HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2020 0902 CCSA REG ITEM 09C POWERPOINTParks, Recreation and
Community Services Department
Item 9.C. Consider Service Level Adjustments to
Landscape Maintenance Services for Parks and
Underfunded Citywide Landscape Maintenance Districts
WHY REDUCE SERVICE LEVELS?
Landscape Maintenance Districts
•Historically, the City has subsidized the maintenance costs of
certain Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMD’s) and City parks
from the General Fund.
•District No. AD 84-2, which includes the Citywide Zone and
Districts 1 through 11, was adopted prior to the passage of
Proposition 218, which does not provide a provision for
increasing the annual assessment without a vote of the affected
property owners.
•The Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment Districts
Engineer’s Report estimates an operating deficit of $339,316 in
FY 2020/21
Parks
•The Parks and Recreation Maintenance and Improvement
District (Park Maintenance District) was established in 1999 for
the maintenance and improvement of City parks.
•Funding is based on a special assessment by which the City
assesses property owners for the portion of park maintenance
that generates a special benefit.
•Activities that generate a general benefit must be funded from
non-assessment revenue, typically the General Fund.
•The level of general benefit to properties within the district is
25%, with the remaining 75% providing special benefit.
Parks
•FY 2020/21 the Single-family Equivalent of $63.23 will generate
$889,000 for park maintenance operations. This is equivalent to
only 38% of the 75% special benefit cap.
•The City is operating in a $1.8M deficit and will require a
subsidy from the General Fund to fund park maintenance
operations.
City’s Investment to Reduce Costs
•Beginning in 2011 - installation of WeatherTRAK irrigation
controllers at City parks and LMDs
o City has achieved water savings of approx. 10%-15%
•Drought Action Plan – approximately 46% water savings
o Replaced over 19 acres of turf with waterwise landscaping
in City Parks
o Replaced over 17 acres of turf with waterwise landscaping
in LMDs
o Tierra Rejada Streetscape Renovation
o Championship Drive Streetscape Renovation
o Spring Road/Ridgecrest Drive Streetscape Renovation
FY 2020/21 Cost Saving Measures
•To address anticipate revenue shortfalls PRCS Dept. presented a
“significantly constrained” budget, incorporating over $300,000
in cost reductions related to City parks and LMDs, including:
o Defunded Landscape Maintenance Specialist staff position
o Deferred non-essential improvements (replacement of
benches, landscape improvements, concrete work, etc.)
o Reduced park maintenance funding for contractor services.
o Work to be done by field staff.
o Reduced the tree trimming budget
o Deferred GIS tree inventory
o Reduced water budgets by approximately 14%
Proposed Cost Saving Service Reductions
To further reduce costs for maintenance of City parks and
underfunded LMDs, the following reductions to landscape
maintenance services is proposed:
Mowing:
o No change to sports fields.
o Mowing at passive parks changed from weekly to every other
week.
o Mowing of turf areas in the underfunded LMDs would also
change from weekly to every other week.
o Edging changed from weekly to every other week at all parks.
Proposed Cost Saving Service Reductions (continued)
Shrub Pruning:
o Changed from “as necessary” to monthly.
Fertilization:
o Removed from contractual services and will be completed
by in-house staff.
o Focus on sports fields to keep passive parks and LMD areas
from growing too quickly between mowings.
Weeding:
o Changed from weekly to monthly and modified to include
mechanical weed control in combination with the use of
herbicides approved by the Ventura County Agricultural
Commissioner.
Proposed Cost Saving Service Reductions (continued)
Custodial Services:
o Removed from park services contract. Services transferred
to City janitorial services contractor.
Debris and Litter Removal:
o Changed from daily to weekly. Service for refuse bins
remains unchanged.
o Trash receptacle service – no change
Sport Court and Picnic Area Cleaning:
o Changed from daily to weekly.
Ballfield Dugout/Bleacher Cleaning:
o Changed from daily to weekly.
Playground Site Inspection and Raking:
o Changed from daily to twice weekly.
Proposed Cost Saving Service Reductions (continued)
Parking Lot / Hardscape Cleaning:
o Cleaning of hardscape surfaces, sidewalks, parking lots,
access roads, decomposed granite trails and walkways
changed from weekly to every other week.
Drinking Fountain Maintenance:
o Changed from daily to weekly.
Swale, Catch Basin and Drain Cleaning:
o Changed from weekly to “as needed”.
Irrigation Repairs:
o Inspections changed from weekly to monthly.
o Materials will be provided by the City on City’s account
with a local vendor. The scope of services will still provide
for the contractor to supply labor.
Anticipated Cost Savings:
Savings (LMDs): $50,000
Savings (Parks): $125,000
Less Park Restroom Costs: -$62,000
Net Savings (Service Reductions): $113,000
Less Added Material Costs: -20,000
Net Savings Park/LMD Services: $93,000