June 7, 2022 - Measure M

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY COUNTY COUNSEL OF MEASURE M

FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY PARK AGENCY (MESA PARK)
SPECIAL PARCEL TAX MEASURE

MEASURE M

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Firehouse Community Park Agency, also known as the Mesa Park Board.

The existing Firehouse Community Park Agency parcel tax of $49 per year is set to expire on June 30, 2022. If this Measure is approved by two-thirds of the votes cast on this special tax proposal, a new parcel tax of $75 per year, per improved parcel, will be levied for a period of four years beginning July 1, 2022 and expiring June 30, 2026. The Board of Commissioners of the Firehouse Community Park Agency estimates revenue from this Measure will be approximately $40,000 annually.

The stated purposes for the funds raised by this special tax are for improvement, maintenance, and operation of Mesa Park at 110 Mesa Road, Bolinas, and Downtown Park at 32 Wharf Road, Bolinas.

s/BRIAN E. WASHINGTON
County Counsel

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE M

Vote YES on MEASURE M to KEEP OUR BOLINAS PARKS.

Thirty years ago Bolinas was donated 12 acres of land surrounding the firehouse to create a park. The community approved a parcel tax to fund the Firehouse Community Park Agency, which built Mesa Park. In 2009, another donation allowed the Agency to transform a vacant lot into the Downtown Park.

Relying in part on fundraising and volunteer labor in addition to the parcel tax, the parks have grown and expanded. Today Mesa Park includes a basketball court, youth baseball field, playground, skate park, soccer field, motorcycle track, water storage tanks, snack shack and the only public bathrooms on the Mesa. The Downtown Park provides a play area, meditation labyrinth, community pizza oven, trash cans, water fountains, benches and public bathrooms.

Our two parks also host the community's weekly free food giveaway, Sun Festival, youth and adult sports, dog walks and birthday parties. Our parks bring us together and are open to all.

The current parcel tax was passed when the Agency managed just one park and zero public bathrooms. Now it maintains two parks and two bathrooms. We need 2/3 of Bolinas voters to pass this measure to keep your Bolinas parks in good shape for years to come.

NATE SIEDMAN
Resident of Bolinas

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE M

No argument against Measure M was filed.

FULL TEXT OF MEASURE M

FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY PARK AGENCY a.k.a. MESA PARK BOARD
Resolution 0222

The Board of Commissioners of the Firehouse Community Park Agency calls an election to put a measure on the June 2022 ballot. We request approval of the Board of Supervisors to consolidate (if applicable) the election with other elections held on the same date. We request the Board of Supervisors to permit the Elections Department to provide election services. We authorize and direct the Registrar of Voters at the District's expense, to provide all necessary election services.

MEASURE M: Shall Resolution Number 0222 of the Board of Commissioners of the Firehouse Community Park Agency be confirmed, establishing a special tax of $75 per year per improved parcel for a period of 4 years, commencing in fiscal year 2022-2023 (replacing the expiring $49 per year parcel tax), raising approximately $40,000 annually, for improvement, maintenance and operation of Mesa Park at 110 Mesa Road and Downtown Park at 32 Wharf Road, with all money raised to be spent on those locations?

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Firehouse Community Park Agency Board of Directors at a special meeting held on the 3rd day of March, 2022.

AYES: 4

NOES: 0

ABSENT: 1

ABSTAIN: 0

ATTEST:

s/CHARLES WHITEFIELD
President, Board of Directors

s/KEVIN MCELROY
Secretary, Board of Directors