[1. CALL TO ORDER IN PUBLIC SESSION]
[00:00:14]
GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL MEETING TONIGHT OF THE BOARD FOR THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER AT EXACTLY 5:00
P.M. ROLL CALL, PLEASE? >> RENITA ARMSTRONG.
>> HERE. >> VICE PRESIDENT STEWART.
>> HERE. >> PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD.
>> RESIDENT. >> TONIGHT WE DO NOT HAVE REQUESTED ADDRESSING AGENDA ITEMS. MAY I ASK -- HELP ME OUT. I LOOK AT THAT. TO LEAD US IN THE SALUTE TO THE FLAG,
PLEASE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >>
[3.1 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND RESOLUTION]
WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ITEM ON THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND.>> YES. GOOD EVENING. AT THIS TIME, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MS. MEREDITH JOHNSON. -- TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE REGARDING THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. MR. PARK -- HAS ALSO JOINED US AS WELL THIS EVENING JUST IN CASE WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US .
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH WOULD GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. WE HAVE, AS YOU MAY HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT ON THE AGENDA, A DRAFT OF RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD PLACE A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. I WANTED TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE RESOLUTION AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND EXPLAIN TO ITS PROVISIONS. SO IF YOU SO CHOSE, WE CAN BRING IT BACK TO A SUBSEQUENT BOARD MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION. SO THERE RESOLUTION, THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION IT HEALTH IS PRETTY SHORT RED AND STARTS OFF WITH A BUNCH OF WHAT WE CALL RECITAL SAID IT STARTS OFF WITH THE WORD "WHERE IS PRODUCT." THAT TOLD THE STORY TO ANYBODY WHO IS READING IT AND TO THE BOARD WITH CONSIDERING IT. THE DISTRICT NEED FOR THE MEASURE. IT TALKS ABOUT THE FACILITIES THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT TALKS ABOUT SOME OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE BOND MEASURE I WILL EXPLAIN. IT GIVES SOME COLORS BEHIND WHAT IS OTHERWISE KIND OF A TECHNICAL RESOLUTION. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THAT THERE. WHEN I GO TO THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION, I AM STARTING AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE TWO. THE IMPORTANT PART OF THIS RESOLUTION MAYBE , WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING IS REQUESTING THAT LOS ANGELES COUNTY HOLD AN ELECTION ON YOUR BEHALF OR THE DISTRICT IS GOING TO CALL THE ELECTION, BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO HOLD AN ELECTION PARTICULARLY WOULD DO THAT FOR US AND PLACE YOUR BALLOT NATURE ON THEIR BALLOT IN NOVEMBER. THE MAJOR WOULD BE CALLED UNDER PROPOSITION 39. THAT IS THE LAW UNDER WHICH MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS CALL ON ELECTIONS FOR THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE VOTER THRESHOLD TO APPROVE A BOND MEASURE UNDER PROP 39 IS 55%. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PROP 39 THAT IS TWO THIRDS. WE HAVE FOUND THAT TWO THIRDS IS A PRETTY HIGH THRESHOLD. 55% IS
MUCH MORE ATTAINABLE. >> WHEN YOU CALL A MEASURE UNDER PROP 39 AND RECEIVED A 55% VOTER APPROVAL THRESHOLD, THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS THAT ARE BUILT INTO EVERY PROP 39 MEASURE. WE DESCRIBE THOSE UNDER SECTION 6. ONE OF THE ONES THAT REQUIRE THE MOST EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE DISTRICT IS THE CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. YOU MAY BE AWARE THAT EVERY PROP 39 MEASURE REQUIRES A GROUP OF AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY WHO RELIEVE YOU OF THE EXPENDITURES UNDER THE BOND MEASURE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRODUCT LIST FOR THAT IS ALSO PART OF THE RESOLUTION I WILL TALK ABOUT IN A MOMENT. THERE ARE SOME AUDITS REQUIRED OF BOTH THE BOND FUND AND THE EXPENDITURE OF PRODUCTS. THAT IS RELATED TO PROP 39. AND THEN THE PROCEEDS OF THE BONDS WILL BE HELD AT THE COUNTY IN A SEPARATE FUND. SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE OWN GENERAL FUND AND ACCOUNTED FOR INDEPENDENTLY. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH COVERS WHAT IS CONTAINED IN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RESOLUTION. WHEN YOU GET TO EXHIBIT A, THE EXHIBITS ARE PART OF THE RESOLUTION THAT CRAFT BELLFLOWER'S OWN MEASURE. THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE
[00:05:02]
ELECTION UNIQUE TO YOUR DISTRICT AND REPRESENT YOUR NEEDS FOR VOTERS. IF YOU LOOK AT EXHIBIT A, IT HAS A HEADACHE THAT HAS BALLOT LABEL. THAT PARAGRAPH IS LIMITED. A COUPLE MORE PAGES. ONE MORE. TWO. THERE WE GO. SO THIS IS THE QUESTION THAT VOTERS ARE GOING TO BE ASKED . YOU SEE IT SAYS YES OR NO UNDERNEATH. THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE YES OR NO PRINT THIS PARAGRAPH, AND I WILL READ IF YOU CAN HEAR CREDIT IS LIMITED TO 75 WORDS. THERE IS SOME REQUIRED LANGUAGE . ONLY A PORTION OF IT REALLY DESCRIBE SPECIFICALLY WHICH PROJECTS.THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A SUMMARY OF THE MEASURE. THIS DOES NOT ENCOMPASS THE ENTIRE MEASURE WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON EXHIBIT B BID WITH FUNDS THAT CANNOT BE TAKEN BY THE STATE, SO BELLFLOWER SCHOOL DISTRICT MEASURE BE ADOPTED TO RENOVATE CLASSROOMS AND FACILITIES FOR CAREER TRAINING, COLLEGE PREPARATION, IMPROVE ACCESS FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, REPAIR AND REPLACE ROOF, PLUMBING, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, AND UPGRADE SCHOOL SAFETY SECURITY BY AUTHORIZING $111 MILLION IN BONDS OF LEGAL RIGHTS , LEVYING $44 PER 100,000 OF ASSESSED EVALUATION, SIX AND $8 MILLION ANNUALLY WHERE BONDS ARE OUTSTANDING WITH AUDITS, CITIZEN OVERSIGHT, AND FULL DISCLOSURE OF SPENDING. BY WAY OF DECLINATION, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THIS MEASURE INCLUDE THE RATE OF THE TAXES THAT IS EXPRESSED AS $44 PER 100,000 OF ASSESSED VALUE. THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE TO BE RAISED EVERY YEAR. THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO NOT RAISE REVENUE.
