Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council Regular Meeting of June 8, 2021
Title
HERMOSA BEACH LANDSCAPING AND STREET LIGHTING
DISTRICT 2021-2022 ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS REGARDING
THE ENGINEER’S REPORT AND SETTING JULY 13, 2021
FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
(Interim Public Works Director Angela Crespi)
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution approving the Engineer's Report in connection with Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2021-2022 (District) made pursuant to the requirements of Resolution No. 21-7278; and
2. Adopt the attached Resolution declaring the City’s intention to order certain improvements and to levy and collect assessments within the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2021-2022 for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and appointing July 13, 2021, at the hour of 6:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers as the time and place for a public hearing in relation thereto.
Body
Executive Summary:
The Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District partially funds the maintenance and operation of the citywide street lighting program and landscaping within street medians and parkways. The Landscaping and Street Lighting District must be renewed annually by following a three-step process. Staff recommends continuation of the process for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
Background:
The Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District (District) was created in Fiscal Year 1989-1990, according to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 and pursuant to Street and Highway Code Sections 22500-22679. The District assessment provides funding to maintain and operate streetlights, traffic signals, and landscaping located within parkways and medians citywide. The assessment rate has not increased since the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996 and is set at $41.45 per dwelling unit.
The anticipated assessment to be collected for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 is $453,000; an additional $291,002 is needed to subsidize the Landscaping and Street Lighting District Fund to maintain the citywide Landscaping and Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Typically, the difference between what is collected through the assessment and what is need in a fiscal year is subsidized by the General Fund.
The District must be renewed annually by following a three-step process. First, Council authorizes the Director of Public Works to prepare an Engineer’s Report containing the estimated cost of maintaining the District, the list of parcels within the District, and the method of apportionment of the assessment. Second, the Engineer’s Report is presented to Council for approval and to set a date for a Public Hearing declaring the City Council’s intention to order certain improvements and to levy and collect assessments within the District for the new fiscal year. The third and final step is to hold a Public Hearing to accept public input on the matter of the proposed assessment and, if approved, to levy the assessment for the new fiscal year.
Analysis:
Based on the advice of the City Attorney, the City is in compliance with Proposition 218 and can continue to levy assessments to pay for the maintenance and operation of streetlights, street medians, and parkway landscaping without balloting requirements so long as the assessments are not increased. The assessment rate per dwelling unit has not increased since the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996.
By approving the first attached Resolution (Attachment 1), City Council approves the Engineer’s Report, prepared by the Deputy City Engineer acting as the Assessment Engineer. This report contains maps, methodology, costs, and estimated assessments for the District and is on file in the office of the City Clerk. Adoption of the proposed Resolution confirms that the report has been prepared prior to the Public Hearing.
By approving the second attached Resolution (Attachment 2), City Council sets July 13, 2021, at the hour of 6:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers as the time and place for a Public Hearing in order to accept input on the report.
In order to levy and collect assessments within the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2021-2022, the City Council must also:
1. Hold a Public Hearing and adopt a Resolution confirming the map and assessment for the District for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and levy the set assessment per-unit rate for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022; and
2. Adopt the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 estimated revenue for secured collections for the District.
Past Council Actions
General Plan Consistency:
This report and associated recommendation have been evaluated for their consistency with the City’s General Plan. Relevant Policies are listed below:
Mobility Element
Goal 2. A public realm that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel via foot, bicycle, public transit, and automobile and creates vibrant, people oriented public spaces that encourage active living.
Policies:
• 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 Element
Goal 10. Abundant landscaping, trees, and green space provided throughout the community.
Policies:
• 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 Element
Goal 1. Infrastructure systems are functional, safe, and well maintained.
Policies:
• 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 anticipated assessment to be collected for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 is $454,285. Staff recommends in the FY2021-2022 Budget that an additional $229,790 be transferred from the RTI Undersea Cable Fund (rather than the General Fund) to the Landscaping and Street Lighting District Fund to maintain the citywide Landscaping and Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
Attachments:
1. Resolution approving the Engineer's Report in connection with Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2021-2022
2. Resolution declaring the City’s intention to order certain improvements and to levy and collect assessments within the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2021-2022 for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and appointing a time and place for a Public Hearing in Relation Thereto
Respectfully Submitted by: Andrew Nguyen, Assistant Engineer
Concur: Lucho Rodriguez, Deputy City Engineer
Concur: Angela Crespi, Interim Public Works Director
Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director
Legal Review: Mike Jenkins, City Attorney
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager