Legislation Details

File #: HIST-3729    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Public Hearing
In control: City Council Meeting Agenda
On agenda: 10/23/2006 Final action: 10/23/2006
Title: A Public Hearing for Consideration of a Resolution Approving Tax-Exempt Conduit Financing for Park Century School in an Amount Not to Exceed Twelve Million Dollars for a Project at 3939 Landmark Street.
Attachments: 1. PH-1__06-10-23 Park Cent TEFRA - FINAL.doc, 2. PH-1 Park Century School.pdf
City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council conduct a public hearing pursuant to State law requirements and adopt Resolution No. 2006-R___, approving a bond financing through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority for Park Century School. PROCEDURE: 1. Mayor declares the public hearing open. 2. Mayor seeks a motion to receive and file the affidavit and notice of publication and all reports presented for this matter. 3. Mayor calls on staff for brief report. 4. Mayor calls for public comments. 5. Mayor seeks motion to close the public hearing. 6. City Council discusses the motion and takes appropriate action. BACKGROUND: Park Century School has submitted an application to the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) for conduit financing of tax exempt bonds in an amount not to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for the acquisition, and renovation of a school facility at 3939 Landmark Street in Culver City. The new facility is to be the new campus for the school. In order for these Meeting Date: 10/23/06 Item Number: PH-1 AGENDA ITEM: A Public Hearing for Consideration of a Resolution Approving Tax-Exempt Conduit Financing for Park Century School in an Amount Not to Exceed Twelve Million Dollars for a Project at 3939 Landmark Street. Contact Person/Dept.: Kellee Fritzal/CDD Phone Number: (310) 253-5765 Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No [ ] Public Hearing: [X] Action Item: [ ] Attachments: [X] Public Notification: Legal notice published in the Los Angeles Times 10/09/06 & 10/16/06); Park Century School, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood (bond counsel), California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) via e-mail (10/18/06); Master Notification List (10/18/06). Department Approval: Susan Evans (10/11/06) City Manager Approval: Jerry Fulwood (10/18/2006) City Controller Approval: Mary V. Noller (10/18/2006)City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report revenue bonds to qualify as tax exempt, the requirements of the federal “Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act” (TEFRA) must be followed. TEFRA requires that such a bond issue be approved by the legislative body of the governmental unit having jurisdiction over the project location following a public hearing. The hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to comment on the benefit to be provided to the local community and whether it is appropriate for tax-exempt financing to be provided. DISCUSSION On July 13, 2005, the Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP) CUP P-2005019 to allow a private school to operate at 3939 Landmark Street. A nearby business appealed one of the conditions of approval and on November 14, 2005, the City Council modified the condition addressing the installation of a left turn pocket from Washington Boulevard to Landmark Street. The subject property is zoned for industrial uses and has been used for industrial businesses. As such, the property has generated property taxes for the City, the Redevelopment Agency and other taxing entities. Park Century is a non profit entity, and is eligible to apply for an exemption from property taxes. This would eliminate a source of revenue to the City and Redevelopment Agency. To mitigate that impact, Park Century has agreed to pay property taxes that would normally be generated for the City and Redevelopment Agency had an industrial use continued on the site. This payment is included as a formal condition of approval of the CUP. The City Council has previously approved the CSCDA financing for both Turning Point School and NPR. As part of their application to CSCDA, Park Century School has prepared a summary of community benefits that would be generated by the operation of the school. FISCAL ANALYSIS: The requested bond issue is termed “conduit” financing as the bonds are issued through the CSCDA, and not by the City. The City has no obligation for repayment of the bonds and they are not considered a City liability of any form. The Council resolution contains language confirming this. The City is able to recover its costs for processing the tax-exempt financing and holding the TEFRA hearing. Park Century paid the City a $2,500 application fee for City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report the application that was submitted, and has agreed to pay an issuance fee equal to five basis points (0.05%) of the actual bond issue amount. Based on the proposed financing amount, $10 million, the issuance fee would be $5,000. These fees are sufficient to cover all staff costs related to this matter. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Park Century School application to CSCDA 2. Resolution No. 2006-R___, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY APPROVING A FINANCING TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO BENEFIT PARK CENTURY SCHOOL. MOTION: That the City Council: Adopt Resolution No. 2006-R__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY APPROVING A FINANCING TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO BENEFIT PARK CENTURY SCHOOL. MEETING DATE: 10/23/06 AGENDA ITEM: Public Hearing for Consideration of a Resolution Approving Tax-Exempt Conduit Financing for Park Century School in an Amount not to Exceed Twelve Million Dollars for a Project at 3939 Landmark Street. ATTACHMENTS 1. Park Century School application to CSCDA 2. Resolution No. 2006-R;.e 001uNITIEs't o C At, `TY CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY Building Communities, Investing in Local Government Since 1988 September 22, 2006 Kellee Fritzal Economic Development City of Culver City 9770 Culver Boulevard Culver City, California 90232 Subject: Park Century School Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) Hearing Dear Kellee: Enclosed is a copy of the Park Century School application. Based upon this application we are requesting the City of Culver City hold the federally required TEFRA hearing. The hearing is required to issue tax-exempt bonds for the facilities located at 3939 Landmark Street in the City of Culver City. California Statewide Communities Development Authority would issue the bonds and the City would have no liability for the bonds. I have requested Sean Tierney at Hawkins, Delafield & Wood, Bond Counsel, to confirm the liability issue and provide you with an explanation of the City's role in the TEFRA process, the required notice, and the resolution to evidence the TEFRA hearing. This information will arrive under separate cover. It is my understanding the TEFRA hearing will be held on Monday, October 23, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. Thank you for your assistance. If you have any questions you may contact me at (925) 933- 9229 ext 216. GA( Kindest re 1 Ja4les F. Hamil Program Manager California Statewide Communities Development Authority cc: Sean Tierney, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood; Founding Co-Sponsors: - L LEAGUE \\.:: Or CAI IFORNIA CITIES Califorma Nate Amatiation of Counhes 2033 North Main Street, Suite 700 • Walnut Creek, California 94596 800.635.3993 • 925.933.9229 • Fax 925.933.8457 • info@cacommunities.org • www.cacommunities.orgAPPLICANT INFORMATION Application Number: Name of Borrower: Primary Contact: Title: Street Address: City: Telephone Number: Fax Number: E-mail: Type of Entity: Date Organized: 2006080092 Park Century School Fred Landau Business Manager 2040 Stoner Avenue Suite: Los Angeles State: CA Zip Code: 90025 310-478-5065 310-473-9260 flandau@parkcenturyschool.org 3 For-profit Corporation I7 Non-profit Corporation 3 Municipality r Partnership 3 Other (specify): 1968 CALIFORNIA C OM MUNM ES 1.11 fittlatK H.:mil ","P . L0f, 0; t I". 0'0 n : . !;; 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Bond Application PROJECT INFORMATION Type of Project: Health Care: Education: Other: r Continuing Care r- Skilled Nursing F7- K-12 • Museum/Cultural r- Clinic r Hospital 3 Other (specify): J Colleges/Universities 3 Other (specify): r Assisted Living Project/Facility Name: New Campus for the School Street Address: 3939 Landmark Street City: Culver City State: CA Zip Code: 90232 County: Los Angeles Is Project located in unincorporated part of the County? No Has the city or county in which the project is located been contacted? If so, please provide name, title, telephone number and e-mail address of the person contacted: Contact Name: Title: Phone Number: Ext. Fax Number: E-mail: Page 1 of 31 milho ‘1.; I II :)X17 r' s:;'; •Z IA,. I I; GOV' 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Bond Application FINANCING INFORMATION Principal Amount: $10,000,000 Tax-exempt Amount: $10,000,000 Taxable Amount: $0 Proposed Closing Date: 11/09/2006 Maturity: 30 Years Interest Rate Mode: r Fixed V Variable Type of Offering: Fr Public Offering r Private Placement Denominations: $100,000 Type of Financing: r Acquisition of Existing Facility J7 New Construction Fr Refunding Credit Enhancement: r None 17 Letter of Credit r Bond Insurance r Other (specify): Name of Credit Enhancement Provider or Private Placement Purchaser: Bank of America NA Expected Rating: r— Unrated r s & P V Moody's Aa1 r Fitch PRINCIPAL FINANCE TEAM INFORMATION UNDERWRITER/PLACEMENT AGENT BOND COUNSEL Contact: Peter Evans Contact: Sean Tierney Firm: Banc of America Securities Firm: Hawkins Delafield and Wood Telephone: 415-953-9540 Telephone: 415-486-4201 Fax: 415-953-9336 Fax: 415-397-1513 E-mail: peter.evans@bankofamerica.com E-mail: stiemey@hawkins.com Page 2 of 3CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES WINr i. III:IX:1N =1,.;:j! 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Bond Application ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED Please provide the following information as additional attachments: Attachment Description of Information A $5,000 non-refundable* application fee payable to "CSAC Finance Corporation." This fee will be credited to your issuance costs at closing (see CSCDA Fee Policies). Detailed Applicant History. Description of project or each facility to be financed or refinanced. Comprehensive summary of project public benefits. Address of each facility to be financed or refinanced. Evidence of credit enhancement or intent to purchase bonds. List of outstanding tax-exempt debt. Financial statements for last complete fiscal year. Project Costs (Sources and Uses of Proceeds). Interested Parties List. *Refundable only if financing not approved. MAILING ADDRESS California Communities 2033 N. Main St., Suite 700 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Page 3 of 3California Communities Conduit Financing Application Attachment A — Detailed Applicant History INTRODUCTION Founded in 1968, Park Century School ("Park Century" or the "School") is a non-profit independent co-educational day school designed to meet the specific educational needs of bright children, ages 7-14 years, who have learning disabilities. The School serves students from communities in the South Bay to the San Fernando Valley and from Malibu to Hancock Park, including the greater Los Angeles area. The School's location allows it to make use of the city's many cultural resources, such as museums, theatres, historic sites and parks. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Park Century School is to meet the educational, emotional and social needs of learning disabled students of average to superior intellectual potential and their families in an empathetic and supportive environment emphasizing academic success, maturity and independence. PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION Daily one-to-one tutoring in small, ungraded classrooms is an underlying principle and value in Park Century's academic program. Each student receives tutoring every day in reading and every other day in math. Reading and math specialists assign each child daily follow-up work to be completed independently in the child's classroom. Students are encouraged to develop a positive self image, set realistic goals and learn skills and strategies necessary to return to a traditional school. In addition, Park Century believes that parent education and participation within a team approach are essential to each student's intellectual, emotional, social and moral development. One-to-One Tutoring The one-to-one tutoring relationship is among the strongest and most effective means of focusing on the student's specific needs. Park Century believes that one-to-one tutorial sessions enhance learning by creating: • Highly personalized sessions based upon the child's learning style; Banc of America Securities I IC Page I s-California Communities Conduit Financing Application • Measurer of success through incremental achievement; • Phonological processing and visualizations strategies; o Multi-method techniques; and • Safe nurturing environments. Park Century has found that one-to-one tutoring is particularly beneficial for children with language, perceptual or attentional difficulties. Small Group Instruction Students participate in group lessons daily for 40 to 60 minutes depending upon classroom placement. The lessons taught are age and grade appropriate and reflect the guidelines of the California Framework in Social Studies and Science. Small group instruction allows the child to develop social skills and build lasting friendships with peers. In the lower school grades, emphasis is placed on learning how to follow an oral presentation, offering and accepting information presented by peers, working cooperatively in a group, retaining information and applying what has been learned. With the goal of graduation and transitioning into high school, students in the upper school are encouraged to focus on reaching their full potential especially in the areas of self-esteem, interpersonal relationships and social awareness. Moreover, faculty at the higher grade levels focus on teaching students vital study skills (a high priority for students in the upper school) including: • Participation in discussions and oral presentations; • Interaction with peers to achieve a common goal; • Note-taking, research and report writing; • Analytic and organizational techniques; and • Self-advocacy methods. Computers & Technology Park Century's Computer Center is an integral part of the student's daily academic program. A computer, for the learning disabled child, can be almost like a buddy. It waits patiently and is anything but intimidating. It is always ready and willing to make changes or corrections without complaint. Recognizing the importance of computers to learning disabled children, Park Century has placed computers in every classroom in addition to those in the Computer Center. Computers make it easier for students with language difficulties to express themselves. Through tools such as graphic buttons that use symbols for printed words or word prediction programs, the simple act of expression is much more accessible to students. Other functions such as spell check, dictionaries and thesauruses assist students with spelling errors and can even read to the dyslexic student. Park Century has a strong commitment to basic research on the impact of computers on children with learning disabilities and has been involved with various research studies over the years. Research Banc of America Securities LLC Page 2California Communities Conduit Financing Application conducted at the School has helped develop and refine specialized computer technology that dramatically improves phonological awareness, the temporal processing problem now believed to be the core deficit of dyslexia. Speech & Language Therapy Park Century has a team of licensed speech pathologists who work with students having difficulties in the area of speech and language. The speech pathologists work in symmetry with the student's classroom teachers and reading and math specialists, integrating their therapy with the student's academic work. Like finely tuned instruments, the good of all Park Century educators is to harmonize their specific objectives with each other so that each child achieves. These objectives include: • Organizing and sequencing thoughts; • Recognizing nonverbal clues and inferences and drawing conclusions; • Listening, taking turns, and having a conversation; • Using gestures, facial expressions, body language, eye contact; and • Learning how to string words together. The Arts Park Century's commitment to the arts is