LAFCO
Crescent City MSR SOI ADOPTED January 28 2019 final
Read the report at Local Agency Formation Commissions ↗
City of Crescent City
Municipal Service Review &
Sphere of Influence Update
Adopted
January 28,2019
Del Norte
Local Agency Formation Commission
Del Norte Local Agency Formation Commission
Commissioners
Blake Inscore Chair & City Member
Bob Berkowitz Vice Chair & County Member
Roger Gitlin County Member
Jason Greenough City Member
Duane (Sparky) Countess Public Member
Lori Cowan Alternate County Member
Darrin Short Alternate City Member
Judy Dobbs Alternate Public Member
Staff
George Williamson, AICP, Executive Officer
Vanessa Blodgett, Services Analyst/ Administrator
Elizabeth Cable, Legal Counsel
Nicole Burshem, PS Business Services, Clerk
Emily Morris, Assistant Analyst
Jason Barnes, GIS & Spatial Data Analyst
Acknowledgements
LAFCo staff would like to thank City staff, including City Manager Eric Wier and Finance Director
Linda Leaver, for their contributions to this Municipal Service Review. This report would not have
been possible without the City’s assistance.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS ...................................................................................................... 2
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS .............................................................................................. 2
REVIEW METHODS ........................................................................................................................... 3
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT .......................................................................................... 3
CITY OF CRESCENT CITY .......................................................................................................................................... 4
OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 4
FORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 5
BOUNDARY AND SPHERE OF INFLUENCE................................................................................................. 5
ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE .................................................................................................... 6
PRESENT AND PLANNED LAND USE ....................................................................................................... 8
POPULATION AND GROWTH ................................................................................................................ 9
DISADVANTAGED UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES ................................................................................ 9
SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................................................................. 9
CRESCENT CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY ................................................................................................... 9
WATER SERVICES ........................................................................................................................... 10
WASTEWATER SERVICE OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 12
LAW ENFORCEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 12
FIRE PROTECTION ........................................................................................................................... 13
CITY STREETS ................................................................................................................................. 13
PARKS, RECREATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES ......................................................................................... 14
OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE PROVIDERS .................................................................................................... 14
SHARED FACILITIES & SERVICES ......................................................................................................... 15
BUDGET .................................................................................................................................................................... 15
MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS ......................................................................................... 17
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS .................................................................................................... 19
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Crescent City Agency Profile .............................................................................................. 4
Table 2:City Council Members......................................................................................................... 6
Table 3: Crescent City Water Source Data .................................................................................... 11
Table 4: Storage Data .................................................................................................................... 11
Table 5: Del Norte County Schools ................................................................................................ 15
Table 6: Del Norte District Schools ................................................................................................ 15
Table 7: Crescent City Budget Information 2017-18 ..................................................................... 16
Table 8: Crescent City Fee Schedule .............................................................................................. 16
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: City Boundary and SOI ...................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2 City of Crescent City Organizational Chart ........................................................................ 8
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 2019
INTRODUCTION
This Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) Update provides information about the
services and boundaries of the City of Crescent City. The report is for use by the Del Norte Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCo) in conducting a statutorily required review and update process. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg
Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (CKH Act) requires that the Commission conduct periodic reviews
and updates of Spheres of Influence of all cities and special districts in Del Norte County (Government Code §
56425). State law also requires that, prior to SOI adoption, LAFCo must conduct a review of the municipal services
provided by that local agency (Government Code §56430). This report provides LAFCo with a tool to study current
and future public service conditions comprehensively and to evaluate organizational options for accommodating
growth, preventing urban sprawl, and ensuring that critical services are provided efficiently.
Service Review Determinations
Government Code § 56430 requires LAFCo to conduct a review of municipal services provided in the county by
region, sub-region or other designated geographic area, as appropriate, for the service or services to be
reviewed, and prepare a written statement of determinations with respect to each of the following topics:
1. Growth and population projections for the affected area;
2. The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to
the sphere of influence;
3. Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or
deficiencies (including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and
structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the
sphere of influence);
4. Financial ability of agencies to provide services;
5. Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities;
6. Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies;
and
7. Any other matter affecting or related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by Commission
policy.
State Guidelines and Commission policies encourage stakeholder cooperation in the municipal service review
process. It also provides a basis to evaluate, and make changes to Spheres of Influence, if appropriate.
Sphere of Influence Determinations
A Sphere of Influence (SOI) is a LAFCo-approved plan that designates an agency’s probable physical boundary
and service area. Spheres are planning tools used to provide guidance for individual boundary change proposals
and are intended to encourage efficient provision of organized community services, discourage urban sprawl
and premature conversion of agricultural and open space lands, and prevent overlapping jurisdictions and
duplication of services.
LAFCo is required to establish SOIs for all local agencies and enact policies to promote the logical and orderly
development of areas within the SOIs. Furthermore, LAFCo must update those SOIs every five years. For a SOI
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 2 2019
update, LAFCo is required to conduct an MSR and adopt related determinations. It must also make the
following SOI determinations:
1. The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands;
2. The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area;
3. The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is
authorized to provide;
4. The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the Commission determines
that they are relevant to the agency; and
5. The present and probable need for public facilities and services related to sewers, municipal or industrial
water, or structural fire protection of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing
sphere of influence (effective July 1, 2012).
Review Methods
The following information was considered in the development of this service review:
Agency-specific data: responses to LAFCo Requests for Information from Crescent City Departments;
o
Crescent City and Del Norte County General Plan and Zoning data; and GIS data;
o
City of Crescent City 2010 Urban Water Management Plan
o
Demographic data: U.S. Census Bureau; Department of Finance; CA Water Resources Board;
o
Finances: budgets, rates and fees; and
o
Infrastructure Plans
o
California Environmental Quality Act
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is contained in Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq. Public
agencies are required to evaluate the potential environmental effects of their actions. MSRs are statutorily
exempt from CEQA pursuant to § 15262 (feasibility or planning studies) and categorically exempt pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines § 15306 (information collection). CEQA requirements are generally applicable to SOI Updates.
The CEQA lead agency for SOI Updates is most often LAFCo, unless an agency has initiated an SOI expansion or
update.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 3 2019
CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Table 1: Crescent City Agency Profile
Formation
Agency Name City of Crescent City
Incorporation Date February 26, 1854
Enabling Legislation California Government Code §34000 et seq.
Contact
Contact Eric Wier City Manager
E-mail ewier@crescentcity.org
District Office 377 J Street Crescent City, CA 95531
Mailing Address 377 J Street Crescent City, CA 95531
Phone (707) 464-7483
Governance
Governing Body City Council
Board Meetings 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
Meeting Location 981 H St. Crescent City, CA 95531
Services
Water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, fire
Services Provided protection, law enforcement, city streets and sidewalks, housing authority,
storm drains, community development, parks and recreation
The incorporated City of Crescent City which includes Pelican Bay State
Areas Served Prison. The City also provides water and wastewater treatment to some
unincorporated areas.
Overview
Crescent City is located on the Northern California Coast approximately 20 miles south of the Oregon border
along Hwy 101, is Del Norte County’s only incorporated city and serves as the county seat. Fishing, crabbing,
timber, healthcare and tourism are Crescent City’s major industries.
Pelican Bay State Prison is an incorporated island, approximately one mile north of the main incorporated area.
It opened in December 1989 and has had major physical and economic impacts on Crescent City. The prison
initially brought an influx of prison staff (approximately 1,500 employees) that located in the Crescent City area.
The prison increased activity for many small businesses, including medical transcription, psychological services,
vehicle services, food services/food contracts, lodging, recreation contracts, and counseling contracts. The 1992
prison lands annexation resulted in the addition of inmates to the City group quarters census population. This
population increase results in additional state assistance to the city for local services.
Crescent City municipal services reviewed in this document include: water treatment and distribution;
wastewater collection and treatment; fire protection; law enforcement; city streets; parks and recreation, a
housing authority, storm drainage, public facilities; community development and planning, and administration.
The City also contracts with outside agencies to provide certain municipal services such as garbage and
recycling collection, and engineering services and other specialized services as needed. The City has an
estimated population of approximately 7,120. A municipal service review was previously conducted in 2011.
This will update the previous MSR and be the basis for a Sphere of Influence (SOI) Update.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 4 2019
There are several special districts adjacent to the City. The Crescent City Harbor District, adjacent to the south,
provides significant commercial fishing opportunities and plays a vital role in the City’s economy. The Harbor
District serves as a commercial boat basin for salmon, shrimp, tuna, cod and Dungeness crab fishing vessels, as
well as a providing recreational boating facilities. Other adjacent districts include the Bertsch Oceanview and
Church Tree CSDs and County Service Area #1.
Initially, the Yurok and Tolowa Indigenous peoples occupied what is now Del Norte County. There are now four
federally recognized tribal governments in the region, including the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, the Elk Valley
Rancheria, the Resighini Rancheria and the Yurok Tribe. These groups still occupy parts of Del Norte County.
Europeans arrived as early as 1828 and populations grew rapidly with the discovery of gold in the Smith River.
Formation
Crescent City was incorporated as a city in 1854. Crescent City was also the name of an ocean-going schooner
built in 1848. It is the northernmost City on the California Coast.
Boundary and Sphere of Influence
The City of Crescent City includes approximately 1.8 square miles (1,152 acres) within its jurisdictional boundaries.
The current Crescent City Sphere of Influence (SOI) encompasses 12,031 acres, which is over 10 times bigger than
the current city boundaries. The current SOI encompasses an area surrounding the City that extends as far north
as the Lake Earl/Northcrest area and as far east as the Elk Valley community (Municipal Service Review, 2011).
The current SOI includes agricultural and resource conservation lands that are not likely to need city services.
These areas, at the edges of the current SOI, are proposed for removal. At the December 10, 2018 Del Norte
LAFCO Commission meeting, the committee requested additional information on water service potential in
resource lands related to cannabis use. Public lands are not available for cannabis use, but private lands are
present within resource land areas and are potentially available.
Because this SOI reduction will not affect any provision of services, it is eligible for a CEQA exemption under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). LAFCo staff will file a notice of exemption as lead agency under CEQA Guidelines
Section 15062.
There is coastal grazing land zoned Resource Conservation Area (RCA) and Agriculture Lands (AG-5) present north
of the city boundary that does not need city services. A large wetland and timberland area with Elk Creek running
through it is directly east of the city boundary. Southeast of the Elk Creek wetland area is the Bertsch-Oceanview
Community Services District (BOVCSD) and below the BOVCSD is Martin Ranch held as Elk Valley Off-Reservation
Trust Land. Both the BOVCSD and Martin Ranch are proposed for continued inclusion in the proposed SOI.
The BOVCSD is adjacent to the Crescent City boundary located east of the city limits within the current SOI.
BOVCSD is organized as an independent special district under Community Service District law (Government Code
Section 61000 et seq). BOVCSD provides domestic water service to the unincorporated community of Bertsch-
Ocean View located along the coast, adjacent to, and south of Crescent City. The CSD serves a population of
approximately 1,600 people through 629 connections. The water system is maintained by the CSD, but water is
purchased from the City.
The Church Tree Community Services District (CTCSD) is located within the Crescent City SOI at the edge of land
zoned agriculture (AG-3) in the northeast part of the City’s SOI. CTCSD is organized as an independent special
district under Community Service District law (Government Code Section 61000 et seq). Located approximately
two miles north of the Bertsch Ocean-View CSD along Elk Valley Road and adjacent to the Jedidiah Smith Redwood
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 5 2019
State Park, the CTCSD provides domestic water service to a population of approximately 40 people through 26
connections. Church Tree CSD customers purchase water from the City of Crescent City.
The Crescent City Harbor District (CCHD or District) is adjacent to the City of Crescent City, approximately 20 miles
south of the Oregon border. Crescent City Harbor is located in Crescent Bay, just south of town, both on lands
granted by the State Lands Commission (SLC) to the Harbor District and lands owned fee and title by the District.
