ENABLING ACT (Section 35100) As of January 1, 2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act Page 2 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act TABLEOFCONTENTS CHAPTER1.GeneralProvisions §35100.Citationofdivision §35101.Legislativefindingsanddeclarations §35102."Agriculturalactivity" §35103."Authority’ §35104.Repealed §35105."County" §35106."Governingboard" §35107.Repealed CHAPTER2.CreationoftheOpen‐SpaceAuthority §35120.Creationandjurisdiction §35121.Detachmentofterritoryannexedtocityoutsideauthority;Inclusionofcity outsideauthority’sjurisdiction §35122.Repealed §35123.Repealed §35124.Compensation CHAPTER3.Administration §35130.Governingboard;Meetings;Expenses §35131.Adoptionofrules §35132.Quorum §35133.Actsofauthority;Motion,resolutionorordinance §35134.Conductingmeetings §35135.Dutiesofgoverningboard §35136.Adoptionofannualbudget;Publicinspection §35137.InclusionofemployeesinPublicEmployees’RetirementSystem §35138.Repealed CHAPTER4.PowersandFunctions §35150.Adoptionofseal §35151.Powertosueandbesued §35152.Powersregardingproperty §35153.Eminentdomain §35154.Exchangeofdedicatedproperty §35155.Maintenanceofacquiredproperty §35156.Developmentofproperty;Utilizationfees §35157.Claimsagainstauthorityformoneyordamages §35158.Acceptanceof fundsordonations; Governmentgrants §35159.Contractsforservices,suppliesorconstruction §35160.Repealed CHAPTER5.Funding §35170.Legislativeintent;Supplementationoflocalrevenues §35171.Reviewandassessmentofneedsrelatedtoopenspacelands;Planfor expenditureofrevenues §35172.Specialtax §35173.Assessmentlevy §35174.Indebtedness Page 3 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act Page 4 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act CHAPTER1. GeneralProvisions §35100.Citationofdivision ThisdivisionshallbeknownandmaybecitedastheSantaClaraCountyOpen‐SpaceAuthorityAct. §35101.Legislativefindingsanddeclarations TheLegislatureherebyfindsanddeclaresallofthefollowing: (a)InSantaClaraCounty,open‐spacepreservationandcreationofagreenbeltareimmediatehigh prioritiesneededtocounterthecontinuingandseriousconversionoftheselandstourbanuses,to preservethequalityoflifeinthecounty,andtoencourageagriculturalactivities. (b)Inordertodealinanexpeditiousmannerwiththecurrentseriouslossoftheseproperties,the countyneedstodevelopandimplementalocalfundingprograminvolvingpropertiesoccupiedfor urbanpurposeswhichgiverisetotheneedforopen‐spacepreservationthatgoessignificantly beyondcurrentexistingfundingwhichisnotadequatetoresolvetheselosses. (c)ItisinthepublicinteresttocreatetheSantaClaraCountyOpen‐SpaceAuthoritysothatlocal open‐spacepreservationandgreenbeltingdecisionscanbeimplementedinatimelymannerto providefortheacquisitionandmaintenanceoftheseproperties. (d)Allpersonsowningdevelopedparcelsenjoytheprivilegeofusing,andbenefitfrom,the availabilityofopenspace. §35102."Agriculturalactivity" "Agriculturalactivity"hasthesamemeaningas"agriculturalactivity,operation,orfacility,or appurtenancesthereof"asdefinedinsubdivision(e)ofSection3482.5oftheCivilCode. §35103."Authority' "Authority"meanstheSantaClaraCountyOpen‐SpaceAuthoritycreatedpursuanttothisdivision intheCountyofSantaClara. §35105."County" "County"meanstheCountyofSantaClara. §35106."Governingboard" "Governingboard"meansthegoverningbodyoftheauthority. Page 5 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act CHAPTER2. CreationoftheOpen‐SpaceAuthority §35120.Creationandjurisdiction TheSantaClaraCountyOpen‐SpaceAuthorityisherebycreatedonFebruary1,1993.The maximumjurisdictionoftheauthorityshallincludeallareaswithinthecounty,exceptthoseareas ofthecountypresentlywithintheboundaries,includingthesphereofinfluence,ofthe MidpeninsulaRegionalOpen‐SpaceDistrict.Eachcitysituatedwithinthemaximumjurisdictional boundariesshallpassaresolutionstatingitsintenttobeincludedwithintheauthority's jurisdictionbyJanuary15,1993.Theseresolutionsshallbetransmittedtotheboardofsupervisors. Anycitywhichfailstopassthatresolutionorwhichformallystatesitsintenttonotparticipateshall beexcludedfromtheauthority'sjurisdiction.Thecreationoftheauthorityisnotsubjecttoreview bytheSantaClaraCountyLocalAgencyFormationCommission. §35121.Detachmentofterritoryannexedtocityoutsideauthority;Inclusionofcityoutside authority'sjurisdiction (a)If,aftertheestablishmentoftheauthority'sboundariespursuanttoSection35120,territory withintheauthorityisannexedtoacitywhichisoutsidetheauthority,thatterritorymaybe detachedfromtheauthoritypursuanttotheCortese‐Knox‐HertzbergLocalGovernment ReorganizationActof2000(Division3(commencingwithSection56000)ofTitle5ofthe GovernmentCode). (b)If,aftertheestablishmentoftheauthority'sboundariespursuanttoSection35120,acity whichisoutsidetheauthority'sjurisdictiondesirestobeincludedwithintheauthority's jurisdiction,thecityshalladoptaresolutionasprovidedinSection35120.Followingtheadoption oftheresolution,theterritorywithinthecitymaybeannexedtotheauthoritypursuanttothe Cortese‐Knox‐HertzbergLocalGovernmentReorganizationActof2000(Division3(commencing withSection56000)ofTitle5oftheGovernmentCode).Iftheauthorityleviesaspecialtaxoran assessmentandproposestoextendthatspecialtaxorassessmenttotheterritoryproposedtobe annexed,theannexationshallnotbecompleteuntiltheauthoritycomplieswiththeproceduresfor levyingthespecialtaxortheassessmentinthatterritory,includingnotice,hearing,andanelection, inthatterritory,whenrequired. §35123.Vacancies (a)Commencingin2008,theelectionsofmembersofthegoverningboardshallbeheldduringthe statewideelectioninNovemberoftheyearthatthetermexpires. (b)Theelectionsandthetermsofofficeofthemembersofthegoverningboardshallbe determinedpursuanttotheUniformDistrictElectionLaw(Part4(commencingwithSection 10500)ofDivision10oftheElectionsCode). (c)Anyvacancyintheofficeofamemberofthegoverningboardshallbefilledpursuantto Section1780oftheGovernmentCode. §35124.Compensationofinterimboardmembers Page 6 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act Eachmemberofthegoverningboardmayreceivecompensationintheamountofseventy‐five ($75)forattendingeachmeetingofthegoverningboard,nottoexceedtwomeetingsinany calendarmonth,togetherwithanyactualandnecessaryexpensesincurredintheperformanceof hisorherofficialdutiesrequiredorauthorizedbythegoverningboard.Thedeterminationof whetheramember’sactivitiesonanyspecificdayarecompensableshallbemadepursuantto Article2.3(commencingwithSection53232)ofChapter2ofPart1ofDivision2ofTitle5ofthe GovernmentCode.ReimbursementforexpensesissubjecttoSection53232.2and53232.3ofthe GovernmentCode. Page 7 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act CHAPTER3. Administration §35130.Governingboard;Meetings;Expenses AtthefirstgoverningboardmeetinginJanuary,thegoverningboardshallselectachairperson, whoshallpresideatallmeetings,andavicechairperson,whoshallpresideintheabsenceofthe chairperson.Intheeventoftheabsenceofthechairpersonandthevicechairperson,themembers present,byanorderenteredintotheminutes,shallselectoneofthememberspresenttoactas chairpersonprotempore,whowhilesoacting,hasalloftheauthorityofthechairperson. §35131.Adoptionofrules Thegoverningboardshalladoptrulesforitsproceedingsconsistentwithstatelaw. §35132.Quorum Amajorityofthemembersofthegoverningboardconstituteaquorumforthetransactionof business.Allofficialactsoftheauthorityrequiretheaffirmativevoteofamajorityofthemembers ofthegoverningboard,unlessotherwiseprovidedinthisdivision. §35133.Actsofauthority;Motion,resolutionorordinance Theactsoftheauthorityshallbeexpressedbymotion,resolution,orordinanceofitsgoverning board. §35134.Conductingmeetings AllmeetingsofthegoverningboardshallbeconductedpursuanttoChapter9(commencingwith Section54950)ofPart1ofDivision2ofTitle5oftheGovernmentCode. §35135.Dutiesofgoverningboard Thegoverningboardshalldoallofthefollowing: (a)AdoptanannualbudgetfollowingthepublichearingrequiredunderSection35136,hirean independentstaffofitsown,andfixthecompensationofitsofficersandemployees. (b)Adoptanadministrativecode,byordinance,whichprescribesthepowersanddutiesofthe authorityofficers,themethodofappointmentoftheauthority'semployees,andmethods, procedures,andsystemsofoperationandmanagementoftheauthority. (c)Causeapostauditofthefinancialtransactionsandrecordsoftheauthoritytobemadeatleast annuallybyacertifiedpublicaccountant. (d)Doanyandallthingsnecessarytocarryoutthepurposesofthisdivision. Page 8 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act §35136.Adoptionofannualbudget;Publicinspection (a)Noticeofthetimeandplaceofthepublichearingfortheadoptionoftheannualbudgetshall bepublishedpursuanttoSection6061oftheGovernmentCode,andshallbepublishednotlater than30dayspriortothedateofthehearing. (b)Theproposedannualbudgetshallbeavailableforpublicinspectionatleast30dayspriorto thehearing. §35137.InclusionofemployeesinPublicEmployees' RetirementSystem TheauthoritymayenterintoacontractwiththeBoardofAdministrationofthePublicEmployees' RetirementSystemtoincludetheemployeesoftheauthorityinthatretirementsystemwhoare eligibleformembershiptherein,andtheemployeesshallbeentitledtothesamebenefitsasstate employeespursuanttoPart5(commencingwithSection22750)ofDivision5ofTitle2ofthe GovernmentCode. Page 9 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act CHAPTER4. PowersandFunctions §35150.Adoptionofseal Theauthoritymayadoptasealandalteritatitspleasure. §35151.Powertosueandbesued Theauthoritymaysueandbesued,exceptasotherwiseprovidedbylaw,inallactionsand proceedings,inallcourtsandtribunalsofcompetentjurisdiction. §35152.Powersregardingproperty Theauthoritymaytakebygrant,appropriation,purchase,gift,devise,condemnation,orlease,and mayhold,use,enjoy,andleaseordisposeofrealandpersonalpropertyofeverykind,andrightsin realandpersonalproperty,withintheauthority'sjurisdiction,necessarytothefullexerciseofits powers.Theauthoritymayacceptandholdopen‐spaceeasementsandpurchasedevelopment credits. Priorityforopen‐spaceacquisitionshouldbefocusedonthoselandsclosest,mostaccessible,and visibletotheurbanarea.TheremoteranchlandseastofthewesternmostridgelineoftheDiablo Rangeshallbeacquiredaspermanentopenspaceonlythroughconservationeasementpurchases orthegrantingoflandsorconservationeasementsbyownerstotheauthority. Landssubjecttothegrantofanopenspaceeasementexecutedandacceptedbytheauthorityin accordancewiththisdivisionareenforceablyrestrictedwithinthemeaningofSection8ofArticle XIIIoftheCaliforniaConstitution.Aneasementorotherinterestinrealpropertymaybededicated foropen‐spacepurposesbytheadoptionofaresolutionbythegoverningboard,andanyinterestso dedicatedmaybeconveyedonlyasprovidedinthissection. Theauthoritymaynotvalidlyconveyanyinterestinanyrealpropertyactuallydedicatedand usedforopen‐spacepurposeswithouttheconsentofamajorityofthevotersoftheauthorityvoting ataspecialelectioncalledbythegoverningboardandheldforthatpurpose.Consentneednotfirst beobtainedforaleaseofanyrealpropertyforaperiodnotexceeding25yearsifthatrealproperty remainsinopen‐spaceoragriculturalusefortheentiredurationofthelease. §35153.Eminentdomain Theauthoritymayexercisetherightofeminentdomaintotakeanypropertynecessaryor convenienttoaccomplishthepurposesofthisdivision,exceptthatitshallnottakelandsinactive ranching,landsinagriculturalproduction,orlandsintimberlandproductionzoneswhicharenot threatenedbyimminentconversiontodevelopeduses.Furthermore,theauthorityshallnotacquire anyinterestinrealpropertybyeminentdomainunlesstherealpropertyiscontiguoustoreal propertywhichisalreadyownedbyapublicagencyforopen‐spaceuse.Forpurposesofthis section,"owned"includesanyleaseorothercontractualcommitmenttowhichthepublicagencyis aparty,tomaintainthepropertyinopen‐spaceuseforatermofatleast25years.Therightof eminentdomainmayonlybeexercisedupontheapprovalofafour‐fifthsvoteofthegoverning board.Ifthepropertyownerobjectstotheacquisitionofhisorherpropertybyeminentdomain, Page 10 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act thepropertyownermay,within30daysofthegoverningboard'svote,fileawrittenobjectionwith thelegislativebodyofthecityorcountyinwhichthepropertyislocated.Ifthepropertyislocated inmorethanonecityorinthecountyandoneormorecities,thepropertyownershallfilehisor herobjectionwiththelegislativebodyofthecityorcountywhichincludesthelargerportionofthe property.Ifthepropertyownerfilesatimelywrittenobjection,thelegislativebodyshallconsider theobjectionatapublichearingtobeheldwithin45daysofitsreceipt.Ifthelegislativebodyofa cityupholdsbyatwo‐thirdsvote,orthelegislativebodyofacountyupholdsbyamajorityvote,the objectionbydeterminingthattheacquisitionisnotinthebestinterestsofthepublicwithinthe authority'sjurisdiction,theauthorityshallnotexerciseitsrightofeminentdomainonthat property. §35154.Exchangeofdedicatedproperty Theauthoritymay,uponafour‐fifthsvoteofthegoverningboardandafterholdingapublic hearingpursuanttoSection6061oftheGovernmentCode,exchangeanyrealpropertydedicated andusedforopen‐Spacepurposesforrealpropertythatthegoverningboarddeterminestobeof equalorgreatervalueandisnecessarytobeacquiredforopen‐spacepurposes. §35155.Maintenanceofacquiredproperty Allpropertyacquiredbytheauthorityshallbeproperlymaintainedinareasonablefashion consistentwiththenaturalconditionsexistingupontheproperties,andthoseproperties immediatelysurroundingit.Thismaintenanceobligationdoesnotholdtheauthoritytoahigher standardofcare,butissimplyastatementofabasicfunctionoftheauthority. §35156.Developmentofproperty;Utilizationfees Theauthoritymayplan,adopt,layout,plant,develop,andotherwiseimprove,extend,control, operate,andmaintainlands,trails,naturalareas,andotherfacilitiesforpublicrecreationor agriculturalactivities.Theauthoritymayimposefeesfortheutilizationofitspropertieswhichdo notexceedthecostofprovidingservices. §35157.Claimsagainstauthorityformoneyordamages AllclaimsformoneyordamagesagainsttheauthorityaregovernedbyDivision3.6(commencing withSection810)ofTitle1oftheGovernmentCode,exceptasprovidedinthisdivisionorbyother statutesorregulationsexpresslyapplicabletothisdivision. §35158.Acceptanceoffundsordonations;Governmentgrants Theauthoritymayacceptfundsordonationsfromanypublicorprivatesourceforthepurposes ofacquisitionofopen‐spacelandsorforprojectswhichareinfurtheranceoftheauthority'sopen‐ spaceorgreenbeltingobjectiveswithinitsjurisdiction.Theauthoritymayseekgovernmentgrants andprivatedonations. §35159.Contractsforservices,suppliesorconstruction;Bidding Page 11 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act (a)Thegoverningboardmaycontractwithanypersonorpublicagencyforanyservices, supplies,equipment,ormaterials,orfortheconstructionorcompletionofanybuilding,structure, orimprovement. (b) (1)Notwithstandinganyotherlaws,acontractforanysupplies,equipment,ormaterials, thatexceedstwenty‐fivethousanddollars($25,000)shallbecontractedforandlettothelowest responsiblebidder.Iftwoormorebidsarethesameandthelowest,thegoverningboardmay accepttheoneitchooses.Acontractofseventy‐fivethousanddollars($75,000)orlessmaybeletby informalbiddingprocedures,butacontractofmorethanseventy‐fivethousanddollars($75,000) shallbeletbyformalbiddingprocedures. (2) (A)Thissubdivisionshallnotapplytocontractsforservices,including,butnot limitedto,planning,consulting,legal,orappraisalservices,ortocontractsforservicesauthorized tobeprocuredpursuanttoChapter10(commencingwithSection4525)ofDivision5ofTitle1ofthe GovernmentCode,ifthegoverningboardawardsthecontracttothemostresponsibleandqualified bidder. (B)Forpurposesofthissubdivision,"mostresponsibleandqualifiedbidder"means thebidderdeemedbythegoverningboardthatbestfitstheneedsoftheservicecontractormeets thecriteriaprescribedinsubparagraph(C). (C)Indeterminingthemostresponsibleandqualifiedbidder,thegoverningboard mayusecriteria,including,butnotlimitedto,allofthefollowing: (i)Experienceofthebidderasafirm,includingpastperformanceofthefirm oncontractsofsimilarsizeandscope. (ii)Experienceandqualificationsofpersonnelemployedbythebidder. (iii)Demonstratedunderstandingofthescopeoftheservice,including scheduleandplantoaccomplishtheservice. (iv)Bestoverallfinancialreturntothegoverningboardonthecontract. (v)Inaddition,forpurposesofthisparagraph,aresponsiblebidderwhohas demonstratedtheattributeoftrustworthiness,aswellasquality,fitness,andexperienceto satisfactorilyperformtheworkorprovidethegoodsrequired. (c)Thenoticeinvitingbidsshallsetadatefortheopeningofbids.Thefirstpublicationor postingofthenoticeshallbeatleast10daysbeforethedateofopeningthebids.Forpurposesof contractsrequiringformalbidding,noticeshallbepublishedatleasttwice,atleastfivedaysapart, inanewspaperofgeneralcirculationintheauthority,orifthereisnone,itshallbepostedinat leastthreepublicplacesintheauthority.Thenoticeshalldistinctlystatethenatureofthecontract. (d)Thegoverningboardmayrejectanybids.Ifthegoverningboardrejectsallbids,itmay eitherreadvertiseoradoptaresolution,byfour‐fifthsvote,declaringthatthecontractcanbe performedmoreeconomicallybytheemployeesoftheauthorityorobtainedatalowerpriceonthe openmarket.Uponadoptionoftheresolution,thegoverningboardmayundertaketheproject withoutfurthercomplyingwithsubdivisions(b)and(c). (e)Ifbidsarenotreceived,thegoverningboardmayundertaketheprojectwithoutfurther complyingwithsubdivisions(b)to(d),inclusive. Page 12 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act (f)Inthecaseofanemergency,thegoverningboardmayadoptaresolutionbyatwo‐thirds voteofallthemembersofthegoverningboarddeclaringthatthepublicinterestandnecessity demandimmediateexpenditureofpublicmoneytosafeguardlife,health,orproperty.The governingboardmayexpendanysumrequiredintheemergencywithoutsubmittingthe expendituretobid. Forthepurposeofthissubdivision,"emergency"meansasudden,unexpectedoccurrence, involvingaclearandimminentdanger,demandingimmediateactiontopreventormitigatelossof, ordamageto,life,health,property,oressentialpublicservices.Emergencyincludesafire,flood, earthquake,orothersoilorgeologicmovements,aswellasariot,accident,orsabotage. Page 13 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act CHAPTER5. Funding §35170.Legislativeintent;Supplementationoflocalrevenues TheLegislature,bytheenactmentofthischapter,intendsthattheauthorityuseanyfunds providedbythischaptertosupplementexistinglocalrevenuesbeingusedforopen‐space acquisition,preservation,ormaintenancepurposes.Thecountyandthecitieswithinthe jurisdictionoftheauthorityarefurtherencouragedtomaintaintheirexistingcommitmentoflocal fundsforthesepurposes. §35171.Reviewandassessmentofneedsrelatedtoopen‐‐spacelands;Planforexpenditure ofrevenues (a)Theauthorityshallreviewandassesstheneedsforacquisition,preservation,ormaintenance ofopen‐spacelands.Aspartofthisreviewandassessment,theauthorityshallsolicitproposals fromthecitiesinthecountywithintheboundariesoftheauthorityandfromacitizens'advisory committee,themembershipofwhichshallbedeterminedbytheauthoritybaseduponcriteria whichprovidesabroadrepresentationofinterestswithintheauthority'sjurisdiction.The membershipofthecitizens'advisorycommitteeshallreflecttheculturalandethnicdiversityofthe populationwithintheauthority'sjurisdiction.Theauthorityshalladoptaprocedureforevaluating theseproposalsinconsultationwiththecitiesandthecitizens'advisorycommitteeinthe authority'sjurisdiction.Theentitysubmittinganyproposalshallconsidertheimpacttheproposal mayhaveontheavailabilityofaffordablehousing. (b)Basedontheevaluation,theauthorityshallprepareaplanfortheexpenditureoftherevenues expectedtobederivedfromfundingprovidedforthisdivision,togetherwithotherfederal,state, local,andprivateimprovements,andfunding. (c)Inadditiontoacquisition,preservation,ormaintenanceofopen‐spacelands,theexpenditure planshallalsoincludeprojectionsofrevenueslikelytobeavailableinthenextfiveyearsforcapital, maintenance,andoperationalpurposes.Theexpenditureplanshallestablishgeneralareasfor acquisitionwithoutidentifyingspecificparcels,andshallbeperiodicallyreviewedandamended. Beforeadoptionoramendmentofanexpenditureplan,theauthorityshallconductpublichearings onthatplan.Noexpenditureforopen‐spacelandsshalloccuruntiltheinitialexpenditureplanis approved. §35172.Specialtax TheauthoritymayimposeaspecialtaxpursuanttoArticle3.5(commencingwithSection50075) ofChapter12ofPart1ofDivision1ofTitle5oftheGovernmentCode.Thespecialtaxesshallbe applieduniformlytoalltaxpayersorallrealpropertywithintheauthority,exceptthatunimproved propertymaybetaxedatalowerratethanimprovedproperty. §35173.Assessmentlevy TheauthoritymaylevyassessmentspursuanttotheImprovementActof1911,Division7 Page 14 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Enabling Act (commencingwithSection5000),theImprovementBondActof1915,Division10(commencing withSection8500),andtheMunicipalImprovementActof1913,Division12(commencingwith Section10000)oftheStreetsandHighwaysCode. §35174.Indebtedness TheauthoritymayincurindebtednesstofinancecapitalimprovementspursuanttoChapter4 (commencingwithSection43600)ofDivision4ofTitle4oftheGovernmentCode. Page 15 of 15 Approved by Governor Brown, Effective 1/1/2013
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