLING A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD
ON JUNE 5, 2018; (B) ORDERING SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE
CITY A MEASURE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ONE-HALF CENT GENERAL
TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX; (C) AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT BALLOT
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE; AND (D) DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
OR
2. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA (A) CALLING A
SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 FOR
THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY A
MEASURE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ONE-HALF CENT TRANSACTIONS
AND USE TAX; (B) CONSOLIDATING THE ELECTION WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL
ELECTION; (C) REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN
DIEGO TO PERMIT THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS TO CONDUCT SUCH ELECTION; (D)
AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES OF
SUCH ELECTION; (E) AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT BALLOT ARGUMENTS IN
FAVOR OF THE MEASURE; AND (F) DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
C. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING ITS
INTENDED PUBLIC SAFETY EXPENDITURE PLAN
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Council place the ordinance on first reading, adopt either resolution B1 or B2, and adopt resolution C.
SUMMARY
Following direction at the December 19, 2017 Council meeting, staff has prepared a ballot measure
for City Council consideration for placement on the ballot in 2018 to address public safety staffing.
The measure is for a one-half cent transactions and use tax measure (the “Measure”). Although the
City’s most pressing need is public safety staffing, the tax is a general tax which can be spent for any
lawful purpose of the City. This item also presents the Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan that
City of Chula Vista

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 File#: 18-0009, Item#: 4.
lawful purpose of the City. This item also presents the Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan that
identifies two phases to address the critical needs in public safety. In order to move forward with the
implementation of the Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan, staff is recommending that the City
Council adopt the Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan and place the sales tax measure on the
ballot in 2018.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality
Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental
review is required.
Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as
defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical
change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines,
the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
Staff has presented three reports and other information to the City Council in response to their
request at the June 6, 2017 Council Meeting for the City Manager to “report back to the City Council
within 120 days with a plan to address the chronic understaffing of the Police and Fire Departments,
with such plan considering all options, including: (i) alternative service models that may improve
effectiveness and reduce costs; and (ii) potential funding sources.”
In order to provide the opportunity for community input, the City Manager formed the Public Safety
Advisory Committee (PSAC). The committee includes Chula Vista residents, business owners,
community leaders and others. The committee worked with staff liaisons from Fire, Police,
Administration and Finance Departments to secure public input that would assist in creating the
following reports.
At the September 26, 2017 meeting, staff presented the Public Safety Staffing Report which
assessed factors affecting public safety, including:
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Community and stakeholder feedback/input on priorities for delivery of public safety
services
Short and long-term staffing level standards for CVPD and CVFD
Response times for Priority 1 and Priority 2 emergency calls for CVPD
Response times with properly equipped and staffed fire and medical units for CVFD
Consideration of alternate public safety service delivery models
Accounting for growth - 5-year, 10-year and build-out projection models

City of Chula Vista

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 File#: 18-0009, Item#: 4.
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Fiscal forecasts and impacts

Council directed the City Manager to conduct a public opinion survey, inform the community about
public safety staffing issues presented, and return to Council with options to address staffing issues,
including funding options.
At the December 19 meeting, staff presented the Public Safety Staffing Strategies report which
included:
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Staffing allocations for CVPD and CVFD to provide critical services
Estimated costs for phasing of staffing
Assessment of potential funding sources
Overview of results of a public opinion survey

The City Manager was directed by the City Council to return with a proposal for Council consideration
to place a half cent sales tax measure before the voters to fund public safety critical needs. On
January 16, 2018 Council approved conducting an additional survey to identify the best timing for a
ballot measure in 2018. Results of the survey will be presented at the February 13 Council Meeting.
Staff is requesting direction on the ballot measure and Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan
(Plan). The Plan identifies two phases to address the staffing shortage in public safety. Phase I
outlines the most critical needs identified by the Police and Fire Departments for the next 10 years.
Although addressing these needs does not address the staffing crisis entirely, it does allow the
departments to significantly improve the service level provided to residents and businesses
throughout the City. Phase I public safety critical needs could be funded by a half-cent sales tax
measure which would generate approximately $17 million per year. Phase II public safety critical
needs could move forward as the City’s economic base improves and major transformational projects
begin moving forward such as the Bayfront and University development projects. Other funding
options may also be considered in the future as part of the annual budget process.
Public Safety Advisory Committee Input
To support this effort and to provide the opportunity for community input, the City Manager formed the
Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). The committee includes Chula Vista residents, business
owners, and community leaders. The committee has met four times to provide input as the Public
Safety Staffing Report and Public Safety Staffing Strategies documents were developed. In addition,
committee members have participated in “ride alongs” with police and fire department personnel.
The PSAC members have provided input at meetings and in writing since the first meeting on August
10, 2017. This input and feedback has been considered as part of the development of each of the
staffing documents and the proposed Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan. PSAC meetings have
been held on: August 10, 2017; August 31, 2017; November 9, 2017; November 30, 2017; and
December 7, 2017.
Public Opinion Surveys
In October 2017, the City engaged TrueNorth Research to conduct a public opinion survey to identify
resident priorities regarding public safety and public services and to secure input on a potential sales
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 File#: 18-0009, Item#: 4.
resident priorities regarding public safety and public services and to secure input on a potential sales
tax to fund critical city services to address public safety staffing, 9-1-1 emergency response,
homeless outreach, and other public services. At the December 19 meeting, Dr. Tim McClarney from
TrueNorth Research presented the survey results which showed 62 percent of voters support a halfcent sales tax to support these services.
In January 2018, the City engaged TrueNorth Research to conduct a public opinion survey to identify
how voter support is affected by a potential ballot measure to tax cannabis businesses in Chula Vista.
Survey results and findings will be presented at the City Council meeting by the TrueNorth Research
team.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not sitespecific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section
18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real
property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100,
et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Councilmember member, of
any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy
Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Securing funding for
public safety and public services supports all goals.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of placing the sales tax measure on the June 5, 2018 ballot is approximately
$100,000. The cost will vary depending on the number of items on the ballot. Staff will provide
updated cost estimates as part of the quarterly fiscal report.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
If the ballot measure is approved by the voters, it would generate an estimated $17 million annually. If
the measure is approved by the voters, any proposed expenditures will be presented as part of the
annual budget process for City Council consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Intended Public Safety Expenditure Plan
Staff Contact: Assistant City Manager, Maria Kachadoorian

City of Chula Vista

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