THEY LEVY A TAX. THAT TAX GETS USED TO -- THE BONDS. THAT IS THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL AMOUNT OF THE TAX THAT WOULD BE COLLECT IT. AND THE DURATION OF THE TEXT MUST BE INCLUDED. THE MOST HONEST AND CANDID DESCRIPTION OF HOW LONG THE TAX WILL BE LOVETT IS REALLY WHERE BONDS ARE OUTSTANDING. WE ARE GOING TO LEVY ATTACKS AND ONLY -- IN ORDER TO PAY THE BONDS. IT MAY BE 40 OR 50 YEARS GET IT DEPENDS ON THE BONDS ARE ISSUED AND WHAT THE TERMS OF THE BOND ARE WHEN THEY ARE ISSUED. THOSE ARE THINGS WE DO NOT KNOW YET. THE ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS ARE BASED UPON YOUR PROJECT NEEDS AND YOUR DOLLAR NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TIME TO ISSUE BONDS. ANY QUESTIONS OR
THOUGHTS ON THE 75 WORDS? >> COLLEAGUES? ANY QUESTIONS? I HAVE ONE. SO SAY FOR ATHLETIC FACILITIES, OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH ATHLETICS, WITH THAT NEED TO BE IN THE BALLOT LABEL ITSELF? OR CAN IT BE IN THE OTHER PARTS?
>> YEAH. BECAUSE THIS IS LIMITED TO 75 OR THE BECAUSE OF LANGUAGE THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE IN THEIR THAT IS NOT DESCRIPTIONS OF PROJECTS, THIS IS LOOKED AT AS A SUMMARY. WHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING IF A PROJECT IS ELIGIBLE TO BE FUNDED WITH BOND PROCEEDS, WE LOOK AT THE PROJECT LIST CAN BE FOUND ON EXHIBIT A -- EXHIBIT B WHICH WE WILL TALK ABOUT IN A MOMENT . IF YOU CAN THESE WORDS AND SAID IT LOOKS LIKE THE 75, WE GET TO COUNT PROPER NAMES AS ONE WORD. THERE ARE A FEW FUNNY
WORD COUNT RULES THAT APPLY. >> I KNOW THERE IS A WHOLE ART TO IT. SQUEEZE IT ALL IN THERE. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> MOVING ONTO EXHIBIT B. SO IT EXHIBIT B IS THE FULL BALANCE CHECK . THIS IS THE ENTIRETY OF THE MEASURE. ALL OF EXHIBIT B WILL BE PRINTED IN A SAMPLE BALLOT THAT VOTERS GET MAILED TO THEIR HOME THAT THEY HOPEFULLY WILL REVIEW THEY DECIDE HOW TO VOTE. THE INFORMATION HERE IS REALLY WHAT WE INTEND VOTERS TO USE FOR THEM TO MAKE THEIR INFORMED DECISION. IT STARTS OFF WITH SOME FINDINGS WE WANT VOTERS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE DISTRICT. THEY ARE AT THE RECITALS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE RESOLUTION. WE RECITE THOSE ECONOMY PROVISIONS BETTER REQUIRED UNDER PROP 39. YOU WILL NOTICE ON B 2, WE GET TO THE BOND PROJECT LIST FOR THAT IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT OF PROP 39. WHEN YOU PASS THE MEASURE BY 55% APPROVAL OF THE VOTERS, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM A LIST OF PROJECTS ON WHICH YOU INTEND TO SPEND YOUR BOND PROCEEDS. LET THEM DO IT. SO THEY CAN DECIDE IF THOSE ARE PROJECTS THEY THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA FOR THEM TO PAY TAXES TO FUND. SO STARTING IN SECTION 3, THE ENTIRETY OF THIS IS YOUR PROJECT LIST. WE START OFF BY
[00:10:04]
LIFTING THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN THE PARAGRAPH ABOVE, WE TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT PROJECTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN ALL OF THE DISTRICT SITE, WHETHER THEY ARE SCHOOLS OR OTHERWISE. AND THEN YOU WILL SEE ON B 3 THROUGH B 4, SOME SPECIFIC OUT OF THE ACTUAL SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED BE FUNDED FROM BOND PROCEEDS. I WILL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO LOOK AT THAT.>> >> WOULD THIS BE A GOOD TIME
>> I HAD ONE QUESTION. THE PAGE BEFORE. I KNOW IT TALKS ABOUT REPLACING AND INSTALLING PLAYGROUNDS WITH ALL OF OUR PLAYGROUNDS ARE BEING DONE WITH THE -- FUNDS. IS THAT SOMETHING , ARE WE ADDING ON TO WHAT WE ARE ALREADY DOING?
>> THE MAJORITY ARE BEING REPLACED . IT IS LISTED ON THERE BECAUSE THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR ANY REPAIRS OF THE REPAIRS.
REMEMBER THIS BOND COVERS A PERIOD OF TIME. SO IT COULD
ASSIST WITH THAT. >> THANK YOU.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, RENITA ARMSTRONG? DR. ELHESSEN?
>> CAN YOU SPEAK TO BEING ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE . YOU SPOKE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS. BUT SPEAK TO THE VALUE OF THE
SPECIFICITY IN THIS. >> YEAH, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF TENSION IN THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR CURRENT PROJECT NEEDS. IT IS EASY TO MAKE A LIST OF THOSE PROJECTS. BUT THE BOND MEASURE TENDS TO LIVE FOR 10 YEARS OF PROJECT NEEDS. SO WE WANT TO CRAFT A PROJECT THAT MEETS THE CURRENT NEEDS, BUT ALSO POTENTIALLY FIRST SEES WHAT YOUR NEEDS COULD BE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT PROJECTS MIGHT EVOLVE THAT YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF TODAY. AND WE PLAN FOR THAT. SO NOT EVERYTHING YOU READ HERE IS NECESSARILY A CURRENT PROJECT ON YOUR NEEDS LIST. IT IS SOMETHING THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO FUND WITH BOND PROCEEDS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. AND IN TERMS OF SPECIFICITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS CAN UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND THE PROCEEDS. AT THE SAME TIME, GIVE YOU FLEXIBILITY SO IF SOME CONDITION CHANGES, YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM TO HIT IT. THINGS THAT I CAN INC.
OF . IF YOU TALK ABOUT WANTING TO INSTALL SECURITY FENCING OR GATES, WE LEAVE IT THAT BROAD. WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE KIND OF GAIT OR THE MATERIAL OF THE GATE. WHERE YOU PUT THE SECURITY FENCING. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE SECURE FENCING IN A MANNER THAT BEST FITS THE DISTRICT AT THE TIME WHEN IT IS TIME TO UNDERTAKE THAT PROJECT.
