Resolution No. 9092is
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RESOLUTION NO. 9092
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON IN SUPPORT OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY GANG
SUPPRESSION, PREVENTION, AND INTERVENTION SALES TAX
MEASURE
WHEREAS, the state and local budgets rise and fall based on
the economy, straining the delivery of law enforcement services; and
WHEREAS, it is prudent to ensure that public safety tax
dollars remain in our local communities; and
WHEREAS, public safety and the prevention, intervention and
suppression of gang -related violent crimes are critically important to
the security and well-being of the County's citizens and to the growth
and revitalization of the County's economic base; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles County has 1,145 gangs with more than
80,000 verified members; and
WHEREAS, the suppression of gangs and the prevention of
violent crime are primary responsibilities of local government and
local officials have an obligation to give priority to the provision of
adequate public safety services; and
WHEREAS, gang violence affects every city and neighborhood inl,
Los Angeles County due to gang members mobility; and
WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Sheriff has proposed the Gang
Suppression, Prevention, and Intervention Tax Measure, a countywide
sales tax increase of on quarter cent to provide the personnel,
resources, and directed strategies required to suppress gangs and
violent crime in the County of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, this funding would focus on personnel, resources,
land directed strategies required to suppress gangs, gang -related
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Violent crime and provide needed funding for gang prevention and
intervention programs throughout Los Angeles County, including
independent cities in the County of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, the plan would generate approximately $325 million
annually, and would be dedicated to gang suppression, prevention, and
intervention programs designed to impact gang -related crime in Los
Angeles County; and
WHEREAS, seventeen percent (17%) of the revenue will be
allocated to offset the increased operational and administrative costs
resulting from the implementation of the Gang Suppression, Prevention,
and Intervention Tax Measure incurred by county departments, including
but not limited to, county custody operations, the District Attorney,
and other designated justice agencies; and
WHEREAS, sixty-one percent (61%) of the revenue will be
allocated to the County unincorporated areas and each City within Los
Angeles County using a population derived formula with a $100,000 base
for each entity, to be used for suppression, prevention, intervention
and education programs, of which fifty percent of the money allocated
to each entity shall be utilized for related law enforcement purposes
as directed by the Sheriff or chief law enforcement official of the
entity receiving the revenue; and
WHEREAS, twenty-two percent (22%) will be allocated for a
mobile, countywide, interagency gang task force which exclusively deals
with the suppression and prevention of gang -related crime; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon would receive approximately
$101,740.00 under the proposed formula.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
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SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are true
and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
supports the passage of the Los Angeles County Gang Suppression,
Prevention, and Intervention Tax Measure.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
directs the Acting City Clerk, or his designee, to send a copy of this
Resolution to:
Sheriff Leroy D. Baca
County of Los Angeles
Sheriff's Department Headquarters
4700 Ramona Blvd.
Monterey Park, CA 91754-2169
SECTION 4: The Acting City Clerk of the City of Vernon
shall certify to the passage of this resolution, and thereupon and
thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of July, 2006.
ATTEST:
9
BRUCE V. fdAKENHORST, JR.
Acting City Clerk
ONIS C. MAL URG, ayor
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, JR., Acting City Clerk of the City of
Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being
Resolution No. 9092, was duly adopted by the City Council of the City
of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly held on
Wednesday, July 5, 2006, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor of
the City of Vernon.
(S EAL )
.'4
I
BRUCE . MALKENHORST, JR.
Acting City Clerk
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TO:
ROM:
SUBJECT:
VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT
June 28, 2006
Bruce V. Malkenhorst Jr., Acting City Clerk
Sol Benudiz, Chief of Polico Res
Gang Suppression, Prevention and Intervention Tax Measure c
I am forwarding Sheriff Baca's request for support of his one quarter percent tax
initiative for the City Council's consideration. The sheriff also included a staff report and a
sample resolution. Essentially, the tax measure will grant the City of Vernon $101,704.00 for
gang suppression, prevention, intervention and education programs. Fifty percent of the
allocated amount may be used for other law enforcement purposes as directed by the chief of
police.
By way of context, the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association will most likely
endorse the sheriff's measure.
Nllaunty of Kjas Au-S.etes
�$heriff z Dep artutent HeaxbxPmrters
4700 Ramana Raz&ilatrb
M Iffivubar-g ILA, (ga lifonrrar 917.54-Z169
LEROY D. BACA, SHERIFF
June 27, 2006
Sol Benudiz, Chief
Vernon Police Department
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, California 90058
Dear Chief Benudiz:
OF lOs,�
C
a# r *e
X a CgLIFORH�P
The purpose of this correspondence is to update you on the status of the proposed
Gang Suppression, Prevention, and Intervention Tax Measure that will fund a long-term
solution to eradicate gangs and gang violence throughout Los Angeles County.
The development of this proposed plan is due to the successful collaboration between
the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the Los Angeles County Police
Chiefs' Association. Our cohesive partnership will move us closer to eradicating gangs
throughout Los Angeles County by creating a solution to provide long-term funding for
concentrated gang suppression efforts and aggressive prevention and intervention
programs designed to redirect our youth from choosing a path of crime and violence.
I have enclosed a copy of the resolution and staff report for your review. Lieutenant
Cheryl Newman or Lieutenant Gerald Cooper are available to assist you in anyway and
can be reached at (323) 526-5656. 1 look forward to our continued partnership.
Sincerely,
C XTaLo_
L ROY D. BACA
SHERIFF
57 7ra iion o, cSeroice
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON IN SUPPORT OF THE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY GANG SUPPRESSION,
PREVENTION, AND INTERVENTION SALES TAX
WHEREAS, the state and local budgets rise and fall based on the economy, straining the
delivery of law enforcement services; and
WHEREAS, it is prudent to ensure that public safety tax dollars remain in our local
communities; and
WHEREAS, public safety and the prevention, intervention and suppression of gang -
related violent crimes are critically important to the security and well-being of the County's
citizens and to the growth and revitalization of the County's economic base; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles County has 1,145 gangs with more than 80,000 verified
members; and
WHEREAS, the suppression of gangs and the prevention of violent crime are primary
responsibilities of local government and local officials have an obligation to give priority to the
provision of adequate public safety services; and
WHEREAS, gang violence affects every city and neighborhood in Los Angeles County
due to gang members mobility; and
WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Sheriff has proposed the Gang Suppression,
Prevention, and Intervention Tax Measure, a countywide sales tax increase of one quarter cent to
provide the personnel, resources, and directed strategies required to suppress gangs and violent
crime in the County of Los Angeles.
WHEREAS, this funding would focus on personnel, resources, and directed strategies
required to suppress gangs, gang -related violent crime, and provide needed funding for gang
prevention and intervention programs throughout Los Angeles County, including independent
cities in the County of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, the plan would generate approximately $325 million annually, and would be
dedicated to gang suppression, prevention, and intervention programs designed to impact gang -
related crime in Los Angeles County; and
WHEREAS, seventeen percent of the revenue will be allocated to offset the increased
operational and administrative costs resulting from the implementation of The Gang Suppression,
Prevention, and Intervention Tax Measure incurred by county departments, including but not
limited to county custody operations, the District Attorney, and other designated justice agencies;
and
WHEREAS, sixty-one percent of the revenue will be allocated to the County
unincorporated areas and each City within Los Angeles County using a population derived
formula with a $100,000 base for each entity, to be used for suppression, prevention, intervention
and education programs, of which fifty percent of the money allocated to each entity shall be
utilized for related law enforcement purposes as directed by the Sheriff or chief law enforcement
official of the entity receiving the revenue; and
WHEREAS, twenty-two percent (22%) will be allocated for a mobile, countywide,
interagency gang task force which exclusively deals with the suppression and prevention of gang -
related crime; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon would receive approximately $101,740 under the
proposed formula;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Vernon resolves as follows:
Section 1. That the City of Vernon supports the passage of the
Los Angeles County Gang Suppression, Prevention, and Intervention Tax Measure.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting this resolution.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of
Vernon at its meeting of , 2006, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Councilmembers:
Noes:
Councilmembers:
Absent:
Councilmembers:
City Clerk
LOS ANGELES COUNTY GANG SUPPRESSION,
PREVENTION, AND INTERVENTION SALES TAX
PURPOSE OF MEASURE:
Although there is no way to measure the cost of fear, the price tag for gang -related crime
is tremendous for Los Angeles County taxpayers In 2005, the combined number of
murders, aggravated assaults and robberies (including attempts) committed by gang
members throughout the city and county areas of Los Angeles totaled 9,085 incidents,
averaging 25 violent crimes per day. Violent street gangs continue to grow and flourish
year by year, while gang suppression efforts are dependent on a healthy economy.
Current law enforcement funding levels are insufficient to make a significant impact upon
the gang problem.
Staggering medical costs resulting from gang. violence continues to burden Los Angeles
County's economy. According to Isabelle Sternfeld, Epidemiologist with the Los Angeles
County Department of Health Injury and Violence Program, the most recent price tag for
the treatment and hospitalization of 6,172 non -fatal violent assault victims exceeded $287
million during a one-year period. Those that were treated and released from an emergency
room were not factored into these statistics. Of the 6,172 victims treated, 1,535 did not
have any form of medical insurance. At an average of $46,655 per victim, the price tag to
Los Angeles County taxpayers was $72 million.
