12,557 / 61.5% Yes votes ...... 7,859 / 38.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

• Renovation and expansion of the Children's Library
• Renovation of the Secret Garden adjoining the Children's Library
• Demolition of the Mitchell Park Library, and the acquisition and construction of a new, expanded library in its place
• Demolition of the Mitchell Park Community Center, and the acquisition and construction of a new, larger community center to take its place
• Related landscaping and parking improvements.

Measure D requries the City to comply with State law financial accountability and reporting rules while handling the bond proceeds. In addition, the Palo Alto City Council directed creation of an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to assure prudent financial management.

State law requires a two-thirds vote to pass Measure D. The bonds would be repaid through a real property tax. The best estimate of the average annual tax over the life of the bonds is $28.02 for each $100,000 of residential assessed value. Assessed value is typically formulated from the original purchase price, not the current market value, of residential real property.

Children's Library

The Children's Library is a 3,400 square foot building constructed in 1940. Most of the building's systems are past their useful life. The building needs an earthquake safety upgrade, re-roofing, and air conditioning. The library is overcrowded. The conceptual design proposes renovation of the current building and a historically compatible addition to bring the total library size to approximately 10,700 square feet. The project cost estimate is $7.1 million, including financing and project management expenses.

Mitchell Park Library

Mitchell Park Library is a 9,500 square foot building constructed in 1958 and expanded in 1975. Many of the building's systems are past their useful life. The library is overcrowded. The conceptual design proposes demolition of the current buidlings and construction of a new, expanded library of approximately 53,900 square feet. In partnership with the Palo Alto Unified School District, the library has a Homework Help and Enrichment Center. The project cost estimate is $31.3 million, including financing and project management expenses.

The City has applied for State Library Bond Act grant monies, seeking a 65% State, 35% City match of the library portion of the project. If approved, this grant will reduce the taxpayers' cost for the bonds.

Mitchell Park Community Center

Mitchell Park Community Center is a 10,000 square foot building constructed in 1970. Expansion will accomodate current and future recreation programs. The conceptual design proposes demolition of the existing building and construction of a new, expanded 16,800 square foot community center wing integrated with the library. The project cost estimate is $10.7 million, including financing and project management expenses.

Dated: August 21, 2002

/s/ Ariel Pierre Calonne, City Attorney

Because this material has been retyped from material filed with the Registrar of Voters there could be errors. For the official information please contact the Registrar of Voters.

Donna Rogers (650)329-2571; Fax: (650) 328-3631

argument in favor (and rebuttal to argument against): Karen White (650)494-7026; Fax: (650)325-3116

argument against (and rebuttal to argument in favor): George Browning (650)493-1279; Fax: none

City of Palo Alto - Capital Improvement Bond Issue

Libertarian Party of Santa Clara Co.

San Jose Mercury News - Oct. 26

• Measures article

• Measure D Article
• History of Measure D

Children's Library was built in 1940 to handle 15% of today's patrons and books:

• Original lighting, heating, plumbing and wiring are inadequate
• Seismic upgrades are needed
• The fire department has concerns about overcrowding
• Children cannot reach many shelves - there is inadequate space for books, computers and popular children's "Storytime"

Measure D will solve crowding and safety problems while preserving this historic building - the first children's library in the U.S.

Mitchell Park Library is Palo Alto's most popular. Since 1940, south Palo Alto has experienced our greatest population growth. After years of delaying necessary maintenance and upgrades, today it is more cost-effective to rebuild. Environmentally-efficient construction will save money over time. There will be enough modern library/recreational space for children, students, families and seniors.

Measure D will:

• Upgrade the roof, plumbing and electrical capacity in Children's Library to prevent further water damage to books and rooms.
• Rebuild Mitchell Park Library/Community Center to be cool on hot days and prevent groundwater from destroying books and computers.
• Meet seismic codes and improve heating/air conditioning/ventilation for all three facilities.
• Modernize wiring to support technology, Internet and multimedia services.
• Improve space for children's books and recreational programs.
• Expand both libraries to eliminate crowding and make materials more accessible.

Every dollar raised by Measure D will be spent on construction and renovation. An independent citizen oversight committee will monitor all expenditures.

Please vote YES on Measure D - ensure that Children's Library and Mitchell Park Library/Community Center meet the needs of our entire community.

