CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: February 2, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. -26 DIRECTING THE PREPARATION AND FILING OF THE 2026/2027 ANNUAL REPORT FOR
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 20 (COMMERCIAL AREA
LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING) AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. - 26
REQUESTING CONSENT FROM THE CITY OF CONCORD FOR
ORDERING OF IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS OF COSTS
FOR BENEFITED PROPERTY IN ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 20
SYNOPSIS
An assessment district is a financial mechanism that is levied on a specific geographic area or parcels of real estate which have been identified as receiving a direct and unique “benefit” from a public improvement. Assessment District No. 20 (AD 20) enables the City to provide landscape maintenance and street lighting at an enhanced level along certain commercial streets. These landscape and lighting improvements are considered to be of direct benefit to the properties within AD 20 boundaries. The funding for the maintenance and services is provided through annual assessments paid by benefiting property owners within AD 20. A total of 17 properties within AD 20’s boundaries are located in the city of Concord. The City annually requests consent from the city of Concord to levy assessments on these benefiting properties.
In order for the City to continue to levy and collect assessments within AD 20 for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, an Annual Report is required. The Annual Report must include a description of the improvements to be made during the fiscal year; an estimate of costs to maintain the improvements; an allocation of costs to each parcel; confirmation of each benefiting parcel and levy of assessments; current expenditures; and proposed budget for services.
DISCUSSION
Background
AD 20 was formed in 1988 pursuant to the provisions of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972 and the California Streets and Highways Code. AD 20 was amended in 1999 by creating a new zone (Zone 6) that includes the Downtown area (see attached map). The District enables the City to collect assessments from property owners in order to provide landscape maintenance and street lighting at an enhanced level and quality along certain commercial streets. These services are considered to be of direct benefit to the properties within AD 20’s boundaries. The costs to provide these services have been paid annually by these benefiting property owners.
There are 17 properties within AD 20’s boundaries that are located in the city of Concord.
Eight of these properties are located east of Contra Costa Boulevard and south of Sun Valley Boulevard. The Sun Valley Mall Shopping Center contains six properties. The remaining three properties are east of Contra Costa Boulevard and south of Concord Avenue at the on-ramp to Interstate 680. The city of Concord has granted the city of Pleasant Hill authority to levy assessments on these properties since AD 20 was established. This authority must be requested and granted annually. A resolution requesting consent from the city of Concord for the 2026/2027 fiscal year is attached.
Analysis
The collecting of assessments from properties within the boundaries of AD 20 will ensure continued maintenance of lighting and landscape improvements. The maintenance activities include weekly mowing and edging of turf; maintenance and repair of irrigation systems; pruning; debris removal; graffiti removal; street light repair, and maintenance and weeding, as well as utility charges for water and electricity. In order for the City to continue to levy and collect assessments within AD 20 for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, the District Engineer has to prepare an Annual Report. The Annual Report must include descriptions of the improvements to be made during the fiscal year, an estimate of costs, and the levy of assessments upon the benefiting properties.
SCI Consulting Group is the Engineer of Work and will prepare the Annual Report and submit the assessments to the County Auditor for placement on the 2026/2027 Property Tax Roll. A not-to-exceed fee of $9,200 will provide for these and other requested services.
Once the Annual Report is complete, the City Council will review and approve it (if appropriate); be asked to approve a resolution announcing the intent to levy assessments for the current year and issue a notice of intent to levy and collect assessments within the District; and hold a public hearing on the levy of the assessments.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of preparing all necessary reports required for the levy and collecting of assessments will be borne by the property owners within AD 20. The not-to-exceed amount for the engineering services specified in the Scope of Services and Compensation attachment is $9,200, which will be paid by the Assessment District.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public Contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt resolutions.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Should Assessment District 20 not be renewed for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, there would be a loss of approximately $471,500 in assessment revenues to fund maintenance activities within AD 20. The City would then need to fund these maintenance activities or maintenance would be suspended.
ATTACHMENT(S)
AD 20 Proposed Resolution
AD 20 Proposed Resolution of Intention
AD 20 Boundary Map
AD 20 SCI Consulting Group Agreement and Scope of Services and Compensation Prepared by: Ann James, Public Works Director
Reviewed by: Erick Cheung, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager