Alice Lai-Bitker PRESIDENT

SUPERVISOR, THIRD DISTRICT

B O A R D O F S U P E R V I S O R S

June 17, 2009

Honorable Beverly J. Johnson Mayor, City of Alameda 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 320 Alameda, CA 94501

Dear Mayor Johnson,

I am in receipt of your letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors regarding the impact

associated with the loss of gas tax revenues to the operation and maintenance of the estuary

bridges. Both as the President of the Board of Supervisors and District 3 Supervisor, elected by

the residents of the City of Alameda, I understand your concerns regarding the impact of any

changes in bridge operations may have on city residents and businesses. The County did not

set out to make any changes in bridge operations. Still, the loss of gas tax revenues which is

currently used for a major portion of the operation and maintenance of the bridges, threatens our

ability to provide the 24/7 services we currently offer.

In your letter, you have made several financial assertions that need some clarifications.

Although, the primary beneficiaries of the Estuary Bridges are the residents and businesses of

the City of Alameda, the Measure B funding that is currently used for bridge operations comes

from all residents of the County. Secondarily, irrespective of Alamedans share, the $15 million in

gas tax you mentioned is exactly what the Governor is planning to take away, and that is the

reason for the County to explore changes in services to be provided its residents. Furthermore,

you mentioned Proposition 42 and federal stimulus funds as possible sources for bridge

operations. However, bridge operations are not eligible expenditures under Proposition 42 or

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Finally, in light of the extraordinary burden the potential state action will place on local

governments, I strongly believe that we all need to focus our attention and energy towards

preventing the State from taking City and County gas tax funds. I would also suggest that we

set a meeting in the near future to discuss all options regarding bridge operations, in the event

the State takes the gas tax funding.

OAKLAND OFFICE: 1221 Oak Street, Room 536, Oakland, CA 94612 • (510) 272-6693 • FAX (510) 268-8004 DISTRICT OFFICE: 15903 Hesperian Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA 94580 • (510) 278-0367 • FAX (510) 278-0467

www.acgov.org/board/district3

Sincerely,

Alice Lai-Bitker, President Alameda County Board of Supervisors

Cc: Other Members, Board of Supervisors Alameda City Council Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums Vice Mayor Ignacio De La Fuente Council member Pat Kernighan Port of Oakland President Victor Uno Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar J. Benjamin Alameda Chamber of Commerce Greater Alameda Business Association Park Street Business Association West Alameda Business Association