Date: October 29, 2001
To: Santa Monica College Board of Trustees
From: Piedad Robertson, Superintendent/President
Subject: Resolutions Calling for a Bond Election for the Santa Monica Community College District and Approving a Facilities List
This report recommends that the Board of Trustees adopt a resolution calling for a March 5, 2002, bond election for the Santa Monica Community College District.
The purpose of the bond election shall be for the voters of the District to vote on a Bond Measure that authorizes the District to issue $160 million in general obligation bonds in accordance with Proposition 39.
Proposition 39 provides for authorization to be approved by a 55% vote of the electorate, and it subjects the Bond Measure to a number of voter protections, including Board approval prior to the election of a list of projects to be funded by the bonds; an annual, independent financial and performance audit on the use of the bonds; and a citizens’ oversight committee to inform the public on the use of the bonds. Under Proposition 39, the tax rate levied as the result of voter approval of the Bond Measure is limited to no more than $25 per $100,000 of taxable property value within the District.
This report also recommends the approval of a listing of District projects to be funded by the bonds under the Bond Measure, developed through an assessment of current District facilities as well as an assessment of the new construction requirements needed to meet the goals of the College’s Facilities Master Plan, adopted in 1998; and an evaluation of safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs.
Proposition T. In November 1992, Santa Monica and Malibu voters approved Proposition T, a bond measure for the purposes of constructing an annex to the Science Building, expanding the College Library, and making safety improvements to the Madison campus. This was the first bond issue for community colleges passed in California since the changes in state law brought on by Proposition 13 in 1978. This funding proved absolutely critical to preserving the ability of the College to continue to provide educational offerings when the Northridge earthquake struck in January 1994, destroying the Science Building and causing major damage to most of the College buildings. Despite the change in the landscape, both literally and financially, the College has been able to accomplish all of the projects promised in Proposition T.
Facilities Master Plan. On January 12, 1998, the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the Santa Monica College Facilities Master Plan, prepared with the participation of more than 1,000 individuals on- and off-campus and the holding of more than 35 public meetings.
The Facilities Master Plan supports the College’s vision and mission, specifically to preserve educational quality and to enhance student success.
The Facilities Master Plan was adopted to assist the College in implementing earthquake recovery projects and Proposition T projects, in retiring and replacing obsolete buildings, in developing a telecommunications infrastructure, in improving parking and circulation, in achieving cost-effective use of space through program groupings, in integrating new facilities onto the campus, in maintaining open space and regulating density, in guiding the relationship of the main campus with the satellite facilities, and in preserving the College facilities as a community resource.
The Facilities Master Plan includes an implementation plan that recognizes the then-current resources, primarily FEMA earthquake recovery funds, Proposition T funds, and State capital grants. The Plan also was developed in recognition of significant unfunded capital needs, but with the anticipation that future funding resources would become available.
Proposition 39. In November 2000, California voters approved Proposition 39, which allows school districts and community college districts to call for bond elections that submit to the electorate bond measures that require 55% approval. Prior to November 2000, school and community college bond measures required 66-2/3% approval.
On April 10, 2001, voters in the Los Angeles Community College District approved a facilities bond measure that authorized $1.245 billion in bonds for facility improvements at nine campuses (including $166 million for Pierce College, $147 million for Los Angeles City College, and $165 million for Valley College).
Facility Assessment. In recognition of the continuing need to modernize and improve safety at the College’s aging campus, on May 7, 2001, the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees authorized 3D/International, a multi-disciplinary company that specializes in the management and design of construction programs for large institutions throughout the United States, to assess Santa Monica College’s current facilities and the new construction requirements needed to meet the goals of the College’s Facilities Master Plan.
The report found that out of 32 existing buildings on the main campus and at the satellite campuses, only five of the College’s buildings are in what can be considered good or fair condition, and eleven buildings have a Facilities Condition Index (FCI) of 50% or greater, the range in which a building should be considered for replacement. The report concludes that SMC will need to complete a number of replacement and modernization projects to meet current and planned needs.
The report includes in its assessment new construction requirements in order to meet the goals of SMC's Facilities Master Plan.
The report organizes the recommended projects into three groups — the first deals with energy, safety, technology, environmental, and campus perimeter improvements. The second group of projects consolidates, modernizes, or replaces several severely deficient temporary, modular, and earthquake damaged buildings. The third group completes the renovation, modernization, and replacement work.
