PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\1-Staff Report
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
June
13, 2022
TO: Cit
y Council
FR
OM: Department of Public Works
SUBJECT: A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED F ISCAL YEAR 2022-23 ASSESSMENTS FOR SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT
NO. 1 AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING
THE A SSESSMENTS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is
recommended that the City Council , at the conclusion o f the public hearing, adopt Resolution No. 2022-27 (page 6) approving the FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
On M
ay 16, 2022, the City Council initiated the Landscape District No. 1 (District) assessment review process by adopting the necessary resolutions and setting a public hearing for June 13, 2022. The purpose of this public hearing is for the City Council to consider the proposed FY 2022-23 assessments for Sim i Valley Landscape District No.1. It is recommended that the City Council approve the FY 2022-23 assessments, which will remain unchanged at their current levels.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
The
May 16, 2022, staff report outlined the complete status of Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1 since its creation in 1973. The District operates under the authority of the State Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972. There are a total of 99 landscape zones in the District, including 48 active zones (one of which encompasses all City -controlled areas), and 51 contingency fallback zones. Active zones are maintained by the City and funded through assessments to the property owners within each active zone and a contribution from the General Fund. Fallback zones are maintained by Homeowners Associations or the property owners.
Fo
r FY 2022-23, the cost to maintain the assessment zone areas is approximately $995,975 which will be funded by approximately $790,267 from assessments (including interest), and $200,000 from the Landscape Augmentation Fund, which is funded by the General Fund. This amount includes electricity costs, water costs, maintenance contract costs, and tree maintenance costs . S taff will continue to implement additional cost reduction measures throughout the year that should reduce utility and contract costs.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
5A
PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\1-Staff Report Landscape Zones Augmentation Fund Status
Hist
orically, the cost to maintain the Landscape District exceeds the revenue from the assessments. In FY 1999- 00, the City Council approved the establishment of a Landscape Zones Augmentation Fund to offset the deficit. These funds were needed to augment balances in existing zones to ensure that funds cover the landscaping costs for all zones at the end of each fiscal year. However, with increasing maintenance and utility costs and improvements required for repair and replacement of aging irrigation equipment and backflow devices in the landscape zones, the augmentation amount has continued and is currently funded at a not-to-exceed amount of $200,000.
Staf
f continues to take steps to explore opportunities to reduce costs . T he landscape maintenance contracts have been modified with new maintenance requirements and specifications for landscape maintenance services by reducing the frequency of certain tasks and applications required under the contract while maintaining the aesthetics of the City’s landscaping. Staff continually implements measures to reduce costs, including utilizing smart irrigation controllers and low water use plantings when plant replacements have been necessary. Additionally, staff has begun to modify Landscape Zones by removing high water use plant material and replacing it with decorative ground cover, low-water-use plants, and drip irrigation systems. An example of this type of modified landscape is on the east side of Galena Avenue between the 118 Freeway and Alamo Street.
It
is anticipated that new water restrictions adopted by the City Council during its May 9, 2022 meeting will positively affect the “Utilities” costs in the assessment zones .
In zones where turf is present and irrigation is reduced to one day per week, the water usage and costs in these zones are expected to decrease. Further, staff is seeking turf - replacement rebates from Metropolitan Water District for turf removal projects in several zones. While the assessment rates have remained unchanged for many years , staff anticipates the water restrictions, turf removal, and changes to the plant material will positively impact the overall financial performance of the zones.
Mov
ing forward to further reduce costs, staff will be more aggressive in replacing plants, foliage, and trees using low water use options, or the implementation of a hardsca pe when deemed appropriate. These measures, including the replacement of plant material with ground cover, wood chips, and bark, will be implemented within the existing budget.
Approval of FY 2022-23 Assessments
Res
olution No. 2022 -27 to establish the FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1 is provided on page 6. A map of the landscape zones is attached as Exhibit 1 to the Resolution (page 8).
Th
e Engineer’s Report (Attachment A, page 9) shows the proposed assessments for each zone, the projected costs, including the recommended essential improvements, the estimated beginning balances, and the projected ending balances , as approved by the 2 PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\1-Staff Report City Council on May 16, 2022. Also attached is a summary of the proposed assessments by
zone (Attachment B, page 35). An increase to the Landscape District assessments would require a Proposition 218 vote. Therefore, staff recommends that the current ass essment amounts remain the same next fiscal year.
I
f the proposed assessments are not approved, Landscape District No. 1 will not receive approximately $790,267 in FY 202 2 -23 . Should this occur, the options to consider will include increasing the General Fund contribution to cover the $ 790,267 shortfall, or reducing maintenance in the assessment zones.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Adopt Res
olution No. 2022-27 approving the FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1;
2. Do not approv
e the assessments , not receive $790,267, and provide alternate direction to staff to increase the General Fund contribution;
3. Dire
ct staff to reduce maintenance in the Assessment Zones;
4. P rovide
other direction to staff.
Staf
f recommends Alternative No 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt a Re solution No. 2022-27 appr oving the FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape Dis trict No. 1.
SUMMARY
The City Council initiated the Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1 assessment review process for FY 2022-23 on May 16, 2022, and set a public hearing for June 13, 2022. No increases in the assessments are proposed. It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1, as shown in the May 16, 2022 Engineer’s Report. ___________
_________________________
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
Prepare
d by: Laurie Vollmer, Deputy Public Works Director (Administration) 3 PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\1-Staff Report INDEX Page
P
ublic Hearing Procedure ...................................................................... 5 Resolution No. 2022-27 ......................................................................... 6 Exhibit 1 – Map of Landscape Zones ............................................... 8 Attachment A – Engineer’s Report ......................................................... 9 Attachment B – Landscape District No. 1 Assessment Summary ........ 35 4 PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\1-Staff Report
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
HEARING DATE: June 13, 2022
1. MAYOR: This is the time and place set for a public hearing to consider proposed FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley
Landscape District No. 1.
May I have a reading of the proposed resolution?
2. CITY CLERK
: ( Reads resolution)
3. MAYOR
: May we have an oral report on this matter by staff?
4. STAFF
: (Report)
5. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER
: (Questions of staff and staff response)
6. MAYOR: Is there anyone in the City Council Chamber wishing to be heard on this matter?
7. AUDIENCE: (Comments)
8. MAYOR
: Does staff desire to respond to any comments or issues raised?
9. STAFF: (Response to comments and additional City Council questions)
10. MAYOR: The hearing is closed. Are there any comments or questions from members of the City Council?
9. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER : (Comments)
10. MAYOR: The Chair will now entertain a motion.
11. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER :
City Council Actions (by motion of any Council Member)*:
1) Adopt, mod ify, or not adopt Resolution No. 2022-27
approving the FY 2022-23 assessments for Simi Valley
Landscape District No. 1 (requires a second and vote;
requires a reading of the resolution).
*Any action to refer the matter back to staff or to continue the matter requires a second and a vote.
5 G:\PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\2-Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND
ASSESSMENT FOR THOSE LOTS AND PARCELS
INCLUDED WITHIN SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT
NO. 1, LEVYING THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 2022-23, AND ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS
SPECIFIED IN THE ENGINEER'S REPORT AS APPROVED
IN RESOLUTION NO. 2022-23
WHEREAS, the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Part 2, Division 15, Section 22500 et seq. of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California, provides for the installation, construction, maintenance, and repair of water lines, sprinklers, irrigation, and other facilities therefore; and
WHEREAS, the City Council ordered the annexation of zones into the Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1 and intends to levy assessments in certain zones for the Fiscal Year 2022-23, for the purposes of the installation, maintenance, and/or planting of the foregoing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, on the 13th day of June 2022, after giving due notice in the manner as prescribed by law, held a public hearing for the purpose of hearing any protests to the proposed work and improvements, confirming the diagram, and levying and collecting the assessments for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 upon those lots or parcels within certain zones of the Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1; and
WHEREAS, Section 22630 of the Streets and Highways Code permits the City Council, during the course or upon the conclusion of a hearing, to order any changes in any of the matters of the Engineer's Report previously approved by the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The name of the District is the Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1.
