City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2022 FROM: FINANCE DEPARTMENT WARD: 7
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION INITIATING PROCEEDINGS TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 IN RIVERWALK LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT; APPOINTING WEBB MUNICIPAL FINANCE, LLC AS ENGINEER OF RECORD; AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF AN ENGINEER’S REPORT ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution to initiate proceedings to levy and collect assessments for fiscal year 2022-2023 in the Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance District; appoint Webb Municipal Finance, LLC as the Engineer of Record and order the preparation of an Engineer’s Report.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution to initiate proceedings to levy and collect assessments for fiscal year 2022-2023 in the Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance District; and Appoint Webb Municipal Finance, LLC as the Engineer of Record; and Order the preparation of an Engineer’s Report.
BACKGROUND:
In August 2002 the Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance Assessment District was formed under the provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 and confirmed by property owner ballot pursuant to the requirements established by Proposition 218. The Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance District was formed to assess property owners for the ongoing maintenance and repair costs associated with maintaining the enhanced landscaping and facilities throughout the District.
DISCUSSION:
Apportionment of annual maintenance cost within the Landscape District requires the preparation of an annual Engineer’s Report. The report outlines the total annual landscaping expense for the district and apportions the proposed assessment of the cost of maintenance per parcel for the next fiscal year. The assessment formula adopted in 2002 requires assessments be increased as of July 1st of each year based on year-over-year percentage increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario, California Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area.
To proceed with the Landscape Maintenance Assessment District process, the City Council must adopt a Resolution ordering the preparation of the Annual Engineer’s Report. After the report is complete, Finance staff will schedule a public hearing and present the report to City Council.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 5 High Performing Government and Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaboration with community members, to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The preparation of an annual engineer’s report and levy process complies with the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, under which the Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance District was formed. This process provides transparency for community members to whom the assessments are levied each year.
Equity – In order to maintain the improvements within the Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance District, the annual maintenance cost is funded through an annual levy calculated based on the special benefit shared by each parcel within the district.
Fiscal Responsibility – Assessments are levied annually to pay costs associated with maintaining enhanced improvements within the district. This ensures the additional cost of maintaining the enhanced landscape and facility improvements is borne primarily by those that benefit from them.
Innovation – Utilizing Landscape Maintenance Districts is an innovative way to offset the cost to maintain improvements that were constructed outside of normal City standards.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The formation of a Landscape Maintenance District provides a transparent and equitable way to fund and report on maintenance of improvements that provide a special benefit to a select group of property owners. The annual engineer’s report and levy process helps to ensure transparent reporting to members of the community and those within the district.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost to prepare the annual engineer’s report is factored into the total anticipated expenses for the district and has been budgeted in the Riverwalk LMD Fund, account 9760385-421000 for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
Prepared by: Heidi Schrader, Debt & Treasury Manager
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
Riverwalk Landscape Maintenance DistrictηPage 2