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CC 2024-03-12_06c Supplemental 2 MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Jessica Matson, Legislative & Information Services Director/City Clerk SUBJECT: Supplemental Information Agenda Item 6.c. – March 12, 2024 City Council Meeting SLOCOG Presentation on Countywide Self-Help Measure DATE: March 12, 2024 Attached is correspondence received for the above referenced item. cc: City Manager Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director City Attorney City Clerk City Website and Public Review Binder Enc From:Healthy Communities To:public comment Subject:3/12 City Council Meeting - Item 6c (Public Comment) Date:Monday, March 11, 2024 11:07:42 AM Attachments:SLOCOG_LRF_HCWG 031224.pdf IRONSCALES couldn't recognize this email as this is the first time you received an email from this sender healthycommunitiesslo @ gmail.com Hello, I am reaching out on behalf of the Healthy Communities Work Group. Please see our comment letter for Item 6c of tomorrow's City Council agenda. Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you, Sophie Sophie Glazebrook Healthy Communities Work Group healthycommunitiesslo@gmail.com COALITION PARTNERS: Bike SLO County Cal Poly State University Caltrans District 5 City of San Luis Obispo Community Action Partnership of SLO First 5 of San Luis Obispo County Los Osos Pickleball Oceano Community Services District SLO Council of Governments SLO County Air Pollution Control District SLO County Department Public Health SLO County YIMBY SLO Legal Assistance Foundation Smart Share Housing Solutions RESOURCES: www.slohealthcounts.org Building Healthy Communities: Residential Checklist To enhance health with improvements to the built environment through collaboration, education, and policy guidance. www.slohealthcounts.org/hcwg March 12, 2024 To: Arroyo Grande City Council 215 E. Branch St. Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 ATTN: Local Roads First Transportation Tax Ballot Initiative Dear Arroyo Grande City Council, We are writing to you today, on behalf of the Healthy Communities Work Group, in support of the Local Roads First Transportation Tax Ballot Initiative. Our group has seen how bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvements have translated to better health for our communities. Safe neighborhoods that allow people to walk or bike to work, school, parks, and errands allow physical activity to be incorporated into everyday life, which may reduce obesity and other chronic conditions. Safe and connected neighborhoods also increase community connection, reduce social isolation and enhance the quality of life for residents. We also recognize that the gas tax that has traditionally funded these kinds of active transportation projects has, and will continue to, decline in the years ahead. The Local Roads First Self-Help initiative would allow our county to replace those declining revenues—with $700 million over the next 20 years to invest in roads, bike and pedestrian improvements, and such valuable programs as public transit for seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans, and Safe Routes to School. It would also make SLO County eligible for millions more in competitive grants from both state and federal sources—money that we are currently losing to other counties throughout California. This local transportation tax would also be paid for by both residents and visitors alike, allowing SLO County to support the continued investment in our communities. Notably, the tax excludes certain essentials such as housing, groceries, and medical expenses. This exemption emphasizes that the tax will reduce impacts on residents while ensuring that tourists also contribute their fair share. For these reasons, HCWG recommends the SLOCOG Board of Directors to continue to move this initiative forward and give voters the ability to decide on a local transportation tax. We thank you for your consideration. To enhance health with improvements to the built environment through collaboration, education, and policy guidance. www.slohealthcounts.org/hcwg Sincerely, Bob Jorgensen, Healthy Communities Work Group Co-chair Ke Ghiglia, Healthy Communities Work Group Co-chair About the Healthy Communities Work Group The Healthy Communities Work Group is a collaboration between public health officials, local planning and transportation officials, community- based organizations, academia, and community members, working to improve health through community design.