If adopted by a majority of those voting on the measure, this measure would authorize any public entity to develop, construct or acquire an additional 100 units of low income housing in the City of Sonoma for low income persons. This measure only grants federal, state or local public entities with general authority to develop, construct or acquire additional low rent housing and does not approve any individual project. All projects subject to this grant of authority would be required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws including land use, housing and building requirements.

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Private developers will build this housing, using funding available at the federal, state, and local levels. Individual projects will be subject to the same planning, review, and approval process as any other development, allowing citizens the opportunity to comment on the design and suitability of these housing projects.

The City Council placed this ordinance on the ballot with a unanimous vote of support. Approval of this plan is needed to meet requirements set forth in the California Constitution.

Sonoma has been fortunate to participate in the growth and vitality of the economy in recent years, particularly in our vital hospitality and agricultural businesses. However, we are also suffering from the same lack of suitable housing stock that communities across the state are experiencing.

The affordable housing that will be authorized through this measure will meet the needs of people with low and very low incomes. For a family of four, a gross annual income of $46,500 meets the means test for affordable housing.

Our police, fire, and other emergency service providers; teachers; government and utility employees; hospitality industry workers; young families, and other Sonomans that we interact with every day qualify for affordable housing. Elderly and disabled members of our community, who are often on fixed incomes, are also counting on us to successfully develop housing that is within their means.

Approval of Measure R is the crucial first step in what will be a long process of addressing the critical housing problem in our community. Your fellow citizens are counting on your support.

SONOMA CITY COUNCIL

s/ Lawrence Barnett, Mayor
s/ Kenneth Brown, Councilmember
s/ Phyllis Carter, Councilmember
s/ Louis Ramponi, Councilmember
s/ Albert Mazza, Mayor Pro Tem

AN INITIATIVE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SONOMA AUTHORIZING PUBLIC ENTITIES TO DEVELOP, CONSTRUCT, OR ACQUIRE 100 UNITS OF ADDITIONAL LOW-RENT HOUSING IN THE CITY OF SONOMA

The People of the City of Sonoma do hereby ordain as follows:

WHEREAS, there is a great need in the City of Sonoma to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for low income persons; and

WHEREAS, Article XXXIV of the Constitution of California requires that a majority of qualified voters of the City of Sonoma determine whether or not any public entity should be empowered to develop, construct, or acquire low-rent housing projects in the City of Sonoma;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the People of the City of Sonoma that any public entity shall be empowered to develop, construct or acquire up to 100 additional units of low-rent housing for persons of low income in the City of Sonoma.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the terms of the authorization contained in this measure shall be construed in the same manner as Article XXXIV of the Constitution of California and any laws or cases interpreting that section.

Submitted to the People of the City of Sonoma by the Sonoma City Council on June 21, 2000 and adopted at a General Election held in the City of Sonoma on November 7, 2000.

s/ John W. Truxaw, City Attorney