Among the projects identified are a central utility plant and distribution system to reduce energy costs and improve the environment; a new “one-stop” Student Services & Admissions building; a replacement of the earthquake-damaged Liberal Arts Building; underground parking; a new home for the highly popular Emeritus College for older adults; renovation of the Main Stage Theater to bring it up to current building and disabled accessibility codes; relocating non-essential services such as the warehouse off the main campus to restore campus open space and relieve congestion; acquisition of land for replacement shuttle and additional off-site parking; and a new wing to the Science Complex for nursing, environmental studies, earth sciences, math and related programs.
The estimated cost to complete the projects identified in the report is $195.5 million.
Public Image of the College. On May 7, 2001, the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees contracted with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, & Associates, a Santa Monica-based public opinion research company, to conduct a survey of Santa Monica and Malibu voters. The purpose of the survey was to determine public attitudes towards Santa Monica College, its programs, and its role in the community; and to get public input to help the College set its priorities with respect to its master planning and accreditation requirements.
The poll was conducted in July 2001 and shows the highest possible public opinion of the College and that 69% of the respondents in Santa Monica and Malibu or members of their families have taken classes at the College in the last five years.
• Survey respondents gave Santa Monica College the highest overall favorable opinion and the lowest overall unfavorable opinion among the area’s organizations and institutions.
• Of those respondents who had enough information to provide an opinion, 97% regard Santa Monica College “very favorably” or “somewhat favorably.”
• 69% of those surveyed stated that they or someone in their immediate family had attended Santa Monica College.
• 90% of survey respondents believe Santa Monica College is doing an “excellent” or “pretty good” job of educating students, compared to 79% of survey respondents in a 1991 survey.
• 69% of survey respondents believe that Santa Monica College has a great need or some need for additional funding.
• In rating the importance of goals for the College, preparing students to transfer was considered the most important goal (95%); the goals of continuing and vocational education, basic skills, job training, and college classes in high schools all were considered extremely important or very important by more than two-thirds of those responding.
Campus Constituents and Community. Copies of the final facilities assessment report, released in August 2001, have been provided to the College Board of Trustees, the Academic Senate, the Classified Senate, the Associated Student Government, the SMC Foundation, the SMC General Advisory Board, and the SMC Emeritus College Advisory Board. Copies are also on file in the SMC Library, and additional copies have been made available to interested members of the public. The report is also available on the SMC intranet. Formal presentations of the findings in the report have been made to the Board of Trustees, the Academic Senate, the Classified Senate, a campus-wide public meeting, the Associated Student Government, the SMC Foundation, the SMC General Advisory Board, and the Emeritus College Advisory Board. Additionally, information about the assessment and public opinion poll results has been carried in the local press, and summaries of the findings have been distributed campus-wide.
Public Survey. On August 6, 2001, the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees contracted with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, & Associates for a second poll to assist the District in setting its priorities with respect to its facilities and educational master planning. The poll was conducted from October 1 to October 3, 2001, and asked 500 Santa Monica and Malibu voters if they would support a facilities bond issue to “increase educational opportunities and raise student achievement; replace or repair deteriorating buildings and related facilities; upgrade computer technology and energy saving equipment; improve campus safety, fire security, parking and lighting; and complete earthquake retrofitting by issuing $160 million in bonds with citizens' oversight and annual audits.” The survey presented the cost, information about the projects identified in the assessment report, and possible arguments for and against such a bond issue. After receiving this information, 67% of the respondents would definitely (48%) or probably (19%) vote yes in support of this measure. Additional analysis shows that 71% of renters and 64% of homeowners would definitely or probably vote yes.
The overall goals proposed for use of the bond monies that received high support (“extremely important” or “very important”) included “completing the retrofit of College buildings for earthquake safety” (68%); “removing hazardous asbestos from classrooms” (64%); and “improving campus safety with improved lighting, signs, walkways, and handicap access” (55%).
Specific projects that received high support (“extremely important” or “very important”) included replacing the earthquake-damaged Liberal Arts building (60%); replacing temporary buildings with a new wing to the Science Building for Nursing, Environmental Studies and Math (52%); providing additional student parking, both underground and at off-site locations (52%); installing a centralized heating and cooling system to lower energy costs and reduce waste (49%); improving instructional technology campus-wide (49%); and renovating the 49-year old main campus theater to make it more accessible to the disabled (48%).
