Springs Community Alliance

The Highway 12 Improvement Project continues its fight for survival, backed by continued strong support by the county Oversight Board and staff.

On April 25, the state Department of Finance sent a letter stating its determination that the Highway 12 project is not an “enforceable obligation” under the sections of the Health and Safety Code (HSC) pertaining to the dissolution of redevelopment agencies.

The determination of the Department of Finance appears to fly in the face of the law. HSC 34178 (a) clearly states that a successor agency (the County) can “enter into or reenter into agreements…with the approval of its oversight board.” The intent of the law is clear. If the Oversight Board, representing all taxing entities and public stakeholders, decide that a project is beneficial to their constituencies and the common good, the Oversight Board has the unambiguous right to reenter into agreements that were terminated when redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the State.

On March 26, Oversight Board voted unanimously to re-enter into an agreement with the county Department of Transportation and Public works to continue the design and eventual construction of the Highway 12 project. It seems that the Department of Finance is either unaware of this action or has chosen to cast it aside.

In response to the Department of Finance”s flawed determination, on May 4 the Oversight Board voted to send a letter re-asserting its rights under the law and urging the Department of Finance to “clarify” its determination with respect to the Highway 12 project. If the letter is considered an action of the Oversight Board under the law, the Department of Finance has 10 days to either approve the Oversight Board’s request or return it for further reconsideration.

So now we wait to see if the State of California respects the laws it enacted or if it unlawfully usurps the power of local government to determine where local tax money is spent.

We need to let the administrative process take its course. We may find ourselves celebrating the resurrection of the Highway 12 project soon. Or we may find ourselves required to mount a major political and legal battle with the State.

In the meantime, if you haven’t signed a petition in support for the project, please do so by clicking here. Springs community members are also urged to voice their appreciation and thanks to the Oversight Board for their continued support of the Highway 12 project and willingness to battle the state to save it. The Oversight Board’s email address is OversightBoard@sonoma-county.org.

An Oversight Board will soon be appointed to decide the fate of redevelopment projects in Sonoma County as the successor agency to the Sonoma County Redevelopment Agency. County staff has prepared a list of all the projects for which “enforceable obligations” are believed to exist and the Highway 12 Improvement Project is one of the major projects on that list.

There is a good chance that the Oversight Board will affirm the enforceable obligations list, which could preserve funds for the Highway 12 project, providing the Oversight Board’s affirmation is not rejected by the State Department of Finance. The Department of Finance will submittals from hundreds of successor agencies to consider and only a short time to decide. Sonoma County’s list is small compared to major urban centers, so it is possible that the State could “rubber-stamp” its approval, if there are no objections from other local taxing entities.

The Oversight Board will be appointed at the end of February or beginning of March and the Department of Finance needs to take action by April 15.

Now is the time to let the County Board of Supervisors know how important the Highway 12 Improvement Project is to the local Springs community. Please send a letter letting the Board know why this project is important to you personally.

A sample letter follows that you can copy and paste, or download a .doc here.

Sample Letter to Board of Supervisors

County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Drive, Room 100 A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Re: Highway 12 Improvement Project, Springs Redevelopment Project Area

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Completion of the Highway 12 Improvement Project in the Springs Redevelopment Project Area is essential to the safety and economic health of our local community. Unfortunately, funding for the project is in jeopardy as a consequence of the State’s elimination of redevelopment agencies in California. I urge you to take every action possible to preserve funding and allow work to continue towards completion of this essential local project.

The Highway 12 Improvement Project will make this major community thoroughfare safe for the many local residents and school children that walk along the highway everyday and will create a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood for local-serving businesses. Virtually everything is in place to make this a “shovel-ready” project; environmental approvals, right-of-way acquisition, construction drawings and specifications and Caltrans approvals.Had redevelopment funds remained in place, the project would have been advertised for bid next month.

While the circumstances and requirements related to the elimination of redevelopment agencies remain in flux, there are several actions there are several actions the Board of Supervisors can take at this time.

• Appoint members to the County’s successor agency Oversight Board who understand the importance of the Highway 12 Improvement Project.

• Support State “clean up” legislation that preserves funding for projects like the Highway 12 project that are already underway, for which funds have been secured and obligated, and which will bring clear and undisputed benefits to the community.

• Communicate effectively with other local tax-receiving entities so that they understand the importance of and will also support completion of the Highway 12 project.

The Highway 12 Improvement Project enjoys tremendous support by the local community, which worked hard for many years to make it a reality. Please don’t let us lose it now.

Sincerely,

Your Name