HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/23/1995 BAKERSFIELD
Patdcia J. DeMond, Chair
Irma Carson
Kevin McDermott
Staff: Gall E. Waiters
.AGENDA
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMI'~EE
Monday, January 23, 1995
12:15 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
Second Floor - City Hall
1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER.5, 1994 MINUTES
3. PRESENTATIONS
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. AMBULANCE SERVICE RATES - Stinson
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NOTICING PROCEDURE - Rojas
B. AIRPARK GRANT - Roja$
C. POLICY ON SEWER LINE REPAIRS - Rojas
D. FIREWORKS ORDINANCE. Descary
E. PROPOSED 1995 MEETING SCHEDULE - Waiters
7. ADJOURNMENT
GEW:jp
FILE COPY
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Budget and Finance Committee of the
City Council will hold a Special Meeting for the purpose of a Committee Meeting on
Monday, January 23, 1995, at 12:15 p.m., in the City Manager's Conference Room on
the second floor of City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, to consider:
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 5, 1994 MINUTES
3. PRESENTATIONS
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. AMBULANCE SERVICE RATES - Stinson
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NOTICING PROCEDURE - Rojas
B. AIRPARK GRANT - Rojas
C. POLICY ON SEWER LINE REPAIRS - Rojas
D. FIREWORKS ORDINANCE - Descary
E. PROPOSED 1995 MEETING SCHEDULE - Waiters
7. ADJOURNMENT
./~'ail E. Waiters, Assistant City Manager
January lg, 1995
FILE COPY
BAKERSFIELD
iters / Patdcia J. DeMond
Randy Rowles
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMrl-FEE
Monday, December 5, 1994
12:15 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
1. ROLL CALL
Call to Order 12:30 p.m.
Present: Vice Mayor Kevin McDermott, Chair; Councilmember
Patricia J. DeMond; and Councilmember Randy Rowles
2. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 14, 1994 MINUTES
Approved as submitted.
3. PRESENTATIONS
None
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SUFFICIENCY
Staff distributed a proposed written policy regarding the City assisting other
individuals in setting up assessment districts to finance public improvements.
APPROVED JANUARY 23, 1995
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Monday, December 5, 1994
Page -2-
Current policy sets a minimum of not less than $1 million to be financed under
assessment district proceedings, with a 3 to I value to lien ratio for each
individual property within a district. The staff time involved and the cost to let a
$1 million bond for an assessment district, in staff's opinion, is not cost effective.
The Finance Director proposed an increase in the minimum amount to $2 million,
with a 3 to 1 value to lien ratio for each individual property; and a 4 to I value to
lien ratio district-wide. The Committee, however, is recommending to Council that
the current minimum of $1 million be retained, with a 3 to 1 value to lien ratio per
parcel; and that a 4 to 1 value to lien ratio be established district-wide. The
Committee stated that they support these policies as targets, but they are
appealable to the full Council.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. AMBULANCE RATES
Gene Tackett of Hall Ambulance and Peter Brandon of Golden Empire Ambulance
spoke, to the Committee regarding changes to the City ordinance on ambulance
service rates. Two memos were co-authored which appealed to the Committee
to take into consideration the major changes happening in the health care
industry. According to the representatives, the most important change they are
requesting is to "Adopt the system for establishment of rates found in the taxi cab
ordinance for emergency medical service." They put forth a "market-driven
concept" because they believe there is a need to come up with a better system
to set and/or deregulate the ambulance rates. It was understood that the City
would still have oversight responsibility. The Committee asked staff to survey
other cities to see what they do and how; draft an ordinance With proposed
changes; and investigate whether the Kern County EMS requires paramedic (ALS)
response to all emergency calls. Staff should bring their findings and a draft
ordinance back to the Committee for further discussion.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
GEW:jp
January 20, 1995
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE ~ENDING SUBSECTIONS C
AND F OF SECTION 5.10.010, SECTIONS
5.10.020, 5.10.030, 5.10.060,
5.10.070, 5.10.100, 5.10.110,
5.10.120, 5.10.Ii0 AND 5.10.150, AND
REPEALING SECTIONS 5.10. 040 AND
5.10. 080 OF THE BAKERSFIELD
MUNICIP~L CODE RELATING TO
AMBUIJ~CES.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield
as follows:
SECTION 1.
Subsections C and F of Section 5.10.010 of the Bakers-
field Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.010 Definitions.
C. "Ambulance service charges" means any charge, fare
or other consideration for ambulance service, as set forth in
Section 5.10.120.
F. "E.M.S. director" means 'and refers to the public
official in charge of emergency medical services for the County of
Kern, State of California, or his duly authorized representative.
SECTION 2.
Section 5.10.020 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.020 Certificate of public convenience and necessity -
Required - Exceptions.
A. Except as provided in subsect±on B of this section,
no person shall engage in the ambulance business without first
obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity from
the city as provided in this chapter. This certificate shall be in
addition to any business license required by Chapter 5.02 of this
code.
B. A provider without a certificate of public
convenience and necessity may provide ambulance service within the
city under the following circumstances:
1. Upon request by the city manager or his
designee.
2. Upon request of a certificate holder and upon
approval of the city manager or his designee, when no certificate
holder has an ambulance or level of service immediately available
within the city, and when ambulance service is immediately
required.
3. To provide medically required specialized
transportation services not immediately available for a patient
within the city, if such specialized services have heretofore been
approved by-the E.M.S. director, and if authorized by the city
manager or his designee.
SECTION 3.
Section 5.10.030 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.030 Certificate of public convenience and necessity -
Required.
Any person desiring to obtain a certificate of public
convenience and necessity shall make application therefor upon
forms available from the office of the city manager. Each
application shall be accompanied by a policy of insurance in the
amount provided for by this chapter. The application shall include
the following information:
A. The name of the applicant and trade name, if any,
under which he or she intends to conduct the business; or if a
corporation, its name, date and place of incorporation, address of
its principal place of business, and the names of its principal
officers, together with their respective residence addresses; or if
a partnership, association or unincorporated company, the names of
the partners, or of the persons comprising such association or
company, and the business and residence address of each partner or
person;
B. A description of each ambulance or other vehicle
used or proposed to be used by the applicant;
C. The address and a description of the premises at
which the applicant proposes to maintain and operate such
ambulances.
D. The applicant shall furnish any and all additional
information as the city manager may, in his discretion, require.
E. The applicant shall pay a fee not to exceed the cost
of processing any such application and inspecting such business as
set forth in section 3.70.040.
- 2 -
SECTION 4.
Section 5.10.060 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.060 Certificate of public convenience and necessity -
Issuance.
A. The city manager shall consult with the chief of
police and the E.M.S. director to determine the ability of the
applicant to conduct the business in accordance with laws of Kern
County, the state and city ordinance.
B. The city manager shall not issue a permit pursuant
to this chapter unless he finds as follows: ' ~ ~
1. That the application is complete and truthful;
2. The applicant is financially responsible;
3. The applicant will conduct said project in an
orderly, proper and lawful manner;
4. The applicant has not had a permit, issued in
the past three years under this chapter, revoked, unless the city
manager finds that the reasons for such revocation are unrelated to
this application;
5. Neither the applicant nor any listed partner,
manager or principal of the business has been convicted of a Grime
substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of
the business for which application is made, unless he has obtained
a certificate of rehabilitation;
6. That neither the applicant nor any manager of
the business has done any act involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit
with the intent to substantially benefit himself or another, or
substantially injure another;
7. The applicant is adequately insured, as
required by this chapter;
8. The applicant has satisfied the requirements of
this chapter and has complied with all laws of the state and
ordinances of the city applicable to the proposed business
operation;
9. Each ambulance described in the application
will be adequate and safe for the purposes for which it is to be
used, is not more than five years old and it will be equipped as
required by this chapter and the laws of the state;
- 3 -
10. The public convenience and necessity require
the operation of such private ambulance business within the limits
of the city; and
11. That the applicant has a valid operational
permit issued by Kern County.
SECTION 5.
Section 5.10.070 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.070 Certificate of public convenience and necessity - Notice
of decision by city manager.
The city manager shall give the applicant written notice
of his decision to grant or deny a certificate of public necessity
and convenience within ten days of the hearing and
shall state the reasons for his decision.
SECTION 6.
Section 5.10.100 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
5.10.100 Certificate of public convenience and necessity -
Suspension and revocation.
Any certificate issued pursuant to this chapter may be
revoked by the city manager whenever he finds:
A. That misrepresentations were made on the
application; or
B. That the applicant has been convicted of a crime
substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of
the ambulance business, unless he has obtained a certificate of
rehabilitation; or
C. That the applicant has done any act involving
dishonesty, fraud or deceit with the intent to substantially
benefit himself or another, or substantially injure another; or
D. That any. of the terms or conditions of said
certificate have been violated, or that the business has been
operated in violation of local, state or federal law; or
E. The certificate holder has abandoned its operation
of the ambulance business for a period of thirty days; acts of God,
labor disputes and other acts beyond the control of the certificate
holder which cause abandonment or limitation of service shall not
be considered an abandonment within the meaning of this section; or
- 4 -
F. No suspension or revocation shall be made effective
until a hearing has been held by the city manager. The certificate
holder shall have not less than ten days' notice of the hearing by
certified mail.
SECTION 7.
Section 5.10.030 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
5.10.110 Compliance with state law require~.
No certificate of public convenience or necessity shall
be issued until satisfactory proof of compliance with laws of Kern
County and the state in respect to ambulance operations is
furnished to the city manager.
SECTION 8.
Section 5.10.120 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.120 Ambulance service charges.
Charges for ambulance services shall be set by the
following procedure:
A. Any certificate holder may file a proposed schedule
of charges with the city prior to January 1 of the year it wishes
the schedule to take effect.
B. The city council must review charges at a noticed
public hearing within sixty days of January 1 of the year in which
the rates are proposed to change. The proposed charges shall be
published as set forth in section 6062a of the Government Code.
C. At the public hearing, the council may increase,
decrease, or accept the charges as submitted. The charges, as
increased, decreased or accepted by the city council, shall take
effect the day following the public hearing.
SECTION 9.
Section 5.10.140 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.140 Replacement of vehicle.
Annually, each certificate holder shall file with the
city manager a description of the vehicle abandoned and a
description of the vehicle placed in use.
- 5 -
SECTION 10.
Section 5.10.150 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.10.150 Appeals.
A. Should any applicant be dissatisfied with the
decision of the city manager or his designee not to grant a
certificate or for the revocation of a permit, then said applicant
may, no later than ten days after notice of such decision is
deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the applicant or
permittee at the address provided on the application, make written
objection to the city council setting forth the grounds for
dissatisfaction, whereupon ~he council shall hear said objections
at~.a regular meeting no late~ than three weeks following the filing
of the objection with the city clerk. The applicant shall be given
written notice no less than three days prior to said hearing. The
council may, upon said hearing, sustain, suspend or overrule the
decision of the city manager, which decision shall be final and
conclusive.
B. Pending the hearing before the council, the decision
of the city manager shall remain in full force and effect and any
reversal thereof by the city council shall not be retroactive but
shall take effect as of the date of the council's decision.
SECTION 11.
Section 5.10.040 entitled "Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity-Investigation of Applicant" and Section
5.10.080 entitled "Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity-
Existing Businesses-Presumption of Public Convenience and Neces-
sity'' of the Bakersfield Municipal Code relating to Ambulances are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 12.
This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with
provisions of the Bakersfield Municipal Code and shall become
effective thirty (30) days from and after the date of its passage.
-o0o
- 6 -
! HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed
and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular
meeting thereof held on , by the following vote:
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED
BOB PRICE
MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED as to form:
JUDY K. SKOUSEN
City Attorney
By:
L~URA C. I~RINO
Assistant City Attorney
LCM/meg
Ord-6%%MBULNCE.C~6
January 20, 1995
- 7 -
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITi'EE - 1995 PROPOSED MEETING SCHEDULE
MONDAYS @ 12:15 PM
COMMITTEE MEETING COUNCIL MEETING
January 23 January 25
February 6 February 8
None February 22
None March 8
None* March 22
March 27 April 5
None April 19
April 24 May 3
None* May 17
None* June 14
None* June 28
July 10 July 19
t
None August 9
August 14 August 23
None September 13
September-18 September 27
None October 11
October 16 October 25
November 13 November 8
None November 29
December 4 December 13
*No meeting scheduled because of budget hearings/holidays.
MEMORANDUM
DECEMBER 2, 1994
TO: BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
FROM: GREGORY KLIMKO, FINANCE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT DISTRICT POLICY
In 1993 the Staff presented to the Budget and Finance Committee a
revised Assessment District Policy tha~ ,was intended to make our
policy more specific and comprehensive. Within the revised policy
the Finance Director recommended that the current minimum amount of
public improvements to be financed increase from one million
dollars to three million dollars and the current policy requiring
a 3 to 1 value to lien ratio be made specific as a 3 to 1 value to
lien ratio per parcel as well as adding a requirement of a 5 to 1
value to lien ratio district wide. The Budget and Finance
Committee did not want to increase the minimum financing amount and
agreed with the 3 to 1 value to lien ratio per parcel, but did not
feel it necessary to require a higher ratio district wide. The
Budget and Finance Committee requested that staff present the
policy to the BIA for comment. Roger McIntosh, of the BIA Board,
has responded to the policy and we have incorporated most of his
suggestions.
At this time the Finance Director is recommending that the minimum
amount of public improvements to be financed be raised to 2 million
dollars and the City establish an additional value to lien ratio
district wide of 4 to 1' The current policy was adopted on March
19, 1986 and the proposed policy reflects the methodology staff
currently uses to form a district. City staff is also revising the
application form completed by developers requesting assessment
district financing. The new form will require additional
information regarding the developer's financial position and the
ability to not °nly complete the improvements but successfully
develop the district.
krc
MGR.74
Minimum Dollar Amount of Public Improvements to be Financed
current Amount 3 Million
Finance Director:
Original Recommendation 3 Million
Revised Recommendation 2 Million
Budget and Finance 1 Million
Value to Lien Ratio
Current 3:1 (Assumes) Per Parcel
Finance Director:
Original Recommendation 3:1 Per Parcel 5:1 overall
Revised Recommendation .3:1 Per Parcel 4:1 overall
Budget and Finance 3:1 Per Parcel
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D:~rojas~pub-imp.sch
CURRENT POLICY
REPORT NO. 6-86
MARCH 19, 1986
TO: ~oNoRABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF T~E CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: USE OF ASSESSMENT BONDS OR OTHER PUBLIC FINANCING
MEC~ANIS. MS TO FINANCE CONSTRUCTION OR ACQUISITION
OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED WIT~ SUBDIVISIONS
On February 3, 1986, an experienced and knowledgeable
assessment engineer addressed.%his Commit:se and reviewed assess-
ment bond and Mello-Roos procedures, advantages and issues.
Following that meeting, the Commit:es directed staff to discuss
the matter wi=h the local development communi=y and to obtain
its input. On February 27, 1986, staff met with representatives
of the Building' Industry Association of Kern County; local engi-
neers, surveyors and property developers and =-esented to the=
group the major components of the policy set forth below., That
qrou~ unanimously endorsed the proposed ~olicy and encouraged its
implementa:ion.
Many jurisdic:ions allow use of these funding mecha-
nisms. As Richard Hargrove advised the Council during the work-
shot held Feuruary 26th, the City and i:s credit fa:lng can be
fully protected if use cf such proceedings are directed' by knowl-
edceab!e suaf~ and consultants All ,: fron~ costs should he
advanced by suUdividers and all City expenses can be recouped
upon ccmpie=icn of proceedings.
~'! ailcwin= use of these fun~in: mechanisms, ~he Ci~?
can. (!) betuer coordinane infraszrucuure ava~ianiliuy as the City
expands, (2] ~e economies of scale availasle to s~ller develo-
- · pets, and (3) insure that improvements meeting the City's
requirements of design and quality are installed at no net
increase in cost to. the eventual home-buyer. In fact, depending
on the specific project involved, some potential savings result-
ing from lower interest rates, may be achieved.
RECOMMENDATION: The Committee recommends that the Council adopt
the attached policy.
Respectfully submitted,
Chair~n
Councilmen~er James Childs
Councilme~er Patricia Smith
AJS/bl
=~ Umt5-86 2
FINANCING OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Subject to the criteria set forth in paragraphs 3. and
4. below, subdividers may elect to have all puDlic improvements
required as conditions of approval of =heir subdivisions
financed utilizing the Improvement Ac= of 1911 (Stree=s and
Highways Code Section 5000-et seq.), the Municipal improvemen:
Ac= of 1913 (Streets and Highways Code Section 10000 et seq.) and
the Improvemen: Bond Ac= of 1915 (Streets and Highways Code
Sec=ion 8500 et seq.) or the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Ac:
of 1982 (Government Code Section 53311 et seq.). The City'shall,
at its sole discretion, determine Which such improvements shall
be constructed by a subdivider and acT=ired by City upon success-
ful completion of such public financing proceedings, and which
shall be constructed by'City upon completion of such proceedings.
