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HomeMy WebLinkAboutS4- City Attorney CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION From: Subject: James F. Penman Request to seek leave to file Dept: an Amicus Curiae Brief in the City Attorney case of City of Alhambra v. Date: Ikemoto. March 16, 1993 Synopsis of Previous Council action: None Recommended motion: Authorize and direct the City Attorney to seek leave of the California Supreme Court to file an Amicus Curiae Brief in the case of City of Alhambra v. Ikemoto Signature Dennis A. Barlow 5255 Contact person: Phone: Supporting data attached: Ward: FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: Source: (Acct No.) (Acct Description) Finance: Council Notes: 75-0262 Agenda Item No. S- CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION STAFF REPORT The City of Alhambra is requesting support in its original action filed in the California Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the State' s diversion of property taxes from cities and redevelopment agencies in the 1992-93 Budget. The case is entitled City of Alhambra v. Ikemoto, Case No. 5031350. Attached is a letter from the Mayor of the City of Alhambra requesting this support. Rather than write a letter of support as suggested in Mayor Blanco ' s correspondence, Mayor Holcomb has recommended that the City seek the right to file an Amicus Curiae (or Friend of the Court ) Brief to join in arguing these important issues. 75-0264 City of San Bernardino INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM OFFICE OF THE MAYOR To: James F. Penman, City Attorney Office of the City Attorney FROM: Mayor W. R. "Bob" Holcomb DATE: March 3 , 1993 SUBJECT: City of Alhambra vs. Ikemoto Case No. S031350 COPIES: ------------------------------------------------------------------- The enclosed letter from the City of Alhambra requests that we write to the Supreme Court, requesting that the Court hear the original writ, challenging the State Budget Legislation which diverted property taxes from cities and redevelopment agencies. If appropriate, would you please prepare either a letter or a resolution for the City Council to adopt in this matter. Thank you. L L W. R. "Bob" Holcomb, Mayor WRH: sa Attachment ciay of Alhambra - February 26, 1993 Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Council lija Note: This Letter is being sent to all cities in ►'•ti�Y California OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Dear Mayor & Councilmembers: TIME: �• On February 24, the City of Alhambra and the Alhambra Redevelopment Agency filed an Original Writ/Complaint with the California Supreme Court Galeu,ov challenging the constitutionality of the FY 92/93 State Budget Legisla- rolbe San Gabriel 1allev tion which diverted property Y taxes from cities and redevelopment agencies to replace the State's constitutional obligation to fund public educa- tion. The case is entitled City of Alhambra v. Ikemoto, Case No. x031350. 111 Soutb First Street The lawsuit, as it relates to cities, is based upon the constitutional Albambra provisions which prohibit the State from using city property tax to fund California state obligations. In particular, the case is designed to reaffirm the 91801 Hare Rule powers of a city under Article XI of the State Constitution to receive and control local tax revenues. The lawsuit asserts that property taxes are local taxes which may not be used for non-local purposes. The argument with regard to redevelopment agencies is that Article XVI section 16 of the State Constitution prohibits the use of tax increment funds generated by redevelopment areas for any use other than the direct benefit of the redevelopment area from which the tax is generated. This action also challenges the State's ability to preempt local taxes on tobacco. The power of a city to impose local taxes has long been one of the fundamental tenets of the Home Rule Doctrine and is supported by extensive case law. We argue that there is no statewide interest served by prohibiting local taxation on tobacco. We urge all cities to write a letter to the Supreme Court requesting that the Court hear this matter. Since the Court may decide whether or not to hear this case in a short period of time, the letter should be sent imme- diately. We believe that the preservation of property tax revenue as local revenue, which this case seeks to establish, is a crucial issue to all cities. Any questions, please contact Julio J. Fuentes, City Manager, at (818) 570-5010, or Leland C. Dolley, City Attorney, at (213) 236-2711. Sincerely, CITY OF AIUMBRA MICHAEL A. BIANCO MAYOR �,printed on recycled paper