SR 08-08-2017 3D
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: August 8, 2017
Agenda Item: 3.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Civil Engineering
Subject: Street Light Assessment District Results of July 25th Public Hearing and
Adoption of Resolutions to Certify Results
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Accept the attached certified results as tabulated by the City Clerk for each of the
following street light assessment district elections, in conformance with
Proposition 218, authorized by State law under the Municipal Improvement Act of
1911:
a. District “A” – 10th Street between Carlyle Avenue and Marguerita Avenue.
b. District “B” – 25th Street between Idaho Avenue and Washington Avenue.
c. District “C” – 27th Street between Pico Boulevard and Pearl Street.
2. Approve the formation of an assessment for the following districts based upon
the results of the elections in conformance with Proposition 218:
a. District “A” - 10th Street between Carlyle Avenue and Marguerita Avenue;
and
b. District “B” - 25th Street between Idaho Avenue and Washington Avenue;
3. Adopt the resolution(s) to assess property owners for the costs of streetlight
improvements, and issue payment plans for unpaid assessments in conformance
with Proposition 218 for the following districts:
a. District “A” - 10th Street between Carlyle Avenue and Marguerita Avenue;
and
b. District “B” - 25th Street between Idaho Avenue and Washington Avenue.
Executive Summary
New streetlights are installed in Santa Monica as the result of resident petitions to
create assessment districts to pay for the installation and maintenance. On July 25,
2017, City Council held a public hearing for the formation of streetlight assessment
districts on 10th Street between Carlyle Avenue and Marguerita Avenue (District “A”),
25th Street between Idaho Avenue and Washington Avenue (District “B”), and 27th
Street between Pico Boulevard and Pearl Street (District “C”). Ballots for each district
were received and accepted up to the end of the public hearings. The City Clerk
publicly opened and tallied the ballots on July 27, 2017 and has certified the results of
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the vote indicating that District “A” passed, District “B” passed, and District “C” failed.
For districts that pass, Council will confirm by resolution that the work described in the
Engineer’s Report will be performed, including the design, bidding, and award of
construction for installation of the lights. No budget action is required at this time.
Background
New streetlight assessment districts in residential areas begin by petition, submitted by
the residents and/or property owners in accordance with Santa Monica Municipal Code
section 7.04.860. The process for creating a new streetlight district and imposing
assessments must comply with Proposition 218 (Prop 218) and the Municipal
Improvement Act of 1911 (1911 Act). Should any of the districts pass by a majority of
property owners’ votes, each of the properties within the proposed assessment district
would be assessed the amount that is directly proportional to the special benefit
received. Under the California Constitution Article XIIID Section 4, each parcel’s
assessment may not exceed the reasonable cost of the proportional special benefit for
each property.
Discussion
On April 18, 2017, the City Council accepted petitions for:
10th Street between Carlyle Avenue and Marguerita Avenue (District A)
25th Street between Idaho Avenue and Washington Avenue (District B), and
27th Street between Pico Boulevard and Pearl Street (District C),
approved the Preliminary Engineer’s Reports, and approved the resolutions of intent to
set the public hearings, per Attachment A.
Notices were mailed to property owners in accordance with Prop 218, along with a
ballot for the purpose of voting for or against their assessment. On July 25, 2017, public
hearings were held for each district, City Council received public comments regarding
each of the districts, the City Clerk accepted all the ballots submitted by the close of the
public hearings, and the hearings were continued to August 8, 2017, per Attachment B.
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Ballots were tallied proportional to the financial obligation of each affected property.
The City Clerk received ballots and kept them secured until this Council meeting. The
results are as follows:
DISTRICT LOCATION RESULT
A 10th Street - Carlyle Avenue to Marguerita Avenue Passed
B 25th Street - Idaho Avenue to Washington Avenue Passed
C 27th Street - Pico Boulevard to Pearl Street Failed
A passing assessment, confirmed by Council Resolution, allows the City to begin the
work described in the Engineer’s Report, which includes the preliminary schematic
design and placement of the lights in the district, follow-up community meetings, final
design, bid preparation and solicitation, award of the construction contract, contract
execution, and construction. After construction is complete, staff would return to Council
to confirm final assessment costs and billing. Typically, this process takes 24 to 36
months to complete.
City staff will meet with the residents at the beginning and at various stages of the
design process. Upon completion of the design, the City will solicit competitive bids for
the project and request that Council award a construction contract to the best bidder.
Property owners may pay for the improvements in full after construction is completed, or
they may choose a payment plan, paid bi-annually, over a three-year payment plan at
2.5% interest, five-year payment plan at 3.5% interest, or a ten-year payment plan at
5% interest. The City could offer assistance to Low and Moderate Income (LMI) owner-
occupied properties, contingent on income verification. Additionally, staff would work
with the Rent Control Department on owner pass-through costs to renters, if applicable.
Public Outreach
Public meetings were held on February 7 and 9, 2017 at the Ken Edwards Center to
discuss assessment procedures, pole types, locations of poles, the project schedule,
and general costs of the streetlights. Consistent with Council policy, adopted January
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23, 2001, to only install ornamental style streetlights on residential streets, residents
were provided information on the three approved standard ornamental post-top type
poles for residential streets (Attachment C). Selection of the final pole style for each
district would be chosen by a majority vote of the property owners within each district
during the design phase. All light options are consistent with dark sky requirements.
Staff will continue to host public meetings to encourage community participation,
present the project goals, and solicit comments. Public input would be reflected in the
final concept design presented to Council.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action. The total estimated cost is $158,500 for District A and $149,000
for District B. These estimates include engineering design, construction, construction
management, and administrative costs. Funds of $307,500 are available in the FY17-18
Capital Improvement Program budget in account C019212.589000. The City would
recapture up to 50% of actual project costs from property owner assessments. Each
owner would have the option of paying the total assessment, as a one-time cash
payment within thirty-days of invoice after construction is complete and following the
confirmation of construction costs by Council. Alternatively, each owner will have the
option to pay bi-annually, over a three-year payment plan at 2.5% interest, five-year
payment plan at 3.5% interest, or a ten-year payment plan at 5% interest.
Prepared By: Angela VonSlomski, Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. April 18, 2017 Staff Report (Weblink)
B. July 25, 2017 Staff Report (Weblink)
C. Ornamental Pole Types
D. Resolution Confirming Votes (10th Street)
E. Resolution Confirming Votes (25th Street)
F. Resolution Confirming Votes (27th Street)
Aegean
Ornamental Concrete Pole
Pole Height: 15’-0”
Installed Locations:
Palisades Park
4th St. — Montana Ave. to San Vicente Blvd.
2nd St. — California Ave. to Montana Ave.
Adelaide Ave. — Ocean Ave. 7th St.
California Ave. - 3rd St. to 7th St.
Between Wilshire Blvd. & Washington Ave.
and 22nd St. & 24th St.
Manufacturer: Ameron
Attachment C
Corsican
Ornamental Concrete Pole
Pole Height: 16’-6”
Installed Locations:
San Vicente Blvd. — 4th St. to 7th St.
California Ave. Medians — Near 2nd St.
Manufacturer: Ameron
New York
Ornamental Metal Pole
Pole Height: 15’-6”
Installed Locations:
Yale St. - Wilshire Blvd. to Montana Ave.
Marine St. - Lincoln Blvd. to 17th St.
Robson Ave. - 17th St. to Dewey St.
Dewey St. - 16th St. to 23rd St.
Manufacturer: Antique Street
Lamps
REFERENCE:
RESOLUTION NOS. 11066 &
11067
(CCS)