The subdivider shall advance all cos=s, including City's cos:s,
associated with establishing and adminis=erin= assessment' dis-
~..c.s or other public :inancing mechanisms u:i!ized. Such
payments, including advances thereon, shall be made by subdivider
=o City u9on demand by ~he City Finance Direc:or. To the extent
legally permit:ed, such costs shall be built into the to=al to be
so financed and the subdivider reimbursed therefor u=on sales of
bonds cr onher reaiizauion of proceeds. Land costs cr value
snal! non be included in the amount financed ky any ~ssessmen=
procedures pursuan: ~o this Agreement:
i. The tc:ai cost of punlic improvements %= be financed
"-~':-inc such urcceedin=s shcuid nc- ~e _ass nhan she mi!!icn
dollars. A subdivider may combine more than one subdivision into
one district to reac~ or exceed such amount, and subdividers may
agree to commine their projects for the same purpose.
2. C~ -
..y shall, as it deems a~propria.e, seiec: and
contrac: for the services of a financial consultant, an assess-
ment engineer, and bond counsel, to work with City and subdivider
· in developing a plan for ~he financing of =he public improvements
required as conditions of approval of their subdivisions and to
work with City in developing and concluding any anticipated bond
sale(s). Subdivider shall, within five days of demand by the
Finance Director of the City, deposit with the City such funds as
the Finance Director may require as appropriate to cover such
compensation as may be payable to such consuitan=s prior to real-
ization of proceeds.upon c~mpletion of proceedings.
3. Assessment district proceediags may not be utilized
in any case where the value-to-lien rs:l:, with improvements
acquir=d or constructed under such proceedings, is less ~han 3:1,
based uDon a~praisais ordered by the City from an appraiser it
selec=~ and ccm9ensated by the subdivider in accordance with the
procedure se= forth above for payment cf the financial
consultant, assessmen~ engineer and hcnd counsel.
~.~ Mello-Roos Community Faclliuias 2is~ric= oroceedin:s. .
may nc= be u:ilized in any case where ~ne resultin= tax, when
added =o real =roper='; ~axes, assessments exlsning -~.d pro
posed for mainnenance district(s), and
assessments, would resui~ in a total r__i==
(including all proposed real property taxes, whether or not ad
valorem, but excluding users fees, such as sewer users fees, col-
lected with such tax bill) on the property in its fully improved
state in excess of two Percent (2%) of assessed value.
Subdivider shall be responsible for the costs of any facilities
required as conditions of approval of subdivision which may not
· be financed utilizing public financing proceedings as a result of
the limitation expressed in this paragraph and paragraph 3.
5. With respect to each improvement the City elects to
acguire after construcnion by subdivider or his contractors,
subdivider shall submit to City Engineer for his approval records
satisfactory to the City Engineer showing that each item to be
paid for through a public financing mechanism is properly inclu-
dable as a public improvement (e.g., that charges for work on
private proper:y, such as grading, are properly segregated from
work done within rights-of-way).
6. Subdivider Shall, upon close of escrow on sale of
any property within a subdivision which is subject to an'
assessment resulting from assessment dis:rio: proceedings under
this policy, deliver to City Engineer a notarized written
ment signed by the purchaser that he has elected to take title
subjec: to such assessment or has eiec~ed to have such assessment
paid off. Where title is taken by husband and wife as joint
=enanns, bonn shall so sign such a sta=ement. A subdivider's
failure to sa:~sfy ~his requirement snail result in the sub-
divider herin= =o co=~ieue =he public improvements required
that and subsequent subdivisions withcun use cf puslic financin=.
7. Addi:ional requirements to pro=ec: ~h_~ Ci=y and =He
public in:eres: may be imposed as appropriate upon advice of
staff aad/or City's con=fac:ed consultants.
%J$/bl
FINANCE 4
PROPOSED POLICY
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT POLICY
I. PURPOSE
The City of Bakersfield has established this policy to establish
certain standards and to provide information on the formation
process for assessment districts. Assessment districts are formed
to finance public improvements, usually through the use of
assessment bonds. The City has established tke minimum amount of
public improvements to be financed under assessment district
.proceedings to be not less than one million dollars. Through an
assessment district, the cost of acquiring or constructing public
improvements is assessed to property within the assessment district
boundaries that would receive special benefit from the
improvements.
This policy establishes uniform criteria and rules for the use of
assessment districts within the City of Bakersfield. This policy
describes the assessment district process as provided by law and
additional legal and administrative recuirements of the City.
Applications for assessment districts mus~compiy with this policy.
II. SCOPE
This policy shall govern the application for and formation of an
assessment district within the City when requested by an Applicant.
This policy also provides guidance to City staff in connection with
the formation of an assessment district initiated by the City.
However, nothing in this policy binds the Council to approve any
assessment district or authorize the issuance of assessment bonds
in connection therewith;, the Council retains its discretion with
respec~ to any assessment district, assessment bonds and public
improvements and all related matters.
III. DEFINITIONS
The terms' used in this policy shall have the following meanings:
"1913 Act" shall mean the Municipal improvement Act of 1913
(Streets and Highways Code Sections 10000 et seq.), which specifies
a procedure for forming assessment districts'
"1915 Acu" shall mean the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Streets and
Highways Code Section 8500 et sec.), which authorizes the issuance
of assessment bonds.
"Acquisition District" shall mean an assessment district in which
the City acquires public improvements constructed by one or more
private developers in accordance with an accuisiuion acreement with
zhe City. '
1
"Applicant" shall mean any person, firm or corporation who submits
an application for the formation of an assessment district.