WE WORK HARD TO BE CLEAR FOR VOTERS SO THEY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WANT TO SPEND THE PROCEEDS. AT THE SAME TIME, OWING THE DISTRICT TO UNDERTAKE THE PROJECT IN A WAY THAT BEST MEET THE NEEDS AND IS THE MOST COST EFFICIENT.
>> SO UNDER B, MODERNIZE THE UPGRADE FOR HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION, IZYK, AND DANCE. SO THAT LEAVES IT PRETTY WIDE OPEN. IF THERE WAS A NEED FOR SEATING OR AUDITORIUM SPACE.
THAT LEAVES IT OPEN ENOUGH FOR THAT?
>> EXACTLY. A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE IS COVID . THE USE OF OUTDOOR SPACES HAS INCREASED SO MUCH SINCE COVID . OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES ARE VERY VALUABLE. WE DO NOT USUALLY INCLUDE THOSE ON BEFORE. BUT NOW WE ARE ADDING FLEXIBILITY SO CLASSROOMS DO NOT IS A FAIRLY MEAN WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE FOUR WALLS. WE CAN THINK OF A SPACE THAT IS NOT INSIDE OF A BUILDING AS A CLASSROOM. WE WANT TO DESCRIBE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS YOU TO BUILD WHAT IS THE BEST EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES THAT MEET THOSE NEEDS. WE WANT TO HAVE HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC. WE DO NOT NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT THAT FACILITY WILL LOOK LIKE. AT THE TIME UNDERTAKE THAT PROJECT, WE WILL DECIDE THE PROGRAM FOR MUSIC
FACILITY MIGHT BE. >> NO LIMIT ON THIS PART?
>> NO WORD LIMIT . >> I KNOW WE GET PRETTY SPECIFIC. MY APOLOGIES. I KNOW WE GET PRETTY SPECIFIC WITH SOME OF THESE. SO I SEE OTHER ATHLETIC FACILITIES, LOCKER ROOMS . YOU REALLY TRY TO COVER AS MUCH AS YOU CAN WHILE STILL
[00:15:01]
KEEPING IT WIDE OPEN. SO IT IS NOT STRICT . WE'RE DOING EXACTLY THIS AND EXACTLY THIS. FROM THE 2012 BOND, DO WE HAVETHAT PROJECT LIST? >> I AM NOT SURE. I WOULD HAVE TO REQUEST A COPY OF THAT. I DO NOT HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME.
>> OKAY. OR MAYBE DALE SCOTT? YET. JUST AT SOME POINT, IF THE BOARD COULD GET THAT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO COMPARE THEM TO MAKE SURE WE
COVERED EVERYTHING ON THE LIST? >> THE BOND LANGUAGE. I CANNOT FIND THE EXACT PART OF THE LIST . SO THE BOARD KNOWS WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE BACK THEN. THAT WAY, WE CAN GOING FORWARD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? DR. ELHESSEN?
>> NO, THANK YOU. >> RENITA ARMSTRONG?
] >> SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT THE PROJECT LIST DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE?
>> I WOULD NOT PHRASE IT THAT WAY. EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO SPEND BOND PROCEEDS, IT IS IMPORTANT WE LOOK BACK AT THE PROJECT LIST AND YOU IDENTIFY LANGUAGE ON HERE THAT DESCRIBES THE PROJECT WANT TO UNDERTAKE BUT IT DOES NEED TO DESCRIBE HOW YOU'RE SPENDING YOUR BOND PROCEEDS WITH EVERY PROJECT YOU WANT TO DO NEEDS TO BE LISTED HERE. WILL LEAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY AND THE WAY DESCRIBED PROJECT SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO UNDERTAKE THEM IN A WAY THAT IS SPECIFIC TO THE PROJECT. I CAN GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. WHEN WE POINTED OUT, MR. PRESIDENT. IS THAT ONE OF A, REPAIR, REPLACE, CONSTRUCT, AND INSTALL. WE LISTED A BUNCH OF ATHLETIC ABILITIES, INCLUDING OTHER ATHLETIC FACILITIES WOULD WHAT YOU'RE DOING WAS NOT UP PLAYGROUND, SPORTS FIELD, GYMNASIUM, OR A COURT , WHICH IS WHAT WE KIND OF DESCRIBED AS ATHLETIC ABILITIES AT THE MOMENT, YOUR OTHER ATHLETIC FACILITY LANGUAGE WOULD COLOR -- COVER THE OTHER FACILITIES.
>> THANK YOU. >> I THINK THAT IS IT FOR QUESTIONS FOR THE MOMENT. YEAH.
>> SO THE LAST PART OF THE RESOLUTION IS EXHIBIT C. THE TAX 20 STATEMENT. THIS ALSO WILL BE RENTED IN THE SAMPLE BALLOT THAT VOTERS GET TO SEE WHEN THEY ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE MEASURE. AND THIS PROVIDES THEM SOME DISCLOSURE AS TO THE IMPACT OF THE MAJOR ON THEIR TAXES. PARAGRAPH ONE GIVES THE BEST ESTIMATE OF THE AVERAGE ANNUAL TAX RATE THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE LEVIED WITH THE BOND. IT IS $47 AND $.83 FOR $100,000 OF ASSESSED VALUE. AS YOU KNOW, ASSESSED VALUE IS THE VALUE OF PROPERTY ON THE COUNTY TAX ROLLS. IT IS NOT MARKET VALUE. AND IT IS ESTIMATED TODAY THAT THE FINAL FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE TAX TO BE COLLECTED IS 2053-54. THE SECOND PARAGRAPH GIVES THE ESTIMATE OF THE HIGHEST TAX RATE WHICH IS $44 OF 100 THOUSAND OF ASSESSED VALUE.
WE'RE ALSO CEMENTING TODAY THAT THE HIGHEST TAX WOULD BE LEVIED FROM 2025-26. NEXT YEAR THROUGH 2052-53. FINALLY, PARAGRAPH THREE IS AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT FOR ALL OF THE BONDS UNDER THE MAJOR ISSUE. THAT IS $196 MILLION. OF COURSE, WE CANNOT PREDICT WHERE INTEREST RATES ARE GOING. SO THIS IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE. THIS IS BY YOUR FINANCIAL MINDS. USING THE BEST INFORMATION I HAVE AS TO WHAT THEY CAN PREDICT WHERE INTEREST RATES WILL BE WOULD BONDS ARE ISSUED. SO IN ADDITION TO UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF THE MEASURE, VOTERS UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH.
>> IS THAT USUALLY PRETTY ACCURATE? THE ESTIMATE? 111 MILLION. I THINK THE LAST ONE WAS 72?
>> I AM NOT SURE. HAVE WE EVER COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS TO WHAT
IT ACTUALLY IS? >> SCORE CHECK.
>> YOU LOOK REALLY COMFORTABLE , BUT CAN YOU SAY THE EXACT SAME
THING AT THE MICROPHONE. >> SO TYPICALLY , HISTORICALLY, WHEN WE LOOK BACK I WOULD SAY THE TAX RATE IS UNDER WHAT IS PROJECTED. AND THEN THE TOTAL REPAYMENT , THE TOTAL PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST TENDS TO BE LOWER THAN PROJECTED. FOR EXAMPLE, I
[00:20:05]
THINK IN THE LAST MEETING WE TALKED ABOUT RAISING 4 1/2% ESTIMATE ON THE CURRENT RIGHT . THAT IS MORE AROUND 4%. TRYING TO BUILD AND A LITTLE BIT OF CONSERVATIVISM INTO THAT NUMBER. UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER. ADDITIONALLY, LIKE WE DID WITH THE MEASURE BONDS . WE REFINANCED A PORTION OF THOSE BONDS. SO THAT KIND OF WOULD LOWER THAT NUMBER IN THE LONG>> YOU HAVE A QUESTION? >> YES, THANK YOU. SO IN REGARDS TO ITEM THREE, WHEN YOU ARE SAYING THAT 196 MILLION WOULD BE THE TOTAL PAYMENT ON THE BOND, SO THAT INCLUDES 86 MILLION ADDITIONAL COST ON THE TAXPAYER?
>> THAT WOULD INCLUDE INTEREST AND REPAYMENT OF THE BOND? IS
THAT CORRECT? >> SO THE 196 MILLION INCLUDES THE 111 MILLION AND PRINCIPAL AMOUNT. AND THE $85 MILLION IN
INTEREST. >> RIGHT. SO THE DIFFERENCE
WOULD BE AROUND 86 MILLION? >> YEAH.
>> KEY. >> THANK YOU, DR. ELHESSEN .
VICE PRESIDENT STEWART? >> IF THE STATE BOND PASSES AND WE ARE EVER TO GET THE 64 YOUR THINGS LIKE THAT BUT WE DO NOT TO PAY ANY TAXES BACK ON THAT BOND THAT IS JUST MATCHED MONEY
WE CAN GET, CORRECT? >> CORRECT.
>> HE. >> YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS. I
THINK WE ARE GOOD. >> SO THE RESOLUTION WAS CRAFTED BASED ON INPUT AND SURVEYS OF THE COMMUNITY. BUT IT IS IN DRAFT FORM. SO IT CAN BE EDITED. THE ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS INCORPORATED. IF THERE ARE ANY. SECURELY ON THE BALLOT LABEL. ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY THAT EXHIBIT A, THE PALLET LABEL WAS DRAFTED SPECIFICALLY BASED ON COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AND SO THE PROJECTS THAT ARE LISTED HERE ARE THE PROJECT THAT VOTERS TOLD US THEY WANTED TO SEE HAPPEN. THEY FELT -- WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE ON THERE. SHE MET RATES. IF AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD?
RENITA ARMSTRONG? >> WHEN YOU ALL GET THE SURVEY, WERE YOU ABLE TO DERIVE HOW MANY RENTERS VERSUS HOMEOWNERS
TOOK THE SURVEY? >> WE DID NOT CONDUCT A SURVEY.
THAT WAS DONE BY TRUE NORTH . I DO NOT REMEMBER SEEING IN THE PRESENTATION A NUMBER. THEY MAY HAVE THOSE DETAILS. BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER SEEING THAT IN THE PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU. >> DR. ELHESSEN, ANY LAST
QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU. NO, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT STEWART?
>> NO. THEN, JUST MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOND ARE IF YOU PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND THE VOTERS DO NOT WANT TO, THEY WILL NOT VOTE FOR IT IF THEY DO, THEY DO. I'M IN FAVOR OF IT. THANK YOU.
>> RIGHT. THANK YOU. OH, OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I APPRECIATE THE TIME AND ALL THE EFFORT THAT GOES INTO THIS.
LIKE VICE PRESIDENT STEWART SAID, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR DISTRICT AND OUR KIDS GET ESPECIALLY WITH THOSE MATCHING , COULD YOU ACTUALLY TAKE A SECOND AND EXPLAIN THE MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE ESTATE, PLEASE?
>> YES BED ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, PROPOSITION 2 HAS NOW QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT. THE TOTAL AMOUNT? IT IS IN THE BILLIONS. 11 BILLION. AND IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL ADDITIONAL PROJECT MONIES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR, YOU HAVE TO SHOW YOU HAVE LOCAL MATCHING. SO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE ON MEASURES CAN USE THEIR BOND FUNDS AS THEIR LOCAL MATCH. AND YOU QUALIFY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL MONIES THAT , AS YOU POINTED OUT, UNLIKE YOUR OWN BOND FUNDS , WHICH GET REPAID FROM A LEVY OF THE TAX
[00:25:04]
IN YOUR DISTRICT, THOSE MONIES , THE STATE MONIES YOU RECEIVE, ARE FREE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THEM BACK. YOU JUST GET THEM LIKE A GREAT -- GRANT FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THEY CAN BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT THE AMOUNT OF VOTERS APPROVED UNDERTHE BOND ISSUE. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THAT BUT I THINK IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING TO
CONSIDER. MS. ARMSTRONG? >> ANOTHER QUESTION. AS FAR AS , OKAY. I'M TRYING TO FORMULATE THIS. IT IS REAL SIMPLE.
IN ORDER FOR US TO, OKAY, WE GET THIS BOND. WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND IT PASSES. IS THERE A LIST THAT WE HAVE TO GET ON IN ORDER TO EVEN QUALIFY TO ASK FOR THOSE MATCHING FUNDS?
>> YES BUT THAT IS A PROCESS AND AN APPLICATION. IT IS SOMEWHAT INVOLVED, BUT YES . THAT IS CORRECT. IT IS NOT GUARANTEED , BUT YOU BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE MONIES . IT IS A MATTER OF THE STATES MAKING THEM AVAILABLE TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MS. ARMSTRONG.
