Supporters of the $15 million open-land bond measure are gathering forces, hoping to gain a two-thirds vote and find consensus with the opposition to the bond before voters go to the polls in November.
Money from the bond will help the city acquire open space; thereby preserving the semi-rural atmosphere that currently exists in Malibu, according to bond executive committee members.
But specifics, such as what land should be purchased and what exactly will be done with it, are not part of the ballot’s language yet because sellers could renege and prices could change, said supporters of the bond. Supporters plan to campaign tirelessly in an attempt to gain the trust and participation of voters despite the opposition’s claim that the bond language is too broad.
“We can’t be too specific for legal reasons,” said Councilmember Tom Hasse. “The council is both the regulator of the property through zoning land-use laws, and the potential purchaser of the property.
“Because of that dual role, if you list specifically which properties you’re interested in, you have the potential of altering their value,” explained Hasse.
The City Council approved the bond and its language at a July 9 council meeting.
Bond supporters, who include Mona Loo, chair of the bond executive committee, Deirdre Roney and Lloyd Ahern, two of the five members on the committee, said citizens who are concerned about the lack of specificity can and should go to the City Council to express their preferences and concerns.
So far, it has been established that 85 percent of the money will be used to buy land and 15 percent ($2,250,000) will be used for improvements and construction, which could include the creation of ball fields and playgrounds or a community center.
Steering committee members said they do not want to over- promise, instead, they hope to keep working together with the community and the council who will ultimately decide what to do with the money on behalf of voters.
“People should vote yes on the bond because it’s Malibu’s turn to take responsibility for it’s own future” said Ahern. “It gives a $15 million seat at the table with all this development coming up.”
Roney echoed Ahern’s sentiment.
“We think everybody should be for this bond,” she said. “The city can’t keep asking the state for money,” she continued. “Do we care enough to save ourselves?”
Loo said: “We, as a city government, are looked upon by the county and the state as these dysfunctional adolescents who only ask for things but never want to come forward with our own money. But now that the city can help itself, if we fail, we fail big.”
As of September, supporters will have a full campaign with headquarters and phone numbers accessible to voters who have questions about the bond.
“We will solicit everyone’s thought and hope for full participation,” said Ahern.
After the vote, the public’s participation will continue because people will have the opportunity to give input regarding the bond money’s usage, he said.
“We have the best chance in this bond to control our destiny since we voted for cityhood 10 years ago. It’s taxes compared to over-development,” said Ahern.
The reason it’s important, is that the money may be matched by state and county funds or grant money, said Ahern.
The coalition supporting the bond is made up of conservationists, recreationists, and parents and families who do not always agree and have been known to differ in the past. But on the bond, they agree.
“It worked so far because every single cat remained in the barn,” said Roney.
Despite the challenges, the proponents understand that a little adversity can be good and is inevitable. “If John Harlow didn’t exist, we would have to create him,” said Ahern.
At this point, opponents and supporters have not talked directly but, Roney said supporters intend to do so in an attempt to come together.
“I want to find out and address what the opposition’s concerns are,” said Roney.
“If the opposition wants to get specific, what would the specificity be?” she asked.
“That’s what’s going to happen after the bond passes anyway,” said Roney. “There is no reason why we can’t start that process now.”