"Bond or Bonds" shall mean assessment bonds authorized and issued
in accordance with the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 and Chapter
13.08 of the City's Municipal Code.
"City" shall mean the City of Bakersfield.
"ConstructiOn District" shall mean an assessment district in which
the City enters into a contract for the construction ~of public
improvements.
"Council" shall mean t~e Council of the CitY.
"District" shall mean a special assessment district formed in
accordance with the Municipal Improvement Ac~ of 1913, Chapter
13.08 of the City's Municipal Code and this policy.
"Public Improvements" shall mean the work and improvements to be
either acquired or constructed in accordance with the 1913 Act,
Chapter 13.08 of the City's Municipal Code and this policy.
"Value" or "Fair Market Value" shall mean the amount of cash or a
cash equivalent that a property would bring between a willing buyer
and a willing seller on the open market as established by an MAI
appraiser approved by the City.
IV. ELIGIBLE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Public Improvements to be financed with Bonds must provide a
benefit to the public at large and a special benefit to proper=y in
the District and serve a public purpose. The types of Public
Improvements eligible to be financed include, but are not limited
to the following:
A. Streets and Roads
Arterial highways, commuter or collector streets, as
determined by the Public Works Director. (Minor s=reets
within subdivisions or industrial parks/complexes are not
eligible.)
B. Utilities ant Drainage Facilities
Storm drain collection systems, water mains and sewer
trunk lines located within or adjacent to an eligible
road, public .right-of-way or easement, or such other
uni!ity-nype improvements found by =he City to provide
suecial benefit to property in zhe Distric=.
C. Streetlights and Traffic Signals
Streetlights and traffic signals for arterial highways,
commuter or collector streess.
Developer may combine more than one subdivision into one district
or developers may agree to combine their projects in order to meet
the minimum financing amount. The Council has final approval in
determining if a proposed project or improvement meets the
eligibility requirement of special benefit.
V. RIGHT-OF-WAY ACpUISITIONS
Right-of'way needed for streets purposes will be acquired through
the Districu or dedicated as a street easement by the property
owner. If the right-of-way is acquired, the total cost of the
acquisition shall be based upon an amount no greater than the Value
of the property acquired, including any severance damages. The
cost of a right-of-way acquisition for a specific property will be
assessed back to such property in accordance with the assessment
spread methodology described in the engineer's report prepared for
the District. If a property owner dedicates in lieu of monetary
payment, a property owner can do so only prior to the end of the
cash collection period. This section will not apply to any
property owner within the District reauired to dedicate street
right-of-way as a condition of an approve~ development entitlement,
since the property owner does not receive monetary payment for the
dedication, unless the acquisition of right-of-way provides funding
for a public purpose as approved by the Finance Director.
VI. VALUE--TO--LIENAND APPRAISAL STANDARDS
The value-to-lien ratio for each individual property within a
District shall be at least 3:1. The value-uo-lien ratio is a
calculation to measure the number of times the value of a property
(gross retail value after improvements funded by the District)
exceeds the sum of its assessment liens, including the proposed
assessment and any existing assessments or other encumbrances. In
order to .establish a value-to-lien ratio, the property must be
appraised by an MAI appraiser selected by the Finance Department of
the City. In most cases, the appraisal is based on comparable
sales data for similar properuy in the area. The appraisal will
also usually consider the status of the land, including the zoning,
tenua=ive or final map approvals, deveiopmenu agreements and other
matters peruinent to valuation of the land, including the value of
the property with the proposed public improvements installed.
All costs associated with the preparauion of ~he appraisal report
shail be paid by the City from advanced deposits made by the
Applicant. The City seiecss MAI appraisers based uDon a criteria
of quaiifica~ions, appiicable experience, ant competitiveness of
compensation. In lieu of requiring an appraisal report, the City
3
may accept, in its discretion, current assessed valuation of the
County of Kern if such valuation either meets or exceeds the value-
to-lien ratio standards of this policy.
VIZ. CREDZT ENHANCEMENT
During the application review process, an ADDiicant or property
owner may be required to either prepare ~' financial plan to
demonstrate an ability to pay the estimated assessments or provide
credit enhancement. Upon review of all information available to
the City, including a financial plan (if required), the appraisal
report, the diversification of land ownership, and recommendations
from the City's financial advisor, legal counsel or investment
banker, the Cit~y shall determine whether credit enhancement will be
required by considering the following criteria:
A. Value-to-Lien Ratio of a Parcel
The value-to-lien ratio of any parcel within the District
does not meet the 3:1 value-to-lien ratio standard as
determined by this policy.
B. Concentration of Property Ownership
The assessment lien(s) of a property owner within a
District exceeds 25% of the assessment liens for the
entire District.
C. Historical Assessment Installment Delinquencies
A property owner with a history of assessment installment
delinquencies may be viewed by the City as an
unreasonable risk.
D. Other Financing
The property owner fails to demonstrate the ability to
secure conventional financing.
Credit enhancement refers to either letters of credit, surety
bonds, or cash deposits in a form and upon ~erms and conditions
satisfactory to the Finance Director. Tke requirement for credit
enhancement shall remain in place un~il ~he Finance Director has
determined tkat the Applicant or proper~y owner, as applicable, has
satisfied the credit enhancement criteria of tkis policy~ All fees
payable to obtain or maintain the credit enhancement shall be the
responsibility of the Applicant or proper~y o'~ner, as applicable,
and shall no~ be reimbursable by the C±ty.
