EPWM:CP:AA:PT:H:\Staff Reports In Process\1_11\YaleStreetStaffReport.DOC                 

Council Meeting:  January 11, 2005                                          Santa Monica, California

 

 

 

TO:                  Mayor and City Council

                                                                                                           

FROM:            City Staff

 

SUBJECT:     Petition for Various Street Improvements on Yale Street and Setting of a Public Hearing for March 8, 2005

 

 

Introduction

This report recommends that the City Council accept a petition submitted by residents of Yale Street, between Montana Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, to initiate an assessment district for various street improvements and set a public hearing for March 8, 2005, in accordance with Article 13D of the California Constitution and Improvement Act of 1911.

 

Background

In September 2003, residents of Yale Street, between Montana Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, held a community meeting to discuss with City staff the City’s recommendation to remove existing trees to complete pavement and sidewalk repairs.  The City agreed to postpone scheduled repairs and meet with Yale Street representatives to discuss other improvement alternatives that would preserve the street tree canopy and implement traffic calming measures.  After several meetings three improvement alternatives were developed:  1) installation of medians, 2) curb extensions, and 3) widening of parkways.  In April 2004, Yale Street representatives reported a preference for the widening of parkways alternative, which includes the following elements:

  • Widen parkways by four feet on each side of the street;
  • Remove and replant approximately 15 street trees;
  • Evaluate an additional 14 street trees for possible replanting or removal;
  • Retain parking on both sides of the street; and
  • Install enhancements (utilities, asphalt pavement, sidewalks) resulting from changes to street grade and alignment due to the widening of the parkways.

The proposed improvements will not result in loss of travel or parking lanes.

 

Discussion

On July 30, 2004, a petition was circulated by Yale Street residents to gauge interest in the improvements.  On September 27, 2004 a completed petition was returned to the Civil Engineering & Architecture Division, verifying significant support for an assessment district. 

 

Staff recommends that City Council set a public hearing on the proposed assessment district for March 8, 2005.  A public meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, 2005, at 7:00 pm, at the Ken Edwards Center to discuss improvement plans and action items.

 

Notices of the City’s intent to form an assessment district, and hold a public hearing and public meeting will be mailed to owners/occupants forty-five (45) days in advance of the public hearing in accordance with Article 13D of the California Constitution and Improvement Act of 1911.  In addition to the notice, property owners will be sent a ballot with which to vote for or against the assessment.  A list of properties and the assessment map will be available to the City Council at the time of the public hearing.

 

Property owners may return ballots by mail or hand deliver them to the City Clerk prior to the close of the public hearing.  At the public hearing, City Council will hear all objections and protests, if any, to the proposed assessment.  At the conclusion of the public hearing, the assessment ballots submitted and not withdrawn, in support of or in opposition to the proposed assessment will be tabulated.  No assessment will be imposed if there is a majority protest.  A majority protest exists if, upon the conclusion of the public hearing, ballots submitted in opposition to the assessment exceed the ballots submitted in favor of the assessment.  Tabulation of the assessment ballots will be weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of the affected property.

 

The project cost is approximately $1,195,000 which includes labor and incidental costs such as staff time for engineering surveys, public notifications, advertisements, construction management, inspections, and design and construction costs.  The City will contribute $320,000, the amount originally budgeted for street improvements in the area; and the property owners in the improved district will pay the balance, approximately $875,000.  For a property with a frontage of fifty feet, the assessment would be $9,750.  Since this type of assessment is not identified in the City’s Rent Control Charter as allowable pass-through costs to tenants, property owners of controlled units will not be able to pass-through any of the assessment costs to renters.

  

Budget/Financial Impact

There is no budget impact to accepting the petition and setting a public hearing for the proposed assessment district.  If the assessment passes the budget impact and estimated breakdown of costs are as follows:

 

Estimated Property Owner Assessments

 

$875,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated City Contributions

 

$320,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Project Estimate

 

$1,195,000

 

 

If the assessment passes, $320,000 is available in account M010152.589000 for the City’s contribution.  Account 80.201238 will be established for the property owners share, if the assessment passes.  

 

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council:

1.      Accept the petition for improvement on Yale Street, from Montana Avenue to Wilshire Boulevard; and

2.      Set a public hearing for March 8, 2005 on the proposed assessment district.

 

Prepared by:  Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management

                        Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer

                        Dave Britton, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer

                        Bill Zein, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer

                        Ruth Firestone, Support Services Supervisor

                        Phil Tong, Administrative Analyst