 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current members of the Carmel Valley Forum |
|
| Petition cover (pdf 84k) | |
|
|
|
|
Background of Incorporation Investigation in Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley has a long history of efforts at incorporation. In 1964 and 1968, studies conducted by Coro Foundation Fellows were published in the Carmel Valley Outlook. While these studies provided a preliminary glimpse at the economics, it was deemed that incorporation was not appropriate at that time. Since then, several efforts have been mounted with varying levels of success. The Carmel Valley Property Owners' Association (CVPOA), active in Carmel Valley since 1949, began work on incorporation in 1994-1995, but stopped when getting the required data proved too difficult. In 1998, a new organization called the Carmel Valley Action Team convened several meetings with the intent of developing an Initial Fiscal Analysis, but were not successful. The then Carmel Valley Property Owners Association (since renamed the Carmel Valley Association) persisted in examining mechanisms to further investigate incorporation a few years ago. In questionnaires returned by the members 96% were in favor of investigating incorporation. In keeping with members' wishes, CVPOA formed an ad hoc Committee on Incorporation in March, 2000. This was the Carmel Valley Incorporation Steering Committee. The goals were to investigate incorporation with the intent of completing an Initial Fiscal Analysis (IFA). This is a complex process requiring a consultant. However, the committee, with cooperation of Monterey County staff, helped gather much of the needed data to keep consultants's costs low. The committee worked to raise funds, and CVPOA members responded with significant support. The Initial Fiscal Analysis was completed in June of 2001, and its principal conclusion was that Carmel Valley could be fiscally viable as the Town of Carmel Valley. With the completion of the IFA, the Carmel Valley Forum was established to continue the work started by the Carmel Valley Incorporation Steering Committee. The Forum is a non-profit organization that represents a broad cross-section of the Carmel Valley population, and many diverse opinions. It consists of community leaders, business people, presidents of homeowners associations, educators, as well as both developers and environmentalists. The Forum itself does not and will not take a position on incorporation but is simply committed to moving the process forward so that the people of Carmel Valley may choose the best course for themselves. The next step in the investigation process was to circulate a petition to determine feasibility to obtain the signatures of at least 25% of the registered voters in Carmel Valley. With the help of over 100 volunteers, a petition was circulated and, on April 3rd, 2003, the Carmel Valley Forum delivered to the office of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) petitions with over 2500 signatures, equivalent to 35% of the registered voters in Carmel Valley, asking LAFCO to determine the feasibility of incorporating Carmel Valley. Upon certification by the Registrar of Voters that more than 25% of the signatures were valid LAFCO formally accepted the application by the Carmel Valley Forum to begin a detailed study of the incorporation of Carmel Valley. (CFA). The Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis is currently available for public review. The download link is on the home page of this site. The Carmel Valley Forum
|
|