FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 7, 2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Recreation and Parks
SUBJECT: LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS ASSESSMENTS
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt Resolutions confirming the diagram and assessment rates for the 1) Northeast (DS -10), 2) Northwest (DS -9), 3) South Miller/South College Drive (DS -6), and 4) Southwest (DS -11) Landscape Maintenance Districts and the 19 associated Special Benefit Zones (SBZs) for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
BACKGROUND:
This item will confirm the assessment rates for the City's 4 Landscape Maintenance Districts and 19 SBZs that were presented to the public and City Council at the May 17, 2022, City Council meeting. The assessments meet the terms and procedures under the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 ("Act") and Proposition 218. It is the City's policy that any residential or commercial development that requires a use permit within the City of Santa Maria is required to be annexed into a Landscape Maintenance District and, depending upon the amount of proposed public easement landscaping, a SBZ. California Streets and Highways Code authorize municipalities with the responsibility of providing the perpetual maintenance of additional public improvements associated with the development of each project to annex them into landscape maintenance districts. These public improvements include retention basins, parks, sidewalks, graffiti abatement, pest abatement, street trees, all public building grounds, and public thoroughfare landscaping.
For fiscal year 2022-23, it is expected that 10,023 residential and 670 commercial properties will be assessed as part of the Landscape District program. The Engineer's Report, presented and approved by the City Council on May 17, 2022, detailed a 6.6 percent increase to current assessment levels, service areas, maximum and actual assessment levels. Maps showing the boundaries for each of the Districts and SBZs were also contained in the Engineer's Report that is on file in the Records/City Clerk's Office.
The intent of this agenda item is for the City Council to conduct a public hearing, and then confirm the landscape assessments as presented to the City Council on May 17, 2022, and authorize that these new assessment amounts be placed on the 2022-23 Santa Barbara County Property Tax rolls by the County Auditor's requested deadline of July 22, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
Tonight's public hearing on the proposed assessment adjustments meets the statutory requirements of State law and the case law which requires that the City Council conduct an annual public hearing on the subject of Landscape Maintenance District Assessments.
Since 2004, the annual assessments have been adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This year's adjustment in assessments meets the most recent CPI used by the Urban Los Angeles -Riverside -Orange County Areas index for a 12 -month period ending in December 2021 (6.6 percent) as the basis for the increase. Accordingly, the proposed CPI adjustment is consistent with past City Council actions.
Fiscal Considerations:
Landscape Maintenance Districts will generate over $4.4 million in revenue, specifically used to finance the care of public landscaping throughout the City. Fiscal challenges, even with this level of funding, continue to negatively impact the management of the Landscape Maintenance Districts. The most significant challenges for the Districts are the cost of water, over $1,050,000 annually; along with the six percent increase in contracted maintenance costs. Aging plants, shrubs, and trees, along with damage to public sidewalks caused by tree roots continue to strain the Districts' budgets. During fiscal year 2022-23, the City will develop alternatives to bridge the funding gap for the City Council to consider.
Impact to the Community:
These as a ill continue to provide funding for landscape maintenance in these distric teas, I -eit at : le •I that may be reduced to remain within operating revenues.
A EX . R POSADA
Di or of Recreation and Parks
2 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA,
CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT RATES FOR THE
NORTHEAST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO. DS -10, AND ITS ASSOCIATED SPECIAL BENEFIT ZONES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
WHEREAS, the City Council has initiated proceedings for the levy of an annual assessment for a Landscape Maintenance District pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Section 22620, et seq., of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California, and Proposition 218 and its implementing legislation in a District known and designated as:
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
NORTHEAST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
NO. DS -10
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code, municipalities with the responsibility of providing the perpetual maintenance of additional public improvements associated with the development of each project are authorized to levy and collect an annual assessment for properties that have been annexed into a Landscape Maintenance District; and
WHEREAS, the City Council ordered the preparation of an Engineer's Report, and the consulting Engineer prepared and filed it with the City Council for consideration, pursuant to law. Subsequently, on May 17, 2022, the City Council received and considered a revised Engineer's Report, which provided information and calculations demonstrating that the proposed assessments on parcels, specifically benefited from the work of the Northeast Landscape Maintenance Assessment District ("District"), will not exceed the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on each of the parcels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted its Resolution of Intention to levy the assessments on May 17, 2022, approved and ordered filed the revised Engineer's Report for the above -designated District, and proceeded to give notice of the time and place for a Public Hearing on all matters relating to said proposed assessments for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and
WHEREAS, the notice was published in a manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the public hearing was duly held in the manner provided by law, all persons were provided the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the City Council has considered all public input and all written protests submitted; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determined that no majority protest exists concerning to the proposed assessments.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California as follows:
1. That the above recitals are all true; and
2. That upon the conclusion of the public hearing, written protests filed did not represent property owners owning more than 50 percent of the area of assessable lands within the District, and all protests are hereby overruled and denied; and
3. That the diagram and assessments (adjusted 6.6 percent for 2022) as set forth and contained in the Engineer's Report are hereby confirmed and adopted; and
4. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 7th day of June 2022.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
2 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA,
CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT RATES FOR THE
NORTHWEST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO:.DS-9, AND ITS ASSOCIATED SPECIAL BENEFIT
ZONES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
WHEREAS, the City Council has initiated proceedings for the levy of an annual assessment for a Landscape Maintenance District pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Section 22620, et seq., of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California, and Proposition 218 and its implementing legislation in a District known and designated as:
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
NORTHWEST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
NO. DS -9
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code, municipalities with the responsibility of providing the perpetual maintenance of additional public improvements associated with the development of each project are authorized to levy and collect an annual assessment for properties that have been annexed into a Landscape Maintenance District; and