All projects surveyed were deemed important by a majority of the respondents. In fact, the response of “not too important” to the various projects ranged from an exceptionally low 8% to a “high” of 23%.
Finally, when asked if a private fundraising effort would be successful at collecting all the money needed to complete the projects, only 21% of the respondents said “Yes.”
Retention of Bond Counsel. On September 10, 2001, the Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Fulbright & Jaworski to provide bond counsel services in connection with a potential General Obligation Bond issue under Proposition 39.
Community Leadership and Support. The College has received many expressions of support and leadership for the successful passage of a facilities bond measure. Under State law, the College does not have the authority to expend District resources in advocating the passage of a bond measure (it can provide information). The role of advocacy is performed by an independent campaign committee. This committee (or committees) has the authority to raise funds, conduct a campaign, and hire campaign management.
Preserving Educational Quality. Throughout the development of a facilities bond measure proposal, the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees has reiterated that the primary goals of the bond measure are to preserve educational quality at the College and to enhance student success.
These goals are also those of the Santa Monica and Malibu public. Facts about the College that most influence public opinion include its number one transfer rate to UC, USC, and Loyola-Marymount (78% of survey respondents in the July 2001 poll regarded this information as “much more favorable” in determining opinion); the new state-of-the-art science building (71%); a broad range of new practical curricula such as teacher preparation, environmental and urban studies, animation and new media (64%); the fact that more than 100 colleges and universities recruit SMC transfer students (62%); and the fact that the College is number one in the transfer of African American and Latino students to the University of California (59%).
Improving Health and Safety. The facilities assessment report identifies eleven College buildings that are 40 to 50 years old, with systems well beyond their useful life, which should be considered for replacement. Four of these buildings have an FCI (Facility Condition Index) of 65% or greater, indicating the structure is in need of complete renovation and reconstruction. The report also recommends replacing the earthquake-damaged Liberal Arts building with a new facility, as well as replacing the temporary Science Village buildings remaining from the earthquake repairs with modern laboratory, classroom, and office facilities for teaching Nursing, Environmental Studies, Earth Sciences, and Math. The report recommends upgrades to the campus Main Stage theater, originally designed as a children’s theater, to meet modern teaching standards and to meet current code and ADA requirements. Additionally, the report recommends campus-wide improvements to meet current standards for campus lighting, security, and ADA requirements.
The report also identifies opportunities for long-term environmental and economic benefits for reduced energy consumption through the installation of a centralized, water-borne heating and cooling system for the campus in coordination with the replacement of aging structures.
The public supports ongoing health and safety improvements to educational facilities at the College. Arguments that made poll respondents “much more inclined” or “somewhat more inclined” to support the proposed $160 million bond measure included “all buildings at SMC should strictly comply with state rules for fire and earthquake safety, even if we have to tax ourselves a little more to pay for it” (64%); “all of the money from this bond will be used for physical improvements to the SMC campus; not a penny will be spent on administrative salaries” (62%); and “SMC needs safe and modern buildings to continue successfully transferring students to UCLA and other prestigious universities” (61%).
Improving Access and Maintaining Educational Quality. One-third of SMC students use public transportation to attend classes at the College. Nonetheless, parking at Santa Monica College, as at all area community colleges and universities, can be difficult. The College Facility Master Plan, adopted following more than 35 meetings with the college and local communities, establishes parking self-sufficiency as a College goal. The facilities assessment report identifies several parking opportunities on the main campus, and within the limits of an environmental review, recommends underground garages at these sites. The report also recommends the purchase of property off-site to replace the existing shuttle parking facility at the Santa Monica Airport and to provide additional parking as the need occurs.
When asked in the July 2001 survey to mention the most negative things about Santa Monica College in their own words, 49% of the respondents replied, “Nothing.” However, 28% cited “lack of parking.” No other issue was cited by more than 3% of the respondents. Subsequently, 52% of the respondents in the October 2001 indicated that providing additional student parking, both underground and at off-site locations, was “extremely important” or “very important.”
The College has documented in earlier reports to the Board the need to operate at high efficiency and to attract international students. The reasons are that the College receives the lowest per pupil funding in the State of California among all community colleges, and California receives below the national average in funding among all the states. This strategy of operating at a high efficiency has overcome the problem of insufficient funding, and has allowed Santa Monica College to become one of the top ten community colleges in the nation.
Regulating Campus Density. The College Facilities Master Plan provides a number of strategies to regulate density on the main campus. The Facilities Assessment Report includes these strategies in its recommendations. The report recommends acquiring land for the purpose of removing non-student services such as the warehouse off the main campus. It also recommends removing several instructional programs off the main campus to a new Literacy Center. It recommends integrating student service programs, including admissions, counseling, and special programs, to a new centralized building. These programs are now housed at more than 15 sites on the main campus, most in temporary buildings. Centralizing them increases opportunities for student success and restores open space to the main campus. The report also recommends restoring a campus-like appearance along the streets bordering the main campus, along with an upgraded north-south main campus pedestrian walkway and a north campus arrival plaza.
While the 1998 Facilities Master Plan authorizes an increased floor area to the main campus of 20%, the recommended project list improves this outcome by recommending the removal of additional temporary and outdated buildings and the relocation of non-student functions off-site. When completed, the recommended facility improvements will add only 10% floor area to the existing campus, about half of the amount envisioned by the Facilities Master Plan.
Preserving National Model Programs. The Facilities Assessment Report recommends the acquisition of a new facility for Emeritus College, now in its 25th year of service to the community. The program has been forced to move many times, and may need to relocate once again, due to the need to tear down the existing parking structure downtown in which it is housed to replace it with a larger structure.
Project Facility List and Projected Cost. An estimated cost has been calculated for the projects described above. This cost also includes several additional projects including the development of a site plan and infrastructure development and an Environmental Impact Report for all the projects; campus technology improvements; modernization of the student activities building, constructed in 1952; and the replacement or repair of the Letters and Science Building, also constructed in 1952. The total cost estimate is $195.5 million.
Other Resources. The proposed bond will fund $160 million of the recommended improvements. Additional funding will be sought from the State of California Capital Grants program, from the City of Santa Monica Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment Project Agency, and from various Federal agencies. Additional funding may be available from the capital fees paid by Santa Monica College international students.
Santa Monica and Malibu Attendance at Santa Monica College. The College is well-utilized by the local community:
• 69% of Santa Monica and Malibu voters surveyed in the July 2001 poll stated that they or someone in their immediate family had attended Santa Monica College in the last five years.
• More than 29,900 Santa Monica residents have taken academic classes at the College during the past ten years, based on an unduplicated head-count provided by the SMC Office of Institutional Research.
• More than 6,700 Santa Monica residents attended the College for academic courses this past year, the largest number of Santa Monicans ever.
Cost of the Facilities Bond Issue. Under Proposition 39, the maximum cost that can be authorized is $25 per $100,000 in assessed property valuation. Preliminary estimates show that the first year cost will be $16.21 per $100,000 in assessed valuation, and the average cost will be $19.21 per $100,000 in assessed valuation. (The full amount of the bond will not be issued immediately; this estimate is for five issues beginning in 2002 with subsequent issues at three to five year intervals.) The average cost to a homeowner in Santa Monica or Malibu will be about $77 per year, and the average cost to a renter in Santa Monica will be about $1.12 per month.
Other Colleges. As of this writing, virtually all other greater Los Angeles area community colleges have received approval or will seek approval for facilities bond measures by November 2002. As mentioned, the nine-campus Los Angeles Community College District approved a $1.245 billion bond issue in April 2002. Pasadena City College has announced a $154 million bond; El Camino College, Long Beach City College, and Mount San Antonio College are all exploring bond issues of approximately $200 million. (We do not have information about Glendale College.)
Santa Monica College has conducted an assessment of its facility needs in order to preserve educational quality at the College. This assessment has been widely circulated within the campus and to the public at large. A public survey of likely March 5, 2002 voters was conducted to assess the public priorities for the recommended facility improvements and for the public’s preference on the means to finance them. 67% of the Santa Monica and Malibu voters surveyed expressed a willingness to support these recommended projects and to finance them primarily with $160 million in bonds. These improvements are consistent with the improvements being undertaken by neighboring communities.
It is recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt a resolution calling for a March 5, 2002, bond election for the Santa Monica Community College District. The purpose of the bond election shall be for the voters of the District to vote on a Bond Measure that authorizes the District to issue $160 million in general obligation bonds in accordance with Proposition 39.
It is also recommended that the Board approve the accompanying listing of District projects to be funded by the bonds under the Bond Measure.