HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-18 - Opposing Measure "S" on Ballot for Primary Election March 26, 1996RESOLUTION NO. 94-167
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING
MEASURE "S" ON THE BALLOT FOR THE PRIMARY
ELECTION TO BE HELD MARCH 26, 1996.
WHEREAS, the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, has been an active military airfield
since 1942; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, is a regional asset of 4,700 acres
located in the geographic center of Orange County near the intersection of the 5, 405, and 133
freeways, and the planned Foothill/Eastern Toll Road; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, is scheduled for closure in 1999,
if not sooner, and it is estimated that over 8,000 jobs will be lost due to this closure; and
WHEREAS, El Toro has two 10,000 -foot runways, and two 8,000 -foot runways and,
unlike John Wayne Airport (JWA), has a single 5,700 -foot runway capable of safely
accommodating the largest military or civilian aircraft; and
WHEREAS, in November, 1994, the Orange County electorate passed Measure A which
amended the Orange County General Plan to allow for a commercial airport on 2,000 acres of
the base, if feasible, and to allow airport -related land uses on the balance of the property; and
WHEREAS, 22 of 31 cities within Orange County voted in favor of Measure A; and
WHEREAS, Measure A received broad community support from business, labor, grass-
roots organizations, and cities; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration stated in a July, 1995, letter that it
supports El Toro's conversion to a civilian airport; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration has agreed to co-sponsor the County's
application for public benefit transfer of 2,000 acres, known as the aviation footprint for use as
a civilian airport, if the studies indicate an airport is feasible; and
WHEREAS, a public benefit transfer means these 2,000 acres would convey to the
County of Orange at no cost, thereby eliminating a burden on air travellers for airport
development; and
WHEREAS, Measure A established a citizens' advisory commission to develop an El
Toro Reuse Plan that would stimulate Orange County's economy and provide benefits to all
Orange County residents; and
WHEREAS, the Measure A planning structure has been designated by the Department
of Defense as the official planning organization for El Toro's conversion and reuse; and
WHEREAS, over $2.5 million is being spent to develop a reuse plan that analyzes all
potential reuses, including aviation and nonaviation uses, and the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report that fully analyzes the potential environmental impact effects of
various reuse options; and
WHEREAS, the Measure A planning structure has made significant progress towards the
completion of the reuse plan for El Toro and the related Environmental Impact Report; and
WHEREAS, a new initiative has been qualified for the March 26, 1996, Primary Election
which would repeal Measure A; and
WHEREAS, the new initiative (Measure S) specifically states that "NO NEW
REGIONAL AIRPORT FACILITIES WILL BE BUILT THROUGH 2015"; and
WHEREAS, Measure S abolishes the El Toro Citizens Advisory Commission which was
chartered by Measure A to develop the conversion plans for El Toro; and
WHEREAS, Measure S also forces El Toro to remain in government ownership for 20
years; and
WHEREAS, by leaving El Toro in government ownership, Measure S would effectively
prohibit any reuse of El Toro because any aviation or nonaviation use would be inconsistent with
the County's General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the passage of Measure S would mean that 50 percent of all Orange County
air passengers would be forced to use other airports to meet their travel needs; and
WHEREAS, the 535,000 annual tons of air cargo generated by Orange County businesses
will continue to be shipped out of Los Angeles and Ontario; and
WHEREAS, Measure S misleads the voters by claiming that John Wayne Airport is
capable of serving substantially all of the County's air transportation needs when all studies have
shown that more Orange County residents go to Los Angeles, Ontario, and other airports than
are served at John Wayne Airport; and
WHEREAS, Measure S misleads the voters by claiming to relieve the financial burden
of a commercial airport, when, in fact, airport improvements at El Toro will generate thousands
of new jobs, and billions of dollars in economic growth with airport improvements through
landing fees, fuel fees, and concession fees as evidenced by the financial success of the John
Wayne Airport expansion in 1985; and
WHEREAS, the cities immediately surrounding El Toro have spent over $2.5 million
since 1993 to oppose a commercial airport at El Toro; and
WHEREAS, Measure S creates legal hurdles for airport development that effectively
eliminate an airport conversion at El Toro; and
WHEREAS, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has determined
that El Toro's conversion to a civilian airport could immediately accommodate four million
passengers and it is the most easily converted military airfield in Southern California; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Regional Airport Authority estimates that El Toro
Airport will create over 53,000 jobs for our region; and
WHEREAS, El Toro Airport can accommodate Orange County's air cargo demand
estimated by SCAG at 535,000 tons annually with potential revenues of $1.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, Orange County's bankruptcy resulted in cities, special districts, and school
districts losing $800 million; and
WHEREAS, Measure A outlined a "revenue sharing" concept whereby local governments
could share in over $170 million in new revenue from land uses at El Toro Airport;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Costa
Mesa opposes Measure S on the March, 1996, Primary Ballot.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of February, 1996.
14
Ma r of the City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
Deputy City lerk of the City of Costa Mesa
gPPROVED AS TO FORM
CITY ATTORNEY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, MARY T. ELLIOTT, Deputy City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of
the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 576-/9
was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof
held on the 20th day of February, 1996.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the City
of Costa Mesa this 21st day of February, 1996.
Deputy Cit Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of
the City C cil of the City of Costa Mesa