San Francisco's own stimulus package

November’s ballot continues to take shape, as the Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to lay the groundwork for a $368 million bond for road and sidewalk improvements. The proposed measure would be repaid over 20 years with property taxes. And because it’s a “general obligation” bond, it will need the approval of 66 percent of voters. (California Constitution, Art. 16, sec. 18(a).)

Supervisor Bevan Dufty figured: While we’re rooting around in the guts of our streets, we should put some utility wires underground. But his proposal to add $20 million to the measure for that purpose never made it out of the Budget and Finance Committee.

On Tuesday, the board approved a resolution declaring that approving the bond would be in the public interest (a necessary precursor to the official bond measure) by a vote of 9-2, with supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier and Sean Elsbernd voting no. (Here's the resolution: Download Street Bond.)

Here’s my dramatic interpretation of the debate (these are not quotes):

Elsbernd: This bond is basically saying: Streets are no longer a budget priority, so lets pile it on to the property-tax payers of The City. Last year, voters approved more than $1 billion in bonds — can we give citizens a break? Do we have to have a bond measure on every dang ballot?

Ed Riskin, director, Department of Public Works: In the past 20 years, The City’s pavement-condition index score has gone from 78 to 64 because streets have been neglected. We need to fix the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St., and there’s not enough general fund money to do that plus get our roads in order, so we need to put this in a bond.

Elsbernd: The resolution says this money is for road repairs. That is maintenance. Bonds are not supposed to be used for maintenance. Bonds are for humongous one-time expenditures like overhauling San Francisco General Hospital, which voters approved last year.

Riskin: If it makes you feel any better, we will still fix potholes and fill pavement cracks with general fund money.

Nani Coloretti, mayor’s budget director: Let me add that the state is cutting funds to The City, including the cash we get from the gas tax to take care of our streets.

Elsbernd: We don’t use the gas tax to resurface our streets like we are supposed to! We use it to clean our streets. If we used the money for its intended purpose, we wouldn’t be asking voters to approve yet another bond.

David Chiu, board president: First of all, Elsbernd is being a total killjoy. The board should get bonus points for working with Mistermayor’s office on this. Second, I want to point out that passing this bond won’t result in a tax increase (you just won’t see a decrease). Third, if we wait too long, our streets will be even more janky, which will make repairing them even more expensive. And you know what? In a year like this, when we’re talking about cutting services and stuff, we can’t prioritize street repairs as a general fund expense.

Elsbernd: We’re looking at an $85 million increase in retirement benefit costs this year, and a $40 million increase in the cost for health care benefits that The City has to pay. The reason there’s no money for streets is because we refuse to make difficult decisions.

Coloretti: This will create 2,600 jobs, too.

Riskin: Yeah, man. It’s about jobs.

QUOTES OF THE MEETING:

 “Those who are considering placing a parcel tax on the November ballot: You’re gonna go to the voters with a parcel tax and a general obligation bond at the same time? In this economy? Good luck.” — Supervisor Sean Elsbernd at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, speaking out against a proposed $368 million bond for street improvements on the November ballot.

“If any of us had thought that Supervisor Elsbernd lost his edge becoming a parent, I think we were welcoming the moment when he tossed that microphone aside and stepped away with a look of disgust that we see on his face right now.” — Supervisor Bevan Dufty, commenting on new father Elsbernd’s vehement opposition to the proposed street bond, and Elsbernd’s signature “microphone toss.”

Comments

[vansmack]

Someday I hope to be as smart as Sean Elsbernd....

[Ed Sheppard]

$6.6 billion budget, bigger than 20 states, and we have to borrow money to fix the streets? Which is one of the main job of city governments? Take $368 million from the $6.6 billion you already have!

[meanboy]

I am ready with my no vote. I am going to tell my friends to vote no as well. Let's use money the right way for once.