A2458.SR.MG
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
J
une 24, 2024
TO
: City Council
F
ROM: Department of Public Works
S
UBJECT: A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ASSESSMENTS FOR SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT
NO. 1 AND ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
ASSESSMENTS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the City Council, at the conclusion of the public hearing, adopt Resolution No. 2024-26 (page 6) approving the FY 2024-25 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
O
n May 20, 202 4, 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 24, 2024. The purpose of this public hearing is for the City Council to consider the proposed FY 202 4-25 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No.1. It is recommended that the City Council approve the FY 2024-25 assessments, which will remain unchanged at their current levels.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
T
he May 20, 2024, 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 Di strict, 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 2024-25 , the cost to maintain the assessment zone areas is approximately $1,351,495, which will be funded by approximately $790,267 from assessments , plus $562,000 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. Staff will continue to implement additional cost reduction measures throughout the year which should reduce utility and contract costs.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
5A
A2458.SR.MG
Landscape Zones Augmentation Fund Status
Historically, the cost to maintain the Landscape D istrict has exceeded the revenue received from 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. The City has been able to reduce the amount of Augmentation funds needed from a high of over $1 million, however increasing maintenance and utility (primarily water) costs and improvements required for the repair and replacement of aging irrigation equipment and backflow devices in the landscape zones h as slowly increased the contribution to $562,000 in F Y 2024-25.
Staff continues to take steps and explore opportunities to reduce costs. The 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 still 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. As a result of staff initiated changes in maintenance and landscaping, since 2019 most zones per square foot costs have been reduced by approximately 50%.
Water restrictions previously adopted by the City Council has also positively affected the “Utilities” costs in the assessment zones. In zones where turf is present and irrigation is reduced, the water usage and costs in these zones have decrease d. Further, staff has been successful in receiving tur
f replacement rebates from the Metropolitan Water
District for turf removal pr ojects in several z ones. During FY 2023-24, the City has reduced approximately 183,071 square feet of turf and has received $472,676 in rebates from the Metropolitan Water District to date. These rebate funds will be re- invested into further turf reduction projects in Landscape District zones.
Moving forward to further reduce costs, staff will continue to be aggressive in replacing plants, foliage, and trees using low water use options, or the implementation of hardscape 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 2024-25 Assessments
Resolution No. 202 4-26 to establish the FY 2024-25 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).
The 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 City Council on May 20, 2024. Also attached is a summary of the proposed assessments by zone (Attachment B, page 11). Any increase to the Landscape District assessments paid by property owners would require a Proposition 218 vote. Therefore, staff recommends that the current assessment amounts remain the same next fiscal year. 2 A2458.SR.MG
If the proposed assessments are not approved, Landscape District No. 1 will not receive approximately $790,267 in FY 2024-25 . Should this occur, the options to consider will include increasing the General Fund contribution to cover the $790,267 shortfall, or reducing maintenance to a detrimental level in the assessment zones.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. A t the close of the public hearing, adopt Resolution No. 2024-26 approving the FY 2024-25 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1;
2. Do not approve the assessments, not receive $790,267, and provide alternate direction to staff to increase the General Fund contribution;
3. Direct staff to reduce maintenance in the Assessment Zones;
4. Provide other direction to staff.
Staff recommends Alternative No 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt Resolution No. 2024- 26 approving the FY 2024- 25 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1.
SUMMARY
The City Council initiated the Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1 assessment review process for FY 2024-25 on May 20, 2024, and set a public hearing for June 24, 2024. No increases in the assessments are proposed. It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the FY 2024-25 assessments for Simi Valley Landscape District No. 1, as shown in the May 20, 2024, Engineer’s Report.
for
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
Prepared by: Dylan Gunning, Senior Management Analyst
INDEX Page
Public Hearing Procedure ................................................................ 4 Resolution No. 2024-26 ................................................................... 6 Exhibit 1 – Map of Landscape Zones ........................................ 8 Attachment A – Engineer’s Report .................................................. 9 Attachment B – Landscape District No 1 Assessment Summary .. 11
3 PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
HEARING DATE: June 24, 2024
1. CITY CLERK
: This is the time and place set for a public hearing to consider proposed FY 2024- 25 assessments for Simi Valley
Landscape District. (Read by City Clerk including reading of Resolution AND/OR Ordinance if applicable)
2. MAYOR: Before we begin, are there any ex parte communications to report?
3. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER: (Report)
4. MAYOR: Staff may begin with the oral report on this matter.
5. STAFF: (Report)
6. MAYOR
: Any questions of staff from City Council Members?
(Questions of staff and staff response)
7. MAYOR: At this time I would like to open the hearing for anyone in the City Council Chambers wishing to be heard on this matter?
8. AUDIENCE
: Public Testimony and Comments
9. MAYOR
: Does Staff desire to respond to any comments or issues raised?
10. STAFF: (Response to comments and additional City Council questions)
11. MAYOR: The hearing is now closed.
12. MAYOR
: Any further comments or questions from City Council
Members?
13. MAYOR
: I will now entertain a motion.
4 14. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER : City Council Actions (by motion of any Council Member):
1) Adopt, modify, or not adopt Resolution No. 2024-26
approving the FY 2024- 25 assessments for Simi Valley
Landscape District No. 1 (requires a second and a vote; requires reading of resolution).
*Any action to refer the matter back to staff or to continue the matter requires a second and a vote.
15. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER : Second
16. MAYOR: (Call for vote)
17. MAYOR
: Proceed to the next item.
5 A2458.RES.MG
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND
ASSESSMENT FOR THOSE LOTS A ND PARCELS
INCLUDED WITHIN SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT
NO. 1, LEVYING THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 2024-25, AND ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS
SPECIFIED IN THE ENGINEER'S REPORT AS APPROVED
IN RESOLUTION NO. 2024-26
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 2024-25, for the purposes of the installation, maintenance, and/or planting of the foregoing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, on the 24th day of June 2024, 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 202 4-25 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 2024-25 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. 2024-26
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 heret o, 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 24th day of June 2024.
Attest:
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Fred D. Thomas, Mayor of the City Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Brian Paul Gabler, City Manager
Ronald K. Fuchiwaki
Public Works Director
7 36
EXHIBIT 1
8 ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT NO. 1
ENGINEER’S REPORT
ON
ASSESSMENTS FOR ZONES NO. 2, 3, 4, 5
7, 9, 12,13,14A,14B,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22, 24,25,26,28,29,31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41A, 41B, 42, 45, 51, 55, 61, 62, 64, 65, 74, 83, 85, 95, 96, 99, 100, 104, AND
108 FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2024-25
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
June 24, 2024
9 Section 1: Authority for Report:
This report is in compliance with the requirements of Article 4, Chapter 1, Division 15 of the Streets and Highway Code, State of California (Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972).
Section 2: Maintenance:
The landscaping consists of trees, shrubs, and groundcover. Maintenance means the furnishing of services and materials for the ordinary and usual maintenance, operation, and servicing of any improvement including:
a. Repair, removal, or replacement of all or any part of any improvement.
b. Providing the life, growth, health, and beauty of landscaping, including cultivation, irrigation, trimming, spraying, fertilizing, or treating for disease or injury.
c. Removal of trimmings, rubbish, debris, and other solid waste.
Section 3: Plans and Specifications:
Plans and specifications for the landscape installation have been prepared by the developers and have been approved as part of the tract improvement plans in conformance with the conditions of approval.
The specifications for the maintenance contracts have been prepared by the Landscape District for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The plans and specifications, the assessment diagrams, and specifications for maintenance are, by reference, made a part of this report to the same extent as if said plans and specifications, assessment diagrams, and maintenance specifications were attached hereto. The aforementioned are all on file with the City Clerk.
Section 4: Order of Events:
1. The City Council adopts a Resolution of Intention to levy annual assessments; adopts a resolution approving the Engineer’s Report; and adopts a resolution setting a public hearing.
2. Notice of hearing published as outlined in Sections 22552, 22553, and 22626 of the Streets and Highways Code (Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972).
3. The City Council conducts a public hearing, considers all testimony, and determines if and how assessments are to be levied.
4. The diagram and assessments are to be filed with the County in accordance with Section 22641 for assessments levied.
10 ATTACHMENT B
SIMI VALLEY LANDSCAPE DISTRICT NO. 1
ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
Zone
FY 2024-25
Proposed
Assessment
Per Lot
Zone
FY 2024-25
Proposed
Assessment
Per Lot
Zone
FY 2024-25
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
11