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Conduct a noticed Public Hearing and consider adopting a resolution setting the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District Levy of Assessment for FY2024/25; Approve the Engineer’s Report; Confirm the Diagram and Assessment; and Order the Levy of Assessment for the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District
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Published Notice Required? Yes _X__ No _ _
Public Hearing Required? Yes _X__ No _ _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Conduct a noticed Public Hearing and consider adopting a resolution setting the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District Levy of Assessment for FY2024/25;
2. Approve the Engineer’s Report;
3. Confirm the Diagram and Assessment; and
4. Order the Levy of Assessment for the Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District.
SUMMARY:
In October 1990, the Board created the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District (District) following a majority vote of property owners in favor of the formation. At the same time, the Board entered into an agreement with the City of Fairfield and the Solano Land Trust to levy an annual assessment in the District with monies raised to be used by the Solano Land Trust to acquire and maintain open space lands in the Green Valley area along with funds raised by the North Cordelia Community Facilities District No. 2 in the City of Fairfield. This agreement is described in more detail in the discussion section below.
On June 4, 2024, pursuant to the provision of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, the Board scheduled a public hearing for August 6, 2024 and adopted two resolutions regarding the FY2024/25 Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District assessments. One resolution directed preparation of the Annual Engineer's Report (Resolution No. 2024-103) and the second resolution stated the Board’s intention to order improvements and levy assessments for the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District (Resolution No. 2024-104). Today’s actions are to hold the duly noticed public hearing to consider the levying of assessment which, if approved, will total $167.50 per lot for FY2024/25, an increase of $2.50 from the FY2023/24 assessment, and consistent with the agreement between the County, the City of Fairfield, and the Solano Land Trust; to approve the Engineer’s Report; to confirm the Diagram and assessment; and to order the levy of assessment.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. This action has no impact to the County General Fund, with funding provided through an assessment levied under the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District.
DISCUSSION:
Concurrently with the creation of the Green Valley Open Space Maintenance District in October 1990, the Board entered into an agreement with the City of Fairfield and the Solano Land Trust which provides that: (1) the Board will levy an annual assessment in the District in an amount which will increase $2.50 each year from 1989-90 base year of $80; (2) the City of Fairfield will levy a special tax annually on property in the North Cordelia Community Facilities District No. 2 in the same amount per parcel as the County district assessment; and (3) the monies raised from both districts will be used by the Solano Land Trust to acquire and maintain open space lands in the Green Valley area.
The Solano Land Trust has prepared a report on the Green Valley Land Conservation Project (Attachment C). The report includes a proposed budget for FY2024/25 and a financial summary. In its report, the SLT provides an update and notes the considerable work occurring at the Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi park (formerly known as Rockville Trails Preserve), which was partially funded by Green Valley Assessment funding.
The park is owned by the Solano Land Trust, but Solano County will provide management of public access. As of the drafting of this report, the ribbon cutting event is tentatively scheduled for August 21, 2024, with opening day tentatively scheduled for August 23, 2024. The park includes an entrance road, parking lot/staging area, fencing/gates, signage, shaded picnic areas, and trails.
Assessment funding was also utilized for the Brown property transfer from Solano County to the Solano Land Trust in August 2023. This action completed the Cordelia Hills Sky Valley agreement between the County, SLT, and the Solano Transportation Authority, and the spending of the George Miller Federal Transportation Earmark. The Solano Land Trust now owns both the Brown and Souza properties, north of I80 at American Canyon Road. This land is intended to serve as an expansion of the Lynch Canyon Open Space Park once a public access plan is developed. That plan will be initiated in fall with a goal of completion in 2025.
Public Noticing Requirement
Notice of a public hearing and Resolution 2024-104 was published at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing in the Fairfield Daily Republic, as resolved in Resolution 2024-104 (Attachment D), adopted June 4, 2024.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to levy the assessment and/or direct staff to prepare amendments to the County’s 1990 agreement with the City of Fairfield and the Solano Land Trust to either reduce or terminate the assessment. Staff does not recommend this alternative since the District was supported and formed by a majority vote of the property owners within the District and the funds are being used for their intended purpose.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City of Fairfield prepares the draft Engineer’s Report and administers the program in conjunction with the Solano Land Trust under the 1990 agreement. The Department of Resource Management has reviewed the Engineer’s Report and supports its adoption.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION