Honorable Mayor and Members of the Hermosa Beach City Council
Regular Meeting of April 12, 2022
Title
APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION
OF A REPORT FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS
WITHIN THE HERMOSA BEACH LANDSCAPING AND
STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT DURING FY 2022-2023
(Public Works Director Joe SanClemente)
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the preparation of a report for the annual levy of assessments within the Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District during Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Body
Executive Summary:
The Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting District (District) collects funds for the maintenance and operation of the citywide street lighting program and landscaping within street medians and parkways. The District must be renewed annually by following a three-step process. Staff recommends initiation of the renewal process for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Background:
The Hermosa Beach Landscaping and Street Lighting Assessment District was created in fiscal year 1989-1990, pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972. The District assessment funds the cost of maintaining and operating street lights, traffic signals, and landscaping located within parkways and medians citywide. The assessment rate per dwelling unit has not increased since the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996 and is currently set at $41.45.
The anticipated assessment to be collected for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 is $456,346; an additional $229,790 was approved for transfer from the RTI Undersea Cable Fund to the Landscaping and Street Lighting District Fund to cover the shortfall for maintaining the citywide Landscaping and Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
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, staff presents the engineer’s report to Council for approval and requests 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 attached resolution, City Council authorizes initiation of the annual renewal process by authorizing the preparation of an engineer’s report, which would contain maps, methodology, costs, and estimated assessments for the District. The following action items are required in order to levy and collect assessments within the City’s Landscaping and Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2022-2023:
1. The Director of Public Works files the engineer’s report consisting of, among other things, the map and the assessments with the City Clerk;
2. The City Council adopts a resolution approving the report as prepared under the direction of the Director of Public Works;
3. The City Council adopts a resolution setting the date, time, and the place for a Public Hearing in order to accept input on the report for the Landscaping and Street Lighting District 2022-2023;
4. The City Council holds a Public Hearing and adopts a resolution confirming the map and assessment for the Landscaping and Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and levies the set assessment per-unit rate for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023; and
5. The City Council adopts the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 estimated revenue for secured collections for the Landscaping and Street Lighting District.
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 rights-of-way. Prioritize improvements of public rights-of-way 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 and Open Space Element
Goal 10. Abundant landscaping, trees, and green space provided throughout the community.
Policy:
• 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. 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:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Attachments:
1. Draft Resolution
Respectfully Submitted by: Romany Basilyous, Associate Engineer
Concur: Lucho Rodriguez, Deputy City Engineer
Concur: Joseph SanClemente, Public Works Director
Noted for Fiscal Impact: Viki Copeland, Finance Director
Legal Review: Mike Jenkins, City Attorney
Approved: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager