CC 2014-03-11_08.j. Ballots for FCFA AssessmentTO:
FROM:
MEMORANDUM
CITY COUNCIU HOUSING SUCCESSOR TO THE FORMER
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER flt
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF VOTE ON BALLOT FOR THE FIVE CITIES
FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES
ASSESSMENT
DATE: MARCH 11, 2014
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Council/Housing Successor to the Former Redevelopment
Agency direct the City Manager to vote "yes" on all ballots for the Five Cities Fire
Authority Fire Protection· and Emergency Response Services Assessment for
properties owned by the City and Housing Successor to the Former Redevelopment
Agency.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The total cost to the City for the assessments for all the properties owned by the City
and the Housing Successor to the Former Redevelopment Agency is approximately
$2,757 per year. The assessment will increase by 4% per year. Since the proposed
assessment district will fund service enhancements, there will not be a direct financial
savings to the City. However, since it will fund equipment replacement that is not
currently budgeted, there will be a substantial long-term financial benefit to the City
from avoiding future costs that would otherwise occur.
BACKGROUND:
At the October 8, 2013 meeting, the City Council approved directing the City's
representative on the Five Cities Fire Authority Board of Directors to support pursuing
a benefit assessment district for the Five Cities Fire Authority. As a property owner in
the City, the City and Housing Successor to the Former Redevelopment Agency
received ballots to vote on the proposed assessment and will be charged an
assessment for a number of properties. Therefore, the City Manager is seeking the
authority and direction to submit the ballots. The deadline for submittal is April 4,
2014.
Item 8.j. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIUHOUSING SUCCESSOR TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
CONSIDERATION OF VOTE ON BALLOT FOR THE FIVE CITIES FIRE
PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES ASSESSMENT
MARCH 11, 2014
PAGE2
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Ballots were received for a total of 86 parcels, only 52 of which have proposed
assessments based on the values of the property. For single-family homes on an
acre or less, the annual assessment is proposed to be a maximum of $66. Multi-
family dwellings have a proposed assessment of $49.24 per unit. Other properties
are assessed according to their parcel size and property type.
The benefit assessment district is proposed in order to provide funding to maintain six
full-time positions currently paid for on a temporary basis through a Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. Funding will also be provided for
equipment and apparatus replacement and joint dispatch services. The assessment
is based upon an Engineer's Report that determined the eligible costs and
methodology for assessing each parcel. Attached is information provided by the Five
Cities Fire Authority along with the ballots regarding the proposed benefit
assessment district.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
1. Direct the City Manager to submit the ballots with a "yes" vote on all ballots in
support of establishing the Five Cities Fire Protection and Emergency Response
Services Benefit Assessment District;
2. Direct the City Manager to submit the ballots with a "no" vote on all ballots in
opposition to establishing the Five Cities Fire Protection and Emergency
Response Services Benefit Assessment District; or
3. Provide staff other direction.
ADVANTAGES:
The establishment of the benefit assessment district will provide an ongoing funding
source for the Five Cities Fire Authority to: 1) maintain staffing levels to effectively
meet the OSHA mandate of "2 in/2 out" in a timely manner with regard to providing
fire suppression services in response to fire incidents; 2) establish an equipment and
apparatus replacement fund; and 3) provide joint dispatch services.
DISADVANTAGES:
The assessment will provide a relatively minimal annual cost to the City for City
properties and will create a new assessment fee that some property owners in the
City may be opposed to.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
Item 8.j. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIUHOUSING SUCCESSOR TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
CONSIDERATION OF VOTE ON BALLOT FOR THE FIVE CITIES FIRE
PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES ASSESSMENT
MARCH 11, 2014
PAGE3
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, March 6, 2014 and on the
City's website on Friday, March 7, 2014. No comments were received.
Attachments:
1. Official Notice and Ballot Information Guide
Item 8.j. - Page 3
OFFICIAL NOTICE AND BALLOT
INFORMATION GUIDE
FoR THE PROPOSED
f IRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE SERVICES ASSESSMENT
FOR
Five C1T1Es F1RE AUTHORITY
ATTACHMENT 1
Item 8.j. - Page 4
How Much Is the Proposed Assessment?
