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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050625-09.1 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF REPORT 9.1 TO: Mayor and Town Council May 6, 2025 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 25-2025, authorizing the Mayor to execute an affirmative vote for all Town-owned properties in connection with the ratification balloting for Danville Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 2025-1 BACKGROUND Upon incorporation, the Town of Danville (“Town”) inherited several streetlighting districts from Contra Costa County. In 1983, these were consolidated into a single Town-wide Lighting and Landscape Assessment District, known as the Danville Street Lighting and Landscape Assessment District No. 1983-1 (“LLAD No. 1983-1”). LLAD No. 1983-1 was established pursuant to the provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (“Act”). It was expanded in 1987 to include major roadside and median landscaping, and in 1990 to include parks and facilities maintenance. Since formation, a significant portion of the annual budget corresponding to the maintenance and operations of the Town’s landscaping, parks, and streetlighting improvements has been funded through assessments levied under LLAD No. 1983-1 and its assessments are approved annually by Town Council for placement on the property tax rolls. With the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996, any increase to assessment rates must be approved by property owners through a mail-out ballot protest procedure. The Town last proposed, and property owners approved, an assessment increase in 2003. Since that time, there has been no increase in rates and with the limited growth in Danville during that time, LLAD revenues have only increased by approximately 3.1%. During that same 22 year period, LLAD expenditures have increased by approximately 78%, largely due to increases in utility costs (primarily water and electricity) over which the Town has little to no control. The Town has made considerable efforts to reduce costs, including installing solar panels at several locations (Town Offices, Veterans Memorial Building, Service Center, Sycamore Valley Park and Diablo Vista Park), converting most street lights to energy efficient LED fixtures, utilizing newer technology to manage irrigation systems, and removing several acres of water-intensive grass. Despite these efforts, LLAD expenses continue to outpace revenues and the subsidy from the General Fund grew to $1.35 million in fiscal year 2023/24. Town Property in LLAD No. 2025-1 May 6, 2025 2 Based on this, the Town Council decided in 2024 to move forward with seeking an increase in assessment rates this year. Working with the District Engineer, it was determined that due to changes in assessment methodologies over the past 22 years, it would be appropriate to initiate proceedings to form a new District to replace LLAD No. 1983-1. The proposed new district, LLAD No. 2025-1, has been submitted to all property owners in Town for their consideration. DISCUSSION Proposition 218 requires that all publicly owned properties should be assessed to the extent they receive special benefits from the services provided by the District. Based on that legal requirement, the District Engineer assigned assessments to Town-owned properties. In order for the Town to cast its ballot, the Town Council must vote on the proposed assessment and direct the Mayor to complete the ballot. Following is a listing of these properties, location and amount of assessment. APN Property Location Proposed Assessment 199-350-030-3 Clocktower Parking Lot $526.44 216-061-001-6 Park and Ride $537.35 216-120-017-1 282 Front Street $75.65 216-110-009-0 400 Front Street $2,193.17 196-310-030-8 219 Weber Lane $113.58 202-081-008-7 Green Valley Elementary Parking Lot $300.76 200-131-005-7 510 La Gonda Way $1,378.32 200-151-051-6 500 La Gonda Way (Police Department) $1,074.85 200-151-052-4 500 La Gonda Way (Town Offices) $2,969.95 200-190-031-1 Rose Street Parking Lot $139.81 208-022-016-9 400 Hartz Avenue $910.34 208-022-024-3 177 Front Street $164.07 208-022-026-8 201 Front Street $266.12 208-022-050-8 223 Front Street $1,044.16 208-340-005-7 Railroad Parking Lot $553.26 208-340-006-5 Railroad Depot $421.79 215-090-034-4 Town Service Center $333.35 215-090-037-7 Town Service Center/Sycamore Valley Park $3,325.07 TOTAL ASSESSMENT: $16,328.04 Town Property in LLAD No. 2025-1 May 6, 2025 3 PUBLIC CONTACT Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. FISCAL IMPACT The total assessment of $16,328.04 will be paid from General Fund revenues. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 25-2025, authorizing the Mayor to execute an affirmative vote for all Town-owned properties in connection with the ratification balloting for Danville Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 2025-1. Prepared by: Dave Casteel Maintenance Services Director Attachments: A - Resolution No. 25-2025 B – Town of Danville LLAD Ballot RESOLUTION NO. 25-2025 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE FOR ALL TOWN-OWNED PROPERTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE RATIFICATION BALLOTING FOR DANVILLE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 2025-1 WHEREAS, Danville Street Lighting and Landscape Assessment District 1983-1 (“LLAD No. 1983-1) was created in 1983, shortly after incorporation of the Town of Danville; and WHEREAS, the District was formed pursuant to the 1972 Lighting and Landscape Act for the purpose of maintaining street lighting, landscaping, parks and buildings