>> MISS LISA? IS OUR STAFF WORKING ON THE APPLICATION PROCESS IN ORDER FOR US TO GET ON THAT LIST? YOU CAN HAVE THE MAJOR AND WE CAN GET THIS BOND, BUT IF WE ARE NOT ON THAT LIST,
WE WILL NOT QUALIFY. >> I WOULD HAVE TO SPEAK WITH OUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT. I DO NOT BELIEVE WHERE WORKING ON THAT YET. NOT CURRENTLY THAT I AM AWARE OF .
>> SO THE MAYORS ARE FOR THE STATUS ON THE STATE BALLOT WOULD HAVE TO PASS FIRST? PROPOSITION 2 PASSES, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND GET IN LINE. BUT AT THE MOMENT, ALL OF THE STATE BOND MONIES HAVE BEEN EXPENDED.
>> WOULD YOU SAY THE PROJECTION IS? IS IT LIKELY TO PASS?
FOR A SECOND . >> I BELIEVE THE ARTICLES I THOUGHT PRIOR TO THE LEGISLATOR PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT IS THAT IT WAS FAVORABLE. IT ONLY NEEDS 50% TO PASS AT THE STATE LEVEL. SO I THINK THE POLLING WAS ABOUT 50%. I ENCOURAGE THE LEGISLATURE TO ACTUALLY PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. AND THEN WITH THOSE, THOSE MATCHING FUND APPLICATION, YOU TYPICALLY, I WILL HAVE TO IDENTIFY A PROJECT. IT WILL BE IN A SCHOOL SITE. YOU PUT TOGETHER THE APPLICATION , SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PARTICULAR SCHOOL SITE . YOU NEED SOME ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THAT. YOU HAVE THE APPLICATION FOR THAT PROJECT SO YOUR FACILITY DEPARTMENT HAS ALWAYS COME UP WITH WHEN YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR THOSE VARIOUS DIFFERENT
PROJECTS. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. VICE
PRESIDENT STEWART . >> JUST TO CLARIFY AGAIN FOR THE PUBLIC. IF WE DO NOT PUT THIS BOND ON THE BALLOT AND THE STATE PASSES, THE ONLY OTHER WAY WE CAN DO IT IS TO USE OUR GENERAL FUNDS, OUR OWN MONEY, RATHER THAN THE BOND MONEY,
CORRECT? >> CORRECT THERE MUST BE A
>> I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS . BUT HOW MUCH DOES THE STATE GIVE US FOR FACILITIES? HOW MUCH OUR BUDGET IS ALLOCATED
JUST FOR FACILITIES? >> I WILL DEFER THAT TO DR.
SMITH AND SEE IF HE HAS AN ANSWER FOR YOU.
>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE STATE DOES NOT ALLOCATE ANY MONEY SPECIFICALLY FOR FACILITIES. WE ARE ALLOCATING CERTAIN FUNDING AMOUNTS TO THE GENERAL FUND. THAT CAN GO TO FACILITIES. BUT IN TERMS OF A DIRECT REVENUE SOURCE FROM THE STATE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF PREPARING FACILITIES, BUILDING FACILITIES, THERE IS NOT A REVENUE STREAM DIRECTLY FOR THAT PURPOSE. THEY MET GOT IT.
>> TRIED TO ANSWER, LOCAL BONDS ARE THE REGULATORY -- THE STATE DOES NOT FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS. IT EXPECTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR EACH DISTRICT TO PASS A BOND MEASURE TO FUND CAPITAL FUNDS? THAT IS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LAW. THOSE KIND OF IMPROVEMENTS AND BOND MEASURES.
MS. ARMSTRONG? >> I HAVE A RESPONSE.
>> GO AHEAD. >> I'M SORRY FOR DR. ELHESSEN?
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU SEE MY HAND RAISED. GO
AHEAD, ANITA. >> I'LL YOU. GO FOR IT.
>> I HAVE RESENT DATA FROM CSBA . THAT PROVIDED 9 BILLION FROM
[00:30:08]
K-12 . THE LESS PROPOSED BOND WAS 15 BILLION AND FAILED FOUR YEARS AGO WITH 53% OF THE VOTERS REJECTING IT. THE STATE CURRENT FACILITY BOND MONEY IS RUNNING OUT. SO PROPOSITION 2 WOULD HELP -- WAITING LIST WITH MORE THAN 170 PROJECTS. -- INBOND MONEY REQUESTS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT BUT I THINK THAT IS A GREAT POINT. EVEN IF THE STATE DOES NOT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME ONCE FOR OUR FACILITIES. VICE PRESIDENT STEWART. I'M SORRY. WITH ARMSTRONG. VICE PRESIDENT
STEWART? >> NO. I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE , THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE VOTERS GET TO VOTE. SO IF THEY DO NOT WANT THE BONDS, THEY VOTE NO AND THEY DO NOT HAVE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT AND LETTING OUR VOTERS VOTE . IF WE DO NOT PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, WE MAKE THE DECISION FOR THAT BUT IF WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND THEY VOTE YES OR NO, AT LEAST THEY GET TO MAKE A DECISION.
THAT IS WHERE I THINK IT SHOULD BE WHICH IS IN THE HANDS OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AGAIN, I THINK WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE TO NOT PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT STEWART. RENITA ARMSTRONG?
>> INITIALLY, I HAD THE SAME THOUGHTS AS MY COLLEAGUE HERE.
HOWEVER, WE KNOW SOMETIMES THING PASS -- THINGS PASS BECAUSE VOTERS REALLY DO NOT READ SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES. BUT YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT FIVE YEARS FROM NOW , YOU KNOW? OKAY. IN FOUR YEARS, I MEAN, IF WE DO NOT DO THIS NOW, WHEN YOU THINK THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY, THE NEXT WINDOW IS? IT COULD BE FOUR YEARS OR THE NEXT ELECTION, RIGHT? NEVER GIVE US A LOT MORE ANSWERS. I DO NOT SEE THE RUSH. AND IF WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, YES, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE PROS AND CONS. ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF. WHY RUSH? WE CAN DO A LOT OF THE HOMEWORK AND HAVE THAT LIST READY. A LOT OF THESE, WE COULD BE MORE PREPARED IN FOUR YEARS. SO THAT IS JUST ME. BUT I HAVE THAT SAME SENTIMENT.
>> THANK YOU, RENITA ARMSTRONG. YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT?
>> IS GOING TO LET YOU KNOW THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY AFTER NOVEMBER
IS IN 2026. SO TWO YEARS . >> GREAT. THANK YOU, RENITA ARMSTRONG. IF I COULD DO A FOLLOW-UP. OUR BONDS LIKELY TO PASS ON A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? OR EVEN --
>> SO STATEWIDE, GOING BACK 20 YEARS. ABOUT 90% OF SCHOOL BONDS PAST -- PAST . ABOUT 80% IN GUBERNATORIAL. I BELIEVE THIS STILL HOLDS TRUE, BUT I THINK IN THE COUNTY, I BELIEVE EVERY SCHOOL BOND THAT IS BEEN ON A PRESIDENTIAL BOND PASSES.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VICE PRESIDENT STEWART?
