Update: Emeryville residents have passed Measure O, funding services that will address environmental, housing, transportation, safety, and COVID-19 economic recovery issues!
Greenbelt Alliance encourages residents of Emeryville to vote yes on Measure O to modify Emeryville’s existing Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) which will modify Emeryville’s RPTT from $12 to $15 per $1,000 for property sales between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000, and $25 per $1,000 for property sales above $2,000,000. The RPTT for properties valued at less than $1,000,000 will remain unchanged. This modification is estimated to generate about $5 million per year for City services.
What will Measure O fund?
- Clean Water/Environmental: Providing funding for storm drain repairs and maintenance to prevent flooding, protect against sea level rise, and keep creeks, streams, and neighborhoods clean and pollution free.
- Addressing Homelessness: Providing solutions to address homelessness in Emeryville.
- Public Works: Improving transportation offerings for all modes of transit, including walking, biking, and rolling; and maintaining and enhancing urban forests, parks, and playgrounds.
- Public Safety: Maintaining police patrols, 911 emergency response, disaster preparedness, improving code enforcement, and increasing pedestrian safety (fire services are provided by Alameda County Fire).
- COVID‐19 Response/Economic Recovery: Supporting small businesses and attracting new businesses, jobs, and economic activity.
Why We Supported Measure O
While this is a general tax, the Emeryville City Council members have expressed and proven their commitment to infill housing and environmentalism. This measure will fund the projects that could fit our recommendations within our Resilience Playbook. We are confident that they will use the funds for the stated areas with implementation being guided by their climate action plan (CAP). Among a few of their CAP implementation recommendations are:
- Build bioswales and other vegetative stormwater treatment features for stormwater filtration and flood prevention.
- Build a living levee or other protective measures in the Emeryville Crescent Marsh.
- Collaborate with regional efforts with Adapting to Rising Tides on sea level rise.
- Develop adaptation strategies for areas where sea level rise is expected to lead to flooding or wind waves during this century.
- Establish a community resilience center at ECCL and Senior Center as service distribution points, particularly targeting vulnerable neighborhoods.
Photo: Melystu via Flickr