vigorous because many learning disabled students excel in creative endeavors. Through dance, music, drama, or the visual arts, students are encouraged and challenged to express themselves creatively. As a designated California Arts Council School, Park Century participates in the Music Center Education Division Artists-in-Residency and Teacher Partnerships Program. Through this partnership, professional artists conduct special classes with the students and provide unique opportunities to learn about artistic expression in other cultures. Physical Education Park Century considers athletics a key part of every child's growth because athletics teach students much more than just how to play a particular sport. Physical education is an everyday activity for the School's students. In addition to team sports such as baseball, volleyball and basketball, one-to-one instruction is provided to children needing extra time to develop specific physical aptitudes and perceptual motor skills. ENROLLMENT & ADMISSIONS Park Century maintains a policy of limited enrollment and selective admissions, recognizing that there is a range of students that the School serves best. The goal of the admissions process at Park Century is to determine if the child's needs will be served most appropriately by attending the School. The admissions process starts with a guided tour of the School and then a submission of an application along with various materials including psychological test results, relevant medical information, educational reports and records. The School's admissions team reviews these materials and depending upon the decision of that review, the Admissions Coordinator arranges an initial meeting for the parents with one of the Co- Directors of the School and the Academic Coordinator. Bane of America Securities LIE Page 3 rlCalifornia Conzmunities Conduit Financing Application Attachment B —Description of Project The School has purchased an approximate 43,950 sq.ft. building in Culver City which will be its new campus and enable the School to meet enrollment demand for its highly specialized program for learning disabled students. Construction will begin in September, 2006, and the new facility is expected to be ready when the School opens in the Fall of 2007. The total project cost is approximately $15.3 million -- including the approximate $4.73 million acquisition price. The School will use approximately $9.7 million of bond proceeds towards the total project cost. The remaining sources of funds include proceeds from a capital campaign and sale of the School's existing building. Novus Construction (Chatsworth) is the General Contractor and the architect is Christopher V. Ward. The School has also received, on a pro-bono basis, the design services of famed architect Frank Gehry. Banc of America Securities LLE Page 5Park Century School Community Outreach Program As part of its expansion plan for its new facility in Culver City, Park Century School intends to establish a Community Outreach Center. This Center will be housed near the public entrance to the School on Landmark Street, and will be open to the general public. Through this Center, the School intends to share its expertise in educating children with learning disabilities with the Culver City community as well as with the wider Los Angeles community. The Community Outreach Center has been an essential component of the School's expansion plan since 1999, when the Board of Trustees adopted a strategic plan for the School's growth. As envisioned in the strategic plan and then elaborated in ongoing planning meetings, the Community Outreach Center plans to provide services to the LD community in Culver City, such as: • Information, counseling and referrals for families with special needs children. • Dyslexia screening. • Early literacy training. • After school tutoring. • Summer school enrollment for children in the community. • Transition counseling for students moving from special ed schools to "mainstream" schools. • Parent education meetings with guest speakers. • In-service training for educators. • Services for adults recently diagnosed as learning disabled. • A multi-media resource library. Park Century School currently provides some of these services from its present location in West Los Angeles. During our CUP process in Culver City in 2005, contact was made with the Special Education Department of the Culver City Unified School District to explore mutual interest in our community outreach program. Further contact will take place once the Community Outreach Program is more fully developed. We anticipate that some of the services offered will be fee-based. Others will be free. We intend to provide subsidies for lower income families who request fee-based services but cannot afford the full fees.California Communities Conduit Financing Application Attachment D — Listing of Existing Facilities/Address of Each Facility to be Financed or Refinanced The School's current facility is located at the following address: 2040 Stoner Avenue Los Angeles, California 90025 The School's new facility will be located at the following address: 3939 Landmark Street Culver City, California 90232 Banc of America Securities LI.0 Page 7 0California Communities Conduit Financing Application Attachment H — Project Costs (Sources & Uses of Proceeds) Provided below is an estimated Sources and Uses of funds related to the proposed bond financing: Sources of Funds Bond Proceeds $10,000,000 Total Sources $10,000,000 Uses of Funds Refinancing of Bank Loan $4,000,000 Project Fund 5,650,000 Bank-Related Fees 150,000 Other Costs of Issuance 200,000 Total Uses $10,000,000 Banc of America