city of Chula Vista

File #: 14-0320    Name: Open Space Districts
Type: Consent Item Status: Passed
In control: City Council
On agenda: 6/10/2014 Final action: 6/10/2014
Title: Items 7A and 7B were adopted with the Consent Calendar; Items 7C through 7F were removed from the Consent Calendar. A. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-098 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 31 AND 33, EASTLAKE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1, AND BAY BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT B. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-099 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE SPREAD OF ASSESSMENTS; DECLARING THE INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT THE ASSESSMENTS; AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THESE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 31 AND 33, EASTLAKE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1, AND BAY BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT C. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-100 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE D...
Attachments: 1. Item 7 - OSD Engineer's Report, 2. Item 7 - Resolution A, 3. Item 7 - Resolution B, 4. Item 7 - Resolution C, 5. Item 7 - Resolution D, 6. Item 7 - Resolution E, 7. Item 7 - Resolution F

Title

Items 7A and 7B were adopted with the Consent Calendar; Items 7C through 7F were removed from the Consent Calendar.

 

A.                     RESOLUTION NO. 2014-098 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 31 AND 33, EASTLAKE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1, AND BAY BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT

 

B.                     RESOLUTION NO. 2014-099 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE SPREAD OF ASSESSMENTS; DECLARING THE INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT THE ASSESSMENTS; AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THESE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 31 AND 33, EASTLAKE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1, AND BAY BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT

 

C.                     RESOLUTION NO. 2014-100 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE DISTRICT NO. 8

 

D.                     RESOLUTION NO. 2014-101 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE SPREAD OF ASSESSMENTS, DECLARING THE INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT THE ASSESSMENTS, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THESE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE DISTRICT NO. 8

 

E.                     RESOLUTION NO. 2014-102 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 10 AND THE TOWN CENTRE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT

 

F.                     RESOLUTION NO. 2014-103 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE SPREAD OF ASSESSMENTS DECLARING THE INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT THE ASSESSMENTS, AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THESE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 FOR OPEN SPACE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 10 AND TOWN CENTRE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT

 

Body

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Recommended Action

Council adopt the resolutions and set the public hearing for July 8, 2014.

 

Body

SUMMARY

The City administers and maintains 36 Open Space Districts and associated zones that have been established over the last 30 years.  The Districts provide a financing mechanism to maintain the public open space areas associated with each particular development.  The City Council’s approval of the levy is required by the first week of August in order to meet the deadlines established by the County Tax Assessor.  This item allows for the assessment of currently approved levy amounts and ensures that the County Tax Assessor deadlines are met for all 36 of the City’s Open Space Districts.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the activity consists of reporting and creating governmental funding mechanisms which will not result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.  Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.

 

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

Not applicable.

 

DISCUSSION

Open Space Districts (OSD’s) were established in conjunction with each particular development to ensure financing for perpetual maintenance of common open space areas.  OSD’s provide a mechanism for the City to levy an annual assessment and collectible to cover the costs of maintenance associated with each OSD.  Once City Council approves the annual collectible amount, it is sent to the County for inclusion on the tax bill.

 

Each year the City Council must take two actions before levying the annual assessment.  First, Council approves the Engineer’s Report on Open Space Districts, declares the City's intention to levy the annual assessment, and sets the date and time for a public hearing.  The second action is to conduct the public hearing, take and consider public testimony, levy the annual assessment and set the amount to be collected against the assessment.  Tonight’s action is the first step in the annual process.

 

Pursuant to state law and Municipal Code, the City Engineer has prepared and filed the annual report for all existing Open Space Districts.  Table 1 lists the names and locations of the Districts.  The annual report allows Council to review the history of the Open Space Districts.  The report includes information regarding:

§                     The proposed budgets

§                     Funds remaining in the account

§                     The proposed assessment (based upon prior year assessment plus an inflation factor)

§                     The collectible (the amount needed from each property owner to provide sufficient funds for the following fiscal year’s maintenance)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Open Space Districts within the City of Chula Vista