VIII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS. OF BONDS
Ail terms and conditions of the Bonds shall be established by the
Finance Director, subject to Council approval. The Finance
Director will control, manage and direct investment of all Bond
proceeds. Each Bond transaction shall be structured to protect
bond owners, and in a manner to not negatively impact the bonding
capaci;y or credit rating of the City, through some'combination of
credit enhancement, foreclosure covenant, special reserve fund or
deposits. While the Bond terms and conditions will be based on the
needs of each particular Bond transaction as determined by the
Finance Director and/or the Council, such terms and conditions will
normally include the following:
!. A debt service reserve fund in an amount equivalen~ to
10% of the total amount of assessments to be levied or
some lesser amount provided that such amount is the
maximum allowable for federal income tax purposes.
2. The assessments shall be levied for the first fiscal year
following sale of the Bonds for which they may be levied.
Interest shall not be funded (capitalized) beyond the
earliest interest payment date of the Bonds, unless
recommended by the Financial Advisor or Underwriter and
approved by the Finance Director.
3. The repayment of principal shall begin on the earliest
principal payment date permitted by law and for which
sufficient assessment revenues can be made available.
4. The term of the Bonds issued will be no more than 20
years (principal maturities).
5. Beginning with the commencement of the repayment of
principal, the .annual debt service payments shall be
structured on a level basis.
6. Bonds shall be callable on any interest payment da~e at
· par plus a premium not exceeding three percent (3%).
7. All statements and documents related to the sale of Bonds
shall emphasize and state that (i) the Bonds are limited
obligations of the City and neither the faith, credit nor
the taxing power of the City is pledged to security or
repayment o= the Bonds, (ii) the sole source of revenues
are assessments, the debt service reserve fund or
proceeds raised by foreclosure 7roceedings, and (iii) the
City shall not be obliga5ec to make paymen=s of
" principal, interest or redemption premiums (if any) from
any o~her source of funds. '
5
IX. DEPOSITS AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Each application for formation of a District shall be accompanied
by a duly executed petition waiving the provisions of the Special
Assessment Investigation Limitation and Majority Protest Act of
1931 Division A of the California Street's and Highways Code and an
initial deposit as determined by the City's Public Works
Department. All City and consultant costs incurred in the
evaluation of District applications and tke establishment of
Districts will be paid by the Applicant from advance deposit(s).
At the City's discretion, deposits may be required in increments as
such costs are incurred. In any event, ~he Applicant shall
. reimburse the City for all expenses incurred in processing the
formation of a District.
The purpose of the deposit is to fund all incidental expenses and
other District evaluation and formation expenses incurred by the
City prior to the issuance of Bonds. If funds in addition to the
initial deposit are needed~ to offset ex?enses of District
evaluation and formation, the Public Works Director may make a
written demand upon the Applicant for such funds, and the Applicant
shall comply with each demand within seven calendar days after
receipt of such notice. If the Applicant fails to make any initial
or additional deposit of funds for the proceedings, the Public
Works Director may suspend all proceedings until receipt of such
deposit(s).
The deposits shall be used by the City to pay for costs' and
expenses incurred by the City incident to the District evaluation
and formation proceedings, including, but not limited to, the
following:
1. Consultant services, including but not limited to legal
counsel (including disclosure counsel), assessment
engineering, appraisal, special tax consultant, financial
advisory, and miscellaneous tests and studies;
2. Administrative costs and expenses incurred by City staff; -and
3. Preparation, printing and publicauion of notices and
various legal documents.
The City shall refund any unexpended and uncommitted portion of the
deposius only upon one of the conditions following:
!. The proceedings for formation of the District or issuance
of Bonds are not approved by the Ci~-;; or
2. The proceedings for formation of the Districu are
abandoned in writing by the Appiicanu.
6
The Applicant or property owners shall not be reimbursed by the
City or out of funds available in the District for any of the
expenses following:
1. ' Administrative, overhead, legal, accounting, consulting
expenses or similar expenses incurred by the AppliCant or
any property owner;
2. Interest on funds advanced by the Applicant or any
property owner during the proceedings and construction of
the Public Improvements; and
3. Any other costs and expenses incurred by the Applicant
which are not otherwise expressly auuhorized by the City
for reimbursement.
Amounts advanced by the applicant are subject to reimbursement by
the City from the proceeds of the sale of bonds, but without
interest or amounts to be reimbursed. The City shall not be
required to reimburse the Applicant or any property owner from any
funds other than the proceeds of Bonds. -
X. USE OF CONSULTANTS
Selection of consultants needed for the formation of a District and
the issuance of Bonds, including but not limited to the investment
bankers, bond counsel, disclosure counsel, financial advisor,
design engineer, assessment engineer, appraiser, and the special
tax consultant,.shall be by the City.
XI. ACQUISITION PROVISIONS
The City shall have final determination as to whether it will allow
the financing of Public Improvements throuch an Acquisition
District. In the event the acquisition provisions of the 1913 Act
and Chapter 13.08 of the City's Municipal Co~e are utilized, an
acquisition agreement in a form acceptable uu the City Attorney
must be executed by the City and the Applicant or all property
owner(s) having responsibiity for constructinc improvements prior
to the construction of any Public Improvement %o be acquired. The
acquisition agreement must specify the Public Improvements to be
acquired, the method of determining reasonable acquisition costs,
and such other terms and conditions as the City Attorney or the
Public Works Director may require.
The City may require an Applicant or all property owner(s) having
responsibility for constructing improvements, as applicable, in
connection with an Acquisition District to submit reports on a
periodic basis detailing the status of the prc~ect.
7
XII. DISCLOSURE TO PURCHASERS
The Applicant or property owner(s) will be reauired to demonstrate
to the satisfaction of the City that there wi~l be full disclosure
of any assessments established in accordance with this policy.
Such disclosure must be made to the existing and future property
owners, including interim purchasers and sales to merchant
builders. In addition to all requirements of law, the Applicant
shall provide disclosure of such information as the City deems
appropriate to the purchasers of property within the District with
respect to the existence of the District, Public Improvements to be
constructed, the amount of the assessments, the foreclosure process
and the terms and conditions of Bonds issued on behalf of the
District. For residential property, such disclosure will include
home buyer notification requiring signature prior to a home
purchase, as well as methods to notify subsequent home buyers.
