| 20250527 |
LA County |
Signal Hill |
City Council |
Order of Business 12 |
b.
RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S REPORT AND DECLARING
INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE
AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO.1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
Summary:
The City formed the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1 (LLMD)
in 1992 to fund the maintenance costs of common landscaped areas within the
California Crown Tract. The California Crown Tract lies south of East Hill Street,
north of East 19th Street, west of Temple Avenue, and east of North Orizaba
Way. Annually, the City Council must initiate proceedings to renew the levy and
collect special assessments for the LLMD. The proposed resolutions declare the
the Engineer's Report, and set the Public Hearing for June 24, 2025. The total
proposed assessment for all California Crown Tract lots for Fiscal Year (FY)
2025-26 is $106,564.00. The proposed annual assessment for basic lots is
$1,077.30, representing a four percent increase of $41.43. The proposed yearly
assessment for landscape easement lots is $1,446.80, representing a four
percent increase of $55.65. Property owners approved the proposed
assessments within the LLMD through the last Proposition 218 (Proposition 218)
hearing that occurred on June 14, 2022. Staff is requesting the City Council set
a public hearing for June 24, 2025, adopt resolutions for the preparation of the
Engineer’s Report, and declare intent to levy and collect assessments for Fiscal
Year 2025-26 for the LLMD.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1
Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability
and resilience.
Recommendation:
1. Set the Public Hearing for June 24, 2025.
2. Authorize the use of fund balance or reserves from previous years from
LLMD accounts for special projects, as approved by the Public Works
Director, in accordance with the City’s Purchasing Policy.
3. Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL,
CALIFORNIA, INITIATING PROCEEDINGS TO LEVY AND COLLECT
ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 WITHIN AN EXISTING
LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE
LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE ACT OF 1972,
APPOINTING THE ENGINEER OF WORK, AND ORDERING THE
PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER’S REPORT
4. Adopt a Resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL,
CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT
ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE
DISTRICT NO. 1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 AND APPROVING THE
ENGINEER’S REPORT |
May 27, 2025
LA County
Signal Hill
City Council
Order of Business 12
#b
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| 20250527 |
LA County |
Signal Hill |
City Council |
Order of Business 11 |
a.
PROPOSITION 218 PROTEST HEARING - WATER RATE INCREASES
Summary:
The 2023-2028 City of Signal Hill Strategic Plan identifies the update of the
Water Master Plan (WMP) and Water Rate Study (RS) as key initiatives for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025. On December 12, 2023, the City Council executed
a professional services agreement and directed staff to complete the WMP and
RS updates. The WMP provides a detailed assessment of the City’s water
system, evaluates current and projected supply and demand, and outlines a
five-year capital improvement plan. The RS establishes a five-year tiered rate
structure to generate sufficient revenue for operations, capital projects, and debt
service.
Over the past 18 months, staff has presented updates on the WMP and RS,
including proposed rate adjustment options, during the Subcommittee meeting,
multiple City Council meetings, and community workshops. These efforts
ensured transparency and provided opportunities for public input and City
Council feedback. On March 25, 2025, following the completion of the WMP and
RS, receipt of public feedback, and a thorough review process, the City Council
directed staff to initiate a Proposition 218 Public Hearing process to consider the
recommended self-funded rate adjustment option, with the hearing scheduled
for May 27, 2025. The proposed new rate structure includes annual rate
adjustments of 15% for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, 14% for Fiscal
Years 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, and 10% in FY 2029-2030. Staff is requesting
that the City Council receive, file, and adopt the final Water Master Plan and
receive and file the Water Rate Study reports. The RS document has been
available for public review on the City’s website since April 3, 2025.
In addition, during tonight’s meeting, the City Council will conduct a Proposition
218 Public Hearing to consider the proposed water rates and record property
owner protests received during the 45-day protest period. The City will receive
oral comments, however, these will not be counted as formal protests unless
accompanied by a written submission received prior to the close of the public
hearing. After the hearing, the City Clerk will tabulate all valid written protests. If
more than 50 percent of the affected property owners or customers of record
submit written protests, the City Council cannot adopt the proposed rate
adjustments. If the City does not receive a majority protest, the City Council may
proceed to adopt the proposed water rates. If the City Council adopts the new
rates, they would take effect on July 1, 2025.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1
Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability
and resilience.
Goal No. 4
Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s
infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
physical
Goal No. 5
High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication,
recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
Recommendation:
1.
Receive, file, and adopt the Water Master Plan.
2.
Receive and file the Water Rate Study Report.
3.
Conduct a Proposition 218 Public Hearing and
4.
If a majority of the property owners or tenants of the identified parcels
affected by the proposed rate increases do not submit written protests
against the proposed rates, waive further reading and adopt a Resolution
entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING RATES FOR WATER SERVICE FEES AND
TAKING OTHER ACTIONS RELATED THERETO |
May 27, 2025
LA County
Signal Hill
City Council
Order of Business 11
#a
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