Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Approving the Engineer's Report, Confirming Diagram and Assessment, and Ordering the Levy of Assessments, Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2, All Zones. (Public Works 275) [Continued from June 1, 2021 to July 6, 2021]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
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 (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8) throughout the City of Alameda (City). In 2014, Zones 2 and 3 conducted a property owner balloting process to combine into one zone (Zone 8).
To levy next fiscal year's assessments, the City is required to follow a prescribed legal process to prepare the annual Engineer’s Report (Report). This annual process began in February and will be complete with the adoption of this resolution.
BACKGROUND
On February 16, 2021, in accordance with the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, the City Council appointed the City Engineer and the City Attorney for the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District (LLAD) 84-2 and authorized the preparation of the Report. The District has six zones (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8) throughout the City of Alameda (City). In 2014, Zones 2 and 3 conducted a property owner balloting process to combine into one zone (Zone 8). On April 20, 2021, the City Council preliminarily approved the Report, declared an intention to order the levy and collection of the assessments, and set a public hearing for July 6, 2021.
DISCUSSION
The Report was prepared by NBS, a consulting firm specializing in assessment districts, in accordance with Section 22565 et seq. of the California Streets and Highways Code. The Report includes an annual budget to provide enhanced maintenance within six zones throughout the City. Maps of the six zones are attached as Exhibit 1 and the Report is attached as Exhibit 2. The Report provides an estimate of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 costs for each zone. The zones for enhanced maintenance are:
Zone 1 - Lincoln Avenue between Sherman Street and St. Charles Street: This zone is responsible for the maintenance of the landscaped medians in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Lincoln Avenue, including the utilities for irrigation. The revenue received through the assessments for this zone is sufficient to cover the maintenance budget. For FY 2021-22, the property assessments will mostly remain unchanged from the previous year's assessment.
Zone 2 and Zone 3 - In 2014, Zones 2 and 3 conducted a property owner balloting process to combine into one zone (Zone 8) and increase assessments. See below for Zone 8 details.
Zone 4 - Park Street, from the Park Street Bridge to San Jose Avenue, including areas of Webb Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Santa Clara Avenue, Central Avenue and Encinal Avenue: This zone funds maintenance, supplies, and seasonal banners/decorations on Park Street.
The care of the young trees planted on Park Street as part of the Park Street Streetscape is proposed to be funded by Measure B reserves for the upcoming fiscal year.
In FY 2018-19, at the direction of the Zone 4 business association board (Downtown Alameda Business Association (DABA)), the District conducted a balloting to increase assessments that would add areas to the district and fund improved sidewalk cleaning, more thorough maintenance of the public litter cans, and a healthier reserve. The balloting was successful and in FY 2019-20 the increased assessment was collected and Public Works staff started working with the district to increase services. The revenues received through the assessments from this zone are sufficient to fund the proposed FY 2021-22 maintenance budget. For FY 2021-22 the proposed property assessment includes an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 1.567%, which is the CPI for the Bay Area for the year ending February 2021.
At the request of DABA, the Association has asked that the $10,000 that was used to help fund the balloting process in FY 2018-19 be repaid to them in FY 2022-23. DABA has agreed to save one-third of the cost for FY 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 for a full repayment in 2022-23.
Within Zone 4, the Engineer of Record also identified a general benefit, which is an overall and similar benefit to the people who do not live in or intend to conduct business within the Zone. The amount of general benefit of $7,608.09 that is provided from the Zone’s maintenance activities cannot be funded via property owners’ assessments. The funding for this portion will come from the General Fund, and is programed into the Public Works operating budget as part of Public Works Administration (program 4205310).
Zone 5 - Harbor Bay Business Park: This zone funds irrigation and landscape maintenance within the Harbor Bay Business Park (HBBPA), including tree trimming, sidewalk and pathway repairs, streetlight maintenance, and utilities. Based on previous approval by the property owners, an automatic CPI increase is applied to the assessment. For FY 2021-22, the proposed property assessment includes an annual CPI increase of 1.567%, which is the CPI for the Bay Area for February 2021. In prior years, the revenues received through the assessments from this zone were sufficient to fund the proposed annual budget. For FY 2021-22 the district maintenance budget is reduced to reestablish the required operating reserve and ensure the total budget does not exceed the maximum assessment.
Zone 6 - Marina Village Commercial Areas: This zone funds irrigation and landscape maintenance costs within the commercial areas of Marina Village, including tree trimming, the linear shoreline park, sidewalk and pathway repairs, street lighting maintenance, and energy costs. The revenue received through the assessments from this zone and any accumulated fund balance is sufficient to fund 100% of the proposed maintenance budget. Based on previous approval by the property owners, an automatic CPI increase is applied to the assessment. The proposed budget for this district includes an annual CPI increase of 1.567%, which is the CPI for the Bay Area for the year ending February 2021.
