3/22/13 -- In Partnership with Concerned Residents and the Vallejo Police Department

The last in the series of community meetings regarding the relationship between Vallejo communities and the police will be held tomorrow, March 23 at The Omega Boys and Girls Club, 1 Positive Place (off Mini Drive at 555 Corcoran Place) from 10 AM to 12 PM.

This will be the last of the series of community meetings. Chief Kreins has notified us that the police department will not be able to send any staff members to any additional meetings due to staffing issues. In light of this update we are inviting anyone who may wish to attend, even if you do not live in the College Park  neighborhood, to hear the PD presentation and ask questions about the department's policy and procedures. 

MORE INFO HERE -- En Espanol AQUI

Another Opportunity to Lose Revenues,

Increase Expenses and Create Another

Subsidized Housing

By Robert Schussel, Ph.D

3/22/13

The following was sent as an email to request that city council not approve Action Item 8A on next Tuesday's agenda without significant concessions. If item 8A is approved, it would clear the way for another 100% subsidized housing complex in Vallejo.

I would like to remind you that staff waited until the last minute to have a TEFRA* hearing for Harbor Park. It seems they learned nothing from the experience.

Once again Staff has done the citizens of Vallejo a disservice by recommending approval of $24M in CSCDA** tax exempt bonds.

SeaBreeze Apartments (100 Larissa Lane) is the only subsidized housing that pays 100% of their assessed Property Tax. In 2011 Seabreeze paid $129,000 in property tax because they are not a subsidized complex. In fact they are zero percent subsidized. Seabreeze paid more property tax than 12 other subsidized complexes combined.(see link below)

https://ibvallejo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190

No mention is made in the staff report whether Seabreeze will request property tax exemptions as part of the bond request. If the entire complex is allowed to become 100% subsidized there is the possibility that a 100% property tax exemption cannot be stopped. This will result of the loss of property tax revenue for the city as well as result in considerable City expenses due to crime and other factors . This sort of 100% subsidized complex is known to create major crime problems and increase demand for additional social services.

There is also no mention in the staff report what percent of the bond monies will go to rehabbing units etc.

Currently Seabreeze is one of the best managed larger complexes in Vallejo . The reasons for this is a good manager and the fact that 35% of the apartments are market rate. By moving to 100% subsidized housing you are creating another subsidized housing nightmare, a phenomenon that Vallejo is all to familiar with.. These types of complexes need to have a sufficient number of market rate apartments to ensure a mix that produces a healthy quality of life for all involved. Making a complex 100% low income is not fair to anyone. Harbor Park was granted CSCDA bonds but they actually wanted to have a significant number of market rate apartments to ensure quality of life issues.

Below are comments I made in a 2011 ibvallejo article about CSCDA bonds and subsidized housing.

The City has never tried to bargain with an owner/investor over the property tax exemption they receive. I was told that no city appears to have tried to negotiate a reduction even though there is nothing to stop them from trying to reduce the property tax exemption through voluntary action by the owner. It is time that the City become more proactive in at least making the attempt.

It is also apparent that the City has never asked for non financial concessions. Before signing off on a subsidized housing project the City could demand that educational programs such as adult education, after school programs, job training and preparation, wellness and financial management classes and day care be offered to the residents. This could potentially reduce the high demand many of these complexes place on City services. The City should also demand that an annual report be prepared that discusses calls for police services and residents' level of participation in the programs being offered etc.

Concessions that need to be obtained

1. Seabreeze not be allowed any property tax exemption for 55 years.

2. At least 35% of the apartments remain at market value just like Harbor Place.

3. Educational programs such as adult education, after school programs, job training and preparation, wellness and financial management classes and day care be offered to the residents. In addition to the above ROEM should be required to offer every resident course that is listed in the Staff Report.

 

4. The City should also demand that an annual report be prepared that discusses calls for police services and residents' level of participation in the programs being offered etc.

*TEFRA = Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act

**CSCDA = California Statewide Communities Development Authority