>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP RESTAURANT FOR YOU. EITHER OF YOU. BUT IF THE BOND PASSES IN 2024, YOU THINK THEY WILL PUT ANOTHER BOND IN 2026 BACK ON THE BALLOT FOR AS MUCH MONEY?
IS THAT WHAT WE ARE SAYING? >> I AM SORRY. YOU ARE ASKING
ABOUT THE STATE >> MY COLLEAGUE ASKED WHEN THE NEXT ONE TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND HE SAID 2026 . AT THIS PASSES IN 2024, THERE WILL BE NO 2026, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. LEGALLY, FOUR -- REGULARLY SCHEDULED ELECTION.
SO BASICALLY, EVERY TWO YEARS .
>> SO IF IT DID NOT PASS , WE WILL NOT SEE IT IN 2026. BUT THIS , NO, THE STATE BOND. IF THE STATE BOND PASSES, YOU ARE SAYING YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE ON THE BALLOT IN 2026?
>> CORRECT. >> CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? I THINK THAT WAS A LITTLE AMBIGUOUS . THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER STATE BOND ON 2026 IF THIS ONE PASSES IN 2024,
CORRECT? >> THAT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY BECAUSE PASSING THE MONEY UNDER THE 2024 STATE BOND.
>> IF WE MISS OUT AND IT PASSES THIS YEAR, WE PROBABLY DON'T GET TO DO THIS AGAIN FOR MANY YEARS, CORRECT?
>> YOU DO NOT PASS IN 2024, 2026 MIGHT BE TOO LATE TO
[00:35:03]
ACCESS THOSE 2024 FUNDS. >> ABSOLUTELY. YOU ARE THE EXPERTS HERE. DO YOU AGREE ARE YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR US GOING FOR A BOND? YOU THINK WE SHOULD PUTTING A BOND ON THE
BALLOT? YES OR NO? >> I THINK THAT IS UP TO YOU. I THINK IT DEPENDS ON YOUR NEEDS OF YOUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS THE ULTIMATE ARBITER IF THEY WANT THE BOND OR NOT.
>> AGAIN , YOU STATED THERE IS NOT REALLY ANY MONEY FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS UNETHICAL FOR THESE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
FOR FACILITIES, CORRECT? >> CRACK. THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE IN 2026 IF YOU DO NOT DO IT IN 2024.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT STEWART. YOU STILL HAVE A QUESTION, RENITA ARMSTRONG? THANK YOU AGAIN. I DO AGREE WITH SOME OF THE HESITATION. I AM NOT REALLY IN FAVOR OF TAXES. BUT I THINK LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE. IF YOU'RE GOING TO PAY TAXES, IF THEY STAY LOCAL AND FOR OUR KIDS AND COMMUNITY, THAT IS THE BEST TAKE -- PLACED TO PAY THEM. IF I COULD, AND A TAX THAT IS PAID FOR THIS BOND HAS TO BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE , RIGHT? FOR OUR SCHOOLS, FOR OUR KIDS. FOR OUR COMMUNITY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT
THE MEETING? >> ARE WE STILL OPEN FOR
DISCUSSION? >> RENITA ARMSTRONG?
>> IT IS STILL OPEN. SHE CAN ASK A QUESTION.
>> HOW MANY MORE YEARS DO WE HAVE TO PAY ON THAT LAST BOND?
>> THAT WOULD BE A GOOD QUESTION FOR FLIPPING THROUGH
THE NOTES THERE. >> ISN'T COMING UP SOON?
>> I BELIEVE THE INFORMATION IS IN OUR PRESENTATION .
>> 2041 IS THE FINAL BOND MEASURE PAYMENT.
>> THANK YOU. >> THAT IS A LOT OF TAXES.
>> I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. I AM A HOMEOWNER HERE IN BELLFLOWER TOO. BUT IT IS $220 PER YEAR. I CAN SPEND $40 ON GAMBLING IN VEGAS FOR THE WEEKEND BUT HONESTLY, $220 YEAR FOR OUR KIDS . I THINK WE SHOULD LET OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS DECIDE WHAT THEY DID IS NOT REALLY UP TO US BUT ALL THAT IS UP TO US IS, DO WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT? $220 A YEAR FOR KIDS , I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT AS A
HOMEOWNER HERE IN BELLFLOWER >> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT
STEWART. RENITA ARMSTRONG? >> WILL BE CLOSING OUT PRETTY SOON. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS FOR A WHILE. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES, IT IS NOT A WALK IN THE PARK NOT WITH MULTIPLE PROPERTIES. WHAT IS THE URGENCY FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE BALLOT RIGHT NOW? WE HAVE OTHER WORK WE COULD BE DOING TO PREPARE. YOU KNOW, AS A BOARD, I DO NOT THINK , WE HAVE GIVEN YOUR DIRECTION TO DO A FULL ASSESSMENT, RIGHT? BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE? I GET EMAILS ALL THE TIME PROVIDING, YOU KNOW, US TO APPLY FOR BONDS OR APPLY FOR GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIPS . I GET THAT INFORMATION ALL THE TIME. IF I GET IT, I KNOW EVERYBODY ELSE GETS IT. SO I THINK WE SHOULD REALLY DO A FULL ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES BEFORE WE GO OUT AND ASK THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT US. AND AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR DISTRICT, JUST LIKE WE WOULD IN OUR OWN HOUSE. YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND MAKE THE CHANGES NEEDED. YOU KNOW, WE ARE REALLY, REALLY NEEDING TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN -- REPURPOSE FUNDS. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE ENROLLMENT. HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING THAT? YOU KNOW? HOW WE ASSESS WHAT SAVINGS WE WOULD HAVE IF WE WERE TO REPURPOSE ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS. OR , YOU KNOW, EVEN HAVE TO CLOSE IT . WE DO HAVE TO FIND ENROLLMENT.