As of July 1, 2021, Alameda Recreation and Parks Department will be performing the Shoreline Park maintenance for this zone. This work is included in the proposed budget for the zone and funded by the proposed assessment.
Zone 7 - 1100 and 1200 blocks of Bay Street: This zone was created at the request of the property owners who wanted enhanced maintenance for the elm trees along Bay Street. Currently, the revenues received through assessments from this zone cover maintenance costs. In FY 2016-17, the property owners requested a reduction in assessments to $100 per property (reduced from the previous assessment of $150 per property). Property owners request that this reduction stay in place for the coming fiscal years. Staff recommends assessments remain at $100 per property. For the FY 2021-22 levy, property owners have requested no levy take place this year.
Zone 8 - Webster Street from Central Avenue to Atlantic Avenue: This zone funds maintenance and seasonal banners on Webster Street. In 2014, Zones 2 and 3 conducted a property owner balloting process to combine into one zone (Zone 8) and increase assessments. The revenues received through the assessments from this zone are sufficient to fund the proposed FY 2021-22 maintenance budget. For FY 2021-22, the proposed budget for this district includes an annual CPI increase of 1.567%, which is the CPI for the Bay Area for the year ending February 2021.
Within Zone 8, the Engineer of Record has also identified a general benefit, which is an overall and similar benefit to the people who do not live in or intend to conduct business within the Zone. The amount of the general benefit of $3,149.73 that is provided from the Zone’s maintenance activities cannot be funded via property owners’ assessments. The funding for this portion will come from the General Fund, and is programed into the Public Works operating budget as part of Public Works Administration (program 4205310).
In 2016, the City started working with NBS to make improvements to the Report, including ensuring that each zone has the appropriate operating and capital reserves. City policy is to maintain an operating reserve consistent with §22569 of the Landscaping and Lighting Act as follows:
The estimate of the costs of the improvements for the fiscal year shall contain estimates for all of the following:
(a) The total costs for improvements to be made that year, being the total costs of constructing or installing all proposed improvements and of maintaining and servicing all existing and proposed improvements, including all incidental expenses. This may include a reserve which shall not exceed the estimated costs of maintenance and servicing to December 10 of the fiscal year, or whenever the city expects to receive its apportionment of special assessments and tax collections from the county, whichever is later.
A capital reserve is established and maintained consistent with any upcoming improvements in the zone(s). The Engineer’s Report was updated to show the reserves and fund balance for each zone and any proposed capital improvement plan for each zone.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve proceeding with levying assessments for the coming year.
• Do not proceed with approving levying assessments for the coming year. The impact of this option would mean that the City will not be able to collect the assessments for the District and services would be reduced and/or another funding source required.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Direct costs associated with this work, such as landscape maintenance, are paid by the assessment district, and apportioned to each zone based on the individual zone’s percentage of the total work. The District Island City Maintenance Fund (Fund 275) is charged indirect costs of approximately $10,000 for fees and expenses related to the annual levy process, which is then paid from the Assessment District Administration Fund (Fund 279). In addition, the City funds portions of the zones through the following program budgets (see table below). These costs are included within the operating budget for each department.
|
Fund/Program |
Purpose |
Amount |
|
Public Works Administration (4205310) |
General benefit contribution on Webster St. in Zone 8 |
$ 3,150 |
|
Public Works Administration (4205310) |
General benefit contribution on Webster St. in Zone 4 |
$ 7,608 |
|
Measure B (215) |
For young tree care and training within Zone 4 |
$ 25,500 |
|
Alameda Recreation and Park Maintenance (001-51210) |
Maintaining the shoreline park along Harbor Bay Parkway within Zone 5 |
$ 15,000 |
|
Street Tree and Median Maintenance (001-4250) |
Street tree maintenance for Zone 7 |
$ 3,000 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, Maintenance of Existing Facilities.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Maintenance activities supported by these assessments can counter potential, near-term, negative impacts of climate change. The removal of litter and debris from public areas and thus the municipal storm drainage system will assist with providing better storm drainage and decreasing the risk of local flooding, results that improve local resiliency to potential climate change.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving the Engineer's Report, confirming diagram and assessment, and ordering the levy of assessments, Island City Landscaping and Lighting District 84-2, all zones.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Amanda Eberhart, Public Works Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Zones 1 through 8 Maps
2. Engineer's Report