Lafayette Ballot Issues

In Lafayette we have five Questions and two Issues to decide. See their complete language here.

Ballot Issue 2A asks for $9.2 million worth of bonds to pay for street traffic and parking improvements. The bonds will be paid back through the city's general fund. Vote No. I'm not comfortable with that much credit card financing for roads as opposed to paying for such repairs with current funds. Which I know aren't available, and so major trade-offs must be discussed in 2008, or a tax increase. But tapping into years' worth of sales tax for traffic lights and signs today is not prudent. If the argument is that last winter worked over our roads, then a special assessment (a new tax) is the solution, not the credit card of bond financing.

Ballot Issue 2B asks for $980,000 worth of bonds to pay for Recreation Center upgrades for families, seniors and disabled patrons. The bonds will be paid back through the city's general fund. Vote No. In the realm of community needs and how to spend nearly $1million on the credit card of bonds, a changing room just doesn't rise to the status of crucial.

Question 2A asks for an extension of the 200/+50 residential permits per year limit for an additional six years. Vote No. The history of approved permit numbers combined with the general hand-tying of future Councils' ability to consider housing needs adds up to a no vote for me.

Question 2B is a Charter language cleanup item clarifying when ordinances must be enacted by City Council. Vote Yes. Housekeeping.

Question 2C outlines protocols for City Council actions re: Mayoral selection, meeting schedules and vacancy issues. Vote Yes. Slight improvements to process to avoid finger pointing down the road.

Question 2D will remove redundant language from the City Charter and place the language for fines in City ordinance instead of the Charter. Vote Yes. Housekeeping.

Question 2E will require City Council to create a code of ethics ordinance (as opposed to the current Charter language re: ethics). Vote Yes. I love watching the slippery slope of ethics debates.

Okay, what am I missing? Still plenty of days to change my mind.