We wanted you to know as soon as possible that the outcome of today’s “Clean Water, Clean Beaches” Measure Protest Hearing was a big win for the business community, with all five LA County Supervisors acknowledging our key point that the measure isn’t ready for prime time.  After more than 4.5 hours of public testimony and an hour of debate among the Supervisors, they passed the following motion, offered and moved by Knabe, modified and seconded by Yaroslavksy, with Ridley-Thomas, Knabe, and Yaroslavsky voting “yes” and Antonovich and Molina voting “no”:

1. The protest process shall remain open for 60 days, delaying further Board of Supervisors action until March 12 and allowing parcel owners additional time to submit protest forms.
2. The final, revised ordinance must be completed and made available to the public before any election is scheduled.
3. LA County Department of Public Works staff is directed to report back to the Board of Supervisors within 60 days:

1.    An assessment of the feasibility of adding an on-line process for filing protests

2.    Details for the Board of Supervisors to consider the option of putting the measure on a general election ballot (rather than a mail-in ballot among parcel owners)

3.    Revising the measure to include a sunset clause of not more than 30 years

4.    A list of projects that would be funded by the measure

5.    Revising the measure to provide for credits or reductions for properties already performing storm water runoff pollution abatement

6.    Alternative options for funding storm water runoff pollution abatement