Agenda Item No: O.4
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: May 20, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: PW Proposed Updates for Use of Electric Bikes at Rockville Hills Regional Park and Discussion of Budget Constraints
Discussion and Direction Proposed Updated Recommendations to Ordinance 2020-04 for the Use of Electric Bikes at Rockville Hills Regional Park and Discussion of Budget Constraints Impacting the Management Plan Implementation Including Repurposing Community Facilities District 4A
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Gary Sponsler, (707) 428-7416
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The City Council established the Rockville Citizens Advisory Committee (RCAC) and Guidelines with Resolution No. 2007-319 (Exhibit B) in November 2007. The RCAC’s purpose is to assist the City in making major decisions that affect the Rockville Hills Regional Park (Park).
In early 2023, the council requested the R CAC to provide a n updated recommendation to Ordinance No. 2020-04 (Exhibit C) regarding the use of electric bicycles (E-Bikes) in the park.
During RCAC’s research on E-Bikes, discussions for funding centered on efforts to amend eligible expenditures of Co mmunity Facilities District 4A (CFD 4A) to allow for administrative and maintenance expenditures in addition to currently restricted uses for only a cquisition of open space.
DISCUSSION
The 633-acre Park is located on Rockville Road west of Suisun Valley Ro ad. The Park provides recreation opportunities for local residents and visit ors, including walk ing, hik ing, run ning,
cycling, and other outdoor activities. The Park also serves as an educational resource, often hosting a variety of students and youth organizations.
Due to the delicate nature of the single -track trail systems in the Park and safety concerns for fellow trail users, the council adopted Ordinance No. 2020-04, amending Chapter 12B, Parks and Recreation of the Fairfield Municipal Code, to p rohibit the riding or operation of E-Bikes in the Park.
In early 2023, the council requested that the RCAC revisit the use of E-Bikes in the Park based on increased interest and advocacy from some residents and park users. Though the RCAC historically mee ts quarterly, special meetings were held to start discussions and develop a recommendation.
The following efforts assisted RCAC in formulating their recommendation , though RCAC welcomes discussion with the council to fully formulate their final recommendation:
Creating and distributing a park user preference survey, with an emphasis on questions regarding the allowance of E-Bike usage.
o From the survey, nearly 1,400 responses were received and are summarized in Exhibit D.
Discussion with Directors from S kyline Wilderness Park in Napa County and East Bay Regional Park Districts in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to understand the expected and actual impact as both organizations currently allow Class 1 E-Bikes in the parks. Listening to the Community during the RCAC meetings.
Significant discussions amongst the seven-member Committee.
RCAC could not come to a unanimous decision on allowing E -Bikes on the Park. However, RCAC did come to a decision to recommend to the council three options for allowing E -Bikes into the Park:
Allow Class 1 E-Bikes into the Park
Allow Class 1 E-Bikes into the Park if minimum staffing is available Allow Class 1 E -Bikes into the Park contingent on securing f unding for the Management Plan
Community Facilities District 4A
One of the sticking points for RCAC has been the limited availability of Park Ranger personnel as well as funding for ongoing maintenance requirements in the park. In exploring options for increasing funding to implement the management plan, RCAC discussed the opportunity to amend CFD4A to allow funds to be used for the maintenance and administration of open space.
On September 17, 1991, the City Council adopted Resolutions 91 -251 through 91-255, establishing CFD4A, a Mello -Roos Open Space District for Fairfield. The resolutions addressed district formation, setting the bonded debt limit and special tax, calling a special election, and announcing the results. CFD4A was created with the intent that future residential developments within the City would annex to the district, with funds specifically authorized for open space acquisitions as outlined in the formation document.
CFD4A is limited in what funding generated can be used for. Specifically, funding is limited to the acquisition of open space lands by the City. It does not specifically allow for funding to be used for the maintenance of open space lands or for the costs of administering those lands and/or CFD4A. It appears to be the only CFD in the City that does not allow administration and maintenance as an eligible expense.
CFD4A includes approximately 2,886 parcels within the district, most of which are in pockets of parcels that are not contiguous. Attachment A includes a map of the district parcel areas. CFD4A generates approximately $550,000 in revenue annually from a special assessment levied on properties within the boundaries of the district.
The RCAC discussed the process for amending the formation document to include administrative and maintenance costs as eligible expenditures under CFD4A . An amendment would provide funding sufficient to administer the necessary components of the Rockville Hills Management Plan, including adding necessary staffing, such as an additional Par k Ranger, and provide some funding for maintenance of other open space areas in the City.
The RCAC acknowledges that this amendment would require voter approval through the Prop 218 process, but believes it is a necessary measure to support the long -term sustainability and protection of the Park. To amend the district would require the following:
A CFD report prepared by a consultant
Issuance of a Notice of Intent (NOI) by City Council – note: if 50% or more of registered voters residing within the district file written protests, then it cannot be considered again for one year
Public Hearing within 30 to 60 days (min/max) of the NOI Mail ballots to eligible voters within the district for an election to be held between 90 and 180 days (min/max) after the Public Hearing
Requires 2/3 approval of the total votes cast
FINANCIAL IMPACT
If the City Council authorizes proceeding with the Prop 218 process to amend CFD4A, the CFD will incur costs associated with the balloting process. Staff will provide a cost estimate if directed to move forward.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
Community engagement efforts were carried out through multiple channels, including a visitor survey and presentations from two additional organizations.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose to request more information from staff or the RCAC, take other related actions, or choose not to act at this time.
COORDINATED WITH
N/A
STAFF CONTACT
Gary Sponsler, Landscape Maintenance Manager
(707) 428-7416
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: CFD4A Boundary Map
Attachment 3: Exhibit B – Resolution No. 2007-319
Attachment 4: Exhibit C – Ordinance No. 2020-04
Attachment 5: Exhibit D – Rockville Hills Regional Park Survey Summary