Explanation
The Public Service Department, Transportation Division, has undertaken the North High Street streetscape improvement project. This project installed streetscape enhancements including new curbs, new sidewalks, ornamental lighting, mast-arm signal structures, traffic-calming nodes and street furniture on North High Street from Arcadia Avenue to Torrence Road. Property owners agreed by petition to be assessed for a portion of the total cost of these improvements. Resolution 060X-2004 was adopted by City Council July 19, 2004; this authorized the Public Service Director to cause the preparation of plans and specifications for the improvement and capped the property owners' portion of total project costs at $936,373.07. Ordinance 1092-2004 was also passed July 19, 2004; this authorized the Director to enter into contract for the work and pay construction inspection charges [total authorization $4,353,538.85]. Finally, Resolution 0036X-2005 was adopted July 18, 2005; this authorized the Director to declare the necessity of the improvement under the assessment procedure. A Board of Revision was recently convened to hear challenges to individual assessments but no challenges were presented.
Section 178 of the City Charter provides, in pertinent part, that subsequent to such an improvement being completed and its cost ascertained City Council shall, by ordinance, assess upon the property mentioned and in the manner provided in the preliminary resolution, the entire cost and expense thereof, excepting the portion to be paid by the City. All costs of the streetscape improvements have now been assembled and the final assessment report has been prepared. This legislation levies a special assessment upon the lots and lands benefited by the improvements consistent with the City Charter.
Fiscal Impact: No expenditures are authorized by this legislation. The City has temporarily absorbed the total cost of the improvement. The completion of the...
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