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TO: Town of Truckee Open Space Committee
FROM: Perry Norris, Steve Wright
RE: Recommendations to Town Council
DATE: April 11, 2005
In order to move the committee's work forward on an open space ballot measure,we are
proposing the committee adopt the following recommendations. These recommendations
are ultimately up to the Council and, if enacted, an advisory committee to craft. These
are topics we need to consider for a pending campaign regarding:
o Purposes
o Funding Mechanism
o Acquisition Criteria
o Governance structure
o Transparency issues
o Timeline
The Town will support and write the ballot language with approval from Town Council
and review by the Campaign Committee.
Purposes:
o Preserve and restore lands in and around the Town of Truckee
o Enhance the public enjoyment of open spaces and recreational lands in and
around the Town of Truckee
o Create and improve opportunities for the promotion of youth education and
connectivity to their natural environments
Funding Mechanism:
o .25%Sales Tax
Criteria for selecting open space investment(not exhaustive, and not in order of
importance)
o Voluntary;will not use imminent domain
o Connectivity to other natural and undeveloped areas for recreation and wildlife
o Public access and trails
o Habitat Value
o Scenic viewsheds
o River access
Who should administer the money, own the land and maintain the land or
facilities?
• Options for administration
o Town of Truckee (Town Council)
o Town Council with appointed advisory council
o Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District
o Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District with appointed
advisory council
o A land trust
o A new Open Space District with separately elected board members
o A joint powers authority from Town and Rec District or some other
gov't too
o A Council formed non-profit corp
• Issues to consider
o "Representativeness" of the governing body—do they represent
those who voted; those who pay; those whose interests are in
preserving open space; those where the money will be spent
o Water quality
o Fits with the Town's general plan goals and their goals of achieving their
affordable housing standards/numbers
o Leverages additional funding opportunities,private and public
Governance Structure:
Town Special District, Dependent. (This recommendation assumes there are not policies
preventing the Town from acquiring property in fee or easement outside of the Town's
limits.)
Of the many options,this seems the simplest and best. In order to form the district, Town
Council may pass a resolution creating the district. The Town Council governs the
district,but may appoint an advisory committee. The Town's Community Development
Department would provide staff support.
Transparency issues:
o Annual report
o Budget oversight
Timeline:
Town Council must vote on whether or not to bring a ballot question by September 2005
to be ready as early as June '06 and as late as Nov '06.
After Council gives approval, a campaign committee can be formed and charged with
running the campaign and making the recommendation about which ballot to put the
question.