Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Sphere of Influence

COLUSA MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT Sphere of Influence Update COLUSA LAFCO Adopted (Resolution 2008-0014) October 2, 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 LAFCO's Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.2 The California Environmental Quality Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.3 Sphere of Influence Setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2. Sphere of Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1 Land Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1.1 Present and Planned Land Uses in the Area, Including Agricultural and Open Space Lands . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1.2 SOI Determinations Present and Planned Land Use . . . 5 2.2. Municipal Services: Present Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.2.1 Service Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.2.2 SOI Determinations for Facilities and Services: Present and Probable Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.3 Public Facilities Future Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.3.1 Facilities and Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.3.2 SOI Determinations for Public Facilities Present and Future Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.4 Social or Economic Communities of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.4.1. Colusa and Sutter Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.4.2 SOI Determinations for Social or Economic Communities of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sphere of Influence Update map 7 October 2, 2008 i Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 COLUSA MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT Sphere of Influence Update 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 LAFCO's Responsibilities A Sphere of Influence update is a plan for the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency, as determined by the affected Local Agency Formation Commission (Government Code §56076). Government Code §56425(f) requires that each Sphere of Influence be updated not less than every five years as necessary, and §56430 provides that a Municipal Service Review shall be conducted in advance of the Sphere of Influence update. Colusa LAFCO has a special policy regarding services, which are not growth inducing and districts providing non-growth inducing services. The Colusa LAFCO adopted policies and procedures related to municipal services on February 5, 2004. There were amended by action of the LAFCO on August 2, 2007. This municipal service review and sphere of influence meets the criteria contained in Section 3.5 of LAFCO’s adopted policies as follows: Section 3.5 – Districts and services, which are not growth-inducing The Commission may prepare abbreviated Municipal Service Reviews and Sphere of Influence Updates for agencies not providing growth-inducing services and districts providing non-growth inducing services, waive the requirement for preparation of a Master Services Element (see Section 3.3 above) and where appropriate determine Sphere of Influence affirmations to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. Non-growth-inducing services are defined as all public services except water conveyance, treatment, extraction and use of ground and (or) surface water for domestic services or to facilitate urban development; and domestic wastewater collection, treatment and disposal to facilitate urban development; and fire protection and road construction and maintenance services. Districts providing non-growth inducing services normally would serve finite geographical areas, surrounded by public lands, provide limited specified services to residents or landowners, have coterminous district/sphere of influence boundaries and are not generally or routinely considered for expansion through annexations or sphere amendments for the purpose of providing services for existing or future urban development. Non-growth-inducing services is defined as all services excepting 1. water conveyance, treatment, extraction and use of ground and (or) surface water for domestic services or to facilitate urban development 2. domestic wastewater collection, treatment and disposal to facilitate urban development 3. fire protection and 4. road improvements and maintenance. Districts providing non-growth inducing services normally would serve finite geographical areas, provide limited specified services to residents or landowners, have coterminous district/sphere of influence boundaries and are not generally or routinely considered for expansion through annexations or sphere amendments for the purpose of providing services for existing or future urban development. Sphere of Influence Plan reviews and affirmations for districts providing non- growth inducing services would normally not generate environmental impacts that would make them subject to heightened level of review California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), namely a Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report. Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15320 the following may be applied, as appropriate. This section provides for an exemption (class 20) where changes in organization or reorganization of local governmental agencies (i.e. in the case of a Sphere of Influence affirmation for districts providing non-growth inducing services) where the changes do not change the geographical area in which previously existing powers are exercised. This exemption may also be applicable where the changes will not result in any substantive changes to the functions, operations or purposes of the districts; are not predicated on, or will result in, any land use changes that may be subject to CEQA review; and will not cause any reasonable foreseeable environmental consequences in that the Sphere of Influence affirmation will not directly create or cause any significant land use changes or other actions that could be detrimental to the environment. Adoption of a Municipal Service Review precedes LAFCO action on a Sphere of Influence Update. Given the close relationship between an MSR and Sphere of Influence creation, amendment or update, the Sphere of Influence is discussed in more detail below. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 requires the LAFCO to update the Spheres of Influence for all applicable jurisdictions in its jurisdiction and update Spheres of Influence, as necessary. October 2, 2008 2 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 Local governmental agencies, special districts and municipalities must have an adopted Sphere of Influence (SOI) boundary and territory that define the probable future boundary and service area of the agency. Inclusion of a particular land area within an agency’s SOI does not necessarily mean that the area will eventually be annexed. The Sphere of Influence is only one of several factors LAFCO must consider in reviewing individual proposals (California Government Code Section 56668 and Colusa LAFCO policies). In determining the Sphere of Influence for each local agency, LAFCO must consider and prepare a written statement of determinations with respect to each of the following: • The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open space lands; • The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area; • The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services which the agency provides, or is authorized to provide; and • The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency. 1.2 The California Environmental Quality Act Sphere of Influence Update A Sphere of Influence may or not be exempt from CEQA. Since the Vector Control District Sphere of Influence Update is proposed to remain the same as the existing Sphere of Influence and no environmental impacts will occur as a result of affirming the existing Sphere of Influence, this Sphere of Influence update would also be exempt from CEQA in this case. October 2, 2008 3 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 1.3 Sphere of Influence Setting Colusa County, one of the original California counties, was organized in 1851. Colusa County is located in the heart of the Sacramento Valley 70 miles northwest of Sacramento. The City of Colusa, the County seat, is located in eastern Colusa County along the banks of the Sacramento River. The climate in Colusa County and the Sacramento Valley, and is generally described as semi- arid. Rainfall of the region is confined to winter months and varies from 15 to 20 inches per year. Winters can be very cold for short periods, with heavy frosts and dense fogs. Summers are hot and dry, with practically no rain from May to September. Colusa County has a total area of 737,920 acres or approximately 1,149 square miles. The County is bounded by Glenn County on the north, Yolo County on the south, Butte County and Sutter County on the east, and Lake County on the west. Sutter County was also one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. Sutter County was named after General John Sutter, a Swiss citizen, who obtained a large land grant from the Mexican government, and called his first settlement New Helvetia (now the City of Sacramento). In 1841, the general established a great stock ranch in this area to which he retired in 1850 when gold seekers deprived him of most of his holdings at Sacramento. October 2, 2008 4 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 2. SPHERE OF INFLUENCE The Colusa Mosquito Abatement District includes approximately 140 square miles. The Sphere of Influence would include the valley area of Colusa County and would allow the District to annex this area of 472 square miles. 2.1 Land Use 2.1.1 Present and Planned Land Uses in the Area, Including Agricultural and Open Space Lands The Colusa County General Plan, the City of Colusa General Plan and the Sutter County General Plan govern the land use within the existing District Boundary. The existing District includes the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge. The Sphere of Influence area would include the Delevan National Wildlife Refuge. The Colusa County General Plan and the City of Williams General Plan govern the land use within both the existing and proposed Sphere of Influence for the district. The land within the Sphere of Influence is primarily designated for agriculture. The communities of Arbuckle and Maxwell are designated for residential, industrial and commercial land uses as is the City of Williams and several small communities throughout the valley area. 2.1.2 SOI Determinations Present and Planned Land Use 1-1) There is a need for mosquito abatement services within the area shown in the Sphere of Influence. 1-2) The Colusa Mosquito Abatement District is the appropriate service provider for mosquito abatement services within the Sphere of Influence area. 1-3) The Sphere of Influence shows a logical area to be annexed to the CMAD. 2.2. Municipal Services: Present Need 2.2.1 Service Need There is a need for mosquito abatement services within the Sphere of Influence area to combat the West Nile Virus. There has been at least one death from the West Nile Virus in the Sphere area in 2007. The area is similar to the area within the District and includes many rice fields and other areas which provide mosquito habitat. October 2, 2008 5 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 2.2.2 SOI Determinations for Facilities and Services: Present and Probable Need 2-1) There is a need for mosquito abatement services in the SOI area. These services can best be provided by the Colusa Mosquito Abatement District. 2-2) The need for mosquito abatement services will continue for the foreseeable future because the majority of the land is zoned for agriculture. 2.3 Public Facilities Future Capacity 2.3.1 CMAD Facilities and Capacity The Colusa Mosquito Abatement District has the facilities to serve additional area. Additional staff would be required at the technician level on a seasonal basis. The management staff would be able to manage the services for a larger area. 2.3.2 SOI Determinations for Public Facilities Present and Future Capacity 3-1) Voters and (or) landowners within any area to be annexed to the District would more than likely have to vote to pay the same property tax and (or) parcel fees as the landowners within the District. 3-2) With appropriate funding, the District would have the facilities and capacity to serve the area within the Sphere of Influence. 2.4 Social or Economic Communities of Interest 2.4.1 Colusa and Sutter Counties The Colusa Mosquito Abatement District includes the area around the City of Colusa which represents a community. However, the problem of mosquito abatement and the prevention of West Nile Virus extends beyond the District boundaries. Since the Colusa Board of Supervisors appoints four of the Directors for the District and the geography of the area is similar, it would be appropriate to include the valley area of Colusa County within the Colusa Mosquito Abatement District. 2.4.2 SOI Determinations for Social or Economic Communities of Interest 4-1) LAFCO is charged with overseeing orderly development in an area. The County and its cities are charged with land use planning. 4-2) The larger area shown in the SOI would still constitute a community of interest for mosquito abatement October 2, 2008 6 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 October 2, 2008 7 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014 October 2, 2008 8 Adopted –Sphere of Influence Update Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Resolution 2008-0014