Securities LLC Page IIRESOLUTION NO. 2006-R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A FINANCING TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO BENEFIT PARK CENTURY SCHOOL. WHEREAS, Park Century School (the "School") has requested that California Statewide Communities Development Authority (the "Authority") participate in a financing for the purpose of financing the construction, renovation, improvement and equipping of certain educational facilities (the "Facilities") located within the City of Culver City (the "City"); and WHEREAS, the Authority will issue its revenue bonds (the "Bonds"), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $12,000,000, in connection with the financing; and WHEREAS, the Authority and the School will enter into a loan agreement (the "Loan") under which the Authority will loan the proceeds of the Bonds to the School to finance the following: (1) design, construction, acquisition, installation, renovation and improvement of real property, facilities, equipment and improvements of the School's educational facilities located on its new campus at 3939 Landmark Street in Culver City, California (the "Campus"), including but not limited to demolition of certain parts of the existing structure, earthquake retrofitting, and complete renovation of the existing building into a school including installation of a second floor, classrooms, offices, meeting rooms and a gym and stage, as well as paving and striping the parking lot, and landscaping, (2) miscellaneous construction, renovation, improvements, demolition, capital maintenance, equipment acquisition and installation thereof and improvements at the Campus, (3)|101010101010101010 10 10|11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28refinancing of an outstanding bank loan originally used to finance acquisition of the site of the Campus and (4) various costs of issuance, debt service reserve, capitalized interest, related working capital and credit enhancement fees (collectively, the "Project"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the issuance of the Bonds must be approved by the City because the Facilities are located within the territorial limits of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City (the "Council") is the elected legislative body of the City and is the applicable elected representative required to approve the issuance of the Bonds under Section 147(f) of the Code; and WHEREAS, the School and the Authority have requested that the City approve the issuance of the Bonds in order to satisfy the public approval requirements of Section 147(f) of the Code and to satisfy the requirements of Section 9 of the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of June 1, 1988, among certain local agencies, including the City; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Code, the Council has, following notice duly given, held a public hearing regarding the issuance of the Bonds to finance the Project, and now desires to approve the issuance of the Bonds to finance the Project; and WHEREAS, the Council understands that its actions in holding this public hearing and in approving this Resolution do not obligate the City in any manner for payment of the principal, interest, fees or any other costs associated with the issuance of the Bonds, and the Council expressly conditions its approval of this Resolution on that understanding. -2-|101010101010101010 10 10|11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Culver City as follows: 1. The Council hereby approves the issuance of Bonds by the Authority to finance the Project. It is the intent of the Council that this resolution should constitute approval of the Bonds for purposes of Section 147(f) of the Code and Section 9 of the Agreement. 2. The officers of the Council are hereby authorized and directed, jointly and severally, to do any and all things and execute and deliver any and all documents, certificates and other instruments which they may deem necessary or advisable in order to consummate the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds by the Authority, and to execute and deliver such certificates and other documents they may deem appropriate and otherwise to carry out, give effect to and comply with the terms and intent of this Resolution. Any actions heretofore taken by such officers are hereby ratified and approved. 3. The Council expressly conditions its approval of this Resolution on its understanding that the City of Culver City shall have no obligation whatsoever to pay any principal, interest, fees or any other costs associated with the Authority's issuance of these revenue bonds for the construction of improvements at Park Century School in the City of Culver City. 4. The City shall receive from the School payment in the amount of five (5) basis points of the face value of any Bonds issued pursuant to this conditional approval within thirty (30) days after issuance of the Bonds. Payments received after that 30-day period shall incur interest at ten percent (10%) per annum compounded daily from the date of the bond issuance until fully paid and received by the City, including interest, if any. -3-|101010101010101010 10 10|11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 285. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its passage and approval. APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2006. GARY SILBIGER, MAYOR City of Culver City, California ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FOR CHRISTOPHER ARMENTA, City Clerk CLA. SCHWAB, "ity Attorney A06-00641 -4-|101010101010101010 10 10|11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 15