which confer a special benefit on all property within Danville; and WHEREAS, the District funds maintenance of more than 3,500 street lights, over 60 acres of major roadside and median landscaping, 198 acres of parks, and community facilities; and WHEREAS, under Proposition 218, assessment rates may only be increased through a mail-out ballot majority protest procedure; and WHEREAS, the Town last sought an increase in the rates for LLAD No. 1983-1 in 2003, which increase was approved by the Town’s property owners; and WHEREAS, it is now necessary to increase assessments in order to continue to provide maintenance services at the current levels; and WHEREAS, in order to propose an increase in assessment rates and to update assessment methodologies, the Town has determined that it is appropriate to seek property owner approval for a new District, LLAD No. 2025-1, which if approved would replace LLAD No. 1983-1; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Proposition 218, all publicly-owned properties that receive special benefit from the District improvements are assessed along with privately owned properties; and WHEREAS, the Engineer’s Report for LLAD No. 2025-1 identifies those Town-owned properties which receive special benefits and assigns a proposed assessment to each of those properties; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute an affirmative vote for all Town-owned properties in connection with the ratification balloting for Danville Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 2025-1. Docusign Envelope ID: F21922DA-29CF-409A-9F98-1BB233394061 ATTACHMENT A PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 25-2025 APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on May 6, 2025, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAINED: ABSENT: ______________________________ MAYOR APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: _______________________________ ______________________________ CITY ATTORNEY CITY CLERK Docusign Envelope ID: F21922DA-29CF-409A-9F98-1BB233394061 ATTACHMENT A OFFICIAL PROPERTY OWNER BALLOT – DANVILLE LLAD NO. 2025-1 Yes, I am in FAVOR of the formation of Town of Danville LLAD No. 2025-1 which will replace existing LLAD No. 1983-1 and set my maximum annual LLAD No. 2025-1 assessment for Fiscal Year 2025-26 shown below to provide ongoing funding for the Town to continue operations and maintenance of public parks, landscaping, streetlighting, and community facilities within the Town at current levels. Beginning Fiscal Year 2026-27, the proposed maximum annual assessment shown below will be adjusted annually to keep up with inflationary increases in maintenance and utility costs, not to exceed three percent per year. No, I OPPOSE the formation of Town of Danville LLAD No. 2025-1 and my Proposed LLAD No. 2025-1 Maximum Assessment as shown below. I understand that a majority no vote means the Town may need to consider reducing services related to operations and maintenance of public parks, landscaping, streetlighting, and community facilities. I also understand that a majority no vote means my Existing LLAD No. 1983-1 Maximum Assessment shown below will continue to be levied annually. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that I am the legal property owner and/or person entitled to execute this ballot on behalf of the property shown below, referenced by Assessor Parcel Number, in this mail ballot. Signature_______________________________________ Printed Name_________________________________ Signature of Record Owner or Authorized Representative TOWN OF DANVILLE, ATTN: CITY CLERK 500 LA GONDA WAY DANVILLE CA 94526 Instructions Vote by marking one of the boxes on this ballot in blue or black ink. Print your name and sign the ballot. The ballot must be signed for it to be counted. Seal the ballot in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope addressed to the Town of Danville, Attn: City Clerk, 500 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526. Mail the completed ballot to the address shown on the enclosed return envelope so that it is received by 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025 or hand deliver to the City Clerk at Danville Town Offices, 500 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526, before the end of public testimony to be given at the Public Hearing, which will begin at 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025 in the Danville Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front Street, Danville, CA 94526. If you return the ballot by mail, be sure to allow sufficient time for delivery to the Town. Assessor Parcel Number Property Address Existing LLAD No. 1983-1 Maximum Assessment Proposed LLAD No. 2025-1 Maximum Assessment 199-350-030-3 RAILROAD AVE $571.36 $526.44 216-061-001-6 1000 SYCAMORE VALLEY RD $664.86 $537.35 216-120-017-1 282 FRONT ST $83.24 $75.65 216-110-009-0 400 FRONT ST $863.44 $2,193.17 196-310-030-8 219 WEBER LN $83.24 $113.58 202-081-008-7 DIABLO RD $464.26 $300.76 200-131-005-7 510 LA GONDA WAY $536.40 $1,378.32 200-151-051-6 500 LA GONDA WAY $265.28 $1,074.85 200-151-052-4 500 LA GONDA WAY $748.48 $2,969.95 200-190-031-1 150 E LINDA MESA AVE $327.98 $139.81 208-022-016-9 400 HARTZ AVE $280.14 $910.34 208-022-024-3 177 FRONT ST $348.48 $164.07 208-022-026-8 201 FRONT ST $269.30 $266.12 208-022-050-8 223 FRONT ST 279 $622.24 $1,044.16 208-340-005-7 RAILROAD AVE $678.52 $553.26 208-340-006-5 205 RAILROAD AVE $373.42 $421.79 215-090-034-4 SHERBURNE HILLS RD $1,196.64 $333.35 215-090-037-7 SHERBURNE HILLS RD $7,137.08 $3,325.07 Totals:18 Parcels $15,514.36 $16,328.04 ATTACHMENT B