RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Some residents in the city’s largest landscape district say the idea of another election to determine a possible rate increase is uncalled for because people already decided on the matter last year.
But city officials said they’re giving residents another opportunity to decide whether to hold one because not enough residents were aware of the consequences if significant service reductions are made to Landscape Maintenance District No. 2.
LMD 2 is an L-shaped area of land bounded by Etiwanda Avenue in the east, the 210 Freeway in the north, the halfway line between Milliken and Haven avenues in the west, and south above Base Line Road and Church Street in the eastern part of the district.
Officials may consider either a rate increase or a service level reduction because maintenance costs have risen substantially. Rates have not changed since 1993, officials said.
The city, in the fall, plans to educate the public about the impact of service reductions in the run-up to a resident survey to be held in the spring of 2013 that will determine whether another election will be held.
Officials said the public engagement process would cost about $40,000 from LMD 2 funds.
The plan received sharp rebuke at a recent City Council meeting.
Ragusa Drive resident Victor Muniz said residents had already decided the issue when they voted in July 2011 against a rate hike. Of the 2,046 ballots returned to City Hall, 1,457 – or about 60 percent – opposed a $38 rate increase.
“You take your orders, do an about face, turn to and get the job done … that’s being responsive government,” Muniz said. “That’s what we’re looking for. We shouldn’t be up here to remind you folks that your responsibility is to the people and the people have already decided that for you. Your job is to carry that out.”
Resident Jerie Lee, of Palo Verde Place, said she was shocked over the potential for another election.
“The people did vote and now it’s up to them to come up with a game plan.”
Lee said she favors charging higher rates for residents within the district who have observably more landscaping needs than others who don’t.
Officials, at a recent community meeting, presented preliminary ideas such as increasing the annual rate by about $38 or decommissioning care for 1.5 million square feet of grass turf.
Assistant City Manager Lori Sassoon said the vast majority of property owners in the district – 70 percent – never cast a ballot in the July 2011 election. Sassoon said many of the residents at the meeting told city officials, “you need to really do a better job of communicating with us what the impacts are for our community.”
Sassoon added, “We did our best, but obviously we need to do better.”
Mayor Dennis Michael said that if the city allows the degradation of the district to take place, there would likely be even more criticism from residents. He added however that he would support the will of the people if residents reject the idea of another election through the survey.
“I don’t think it’s fair to assume that 30 percent speak for 100 percent and so we want to do a better job of outreach,” Michael said.
The cost for conducting the ballot process last year for LMD 2 was $26,000. Funds for that election were from the general fund, and the general fund would have been reimbursed by LMD 2 funds if it passed, Sassoon said. The cost would be about the same if residents choose to pursue another mail ballot process in the future, though nothing is budgeted at this time, she said.
Councilman Bill Alexander said he understand Muniz’s position, though while money could again be spent for another election, he said such a service elimination would be draconian and home values could be negatively impacted.
“Maybe we have to take some of the blame for really not getting the word out,” Alexander said. “Mr. Muniz has expressed a very valid concern, and I can tell you I have spoken to a lot of people that are saying, `If you feel there is more information that can educate me into what is going to happen and what I’m faced with before taking that action, it would be very much appreciated.”‘
Three neighborhoods, in recent years, held elections to determine their landscape service rates.
The Terra Vista community voted for an increase in 2009, while the Caryn and South Etiwanda community voted against it.
The Caryn community in 2010 supported raising rates after a resident effort to hold a second election.
Reach Neil via email, call him at 909-483-9356, or find him on Twitter @RanchoNow.
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