April 7, 2026
Public Works
DATE: April 7, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, Deputy Director of Public Works
Darin Fitzpatrick, Assistant Deputy Director of Public
Works, Operations and Maintenance
Jason Lacey, Parks Superintendent
Subject:
Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2026– 2027 for the Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost to prepare the Engineer’s Report will be funded through the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 Hilltop
Landscape Maintenance District budget (Account String:
11233731-400536). This item has no impact on the
General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
The Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District was
established in 1986 to provide landscaping and lighting improvements and maintenance in the northeastern
portion of the City of Richmond.
On June 23, 1998, the City Council adopted Resolution
No. 91 -98 approving the maximum amount of individual
maintenance assessments that may be levied in future
fiscal years and approving the index by which the stated maximum amount of individual assessments may be
increased.
The City Council annually orders preparation of the
Engineer’s Report and subsequently confirms the levy and collection of assessments for the District.
AGENDA
REPORT
April 7, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The proposed resolution initiates the annual process for the levy and collection of benefit assessments within the Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District by ordering the
preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Engineer’s
Report, in accordance with the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Resolution No. 91-98, and Chapter 12.60 of the Richmond Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution ordering the preparation of the
annual Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
regarding improvements and costs for the Hilltop
Landscape Maintenance District - Public Works
Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Robert
Armijo 510-620-5477/Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-
3044/Jason Lacey 510-620-6920).
DISCUSSION:
The Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District (HLMD) was established pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (California Streets and Highways Code § 22500 et seq.) to provide for the installation, maintenance, and servicing of landscaping and lighting improvements within an area generally adjacent to the I-80 freeway, north of the City of San Pablo, extending west to the Richmond Country Club and north to the boundary with unincorporated lands in Contra Costa County.
In accordance with Chapter 12.60 of the Richmond Municipal Code and state law, the first step in the annual levy process is for the City Council to order the preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2026–2027.
The Engineer’s Report will include:
A description of the improvements to be maintained and serviced; A diagram of the District boundaries;
An estimate of the annual costs of maintenance and servicing; The method of apportionment of assessments; and
The proposed assessment amounts for each assessable parcel within the District.
Upon completion, the Engineer’s Report will be filed with the City Clerk and presented to the City Council for preliminary approval, adoption of a Resolution of Intention, public noticing, and a duly noticed public hearing prior to final approval of the assessments.
Public Works is concurrently coordinating with SCI Consulting Group on a comprehensive analysis of the City’s Landscaping and Lighting Districts, including the Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District. This analysis, which will be presented to the City Council separately, will evaluate service levels, the assessment methodology, and the City’s general benefit contributions under Proposition 218. The findings of this work will provide additional context for future City Council discussions; however, this effort
April 7, 2026
does not affect the need to proceed with preparation of the annual Engineer’s Report at this time.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Proposed Timeline