The proposed assessment for your property or properties for fiscal year 2014-
15 is printed on the Official Ballot included with this notice and information
guide. For single-family homes on an acre or less, the annual assessment
is proposed to be a maximum of $66.00, while the proposed assessment for
other residential property types is based on the number of dwelling units and
parcel size. Multi-family dwellings have a proposed assessment of $49.24
per unit, which is same amount for a condominium. Commercial, industrial
and other properties are assessed according to their parcel size and property
type. For example, retail stores would be assessed $32.59 per quarter acre
of property size. The Fire Authority is committed to assessing only the portion
of the maximum allowable rate necessary. If a lower rate will meet the Fire
Authority's funding needs, the Fire Board will assess at a lower rate. The total
estimated amount assessed to the entire area subject to this assessment
would be approximately $1,004, 125.66 for fiscal year 2014-15.
Will This Assessment Increase in the Future?
The assessment will be continued in future years as long as the Fire Board
approved the annual resolution for continuation of this assessment. In future
years after2014-15, the assessment can only be adjusted for inflation by
an amount equal to the change in the Southern California Consumer Price
Index, but not to exceed 4% per year. This annual adjustment, which must
be reviewed and approved annually at a public meeting, will help keep the
assessment revenues in line with the cost of providing fire protection and
emergency response services in future years.
100% of the funds
from this proposed
assessment would
be required by
law to be used for
fire protection and
emergency response
services in the district
When seconds count, the dispatch services this measure
would fund are critical for protecting properly and life
Method of Voting
To complete the enclosed official ballot, mark the oval next to either Yes
or No, sign the ballot, fold it in half and place it in the provided postage
paid return envelope and mail to Five Cities Fire Authority, c/o League of
Women Voters, PO Box 1420, San Luis Obispo, CA 93433. You may also
hand deliver it at the public hearing (see below for the times and location).
Only official ballots which are signed and marked with the property owner's
support or opposition will be counted. Ballots are due before the end of the
public hearing on Friday, April 4, 2014.
If you lose your ballot, require a replacement ballot, or want to change your
vote, call the Five Cities Fire Authority at (805) 473-5490 for another ballot.
See the enclosed ballot for additional instructions. Ballots are weighted
by the proposed amount of assessment and will be tabulated accordingly.
The assessment shall not be imposed if, upon the conclusion of the public
hearing, weighted ballots submitted in opposition to the assessment exceed
the weighted ballots submitted in favor of the assessment. If a majority of
weighted ballots returned are in support, the assessment may be levied
for fiscal year 2014-15 and may be continued in future years to fund fire
protection and emergency response services as directed by the Fire Board.
Item 8.j. - Page 5
Why Did You Receive This Ballot?
You are a property owner served by the Five Cities Fire Authority and are
being asked to vote on a proposed funding measure to ensure continued
and improved fire protection and emergency response services in the
Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, and Halcyon communities.
Your ballot is your opportunity to participate in deciding whether local
funding should be approved for continued and improved fire protection, fire
suppression, and emergency response services. Your vote on this matter is
important because only returned ballots will be counted.
The Five Cities Fire Authority
The Five Cities Fire Authority was established in 2010 by a joint powers
agreement between the City of Arroyo Grande, the City of Grover Beach
and the Oceano Community Services District, to more effectively provide
fire protection and emergency response services to the local community.
The Fire Authority is managed by a three person Fire Board composed of
one elected official each from Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Oceana.
Regular board meetings are held on the third Friday of every month at 2:00
p.m., at the Grover Beach City Council Chambers, 514 S. 8th St., Grover
Beach, CA93433. The public is encouraged to attend.
The Fire Authority is a full service fire agency, and maintains fire equipment
for both structural and wild land firefighting. In add~ion to fire protection and
emergency response services, the Fire Authority provides public education,
fire prevention programs, and other community focused programs.
The Fire Authority currently employs one Chief, one Battalion Chief, an
administrative staff person, nine full-time firefighters at the rank of Captain,
six full-time firefighters at the rank of Engineer, and 25 part-time hourly reserve
firefighters. There are also an additional six temporary firefighters employed
through a FEMAgrant that expire in September of 2014.
Public Accountability Standards
The funds from this assessment can only be used to provide fire protection
and emergency response services within the Fire Authority area. The
revenues and expenditures for this assessment will be regularly audited by
an independent auditor and will be presented annually at a public hearing.
