NOVATO FLOOD CONTROL ZONE No. 1 Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

Transcription

1 NOVATO FLOOD CONTROL ZONE No. 1 Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Photo by R. Tong. Marin IJ INFORMATION ON MEASURE E: NOVEMBER 7, 2017 PARCEL TAX MEASURE PRESENTATION TO NOVATO CITY COUNCIL 1

2 Tonight s Meeting What is Flood Control Zone No. 1 and what services does it provide? How is the Zone currently funded? Why a parcel tax now? What type of projects could be funded with the tax revenue? Proposed ballot language, parcel tax rates, and exemptions Slide 2 2

3 Flood Control Zone No. 1 I N C L U D E S C I T Y O F N O V A T O + U N I N C O R P O R A T E D A R E A S Slide 3 3

4 Flood Zone 1-What We Do! Vegetation & Debris Levees Pumps Sediment4 Removal4

5 Annual Expenses and Revenue Flood Control Zone No. 1 annual revenues = $2,000,000 Ad Valorem Property Tax Contribution Maintenance Assessment Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund $1,437,800 $312,200 $250,000 Flood Control Zone No. 1 annual expenses = $2,000,000 Pumps and Pump Stations Levees Creeks And Debris Removal Engineering and Zone Mgmt Sediment Removal* $500,000 $200,000 $600,000 $200,000 $500,000 Marinwatershed.org * Funding set aside annually for sediment removal of Novato and Warner Creeks every 4 years = $2,000,000 Slide 5 5

6 Proposed 2017 Parcel Tax W H Y I S A D D I T I O N A L R E V E N U E B E I N G R E Q U E S T E D? $1.7 M in Zone facility storm damage this winter Existing annual revenue not enough to maintain existing level of flood protection with aging pumps, levees, and sea level rise No funds available with existing revenue to design and construct new flood mitigation projects Local revenue needed to leverage grant funds Slide 6 6

7 Funding Priorities $ 1. 1 M A N N U A L R E V E N U E 20% 30% 50% Reduce community and roadway flooding in the City of Novato 20% of funds dedicated only to city of Novato projects Funds can only be spent on priority city drainage projects Reduce flooding and restore habitat Widen Novato Creek Restore tidal marsh habitat Provide local funds to leverage state and federal grant funds Repair or replace storm damaged flood protection facilities Repair stormdamaged levees and pumps Begin adapting levees to sea level rise Repair/ replace aging pumps and levees Slide 7 7

8 Reducing Community and Roadway Flooding O N L Y F O R P R I O R I T Y D R A I N A G E P R O J E C T S I N T H E C I T Y O F N O V A T O 2017 flooding City of Novato drainage priorities Slide 8 8

9 Repair/replace storm-damaged flood protection facilities P R O J E C T T Y P E S T H A T C O U L D B E F U N D E D Lynwood Pump Station Managing sediment Levee Safety Slide 9 9

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11 Project types that could be funded 11

12 Ballot Language M E A S U R E E Novato Watershed and Flood Protection. To reduce flooding, improve water quality, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and adapt to sea level rise, shall a special parcel tax be levied within Zone No.1 for 18 years based on land use and parcel size, including $47 per single-family home, raising approximately $1,100,000 annually, with annual audits, low income senior exemptions, and funds to be spent only on projects in the Novato area? Slide 12 12

13 Proposed Tax Rates B Y L A N D U S E A N D P A R C E L S I Z E Land Use and Parcel Size Tax Amount per Parcel Farm, Ag and Unimproved $30 Single Family Residential $47 Multi-Family Residential 0.00 acres < parcel size < 0.25 acres 0.25 acres < parcel size < 1.00 acres 1.00 acres < parcel size < acres acres < parcel size < acres 100 acres < parcel size $47 $114 $294 $481 $481 Commercial/Industrial 0.00 acres < parcel size < 0.25 acres 0.25 acres < parcel size < 1.00 acres 1.00 acres < parcel size < 10.0 acres acres < parcel size < acres 100 acres < parcel size $67 $283 $587 $1254 $1254 Slide 13 13

14 Existing Special Tax Estimates T A X T O T A L S B Y L A N D U S E A N D P A R C E L S I Z E Land Use Acres Acres Acres Total Total Total Farm, Ag, & Unimproved $8 $30 $38 $12 $30 $42 $20 $30 $50 Single-Family $9 $47 $56 $13 $47 $60 $21 $47 $68 Multi-Family $20 $47 $67 $47 $114 $161 $123 $294 $417 Commercial & Industrial $28 $67 $95 $118 $283 $401 $244 $587 $ : the maintenance portion has no sunset provision and will continue in perpetuity 2017: the proposed tax, if approved, would be in effect for 18 years, from Slide 14 14

15 Exemptions to the Parcel Tax Low Income Seniors (65 and older) At least one owner-resident must be 65 or older; Combined household adjusted gross income cannot exceed the HUD low income limit for 1-person households which is $73,750 for 2017, (regardless of household size); Seniors would need to apply for the exemption annually Minimum Parcel Size Parcels less than one one hundredth (0.01) of an acre in size may be exempted from the Special Tax. Slide 15 15

