CC SR 20210615 P - Citywide LLMD
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 06/15/2021
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to initiate proceedings for the Citywide Landscaping
and Lighting Maintenance District (LLMD).
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 2021-___, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S
REPORT AND DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO SET THE LEVY AT ZERO
WITHIN THE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE
DISTRICT (LLMD) FOR FY 2021-22 PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND
LIGHTING ACT OF 1972, CODIFIED AS PART 2 OF DIVISION 15 OF THE
CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE, AND APPOINTING A TIME
AND PLACE FOR HEARING OBJECTIONS THERETO.
FISCAL IMPACT: The preparation of the annual Engineer’s Report is estimated at
$7,000, which is included in the FY 2020-21 budget.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Ron Dragoo, PE, Principal Engineer
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Resolution No. 2021-___ Approval of Engineer’s Report (page A-1)
B. Engineer’s Report – Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District
for Fiscal Year 2021-22 (page B-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On August 6, 1992, the City Council formed an assessment district designated as the
Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District (the “District”), pursuant to the
Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (the “Act”). The purpose of forming the Distri ct was
to provide additional funding for the ongoing operation, maintenance, and servicing of
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median landscaping, street trees, street lighting, and traffic signals within the boundaries
of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
The Act requires that proceedings be undertaken on an annual basis for any year during
which assessments will be levied and collected. The proceeding is a resolution to order
an engineer’s report, preparation of an engineer’s report in connection with the annual
levy of assessments, approval of the engineer’s report, setting of a public hearing date,
and a resolution to authorize the levy of assessments. Each parcel is then assessed an
amount based on the relative benefit the parcel receive s from the District’s operations.
On July 1, 1997, the rates were frozen by City Council action and have not been increased
since. On May 16, 2017, the City Council set the rate to zero. The rate has been set to
zero in each subsequent year since. Prior to setting the rate to zero, the amount collected
was $259,535 annually, which was applied toward the cost of street landscaping.
The City Council could continue to set the rate to zero, as recommended by Staff, which
allows for the District to remain in place and provides the option for future Ci ty Council
action to reinstate the levy of assessments; or the City Council could dissolve the District.
To set the rate to zero, the City Council must first adopt a resolution of intention
(Attachment A), which is the recommendation this evening, and then hold a public
hearing, with at least 10 days of public notice. The public hearing would tentatively occur
on July 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Alternatively, the City Council could reinstate the assessment and generate the same
amount of revenue as that collected in 2017. To set the rate to this amount, the City
Council must adopt a resolution of intention and hold a public hearing, with at least 10
days of public notice.
The City Council could also reinstate the assessment and generate an amount greater
than that collected in 2017, up to the estimated cost of District maintenance (calculated
to be $861,604). To do so, the requirements of Proposition 218 would need to be followed.
Cost Estimate
The Citywide District Engineer, Harris & Associates, Inc., conducted a review of the
proposed district budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 and prepared the Engineer’s Report
(Attachment B). The report provides a cost estimate which summarize s the District
revenue and expenditure amounts for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
The estimated cost for the maintenance and servicing of median landscap ing and street
trees is estimated to be $890,804. The Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget funds this
maintenance work through a combination of sources including General Fund, Gas Tax,
and Measure M.
The estimated cost of maintenance and servicing of traffic signals and streetlights is
$564,000. As per City Council direction on June 21, 2005, the 1911 Act Ad Valorem
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Property Tax Fund is being used to pay for the cost of maintaining traffic signals and
streetlights.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A)
declaring the intent to set the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District
assessment to zero for Fiscal Year 2021-22, consistent with recent Council practice.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to modify the Resolution and Engineer’s Report, to set the
assessment to an amount greater than zero and bring this item back to the City
Council for approval at a future meeting.
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2021-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING
THE ENGINEER’S REPORT AND DECLARING ITS
INTENTION TO SET THE LEVY AT ZERO WITHIN
THE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING
MAINTENANCE DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2021-22 PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND
LIGHTING ACT OF 1972, PART 2 OF DIVISION 15
OF THE CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
CODE, AND APPOINTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR
HEARING OBJECTIONS THERETO
WHEREAS, on August 6, 1992, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
formed an assessment district designated as the “Citywide Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance District” (the “District”), pursuant to the provisions of the Landscaping and
Lighting Act of 1972, Part 2 of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code (commencing
with Section 22500) (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, assessments were levied within the District to provide a dedicated
source of revenue for the purpose of financing the installation, construction, and
maintenance of certain public projects eligible under the Act, including without limitation
the operation, maintenance, and servicing of landscaping, including irrigation systems, and
other appurtenant facilities; and
WHEREAS, the assessment levied by the District has not been increased on any
date on or after July 1, 1997; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the City Council initiated
proceedings by directing the Engineer, Harris & Associates, Inc. to prepare and file a
written report in accordance with Article 4 (commencing with Section 22565) of Chapter 1
of the Act; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 1 of the Act, the Engineer
prepared and filed such report (the “Engineer’s Report”) with the City Clerk on June 15,
2021.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES HEREBY
FINDS, DETERMINES, RESOLVES, AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby (1) approves the Engineer’s Report; (2) finds
that the public interest and convenience requirements have been met; and (3) declares its
intention to set the levy at zero against the assessable lots and parcels of property within
an existing assessment district designated “Citywide Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance District” (the “District”) pursuant to the provisions of the Landscaping and
Lighting Act of 1972, Part 2 of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code (commencing
with Section 22500) (the “Act”), for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021 and ending
June 30, 2022, and will use other available funds to pay necessary expenditures for
improvements in Section 3 of this Resolution.
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Section 2. The boundaries of the District are coterminous with the boundaries of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Section 3. The proposed improvements are briefly described as follows: The
operation, maintenance, and servicing of public streets and sidewalks within the District,
including the operation, maintenance, and servicing of public lighting facilities, including
safety lighting and traffic signals, landscaping, including trees, shrubs, grass, and other
ornamental vegetation, and appurtenant facilities, including irrigation systems, located along
public roadways, streets and rights-of-way within the boundaries of the City. Maintenance
means the furnishing of services and materials for the ordinary and usual maintenance,
operation and servicing of the landscaping, public lighting facilit ies, and appurtenant
facilities, including repair, removal, or replacement of all or part of any of the landscaping,
public lighting facilities, or appurtenant facilities; providing for the life, growth, health, and
beauty of the landscaping, including cultivation, irrigation, trimming, spraying, fertilizing, and
treating for disease or injury; the removal of trimmings, rubbish, debris and other solid waste;
and the cleaning, sandblasting, and painting of walls and other improvements to remove or
cover graffiti. Servicing means the furnishing of water for irrigation of the landscaping and
the maintenance of any of the public lighting facilities or appurtenant facilities and the
furnishing of electric current or energy, gas or other illuminating agent for th e public lighting
facilities, or for the lighting or operation of landscaping or appurtenant facilities.
Section 4. Reference is made to the Engineer’s Report on file in the Office of the
City Clerk and open to public inspection for a full and detailed description of the
improvements, the boundaries of the District and the zones therein, and the proposed
assessments upon assessable lots and parcels of land within the District. The Office of
the City Clerk is located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
90275.
Section 5. The City Council hereby approves the Engineer’s Report as submitted
and declares its intent to apply $573,600 of the 1911 Act Lighting Maintenance District
Fund balance to the costs and expenses of operating, maintaining, and servicing traffic
signals and safety lighting and to apply $890,804 from other funding sources to cover the
costs of landscape maintenance. Such application of the Fund Balance or from other
funding sources is temporary and may be discontinued in any subsequent fiscal year. In
such event, assessment may be apportioned to each assessable lot or parcel in the
District in an amount not in excess of the assessment rates for Fiscal Year 2004-05. The
City Council hereby finds and determines that the foregoing application of the Fund
Balance and other available funds will be just and equitable and in the public interest.
Section 6. Notice is hereby given that the City Council designates July 20, 2021,
at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, John C. McTaggart Memorial Hall, at the
Hesse Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes,
California, as the date, time, and place for the hearing of protests or objections to the levy
of the proposed assessments in connection with the District. All interested persons shall
be afforded the opportunity to hear and be heard. The City Council shall consider all oral
statements and all written protests or communications made or filed by any interested
person. Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, any interested person may file a written
protest with the City Clerk or, having previously filed a protest, may file a written withdrawal
of that protest. A written protest shall state all grounds of objection. A protest by a property
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owner shall contain a description sufficient to identify the property owned by the signer.
Written protests may be delivered in person to the City Clerk or may be mailed to the City
Clerk at City Hall, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275.
Any written protest that is mailed must be received at City Hall at or prior to 4:30 p.m. on
July 20, 2021.
Section 7. The City Clerk shall give notice of the aforesaid date, time, and place of
the hearing in accordance with law.
Section 8. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and the minutes of this meeting shall reflect the presentation of the Engineer’s
Report.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 15th day of June 2021.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
State of California )
County of Los Angeles ) ss
City of Rancho Palos Verdes )
Mayor
I, TERESA TAKAOKA, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that
the above Resolution No. 2021-___ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the
said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on June 15, 2021.
City Clerk
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
ENGINEER’S REPORT
CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2021-22
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
June 15, 2021
PREPARED BY
22 Executive Park, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
www.weareharris.com
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Certifications .................................................................................................................. i
Part I - Overview ........................................................................................................... 1
Part II - Plans and Specifications ................................................................................... 3
Part III – Cost Estimate .................................................................................................. 5
Part IV – Method of Apportionment............................................................................. 7
Appendix A – Assessment Roll .................................................................................... 14
Appendix B – Assessment Diagram ............................................................................ 15
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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CERTIFICATIONS
AGENCY: THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PROJECT: CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
TO: THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22
The preparation of this Annual Engineer’s Report (“Report”) is in conformance with the obligation of the
City Council for the Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes to levy assessments within the District to provide services upon each lot or parcel of land in the
district in proportion to the estimated benefit to be received by each such lot or parcel of land for Fiscal
Year 2021-22.
Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (Part 2 Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code
of the State of California, commencing with Section 22500) (“Act”), and in accordance with the City of
Rancho Palos Verde’s Resolution being adopted by the City Council for:
CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
(Hereinafter referred to as the “District”),
I, Alison Bouley, authorized representative of the District, the duly appointed Assessment Engineer submit
the following Report which consists of the following four (4) parts and Appendices:
PART I
Overview: Provides historical information about the District.
PART II
Plans and Specifications: Plans and specifications for the improvements are as set forth on the lists
thereof, attached hereto, and are on file in the Office of the City Engineer and are incorporated herein by
reference.
PART III
Cost Estimate: An assessment of the estimated cost of the improvements on each benefited lot or parcel
of land within the Assessment District.
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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PART IV
Method of Apportionment of the Assessments: The method of apportionment of assessments indicates
the proposed assessment of the net amount of the costs and expenses of the maintenance and/or
servicing of the improvements to be assessed upon the several lots and parcels of land within the
Assessment District in proportion to the estimated special benefits to be received by such lots and parcels.
Appendices
Appendix A – Assessment Roll
Appendix B – Assessment Diagram
In conclusion, it is my opinion that the costs and expenses of the District have been assessed to the lots
and parcels within the boundaries of the District in proportion to the estimated benefits to be received
by each lot or parcel from the services provided.
DATED: June 15, 2021
___________________________________________
Alison Bouley, P.E., Assessment Engineer
R.C.E. No. C61383
Engineer of Work
State of California
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the enclosed Engineer's Report, together with Assessment Roll and Assessment
Diagram thereto attached, was filed with me on the _____ day of ____________, 2021.
Teri Takaoka, City Clerk,
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Los Angeles County, California
By ____________________________
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the enclosed Engineer's Report, together with Assessment Roll and Assessment
Diagram thereto attached, was approved and confirmed by the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes, California, on the _____ day of ____________, 2021.
Teri Takaoka, City Clerk,
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Los Angeles County, California
By ____________________________
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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PART I – OVERVIEW
Annual Proceedings
The annual proceedings for the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District are conducted
under the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, Part II of Division 15, Sections 22500 through 22679, of
the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California (the "Act").
This report, as signed and presented to the Council for approval, has been prepared according to the
methodology and the maximum rates shown herein do not exceed the rates approved by the City Council
in 1992.
The City Council annually reviews the current and projected year's costs for the operation, maintenance,
and servicing of the District facilities and sets the assessment for the ensuing fiscal year, which runs
between July 1 and June 30. In setting the annual assessment, the City Council will consider any proposed
new improvements or any changes in existing improvements, and any fund balances or shortages, and
adjust the assessment accordingly.
Payment of the assessment for each parcel is made in the same manner and at the same time as payments
are made for property taxes for each property.
This report contains the necessary data required to conduct the proceedings and is submitted to the City
Clerk for filing in the office of the City Clerk where it shall remain open for public inspection.
Impact of Proposition 218
On November 5, 1996, the voters of the State of California adopted Proposition 218 creating Article XIII D
of the California State Constitution which created requirements for the creation of new assessments or
to increase existing assessments. Proposition 218 also established exemptions to its provisions for
assessment districts created prior to its passage.
The Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District is currently deemed exempt from the
requirements of Proposition 218 so long as the assessments do not exceed the rates in effect on July 1,
1996. Should assessments need to be increased in the future, the District will have to comply with the
requirements of Proposition 218.
History of the District
To ensure a flow of funds for the on-going operation, maintenance and servicing of median landscaping,
street trees, street lighting and traffic signals which provide a special benefit to parcels within the
boundaries of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the City Council formed the Citywide Landscaping and
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Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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Lighting Maintenance District on August 6, 1992. The Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance
District ensures a fair and equitable levying of the necessary costs of operating, servicing and maintaining
of the respective facilities, which in turn directly enhances the value of each and every parcel in the City.
On January 17, 1995, the City Council directed Staff to analyze the feasibility of transferring jurisdiction
for the entire citywide street lighting system from the County to the City. Prior to the incorporation of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the County of Los Angeles established County Lighting Maintenance Districts
to install, operate and maintain street lights in areas throughout the County. Funds for street lighting
came from a combination of ad-valorem tax revenue and, in more recent years, special assessments on
properties benefiting from the street lighting The purpose of the feasibility study was to determine
whether or not it was feasible for the City to take over jurisdiction of the County-owned street lighting
facilities within the boundaries of the City and to review the fiscal impact which the transfer would have
on the City.
On February 7, 1995, the City Council received the feasibility report, authorized the transfer of the street
lighting district from the County of Los Angeles to the City, and authorized the establishment of a special
benefit zone along with the benefit methodology for possible future street lighting assessments in the
Citywide Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District.
On April 6, 1995, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors adopted a joint resolution that approved
the transfer of the Street Lighting District from the County to the City. The transfer was effective July 1,
1995.
On June 21, 2005, the City Council modified the FY 2005-06 Engineer’s Report to provide for a temporary
“credit” to property owners whereby the Traffic Signal and Safety Lighting operation and maintenance
costs would be paid out of the 1911 Act Lighting Maintenance District fund balance. This temporary
“credit” may be discontinued in any subsequent year at which time these costs will revert to being funded
by the annual assessments and the assessment rates will be set at the previously approved maximum
rates.
On May 16, 2017, the City Council decided not to proceed with the adopting the Report and made a
motion not to levy the assessments in Fiscal Year 2017-18 for the Citywide Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance District. The Report was modified to reflect the “Zero” levy for Fiscal Year 2017-18 and the
Fiscal Years since then. The “Zero” levy will continue for Fiscal Year 2021-22. At any point in time the
Council may elect to initiate collecting the assessments without triggering compliance with Proposition
218 as long as the rate to be applied is the same as or less than the last approved rates.
In 2018, the City acquired 1,762 street lights from Southern California Edison (SCE) and a planned capital
expenditure was included in fiscal year 2019-20 to convert the lights to LEDs. That effort is now complete.
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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PART II – PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The facilities which have been constructed within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and those which may
be subsequently constructed, will be operated, serviced and maintained are generally described as
follows:
The proposed improvements for FY 2021-22 may be generally described as the continued maintenance of
eligible improvements within the District, including the operation, servicing and maintenance of
landscaping, lighting and appurtenant facilities that are located in and along such streets and sidewalks,
including but not limited to, personnel, utilities (such as water and electrical energy), materials,
contracting services, and other items necessary for the satisfactory operation of these facilities described
as follows:
Landscaping and Appurtenant Facilities
Landscaping, planting, shrubbery, trees, irrigation systems, hardscapes, fixtures, sidewalks and
appurtenant facilities, in public street and sidewalk rights-of-way, including parkways, medians
and dedicated easements within the boundary of said Assessment District.
Lighting and Appurtenant Facilities
Poles, fixtures, bulbs, conduits, equipment including guys, anchors, posts and pedestals, metering
devices and appurtenant facilities as required to provide street lighting, traffic signals and safety
lighting in public street and sidewalk rights-of-way and easements within the boundaries of said
Assessment District.
Maintenance means the furnishing of services and materials for the ordinary and usual maintenance,
operation and servicing of the landscaping, public lighting facilities and appurtenant facilities, including
repair, removal or replacement of all or part of any of the landscaping, public lighting facilities or
appurtenant facilities; providing for the life, growth, health and beauty of the landscaping, including
cultivation, irrigation, trimming, spraying, fertilizing and treating for disease or injury; the removal of
trimmings, rubbish, debris and other solid waste; and the cleaning, sandblasting, and painting of walls and
other improvements to remove or cover graffiti.
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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Servicing means the furnishing of water for the irrigation of the landscaping and the maintenance of any
of the public lighting facilities or appurtenant facilities and the furnishing of electric current or energy, gas
or other illuminating agent for the public lighting facilities, or for the lighting or operation of the
landscaping or appurtenant facilities.
The plans and specifications for the improvements, showing and describing the general nature, location,
and the extent of the improvements, are on file in the office of the City Clerk and are incorporated herein
by reference.
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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PART III – COST ESTIMATE
The estimated cost of the street and sidewalk improvements for Fiscal Year 2021-22, as described in Part
II, are summarized herein and described below. All costs include administration and utilities where
applicable.
1972 Act 1911 Act
Fund 203 Fund 211
BEGINNING FUND BALANCE (7/1)$29,000 6 $1,310,375
ESTIMATED REVENUES
Maximum Assessment Levy $259,535
Actual Assessment Levy $0 6
Ad Valorem Taxes, less delinquencies $628,200
Interest Earnings $200 6 $13,000
Contributions from noted sources $861,604
Total Funds Available $890,804 $1,951,575
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES
Street Landscaping
Major Thoroughfare Medians $380,000 1
Median Utilities $1,000 5
Special Benefit Median Maintenance
Rue Beaupre (Zone B)$546 5
Alta Vista (Zone E)$882 5
Ocean Terrace (Zone F)$1,039 5
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park Maintenance $72,000
2
Backflow Inspections $3,500 2
California Coastal Trail Maintenance $12,932 3
Salvation Army Trail Maintenance $7,844 3
Weed Abatement $15,900 1
Street Tree Trimming $278,200 5
Total Landscaping Expenditures $773,843
Street Lights
Traffic Signals & Safety Lighting $125,000 4
Street Lights $144,000 4
Utility Costs $220,000 4
Parking Lot Lighting at PVIC CIP Project $75,000 4
Ocean Terrace (Zone F)$900 5
Total Lighting Expenditures $900 $564,000
Administration and Overhead
Anticipated Delinquencies (3%)$0
Administration and Overhead (15%)$116,061 6 $84,600 4
Total Administration Expenditures $116,061 $84,600
Total Expenditures $890,804 $648,600
ENDING FUND BALANCE (6/30)$0 $1,302,975
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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Cost Estimate Footnotes:
1. This item is budgeted within Fund 202, Program 3180, in the FY 2021-22 Proposed City Budget.
2. This item is budgeted within Fund 101, Program 3151, in the FY 2021-22 Proposed City Budget.
3. This item is budgeted within Fund 101, Program 3150, in the FY 2021-22 Proposed City Budget.
4. This item is budgeted within Fund 211, Program 0000, in the FY 2021-22 Proposed City Budget.
5. This item is budgeted within Fund 221, Program 0000, in the FY 2021-22 Proposed City Budget.
6. Estimated zero revenue generated by District assessments for FY 2021-22 (Maximum would be
$259,535). The 72 Act fund currently has a balance of $29,000 and interest earned of $200, so
the remaining amount of $86,861 for General Administration and Overhead is funded by
contributions from the General Fund 101, Program 3110.
A table showing how the budget is apportioned to each zone is provided on page 13.
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Engineer’s Report
Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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PART IV - METHOD OF APPORTIONMENT
I. General
Part 2 of Division 15 of the Streets and Highways Code, the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, permits
the establishment of assessment districts by cities for the purpose of providing certain public
improvements which include operation, maintenance and servicing of street lights, traffic signals, and
landscaping.
The 1972 Act requires that maintenance assessments be levied according to benefit rather than according
to assessed value. Section 22573 provides that:
The net amount to be assessed upon lands within an assessment district may be
apportioned by any formula or method which fairly distributes the net amount among all
assessable lots or parcels in proportion to the estimated benefits to be received by each
such lot or parcel from the improvements.
The Act permits the designation of zones of benefit within any individual assessment district if "by reason
of variations in the nature, location, and extent of the improvements, the various areas will receive
differing degrees of benefit from the improvements" (Sec. 22574). Thus, the 1972 Act requires the levy
of a true "assessment" rather than a "special tax."
Exempted from the assessment would be the areas of all publicly owned property in use in the
performance of a public function. The City has made a determination to also exempt public utility rights-
of-way (ROW) and open space.
II. Parcel Classification
Since the assessment will be levied against properties as shown on the tax rolls, the final charges must be
assigned by Assessor's Parcel Number. If assessments were to be spread just by parcel, not considering
land use or parcel size, this would not be equitable: a single-family parcel would be paying the same as a
50-unit apartment parcel or a large commercial establishment in a similar zone, instead of paying in
proportion to benefit.
The single-family parcel has been selected as the basic unit for calculation of assessments and is defined
as one Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). A methodology has been developed to calculate the EDUs for
other residential land uses and for non-residential parcels, as described below.
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Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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Single-Family Residential - The single-family residential parcel has been selected as the basic unit for
calculation of the benefit assessments. This basic unit shall be called an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU).
Parcels zoned for single-family residential uses are assessed 1 EDU.
Multiple-Family Residential - Multiple-family residential uses, as well as condominiums, are given a factor
of .75 EDU per dwelling unit. Based on data from representative cities in Southern California, the multiple-
family residential factor of 75 percent is determined by the statistical proportion of relative trip generation
from various types of residential uses, in combination with population density per unit.
Non-Residential and Utilities - In converting improved non-residential properties to EDUs, the factor used
is the City of Rancho Palos Verdes' minimum requirement for single-family residential areas, which is 1
dwelling unit per 8,000 sq. ft, or 5.445 dwelling units per acre. The non-residential parcels (including non-
ROW utilities) will be assessed 5.445 EDU for the first acre or any portion thereof, and then 25% of 5.445
EDUs (1.36125) for every additional acre or portion thereof, as the utilization of that portion of non-
residential property greater than one acre more closely resembles that of vacant land. The minimum
number of EDUs per parcel will be 1 EDU.
Vacant Property - Vacant property is described as parcels with no improved structures. These properties
receive benefits based on their land, as this is the basis of their value. Based upon the opinions of
professional appraisers, appraising current market property values for real estate in Southern California,
the land value portion of a property typically ranges from 20 to 30 percent of the property's total value;
in Rancho Palos Verdes, we find that the average is about 50 percent. Additionally, the utilization of
vacant property is significantly less than improved property, and vacant property has a traffic generation
rate of 0. Therefore, we recommend that vacant property be assessed at the rate of 25 percent of
improved property.
Vacant Residential - Residential parcels which do not have structures on the parcels are assessed
25% of a parcel with a single-family dwelling thereon. The parcels will be assessed 0.25 EDU per
parcel.
Vacant Non-Residential - Parcels which are not residential parcels and which do not have structures
on the parcel are assessed based upon the acreage of the parcel. The parcels will be assessed at
the rate of 25% of the developed non-residential properties, or 1.36125 EDU per acre or any portion
thereof, with a minimum of .25 EDU per parcel and up to a maximum of 5 acres (6.80625 EDUs) per
parcel, as that portion of the parcel over 5 acres may be considered as open-space, and no longer
receive any benefit.
Vacant – Moratorium - The vacant parcels in the moratorium area of the City are assessed based
upon the acreage of the parcel. The parcels will be assessed at the reduced rate of 10% of the
developed non-residential properties, or 0.5445 EDU per acre, with a minimum of 0.1 EDU per
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parcel and a maximum of 5 acres (2.7225 EDUs) per parcel, as that portion of the parcel over 5 acres
may be considered as open-space, and no longer receive any benefit. The reduced rate is deemed
fair and equitable due to the building limitations in this area.
Exempt Property - All publicly owned property and utility rights-of-way are exempt from assessment, as
well as the canyon parcel owned by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, which is identified by
the 2021-22 Assessor's Parcel Number 7583-022-008.
The land use classification for each parcel has been based on the Los Angeles County Assessor's Roll.
III. Benefit Determination
The desirability of property in a community is increased when public infrastructure such as street lights,
traffic signals, and median and parkway landscaping are in place, improved, operable, safe, clean and
maintained.
The proper functioning of street lighting and traffic signals is imperative for the welfare and safety of the
property and owners and users of the property throughout the City. Proper maintenance and servicing of
the street lighting system benefits properties within the District by providing proper illumination for
ingress and egress and safe traveling at night. Properties within the District also benefit from the proper
functioning of the District's traffic signal system. Proper operation of the street light and traffic signal
systems is imperative to public convenience, orderly traffic flow, enhanced congestion management and
safety. Improved security, fuel conservation, protection of property from crime and vandalism, and
reduction of traffic accidents, are special and direct benefits to all properties within the City; lighting
benefits are directly related to public safety and property protection and therefore increase desirability
of property. The City costs to administer the improvements are also considered a benefit to all properties.
The City maintains trees and miscellaneous shrubbery throughout the City. The trees and shrubbery are
located within the public street and sidewalk rights-of-way, including in medians and parkways. These
trees and shrubbery provide an aesthetically pleasing environment, shade, beautification, and according
to some authorities, air purification and sound attenuation. Weed abatement along public ways is
necessary to eliminate fire hazards and unsightly conditions. These positive attributes increase the
desirability of all properties throughout the City.
There are two types of benefits:
Citywide Benefits - Citywide Benefits represent the special benefits received by each and every parcel
within the District from the improvements, and the associated costs of these benefits are spread equally,
based on Equivalent Dwelling Units, to all parcels within the District.
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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Benefits which increase the desirability of property within the District include weed abatement,
maintenance of street trees, medians, traffic signals and safety lighting, and street lighting on the major
thoroughfares, which are the main travel ways of the City. The costs of the City to administer these
programs are also considered a Citywide Benefit.
Local Benefits - Local Benefits represent the special benefits conferred by localized improvements to
parcels within the area surrounding the improvements. The associated costs of these benefits are spread
equally over the local area, based on Equivalent Dwelling Units.
Local Benefits include the operation, servicing and maintenance of the Rue Beaupre median, Alta Vista
median (formerly Landscape and Open-space Maintenance District No. 1) and Ocean Terrace median and
street lights (formerly Landscape and Open-space Maintenance District No. 2). These facilities serve only
properties within localized areas.
Local Benefits also include the operation, servicing and maintenance of street lights which were previously
maintained by the County of Los Angeles, which serve the properties adjacent to them.
ZONES OF BENEFIT
A system of zones has been developed to identify the specific benefit each parcel receives. Those zones
are as follows:
Zone A. Citywide Benefits - These parcels receive only Citywide benefits.
Zone B. Rue Beaupre - These parcels receive the local benefits of the Rue Beaupre median, as well
as the Citywide benefits.
Zone C. Clovercliff Park - The maintenance of Clovercliff Park is no longer financed through this
District; therefore, these parcels receive only the Citywide benefits.
Zone D. Vanderlip Park - The maintenance of Vanderlip Park is no longer financed through this
District; therefore, these parcels receive only the Citywide benefits.
Zone E. Alta Vista (Formerly Landscape and Open-space Maintenance District No. 1) - These
parcels receive the local benefits of the Alta Vista median, as well as the Citywide benefits.
Zone F. Ocean Terrace (Formerly Landscape and Open-space Maintenance District No. 2) - These
parcels receive the local benefits of the Ocean Terrace median and street lights, as well
as the Citywide benefits.
Zone G. Miraleste Landscaping and Lighting District - These parcels are included in an existing
landscape and lighting maintenance district under the authority of the Miraleste Park
District that maintains the medians in the major thoroughfares and the weed abatement
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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for the area that would otherwise be maintained by the City. This area, therefore,
benefits only from the street light/traffic signal system maintenance, street tree
maintenance and administration for this District.
Zone L. Street Lighting Overlay Zone - These parcels receive the local benefit from the street
lighting system formerly maintained by the County. This zone overlaps several of the
zones above; therefore the parcels within this zone receive this benefit in addition to the
benefits received from other respective zones.
SUB-ZONES
A system of sub-zones has been developed to classify the different land use types in the City. Those sub-
zones are as follows:
0. Exempt
1. Single-Family Residential Parcels
2. Multi-Family Residential Parcels
3. Non-Residential Parcels
4. Utilities1
5. Vacant Residential Parcels
6. Vacant Non-Residential Parcels
7. Vacant Moratorium Parcels
IV. Inventory of Parcels
The following information was obtained from the Los Angeles County Assessor's Roll, Assessor's Parcel
Maps, and the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Department.
1 Utilities are assessed through the Board of Equalization and those parcels are not included in the
Assessment Roll submitted to the County, but are listed separately.
Land Use
Dwelling
Units Acres EDUs
0.Exempt 321 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1.Single-Family Residential Parcels 13,039 13,037 - - - - - 13,039.00
2.Multi-Family Residential Parcels 1,792 3,124 - - - - - 2,343.00
3.Non-Residential Parcels 90 - - - - - 332.77 714.85
4.Utilities 14 - - - - - 21.67 64.79
5.Vacant Residential Parcels 139 - - - - - - - - - - 34.75
6.Vacant Non-Residential Parcels 23 - - - - - 183.96 112.29
7.Vacant Moratorium Parcels 134 - - - - - 618.40 77.21
TOTALS: 15,552 16,161 1,156.80 16,385.90
Parcels
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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The distribution of EDUs per Zone is as follows:
The following page provides a table that shows the summary of the annual assessments for each of the
Zones of Benefit.
Zone EDU
A 14,308.84
B 540.25
C 551.00
D 474.25
E 51.25
F 76.25
G 384.06
Total:16,385.90
Citywide improvements (Zones A, B, C, D, E, F and G)
Traffic Signals and Safety Lighting $0
Street Trees $278,200
Adminstrative Costs and Overhead $116,061
Reserves $0
Interest ($200)
Beginning Fund Balance - 7/1 (positive)($29,000)
Contributions from other Sources ($365,061)
Subtotal:$0
Citywide improvements except Miraleste (Zones A, B, C, D, E, and F)
Weed Abatement $15,900
Medians $476,276
Contributions from other Sources ($492,176)
Subtotal:$0
Rue Beaupre Medians (Zone B)$546
Alta Vista Medians (Zone E)$882
Ocean Terrace Medians and Lights (Zone F)$1,939
Contributions from other Sources ($3,367)
Subtotal:$0
Total:$0
BUDGET APPORTIONMENT TO ZONES
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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SUMMARY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS PER EDU
Categories of Benefit
An "X" in the table above indicates the category of benefit that is included in each Zone. The total
assessment per zone is normally the sum of the assessments for each of the categories. For FY 2021-22
the City has determined not to levy the parcels for the potential assessment. The maximum Citywide
lighting, street trees and administrative costs assessment rate is $8.23 per EDU. This Maximum Rate is
reduced by the Traffic Signal Costs that are temporarily transferred into the 1911 Act funds.
Zone L - Street Lighting Overlay Zone - Because of the large reserve fund in the 1911 Act Lighting
Maintenance District formerly administered by the County, those properties receiving a direct local
benefit from this street lighting system will not be assessed for FY 2021-22.
Category &
Budget
Zone
A
Zone
B
Zone
C
Zone
D
Zone
E
Zone
F
Zone
G
Asmt Rate
$/EDU
Citywide lighting, street trees,
and administrative costs X X X X X X X $0.00 *
$0
Citywide weed abatement
& medians X X X X X X $0.00
$0
Rue Beaupre Medians X $0.00
$0
Alta Vista X $0.00
$0
Ocean Terrace X $0.00
$0
Total 2021-22 Assessment
with Credit ($/EDU)$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total Maximum Asessment
without Credit ($/EDU)$20.38 $21.37 $20.38 $20.38 $37.26 $45.79 $8.23
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Citywide Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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APPENDIX A – ASSESSMENT ROLL
A list of names and addresses of the owners of all parcels within this District is shown on the last equalized
Property Tax Roll of the Assessor of the County of Los Angeles, which by reference is hereby made a part
of this report. This list is keyed to the Assessor's Parcel Numbers as shown on the Assessment Roll on file
in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
The total proposed assessment for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is zero and therefore assessments will not be
submitted to the County and this Report will be on file with the City Clerk for reference and record of
the zero assessment.
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Fiscal Year 2021-22
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APPENDIX B – ASSESSMENT DIAGRAM
The boundaries of the District are coterminous with the boundaries of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. A
diagram showing the exterior boundaries of the District, the boundaries of any zones within the District,
and the lines and dimensions of each lot or parcel of land within the District has been submitted to the
office of the City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and is incorporated herein by reference. The
lines and dimensions of each lot or parcel within the District are those lines and dimensions shown on the
maps of the Assessor of the County of Los Angeles. The Assessor's maps and records are incorporated by
reference herein and made part of this report. A reduced copy of the assessment diagram is attached.
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