BOARD AGENDA SUPPLEMENTAL AUGUST 2002

Governing Board                                                                                Action

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

Telephone: 644-7682

Subject:   RESOLUTION 03-008                                              Date:  AUGUST 20, 2002
SUPPLEMENTING RESOLUTION 03-004  ORDERING  GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ELECTION

1. PROPOSAL

   a. Adopt Resolution 03-008—Resolution of the Governing Board of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Supplementing Resolution 03-004—Ordering of a General Obligation Bond Election, as recommended by the Chancellor, which clarifies details regarding the Citizens Oversight Committee and joint use considerations. Resolution 03-004 was adopted by the Board July 16, 2002.

   b. Approve guidelines, as recommended by the Chancellor, for spending public funds related to the bond measure.

2. INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSAL

   a. Summary of Issue

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) has requested some clarification of the District’s intentions regarding the Citizens Oversight Committee and joint use options. Adoption of Resolution 03-008—Resolution of the Governing Board of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Supplementing Resolution 03-004—Ordering of a General Obligation Bond Election, (Attachment A) provides this clarification. The Resolution is consistent with the District’s previously stated intentions regarding the Citizens Oversight Committee and with policies, practices and intentions regarding facilities use.

The SDCTA has also requested adoption of guidelines for public expenditures related to the bond measure. The following proposed guidelines, as recommended by the Chancellor, provide clarity for the District regarding educational activities that explain the bond measure and its impacts.

• With the exception of the educational efforts described below, the District, consistent with state law, will not expend public funds for "educating the public" on the proposed measure with such activities as direct mail, public opinion polling, paid advertising, or pressuring District faculty or staff to register to vote or participate in bond campaign activities.

• The following activities are appropriate educational activities after a bond measure has been placed on the ballot:

• Appearance of District personnel before citizen’s groups, including the media, to explain the bond and its impacts;

• Campus signage indicating what improvements shall occur upon passage of the measure;

• Regularly scheduled newsletters that explain the bond and its impacts;

• Flyers distributed to employees, students, and community members that encourage community members to register to vote, and explaining the impact of the bond on college facilities should the measure pass.

b. Background

On July 16, 2002, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 03-004—Place Local General Obligation Bond on November 5, 2002, Ballot, placing a Local General Obligation Bond in the amount of $207 million on the November 5, 2002, ballot under the provisions of Proposition 39 to finance a significant portion of the District’s facilities-related master plans.

Subsequent to this action, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA) reviewed the proposal and, while expressing its desire to be supportive, requested an additional resolution by the Governing Board to address two issues: Citizens Oversight Committee and joint use.

The SDCTA also requested District guidelines to guide public expenditures related to the bond, once the Governing Board had placed a bond on the ballot.

The SDCTA acknowledges the facilities needs of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the validity of its plans for repair, renovation, maintenance, expansion, and construction.