Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving the Engineer’s Report and Declaring the City of Alameda's Intention Not to Order the Levy and Collection of Assessments for Zone 7 of the Island City Landscape and Lighting District 84-2 and Providing for Notice of Public Hearing on June 17, 2025 - Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
(Public Works 27441530)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 1984, the City Council established the Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2 (District). The purpose of this special assessment district is to provide enhanced maintenance in the public areas of the District's six zones throughout the City of Alameda (City). Each year, the City Council levies special assessments in connection with the District. Zone 7 (Zone) includes the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Bay Street.
On June 20, 2023, City Council provided direction to staff to remove and replant old, diseased Elm trees within the Zone before dissolving the Zone. No assessment was levied in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and no levy of assessment is proposed for FY 2025-26. The hazardous trees were removed and replanted, and staff worked collaboratively with Zone residents to exhaust the Zone’s fund balance before dissolution. The final spending project plan is now in the last stage of the property owner confirmation process, and staff anticipates these projects will be completed by the end of July 2025, allowing dissolution proceedings to begin shortly thereafter.
BACKGROUND
The District was established in 1984 pursuant to the Landscape & Lighting Act of 1972 (Streets & Highways Code Sections 22500 et seq.). Parcels in each zone are assessed only for the costs associated with improvements in that zone. Zone 7 includes the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Bay Street. This Zone was annexed into the District in 1986 at the request of the property owners along the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Bay Street who desired the planting and re-planting of larger and special, non-standard street trees that require enhanced, more expensive maintenance, such as annual tree injections, more intensive pest management, and a more frequent tree trimming schedule.
On June 20, 2023, City Council provided direction to not levy an assessment for Zone 7 in FY 2024-25, to remove and replace any diseased Elm trees and take next steps to dissolve the Zone. In July 2023, staff completed the arborist report process for the Elm trees, which determined that all 10 of the old Elms should be removed immediately. Per direction from City Council, tree removal costs were funded by the General Fund and the tree planting costs of the enhanced sized trees were incurred by the Zone. Staff convened a community meeting in July 2023 with residents of the Zone to inform them of the removals and gather input on replanting the sites vacated by the Old Elms. The community identified three species - the Silver Linden, ‘October Glory’ Maple, and the Jefferson Elm - all previously planted and performing well in the Zone and included in the Master Street Tree Plan and forthcoming Urban Forest Plan. Further, these tree species do not require any enhanced maintenance going forward. Staff completed the City’s standard adjacent property owner noticing/input mailers to ensure agreement on the tree species, and planting took place in December 2023.
Staff has since worked closely with Zone representatives to identify additional public improvements, as permitted by the Zone’s formation documents, to make use of the remaining fund balance before the Zone is dissolved. A community meeting was held in December 2023, open to all property owners and residents within the Zone. Zone ambassadors conducted subsequent informal canvassing of neighbor opinions and gathered consensus on a final list of projects. In March 2024, staff prepared a draft spending plan for completion in FY 2024-25 and shared it with the property owners in the Zone, the majority of whom expressed their support for the plan. Projects completed to date include aphid injections for the Redmond Linden trees, repainting of historic light poles, removal and replanting of underperforming trees, replacement of the fence at the lagoon end of the street, watering bags for newly installed trees, a zone-wide enhanced structural street tree pruning, and planting of three new trees. After completion of these projects, additional funds remain and will be utilized for a final agreed-upon project for a sidewalk beautification project to remove and replace esthetically damaged sidewalk areas. If support for this project is confirmed, it is anticipated this project would be completed by the end of July 2025. Following this final project and confirmation of any remaining fund balance, staff intend to begin the dissolution proceedings.
At its meeting on March 6, 2025, City Council took the initial required step in the Engineer’s Report (Report) process for FY 2025-26 by appointing an engineer-of-work to prepare the Report. Although staff is not recommending any levy of assessment in FY 2025-26, it is still necessary to produce a Report for the Zone. The Engineer’s Report for Zone 7 was prepared by the City’s consultants, NBS, and submitted by the City Engineer. A map of Zone 7 is attached as Exhibit 1 and the Report for Zone 7 is attached as Exhibit 2.
DISCUSSION
Staff now seek City Council’s approval of the draft Report outlining a proposed budget, confirming no assessment for the coming year and setting a public hearing date of June 17, 2025.
The draft Report confirms the intention not to levy an assessment in FY 2025-26 and additionally does not include budgeted expenses for Zone administration. As additional time is needed to complete the final spending project, staff intends to return to City Council for the dissolution actions by Fall 2025. Given that the dissolution proceedings will occur early in the coming fiscal year, staff is proposing that no administrative charges be applied to the Zone for FY 2025-26. This proposal is reflected in the draft Report with a total of cost of $0 reflected for Zone administration.
After the public hearing, City Council will consider approving no assessment for the following year. The resolution is required to be published at least once in a local paper with a minimum of 10 days between the first publication of the City's resolution and the public hearing.
The draft Report was prepared by NBS, a consultant specializing in assessment districts, in accordance with Section 22565 et seq. of the California Streets and Highways Code. The draft Report provides a spending plan for Zone 7 of the District. Public Works staff worked with stakeholders of the Zone to prepare the proposed approach for the dissolution of this Zone.
Staff proposes that City Council adopt a resolution to approve the Report as presented and set the regular City Council meeting of June 17, 2025, as the date for the public hearing.
Following execution of the final spending plan projects from FY 2024-25 by July 2025, staff will return to City Council to begin the dissolution proceedings. Dissolution will require two separate actions by City Council: one action to set the public hearing to consider dissolving the Zone; and a further actual approval of Zone dissolution.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve moving forward with no levy of assessment for the coming year.
• Do not approve the recommendation for no levy of assessment and direct staff to amend the Report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. This relates to the Strategic Priority to Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities, & Historic Resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACT
Work within the Zone has been focused on enhancements to the urban forest. Trees provide numerous benefits in an urban environment and create a sense of community. Along with providing shade, saving energy, and improving air quality and public health, trees mitigate climate change, reduce stormwater runoff, and create wildlife habitats.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving the Engineer’s Report, declaring the City of Alameda's intention not to order the levy and collection of assessments for Zone 7 of the Island City Landscape and Lighting District 84-2, and provide notice of Public Hearing on June 17, 2025.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Emily Antenen, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Zone 7 Map
2. Engineer’s Report