SECTION 2. The lands included within the District are those lots or parcels included within Exhibit 1, as attached; and more specifically described in the assessment diagrams for each zone incorporated herein by reference. The diagrams are hereby confirmed as the description of the lands included in the zones.
SECTION 3. The matter of the levy of assessments for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 shall be implemented in the manner provided for in Sections 22500 et seq. of the Streets & Highways Code of the State for real property lying within the boundaries of Zones 2-5, 7, 9, 12 -22, 24-26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41A, 41B, 42, 45, 51, 55, 61, 62, 64, 65, 74, 83, 85, 95, 96, 99, 100, 104, and 108 of the Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1, as heretofore described.
6 RES. NO. 2022-27
G:\PW\Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\Agenda Item for FY 22-23\Public Hearing 6.13.22\FINAL STAFF REPORT\2-Resolution SECTION 4. Any amounts assessed for the purpose set forth shall be levied and collected in a manner and by the same officers as taxes for County purposes are levied and collected.
SECTION 5. The improvements described herein and described in further detail in a Report of the Engineer approved by the City Council by resolution are hereby ordered to be made.
SECTION 6. A certified copy of this resolution, including all attachments and exhibits hereto, and all other pertinent resolutions of the City Council including all exhibits and attachments thereto, shall be filed with the Auditor of the County of Ventura.
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 13th day of June 2022.
Attest:
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Keith L. Mashburn, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
David L. Caceres, City Attorney Brian Paul Gabler, City Manager
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
7 EXHIBIT 1
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
30 31
32 33
34 ATTACHMENT B
Admin\Budget\Landscape Zones\FY 2022-23 Assmnts\PublicHearing 061322\Assmnt Summary FY22-23 C
SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT NO. 1
ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
Zone
FY 2022-23
Proposed
Assessment
Per Lot
Zone
FY 2022-23
Proposed
Assessment
Per Lot
Zone
FY 2022-23
Proposed
Assessment
Per Lot
1 Fallback
30 Fallback
62 $225
2 $60
31 $349
63 Fallback
3 $30
32 $190
64 $208
4 $175
33 Fallback
65 $22
5 $183
34 $93
66 Fallback
6 Fallback
35 $127
67 Fallback
7 $51
36A
Fallback
70 Fallback
8 Fallback
36B
Fallback
71A
Fallback
8A
Fallback
37 $101
71B
Fallback
9 $114
38A
Fallback
72 Fallback
10 Fallback
39 $0
73 Fallback
11 Fallback
40 Fallback
74 $98
12 $118
41A
$106
76 Fallback
13 $115
41B
$431
77 Fallback
14A
As Follows
42 $179
78 Fallback
Type A
$337
43 Fallback
80 Fallback
Type A & B
$931
44 Fallback
81 Fallback
Type A & C
$634
45 $34
83 $62
14B
$478
46 Fallback
84 Fallback
15 $163
47 Fallback
85 $187
16 $105
48 Fallback
86 Fallback
17 $167
49 Fallback
87 Fallback
18 $ 93
50 Fallback
88 Fallback
19 $114
51 $159
90 Fallback
20 $97
52 Fallback
91 Fallback
21 $154
53 Fallback
92 Fallback
22 $105
54 Fallback
93 Fallback
23 Fallback
55 $19
94 Fallback
24 $79
56 Fallback
95 $323
25 $183
57 Fallback
96 $202
26 $92
58 Fallback
99 $66
27 Fallback
59 Fallback
100
$262
28 $211
60 Fallback
104
$146
29 $202
61 $88
108
$130
35