> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ELECTION2006 Cleaner beaches? Not so fast - URL: https://www.smdp.com/election2006-cleaner-beaches-not-so-fast/ - Published: 2006-11-10T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T22:04:42.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Votes are in, but ‘V’ remains undecided* CITYWIDE — The fate of a new parcel tax intended to protect the Santa Monica Bay from urban runoff remains uncertain today, as county election officials continue to count thousands of absentee and provisional ballots. Currently, Measure V, also known as the “Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax,” has received 16,623 votes, or 66.77 percent, a “razor thin”margin considering the measure needs the support of two-thirds of the voters, or 66.7 percent of all votes cast, to be approved, county election officials said. Supporters of the measure, including environmental watchdog Heal the Bay, are confident it will pass. “I’m feeling quite good about it, but getting two-thirds is difficult under any circumstances,” said Denny Zane, who coordi-nated the campaign in support of the measure.“To have a parcel tax on the ballot at the same time there is a school bond measure and a half-dozen bond measures on the state ballot, those are the circumstances when voters are usually most reluctant to vote for a tax increase. “I personally thought, and so did everyone familiar with this dynamic, that it was a longshot to win two-thirds,” Zane added. “The fact that we did receive two-thirds on election day is testament to Santa Monica voters knowing that quality of life depends heavily on a willingness to invest in it.” If Measure V passes, it is expected to raise $40 million over the next 10 years to fund a watershed management plan. For each single-family home, the annual maximum tax rate will be set at $84 for the first year, with annual reviews. Other housing and businesses will pay a tax based on the size of the parcel and the amount of runoff found there. In addition to reducing urban runoff pollution, supporters of the tax claim it will increase water reuse and conservation, recreational opportunities and open space, as well as wildlife and marine habitat. Don Gray, an opponent of the measure, said approval would be nothing more than “giving government a blank check to do what they want.” Gray said the watershed management plan lacks oversight and does not guarantee that water will be safer once it is implemented. He also said Santa Monica residents should not be solely responsible for cleaning up the bay when other municipalities are just as guilty, if not more so, of polluting it. If the measure doesn’t pass, City Hall may be forced to cut services or raise fees. If poor water quality persists, the city could be subject to thousands of dollars in fines. “Bottom line, the city has to clean up the bay one way or the other,” said Mark Gold, executive director of Heal the Bay. “Hopefully, Measure V will come through and provide the money for it, or the City Council will have to make some tough decisions, especially when it comes to cleaning water around the Santa Monica Pier.” County election officials have until Dec. 5 to release official election results. SCHOOLS TO GET A BOOST While it is still unclear whether or not Measure V will go into effect, voters did send a resounding message when it comes to improving schools, voting overwhelmingly in favor of Measure BB — “Santa Monica- Malibu Schools Safety and Repair Measure.” With all 89 precincts reporting, the measure received 19,418 votes, or 67.11 percent of the total votes cast, well over the 55 percent needed for approval. Citing the need to repair leaky roofs, improve computer technology and replace deteriorating, 30-year-old school restrooms, the school board voted on Aug. 3 to place the $268 million bond measure on the ballot. No money will be used to pay salaries or other administrative costs, district officials said. > “Voters sent a clear message to the City Council that it is time to take the for sale sign down.” — CARMEN BALBER ELECTION WATCHDOG Property owners can expect to pay an additional $30 for every $100,000 of assessed value when their property taxes are due. The measure comes as the district completes an extensive community outreach process to develop a facilities master plan, which will drive land use in the district for the next 20 years. School board members and other supporters believe the money is needed to prepare the district for the future, which could include the construction of new classrooms to ease overcrowding at some of the district’s largest schools, including John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica High School. Those opposed pointed to two parcel taxes — Measures S and Y — already providing roughly $10 million a year for district operations, as well as declining enrollment figures, as reasons not to support the new tax. GANJA GOES FORWARD In addition to the bond measure, voters also approved an initiative that makes marijuana use by adults the Santa Monica Police Department’s lowest law enforcement priority. The measure received 15,339 votes, or 65 percent of total votes cast, county election officials said. “We are very pleased that the voters have sent this clear message to local, state and federal officials that we believe the war on drugs has failed and it is time for a new approach,” said Nicki La Rossa, coordinator of the campaign in support of Measure Y. “Citizens are ready to see our resources directed towards serious, violent crimes rather than non-violent marijuana users. “In the other cities where it has passed, it has improved public safety.” The council reluctantly placed Measure Y on the ballot, forced to do so under California elections code because supporters, Santa Monicans For Sensible Marijuana Policy, were successful in gathering the 5,580 signatures needed for it to qualify. The measure, supported by the National Organization for Marijuana Reform and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, makes adult marijuana use in someone’s private residence the lowest law enforcement priority for the SMPD. “Adult” applies to anyone over 21 years of age. The initiative would not legalize marijuana, nor allow adults to smoke it in public or while operating a car. Supporters believe the war on drugs has failed and that valuable law enforcement resources are being wasted on locking up harmless marijuana users. The measure prohibits the SMPD from working with state or federal agencies to do enforcement work within the lowest priority and from receiving federal funds for such work. The measure also requires oversight by the council to ensure compliance, including semi-annual reports on arrests and other statistics. The council will also be required to receive complaints from those who believe they were arrested in a manner inconsistent with the measure. Former SMPD Chief James T. Butts, as well as the president of the Police Officer’s Association (POA), came out against the law, charging that it would inhibit officers from uncovering more serious crimes and allows for the smoking of hashish and other cannabis products containing high concentrations of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive substance found in marijuana plants. “We’re disappointed,” said Jay Trisler, president of the POA. “The only thing we can do is see how the new chief will put this into place and see how it works. Obviously, it will hinder our response time and it’s going to lower the service we can provide. I feel bad for the resident who calls regarding a quality of life issue and we have to wait and handle other calls first.” CIVIL SERVICE Voters also approved Measure U, which gives the city manager more power in the hiring and firing of City Hall’s top executives by re-classifying department heads as “at-will” employees, stripping them of protections granted under the city’s civil service system. The measure received 15,823 votes, or 71 percent. The reforms are necessary, supporters said, because the civil service system is outdated and hinders the swift removal of those managers who perform poorly. In some extreme cases, it has taken as long as two to three years to fire someone under the system’s lengthy disciplinary and review process. The charter changes — four in all — create greater accountability on all levels of government, while modernizing the civil service system to bring about more efficiency in operations, supporters said. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 10, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/111006.pdf?ref=smdp.com)