The vote does not necessarily signify the board’s support for the $175 million bond measure. It will vote on the language next month. If the bond were approved in a November election, it could make money available for a partnership purchase of Civic Center land with the city of Malibu.
By Susan Reines/Special to The Malibu Times
The Santa Monica College Board of Trustees gave the green light for college staff to draft final ballot language for a proposed $175 million bond measure at its July 7 meeting. The money would be used to pay for capital projects in Malibu and Santa Monica, including possibly a joint partnership purchase of Malibu Civic Center property by the college district and the city of Malibu. The board will vote on the language on Aug. 2, and it will go on the November ballot if it is approved, requiring 55 percent approval for passage. Board approval is not a sure thing, as several trustees expressed some skepticism at the meeting about the proposal, suggesting the cities would benefit more than the college from the bond.
Of the $175 million the bond would generate, $25 million has been proposed to be used for cooperative partnership projects with the city of Malibu. The college district staff has said it would like to put an educational facility in Malibu. Although emeritus classes are offered in the city, no permanent SMC structure exists in Malibu. The city is currently in talks with the Malibu Bay Co. about purchasing the Chili Cook-Off site, the coveted property that stretches along Pacific Coast Highway from Cross Creek Road to Webb Way. The bond money could be used for such a purchase with the land being used for mostly open space with a SMC facility on it.
At the July 7 meeting, SMC Director of Marketing Don Girard told the board that the Malibu City Council “seems to be united in their support [for the bond].” The council received a presentation on the proposal at a recent meeting, but took no action. SMC Trustee Annette Shamey said she was concerned that a Malibu interest in the proposal reflected what would be a lopsided partnership. “They’re just thrilled to death,” Shamey said. “I would be, too, if I were on the Malibu City Council. In all honesty, they deserve to have some educational facilities. But they’re going to benefit a great deal.”
Trustee Graham Pope added, “I think many of the projects will enhance the community. We’ve heard that from a lot of people tonight. But I think that really begs the question: Should this be a city bond?”
Other trustees, even those who have supported the measure, voiced concerns about the haste to act-the measure must be submitted by August to qualify for the November ballot-and about whether community support could be assessed before the submission deadline.
“I think the vision is wonderful, but I think we do have to do our due diligence,” Trustee Nancy Greenstein said.
The college has taken some strides to gather community input. About 14 percent of the 400 people surveyed in a college-commissioned poll were Malibu residents, a slight under-representation of the Malibu population, which makes up 17 percent of the combined Santa Monica and Malibu populations. Of the Malibu respondents, 59 percent supported the measure. About 65 percent of Santa Monicans endorsed it, suggesting that the college could get the necessary 55 percent support needed for passage.
College administrators have met with some Santa Monica neighborhood associations but have not yet met with any Malibu groups. Malibu education activist Laura Rosenthal said she invited college representatives to speak at an Aug. 6 meeting of the Malibu Business Roundtable-at which civic and business leaders discuss local issues-and they accepted. However, by that time the SMC board will already have decided whether to place the measure on the ballot.
Rosenthal, who was a leader in the successful campaign for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District parcel tax election in June 2003, expressed cautious optimism about the bond. “I need to get more information about it, but it could present some really wonderful opportunities,” she said. “I think it’s going to depend on the way it’s structured, but we’re always looking for new partnerships with all of the educational institutions.” Rosenthal said she believes people in Malibu know little about the measure but “are open” to considering it.