I DO NOT EVEN KNOW HOW OUR CLASSES ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING NEXT YEAR. OKAY? YOU KNOW, THIS DECISION WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME, IN
[00:40:02]
ADDITION TO WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE. IF WE HAVE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES, THAT IS NOT FUN BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO GO DOWN.IT IS GOING TO TRICKLE DOWN TO THE WINTERS. THAT IS HOW IT GOES WHEN YOU RAISE THE SALARY AT CHICK-FIL-A, THEY RAISE THE PRICES. OKAY? I REALLY WOULD LIKE STAFF FIRST GIVE US OPTIONS, AND LET US DETERMINE THE REAL PRIORITIES. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF STUFF. REALLY BE FOND OF PRIORITIES. THEY MIGHT RING UP OPTIONS FOR US. YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO TAKE WHAT WE HAVE AND TRY OUR BEST TO TRY TO CREATE SOME REVENUE. WE ARE JUST PUTTING OUT MONIES. WE ARE JUST PUTTING OUT A LOT OF MONEY. SALARIES AND EVERYTHING. NEW POSITIONS AND EVERYTHING.
YOU KNOW? WE REALLY NEED TO EVALUATE THINGS , AT LEAST FOR ME. IT IS GOING TO BE A BURDEN FOR A PERSON THAT HAS MULTIPLE PROPERTIES COULD I'M SORRY. IT IS A LOT OF BONDS AND TAXES COMING UP. I'M SERIOUS AND I THOUGHT -- PUT IT OUT THERE AND LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. THAT WAS MY ATTITUDE. BUT I SHOULD BE.
WHAT IS THE HARM? >> WELL, WHAT IS THE HARM ALSO?
>> WHY WAIT? THERE IS NOT ANOTHER -- HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING COME ACROSS YOUR DESK WHERE YOU CAN GET $200 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR FACILITIES? HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THAT IN YOUR TENURE IN THE DISTRICT? DR. SMITH, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THAT? $200 MILLION FOR FACILITIES FOR OUR KIDS? IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES, THEN DOUBLE IT. NOW YOU'RE PAYING $400 A YEAR BUT IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES WITH RENTERS, I'M PRETTY SURE I'VE SEEN THE RENT HERE IN CALIFORNIA. YOU CAN AFFORD $400
IN PROPERTY TAXES. >> IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE VOTERS, NOT UP TO US.
SPEAKERS ] >> I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION. I AM NOT READY TO ASK OUR LOCAL CONSTITUENTS ARE FUNDING EITHER. FOR ME, RIGHT NOW, THIS IS FOR ME. IT IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME. THERE'S MORE WORK FOR US THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE WE PLACE THE BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY.
>> WE ARE NOT VOTING ON THAT RIGHT NOW. WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING THAT. IT IS DISCUSSION ON THE BALLOT LANGUAGE. I AM SURE MORE DISCUSSIONS CAN BE HAD. I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTS. I THINK THERE ARE SOME POINTS THERE. I HAPPEN TO SHARE THE VIEW THAT VOTERS DO READ. AND HE WILL MAKE AN INFORMED DECISIONS. I TRUST THE COMMUNITY. I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT THE COMMUNITY CAN MAKE IS IN THEIR SCHOOLS. ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO BONDS AND HOW MUCH -- I DID DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE THE MEETING. ALL OF THE DISTRICTS AROUND US , WE ARE I BELIEVE THE LOWEST, RIGHT? WE ARE MAYBE SECOND. I THINK IT IS LOWEST RIGHT YOU HAVE THE DATA? I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. THAT IS A REALLY GOOD POINT, MS. ARMSTRONG.
>> PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD , I'M SO SORRY THAT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW
>> I KNOW WE HAD THE PRESENTATION UP EARLIER . IT IS
ON THE SLIDE FOUR. YES. >> CAN WE PULL THAT UP, PLEASE? PEER -- I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. WHEN YOU SEE WHAT DOWNEY IS GOING TO DO WITH THEIR DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT THAT COMMUNITY HAS MADE. THEY PASSED TWO MUCH LARGER BONDS. THEIR WORK IS REALLY SHOWING FOR IT. BUT EVEN BONDS -- FROM WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER, THAT IS HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO IMPROVE YOUR SCHOOLS .
I THINK OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES IMPROVE SCHOOLS LIKE THESE OTHER ONES.
>> SO WE WENT AND PULLED FOR THIS CURRENT, THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. THE TAX RATES OF SOME UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
SURROUNDING THEM IN THE AREA. YOU SEE BELLFLOWER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST WITH $44 PER 100,000. DOWNEY AROUND $130 PER
[00:45:05]
100,000. LONG BEACH, -- 100,000. THOSE WERE ALL DISTRICTS THAT HAD MULTIPLE BOND MEASURES , TAKEN BY MEASURES TO THE COMMUNITIES OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AND HADTHOSE PAST. >> THANK YOU. I WILL SAY, ONE OF THE DUTIES WE HAVE AS BOARD MEMBERS IS TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY. THE RESIDENTS, AND I HAVE AND ONE OF THEM. I WOULD BE PAYING SOME TAXES TOO AS A HOMEOWNER IN THE DISTRICT. THAT IS FOR EVERYONE THAT MADE THAT DECISION. I BELIEVE MOST PEOPLE WILL SEE IT AS A GREAT INVESTMENT. BUT OUR ROLE HERE, GET RESOURCES TO OUR KIDS SO WE CAN FULFILL THE MISSION OF THIS DISTRICT. THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD DO. YOU KNOW, DR. ELHESSEN, YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY AND I APPRECIATE THAT BUT I WILL KICK IT OVER TO AND THEN I WILL GO TO VICE PRESIDENT STEWART.
>> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO MENTION THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES. RECENTLY , -- DONATED 1 POINT $2 MILLION TO THE CENTER. TO THIS COLLEGE. ALSO, ASSEMBLY WOMEN -- OVER $750,000. WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT THERE ARE FUNDS OUT THERE WITHOUT BURDENING OUR TAXPAYERS. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL 40 YEARS.
