CITY COUNCIL: Resolution in Support of Assembly Bill 1614 to Extend Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) until 2024

Meeting Date: March 6, 2012
Prepared by: Molly Laughlin


City Council
Agenda Item Summary


Name: Consideration of a Resolution in support of Assembly Bill 1614 to extend the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) until 2024.

Description: The Ford Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) was created by the State of California in 1994 for the express purpose to redevelop the former military base for civilian reuse. The enabling legislation that created FORA legislation anticipated that 80% of the tasks such as the planning, oversight, financing, and implementation of base reuse programs would be completed by June 30, 2014, so this was the sunset date established. As this date looms closer, there remains a need for a broad regional authority to oversee the reuse of the former Fort Ord and extending FORA's sunset date will allow continued local collaboration to continue to implement the FORA recovery program. To this end, Assemblyman Bill Monning has introduced Assembly Bill1614 to extend the sunset date by 10 years to June 30, 2024.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/ A

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution.

Important Considerations: If FORA is not extended, its work must be performed by other local agencies, which could not handle obligations at Fort Ord such as munitions and explosives removal, HCP implementation, financing contaminated building deconstruction, and the planning and construction of the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery. Extending the sunset date by 10 years will allow for continued collaboration to implement the FORA recovery program.

Decision Record: None.

Reviewed by:

Jason Stilwell, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2012-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA IN SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1614 TO EXTEND THE FORT ORD REUSE AUTHORITY UNTIL 2024
______________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS, the Fort Ord US Army Military Installation was an integral part of the
Monterey Bay Region since its establishment in 1917 and during its service to the nation
throughout the 20th Century, and
WHEREAS, the 1991 closure of Fort Ord resulted in significant negative economic,
political, and cultural impacts to Monterey Bay Coastal Communities, and
WHEREAS, the Ford Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) was created by the State of
California in 1994 for the express purpose of redeveloping the former military base for civilian
reuse, and
WHEREAS, it was determined by legislation that FORA would be governed by a 24-
member Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from every Monterey Bay regional
governmental entity affected by the reuse efforts and granted broad powers to plan, oversee,
finance, and implement base reuse programs, and
WHEREAS, the enabling legislation anticipated 80% completion of these tasks by June
30, 2014 and, therefore, adopted a June 30, 2014 FORA sunset date, and
WHEREAS, FORA has maintained broad local community participation and has held
ongoing meetings to discuss, plan, and implement the region’s vision for economic recovery, and
WHEREAS, FORA has undertaken crucial munitions and explosives removal
obligations, funded the crucial Fort Ord Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) program process,
constructed regional roadways and made transit improvements, and financed the deconstruction
of contaminated buildings in its efforts to compete reuse, and
WHEREAS, numerous Fort Ord Reuse Authority obligations extend beyond the June 30,
2014 sunset date, and
WHEREAS, if FORA is not extended, its work must be performed by other local
agencies which are not equipped to fulfill ongoing and fixed term obligations on Fort Ord such
as munitions and explosives removal, HCP implementation, financing contaminated building
deconstruction, and coordinate planning and construction of the Central Coast Veterans
Cemetery, and
WHEREAS, entities that may be able to undertake a portion of FORA’s work lack the
regional authority that prompted the Legislature to create FORA, and would most likely result in
work being either delayed or not being performed, and
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WHEREAS, there remains a need for a broad regional authority to oversee the reuse of
the former Fort Ord. Extending FORA’s sunset date will allow local collaboration to continue to
implement the FORA recovery program, and to enhance the economy and quality of life in the
Monterey Bay community and the California Central Coast.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES:
1. Register its support to extend the Fort Ord Reuse Authority as proposed by
Assembly Bill 1614 as submitted by Assemblymember William Monning.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-
THE-SEA this 6th day of March 2012, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
SIGNED:
______________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR
ATTEST:
____________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk
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DRAFT LETTER OF SUPPORT
March 7, 2012
The Honorable Assemblymember Bill Monning
27th District Assembly
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Re: Support for Assembly Bill 1614-Extending the Fort Ord Reuse Authority
Dear Assemblymember Monning:
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea supports the extension of the sunset date for the Fort Ord Reuse Authority
(FORA) from June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2024. Extension would permit the Santa Cruz, Monterey, and
San Benito region to continue the important work of recovery and reuse of the former military base. We
concur in your assessment that the continuation of FORA’s current regional collaboration would enhance
the economic recovery options and quality of life in the Monterey Bay Community and the California
Central Coast.
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is concerned that if FORA were to sunset on June 30, 2014, this important
work would be transferred to a yet-to-be-determined local agency or agencies, unprepared to fulfill the
ongoing and fixed term obligations on Fort Ord. These obligations include crucial tasks such as
implementation of the Habitat Conservation Plan, coordination of contaminated building removal, and
planning and construction of the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery.
Thank you for undertaking a leadership role on this issue by providing a common sense solution to this
potential problem. We in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea look forward to the successful passage of the Fort
Ord Reuse Authority extension.
Sincerely,
Sue McCloud
Mayor
CC: Senator Sam Blakeslee, Co-Sponsor
Assemblymember Luis Alejo, Co-Sponsor
Senator Anthony Cannella, Co-Sponsor