OSD  #

Name

Location

1

El Rancho del Rey Units 1 - 4

East of Paseo Ranchero - H Street & Telegraph Canyon Road

2

Lark Haven

South and East of Loma Verde Park

3

Rancho Robinhood Units 1 & 2

South of Allen School Lane

4

Bonita Ridge

Camino Elevado north of Otay Lakes Road

5

South Bay Villas

North end of Crest Drive south of E Street

6

Hilltop Vista

Camino Vista Real north of Telegraph Canyon Road

7

Zenith Units 2, 3, and 4

North & South of Palomar, east of I-805

8

Rancho Robinhood Unit 3

Surrey Drive southwest of Otay Lakes Road

9

El Rancho del Rey

Paseo del Rey, north of Telegraph Canyon Road

10

El Rancho del Rey 6, Casa del Rey

West of Paseo Ranchero - H & J Streets

11

Hidden Vista Village

East H Street, east of I-805

14

Bonita Long Canyon

North of East H Street - Otay Lakes Road & Corral Canyon Road

15

Bonita Haciendas

Canyon Drive, east of Otay Lakes Road

17

Bel Air Ridge

Northeast of Paseo Ladera & East J Street

18

Rancho del Sur

East end of East Naples Street

20

Rancho del Rey

North of East H Street, west of Otay Lakes Road

23

Otay Rio Business Park

West of Heritage/Otay Valley Road, south of Otay Rio Road

24

Canyon View Homes

Rutgers Avenue, south of East H Street

26

Park Bonita

West of the intersection of E Street & Bonita Road

31

Telegraph Canyon Estates

North of Otay Lakes Road, west of SR-125

33

Broadway Business Home Village

West side of Broadway - J & K Streets

-

Eastlake Maintenance District No. 1

Eastlake 1, Eastlake Greens, Salt Creek 1, OTC, Telegraph Canyon Channel

-

Bay Boulevard Maintenance District

Bay Boulevard - E & F Streets

-

Town Centre Maintenance District

Third Avenue - E & G Streets

 

Improvements and Services

The facilities and items to be maintained by the Open Space Districts currently consist and will remain, in general, of the following:

 

 

§ Irrigation

§ Fertilization

§ Aerification

§ Pest Control

§ Insect infestation control

§ Removal of weeds, trash and litter

§ Removal of noxious plant material

§ Trail maintenance

§ Public walkway cleaning

§ Low flow and brow channel maintenance

§ Weed abatement

§ Slopes and Canyons

§ Pedestrian light maintenance

§ Signage within trails/canyons

§ Pruning of trees and shrubs

§ Repair of irrigation equipment

§ Irrigation equipment upgrades

§ Brush clearance

§ Encroachment trims

§ Fencing maintenance

§ Replacement of dead or diseased plant material

§ Retaining walls

 

Assessments & Collectibles

The City of Chula Vista Municipal Code makes the distinction between the assessment and the amount that the City may collect against the assessment (i.e., the collectible).  Each year, the prior year’s maximum assessment amount is adjusted by an inflation factor, pursuant to the Municipal Code.  This inflation factor is based upon the lower of two separate, published inflation factors: the San Diego Metropolitan Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the Governor’s California Fourth Quarter Per Capita Personal Income Index.  In the mid-1990’s (and for all Open Space Districts established after that date), Council approved the assessments with an inflation factor.  Since that date, Council may annually increase the assessment by this inflation factor without this increase being subject to a protest vote under Proposition 218.

 

The assessments for FY 2014/2015 are proposed at the FY 2013/2014 amounts adjusted by the inflation factor of 0.26% pursuant to the Municipal Code.  This index is the lower of the published inflation factors, and represents the percentage change in the estimated California Fourth Quarter Per Capita Personal Income as contained in the Governor’s budget published in January.

 

The collectible, is the amount to be actually collected from the property owner and is equal to, or lower than, the proposed assessment.  The collectible is based on the budget, the reserve requirement, prior year’s savings and fund balance, and earned interest.

