City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 06/24/13 Item Number: PH-6
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING - Adoption of a Resolution
Confirming the Assessment and Ordering the Levy for the Higuera Street
Landscape and Lighting Assessment District - Fiscal Year 2013/2014
Contact Person/Dept.: Mate Gaspar/DPW Phone Number: (310) 253-5602
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [X] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Agenda and Meetings – City Council (06/18/13); Public
Hearing published in the Culver City News on June 6, 2013. Property owners were mailed
a courtesy notice on June 10, 2013.
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (06/12/13)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (06/18/13)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (06/18/13)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (06/18/13)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution confirming the assessment
and ordering the levy for the Higuera Street Landscape and Lighting Assessment
District for Fiscal Year 2013/2014.
PROCEDURE:
1. Mayor seeks motion from City Council to receive and file the affidavits of
publication and posting of notices and correspondence received in response to
the public hearing notices; and,
2. Mayor calls for a staff report and the City Council Members may pose questions
to staff as desired; and,
3. Mayor seeks a motion to open the public hearing; and
4. Mayor seeks a motion to close the public hearing after all public testimony has
been presented; and,
5. City Council discusses the item and arrives at its decision.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
BACKGROUND:
On May 28, 2013, the City Council approved the Engineer’s Report, declared its
intention to order the assessment levy and collection of assessments, and set the
date, time and place for this public hearing, for Higuera Street Landscape and
Lighting Assessment District.
The Higuera Street landscaping and street lighting improvements were installed in
1995 at the request of the property owners. The assessment district was formed
and the boundary includes properties on both sides of Higuera Street between
Lindblade Avenue and Hayden Avenue. Each of the properties directly or indirectly
benefits from the public improvements maintained in the District.
In December 2009, following two failed attempts to increase the assessment, the
City Council approved the reduction of maintenance from 4 times a month to 2
times a month, removal of lantanas around the street trees, and reduction of
landscape irrigation by 30%, in order for the District expenditures to match the
District revenues.
DISCUSSION:
The total proposed Fiscal Year 2013/2014 assessment levy for the District is
$19,402.24. The total proposed expenditure is $20,607.00. The charge per linear
frontage footage per parcel is $4.35. The purchase of three new irrigation controllers
in Fiscal Year 2009/2010 is being amortized over a five year period and, as a result,
the District will have a projected operating deficit of $1,204.76. Nevertheless, staff is
not recommending seeking an increase to the assessment levy for Fiscal Year
2013/2014 and that the existing assessment levy be affirmed.
Taking into account the current revenue and expenditures for the District minus the
amortization costs of the new controllers, the District would have a positive fund
balance. Therefore, after the five year amortization period is completed, the fund’s
negative fund balance will be reduced each year by an annual surplus until the
balance is positive. Staff will continue to monitor the rate of expenditure growth and
recommend additional cutbacks to services to the District when deemed necessary.
Pursuant to Section 15.01.070.H of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC), any
interested persons may file a written protest with the City Clerk (or withdrawal a
previously filed protest) until the conclusion of the Public Hearing. Pursuant to
CCMC Section 15.01.070.K, the City Council shall not impose an increased
assessment if there is a majority protest. In this case, for Fiscal Year 2013/2014,
the Engineer’s Report does not propose an increased assessment. Therefore,
notwithstanding any written protests received, the City Council may adopt the
resolution confirming the assessment as determined by the Engineer’s Report. City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Pursuant to CCMC Section 15.01.070 (J and K), the City Council may choose to
order changes in any of the matters provided in the report, including changes in the
improvements or services, or both, any zones within the district, and the proposed
diagram or proposed assessment so long as the changes do not result in an
increase of the rates above the voter approved maximum rates adjusted by an
inflationary formula, if any (if such formula received prior voter approval), or it may
choose to adopt a resolution confirming the diagram and assessment, either as
originally proposed or as changed by it. Adoption of such resolution constitutes the
assessment levy for Fiscal Year 2013/2014. The City Council may also choose to
dissolve the District pursuant to CCMC Section 15.01.065.A.3 or pay for the
assessment with the City’s General Fund.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The Higuera Street Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District budget is 100
percent self-supporting for all expenditures. Property owners within the District are
charged for their fair share of these costs, as described in the Engineer’s Report.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Proposed Resolution
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution approving the Engineer’s Report and affirming the existing
assessment levy for Higuera Street Landscape and Lighting Assessment District
- Fiscal Year 2013/2014.
MEETING DATE: 06/24/13
AGENDA ITEM:
Adoption of a Resolution Confirming the Assessment and
Ordering the Levy for the Higuera Street Landscape and
Lighting Assessment District - Fiscal Year 2013/2014
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1 Resolution
1 - 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE
ASSESSMENT AND ORDERING THE LEVY FOR THE
H I GUERA STREET LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014.
I RESOLUTION NO. 2013-R
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WHEREAS, the City Council previously completed proceedings in accordance
7 with the provisions of Chapter 15.01 of the Culver City Municipal Code ("CCMC") for the levy
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and collection of annual assessments for the Higuera Street Landscaping and Lighting
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Assessment District (the "District"); and,
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WHEREAS, on May 28, 2013, the City Council approved the Assessment
12 Engineer's Report (the "Engineer's Report') and declared its intention to provide for the levy
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and collection of annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2013-2014, to provide for the costs and
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expenses necessary to pay for the maintenance and services of all improvements and facilities
15 within the District; and,
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WHEREAS, the City Council has heard all testimony and considered all
17 objections to the assessment at a duly noticed public hearing held on June 24, 2013 and has
18 determined to proceed with the levy of annual assessments for the District.
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, DOES HEREBY
20 RESOLVE as follows:
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t The City Council hereby confirms the assessment and the diagram as is
described in full detail in the Engineer's Report on file with the Clerk.
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2. The adoption of this resolution shall constitute the levy of an assessment
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for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014.
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3. The assessment for improvements as set forth in the Engineer's Report
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27 shall be performed pursuant to law. The County Auditor shall enter on the County Assessment
28 Roll the amount of the assessment and the assessment shall be collected at the same time and
-1- L A. SCHWAB, City Attorney
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in the same manner as the County property taxes are collected. After collection by the County,
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the net amount of the assessment shall be paid to the City of Culver City.
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Upon receipt of monies representing assessments collected by the
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County, the City shall deposit the monies into a special fund known as the "Fund for Fliguera
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Street Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District" which was previously established upon
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the creation of the District.
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5. Immediately upon the adoption of this Resolution, the City Clerk shall file
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a certified copy of this Resolution, which includes the Engineer's Report containing the diagram
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and assessment, with the County Auditor.
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6. A certified copy of the Engineer's Report shall also be filed in the Office
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of the City Engineer, with a duplicate copy on file in the Office of the City Clerk, and shall be
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open for public inspection.
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APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2013.
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JEFFREY COOPER, Mayor
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City of Culver City, California
19 ATTEST:
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MARTIN R. COLE, City Clerk
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Al 3-00362
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