16 marinwatersheds.org/novato.html Slide 16 16

17 Thank You Laurie Williams, Senior Planner Liz Lewis, Planning Manager Marinwatersheds.org 17

18 Questions and Answers about the Proposed Flood Control Zone No. 1 - Parcel Tax What is Flood Control Zone No. 1 - Novato? Flood Control Zone No. 1 is a subarea of the Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, which covers the entire county. Flood Control Zones were created in areas of the county that experienced frequent flooding prior to the formation of the zone. Zone No. 1 was the first zone to be created and it was established to construct and maintain the infrastructure that reduces flood risk and flood-related property damage to the Novato area, including levees, pump stations, channels, and stormwater basins. Zone 1 covers the City of Novato as well as unincorporated areas in western Novato, Bel Marin Keys, Bahia, Black Point, Green Point, Ignacio, Pacheco Valle and Indian Valley. The Board of Supervisors appoints a 5-member Advisory Board comprised of Novato area residents to review Zone 1 projects and recommend the annual budget. How is the Zone funded? As a special district, Zone 1 receives a small portion of the total property tax generated within its boundaries each year. In 1984, voters passed a benefit assessment which provided capital construction funds for four years and an ongoing maintenance assessment that averages $9/parcel for a single-family home. In total, these revenue sources generate $2 million annually. The last capital project on Novato Creek was completed in What are the existing funds used for? The Zone 1 work program includes regular servicing of 8 pumps at 4 pump stations, 5 miles of flood protection levees, maintenance of tide gates and trash racks, and an annual vegetation maintenance and debris removal program along 15 miles of creeks. In addition, Zone 1 removes accumulated sediment from Novato Creek, Warner Creek and Arroyo Avichi every four years to reduce flooding. The sediment removal occurs over 1.5 miles of creek from the Novato Fair bridge at the Safeway to the SMART railroad bridge. Why is the Zone s revenue limited? The Zone 1 tax rate was frozen at the levels set when Proposition 13 passed in 1978, and any increases need to be approved by voters in the form of special (parcel) taxes. Any election for a special tax requires a two-thirds majority of the votes cast to approve a new tax. How was the proposed tax amount set? The proposed tax amount was vetted through meetings with stakeholders and the Flood Control Zone 1 Advisory Board. Proposed project costs were developed through the Novato Watershed Program. A computer based hydraulic model and engineering study was developed to quantify the flood benefits of multiple project options. These studies were vetted through stakeholder groups, community meetings and at Zone 1 Advisory Board meetings. Preliminary costs were generated for short and long term alternatives. The studies, modeling results and meeting information are available at: A package of priority projects has an estimated cost of $16-40 million. A parcel tax of $47 would result in revenues of about $20 million over 18 years. In September 2016, 585 residents and property owners in the Novato area were polled about the recommended alternatives, and the survey showed support from 63% of the community for a $47 per parcel tax to improve flood protection. For the full survey results, please visit our website: pdf 1 For more information please visit or contact Laurie Williams at /05/17 18

19 Questions and Answers about the Proposed Flood Control Zone No. 1 - Parcel Tax What is the Novato Flood Protection and Watershed Program? The Novato Watershed Program is one of several initiated by the Marin County Board of Supervisors to provide a framework to integrate flood protection and environmental restoration with public and private partners. The Program represents a partnership with the County of Marin, City of Novato, Novato Sanitary District, North Marin Water District, and the Flood Control Zone 1 Advisory Board. The Program established stakeholder committees comprised of residents, regulatory agency staff, and local agency partners to provide input on the development of flood protection project alternatives. How will the tax revenues be spent? Funding would be spent on these three categories of projects, outlined in the fact sheet Proposed Flood Control Parcel Tax, which was accepted by the Board of Supervisors on August 1, 2017 and summarized below. The annual work plan, projects and budgets would be recommended at the Flood Control Zone 1 Advisory Board meetings and the budget is approved by the Marin County District Board of Supervisors: Reduce community and local flooding in the City of Novato [20%] Reduce roadway flooding by fixing pipes and drains identified in the City of Novato s Stormwater Master Plan Funds can only be spent on priority city drainage projects Reducing flooding and restore habitat [50%] Widen lower Novato Creek to reduce flooding Restore tidal marsh habitat for fish, wildlife and birds Restore tidal action to promote natural movement of sediment Provide local funding match to help leverage state and federal restoration grant funds Repair storm damaged flood protection facilities [30%] Repair storm-damaged levees east of Highway 101 Begin adapting levees to sea level rise Repair and replace aging stormwater pumps Why should I pay if I don t experience flooding? The impacts of flooding affect residents, businesses, property values, emergency response, transportation networks, and the overall economic vitality of the community. Repeated flood events are disruptive and negatively impact property values and the local economy. How will sea level rise be considered? Climate change is likely to increase the magnitude and frequency of winter storms, further worsening flooding problems. Several sea level rise scenarios were considered and any projects constructed would include consideration of sea level rise in the design. How has the Watershed Program engaged the community? Since 2011, the Program has held 14 Flood Control Zone 1 Advisory Board meetings, two community meetings, and over 20 stakeholder group meetings. These meetings were used to draft and finalize the Hydraulic Study, evaluate revenue options, and develop a list of funding needs. Novato Watershed 2 For more information please visit or contact Laurie Williams at /05/17 19

20 Questions and Answers about the Proposed Flood Control Zone No. 1 - Parcel Tax Program has presented to several community groups including the Novato Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise, Novato Forward, Marin Conservation League (North Unit and Land Use Committee), Bel Marin Keys Community Service District board, Novato Chamber of Commerce (Government Affairs Committee), and Black Point Improvement Club, and has extended invitations to speak to other local organizations. Will there be any exemptions to the tax? An exemption will be available for low-income seniors, who would need to apply for the exemption every year. Applicants would need to satisfy both age and income requirements. The household would need to have at least one resident over the age of 65. The income limits are set by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and could change every year. The maximum qualifying household income for 2017 is $73, For more information please visit or contact Laurie Williams at /05/17 20