Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Regular Meeting of July 9, 2019
Title
PUBLIC HEARING - HERMOSA BEACH LANDSCAPING AND
STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020
(Acting Public Works Director Lucho Rodriguez)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing in connection with the levy of assessments for fiscal year 2019-2020; and
2. Adopt the attached Resolution confirming the diagram and assessment for Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2019-2020 and levying an assessment for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020.
Body
Executive Summary:
The Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District was created in fiscal year 1989-1990 for street lighting and median maintenance purposes pursuant to Street and Highway Code Sections 22500-22679. The Landscaping and Street Lighting District must be renewed annually. Per Resolution 19-7183, a public hearing must be held to take testimony on the assessments before adopting a Resolution levying the assessments.
Background:
As required by law, the following steps have been taken for the levy and collection of assessments for fiscal year 2019-2020 within the Landscaping and Street Lighting District:
On May 28, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 19-7177 directing the preparation of the Engineer’s Report for the Landscaping and Street Lighting District.
On June 4, 2019, the Acting Director of Public Works filed the Engineer’s Report with the City Clerk, which includes the assessment diagram and assessment roll for the Landscaping and Street Lighting District.
On June 11, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 19-7182 approving the Engineer’s Report by the Acting Director of Public Works.
On June 11, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 19-7183 setting July 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing in order to receive public input on the Landscaping and Street Lighting District.
On June 27, 2019, the Notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Easy Reader.
Analysis:
The Landscaping and Street Lighting District (District) assessment funds the cost of maintaining and operating street lights, traffic signals, and landscaping located within parkways or medians as demonstrated in Part B of the attached Engineer’s Report. The proposed assessment rate to fund these costs for fiscal year 2019-2020 is $41.45 per equivalent dwelling unit, which is the same equivalent dwelling unit rate used in fiscal year 2018-2019. The assessment is based on the actual number of dwelling units that is on a property or its equivalent for vacant and commercial properties.
Prior to 1995, the assessment amount was $16.84 per dwelling unit. In fiscal year 1995-1996, the assessment amount was increased to $54.82 with an exception for senior citizens, for whom the $16.84 amount was maintained through a rebate program. Due to a surplus in District funds, the assessment amount was reduced to the current amount of $41.45 in fiscal year 1997-1998.
The surplus in the District Fund was enough to cover the increasing costs of services through fiscal year 2003-2004. Since this time period, the District has been running a deficit, requiring transfers from the General Fund.
The process to increase the District assessment rate to a level sufficient to cover the District Fund’s deficit, involves a ballot procedure where more than 50% of ballots received are in favor of an increase.
General Plan Consistency:
PLAN Hermosa, the City’s General Plan, was adopted by the City Council in August 2017. PLAN Hermosa was divided into seven elements, each with multiple goals. The relevant goals to the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District are contained within the Mobility, Parks + Open Space, and Infrastructure Elements:
Mobility:
2.1 Prioritize public right-of-ways. Prioritize improvements of public right-of-ways that provide heightened levels of safe, comfortable and attractive public spaces for all non-motorized travelers while balancing the needs of efficient vehicular circulation.
2.4 Sustainable landscape. Use consistent and sustainable landscape and streetscape designs that reflect the city’s community identity; showcase local assets and the community’s unique and vibrant culture.
Parks + Open Space:
10.3 Green space co-benefits. Recognize the many positive qualities provided by landscaping, trees, and green space including reduced heat gain, controlled stormwater runoff, absorbed noise, reduced soil erosion, improved aesthetic character, and absorption of air pollution.
Infrastructure:
1.1 Infrastructure systems plan. Establish and adopt an integrated, holistic systems approach to guide infrastructure development, improvement, maintenance, and resilience.
1.4 Fair share assessments. Require new development and redevelopment projects to pay their fair share of the cost of infrastructure improvements needed to serve the project, and ensure that needed infrastructure is available prior to or at the time of project completion.
Fiscal Impact:
The District assessment for fiscal year 2019-2020 is $459,103, leaving a deficit of $175,932. The General Fund would cover this deficit with a transfer in the amount of $175,932 in order to fully fund the Landscaping and Street Lighting District for fiscal year 2019-2020.
Attachments:
1. Engineer’s Report
2. Draft Resolution
3. Resolution 19-7183
Respectfully Submitted by: Lucho Rodriguez, Acting Public Works Director
Concur: Leeanne Singleton, AICP, Environmental Analyst
Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director
Legal Review: Mike Jenkins, City Attorney
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager