Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - LMD 1 T1 T1A ANNUAL LEVY (2)Agenda Item: _0 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT PUBLIC HEARING City Manager Approval: � Item to be presented by: Nancy Delange DATE: June 24, 2003 SUBJECT: ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS AND CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF ALL ZONES WITHIN SANTA CLARITA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NUMBERS 1, Tl, AND T I A FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003/2004 DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council conduct the public hearing, approve the Engineer's Report, and adopt the resolution for the annual levy of assessments and continued maintenance of Santa Clarita Landscape Maintenance District Numbers 1, T1, and T1A for Fiscal Year 2003/2004. BACKGROUND Currently, the Santa Clarita Landscape Maintenance Districts consist of 29 individual zones or annexations. (This number has been reduced from the previous year. Several zones have been combined in an effort to reduce the number of zones needing an individual county account/identification number.) These zones/annexations are located throughout the City and were established to fund the maintenance of various landscaped facilities. The assessments for these zones range from $4.52 (Tl) to $112.44 (T42 -B) per parcel, per month, and will be adjusted annually by the established consumer price index, which is 2.8% this year. Each year, the proposed District's budgets for the coming fiscal year are presented to the City Council for approval at two sessions. At this time, the Council is presented with an annual Engineer's Report giving the details of the individual zones and annexations, including the annual maintenance budget, list of parcels included in the zones/annexations, and the method of assessments on the parcels. All proposed assessments will be at the same rate as last year but will be increased by the cost of living, as provided for in Proposition 218 (except for three zones as indicated in the fiscal impact statement). On May 27, 2003, Council adopted the Resolution calling for the annual Engineer's Report detailing the annual levy of assessments and a public hearing on the report. At this public hearing, the City Council will consider public input on adopting a resolution, approving the final Engineer's Report and authorizing the annual levy. Upon approval by City Council, assessments will be placed on the County Tax Rolls for collection by the County for distribution to the City. All current zones/annexations and their current proposed levy of assessments for Fiscal Year 2003/04, have received property -owner approval and are therefore in compliance with Proposition 218, the "Right to Vote On Taxes Act," as provided by Article XIIID of the California Constitution. No noticing, other than posting of a notice of public hearing by the City Clerk, or assessment ballots is required for the annual levy of assessments. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Do not approve the annual levy of assessments Other direction as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The annual levy of assessments currently covers the expected expenses for all current districts/annexations. All proposed assessments (other than as noted below) will be at the same rate as last year but will be increased by 2.8% for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment for the cost of living, based on the percentage rate from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Proposed adjustments that exceed the increase in CPI are specifically identified in the Engineer's Report. Although these adjustments are more than the 2.8% CPI increase, they are not considered an increase under the guidelines of Proposition 218, because the proposed assessments are less than or equal to the rates approved during the formation or annexation of these areas. The Valencia Industrial Center, Zone T10, was assessed at $16.27 per parcel, per month in Fiscal Year 2002/03. This amount reflected only a portion of the allowable assessment rate for that zone, due to the fact that the improvements were not yet completed. Improvements have since been installed and completed on Rye Canyon Road, Avenue Scott, and Newhall Ranch Road. Additional improvements are proposed to be installed in other medians and parkways in the industrial center. As a result, the assessment rate is proposed to be raised to $58.33 per month for Fiscal Year 2003/04. The rate for Circle J Ranch, Zone T42 -A, was originally established at $52 per parcel, per month when the homes were built 14 years ago. The rate was previously reduced by the County and was at $46.42 during Fiscal Year 2002/03. The full assessment was not required, because some of the landscape maintenance was not required during construction of medians and parkways required for the new homes in some of the areas. Now that the project is built out and construction is complete, it is recommended that the assessment be returned to its original rate. The rate for Circle J Ranch, Zone T42 -B, was originally established at $100 per parcel, per month. However, after meeting with the residents, some landscape areas were deleted and rates were reduced. Fifteen of the parcels had no landscape directly adjacent and were assessed at a rate of $4.40 during Fiscal Year 2002/03 for their contribution for maintenance of the main corridor medians and parkway landscaping. Due to new landscape parkways and medians coming into the district, it is recommended that the assessment rate be adjusted to $8.80 per month for these 15 parcels in Fiscal Year 2003/04. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Exhibit "A" Location Map Engineer's Report (Available in the City Clerk's reading file) CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The public hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita to consider the annual levy of assessments for the City landscape maintenance districts. The hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., first floor, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 on the 24th day of June 2003, at or after 6:00 p.m. The City Council pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, being a division of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California ("the Act"), desires to levy annual assessments for the landscape districts. Proponents, opponents, and any interested persons may appear and be heard on this matter at that time. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Administrative Services Department, Nancy Delange, Associate Engineer, at (661) 286-4005. If you wish to challenge this action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clarita at or prior to the public hearing. Dated: 6-04-03 Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk Publish Date: S:\fin\lmd\lmd council\public hearing notice.doc