Kennedy MeadowsPREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney _____Finance
MEETING DATE: 03/01/16
ITEM NO: 6
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: REPORT ON KENNEDY MEADOWS LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
DISTRICT
A. RECEIVE THE REPORT ON THE KENNEDY MEADOWS
LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
B. ESTABLISH A KENNEDY MEADOWS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
C. AUTHORIZE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO ALLOCATE $30,000 FROM
THE KENNEDY MEADOWS LLD FUND BALANCE TO THE KENNEDY
MEADOWS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council:
1. Receive the report on the Kennedy Meadows Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District
(LLD) community outreach.
2. Establish a Kennedy Meadows Improvement Project.
3. Authorize a budget adjustment to allocate $30,000 from the Kennedy Meadows LLD fund
balance to the Kennedy Meadows Improvement Project.
BACKGROUND:
In the early 1990's, the Town formed two assessment districts under the Landscaping and
Lighting Act of 1972 (Streets & Highways Code Section 22500). The districts are comprised of
six distinct Benefit Zones, five of which are included in District No. 1, and one that is included
in District No. 2. The Kennedy Meadows Benefit Zone is included within District No. 1. The
LLDs provide special benefits to the property owners within the districts that would not
otherwise be provided by the Town, such as enhanced landscaping, pathways, and other
infrastructure. The majority of these services are provided by a contractor retained and managed
directly by the Town on behalf of the property owners, with some maintenance services also
provided by Town staff. The property owners pay for these increased services, including an
accumulation of funds for capital maintenance, through annual property tax assessments.
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: REPORT ON KENNEDY MEADOWS LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
DISTRICT
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
BACKGROUND (cont’d):
Last June, in response to questions raised by a Kennedy Meadows property owner at the public
hearing to set the annual LLD assessments, the Los Gatos Town Council set the annual
assessment for the Kennedy Meadows Benefit Zone at $0 (as opposed to the historical
assessment of $685). At that time the Council also requested that Town staff meet with residents
to discuss deferred maintenance and improvement issues in the common open space areas
surrounding properties along Kennedy Court and return to the Council with a report regarding
maintenance issues and improvement recommendations in the Benefit Zone.
DISCUSSION:
Staff held a neighborhood meeting on the Kennedy Meadows Benefit Zone on February 9, 2016.
Notices were sent to all 15 property owners (Attachment 1). One property owner, Mr. William
Hirschman (who also spoke at the public hearing last June) attended the meeting. Staff provided
Mr. Hirschman with an overview of the Kennedy Meadows Assessment District and the current
state of the District’s finances, which totals $42,825. Staff indicated to Mr. Hirschman that
based on a review of the condition of the improvements in the District, staff would be
recommending an appropriation of $30,000 for improvements to the pathways and pedestrian
bridge crossing Ross Creek.
Staff also advised Mr. Hirschman that based on the preliminary estimate for the pathway and
pedestrian bridge improvements (and the likely need for repairs every 15 to 20 years) the
historical assessments should be continued. Mr. Hirschman was supportive of the improvements
and the continued assessment.
Staff is completing a similar review of deferred maintenance needs in the remaining five Benefit
Zones and will provide recommendations for any necessary repair or improvement projects as
part of the annual Operating and Capital Budget.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council:
1. Receive the report on the Kennedy Meadows Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District.
2. Establish a Kennedy Meadows Improvement Project.
3. Authorize a budget adjustment to allocate $30,000 from the Kennedy Meadows LLD fund
balance to the Kennedy Meadows Improvement Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: REPORT ON KENNEDY MEADOWS LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
DISTRICT
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this project will come from the Kennedy Meadows LLD account which is restricted
to use in this location. There are no General Fund Appropriated Reserve (GFAR) funds utilized
for this project. The following table provides a summary of the new proposed Capital
Improvement Project which will utilize the Kennedy Meadows LLD funds:
ALTERNATIVES:
The Council could choose to not allocate funding to the Kennedy Meadows CIP project. Staff
does not recommend this option as the LLD was put in place to meet these needs and the funding
is available.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with the Finance Department.
Attachment:
1. Public Meeting Notice.
FY 15/16 FY 15/16 FY 15/16 Rec. FY 15/16
Funding Beginning Estimated Estimated Budget Projected
Source Fund Balance Expenditures Revenues Adjustment Fund Balance
Kennedy Meadows LLD Fund
Balance 42,825$ 8,460$ 400$ (30,000)$ 4,765 $
Kennedy Meadows LLD CIP Project
(to be created)30,000$
CIP Project
Kennedy Meadows Pathway and Pedestrian Bridge Repair
Attachment 1
MEETING NOTICE
Kennedy Meadows Benefit Zone
Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Town Council Chambers
110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA
The fifteen properties located on Kennedy Court and Forrester Court comprise a
benefit assessment district that pays an annual property assessment for maintenance
of trees, landscaping, irrigation, pathways and lighting within the open space areas
surrounding the properties on Kennedy Court.
Last June, the Los Gatos Town Council set the annual assessment for the Kennedy
Meadows Benefit Zone at $0 (as opposed to the historical assessment of $685). The
Council requested that Town staff meet with residents to discuss deferred
maintenance and improvement issues in the common open space area and return to
the Council with a report regarding maintenance issues and improvement
recommendations in the Benefit Zone.
We hope you are able to attend this upcoming meeting. Staff will provide an
overview of the benefit zone including currently available funding and annual
revenues and expenses. Staff will also be soliciting input from property owners on
maintenance and improvement issues.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, or have any questions or concerns, please
contact Bob Kass, Special Projects Manager, at (408) 827-3548 or via email at
bkass@losgatosca.gov.