The cost to investigate, incarcerate, and prosecute one gang member involved in a
gang -related homicide can exceed $1 million. Los Angeles County suffered 553
gang -related murders in 2005. Annually, gang members are responsible for almost 50%
of homicides.in Los Angeles County, as well as a significant number of other violent crimes
such as aggravated assault and robbery. A comprehensive countywide strategy linking all
88 cities and the unincorporated area together is the solution to dramatically reducing gang
crime.
Present funding levels for,law enforcement are inadequate to address gang -related crime.
Existing law enforcement gang suppression models lack the necessary countywide, multi -
jurisdictional global approach necessary to deal effectively with the suppression of gangs
which are increasingly mobile and well -organized. Additionally, an important component
of a global gang suppression model involves the coordinated utilization of suppression,
prevention, and intervention programs. Funding for the necessary prevention and
intervention programs is likewise inadequate to handle the unique needs in Los Angeles
County.
-USE OF REVENUES:
The plan would generate approximately $325 million annually for the suppression. of
gangs and the prevention of violent crime. Seventeen percent of the revenue will be.
allocated to offset the increased operational and administrative costs resulting from the
implementation of The Gang Suppression, Prevention, and Intervention Tax Act incurred
by county departments, including but not limited to county custody operations, the District
Attorney, and other designated justice agencies.
Sixty-one percent of the revenue will be allocated to county unincorporated areas and
each city within Los Angeles County using a population derived formula with a $100,000
base for each entity. The money shall be used for gang suppression, prevention,
intervention and education programs. Fifty percent of the money allocated to each entity
shall be utilized for related law enforcement purposes as directed by the Sheriff or chief
law enforcement official of the entity receiving the revenue.
Twenty-two percent (22%) will be allocated for a mobile, countywide, interagency gang
task force which exclusively deals with the suppression and prevention of gang -related
crime.
SUMMARY:
Public Safety is the first priority of local government, and it is critical that investments be
made for the future. The Los. Angeles County Gang Suppression, Prevention, and
Intervention Tax provides the stable funding desperately needed to prevent gang -related
crime and provide the necessary intervention and prevention programs to ensure the cycle
of gang violence comes to an end.
BACKGROUND
Proposed Law
This proposed initiative is known as the "Los Angeles County Gang Suppression,
Prevention, and Intervention Tax." If adopted, the Act acknowledges a number of
policy objectives:
Public safety services are critically important to the security and well-being of
the County's citizens and to the growth and revitalization of the County's
economic base.
Public safety, the suppression of gangs, and the prevention of violent crimes are
primary responsibilities of local government and local officials have an obligation
to give priority to the provision of adequate public safety services.
Local financial -resources to the Sheriff and city law enforcement agencies shall
not be reduced below the adopted budget for the 2006/07 fiscal year.
If a loss or reduction in local general purpose financial resources occurs, proceeds.
from this Ordinance may be used to ensure public safety funding is not reduced below
the adopted budget for the 2006/07 fiscal year, only if local financial resources to
public safety are not reduced more than the total percent of the loss or reduction within
the affected year.
Imposition of retail transactions tax.
The Act, if adopted, will impose a tax on the sale of tangible personal property at retail
upon every retailer in the County at a rate of one -quarter of one percent of the gross
receipts. This is in addition to all previously imposed transactions and use taxes.
Imposition of use tax.
A complementary tax will also be imposed on the storage, use or other consumption of
tangible personal property purchased from any retailer. The tax shall also be at a rate
of one -quarter of one percent of the sales price of the property and is in addition to
previously approved use taxes.
Expenditure plan.
The revenues raised by this measure will be used to provide sworn and support
personnel, equipment and facilities to increase, maintain, improve, expand and
strengthen law enforcement, public safety, inter -agency and regional policing, gang
prevention and intervention programs and gang suppression throughout Los Angeles
County.
(A) Tax revenues dedicated to the Sheriff and local law enforcement will be used to:
Improve crime investigations and basic public safety services by
increasing resources for traditional law enforcement services.
2. Strengthen gang enforcement and the suppression of violent crime
through a mobile, multi -agency gang task force.
3. Expand community -oriented policing services.
4. Expand youth and adult programs designed to prevent gang -related
crime.
5. Provide technology and specialized equipment for tracking gang
intelligence and information among public safety agencies throughout the
County.
6. Provide for expanded justice -related resources necessary to respond to
increased arrests resulting from enhanced police services, including jail
space, services and staffing.
(B) Allocation of Revenues received by the County.
