Minutes 1996 1118 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes - City of San Leandro City Council and Page - 7 - Redevelopment Agency Meeting - November 18, 1996 Mayor Corbett clarified, for the record, that former Mayor Karp was not a convicted felon, as a speaker had claimed. 3.25 Donnie Rhett, 1395 Bancroft Avenue, said we must roadblock irresponsible gun use. She asked that the tax include wholesalers. She urged the Council to support the tax. A five- minute break was announced at 8:40 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 8:45 p.m. There being no further comments from the public, the Public Hearing was closed. M /S /C Galvan and Young. Ayes: 7; Noes: 0 Mayor Corbett suggested that City Attorney Steve Meyers restate the matter under consideration. Mr. Meyers clarified that an ordinance had been prepared in accordance with the Council's direction. He noted that the tax will not go into effect until the matter has been brought to the voters and approved by a majority. He said it is a general tax, and the funds will go into the General Fund and appropriated in the same manner as any other revenues. He said the exclusions are sales to public agencies and to other licensed dealers. The amount is 3% of gross receipts. He stated that the procedure for the evening is similar to other ordinances; but, it will not be effective until approved by the voters in the Spring of 1998. Council Member Lothrop asked if the Ordinance passed this evening, could changes be made later. Mr. Meyers said changes could be made with the proper Public Hearing procedure. She asked if the individual businesses affected were asked how this would affect them. Mr. Jermanis stated that Traders had indicated the effect would be significant. He said the Ordinance had been designed to impact businesses as little as possible. He said the intent was not to put Traders at a competitive disadvantage. Council Member Galvan noted Mr. Rosenga's earlier comments were appropriate; that, regardless, it will have to go to a vote of the people. He noted that, some time back, Council Member Lothrop had requested information regarding taking the issue to a vote of the people. He said his position has not changed. He said the issue was brought up due to the East Bay Corridor Project; only Berkeley has passed a similar Ordinance, and it does not affect any businesses. He said Traders will be most impacted. He commented on other, unilateral taxes on alcohol, etc. He said the difference is that this will only affect San Leandro and drive business away. He said there was no need to rush a decision since the vote will not occur until 1998. Council Member Galvan moved to table the issue to a future date; the motion failed for lack of a second.