Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: MATTHEW BAUMGARDNER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY
ENGINEER
DATE: APRIL 8, 2025
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF AN ENGINEER’S REPORT
FOR RENEWAL OF LANDSCAPING AND STREET LIGHTING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 121 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider adopting a resolution ordering the preparation of the Engineer’s Report for the City’s Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District (AD 121) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026. The Engineer’s Report will provide the background for the calculation of the proposed FY 2025-2026 assessment levy rates for the various zones of AD 121 based on the land uses and estimated FY 2025-26 capital, maintenance and operating costs of the street lights, traffic signals and street landscaping within said zones.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-8295 ordering preparation of the Engineer’s Report in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 1 of the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972” (Streets & Highways Code Section 22500, et, seq.), being Division 15, Part 2 of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California for the maintenance, operation and servicing of street and public facility landscaping, lighting, traffic signals and appurtenant work in the City of Downey for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.
BACKGROUND
The cost of maintaining and servicing many of the street lights, traffic signals, and landscaping throughout the City is paid through assessments on individual parcels under the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 as well as revenues from general property taxes.
There are approximately 6,655 street lights that provide illumination for vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety in the City. Of said total, 2,144 street lights are owned by the City,
APPROVED BY
CITY MANAGER
LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 121
APRIL 8, 2025
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57 are owned by Caltrans, 45 are shared with other municipalities, and 4,409 are owned by the Southern California Edison Company (SCE). Moreover, the City has a total of 115 traffic signals, including nine that are operated and maintained by Caltrans and 14 that are shared with adjoining agencies. The City also has a total of 18 (nine pairs) flashing beacons and 32 (16 pairs) solar-powered vehicle speed feedback signs.
The existing assessment district designated as “The Landscaping and Street Lighting District No. 121” is made up of seven zones. Zones I through VI provide funding for the maintenance and operation of streetlights and traffic signals. Zone L provides funds for tree trimming, tree removals, and other landscaping maintenance along parkways and medians of public streets in the City.
ANALYSIS
The California Streets and Highways Code requires that the City prepare an Engineer’s Report every year to evaluate the assessment rates for the various zones within the District. The City Council will review the results of the Engineer’s Report and subsequently set a public hearing date. At said public hearing, the assessment rates will be confirmed and set for the various zones within the District for the ensuing year. Staff recommends adoption of the attached Resolution ordering the preparation of the Engineer’s Report.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
The financial impact will be presented at future meetings together with the results of the Engineer’s Report.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 25-8295
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ORDERING PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER’S REPORT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 4 OF CHAPTER 1 OF THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 (STREETS & HIGHWAYS CODE SECTIONS 22500-22679) FOR THE MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND SERVICING OF
STREET AND PUBLIC FACILITY LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING, TRAFFIC
SIGNALS AND APPURTENANT WORK IN THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Downey has, by previous resolution, established the “City of Downey Landscaping and Street Lighting District, No. 121” pursuant to the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972” (Streets & Highways Code Sections 22500-22679); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the public interest, convenience, and necessity require the continued levy of assessments within the City of Downey Landscaping and Street Lighting District No. 121 for the purpose of operating, maintaining and servicing the assessment district, including the operation, maintenance and servicing of landscaping, street lighting, traffic signals and appurtenant facilities within the assessment district.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby initiates proceedings pursuant to the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972” to levy and collect annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 on property within the assessment district for the operation, maintenance and servicing of landscaping, street lighting, traffic signals and appurtenant facilities within the assessment district.
SECTION 2. A report must be prepared for each fiscal year for which assessments are to be levied and collected to pay the costs of these improvements.
SECTION 3. The improvements associated with the City of Downey Landscaping and Street Lighting District No. 121 for FY 2025-2026 are substantially the same improvements as described in the report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and will also include the addition of new streetlights, traffic signals, flashing beacons and vehicle speed feedback signs. The planned quantities, costs and zone locations of the additional improvements will be further described in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Engineer’s Report.
SECTION 4. The Director of Public Works/City Engineer is hereby ordered to prepare and file the Engineer’s report in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 1 of the “Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972” (Streets & Highways Code Section 22500-22679) for the maintenance, operation, and servicing of street and public facility landscaping, lighting, traffic signals and appurtenant facilities located within the assessment district for Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 all as set forth in this Resolution.
SECTION 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution.
AP PROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of April, 2025.
RESOLUTION NO.
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HECTOR SOSA, Mayor
ATTEST:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JOHN M. FUNK
City Attorney
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Downey at a regular meeting held on the 8th day of April, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Member:
ABSENT: Council Member:
ABSTAIN: Council Member:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk