HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-09; City Council; ; Fiscal Year 2020-21 Preliminary Engineer's Report for the Annual Levy of Assessments within Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1, a Special Assessment DistrictCA Review CKM
Meeting Date: June 9, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Jason Rosado, Assistant to the Treasurer
jason.rosado@carlsbadca.gov, 760‐602‐2473
Subject: Fiscal Year 2020‐21 Preliminary Engineer's Report for the Annual Levy of
Assessments within Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1, a Special
Assessment District
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution to approve the Preliminary Engineer's Report for fiscal year 2020‐21 and set
July 14, 2020, as the date for the public hearing for the annual levy of assessments within Street
Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1, a special assessment district.
Executive Summary
The City Council's approval is needed to begin the processing of the annual levy of assessments
within the city's Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1 for fy 2020‐21 in compliance with
the procedures in California Streets and Highways Code Sections 22620‐22641.
Discussion
Background
In 1983, the City of Carlsbad Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1 (“District No. 1”) was
formed as a citywide district according to the provisions of California Streets and Highways
Code Section 22500 et seq., known as the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972. Since District
No. 1's formation, the cost of operating and maintaining the city's street lighting system has
been funded through assessments from each parcel in the city based on special benefit. The
Street Lighting Improvement Zone is identified as a citywide zone formed with the intent for all
assessable parcels within the city to pay benefiting assessments as the parcels are developed
and streetlights are added.
On June 6, 1989, the City Council approved the addition of two landscaping zones to the
original District No. 1, a Street Tree Improvement Zone and a Median Landscaping
Improvement Zone. The Street Tree Improvement Zone is not a citywide zone. This
improvement zone includes only the properties within the city in which street trees exist within
the public right of way areas. The maintenance program provides a programmed schedule of
tree trimming, treatment of damaged trees and emergency response to fallen trees within the
public right of way. The Median Improvement Zone funds the cost of maintaining the street
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 1 of 27
medians located throughout the city. This improvement zone is a citywide zone and includes
plant and tree maintenance care and structural replacement of the medians when necessary.
California’s Streets and Highways Code Section 22622 requires the City Council to have an
engineer prepare and file a report each fiscal year for which assessments are to be levied.
Proposed assessments
As shown in the table below, a single‐family residential parcel that benefits from the Street
Lighting Improvement Zone, the Street Tree Improvement Zone and the Median Landscaping
Improvement Zone would have an anticipated assessment of $70.44 for fy 2020‐21. The rates
have remained the same for the last 24 fiscal years because District No. 1 was formed without
an allowable rate inflator. Proposition 2181 requires a notice and ballot be sent to each
property owner assessed, followed by a public hearing, before assessment rates can be
increased.
Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
Proposed assessments for average single‐family parcel
Improvement zone Average assessments
fy 2020‐21
Street lighting $26.00
Street tree $36.10
Median landscaping $8.34
Total $70.44
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Preliminary Engineer's Report for fiscal year
2020‐21 and set a date for the public hearing for the annual levy of assessments. Staff will also
present a summarized report on the maintenance and operations of District No. 1, as
introduced in the attached Preliminary Engineer's Report, at the public hearing scheduled for
July 14, 2020.
Fiscal Analysis
The actual total to be collected from property assessments is $1,568,285. A further funding
breakdown of the three zones follows:
Funding sources Street
lighting Street trees Medians Total
Assessment collection $740,242 $468,644 $359,399 $1,568,285
General benefit (General Fund) 119,766 0 0 119,766
Contributions from District #2 93,435 82,945 186,504 362,884
Misc. revenue & interest earnings 56,000 0 0 56,000
Transfer from the General Fund 0 0 700,000 700,000
Amount from/(to) fund reserves 275,672 408,010 160,183 843,865
Total funding sources $1,285,115 $959,599 $1,406,086 $3,650,800
Total cost estimate $1,285,115 $959,599 $1,406,086 $3,650,800
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 2 of 27
The fy 2020‐21 Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1 total budget for the three zones is
projected to be $3,650,800. It is anticipated that these budgets will be approved by the City
Council with the city’s Fiscal Year 2020‐21 Operating Budget on June 23, 2020.
The Street Lighting Improvement Fund is projected to receive $197,377 in miscellaneous
revenue and interest earnings. This amount includes the city's General Fund contribution of
$28,000 to cover the operations and maintenance costs for the city street lights adjacent to city
properties, since city‐owned parcels are non‐assessable on the County of San Diego tax rolls. It
also includes loss recovery revenue of $5,000 and interest earned on cash reserves of $23,000.
The city’s Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 2 (“District No. 2”) will contribute
$93,435 to the Street Lighting Improvement Fund, $82,945 to the Street Trees Improvement
Fund and $186,504 to the Median Landscaping Improvement Fund to cover the cost of
maintaining the improvements within that district. These contributions from District No. 2 are
made because all costs for the city street lights, street trees and medians are charged through
District No. 1. The contribution from District No. 2 is made to reimburse District No. 1 for those
street light, street tree and median landscaping costs attributable to District No. 2.
The city's General Fund will also contribute $119,766 to the Street Lighting Improvement Fund
as "General Benefit" assessments, as further described in the Preliminary Engineer's Report.
Any share of benefits received from an improvement that does not provide a special benefit to
the assessed properties is considered a general benefit provided by the improvements. The cost
of the general benefit is contributed by the city from the General Fund. The city has determined
that there is no general benefit in the Street Tree Improvement Fund and the Median
Landscaping Improvement Fund.
Total revenues and accumulated fund reserves in the Median Landscaping Improvement Fund
and will not be sufficient to cover anticipated costs for the upcoming fiscal year. Beginning in fy
2004‐05, the General Fund began transferring funds to the Median Landscaping Improvement
Fund to cover the fund’s annual deficit. Another transfer from the General Fund to the Median
Landscaping Improvement Fund is proposed in the Fiscal Year 2020‐21 Operating Budget in the
amount of $700,000.
Next Steps
City staff will work with the assessment engineer to complete the Final Engineer’s Report for fy
2020‐21 for Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1. A public hearing will be held on July 14,
2020 followed by a request to the City Council to adopt the proposed annual levy of
assessments.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
In keeping with Public Resources Code Section 21065, this action does not constitute a
“project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act in that it has no
potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require
environmental review.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 3 of 27
Public Notification
Public notice of this item was made in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was
made available for viewing at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date.
Exhibits
1.City Council resolution
1 Proposition 218 is a 1996 state constitutional initiative that requires that all taxes and most charges on property
owners are subject to voter approval and includes restrictions on the use of assessments and property‐related fees to pay for general governmental services rather than property‐related services.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 4 of 27
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-102
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, INITIATING THE PROCEEDINGS, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY
ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-21 AND SETTING A PUBLIC
HEARING FOR JULY 14, 2020 FOR THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS
WITHIN LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT NO. 1, A SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California previously formed a special
assessment district pursuant to the terms of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (Division 15,
Part 2 of the State Streets and Highways Code, commencing with Section 22500), known and
designated as City of Carlsbad Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1 ("Assessment District");
and
WHEREAS, the Assessment District is an existing assessment district in which assessments are
not proposed to be increased as defined by Article XIIID of the California Constitution (Proposition
218) and the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act (California Government Code Section
53750 et seq.), and is therefore exempt from the procedures and requirements pursuant to California
Constitution Article XIIID § 5, subdivision (a); and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to initiate proceedings to provide for the annual levy of
assessments for the next ensuing fiscal year to provide for the annual costs for maintenance of
improvements, defined as existing street lighting, median landscaping and street trees
("Improvements"), within the Assessment District; and
WHEREAS, a preliminary Engineer's Report (the "Report") has been prepared and is presented
to the City Council and is attached as Attachment A, as required by law, and the City Council is
desirous of continuing with the proceedings for the annual levy; and
WHEREAS, the improvements to be maintained shall consist of all originally designated and
authorized improvements, as well as certain new and additional improvements; and
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 5 of 27
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully examined and reviewed the Report as presented, and
is satisfied with each and all of the items and documents as set forth within it, and is satisfied that the
assessments, on a preliminary basis, have been distributed in accordance with the benefits received
from the improvements to be maintained, as set forth in the Report.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.
2.
That the above recitations are true and correct.
That the public interest and convenience requires, and it is the intention of this
legislative body to levy and collect assessments to pay the annual costs and expenses
for the maintenance and/or servicing of the Improvements for the Assessment District,
with the Improvements generally described as follows: the maintenance of certain
street lighting improvements, street trees, and median landscaping improvements, as
set forth and described in the Report. The proposed new improvements to be
maintained and serviced caused generally by new development within the Assessment
District are described as follows: the maintenance of certain additional street lighting
improvements and additional landscaping improvements, including replacement of
street trees and median landscaping improvements, all as set forth and described in
the Report.
3. That said improvements are of direct benefit to the properties within the boundaries
of the Assessment District, which the legislative body previously declared to be the
area benefited by the improvement, as identified and referenced in the boundary map
previously approved by the City Council, a copy of which is on file in the office of the
City Clerk and open for public inspection, and which is designated by the name of this
Assessment District.
4. That the Improvements are referred to Harris & Associates, who is directed to make
and file the Report generally containing the following:
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 6 of 27
A. Plans and specifications describing the general nature, location and extent
of the Improvements within the Assessment District;
B. A diagram for the Assessment District, showing the area and properties
proposed to be assessed;
C. An estimate of the cost of the maintenance and/or servicing of the
Improvements for the Assessment District for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2020
and ending June 30, 2021; and
D. An assessment of the estimated costs of the maintenance and/or servicing,
assessing the net amount upon all assessable lots and/or parcels within the
Assessment District in proportion to the benefits received.
5. That the Report, as presented, is approved on a preliminary basis, and is ordered to be
filed in the office of the City Clerk as a permanent record and to remain open to public
inspection. Reference is made to the Report for a full and detailed description of the
improvements to be maintained, the boundaries of the Assessment District and any
zones therein, and the proposed assessments upon assessable lots and parcels of land
within the Assessment District. All Street Lighting Improvement Zone, Street Tree
Improvement Zone and Median Landscaping Improvement Zone assessments are to
remain the same as the previous year and all new assessments added to the tax roll
will be calculated at the same unit rates as the previous year.
6. Notice is hereby given that a public hearing is scheduled in the regular meeting place
of the City Council on the following date:
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
At that time the City Council will hear protests or objections in reference to the annual
levy of assessments and to any other matters contained in this resolution. Any persons
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 7 of 27
who wish to object to the proceedings or the annual levy should file a written protest
with the City Clerk prior to the time set for the public hearing. If there is a majority
protest against the levy of an annual assessment that is increased from the previous
year, the proposed increase in the assessments shall be abandoned. A majority protest
exists if, upon the conclusion of the hearing, written protests filed and not withdrawn,
represent property owners owning more than 50% of the assessable area of land
within the Assessment District.
7. That the City Clerk is authorized and directed to give notice as required by law by
causing a copy of this Resolution to be published in a newspaper of general circulation
within the City of Carlsbad not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the public
hearing.
8. For any and all information relating to these proceedings, including information
relating to protest procedure, your attention is directed to the persons designated
below:
and
CITY OF CARLSBAD, CITY CLERK
1200 CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008
ANNA TAN-GATUE, PROJECT ENGINEER
HARRIS & ASSOCIATES
TELEPHONE: {800) 827-4901 EXT. 2344
Owners of property within the Assessment District may mail written protests to the
following address:
CITY OF CARLSBAD, CITY CLERK
1200 CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 8 of 27
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council ofthe City of
Carlsbad on the 9th day of June 2020, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher.
None.
None.
MATT HALL, Mayor
-r;~ /-lecf17r Go/Yin tJepvf.1/ 11 BARBARA ENGLESON, City Clerk / Cli)J
(SEAL) C)er✓
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 9 of 27
CITY OF CARLSBAD
PRELIMINARY ENGINEER’S REPORT
FISCAL YEAR 2020‐21
STREET LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING
DISTRICT NO. 1
May 29, 2020
PREPARED BY
K.Dennis Klingelhofer, P.E.
RCE 50255 Exp. 06/30/21
www.WeAreHarris.com
Attachment A
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 10 of 27
Preliminary Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
Part 1 – Street Lighting Improvement Zone ....................................................................................................... 3
Part 2 – Street Tree Improvement Zone ............................................................................................................. 8
Part 3 – Median Landscaping Improvement Zone ........................................................................................... 12
Exhibit A – Parcels no longer in LLD No. 1 ........................................................................................................ 16
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 11 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
1
INTRODUCTION
This report constitutes the Engineer’s Report for City of Carlsbad Street Lighting and Landscaping District
No. 1 (“Assessment District”) and was prepared at the Direction of the Carlsbad City Council pursuant to the
requirements of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, being Division 15, Part 2 of the Streets and
Highways Code of the State of California, commencing with Section 22500 ("Act").
The report applies to Fiscal Year 2020‐21 commencing July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2021 (“Fiscal
Year”). The report has been prepared in three parts corresponding to the three special improvement zones
within the Assessment District; Street Lighting, Street Trees and Median Landscaping. Pursuant to the
requirements of the Act, each part contains the following four components:
1. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS. The plans and specifications describe the
general nature, location and extent of the improvements to be maintained.
2. A DIAGRAM FOR THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT. The diagram shows the exterior boundaries of the
Assessment District, the boundaries of the specified improvement zone within the Assessment District,
and the lines and dimensions of each lot or parcel within the District. Each lot or parcel is identified by a
distinctive number or letter. The lines and dimensions of each lot conform to those shown on the San
Diego County Assessor's maps. For purposes of clarity, only a generalized diagram is included within the
report. The detailed assessment diagram is on file at the city’s Public Works Department.
3. AN ESTIMATE OF THE COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS. The estimate of costs of the improvements
contains estimates for the following:
a. The total cost of maintaining and servicing the improvements for the specified improvement
zone including all incidental expenses for the fiscal year.
b. The amount of any surplus or deficit in the improvement fund to be carried over from the
preceding fiscal year.
c. The amount of any contributions to be made from sources other than assessments levied
pursuant to the Assessment District.
d. The amount, if any, of the annual installment for the fiscal year where the City Council has
ordered an assessment for the estimated cost of any improvements to be levied and collected
in annual installments.
e. The net amount to be assessed upon assessable lands within the Assessment District, being the
total improvement costs referred to in sub‐section a, increased or decreased, as the case may
be, by any of the amounts referred to in sub‐sections b, c or d.
4. AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS. The assessment shall refer to the
new fiscal year and shall do all of the following:
a. State the net amount to be assessed upon the assessable lands within the Assessment District.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 12 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
2
b. Describe each assessable lot or parcel of land within the Assessment District. Due to the large
number of parcels within the Assessment District, the city uses the assessor’s parcel number
from San Diego County records assessment rolls for a description of the lots. A copy of the
assessment roll including such description is kept on file at the city’s Finance Department.
c. Assess the net amount upon all assessable lots or parcels of land within the Assessment District
by apportioning that amount among the several lots or parcels in proportion to the estimated
benefits to be received by each lot or parcel from the improvements.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 13 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
3
PART 1 – STREET LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT ZONE
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The improvement work consists of maintenance and servicing of the 7,363 street lights within the
boundaries of the Assessment District including all supporting poles, mast arms, pull boxes, wiring, conduits
and other appurtenances. The total number of street lights maintained and serviced includes approximately
208 streetlights that were repaired during the previous Fiscal Year. The general location of the street light
improvements are as shown on the city’s full‐scale map titled “Street Lighting Improvement Zone and
Lighting Facilities Location Diagram for Fiscal Year 2020‐21” on file at the city’s Public Works Department. A
reduced copy of the map is included as Figure 1 in this report.
DIAGRAM OF THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
The diagram of the Assessment District is as shown on the city’s full scale map titled “Street Lighting
Improvement Zone and Lighting Facilities Location Diagram for Fiscal Year 2020‐21” on file at the city’s
Public Works Department. A reduced copy of the map is included as Figure 1 in this report. The lines and
dimensions of each lot or parcel within the Street Lighting Improvement Zone and the distinctive assessor’s
parcel number are shown on the San Diego County Assessor's map which is also on file at the city’s Public
Works Department.
ESTIMATED COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
The estimated total cost of maintaining and servicing the city’s inventory of public street lighting
improvements is $1,285,115.
The estimated total cost includes the furnishing of all services and materials for the ordinary and usual
operation, maintenance and servicing of installed streetlights and the provision of electric current. For
budgetary purposes, the costs are segregated into two categories of Personnel, and Maintenance and
Operations. These two categories include the following services and expenditures:
City staff assigned to Street Lighting services, city administration (updating expenditures and
segregation of the assessments), engineering and legal expenses, coordination between residents
and city staff for the maintenance of city street lights, providing expertise to city inspectors during
inspection of lighting systems, coordinating underground service alert mark‐outs for various city
departments, performing mark‐outs for street light systems, maintaining as‐built records of city
street light system for future maintenance, updating of the street lighting mapping and inventory
database, performing routine night surveillance, checking proposed improvement plans for
conformance with city standards regarding street lights, coordinating with Planning,
Transportation, Traffic and Engineer's of Work to ensure that departmental needs are met, the
provision of electrical current and the cost for purchase of capital equipment and new street light
facilities.
The following table shows the breakdown of the estimated total costs into the two budgetary categories.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 14 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
4
TOTAL ESTIMATED FY 2020‐21
STREET LIGHTING MAINTENANCE & SERVICE COSTS
The net assessable amount to be levied upon the assessable lands within the Assessment District is
$740,242. This amount is derived by subtracting the amounts of the current improvement fund surplus and
contributions from other funding sources from the total cost estimate. The following table shows how the
net assessable amount is derived:
FY 2020‐21
NET ASSESSABLE AMOUNT – STREET LIGHTING MAINTENANCE
The contribution for services to public parcels has been estimated at $28,000. This contribution is made
since public parcels are non‐assessable on the County tax rolls. The city's General Fund will contribute
$119,766.
Any share of the benefits received from an improvement that does not provide a special benefit to the
assessed properties is considered to be a general benefit provided by the improvements. The cost of such
general benefit is not to be assessed to the properties in the Assessment District, but instead is contributed
by the city from the city’s General Fund. For street lighting the city has determined that general benefit is
derived exclusively along the city’s arterial roads. The amount of general benefit is established by
multiplying the number of arterial street lights by the difference between the average annual cost to
maintain a light on an arterial street and a local street. The table on the following page shows the
calculation of the cost estimate for general benefit for Street Lights.
Personnel $236,625
Maintenance & Operations $1,048,490
Total Cost Estimate $1,285,115
Total Cost Estimate $1,285,115
Less:
Contribution for Services to Public Parcels $28,000
Contribution from LLD No. 2 $93,435
General Benefit Contribution $119,766
Interest Earned $23,000
Misc Revenues $28,000
Projected Fund Balance from Previous Fiscal Year $2,822,564
Plus:
Estimated Fund Reserve at end of Fiscal Year 2,569,892$
Net Assessable Amount 740,242$
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 15 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
5
COST ESTIMATE FOR GENERAL BENEFIT
STREET LIGHT SUMMARY PER SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC CO.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
The lighting and the orderly circulation of traffic directly benefit the developments within the District. The
improvements and annexation into the Street Lighting Zone are required for the approval of, and as a
consequence of, new development, and thus benefit the respective developments. The lighting is of benefit
to abutting parcels as it provides increased property protection, personal safety, visibility, traffic safety, and
enhances those areas fronting upon the illuminated street.
All of the parcels within the Assessment District are located within the City of Carlsbad and are approved
developments or are in the final stages of obtaining approval for a proposed development. As a condition
of approval, the developer is required by the city to provide certain standard street lighting for the entire
area within the development and pay the energy costs for the initial 18‐month period. The units in a
development are assessed the following fiscal year after the street lights are energized.
Lamp Size Number Monthly Monthly Annual Annual General
(Watts) Lights Rate Amount Amount Cost per Benefit
Low wattage lights for collector streets:
40 4,847 $2.18 $10,566.46 $126,797.52 $26.16 $0.00
Subtotal-1 4,847 $126,797.52 $0.00
High wattage lights for arterial streets:
70 103 $3.75 $386.25 $4,635.00 $45.00 $1,940.52
85 41 $4.58 $187.78 $2,253.36 $54.96 $1,180.80
100 1,671 $5.45 $9,106.95 $109,283.40 $65.40 $65,570.04
150 688 $8.15 $5,607.20 $67,286.40 $97.80 $49,288.32
200 0 $10.89 $0.00 $0.00 $130.68 $0.00
250 13 $13.63 $177.19 $2,126.28 $163.56 $1,786.20
Subtotal-2 2,516 $185,584.44 $119,765.88
Total 7,363 $312,381.96 $119,765.88
General Benefit = $119,765.88
FY 2020-21 Lighting Budget Amount $1,285,115
FY 2020-21 Public Parcel Contribution $28,000
Total Est. Cost Less Public Parcel Contribution*$1,257,115
General Benefit Percentage 9.53%
* Based on preliminary budget estimates
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 16 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
6
Two Zones of benefit have been created within the citywide Street Lighting Zone as follows:
Zone 1 – City owned and maintained street lights
Zone 2 – Undeveloped property – non‐benefiting, not assessed
Zone 1 consists of the following eight sub‐codes.
CODE A1* Street lights at intersections only (residential)
CODE B1* Street lights at intersections and mid‐block (residential)
CODE C1* Street light spacing at current city engineering standards (residential)
CODE D1* City owned street lights on surrounding streets, private lighting within the
development (single‐family residential, only adjacent city lights will be calculated
for code assessment cost)
CODE E2** Street light spacing at current city standard, condos and apartment buildings, ten
units and above
CODE F2** Street light spacing at current city standard, commercial and industrial parcels
CODE G2** Special lighting and spacing standard, downtown redevelopment area
CODE H1*** Street light spacing at current city standard, time shares only
* The unit rate of assessment for these codes was based on equal shares of cost of maintenance and
operation of the total lights within each code at the time of formation.
** The unit rate of assessment for these codes at the time of formation was based on the share of cost of
maintenance and operation of total lights as determined by front footage percentage of each parcel in
relation to total footage within each code.
*** The unit rate of assessment for this code at the time of formation was based on a flat rate per unit.
The method of assessment for codes within Zone 1 is based on units as shown in the following table. In the
case of codes A1, B1, C1, and D1, a residential dwelling is equal to one benefit unit. In Code E2
condominium dwelling units or apartment buildings with ten units and above are assigned units based on
the front footage of these developments. In Code F2 commercial and industrial parcels are assigned units
based on the front footage of these developments. Code G2 includes the downtown redevelopment area
and units in this code are also based on front footage. Code H1 only includes time share units, which are all
assigned the same cost per unit.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 17 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
7
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT FOR STREET LIGHTING
Street Lighting Code Benefit Unit
A1, B1, C1, D1 Residential dwelling unit = one benefit unit
E2, F2, G2 Commercial, residential and redevelopment area = one front
foot of street frontage = one benefit unit
H1 Time shares = $0.20 per weekly unit
The Street Lighting Zone assessments will not increase in Fiscal Year 2020‐21, and will remain at the same
unit rates as assessed in the last 24 fiscal years. All new assessors’ parcels, which by petition of the property
owner(s) have been added to the Street Lighting Zone, will be calculated at the same unit rates as used in
the last 24 fiscal years.
The rate per assessment unit for Fiscal Year 2020‐21 in each of the eight codes is shown in the following
table.
STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT UNIT RATES
For specific assessment on each parcel, reference is made to the Assessment Roll on file in the city’s
Finance Department, which is incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in full.
Street Lighting Code
A1 $14.84 / Unit
B1 $23.94 / Unit
C1 $26.00 / Unit
D1 $6.90 / Unit
H1 $0.20 / Unit
E2 $0.372765 / Foot
F2 $0.580858 / Foot
G2 $2.690464 / Foot
Rate per Unit
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 18 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
8
PART 2 – STREET TREE IMPROVEMENT ZONE
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The existing number of trees within the public right of way that the city has maintenance responsibility for
is approximately 6,336 trees. The work consists of maintenance to all the city accepted and inventoried
trees within the public right‐of‐ways. Tree maintenance includes planting, canopy pruning, root pruning,
removing and replacing. The district annually responds to approximately 600 street tree requests/work
orders and provides storm or other emergency assistance as necessary. The district also funds a Block
Pruning Program where every tree within the district is inspected/pruned on a 4 – 4 ½ year cycle and
selective genus (e.g. Eucalyptus, Ficus, Podocarpus, Pyrus, Washingtonia) are also pruned on a
supplemental 2 ‐ 2 ¼ year cycle. The general location of the street tree improvements are as shown on the
city’s full‐scale map titled “Street Tree Improvement Zone Location Diagram for Fiscal Year 2020‐21” on file
at the city’s Public Works Department. A reduced copy of the map is included as Figure 2 in this report.
DIAGRAM OF THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
The diagram of the Assessment District is as shown on the city’s full‐scale map titled “Street Tree
Improvement Zone Location Diagram for Fiscal Year 2020‐21” on file at the city’s Public Works Department.
A reduced copy of the map is included as Figure 2 in this report. The lines and dimensions of each lot or
parcel within the Street Tree Improvement Zone and the distinctive assessor’s parcel number are shown on
the San Diego County Assessor's map which is also on file at the city’s Public Works Department.
ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
The estimated total cost of maintaining and servicing the city’s inventory of public street tree
improvements is $959,599.
The estimated total cost includes the furnishing of all services and materials for the ordinary and usual
maintenance and servicing of street trees. For budgetary purposes, the costs are segregated into two
categories of Personnel and Maintenance and Operations. These two categories include the following
services and expenditures:
City staff assigned to Street Tree services, city administration (updating expenditures and segregation of the
assessments), engineering and legal expenses, coordination between citizens and city staff for the
maintenance of city street trees, providing expertise to city inspectors during inspection of the trees,
maintaining as‐built records of city street tree system for future maintenance, updating of the street tree
mapping and inventory database, checking proposed improvement plans for conformance with city
standards regarding street trees, coordinating with Planning, Transportation, Traffic, Park Maintenance and
Engineer's of Work to ensure that departmental needs are met, the provision of supplies such as pesticides,
fertilizer, and water, and the cost for purchase of capital equipment and new/replacement street trees.
The following table shows the breakdown of the estimated total costs into the two budgetary categories.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 19 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
9
TOTAL ESTIMATED FY 2020‐21
STREET TREE MAINTENANCE & SERVICE COSTS
The net assessable amount to be levied upon the assessable lands within the Assessment District is
$468,644. This amount is derived by subtracting the amounts of the current improvement fund surplus and
contributions from other funding sources from the total cost estimate. The following table shows how the
net assessable amount is derived:
FY 2020‐21
NET ASSESSABLE AMOUNT – STREET TREE MAINTENANCE
Any share of the benefits received from an improvement that does not provide a special benefit to the
assessed properties is considered to be a general benefit provided by the improvements. The cost of such
general benefit is not to be assessed to the properties in the Assessment District, but instead is contributed
by the city from the city’s General Fund. For street trees, the city has determined that there is no general
benefit.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
The existing number of trees within the public right of way that the city only has maintenance responsibility
for is approximately 6,336 trees.
Street trees that are in the street right‐of‐way are generally located between the curb and sidewalk and/or
property line in the areas of the city as shown in Figure 2. Each property within the Street Tree
Improvement Zone receives approximately the same degree of benefit to their property. Therefore, staff
established a benefit formula in which each zoned parcel is given an equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) based
on the average size of a single‐family residential lot in the City of Carlsbad (7,500 square feet or 0.17 acres).
Thus, each single‐family parcel is given an EDU of 1.0, while most other parcels, as shown on the following
table, are given assessments based on acreage to establish an EDU value based on the following formula:
Acreage of parcel divided by 0.17 acres = EDUs. This formula was approved by City Council at the June 6,
1989 regular meeting.
Personnel $303,213
Maintenance & Operations $656,386
Total Cost Estimate $959,599
Total Cost Estimate $959,599
Less:
Contribution from LLD No. 2 $82,945
Projected Fund Balance from Previous Fiscal Year $627,072
General Fund Transfer $0
Plus:
Estimated Fund Reserve at end of Fiscal Year $219,061
Net Assessable Amount $468,644
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 20 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
10
STREET TREE BENEFIT UNITS AND LAND USE CODES
BEN.
UNITS
L.U.
CODE
LAND USE DESCRIPTION
BEN.
UNITS
L.U.
CODE
LAND USE DESCRIPTION
Formula 00 Unzoned 1.0 50 Vacant irrigated
1.0 51 Citrus
.1/DU 07 Timeshare 1.0 52 Avocados
.1/DU 09 Mobile home 1.0 53 Vines
1.0 10 Vacant residential 1.0 54 Misc. trees
1.0 11 Single‐family residence 1.0 55 Livestock
.5/DU 12 Duplex or double 1.0 56 Poultry
.1/DU 13 Res. 2‐4 units/2 houses 1.0 57 Misc. irrigated crops
.1/DU 14 Res. 5‐15 units 1.0 58 Growing houses
.1/DU 15 Res. 16‐60 units 1.0 59 Special/misc. irrigated
.1/DU 16 Res. 61 units and up
.1/DU 17 Condominium 1.0 61 Non‐irrigated 1‐10 AC
.1/DU 18 Co‐op 1.0 62 Non‐irrigated 11‐40 AC
.1/DU 19 Misc. residential 1.0 63 Non‐irrigated 41‐160 AC
1.0 64 Non‐irrigated 161‐360 AC
Formula 20 Vacant commercial 1.0 65 Non‐irrigated 361 & up AC
Formula 21 1‐3 story misc. store bldgs.
Formula 22 4 story & up office/store 0.0 70 Vacant institutional
Formula 23 Regional shopping ctr. 0.0 71 Church
Formula 24 Community shopping ctr. 0.0 72 Church parking/related
Formula 25 Neighborhood shopping ctr. 0.0 73 Cemetery
Formula 26 Hotel, motel 0.0 74 Mausoleum
Formula 27 Service station 0.0 75 Mortuary
Formula 28 Med., dental, animal hospital
Formula 29 Con. Hospital, rest home Formula 77 Hospital
Formula 79 Spec./misc. institutional
Formula 30 Office condominiums
Formula 31 Parking lot, garage, used cars Formula 80 Vacant recreational
Formula 32 Trailer park Formula 81 Meeting hall, gym
Formula 33 Theater Formula 82 Golf course
Formula 34 Bowling alley Formula 83 Marine, dock
Formula 35 Restaurant Formula 84 Recreational camps
Formula 36 Car wash 0.0 85 Non‐tax recreational
Formula 37 Large chain grocery/drug 0.0 86 Open space easements
Formula 38 Auto sales/service agency 0.0 87 Agr. Preserve (no contract)
Formula 39 Misc. comm., radio stn., bank 0.0 88 Agr. Preserve (contract)
Formula 89 Spec./misc. recreational
Formula 40 Vacant industrial
Formula 41 Factory – light manufacturer 0.0 90 Vacant tax. Govt. property
Formula 42 Factory – heavy manufacturer
Formula 43 Warehouse – proc. Or stor.
Formula 44 Bulk storage (tanks, etc.)
Formula 45 Extractive & mining
Formula 46 Small automotive garage
Formula 47 Industrial condos
Formula 49 Spec./misc. industrial
Formula: If acres < .20, then Benefit Units (BU) = 1.0, otherwise BU = 5.9 x Acres (i.e. Acres/0.17)
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 21 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
11
The Street Tree Improvement Zone assessments will not increase in Fiscal Year 2020‐21, and will remain at
the same unit rate of $36.10 per EDU as assessed in the last 24 fiscal years. All new assessor's parcels, that
by petition of the property owner(s) have been added to the Street Tree Improvement Zone, will be
calculated at the same unit rate as used in the last 24 fiscal years.
This unit assessment is applied to 14,498 parcels in the Street Tree Improvement Zone. The total number of
EDUs for these parcels amounts to approximately 12,983.07 EDUs. The revenue generated by these parcels
amounts to $468,643.50. For the specific assessment on each parcel, reference is made to the Assessment
Roll at the city’s Finance Department, which is incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in
full.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 22 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
12
PART 3 – MEDIAN LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENT ZONE
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The Street Median program provides landscape maintenance and litter collection to all city‐controlled
medians, parkways and downtown village landscaped areas. It includes maintenance on approximately 68
acres of landscaped medians and 9 acres of parkways, flower baskets, planter boxes and other landscaped
pockets. Maintenance includes trash pick‐up, weed control, pruning, planting, pesticide/fertilizer
application, removals, replanting, irrigation‐including repairs and adjustments, and hardscape cleaning.
Contractual operations provide for the routine maintenance of each of the described areas. The general
location of the median landscaping improvements are as shown on the city’s full scale map titled “Street
Median Improvement Zone and Median Facilities Location Diagram for Fiscal Year 2020‐21” on file at the
city’s Public Works Department. A reduced copy of the map is included as Figure 3 in this report.
DIAGRAM OF THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
The diagram of the Assessment District is as shown on the city’s full scale map titled “Street Median
Improvement Zone and Median Facilities Location Diagram for Fiscal Year 2020‐21” on file at the city’s
Public Works Department. A reduced copy of the map is included as Figure 3 in this report. The lines and
dimensions of each lot or parcel within Median Landscaping Improvement Zone and the distinctive
assessor’s parcel number are shown on the San Diego County Assessor's map which is also on file at the
city’s Public Works Department.
ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS:
The estimated total cost of maintaining and servicing the city’s inventory of public street median
improvements is $1,406,086.
The estimated total cost includes the furnishing of all services and materials for the ordinary and usual
maintenance and servicing of the median landscaping. For budgetary purposes, the costs are segregated
into two categories of Personnel and Maintenance and Operations. These two categories include the
following services and expenditures:
City staff assigned to Median Landscaping services, city administration (updating expenditures and
segregation of the assessments), engineering and legal expenses, coordination between citizens and city
staff for the maintenance of city medians, providing expertise to city inspectors during inspection of the
medians, maintaining as‐built records of city street median system for future maintenance, updating of the
median mapping and inventory database, checking proposed improvement plans for conformance with city
standards regarding medians, coordinating with Planning, Transportation, Traffic, Parks Maintenance and
Engineer's of Work to ensure that departmental needs are met, the provision of supplies such as pesticides,
fertilizer, and water, and the cost for purchase of capital equipment and refurbishment of the medians.
The following table shows the breakdown of the estimated total costs into the two budgetary categories.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 23 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
13
TOTAL ESTIMATED FY 2020‐21
MEDIAN LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE & SERVICE COSTS
The net assessable amount to be levied upon the assessable lands within the Assessment District is
$359,399. This amount is derived by subtracting the amounts of the current improvement fund surplus and
contributions from other funding sources from the total cost estimate. The following table shows how the
net assessable amount is derived:
FY 2020‐21
NET ASSESSABLE AMOUNT – MEDIAN MAINTENANCE
Any share of the benefits received from an improvement that does not provide a special benefit to the
assessed properties is considered to be a general benefit provided by the improvements. The cost of such
general benefit is not to be assessed to the properties in the Assessment District, but instead is contributed
by the city from the city’s General Fund. For median landscaping, the city has determined that there is no
general benefit.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
This service generally benefits all parcels and residents within the city boundaries. Thus, all parcels in the
city boundary share in the cost of median maintenance using the same EDU formula as in effect for the
Street Tree Improvement Zone. City staff established the benefit formula in which each zoned parcel is
given an equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) based on the average size of a single‐family residential lot in the
City of Carlsbad (7,500 square feet or 0.17 acres). Thus, each single‐family parcel is given an EDU of 1.0,
while most other parcels, as shown on the following table, are given assessments based on acreage to
establish an EDU value based on the following formula: Acreage of parcel divided by 0.17 acres = EDUs.
This formula was approved by City Council at the June 6, 1989 regular meeting.
Personnel $293,541
Maintenance & Operations $1,112,545
Total Cost Estimate $1,406,086
Total Cost Estimate $1,406,086
Less:
LLD #2 Contribution $186,504
Projected Fund Balance from Previous Fiscal Year $265,955
General Fund Transfer $700,000
Plus:
Estimated Fund Reserve at end of Fiscal Year $105,772
Net Assessable Amount $359,399
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 24 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
14
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE BENEFIT UNITS AND LAND USE CODES
BEN.
UNITS
L.U.
CODE
LAND USE DESCRIPTION
BEN.
UNITS
L.U.
CODE
LAND USE DESCRIPTION
Formula 00 Unzoned 1.0 50 Vacant irrigated
1.0 51 Citrus
.1/DU 07 Timeshare 1.0 52 Avocados
.1/DU 09 Mobile home 1.0 53 Vines
1.0 10 Vacant residential 1.0 54 Misc. trees
1.0 11 Single‐family residence 1.0 55 Livestock
.5/DU 12 Duplex or double 1.0 56 Poultry
.1/DU 13 Res. 2‐4 units/2 houses 1.0 57 Misc. irrigated crops
.1/DU 14 Res. 5‐15 units 1.0 58 Growing houses
.1/DU 15 Res. 16‐60 units 1.0 59 Special/misc. irrigated
.1/DU 16 Res. 61 units and up
.1/DU 17 Condominium 1.0 61 Non‐irrigated 1‐10 AC
.1/DU 18 Co‐op 1.0 62 Non‐irrigated 11‐40 AC
.1/DU 19 Misc. residential 1.0 63 Non‐irrigated 41‐160 AC
1.0 64 Non‐irrigated 161‐360 AC
Formula 20 Vacant commercial 1.0 65 Non‐irrigated 361 & up AC
Formula 21 1‐3 story misc. store bldgs.
Formula 22 4 story & up office/store 0.0 70 Vacant institutional
Formula 23 Regional shopping ctr. 0.0 71 Church
Formula 24 Community shopping ctr. 0.0 72 Church parking/related
Formula 25 Neighborhood shopping ctr. 0.0 73 Cemetery
Formula 26 Hotel, motel 0.0 74 Mausoleum
Formula 27 Service station 0.0 75 Mortuary
Formula 28 Med., dental, animal hospital
Formula 29 Con. Hospital, rest home Formula 77 Hospital
Formula 79 Spec./misc. institutional
Formula 30 Office condominiums
Formula 31 Parking lot, garage, used cars Formula 80 Vacant recreational
Formula 32 Trailer park Formula 81 Meeting hall, gym
Formula 33 Theater Formula 82 Golf course
Formula 34 Bowling alley Formula 83 Marine, dock
Formula 35 Restaurant Formula 84 Recreational camps
Formula 36 Car wash 0.0 85 Non‐tax recreational
Formula 37 Large chain grocery/drug 0.0 86 Open space easements
Formula 38 Auto sales/service agency 0.0 87 Agr. Preserve (no contract)
Formula 39 Misc. comm., radio stn., bank 0.0 88 Agr. Preserve (contract)
Formula 89 Spec./misc. recreational
Formula 40 Vacant industrial
Formula 41 Factory – light manufacturer 0.0 90 Vacant tax. Govt. property
Formula 42 Factory – heavy manufacturer
Formula 43 Warehouse – proc. Or stor.
Formula 44 Bulk storage (tanks, etc.)
Formula 45 Extractive & mining
Formula 46 Small automotive garage
Formula 47 Industrial condos
Formula 49 Spec./misc. industrial
Formula: If acres < .20, then Benefit Units (BU) = 1.0, otherwise BU = 5.9 x Acres (i.e. Acres/0.17)
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 25 of 27
Final Engineer’s Report
Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1
City of Carlsbad
Fiscal Year 2020‐21
15
The Median Landscaping Improvement Zone assessments will not increase in Fiscal Year 2020‐21, and will
remain at the same unit rate of $8.34 per EDU as assessed in the last 24 fiscal years. All new assessors’
parcels that have been added within the city boundaries are automatically added to the Median
Landscaping Improvement Zone and will be calculated at the same unit rate as used in the last 24 fiscal
years.
This unit assessment is applied to 50,461 parcels in the Median Landscaping Improvement Zone. The total
number of EDUs for these parcels amounts to approximately 43,137.74 EDUs. The revenue generated by
these parcels amounts to $359,398.80. For the specific assessment on each parcel, reference is made to
the Assessment Roll on file at the city’s Finance Department, which is incorporated herein by this reference
as though set forth in full.
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 26 of 27
16
EXHIBIT A – PARCELS NO LONGER IN LLD NO. 1
Exhibit A contains a list the parcels that were incorporated into Street Lighting and Landscaping District No.
2 and are therefore being exempted from this Street Lighting and Landscaping District No. 1. These parcels
were previously assessed for median benefit.
www.WeAreHarris.com
Anna Tan‐Gatue, PE
Project Manager
Anna.Tan‐Gatue@WeAreHarris.com
P: 949‐536‐2507
June 9, 2020 Item #4 Page 27 of 27