Agenda Item No: O.3
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: April 1, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: PW Proposition 218 Balloting Process for L andscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts
Discussion and Direction Regarding a Proposition 218 Balloting Process for Seven Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Chris Lewis, (707) 428-7089
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Landscape Oversight Committee (LOC) and the City Council Subcommittee to the LOC (Subcommittee) request that the council reconsider conducting another Proposition 218 balloting process for the seven Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts (LLMDs) that did not approve the ballot for increased assessments in 2023.
DISCUSSION
In 2023, the City conducted a community engagement and balloting process in accordance with Article XIII D of the California Constitution (also known as Proposition 218) to increase assessment rates in nine LLMDs that were projected to have a structural budget deficit.
The ballot was passed by property owners in the Gateway and Paradise Valley communities resulting in the formation of LLMD s No. 2023-1 (Gateway) and No. 2023 -11 (Paradise Valley).
However, the ballot was not passed by property owners in the remaining seven LLMDs: No. 3 – Waterman, No. 5 – Smith Ranch (Rancho Solano), No. 6 – Peppertree, No. 7 – Rolling Hills, No. 8 – Kolob Estates, No. 12 – Downtown, and No. 13 – North Cordelia. As a result, services were reduced in these communities.
Some property owners in these districts have expressed t heir concerns to the LOC and Subcommittee regarding the declining landscape and aestheti cs in their neighborhoods and desire another Proposition 218 balloting process to increase their assessment rates.
On January 25, 2025, at the annual City Council Retreat , the council directed staff to pause all LLMD Proposition 218 balloting efforts for these seven districts.
The LOC and Subcommittee held a joint meeting on February 27, 2025, at which 34 members of the public attended. Eight members from these communities submitted public comment cards and requested that the council reconsider the decision on January 25, 2025. The LOC and Subcommittee affirmed their support.
On the March 4, 2025, City Council meeting, Vice Mayor and Subcommittee Member Pam Bertani requested to reconsider the de cision agreed upon on January 25, 2025, to pause LLMD Proposition 218 balloting efforts for these seven districts to be added to a future Council agenda.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
At the February 27, 2025, LOC meeting, the Committee recommended that the council hold a discussion to reconsider the January 25, 2025, decision to pause LLMDs Proposition 218 balloting efforts for the seven LLMDs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose to request more information from staff or the LOC or take other related actions.
COORDINATED WITH
City Manager’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Chris Lewis, Sr. Management Analyst
(707) 428-7089
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
N/A