Why Is A Funding Measure Needed?
The Fire Authority currently receives dedicated funding from the general
budgets of the cities of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach, and the Oceana
Community Services District. It does not directly receive any revenues from
local property taxes and does not have an independent source of funding.
The Fire Authority has operated within its limited budget since it was
created, and has implemented significant cost cutting strategies including
administrative staff reductions, deferred maintenance, re-negotiated pension
and benefit plans, and has maintained static salary rates.
A one-time FEMA grant currently funds six temporary fire fighters, but this
grant expires in September of 2014. The loss of this firefighting staffing
would significantly reduce emergency effectiveness and potentially increase
emergency response times, particularly in the case of multiple calls. Funding
from this proposed ballot measure would help address this staffing level
shortfall. Also, the Fire Authority seeks to provide a higher level of fire
suppression service with improved communication and dispatch services,
improved apparatus replacement and improved equipment replacement.
Funding from the proposed measure will not be used for salary increases.
In addition, the current funding for fire protection and emergency response
services has not kept pace with the increases in demand for these services
as well as higher, more costly, standards of care, maintenance costs and
training requirements. The Fire Authority has continued to improve its service
levels while maintaining a limited budget.
All funds from this.measure will be used in the community, including
creating new full-time positions for local firefighters
Item 8.j. - Page 6
Five Cities Fire Authority firefighters use modern live-saving
equipment that would be provided for with this measure
How Was The Assessment Determined?
The total annual cost of additional firefighter positions, improved
communication and dispatch services, improved apparatus replacement and
improved equipment replacement, and other services to be funded by the
assessment is allocated to each property based on the estimated special
benefit received.
The method of benefit allocation is based on the relative special benefit to
a property in relation to a single family home, the type of property, and its
size. The total proposed amount of assessment for your property is shown
on the enclosed ballot. If you own multiple properties, your ballot will show
the total proposed assessment amount for each one.
The types of special benefit would primarily include increased safety and
protection of real properties. An Engineer's Report describing the proposed
improvements, method and basis upon which the amount of the proposed
assessment was calculated, special benefits, budgets and proposed
assessment for each parcel is available for review at 140 Traffic Way, Arroyo
Grande, CA 93402.
What Would This Measure Provide?
The increased funding to the Authority by this assessment would:
Ensure Rapid Emergency Re$ponse Times
The Fire Authority will be able to fund firefighter positions that are
necessary to ensure rapid emergency response. OSHA requires that
personnel use self-contained breathing apparatus, that a minimum of
two firefighters work as a team inside the structure, and that a minimum
of two firefighters be on standby outside the structure to provide
assistance or perform rescue. Essentially, the "2 in, 2 out" rule protects
our firefighters but also requires sufficient staffing levels.
Maintain Eire Protection and Emergency Services
The funding from this measure would allow the Fire Authority to maintain
professional firefighters staffed at the Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach,
and Oceana fire stations, 24 hours every day to provide fire protection
and rescues, and to respond to emergencies.
Keep Eire Protectjon Under Local Control
The proposed funding ensures that the local community maintains
oversight over the quality, expenditures, and policies of the Fire Authority
through the elected Fire Board and citizen participation.
Fire Equipment. Aoparatus and Communications
The measure would create a replacement budget for aging equipment
and to start saving for apparatus replacement. This dedicated funding
would allow the Fire Authority to have up-to-date and up-to-standards
equipment and apparatus for years to come.
This measure would
create a replacement
budget for necessary
fire fighting apparatus
and equipment
Item 8.j. - Page 7
Public Hearing
A public hearing will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the
Grover Beach City Council Chambers at 154 S. 8th Street, Grover Beach,
California, and will be continued on Friday, April 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the
same location. You are invited to attend the public hearing. Tabulation of the
returned ballots will commence after the close of the public input portion of
the hearing on April 4, 2014, and the results of the tabulation are expected
to be announced at the continuation of the public hearing on April 18, 2014.
Additional Information
For additional information concerning Five Cities Fire Authority services, the
proposed assessment, or this ballot. please contact:
Five Cities Fire Authority
140 Traffic Way
Arroyo Grande, CA 93402
(805) 4 73-5490
Item 8.j. - Page 8