College Releases Report on Controversial Proposal

By Teresa Rochester

Santa Monica College Friday released a report detailing the background and laying the groundwork for a controversial proposal that calls, in part, for $18 million a year in education funding from the city.

The 22-page report, which will be presented to the College Board of Trustees at its meeting on Monday, chronicles the 71-year-old college's financial plight and parking woes in the wake of Proposition 13 and the Northridge Earthquake. The report makes the institution's arguments for its unprecedented plan calling for a partnership between the college, city and the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District.

"The City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and Santa Monica College have all adopted independent strategies in response to Proposition 13," the report states. "The premise of this staff report is that independence has run its course, and that the promises of a lifelong learning community, quality public education and access to programs are at risk without new strategies."

In the wake of the financial crisis spurred by Proposition 13 - which froze property taxes that bankrolled education --, the college focused its resources on programs instead of modernizing its buildings, some of which were damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake that also caused the loss of 700 parking spaces, hindering access to the college.

"While the operating costs of the College are stable, there remain unmet facility modernization needs and an inability to expand lifelong learning programs to meet community needs," the report stated. "In addition, community access to the College remains restricted due to parking."

In the months following the earthquake, the city established the Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment Project. According to the report state law mandates that redevelopment agencies spend 20 percent of their funds on housing. "The current City Council has indicated a commitment to provide more than the state minimum," the report states.

According to the staff report, the city made a commitment to assist the college and school district in earthquake recovery as well as institutional revitalization. The college's proposal, according to the report, calls for the reconstruction of the earthquake-damaged buildings and the replacement of several facilities, including a parking structure on Pico Boulevard, "to assist in street beautification efforts being undertaken by the city," using the funds from the Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment Project.

The proposal also calls for a Santa Monica Education Authority, athletic fields, cultural and science programs provided by the college for Santa Monica High School, workforce training for Santa Monica residents and businesses and endowing lifelong learning for the future. It also calls for $18 million annually to be split between the school district, the college and programs for children from newborns to five year olds.

The report argues that the City is bringing in record revenues, and that it should earmark some of the money for education, which was identified as a top priority by the City Council earlier this year.

"Besides the Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment Project, the City of Santa Monica is enjoying unprecedented revenue streams from a strong economy and its own regional popularity," the report states. "In the city of Santa Monica, property taxes now rank below five other sources of revenue, with sales taxes, utility taxes, business and professional license, parking license and fees and hotel visitor taxes each providing more revenue annually that property sources.

"The city of Santa Monica has made the argument in defending its restricted and unrestricted reserves of more than $280 million that it must be prepared for economic downtimes," the report sates.

The proposal, which officials have said is not set in stone, is written in such a way that parts of it can be placed on a ballot by a civic group for voter approval or the college could file lawsuits to force the city's hand.

The staff report recommends that the board of trustees widely circulate a summary of the staff report to the community, allow college staff to meet with the community and city and school district representatives concerning the proposal, direct attorneys to prepare an opinion setting forth the legal instruments available to ensure ongoing municipal support for public education and have staff provide periodic reports to the board on the proposals.

"As the preeminent educational institution in Santa Monica, the College is uniquely positioned to launch a bold initiative that will not only address legal claims but also respond to a variety of community needs" the report states. "Each will require additional research to accomplish. This is a broad outline, which will likely be refined as further discussions and analysis occur."