June 24, 2025
Public Works
DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, Deputy of Public Works/City
Engineer
Jason Lacey, Parks & Landscaping Superintendent
Avinesh Nadan, Finance Manager II
Gabino Arredondo, Project Manager
Subject:
Approval of Engineer’s Report and Intent to Levy
Assessments for Marina Bay Landscape and Lighting
Maintenance District (MBLLMD) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025- 2026
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact to the City for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 relating to the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance District (MBLLMD) is $962,774. Of this
amount, $457,458 relates to a 50 percent contribution
towards salaries and benefits of Full-Time employees
that is expensed directly in General Fund. The remaining $505,316 represents cash contribution towards
MBLLMD. This amount shall be allocated as a transfer-
out expenditure from the General Fund in the FY 2025-
2026 budget (Account String: 01917090-400901) into the
MBLLD Fund as an operating transfer-in revenue
(Account String: 11533931-391994).
This amount reflects the City's 42 percent share of total MBLLMD costs, as determined by the Engineer’s Report
based on general benefit analysis and additional
discretionary support for regionally significant public amenities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
June 3, 2025
AGENDA
REPORT
June 24, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
On June 3, 2025, the City Council approved the
preliminary Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 for the MBLLMD, declared the City Council’s intention to increase the annual assessment and set a public hearing about the proposed increased assessment for June 24,
2025.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: HOLD a public hearing; and ADOPT a resolution approving the Engineer’s Report for the Marina Bay
Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District (MBLLMD)
for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026, providing for a three
percent increase in annual assessments – Public Works
Department (Daniel Chavarria 620-5478/Robert Armijo
620-5477/Jason Lacey 620-6920).
DISCUSSION:
On July 28, 2009, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 83-09, approving the formation of the new Landscape and Lighting District and the founding Engineer’s Report, establishing the rate of assessment, authorizing annual increases thereof, and ordering maintenance services within the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District (MBLLMD) (Attachment 1). The rate of assessment for this District must be confirmed annually by the action of the City Council.
In accordance with Section 12.60.240 of the Richmond Municipal Code, and in accordance with State law, the first step in this process is to order the preparation of an Engineer’s Report of assessment for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. As required by Section
12.060.250 of the Richmond Municipal Code, a copy of the report and a property owner response form is mailed to all owners of real property subject to the annual benefit assessment as a subsequent part of the process. The City Council is then asked to hold a public hearing and accept the Engineer’s Report to then finalize the process.
On June 3, 2025, the City Council approved the preliminary Engineer’s Report and adopted a resolution stating its intention to increase assessments and announcing that a public hearing on the proposed assessments would be held at the City Council’s regular meeting of June 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
The City Engineer has prepared an Annual Levy Report for the MBLLMD for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (“Engineer’s Report”). The Engineer’s Report generally describes existing and proposed maintenance and substantial changes to be made to existing maintenance within the District (Attachment 2). The Engineer’s Report also estimates the costs of such maintenance. The total cost for the operation of the MBLLMD in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 is $1,263,425. Of this amount, $758,109 will be funded through assessments levied on benefiting properties within the district. The City’s contribution, totaling $505,316, reflects the general benefit provided to the community by the public
June 24, 2025
improvements and associated maintenance activities. This amount will be allocated from the General Fund in the FY 2025-2026 budget.
To meet the costs, the City Engineer recommends that the City Council increase assessments from those levied in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 by an inflation rate of three percent (3%), as permitted under Resolution No. 83-09.
The attached resolution approves the Engineer’s Report and orders the levy and collection of assessments in the MBLLMD for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The report includes the proposed budget, the apportionment of the assessment, and the assessment roll. By adopting this resolution, the City Council will ensure the continued maintenance and improvement of the Marina Bay area, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
City Staff recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the Engineer’s Report for the Marina Bay Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District (MBLLMD) for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026, providing for a three percent increase in annual assessments (Attachment 3). Furthermore, that the City Clerk record the resolution, toget her with Exhibit A as may be amended, with the office of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, California (Attachment 4).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - Resolution 83-09
Attachment 2 - Engineer’s Report
Attachment 3 - Resolution
Attachment 4 - County Certification Letter