King County Local Voters Pamphlet

Mar. 9, 2004 Special Elections

NOTE: Mercer Island is the only jurisdiction participating in the March 9 Special Elections Voters Pamphlet.

PROPOSITION NO. 1
LEVY FOR INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL, OPEN SPACE, TRAILS AND EDUCATION

For the purposes of (1) acquiring open space, (2) building trails, (3) removing non-native, invasive plant material from all city-owned parks, open spaces, street ends and public rights of way, (4) replacing invasives with native plants as needed, and (5) educating Mercer Island residents on native vegetation and problems associated with non-native, invasive plant species, should Mercer Island be authorized to increase its regular property tax levy by $0.198 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, subject to the limitations upon property tax levies set forth in Chapter 84.55 RCW or other applicable laws in order to generate approximately $1,250,000 in tax revenue per year for a period of ten (10) consecutive years with collection beginning in 2004?

YES
NO

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

As required by law, the City of Mercer Island is forwarding a citizen initiative to the voters that if approved will raise property taxes annually for ten consecutive years. The amount of the first year increase will be $0.197 per $1,000 of assessed value or about $98.47 per year for a $500,000 home. This proposition will generate approximately $1,250,000 in tax revenue per year for a period of ten years or approximately $12,500,000. The funds will be used for the following purposes: (1) 70% of the revenue will be used for removal of ivy, blackberry bushes and other invasive plants from parks, open spaces, and streets, replanting such areas, and public education; (2) 20% of the revenue will be used for acquisition of open space; and (3) 10% of the revenue will be used for construction of trails. This proposition authorizes an increase in tax levies above the levy limit established in RCW 84.55.010 and if approved, tax collections will commence in 2005.

Statement For

Statement Against

Many of us chose Mercer Island because the wooded areas of the community make it a very appealing place to live. We see homes tucked in among tall trees and attractive forested places that invite us to explore. These qualities keep property values high.
Unfortunately, Mercer Island's natural areas have been almost totally neglected by the City for many years. Now, more than 230 acres of parks and open space are heavily infested, with non-native, invasive plants such as ivy, laurel, holly and blackberry.
Of these, ivy is the most conspicuous and harmful.
• Due to ivy's fast growing, competitive nature ivy forces out native
plants from our natural areas.
• Trees covered in ivy are more likely to topple in storms.
• Rats breed in ivy.
• Ivy does not control erosion because its roots are too shallow.
Expenses will only increase if we delay invasive removal.
• More invasives will need to be removed.
• More native plants will be destroyed as invasives spread.
• Natural regeneration is reduced since fewer native seeds will
remain viable.
For a $500,000 property, the 10-year levy cost is $8.30 per month or $99 a year. Our parks cannot wait, vote yes!
Website: www.miparks.org

Rebuttal Of Statement For

The City is not neglecting parks. On Pioneer Park alone we have spent over $500,000 in the past few years; at Homestead Field we just expended another $500,000; citizens recently passed a levy to maintain Luther Burbank Park. The amount budgeted for controlling invasives is increasing. Throwing money at problems is never a solution. Taxpayers are entitled to carefully thought out and reasonably funded programs rather than being burdened with costly and legally defective initiatives.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Bryan Cairns, Dan Grausz, Jane Nelson

While well meaning, this initiative is too expensive, premature and legally flawed.
COST: $1,250,000/year for 10 years, represents a prohibitive 13.6% increase in City taxes.
PREMATURE: Ivy and other invasives can best be controlled through continuing affordable city actions and public awareness encouraging increased voluntary support of groups such as the excellent "Ivy Brigade." City Council has recently approved invasives programs in Pioneer and Upper Luther Burbank Parks. Other areas will be studied and effective responses developed.
LEGALLY FLAWED: The initiative is legally flawed in that it fails to satisfy State law. The courts will invalidate the initiative even if passed. In addition to spending over $35,000 to hold this election, the City could waste thousands in legal fees — money better spent removing ivy.
While Islanders cherish their parks, there are other demands on City tax dollars such as police, fire, roads and social services. It is essential that resources we commit to parks are well spent and used in furtherance of a well considered program designed to maximize benefits while controlling costs. The City has started and will continue to implement just that program. A NO vote will still suitably address the problem but not waste your money.

Rebuttal of Statement Against

The initiative:
• is a 2% increase on total property taxes
• is timely; delay will only increase costs
• has not been judged flawed
• is endorsed by Seattle Audubon and Washington Native Plant Societies.
The Ivy Brigade, averaging 5 people, 3 hours, twice a month, cannot attend to 232 acres of invasives.
We must take care of our urban forests now or loose them. Vote YES, our parks urgently need our care.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Rita Moore, Virginia Arnon, Marguerite Sutherland

Complete Text of Resolution

RESOLUTION
CITY OF MERCER ISLAND
RESOLUTION NO. 1326

A RESOLUTION DIRECTING KING COUNTY RECORDS AND ELECTIONS DIVISION TO SUBMIT A PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF MERCER ISLAND AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MARCH 9, 2004, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO INCREASE ITS TAX LEVIES ANNUALLY FOR TEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS ABOVE THE LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN RCW 84.55.010 FOR (1) ACQUIRING OPEN SPACE, (2) BUILDING TRAILS, (3) REMOVING NON-NATIVE, INVASIVE PLANT MATERIAL FROM ALL CITY-OWNED PARKS, OPEN SPACES, STREET ENDS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY, (4) REPLACING INVASIVES WITH NATIVE PLANTS AS NEEDED, AND (5) EDUCATING MERCER ISLAND RESIDENTS ON NATIVE VEGETATION AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH NON-NATIVE, INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES.

WHEREAS, the City was contacted by Virginia Arnon, Rita Moore and Marguerite Sutherland (Petitioners) regarding placing an initiative on the ballot to raise property taxes for the reasons stated in this Resolution title; and

WHEREAS, the Petitioners unanimously requested the Initiative be placed on the March 9, 2004 special election.

WHEREAS, King County has validated The Mercer Island Parks & Open Space Preservation Initiative Measure No. 03-01 ("Initiative"); and

WHEREAS, on July 7, 2003, the Mercer Island City Council adopted a Resolution opposing the Initiative; and

WHEREAS, consistent with RCW 35.17.260 and Mercer Island City Code (MICC) 2.24.120, the Mercer Island City Council wishes to reject the Initiative and forward the Initiative to a vote of the qualified electors of the City of Mercer; and

WHEREAS, consistent with RCW 29.13.020, the conditions here and above set forth create an emergency which requires the holding of a special election in the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERCER ISLAND, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Pursuant to Chapter 29.13 RCW, it is hereby found and declared that an emergency exists requiring the submission to the qualified electors of the City of the Initiative for ratification or rejection at a special election to be held on March 9, 2004. The Initiative and ordinance shall be the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by this reference. The amount of the first year property tax increase shall be $0.198 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which tax levy is estimated to produce the sum of $1,250,000 per year for a period of ten (10) years.

Section 2. The King County Records and Elections Division, as ex officio supervisor of elections in King County, Washington, is hereby requested to find the existence of an emergency and to call and conduct such special election to be held within the City on such day and to submit to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or rejection, a proposition in the form attached as Exhibit A providing for ten (10) consecutive annual increases in the City's aggregate tax levy. Upon approval of the voters of the proposition hereinafter set forth, the City may use proceeds of such levy for (1) acquiring open space, (2) building trails, (3) removing non-native, invasive plant material from all city-owned parks, open spaces, street ends and public rights of way, (4) replacing invasives with native plants as needed, and (5) educating Mercer Island residents on native vegetation and problems associated with non-native, invasive plant species.

SECTION 3. The Clerk of the City is hereby authorized and directed to certify said proposition to the King County Records and Elections Division, as ex officio supervisor of elections in King County, Washington, in the following form:

CITY OF MERCER ISLAND
PROPOSITION NO. 1

LEVY FOR INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL, OPEN SPACE, TRAILS AND EDUCATION

SECTION 4: In the event a majority of the Petitioners submit a letter withdrawing the Initiative to the City Clerk on or before January 16, 2004, this Resolution shall automatically be repealed and be of no force and effect.

PASSED THIS 15th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2003, by the City Council of the City of Mercer Island, and signed in approval therewith this 15th day of September, 2003.

CITY OF MERCER ISLAND
Susan Blake (signed) for
Alan Merkle, Mayor

EXHIBIT A

MERCER ISLAND PARKS & OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION
INITIATIVE MEASURE

To the City Council of Mercer Island:

We petition the City Council of Mercer Island to vote for and pass the initiative presented below or, alternatively, submit to a vote of the people:

INITIATIVE Statement:
For the purposes of (1) acquiring open space, (2) building trails, (3) removing non-native, invasive plant material from all city-owned parks, open spaces, street ends and public rights of way, (4) replacing invasives with native plants as needed, and (5) educating Mercer Island residents on native vegetation and problems associated with non-native, invasive plant species, should Mercer Island be authorized to increase its regular property tax levy $0.198 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, subject to the limitations upon property tax levies set forth in Chapter 84.55 RCW or other applicable laws in order to generate approximately $1,250,000 in tax revenue per year for a period of ten (10) consecutive years with collection beginning in 2004?

LEVY YES __________
LEVY NO __________

ORDINANCE TEXT:
The City Council of Mercer Island will increase its regular property tax levy by $0.198 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for a period of ten (10) consecutive years with collection beginning in 2004 for the:

acquisition of additional open space on Mercer Island
construction of new trails in parks and open spaces
removal of non-native invasive species on public lands as described below
replanting of areas with native species where invasive species have been removed
education of island residents concerning the benefits of controlling invasive species and using native plants on their own property.

Volunteer opportunities will be encouraged for the removal of non-native invasive species, the replanting with native species and trail building.

Twenty percent (20%) of the total funds for the ten year period will be available for the acquisition of additional open space on Mercer Island.

Ten percent (10%) of the total funds for the ten year period will be available for the building of new trails on Mercer Island.

Invasive plants in city parks and open spaces are a very serious problem. Delaying invasive removal will significantly increase the future cost of removal due to the explosive growth of the invasive plants and normal inflation. Without removing these invasive species, the uniquely wooded nature of our parks and open spaces will be significantly diminished and not reflect our forested northwest heritage. The City of Mercer Island will cause to be removed, from all city-owned and maintained parks, open spaces, street ends and street rights-of-way, the non-native invasive plants including, but not limited to, English ivy, Himalayan and Evergreen blackberry, English laurel, English holly and Japanese knotweed. The invasive plant material will be removed over a period of ten (10) years.

Appropriate native plant species will be replanted, where needed, according to best management practices, when the non-native invasive plants are removed. When invasives have been cleared from city-owned and maintained parks, open spaces and street ends and rights-of-ways, the City will monitor and remove non-native invasive species on a yearly basis if they reappear. Areas replanted with native plant materials will be monitored and the plants replaced, if needed, for a period of five years after the initial replanting of the area.

The City will sponsor an on-going city-wide program to educate Mercer Island residents, at least quarterly, for the first three years and at least annually for the next seven years. The education should include but not be limited to classes and resident mailings. The education material should include but not be limited to:

The value of our native habitat on the Island
The economic value of trees on residential property
The problems caused by non-native invasive plants to our native habitat
How to remove non-native invasive plant material from one's own property
How to restore native habitat on one's own property

A five person oversight board, of citizen volunteers, knowledgeable about the issues, will be appointed for five year rotating for the duration of the project.

City parks include but are not limited to:

Bicentennial Park
Clark Beach
Clise Park
Ellis Pond
First Hill Park
Groveland Beach
Homestead Field
Island Crest Park
Deane's Children's Park
Park on the Lid
Luther Burbank Park
Mercerdale Park/Hillside
Pioneer Park
Roanoke Park
Secret Park
Slater Park
South Mercer Playfields

Open Spaces include but are not limited to:

Gallagher Hill Open Space
Hollerbach Open Space
Parkwood Ridge Open Space
North Mercerdale Hillside
SE 47th Open Space
SE 53rd Open Space
SE 80th Open Space
Tract "A"

Street Ends include but are not limited to:

Calkins Landing
Forest Landing
Franklin Landing
Fruitland Landing
Garfield Landing
Lincoln Landing
Miller Landing
Proctor Landing
Roanoke Landing
77th Ave SE Landing
SE 56th Street Landing
SE 72nd Street Landing
72nd Ave Street Landing
South Point

Major Street rights-of-way include but are not limited to:
Island Crest Way
East Mercer Way
West Mercer Way
North Mercer Way
SE 40th Street/Mercerwood Drive
SE 53rd Place
SE 68th Street
84th Ave SE (from SE 68th Street south)
SE 72nd Place
SE 70th Place
SE 24th Street (between West Mercer Way and SE 27th Street)
Gallagher Hill Road

Initiative Proposers:
• Virginia Arnon
3427 80th Ave.
Mercer Island, WA 98040
• Rita A. Moore
4509 Ferncroft Rd.
Mercer Island, WA 98040
• Marguerite Sutherland
5425 96th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040

MERCER ISLAND PARKS & OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION INITIATIVE PETITION

To the City Council of Mercer Island:
We, the undersigned, petition the City Council of Mercer Island to vote for and pass Initiative No. 03-01, or alternatively, submit it to a vote of the people.

For the purposes of (1) acquiring open space, (2) building trails, (3) removing non-native, invasive plant material from all city-owned parks, open spaces, street ends and public rights of way, (4) replacing invasives with native plants as needed, and (5) educating Mercer Island residents on native vegetation and problems associated with non-native, invasive plant species, should Mercer Island be authorized to increase its regular property tax levy $0.198 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, subject to the limitations upon property tax levies set forth in Chapter 84.55 RCW or other applicable laws in order to generate approximately $1,250,000 in tax revenue per year for a period of ten (10) consecutive years with collection beginning in 2004?

LEVY YES __________
LEVY NO __________

WARNING:
Any person who signs this petition with any other than their true name, or who knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or signs a petition seeking an election when he/she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition when he/she is otherwise not qualified to sign, or who make herein any false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the printed name of the signer, the date of the signing and the address of the signer.

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I affirm that there are ____ signatures on this page and to the best of my knowledge each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be and the statements made are true.

Signature _________________________

Updated: Mar. 1, 2004

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