Agenda Item No: M.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: PW Proposition 218 Balloting Process in L andscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 13 – North Cordelia and Recognize the Green Valley Community Landscape Group as a Primary Community Liaison
PW Discussion and Direction Regarding a Request to Begin a Proposition 218 Balloting Process in Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 13 – North Cordelia and Recognize the Green Valley Community Landscape Group as a Primary Community Liaison
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Chris Lewis, (707) 428-7089
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
In May 2025, property owners in Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District (LLMD) No. 13 – North Cordelia voluntarily deferred a Proposition 218 balloting process to increase assessments and address declining landscaping in their area pending further coordination with their community stakeholders. Over the last year, the property owners have formed the Green Valley Community Landscape Group (GVCLG), collaborated with City staff to understand the Proposition 218 process and requirements , and develop ed a general community engagement plan. The GVCLG requests the City Council approval to begin a Proposition 218 process in LLMD No. 13 and to be recognized as a primary community liaison for the Proposition 218 process in the Green Valley area.
DISCUSSION
Background
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 LLMDs No. 2023 -1 (Gateway) and No. 2023 -11 (Paradise Valley).
However, the ballot was not passed by property owners in t he remaining seven LLMDs: No. 3 – Waterman Highlands, No. 5 – Smith Ranch (Rancho Solano), No. 6 – Peppertree Drive, No. 7 – Rolling Hills, No. 8 – Kolob Estates, No. 12 – Downtown Business District, and No. 13 – North Cordelia. As a result, services were reduced in these communities.
Property owners within these districts expressed concerns to the Landscape Oversight Committee ( LOC) and the council Subcommittee to the LOC (Subcommittee) regarding the declining landscape in their neighborhoods and their desire to increase their assessment rates through another Proposition 218 balloting process.
At the April 1, 2025, council meeting, the council directed the LOC to provide a recommendation of three LLMDs that should be considered for another Proposition 218 balloting process. Due to limited staffing and City resources, the remaining four districts would be considered for a second balloting process in future years. During the April 17, 2025, LOC meeting, the LOC moved to recommend to the council that LLMD No. 5 – Smith Ranch, LLMD No. 7 – Rolling Hills, and any third LLMD with at least 10% of property owners providing a written request for inclusion be considered for a balloting process.
Councilmember K. Patrice Williams hosted an LLMD No. 13 – North Cordelia community meeting at the Cordelia Library on May 1, 2025, to determine if North Cordelia property owners were interested in participating in a Proposition 218 balloting process. The majority of North Cordelia property owners in attendance agreed to d efer a balloting process until they confirm ed community support through their homeowner’s association networks, district -specific subcommittees (separate from the LOC), community surveys, and other relevant means of engagement.
On May 20,2025, the council directed staff to move forward with a balloting process in LLMD No. 5 – Smith Ranch and LLMD No. 7 – Rolling Hills only.
Green Valley Community Landscape Group
City staff facilitated the creation of the GVCLG , which is comprised of LLMD No. 13 – North Cordelia property owners who attended the May 1, 2025, community meeting and expressed their interest in forming a steering committee responsible for guiding the Proposition 218 process in their LLMD.
At the May 1, 2025, community meeting many long-time and newer North Cordelia residents explained that most property owners identify their district as “Green Valley.” The residents requested that the City begin referring to the area with the more recognizable name to attract the appropriate audience and help avoid confusion.
The GVCLG is open to all Green Valley property owners but currently consists of eleven property owners, including LOC Member Reginald Nelson, and is guided by Councilmember K. Patrice Williams. City staff provides information, guidance, and related support as necessary.
Since the first meeting in May 2025, the GVCLG has:
Held at least six meetings with City staff and three independent meetings Attended a bus tour of LLMD No. 13 landsc ape maintenance areas with City staff to gain a first-hand account of the district’s needs
Collaborated with City staff to reduce certain landscape maintenance costs Independently developed a website to provide LLMD education, share community news, and encourage neighborhood participation
Hosted two community ‘Trash Mob’ events to clean up several high -visibility areas and collector roads, and posted GVCLG branded signs to advertise the group’s impact Began researching preferred landscape standard s and sustainable landscape maintenance service providers
Initiated conversations with local homeowners’ associations to raise awareness about the district’s declining landscaping and how the community can work together on Proposition 218 efforts
Developed a plan to engage local businesses and commercial property owners, like North Bay Health
Over the last year, the GVCLG has committed their efforts to understanding their district’s current financial position and landscaping needs, gaining a gener al knowledge of a Proposition 218 balloting process and requirements, collaborating amongst themselves to form a fully independent group of volunteer ne ighbors who are dedicated to Green Valley landscaping, building relationships with City staff, and learn ing some of the City’s administrative and landscape maintenance processes.
GVCLG Request to Proceed with Proposition 218 Process
The GVCLG believes th eir work to date, including the experience they gained during the 2023 Proposition 218 process, has positioned them to lead their district in a future Proposition 218 community engagement and balloting process.
The GVCLG requests the council’s approval to proceed with Proposition 218 community engagement and balloting process with a target effective date for new assessment s of July 1, 2027. The GVCLG understands that the target effective date may be modified based on engagement outcomes and the community’s readiness to proceed.
GVCLG Request to be Recognized as a Primary Community Liaison The GVCLG also requests that the council recognize the group as a primary community liaison for the Proposition 218 process in the Green Valley area.
The GVCLG intends to operate independent of, but in collaboration with, the City with the goal of educating their community on LLMDs, the Proposition 218 process, and how neighbors can work together to improve landscaping.
Council Direction
City staff requests the council’s direction regarding GVCLG’s requests:
Should the council approve the request to proceed with Proposition 218 process, staff will engage Willdan Financial Services, an assessment engineering consultant, to assist the City. In 2025, the City released a Request for Proposals for assessment engineering consulting services and Willdan was selected as the most qualified consultant. The estimated cost of service is $40,000. Staff will follow standard City procedures to execute a contract and obtain budget approval.
If the request to recognize the GVCLG as a primary community liaison is approved, City staff will work with the GVCLG as the district’s primary community engagement partner and continue to provide all other Green Valley property owners and community groups with information and guidance upon request.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
The Green Valley Community Landscape Group coordinated with City staff to submit this request to proceed with a Proposition 218 balloting process.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may deny the request to proceed with a Proposition 218 balloting process , the request to recognize the GVCLG as a primary community liaison, or direct staff to return with additional information.
COORDINATED WITH
N/A
STAFF CONTACT
Chris Lewis, Sr. Management Analyst
(707) 428-7089
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
N/A