XIII. PROPERTY OWNER SUPPORT
If there are multiple property owners, the Applicant shall submit,
as attachments to the Application, letters evidencing other
property oWners. support for the scope and establishment of the
District. The City will not proceed with the District unless the
Applicant has the written concurrence of at least one-half of the
other property owners to be included in the proposed District.
XIV. EXCEPTIONS TO THESE POLICIES
The City may find, in its discretion, that a waiver to any of the
above policies should be granted in exceptional instances, provided
there are given special public benefits to be derived from such
waiver.
XV. APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process is as follows:
I. PREAPPLICATION MEETING: Applicant meets with City staff
· to discuss the application procedures and the conceptual
plan of the District.
2. APPLICATION SUBMISSION: Applicant submits the
application to the City's Public Wor~s Department with a
deposit as determined by than same department.
2. STAFF REVIEW: City staff reviews =he application for
completeness and prepares an estimane of the initial
deposit to be made by the Applicant.
PROJECT REVIEW: Applicant and City snaff meet to discuss
the application, including any issues raised during staff
review and any further informauhon that might be
8
required. If necessary, Applicant submits revised
application and preliminary project schedule.
5. APPLICATION PROCESSING: Once City staff has determined
that the application has been fully completed and the
initial deposit has been received, staff will proceed
with the preparation of the necessary documents to submit
for Council approval.
6. DISTRICT INITIATION: Staff submits to the Council
resolutions, consultant contracts, acquisition agreements
and other items necessary to commence District
proceedings.
7. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION: Upon recommendation by the Public
Works Department, the Council decides whether to initiate
the formation, approve consultants, approve or authorize
staff to negotiate contracts, and approve various
resolutions necessary to form a District.
8. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: Applicant, s~aff and consultants
meet to determine project schedule.
XVI. FORMATION PROCEEDINGS
Distric~ proceedings under the 1913 Act and Chapter 13.08 of the
Municipal Code normally provide for the construction of Public
Improvements by the City and the financing of such Public
Improvements with Bonds which are secured by a fixed lien on the
benefitted properties. In certain instances, if authorized by the
Council, a developer may construct the Public Improvements (or
portion thereof) which would be acquired by the City. This
procedure requires the ~developer to enter into an acquisition
agreement with the City and to pay all administrative and
consultant costs which may be incurred. The formation proceedings
are suDject to, and contingent upon, satisfaction of all
environmental laws and regulations.
The proceedings for a District in accordance' with 1913 Act and
Chapter 13.08 of the Municipal Code will be substantially as
follows:
~. INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS. The initial request to form
a District can be made by an individual Applican~ or
landowner petition. Upon initiation, ~he design engineer
prepares plans, specifications and cost estimates of the
proposed Public Improvements an~ related work and
facilities. The assessment engineer begins preparing the
· ~' engineer's report, including the assessment diagram,
assessment roll, description of the Public Improvements
and preliminary cost spread. City s~aff and the
environmental consultant (if any) begins processing tke
9
appropriate environmental documentation. The Council
conducts proceedings under the Special Investigation,
Limitation and Majority Protest Act of 1931 and Chapter
13.08 of the City's Municipal Code.
2. PRESENTATION OF REPORT. Upon completion of the
preliminary engineering work, the Council conducts
proceedings to consider adopting a resolution of
intention to form the District, preliminarily approving
the engineer's report, calling for construction bids,
setting the date, time and place for the public meeting
and the public hearings and directing notices to be given
as required by law, advising property owners of the time
and place of~the public meeting and th~ protest~hearing,
the estimated cost of the Public Improvements, the
preliminary assessment.on each parcel, and other required
information.
3. BID PROCESS. The City Purchasing Officer calls for and
receives construction bids. The assessment engineer
modifies the assessment roll and engineer's report based
on the preliminary bid(s).
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS. The Council holds the information
hearing and public protest hearing a~ which time written
protests are presented and public testimony is taken. If
no written protests have been received, or if the Council
determines to overrule such protest, the Council approves
District formation, confirms the assessments, and directs
the Finance Director to coordinate the issuance of Bdnds.
5. CASH COLLECTION PERIOD. The City notifies property
owners of the confirmed assessment amounts. Bonds will
not be issued until 30 days after the confirmed
assessments are recorded. During this 30-day period,
~roper~y owners may pay their assessments in cash without
Incurring penalties or Bond interes5 cost and they will
be given credit for capitalized interest and reserve
fund, if any. All.property owners may petition the City
to waive the thirty (30) day cash coilection period.
6. AUTHORIZED ISSUANCE OF BONDS. After the 30-day cash
paymen~ period has expired, the CoUncil determines the
balance of unpaid assessments and provides for the
issuance of Bonds to be secured by tke assessments.
7. SALE OF BONDS. Bonds are issued and the cash proCeeds
from ~he sale, are held by the City or its fiscal agent
and utilized for the purposes described in the engineer's
repor~ and the Bond issuance documents.
10
8. ACCEPTANCE OF BiD. After Bonds are sold, staff
recommendation for award of construction contract is
presented to City Council for approval or rejection. If
approved then Contract is executed.
9. DISTRICT CLOSE-OUT. After the Public Improvements have
been completed and all claims in connection therewith
have been paid from the District improvement fund, the
District improvement fund will be closed-out and any
surplus in the fund will be distributed as determined by
the Council in accordance with the 1913 Act and the
resolution of intention. The Public Works Department
will notify the Finance Department of the close out date.
