Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Dissolving 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: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Zone 7 (Zone) of the Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2 comprises the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Bay Street. Exhibit 1 includes a map of the Zone. Zone 7 was planted with special landscaping (Elm trees) that required additional maintenance when compared with the standard landscaping planted in other parts of the City of Alameda (City).
On June 20, 2023, City Council provided direction for staff to remove the old, diseased Elm trees in the Zone, replant the Zone with more standard landscaping and take next steps towards dissolving the Zone.
On May 5, 2026, City Council adopted its Resolution No. 16391, declaring its intention to dissolve the Zone and setting a public hearing on the dissolution for June 16, 2026.
Staff recommends City Council hold the public hearing and consider adopting a resolution dissolving the Zone and ordering that the remaining Zone funds be divided equally among assessment parcels within the Zone.
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 remove and replace any diseased Elm trees and take next steps to dissolve the Zone. The hazardous trees were removed and replanted in coordination with Zone residents.
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. In March 2024, staff prepared a draft spending plan for completion in Fiscal Year (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 include planting of enhanced sized trees, aphid injections for the Redmond Linden trees, repainting of historic light poles, replacement of the fence at the lagoon end of the street, watering bags for newly installed trees, and a zone-wide enhanced structural street tree pruning. In 2026, the Zone also funded a sidewalk beautification project to remove and replace aesthetically damaged sidewalk areas.
At this time, the Zone does not have additional improvements to be delivered with Zone funds. At the time of writing, staff are continuing to work in consult with Zone stakeholders to complete the remaining identified projects to plant five enhanced-size trees and install tree protecting bollards at the lagoon end of the street. These projects will be completed by the end of the Fiscal Year (June 30, 2026), and it is anticipated that after accounting for all costs associated with final work in the Zone, approximately $4,700 will remain in the Zone’s fund.
On May 5, 2026, City Council adopted its Resolution No. 16391, declaring City Council’s intention to dissolve the Zone and setting a public hearing on the dissolution for June 16, 2026. Following City Council’s May 5, 2026 action, staff mailed a letter to the owners of each parcel in Zone 7 explaining the process and informing them of the public hearing.
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends that Zone 7 be dissolved and that the remaining Zone funds be divided equally among assessed parcels within the Zone.
ALTERNATIVES
• Hold the Public Hearing and adopt a Resolution Dissolving the Zone.
• Hold the Public Hearing and give additional direction to staff regarding the Zone.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Direct costs associated with the work presented in the Report are paid for by the Zone. If the proposed Resolution is adopted, the remaining approximately $4,700 in Zone funds will be divided equally among assessed parcels within the Zone and paid to the record owners of those parcels.
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.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
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.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold the public hearing and adopt a resolution dissolving Zone 7 of the Island City Landscape and Lighting District, 84-2.
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