THAT WOULD MEAN FUTURE GENERATIONS WOULD BE PAYING OFF THE DEBT . STUDENTS WE'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT WILL BE BURDENED ALSO WITH THIS DEBT IF THEY ARE STILL IN BELLFLOWER OR IN THIS COMMUNITY. THAT IS ONE THING I WANTED TO MENTION TO KEEP IN MIND. WE'RE ALL ASSUMING THAT THIS STATE BOND IS GOING TO PASS. I HOPE IT DOES. BUT THAT IS AN ASSUMPTION WE ARE MAKING. AND IN THE PAST, IT HAS NOT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHERE THE AMOUNT THAT VICE PRESIDENT STEWART MENTIONED OF $220. IT IS DEPENDENT ON THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY SO IT IS GOING TO FLUCTUATE DEPENDING ON WHAT THE TAX ASSESSORS ASSESSMENT IS OF THAT PROPERTY. IT COULD BE 450, IT COULD BE 500. IT COULD BE $80. I AM NOT QUITE SURE. BUT I AM NOT SURE WHERE YOU GOT THAT AMOUNT IN THE FIRST PLACE. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT STARTING OUR OWN FOUNDATION. THAT OFFERS ANOTHER RESOURCE FOR GENERATING FUNDS. AND I THINK, AS BEING STEWARDS OF OUR FUNDS AND FOR THE PUBLIC AND OUR TAXPAYERS, SHOWING RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHER OPTIONS IS GOING TO BE SEEN MORE POSITIVELY THAN BURDENING THEM WITH ADDITIONAL TAXES FOR YEARS TO COME. THE OTHER THING ALSO IS THAT I HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROACHED. JUST WHEN I SAW THIS ON THE AGENDA, MANY AMENITY MEMBERS WERE APPROACHING ME. THEY DO NOT WANT ANOTHER BOND. THEY WERE TEACHERS. I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THAT. THANK YOU. CLIMAXING THAT THANK YOU, DR. ELHESSEN. JUST TO RESPOND TO THAT BEFORE I KICK IT OVER TO VICE PRESIDENT STEWART. I UNDERSTAND THE ARGUMENTS MY COLLEAGUES ARE MAKING. I APPRECIATE THOSE THOUGHTS AND CONSIDERATIONS.
BUT IT DOES FEEL LIKE THOSE ARE VERY VALID CONSIDERATIONS FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO MAKE A DECISION. AND TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. BUT FOR BOARD MEMBERS HERE WANTED TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR OUR DISTRICT, AND IT JUST BEGS THE QUESTION.
IS A BOND IN THIS DISTRICT GOING TO BE BETTER FOR OUR KIDS THEN EDUCATING THEM? IS IT GOING TO SUPPORT THAT? I THINK THAT IS THE QUESTION WE NEED TO ANSWER OURSELVES AS BOARD MEMBERS. AND THE CONSIDERATIONS OF RESIDENTS. WE ARE ALL RESIDENTS OF OUR DISTRICT. THAT IS A DECISION WE GET TO MAKE COME ELECTION DAY. I THINK IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.
I DO APPRECIATE THOSE THOUGHTS. THEY ARE VALID. BUT I THINK FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, AS BOARD MEMBERS, IS IT A GOOD THING AND THE BEST DECISION FOR OUR KIDS? I BELIEVE THAT ANSWER IS VERY CLEAR. THAT IS WHAT I WOULD SAY ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU FOR WAITING, VICE PRESIDENT STEWART .
[00:50:02]
>> YEAH, I JUST HAD A FEW COMMENTS WOULD ONE .75 MILLION, I GET IT. THERE ARE SOME DONATIONS FOR 1 MILLION. THAT IS NOT $112 MILLION THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE MATCHED 60/40.
THERE IS NO COMPARISON IN THOSE TWO AMOUNTS. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BURDEN OF THE VOTERS FOR THAT IS ME. I'M ONE OF THE VOTERS THAT LIVED THERE. YOU'RE BASICALLY CHOOSING MY BURDEN FOR ME. IF I WANT TO PAY $250 A YEAR OR $800 A YEAR OR WHATEVER, I SHOULD GET TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. I BASICALLY THINK IT IS A BURDEN WHEN I TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE FOR THE BOND AND AGAINST IT AS WELL. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE FOR THIS BOND. THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES TO MAKE THE DECISION.
>> YOU TALK ABOUT A FOUNDATION. I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE FOUNDATIONS WHEN WE STARTED THAT BUT I THINK THEY MAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. BUT AGAIN, THAT IS NOT $112 MILLION. SO I LIKE THE COMPARISONS, BUT I DO NOT THINK THOSE ARE VERY GOOD COMPARISONS . THEY'RE NOT EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO A BOND AND UP MATCHING BOND. YES, MAYBE THAT BOND DOES NOT PASS . BUT IF IT DOESN'T WE DO NOT PUT THIS ON THE TABLE FOR THE VOTERS TO DECIDE, THEN I AM FOR THE PUBLIC TO START TO COME SPEAKING. YOU ELECT PEOPLE TO REPRESENT YOU. COME TO START SPEAKING AT THE BOARD MEETINGS ABOUT YOU WANT TO SEE.
>> THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT STEWART. AGAIN, THE IDEAS AND INITIATIVES BROUGHT MY MY COLLEAGUES , MS. ARMSTRONG AND DR. ELHESSEN. THEY ARE VERY VALID. THOSE ARE YOUR ROUND THINGS. THESE ARE THINGS THAT , FOR A FOUNDATION. WE HAVE SHOWN THE INITIATIVE AND WE HAVE PUT AN EFFORT TO START THAT SO WE CAN GET MORE SUPPORT. YOU KNOW, DIRECTED TOWARD CERTAIN THINGS.
FINDING GRANTS . OUR STAFF HAS BEEN GREAT AT FINDING THOSE MONIES AND BRINGING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO THE TABLE.
THAT IS A ERUPTING PURCHASE BECAUSE WE GET A BOND DOES NOT MEAN IT STOPS. THOSE THINGS WILL KEEP HAPPENING. THAT IS NOT EITHER/OR. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR FACILITIES , AND IMPROVING OUR SCHOOLS. YOU KNOW, SO COME NOVEMBER, OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS ARE NOT ALL BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS AND IMPROVING THEIR SITES FOR THEIR STUDENTS . WE TALK ABOUT DECLINING ENROLLMENT, IF WE WANT TO HAVE TO STAY HERE, WE WANT TO ATTRACT NEW STUDENTS, THEN NOT HAVING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WHEN OTHER DISTRICTS DO IS NOT GOING TO HELP THAT. OUR ROLE OF THE BOARD IS TO SERVICE OUR STUDENTS, MAKE SURE THEIR INTERESTS ARE FIRST READ I UNDERSTAND THAT MONEY TO PAY TAXES, BUT THAT IS THE LEAST OF MY CONCERNS WHEN I SIT AT THIS DAIS. IT IS WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. I WOULD JUST IMPLORE, RESPECTFULLY, ALL MY COLLEAGUE TO HAVE THAT IN MIND WHEN WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS AND DECIDING HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AND THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING FROM THIS. AND THEN THE BALLOT BOX. YOU MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION THERE. I WOULD HOPE THAT WE ARE UNIFIED IN THE FACT THAT WE MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ? OR I WILL CLOSE THE MEETING OUT HERE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION FROM EVERYBODY TONIGHT. IT IS IMPORTANT. ALL RIGHT. IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 5:53 P.M. UNTIL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.