pages: CityCouncil/2022-05-10.pdf, 10
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CityCouncil | 2022-05-10 | 10 | is less than surrounding communities, including San Leandro, Oakland and Emeryville; there is no reason the City should not at least be equal to said cities. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she is interested in exploring both the TOT and infrastructure bond; Alameda has huge infrastructure needs; the influx of federal funding also requires local investment; the Climate Action Resiliency Plan (CARP) and traffic safety response times need to be prioritized; the infrastructure bond has been put off for many, many years; more detailed questions should be asked; the timeline is quick; since it is the greatest need, exploring an infrastructure bond would be of interest; the bond would only cover a fraction of the overall need; she has zero interest in cannabis or business license taxes; the cannabis tax is incredibly regressive; a fledgling industry is competing against the black market; the business license tax should not be increased coming out COVID when the City had to help businesses. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she strongly opposes the cannabis tax; discussed cannabis being sold on the black market; stated it is not the time to increase the business license tax. Councilmember Daysog stated when it comes to infrastructure, the issue is not a revenue problem; the problem comes down to spending priorities; in the past five years, $46 million has been spent because of the unfunded liabilities policy; all of the City's leggs have gone into one basket with regard to excess reserves; before going after new revenues, the City needs fiscal priorities and does not deserve to ask taxpayers to shore up inadequacies; he does not see how $95 million can be figured out in two months; the wiser course of action is to spend more time researching needs; since the problem lies with prioritizing revenue, he would oppose the measure. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she agrees with Vice Mayor Vella in regards to cannabis; she strongly supports businesses; continued support is critical; requested the TOT information be displayed again and outlined rates; stated the average is 10.27%; Alameda is in the middle; she does not support the business license tax; she has serious concerns about an infrastructure bond; residents and the business community are struggling right now; imposing more taxes goes in the wrong direction during a high inflation period; $95 million would not stretch as far; revenue generating assets have been flipped to become expenditures, such as homes at Alameda Point being used for transitional housing and the bottle parcel not being sold; discussed high inflation; stated the City should help businesses and residents stay in town. The Interim City Manager stated the budget presentation up next mentions the pension policy; discussed the unfunded accrued pension liability; stated a few years ago, there was $200 million in deferred maintenance across the City, not including Alameda Point; the commercial construction index is going up by 14% per year; deferred maintenance just gets more and more expensive; whether or not infrastructure needs should try to be tackled through a bond is a policy decision; discussed TOT rates; stated immediate neighbors are all up around 14%; there could be a phased approach or tie to economic conditions, so the increase does not hit while hotels might be struggling. Continued May 3, 2022 Meeting Alameda City Council May 10, 2022 5 | CityCouncil/2022-05-10.pdf |