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SR-091608-1CCity Council Meeting: September 9, 2008 Agenda Item: ~ ® ~ To: Mayor and City Council From: Lee E. Swain, Director -Department of Public Works Subject: Formation of Street Light Assessment Districts and Setting a Public Hearing Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. accept the signed petitions; and 2. set a public hearing on November 11, 2008 for the formation of the following street light assessment districts: District "A" 15~" Street Between Alta Ave. and Montana Ave. District "B" Urban Avenue Between Yorkshire Ave. and Dorchester Ave. Executive Summary The installation of new street lights in residential areas is initiated by petition of the residents and/or property owners in accordance with the State Law and Santa Monica Municipal Code provisions. Successful petitions have been received from residents on 15t" Street between Alta Avenue and Montana Avenue (District.."A"), and Urban Avenue between Yorkshire Avenue and Dorchester Avehue (District "B"). A public meeting held July 14, 2008, provided residents from both districts the opportunity to learn more about the project, including the options of street light pole styles for residential streets. Upon Council acceptance of the petitions, notices and ballots will be mailed to eligible voters informing them of a public hearing for the formation of the street light assessment districts. The total cost for this project is estimated at $270,000, which includes the estimated property owner assessment of $135,000 and the City's estimated contribution of $135,000. Discussion In accordance with Proposition 218 and Santa Monica Municipal Code 7.04.860, whenever the occupants of sixty percent of the residential units in any given area petition the City Council to institute proceedings for residential street lighting 1 improvement, the City Council shall institute proceedings under the Improvement Act of 1911 to provide residential street lighting to such area. Successful petitions, those with greater than sixty percent support, have been received from residents on these streets: District "A" - 15th Street between Alta Avenue and Montana Avenue District "B" -Urban Avenue between Yorkshire Avenue and Dorchester Avenue The City's Rent Control Board has verified signed petitions: Signed petitions are available for public review in the Department of Public Works. Staff recommends City Council accept the petitions for the formation of street light assessment districts. Upon acceptance, notices of the City's intent to form an assessment district and hold a public hearing will be mailed to eligible voters forty-five days in advance of the public hearing. In addition to the notice, eligible voters will also receive a ballot with the option to vote for or against the assessment. A list of properties within the proposed assessment districts and the assessment district maps will be available for review at the time of the public hearing. Staff recommends that the City Council set the public hearing on November 11, 2008 for the formation of streetlight assessment districts. Eligible voters may return their ballots by mail or deliver them to the City Clerk prior to the close of the public hearing. At the hearing, the City Council will hear all public comment to the proposed assessment. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the assessment ballots submitted, and not withdrawn., in support of or in opposition to the proposed assessment will be tabulated. Tabulation of the assessment ballots will be weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of the affected property. No assessment will be imposed if there is a majority of votes opposing the assessment. Public Outreach A public meeting was held on July 14, 2008 at the Santa Monica Main Library to discuss assessment procedures and the type, location, and approximate cost of the streetlights. Consistent with Council policy, adopted January 23, 2001, to only install ornamental post-top style street lights on residential streets, residents were provided information on 2 the three approved standard ornamental post-top type poles for residential streets (see attachments 1, 2 and 3): Selection of the final pole style for each district will be chosen by a majority vote of the property owners within each district during the design phase. Financial Impacts & Budget Actions No budget action is required at this time. The total estimated cost for this project is $270,000 which includes engineering design, construction, construction management and administrative costs such as staff time for public notifications, advertisements, project management, invoicing, and bond administration. The project will be funded 50% by residents and 50% by the City. Funds in the amount of $200,000 are budgeted in the FY2008-09 Capital Projects fund for new street light assessment districts (C027001.589000). Once the results of the balloting are known, staff will return to City Council with financial action recommendations for the City's contribution. Prepared by: Allan Sheth, Civil Engineering Associate Approved: Forwarded to Council: r ~- / .~"=j/As~l~ Lee E. Swam, Director P.' mont Ewell Department of Public Works City Manager Attachment 1: New York metal pole Attachment 2: Aegean concrete pole Attachment 3: Corsican concrete pole 3 Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3 Additional attachments available at Clerk's Office.