GR.14
11/28/94
11
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT POLICY
SUMMARY
CURRENT POLICY
· Minimum bond issue $1,000,000
· 3 to 1 value to lien ratio
· No criteria for reserve fund
· Very little detail explanation of district proceedings
PROPOSED POLICY
· Minimum bond issue $1,000,000
· 3 to 1 value to lien ratio (retail value)
· Credit enhancement criteria
· Bond term 20 years maximum'
· Clarifies City's role
krc '
GR. 15
COMMENTS ON POLICY
STAFF
· 3 million dollar minimum bond amoun~
· 5 to 1 value-to-lien ratio for entire district
· Credit enhancement criteria
· Bond term maximum 15 years
BOND COUNSEL
· Allow for 30 day waiver of cash payment period
· For acquisition district no sale of bonds until
improvements completed
UNDERWRITER
· Keep 1 million dollar minimum bond amount
· Allow Finance Director option of acquiring right-of-way
· Keep value to lien ratio for entire district at 3:1
· Do not limit ownership to 25% of district
· Allow longer bond term (possibly based on size)
B.I.A.
· $1 million dollar minimum bond amoun~
· Allow minor streets and industrial parks
· Keep 3 to 1 value to lien ratio per parcel
· Bond term maximum 20 to 25 years
DISCLOSURE COUNSEL
· Clarify language in policy regardinq special benefit
· Change debt service maximum to legal limitation
· List methodology of payoff amoun~ in 30 day cash payment
" period
· List that bonds will be callable
· Delete market absorption consuitan~ (usually hired by
applicant)
°' · Increase bond term to 20 or 25 years GR.15
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
VALUE TO LIEN RATIOS
ORIGINAL VALUE TO
A.D.# TITLE BOND AMOUNT LIEN VALUE TYPE
=31-1 FAIRVlEW 815,730.12 3.66:1 RETAIL ~
82 - 1 STOCKDALE 6,189,877.00 6.17:1 RETAIL
86-1 PANORAMA HIGHLANDS 1,303,0(X).00 3.24:1 RETAIL
86-2A . BUENA VISTA TRUNKLINE 7,927,223.96 *
86-2B LABORDE ROADS 3,310,000.00 ...... ~' ~
86-2C LABORDE UTILITIES 2,470,000.00 *
86-2D RANCHO LABORDE 4,568,000.00 *
86-5. ANNEXED SEWERS 889,944.00 26.00:1ASSESSED VALUE
c37-1 SO JENKINS/BUENA VI STA 1,179,229.00 25.67:1 COMBI NATION BULK/RETAIL
87-2 GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL PARK 2,511,000.00 3.60:1RETAIL ~'
87-3 JEWE3-rA TRUNKLINE 2,883,537.22 10.75:1COMBINATION BULK/RETAIL
90-1 JEVVETTA TRUNKLINE EXT. 4,357,580.00 5.50:1 BULK
91 - 1 HOSKINGS ROAD TRUNK SEWER 3,350,000.00 11.22:1BULK
93-1 NORTHEAST SEVVER/GAS LI NE 10,580,000.00 7.95:1 ASSESSED VALUE
93-2 STINE/HARRIS 3,990,000.00 3.00:1 RETAIL ~'
93-3 CAL OAK
* APPRAISED IN AGGREGATE AT 3.02:1 - RETAIL
LEG
12/05/94
HAND-OUT BUDGET AND FI1C~NCE CO~TTTEE NRF. TING OF 12-5-94
[ RRICK, HERRINGTON
& SUTCLIFFE
November 29, 1994
Direct Dial
(415) 773-5467
Gil Rojas
Assistant Finance Director
City of Bakersfield
1501 Truxtun Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Re: Assessment District Policy; Timing of Bond
Issuance in Acquisition Proceedinqs
Dear Gil:
Confirming our telephone conversation this morning, I
strongly recommend that, in keeping with the language and
legislative intent of Section 10010(a) of the California Streets
and Highways Code, the City's policy for issuance of assessment
bonds in developer/acquisition proceedings include a policy that,
absent compelling circumstances to support earlier issuance,,
assessment bonds to acquire developer-constructed improvements
not be issued until the subject improvements are complete and
deemed ready for acceptance by the City and each other agency, if
any, which will become the owner of any portion of the
improvments.
There are two reasons for recommending this policy:
1. Section 10010(a), as amended in 1963,'defines the term
"acquisition" to include "... improvements ·. . which are in
existence and installed in place on or before the date of
adoption of the resolution of intention .... ,, This provision,
in my view, reflected legislative concern in 1963 that arose out
of several "troubled" assessment districts in which the bonds
were issued before the improvements were installed, bond proceeds
were paid over to the developer prior to completion, and
eventually bond proceeds were exhausted before the work was
completed. By requiring that the work be completed before even
the resolution of intention was adopted, the legislature sought
to assure that no bonds would be issued and sold until after work
was completed and costs known.
2. The second reason is more practical - namely, that
delaying bond issuance until after project completion maintains
an incentive for the developer to assure such completion, with
Old Federal R~set~e Sank Building · 4~0 Sansome Street · San Francisco, California 94111-3143
[~ RRICK, HERRINGTON
& SUTCLIFFE
Gil Rojas
November 29, 1994
Page 2
the City's representative clearly in charge of making the
"completion" determination. Related to this is the advantage
that the bonds are more secure once the improvement project has
been completed, assuring the "value added" from the improvements
as further seourity for bondholders.. If the City.has to
foreclose: the City has a much stronger assurance of marketable
title at a foreclosure auction once the improvements are in
place, and the City does not run the risk of having to step in
and complete improvements.
I hope this provides a sufficient summary of and explanation
for my recommendation. Don't hesitate to call if I can provide
further assistance.
ely,
Sperry
cc: Alan Tandy
Marian Shaw
Bob Sherfy
Ed Wilson