Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Ordering that No Assessment be Levied for Fiscal Year 2025-26 in Connection with Zone 7 of the Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2. (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, City Council levies special assessments in connection with the District. One of these is Zone 7 (Zone) which 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. A final project for sidewalk improvement has been identified and if a majority of the Zone’s property owners support this project then staff anticipates it will be completed by the end of July 2025, allowing dissolution proceedings to begin later this calendar year.
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.
On June 20, 2023, City Council provided direction to not levy an assessment for Zone 7 in FY 2023-24, to remove and replace any diseased Elm trees and take next steps to dissolve the Zone. The hazardous trees have since been removed and replanted.
Staff have 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. 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 enhanced trees.
Upon completion of these works, there are additional funds remaining which are being evaluated for a final agreed spending project to complete 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 4, 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.
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.
At its meeting on May 6, 2025, City Council approved the Engineer’s Report for Zone 7 and declared its intention not to order the levy and collection of assessments in FY 2025-26. The Engineer’s Report does not include budgeted expenses for Zone administration as it is anticipated that the final spending project will be completed in early FY 2025-26, with dissolution proceedings following shortly thereafter. Although staff is not recommending any levy of assessment in FY 2025-26, it is still required to produce a Report for the Zone.
DISCUSSION
Staff now seeks City Council’s approval of the final step in the annual Engineer’s Report process for Zone 7. Staff proposes that City Council hold the public hearing to consider adopting a resolution ordering that no assessment be levied for FY 2025-26 in connection with Zone 7 of the Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2.
Following exhaustion of the Zone’s fund balance, 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 final approval of Zone dissolution.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve moving forward with no levy of assessment for the coming year.
• Do not approve no levy of assessment and provide alternative direction to staff.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Direct costs associated with the work presented in the Report are paid for by the Zone. There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary because of this recommended action.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. The recent urban forest work in the Zone relates to the Strategic Priority to Build Resilience to Climate Change & Water Level Rise.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
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
Hold a public hearing to consider adopting a resolution ordering that no assessment be levied for FY 2025-26 in connection with Zone 7 of the District.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Emily Antenen, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Zone 7 Map
2. Zone 7 Engineer’s Report