/s/ Gary Fazzino, Campaign Co-chair & Former Mayor of Palo Alto
/s/ Diane H. Rolfe, 34-year Teacher at Jordan & J. L. Stanford Middle Schools
/s/ Larry Klein, Former Mayor of Palo Alto
/s/ Cathie Lehrberg, President, Palo Alto Recreation Foundation
/s/ Carolyn Tucher, President, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation

The balance of $42,300,000 will be spent on rebuilding Mitchell Park Library/Community Center. The conceptual plan is to build this huge structure over two tennis courts and the paddleball courts tow/ards the middle of Mitchell Park. This oversized, costly design is based upon wants, not needs. For less money a smaller Library/Community Center could be built closer to the present library and Middlefield Road. The City claims the plans can be modified; however, Council refused to commit to changes prior to Bond Measure argument submissions. If the bond passes, we have no guarantee any changes will be made.

A grant application for $19,000,000 has been submitted to the State to help fund construction of the new Mitchell Park Library if it provides an after school homework center. If this $19,000,000 grant is awarded, the entire $68,100,000 can be spent on libraries. None of the $49,100,000 need be returned to the taxpayers of Palo Alto.

$114,000,000 in debt service will be paid over the 30 years life of the Bond.

Repairing storm drains, upgrading the police building, and undergrounding utilities are more important priorities.

Vote NO on Measure D.

/s/ Jean M. Wilcox, Resident
/s/ George Browning, Community Volunteer
/s/ Joy M. Ogawa, Resident
/s/ David Lieberman, Resident
/s/ Wayne E. Martin, Resident

The conceptual plan is to build the Mitchell Park Complex over two tennis courts and the paddleball courts, bringing the building much closer to the center of the park than the present library. At a cost of $400,000 the lost tennis courts may be moved where they will be isolated from the remaining courts, closer to Adobe Creek or the dog run, or moved to another park altogether.

The new library will be five times the size of the present building and contain several duplicate areas: two large multipurpose rooms, staff offices, study areas, and arts and crafts rooms. To conform to Palo Alto Municipal Code, 312 to 390 parking spaces will be needed which will increase the overall size; approximately 100 spaces will be under the new complex.

This oversized project will generate additional costs not covered by the bond measure. The estimated cost to run this facility annually is $2,200,000 which includes staff and maintenance; most of this money will come from new taxes or the General Fund. The City Council passed a resolution on June 17, giving up to $5,000,000 from Infrastructure Reserve or other funds for the Art Center if the bond passes. Taxpayer's money for critical projects is needed: storm drains, undergrounding utility wires, police building upgrade, and city-wide seismic retrofitting. We must prioritize our spending.

Mitchell Park is Palo Alto's largest residential open space and recreational area. We urge all residents to vote against the library bond and preserve this outdoor space for everyone to enjoy always.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE D

/s/ Elliott H. Bolter, Resident
/s/ Jean M. Wilcox, Resident
/s/ George Browning, Community Volunteer
/s/ Joy M. Ogawa, Resident
/s/ David LIeberman, Resident

In compliance with Elections Code Sections 9400-9404 the following information is submitted:

1. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the first sale of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is $0.028 per 100 dollars assessed valuation for the year 2003-04.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds and an estimate of the year in which the rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing this statement, is $0.028 per 100 dollars assessed valuation for the year 2003-04.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund the bond issue and an estimate of the year in which that rate will apply, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.028 per 100 dollars assessed valuation for the year 2003-04.

These estimates would result in an average annual tax over the life of the bonds of $28.02 for $100,000 of residential assessed valuation. This would be equivalent to about $2.34 per month.

The actual tax rates and the years in which such rates are applicable may vary from those currently estimated, due to variations from the official projections and estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold at any time, the interest rates on the bonds, and the assessed values in the several future years during which the bonds are to be repaid. The estimates are based upon projections and are not binding upon the City. The actual timing of the bond sales and the amount of the bonds sold at any time will be governed by the needs of the City and the then-applicable debt limit. The actual interest rates on the bonds will be based on the market tax-exempt interest rates at the time of the sale of the bonds. The actual assessed values during the several future years will depend upon the amount of taxable property within the City and the value of that property as determined in the assessment and equalization process.

Dated: August 8, 2002

/s/ Frank Benest, City Manager, City of Palo Alto