 

The proposed Assessments and Collectibles for FY 2014/2015 are shown in Table 2.  The proposed FY 2014/2015 Collectibles per EDU are preliminary and will be updated with actual amounts at the public hearing on July 8, 2014.  The current amounts in the table are based upon estimated fund balances and EDU’s at this time.  The Collectibles per EDU are set at the Assessment per EDU to allow for the collection of up to the maximum amount allowable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2.  Historical and Proposed FY 2014/2015 Assessments/Collectibles

 

Open Space District or Zone

Assessment per EDU

                                     Collectible per EDU

 

 

FY 13/14

Proposed  FY14/15

 FY13/14

Proposed FY 14/15

Variance ($)

Variance (%)

Projected Revenue (6)

1

$124.24

$123.56

$98.00

$123.56

$25.56

26.08%

$81,259.23

2

57.17

57.32

57.17

57.32

0.15

0.26%

14,272.68

3

391.44

392.45

387.00

392.45

5.45

1.41%

49,841.15

4

413.43

414.50

407.00

414.50

7.50

1.84%

87,045.00

5

403.16

404.21

403.16

404.21

1.05

0.26%

49,313.62

6

199.38

199.90

197.00

199.90

2.90

1.47%

32,383.80

7

139.27

139.63

111.00

98.00

-13.00

-13.27%

9,898.00

8

636.27

637.92

636.27

637.92

1.65

0.26%

70,171.20

9

180.32

180.79

178.00

180.79

2.79

1.57%

69,784.94

10

121.68

122.00

120.00

122.00

2.00

1.67%

80,124.72

11

123.14

123.47

99.00

123.47

24.47

24.72%

163,108.81

14

395.83

396.86

395.83

396.86

1.03

0.26%

342,490.18

15

379.77

380.76

374.00

380.76

6.76

1.81%

21,703.32

17

181.79

182.26

179.00

182.26

3.26

1.82%

8,383.96

18

429.55

430.67

343.00

394.00

51.00

14.87%

171,784.00

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zone 1 - Desilting Basin

66.38

66.55

66.38

66.55

0.17

0.26%

58,315.08

Zone 2 - Rice Canyon

5.04

5.05

5.00

5.05

0.05

1.00%

19,993.96

Zone 3 - H Street

7.18

7.20

2.00

7.00

5.00

250%

42,997.53

Zone 4 - Business Center

55.20

55.34

0.00

16.00

16.00

N/A

41,639.87

Zone 5 - SPA I

403.38

404.43

111.00

404.43

293.43

264%

725,951.85

Zone 6 - SPA II

309.94

310.74

0.00

293.00

293.00

N/A

166,485.53

Zone 7 - SPA III

191.32

191.81

189.00

191.81

2.81

1.49%

225,719.90

Zone 8 - N Desilting Basin

44.11

44.22

0.00

44.22

44.22

N/A

5,254.22

Zone 9 - Tel Cyn Channel

35.02

35.11

35.02

35.11

0.09

0.26%

1,841.91

23

491.13

492.41

180.00

474.00

294.00

163%

54,500.52

24

735.96

737.88

735.96

737.88

1.92

0.26%

29,515.20

26

577.63

579.13

577.63

579.13

1.50

0.26%

11,003.47

31

596.69

598.24

373.00

540.00

167.00

44.77%

185,220.00

33 (1)

1,458.28

1,462.07

0.00

0.00

N/A (1)

N/A (1)

0.00

ELMD No. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otay Lakes Rd(2)

N/A (2)

N/A (2)

2.50

2.50

0.00

N/A (2)

0.00

Zone A - Eastlake I

13.64

13.68

11.00

13.00

2.00

18.18%

113,086.45

Zone B - Eastlake Greens

22.34

22.40

7.00

19.00

12.00

171%

64,151.22

Zone C - Oly Training Ctr

185.01

185.49

0.00

0.65

0.65

N/A

6,075.88

Zone D - Salt Creek I

246.75

247.39

246.75

247.00

0.25

0.10%

104,678.60

Zone E - Tel Cyn Chnl(3)

35.18

35.27

0.00

0.00

0.00

N/A

0.00

Bay Boulevard(4)

3,183.31

3,191.59

0.00

0.00

0.00

N/A

0.00

Town Centre (5)

0.12

0.12

0.00

0.00

N/A (5)

N/A (5)

0.00

Total Projected Revenues

$3,107,995.80

(1)                     OSD 33 was formed several years ago in anticipation of development. The project has not progressed and consequently there is no maintenance required. Should the project develop in the future the District may be assessed to cover future maintenance expenses.

 

(2)                     Zones A - D share in the cost of Otay Lakes Road medians and off-site parkways. Collectible and projected revenue for Otay Lakes Road are reflected in collectible and projected revenue for Zones A - D.

 

(3)                     Portions of Eastlake I and Eastlake Greens are in this benefit area.

(4)                      Bay Boulevard rates are based on acres.

(5)                     Town Centre rates have been based on parcel square footage since FY 2001/02.  However, a Downtown PBID replaced this District in 2001, but the City determined that there was some potential long-term exposure for the City based on the remote potential that the current PBID might not receive sufficient support for future renewal processes.

(6)                     The Projected Revenues are preliminary figures based upon the prior year's EDU assignments and the Maximum Rates for Fiscal Year 2014/15.

Town Centre LMD:  A downtown Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) replaced Town Centre Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) in 2001.  At that time, it was anticipated that the Town Centre LMD would be dissolved.  However, the City determined that there was some potential long-term exposure for the City based on the remote possibility that the current PBID might not receive sufficient support for re-approval in the future.  Should the PBID not be re-approved at some future date, and if the Town Centre LMD were dissolved, there would no longer be a funding mechanism for downtown landscape maintenance.

 

Based on this possibility, the Town Centre LMD is kept open as a “ghost” district.  This means that the City will set the maximum assessment amount for the District on an annual basis, even though property owners will not be billed any sum on the tax roll.  Should the PBID not be re-approved, the Town Centre LMD will be in place and provide the necessary funding mechanism for downtown landscape maintenance.

 

The current PBID was renewed with the adoption of Council Resolution No. 2006-222, for a period of ten (10) years.  So the Town Centre LMD remains as a “ghost” district.

 

OSD 7:  Since April 2013, Caltrans and their contractor, Granite Construction Company, are currently working on the I-805 Direct Access Ramp (DAR) Project at the East Palomar Street Bridge which impacts all of Open Space District 7.  At the East Palomar Street overcrossing, a northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp direct access ramp system with an adjacent transit station and a park and ride lot is being constructed.  This project will provide new access to and from I-805 and East Palomar Street.  The new freeway access will serve Bus Rapid Transit, high occupancy vehicles and single occupancy vehicles using FasTrak.  Construction is scheduled to be completed by January 2015.  During construction, maintenance in OSD 7 will be minimal.  Caltrans has had public outreach meetings with the residents in the area.

Construction duration is from April 2013 to approximately January 2015 and as a part of the reconstruction of East Palomar Street, the district landscaping will be entirely redone.  Due to the construction period of approximately 22 months followed by a scheduled 12-month contractor plant establishment period after project completion, it is anticipated that the district budget will be minimal for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013/14 and then very minimal for Fiscal Year 2014/15.  Once the plant establishment period success criteria have been deemed acceptable by Caltrans, OSD 7 will be turned back over to the City either in late calendar year 2015 or early 2016.  Turnover of the district from Caltrans to the City is therefore expected in mid-FY2015/16.

 

Standard Notice Process for Annual Levy

The public hearing will be noticed pursuant to Government Code 6061, which requires that a notice be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 10 days before the public hearing.  Tonight’s resolution approves this report and sets the date and time for a public hearing to consider the levy of assessments and the collection of the funds.

 

DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT

 

Staff has reviewed the property holdings of City Council and has found a property-related conflict of interest exists, in that Councilmember Aguilar has real property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of Open Space District No. 8 which is the subject of Resolutions C and D of this action.  Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.

 

Staff has reviewed the property holdings of City Council and has found a property-related conflict of interest exists, in that Councilmember Salas has real property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of Open Space District No. 10 which is the subject of Resolutions E and F of this action.  Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.

 

LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS

 

This item supports the City’s Strategic Plan as it seeks to enhance the City’s Strategic Goal of Healthy Community as it seeks to maintain landscaped open space areas throughout the city.

 

CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT

 

The full cost of providing landscape maintenance services in these Open Space Districts totals $3,107,995.80.  All landscape maintenance costs will be recovered through the OSD collectibles and reserves of each Open Space District.  Therefore, there is no direct impact to the General Fund.

 

 

 

ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT

 

None.

ATTACHMENTS

1.                     Open Space Maintenance Districts Annual Report