TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney's office to prepare such an ordinance governing the formation of utility undergrounding assessment districts.
DISCUSSION
Certain neighborhoods in the City of Long Beach have approached the City with an interest in forming assessment districts to fund the undergrounding of utility lines in their area. Such districts would allow the neighborhoods to "self fund" such undergrounding, instead of waiting for City or Southern California Edison funds to become available.
Presently, state law governing such districts is very cumbersome, and has created hurdles to the formation of such districts. Since the City of Long Beach is a charter city, we are able to create an ordinance, which simplifies and streamlines the formation of such districts. The adoption of the ordinance would not create any specific district, but it would enable these neighborhoods to begin the process of formation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gary DeLong, Councilmember, Third District
Bonnie Lowenthal, Vice Mayor, Councilmember, First District
Rae Gabelich, Councilwoman, Eighth District