WHEREAS, the City Council ordered the preparation of an Engineer's Report, and the consulting Engineer has prepared and filed it with the City Council for consideration, pursuant to law. Subsequently, on May 17, 2022, the City Council received and considered a revised Engineer's Report, which provided information and calculations demonstrating that the proposed assessments on parcels, specifically benefited from the work of the Northwest Landscape Maintenance Assessment District ("District"), will not exceed the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on each of the parcels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted its Resolution of Intention to levy the assessments on May 17, 2022, approved and ordered filed the revised Engineer's Report for the above -designated District, and proceeded to give notice of the time and place for a Public Hearing on all matters relating to said proposed assessment for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and
WHEREAS, the notice was published in a manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the public hearing was duly held in the manner provided by law, all persons were provided the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the City Council has considered all public input and all written protests submitted; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determined that no majority protest exists concerning the proposed assessments.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California as follows:
1. That the above recitals are all true; and
2. That upon the conclusion of the public hearing, written protests filed did not represent property owners owning more than 50 percent of the area of assessable lands within the District, and all protests are hereby overruled and denied; and
3. That the diagram and assessments (adjusted 6.6 percent for 2022) as set forth and contained in the Engineer's Report are hereby approved and adopted; and
4. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 7th day of June 2022.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
2 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA,
CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT RATES FOR THE
SOUTH MILLER STREET/SOUTH COLLEGE DRIVE
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO. DS -6, AND ITS ASSOCIATED SPECIAL BENEFIT
ZONES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
WHEREAS, the City Council has initiated proceedings for the levy of an annual assessment for a Landscape Maintenance District pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Section 22620, et seq., of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California, and Proposition 218 and its implementing legislation in a District known and designated as:
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
SOUTH MILLER STREET/SOUTH COLLEGE DRIVE
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. DS -6
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code, municipalities with the responsibility of providing the perpetual maintenance of additional public improvements associated with the development of each project are authorized to levy and collect an annual assessment for properties that have been annexed into a Landscape Maintenance District; and
WHEREAS, the City Council ordered the preparation of an Engineer's Report, and the consulting Engineer has prepared and filed it with the City Council for consideration pursuant to law. Subsequently, on May 17, 2022, the City Council received and considered a revised Engineer's Report, which provided information and calculations demonstrating that the proposed assessments on parcels, specifically benefited from the work of the South Miller Street/South College Drive Landscape Maintenance Assessment District ("District"), will not exceed the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on each of the parcels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted its Resolution of Intention to levy the assessments on May 17, 2022, approved and ordered filed the revised Engineer's Report for the above -designated District, and proceeded to give notice of the time and place for a Public Hearing on all matters relating to said proposed assessment for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and
WHEREAS, the notice was published in a manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the public hearing was duly held in the manner provided by law, all persons were provided the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the City Council has considered all public input and all written protests submitted and; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determined that no majority protest exists concerning the proposed assessments.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California as follows:
1. That the above recitals are all true; and
2. That upon the conclusion of the public hearing, written protests filed did not represent property owners owning more than 50 percent of the area of assessable lands within. the District, and all protests are hereby overruled and denied; and
3. That the diagram and assessments (adjusted 6.6 percent for 2022) as set forth and contained in the Engineer's Report are hereby approved and adopted; and
4. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 7th day of June 2022.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
2 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT RATES FOR THE
SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT NO. DS -11, AND ITS ASSOCIATED SPECIAL BENEFIT ZONES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23
WHEREAS, the City Council has initiated proceedings for the levy of an annual assessment for a Landscape Maintenance District pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Section 22260, et seq., of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California, and Proposition 218 and its implementing legislation in a District known and designated as:
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
NO. DS -11
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code, municipalities with the responsibility of providing the perpetual maintenance of additional public improvements associated with the development of each project are authorized to levy and collect an annual assessment for properties that have been annexed into a Landscape Maintenance District; and
WHEREAS, the City Council ordered the preparation of an Engineer's Report, and the consulting Engineer prepared and filed it with the City Council for consideration, pursuant to law. Subsequently, on May 17, 2022, the City Council received and considered a revised Engineer's Report, which provided information and calculations demonstrating that the proposed assessments on parcels, specifically benefited from the work of the Southwest Landscape Maintenance Assessment District ("District"), will not exceed the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit conferred on each of the parcels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted its Resolution of Intention to levy the assessments on May 17, 2022, approved and ordered filed the revised Engineer's Report for the above -designated District, and proceeded to give notice of the time and place for a Public Hearing on all matters relating to said proposed assessment for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and
WHEREAS, the notice was published in a manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the public hearing was duly held in the manner provided by law, all persons were provided the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the City Council has considered all public input and all written protests submitted; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determined that no majority protest exists concerning the proposed assessments.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California as follows:
1. That the above recitals are all true; and
2. That upon the conclusion of the public hearing, written protests filed did not represent property owners owning more than 50 percent of the area of assessable lands within the District, and all protests are hereby overruled and denied; and
3. That the diagram and assessments (adjusted 6.6 percent for 2022) as set forth and contained in the Engineer's Report are hereby approved and adopted; and
4. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 7th day of June 2022.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
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