First, from the funds allocated to the County by the State Board of
Equalization, the Auditor -Controller shall be reimbursed for actual and
necessary direct and indirect costs incurred while complying with this
Ordinance. They shall be apportioned to the County and each city in
proportion to each entity's anticipated share of the proceeds of the tax
collected,
2. Of the remaining funds:
a. Seventeen percent (17%) of the revenue will be allocated to offset
the increased operational and administrative costs resulting from
the implementation of The Gang Suppression, Prevention, and
Intervention Tax Act incurred by county departments, including but
not limited to county custody operations, and other justice
agencies.
b. Sixty-one percent (61 %) of the revenue will be earmarked for
suppression, prevention, intervention and education, programs. At
least 50% of the money allocated to each entity pursuant to this
section shall be utilized for related law enforcement purposes as
directed by the Sheriff or chief law enforcement official of the
entity receiving the revenue.
C. Twenty-two. percent (22%) will be allocated for a mobile,
countywide, interagency gang task force which exclusively deals
with the suppression and prevention of gang -related crime.
(C) Maintenance of Effort.
In order to assist local governments in maintaining a sufficient level of
public safety services, the proceeds shall be designated exclusively to
maintain, improve, or expand funding of local law enforcement. Local
financial resources to the Sheriff and city law enforcement agencies shall
not -be reduced below the adopted budget for the 2006/07 fiscal year.
Moreover, the adopted budget for the 2006107 fiscal year may be
adjusted to reflect reduced expenditures necessitated by reductions in
state and federal assistance, or reductions in any other revenue source
beyond the control of that local government entity.
If a loss or reduction in local general purposefinancial resources occurs,
proceeds from this Ordinance may be used to ensure public safety
funding is not reduced below the adopted budget for the 2006/07 fiscal
year, only if local financial resources to public safety are not reduced
more than the total percent of the loss or reduction within the affected
year.
(D) Unspent Funds,
Any unspent proceeds from this Ordinance by the Sheriff, or a city, within
a fiscal year, shall be held in a public safety reserve trust account
established by that entity. Funds unspent more than five years after their
allocation will be returned to the pool for redistribution as prescribed.
Place of consummation of retail transaction.
This ordinance applies to all retail transactions consummated at the place of business
of the retailer, unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered to an out-of-state
destination or to a common carrier for the delivery to an out-of-state destination.
The gross receipts from such sales shall include delivery charges, when such charges
are subject to the state sales and use tax, regardless of the place to which delivery is
made. In the event a retailer has no permanent place of business in the state, or has
more than one place of business, the place or places at which the retail sales are
consummated for the purpose of the transactions tax will be determined by the State
Board of Equalization.
Accountability Measures.
The" Auditor -Controller of the County of Los Angeles shall create a new account into
which the proceeds from the special tax shall be deposited. The Auditor -Controller
shall file a report with the County Board of Supervisors, stating the amount of funds
collected and expended. This report shall be filed upon receipt of proceeds and every
January 1 thereafter. Each entity receiving an allocation of funds shall annually adopt,
in a public meeting, an accounting of the use of funds, and funds held in reserve. This
report shall be filed no later than September 30 of each year with the Auditor -
Controller.
The use of funds shall be evaluated under rules and regulations adopted by an
Oversight Committee consisting of the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, the Chief of the
Los Angeles Police Department, the Chief Administrative Officer of Los Angeles
County, the President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association, the
District Attorney of the County of Los Angeles, a, member of the California Contract
Cities Association, and a member of the Independent Cities Association of Los
Angeles County.
The rules and regulations adopted by the Oversight Committee shall provide for
penalties for inappropriate uses of funds.
Effective Dates.
This Ordinance shall take effect when approved by a two-thirds vote on the November
2006 ballot.
CITY COUNCIL
LEONIS C. MALBURG
Mayor
THOMAS A. YBARRA
Mayor Pro-Tem
WM. "BILL" DAVIS
Councilman
H. "LARRY" GONZALES
Councilman
W. MICHAEL McCORMICK
Councilman
July 24, 2006
0 JE
4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, California 90058
telephone (323) 583-8811
Sheriff Leroy D. Baca
County of Los Angeles
Sheriff's Department Headquarters
4700 Ramona Blvd.
Monterey Park, CA 91754-2169
SOL BENUDIZ
Police Chief
MARK C. WHITWORTH
Acting Fire Chief
LEWIS J. POZZEBON
Director of Environmental Health
S. KEVIN WILSON
Director of Community Services
SHARON L. DUCKWORTH
Acting City Treasurer
Re: Resolution No. 9092 A Resolution of the City Council of the City
of Vernon in Support of the Los Angeles County Gang Suppression,
Prevention, and Intervention Sales Tax Measure
Dear Mr. Baca:
Transmitted herewith is a copy of Resolution No. 9092 that was
approved by City Council on July 5, 2006.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call Mr. Sol
Benudiz at (323) 583-8811 ext. 114.
Very truly yours,
Lwiy irz?tl�
Deputy City Clerk
NG:dr
c: Sol Benudiz
Resolution No. 9092
TEXCIUAlvetiy wubugrial -