FW: BOS-April 9, 2008: 2nd Assessment Ballot for Jesse Martin Park (Julian)

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From: <char.ayers@att.net>
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:00:50 +0000
To: Charlene Ayers <char.ayers@att.net>
Subject: BOS-April 9, 2008: 2nd Assessment Ballot for Jesse Martin Park (Julian)

Charlene Sez:  Remember this was not approved on the first ballot so the County locked the gates to the park to make a point.  Jacob got a $300,000 well drilled because the water district would not agree to provide the amount of water needed for the park from their aquifer, a possible threat to their customers.
 
The Julian News for April 2, 2008, is reporting that this time the assessment was approved:  52.7% yes. 47.3% no.
 
2. SUBJECT: CONTINUED NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING: SECOND MAILED ASSESSMENT BALLOT PROCEEDING RESULTS AND FORMATION HEARING FOR PROPOSED SAN DIEGO COUNTY LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ZONE NO. 2 ˆ JULIAN (JESS MARTIN PARK) (DISTRICT: 2)

OVERVIEW:
On January 30, 2008 (5), the Board of Supervisors authorized a second mailed assessment ballot proceeding to owners of parcels within the proposed San Diego County Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2 ˆ Julian (Jess Martin Park).  At a public hearing on March 26, 2008 (5) the public was provided an opportunity to comment on the proposed formation of the Landscape Maintenance District for Jess Martin Park and ballots were collected.   The public meeting was continued until April 9, 2008, to allow for ballot tabulation.  Following the close of the March 26, 2008 hearing, the ballots were tabulated under the direction of the assessment engineer.  Today‚s action is to confirm and approve ballot results.  If the results indicate majority support of district formation and the Board authorizes the new district, the requested action will adopt a resolution to establish the San Diego County Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2 ˆ Julian (Jess Martin Park) for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.  If the ballot measure passes, the new District would become operational on July 1, 2008.  

FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this request is budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Operational Plan.  If approved, the costs for consultant services in the current fiscal year are encumbered in the original contract and total approximately $25,000.  If the ballot measure passes there will be future costs and revenue related to operations and maintenance of Jess Martin Park which will be provided by Department of Parks and Recreation staff and funded by the proposed Landscape Maintenance District (LMD).    The current total annual maintenance budget for the proposed District is approximately $100,000.  The recommended assessment district does not include indexing for future cost increases including inflation.  With passage of the ballot measure, approximately 90% of the budget would be provided by the assessments levied on property owners within the District boundaries.  Assessment law prohibits the collection of fees for services and/or improvements that benefit properties outside the District.  This would require the County to pay the remaining 10% or $10,000 of the proposed maintenance budget.  If the be nefit assessment fails, there is no plan to continue to operate Jess Martin Park in its current condition.  The County of San Diego may be required to repay certain grant funds and incur other costs related to closure.  
RECOMMENDATION:
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 1.           Find in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA.   2.           Accept and confirm the ballot results of the proposed San Diego County Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2 ˆ Julian (Jess Martin Park).   If the San Diego County Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2 ˆ Julian (Jess Martin Park) passes:   3.           Adopt the resolution entitled Resolution of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Approving Engineer‚s Report, Confirming Diagram and Assessment, Ordering Levy of the San Diego County Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2- Julian (Jess Martin Park) for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. (Attachment B)   4.           Authorize the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation to re-open Jess Martin Park on July 1, 2008.   5.           In accordance with Board Policy A-74, Citizen Participation in County Boards, Commissions and Committees, direct the Chief Administrative Officer to coordinate the formation of an Advisory Committee whose members will be nominated by Supervisor Jacob and approved by the Board.  The Committee will serve as an advisory body by providing input to the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding annual operations and maintenance budget for Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2 ˆ Julian (Jess Martin Park).    If the San Diego County Landscape Maintenance District Zone No. 2 ˆ Julian (Jess Martin Park) fails:   6.           Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board with options for the parcel‚s future and associated costs.  


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