The Harbor is a shallow-draft critical harbor of refuge, supporting a Coast Guard search and rescue station,
commercial and sport fishing, and recreational boating. The District was formed in 1951 to assume responsibility
for improvements, maintenance, and management of the Crescent City Marina and related harbor facilities.
CSA No. 1 provides wastewater collection services to unincorporated areas within the Crescent City urban area.
The collection system connects to the City of Crescent City’s collection system where it is treated at the City’s
wastewater treatment plant.
The current SOI is proposed to be reduced to 10,270 acres which is a 15 percent reduction. The SOI reduction
will remove portions of Del Norte County designated Resource Conservation Areas and Agriculture General that
are adjacent to federal and state conservation areas (Initial Study Municipal Service Review and Sphere of
Influence Update 2011). The City is responsible for water service to Pelican Bay State Prison but has no obligation
to provide fire or law enforcement services. Figure 1 shows the City Boundary and the current and proposed SOI.
The Crescent City Urban Boundary (Figure 1), includes 4,221 acres as designated in the Crescent City and County
of Del Norte General Plans, and is the area surrounding the City limits that encompasses all land considered for
future water and sewer service expansion and thus, for urban development and expansion.
Accountability and Governance
Table 2: City Council Members
Board Member Title Term Expiration
Blake Inscore Mayor November 2018
Heidi Kime Mayor Pro Tem November 2020
Alex Fallman Councilmember November 2020
Jason Greenough Councilmember November 2020
Darrin Short Councilmember November 2018
Governance
Crescent City is a general law city formed under state legislative statutes and governed by a body of laws in the
California Government Code § 34000 et seq. Crescent City employs a City Council-City Manager government.
The City Council consists of five council members elected at large with staggered four-year terms. A Mayor and
a Mayor Pro Tem are selected from the council members during the first meeting after the election. The Mayor
and Mayor Pro Tem are elected by the City Council each year. Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms.
The City Council meets every first and third Monday of the month at the Flynn Center on 981 H Street in Crescent
City. There is a new building under renovation that will be used as the future City Hall located on 2nd and H
Streets.
Special meetings and workshops may be held at the Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 210 Battery Street.
Special cultural events such as the signing of the sister city agreement with Rikuzentakata Japan and celebration
in 2018 was held at the Cultural Center, on Front Street.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 6 2019
Figure 1 City Boundary and SOI
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 7 2019
Figure 2: City of Crescent City Organizational Chart
Administration
The management of the City is the responsibility of the City Council members in concert with the City Manager
as appointed by the Council. The Council establishes the policies under which the City operates and appoints a
City Manager to administer the affairs of the City. City Manager responsibilities include hiring of City staff,
preparation of the annual budget, administration and coordination of the City's operations, general supervision
over all property under the control of the City, and enforcement of City ordinance and applicable state laws.
Administrative and fiscal recommendations are made by the City Manager to the Council for approval. The City
currently has over seventy budgeted staff positions. The departments are organized as shown in Figure 2.
Other Service Providers
The Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority is a joint powers authority formed by the City of Crescent City
and the County of Del Norte in 1992 to administer and manage all solid waste, recycling, composting and
household hazardous waste facilities.
Present and Planned Land Use
Existing Land Uses
California Planning and Zoning Law requires the City to adopt a comprehensive, long term general plan for its
development. City land use designations include single and multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, public
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 8 2019
facilities, harbor, and conservation and open space. The prevailing land use is residential. Land use outside the
city limits is determined by Del Norte County. The City is surrounded by land designated as Residential (MF, RR,
SR, UR), Public Facilities, Commercial (GC, VSC), Agriculture (AG-5, 20), Industrial (GI, LI), and Resource
Conservation Area (RCA).
Future Development Potential
The City has adequate open land and potential to provide services to a wider area. The main constraints to
increased development are a lack of employment and low population growth. There has been no significant
development activity since the previous MSR. The SOI reduction will remove portions of Del Norte County
designated Resource Conservation Areas (RCA) and Agriculture General (AG) adjacent to federal and state
conservation areas.
Population and Growth
According to the US Census Bureau, the 2015 5-year population estimate for Crescent City was 7,120. A 2016
Department of Finance (DOF) document reports a 0.73 percent increase in the population of Crescent City
between 2015 and 2016, however, county population predictions report a lower rate of annual growth at only
about 0.1 percent (CA Department of Transportation, 2016). Using the 0.1 percent annual growth estimate,
and the 2010 population, the Crescent City population could increase to 7,300 by the year 2035. Based on this
analysis, it is unlikely that the City will have a significant increase in demand for services during the MSR
timeframe.
Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities
LAFCo is required to evaluate disadvantaged unincorporated communities (DUCs) as part of this municipal service
review, including the location and characteristics of any such communities. Per California Senate Bill 244, a DUC
is defined as any area with 12 or more registered voters where the median household income (MHI) is less than
80 % of statewide MHI. Within a DUC, three basic services are evaluated: water, sewer, and fire protection. The
City of Crescent City provides water, sewer services and fire protection and is responsible for assuring that those
services are adequately provided to the community.
The City of Crescent is a Census Designated Place with a MHI of $27,885, 44 % of California’s reported $63,783
MHI, thereby qualifying the area as disadvantaged (CA Dept. of Water Resources Disadvantaged Community
Mapping Tool). Crescent City is incorporated, and therefore does not qualify as a DUC. However, unincorporated
territory surrounding the City may qualify as disadvantaged. Should the City pursue annexation, DUC communities
within the its vicinity would be examined.
SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE
Crescent City Housing Authority
The Crescent City Housing Authority (CCHA) serves the affordable housing needs of Del Norte county. It has
offices located at 235 H Street and has staff including a full-time director. The CCHA prepares 5-Year and
Annual Public Housing Authority (PHA) Plans that provide information for interested parties to locate basic PHA
policies, rules, and requirements concerning the PHA’s operations, programs, and services, and informs Housing
and Urban Development (HUD or Section 8) programs, families served by the PHA, and members of the public
of the PHA’s mission, goals and objectives for serving the needs of low-income, very low-income, and extremely
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 9 2019
low-income families. The CCHA is developing an affordable housing project with Project Based Vouchers (PBVs)
as a partial funding source. They have secured property, committed vouchers and selected a contractor, Danco
Communities, and entered into a deferred development agreement to build the “Harbor Point Apartments” an
affordable housing project with subsidized units.
Water Services
The Crescent City water system provides water collection, treatment and distribution to the incorporated city of
Crescent City, certain unincorporated areas near the city, and the Pelican Bay State Prison through a system
comprised of one well in the Smith River, and 60 miles of water mains to approximately 1,800 residential
customers and 1,600 wholesale customers. As of July 2016, there are approximately 4,624 total connections
(meters) and 4,238 active water accounts (Coleman Engineering, July 2017). In 2010, the water system also
delivered service to 107 commercial connections, six industrial connections, and one connection for the Pelican
Bay State Prison.
The City delivers water directly to customers to additional unincorporated areas outside of the City. Under
contractual agreements, the City also delivers water within the Bertsch-Oceanview Community Services District
(BOV CSD), the Church Tree Community Services District (CT CSD), Crescent Fire Protection District W-1 (FDW1)
and the Meadow Brook (MB) area of the Del Norte Flood Control District.
The City has an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) (Amended 2010) in compliance with the California
Department of Water Resources (DWR) requirements pursuant to the Urban Water Management Act (UWMP
Act) and the Water Conservation Bill of 2009. The UWMP Act (California Water Code §10610 et seq.) requires
urban water suppliers to report, describe, and evaluate the following:
• Water deliveries and uses;
• Water supply sources;
• Efficient water uses; and
• Demand Management Measures (DMMs), including implementation strategy and schedule.
The UWMP includes a water use reduction plan. “The City of Crescent City has established a 2020 water
consumption goal of 87.3 GPCD. Due to ongoing conservation measures the GPCD has been significantly
reduced in the past 10 years from over 100 GPCD in 2000 to less than 80 GPCD in 2010 surpassing the 2020
water consumption goal. The City of Crescent City is committed to initiating public and school education
programs. These additional water conservation measures should result in additional reductions beyond the
2020 GPCD goal.”
In addition, the Water Conservation Bill of 2009 requires urban water suppliers to report in their UWMPs base
daily per capita water use (baseline), urban water use target, interim urban water use target, and compliance
daily per capita water use.
Water Source
The City of Crescent City's only water source is provided by groundwater from the Smith River Plain
Groundwater Basin. The Smith River provides an abundant supply of high quality fresh water. The drainage
basin of the Smith River, which covers about 700 square miles, produces runoff of about 2.9 million acre-feet
per year (AFY) (944,265 million gallons per year), making it the highest water-producing drainage in California
based on runoff per square mile (UWMP). Production from the Smith River between 2005 and 2010 was 690-
830 million gallons per year, well below the permitted amount of 1,194 million gallons per year. The City has a
state designated place of use that extends along the main transmission line from the Smith River.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 10 2019
Table 3: Crescent City Water Source Data
Source Status Capacity (gpd)
Smith River – Ranney Well Active 10 million gpd/
626,000 acre feet
Water Demand
Peak demand for water use in the City of Crescent City is currently 3 mgd/day. A 2017 inspection showed good
water quality and adequate capacity. The storage and pumping facility located on Washington Blvd was
upgraded in 2001 from a 1-million-gallon storage reservoir to a 4-million gallon reservoir (Freshwater
Environmental Services, 2014). This upgrade allowed the system to supply adequate water for fire protection.
Table 4: Storage Data
Name Type Capacity Comments
Washington Welded steel, 4 million Independent evaluations conducted in 2013 and 2016
Reservoir above ground gallons related to conditions, efficiencies and recommendations.
Amador Welded steel, 1.5 million
Reservoir above ground gallons
Water Treatment
Water from the Smith River is naturally filtered through the sand and gravel bed of the river and collected by
intake lines 30 feet below the river. From there, water is pumped southward to the treatment facility off Kings
Valley Road, where chlorine is added to meet State compliance standards. The City ceased adding fluoride to its
water supply on November 8, 2012 per ballot measure A. Under Water Resources Control Board water rights
permits, the appropriation from the Smith River (underflow) is specified as an average of 12.8 cubic feet per
second (cfs) (8.3 million gallons per day) with a maximum annual diversion of 3,666 AFY (1,194 million gallons
per year) (Freshwater Environmental Services, 2014.
Water Distribution
After treatment, the water enters the Ranney collector, a 2.85 mile transmission line, to a 50,000 gallon
elevated storage tank. From the storage tank, the water is gravity fed approximately two miles via a 24-inch
line to the City’s distribution system consisting of booster pumps and storage tanks. According to the City’s
2016 annual water quality report, a total of 656 million gallons were collected through the Ranney Collector,
which is approximately 1.8 million gallons per day.
Water Meters
There are currently no electronic water meters installed. Potentially in the future electronic meters will be
installed and allow for automatic meter reading. The average water meter age is over 40 years and although
multiple repairs and replacements have occurred within the system no complete replacement of the system has
taken place (Coleman, 2017).
System Monitoring
Water is analyzed daily for chlorine, turbidity and acidity. Additionally, microbiological tests are analyzed from
various locations throughout the system to further ensure that it meets health and quality standards. Water
monitoring test results showed that all contaminants were below Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
(Crescent City Annual Water Quality Report, 2016).
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 11 2019
Water System Infrastructure Planned Upgrades
City staff has indicated that the current system provides adequate water volume and pressure for the City’s
residential, commercial, and fire protection needs. The City of Crescent City commissioned a preliminary
engineering report (PER) for a water improvement project that was presented to the City Council. The report
covered needed upgrades to the water system including identifying planned upgrades to the existing reservoirs
and select transmission lines (Coleman, 2017). The City submitted a pre-application for USDA rural
development funding entitled Water Systems Improvement Projects 2015. As this project moves forward, it will
address the majority of the water system infrastructure needs and deficiencies. In addition, the system is
undergoing a multi-year seismic retrofit to prepare for potential earthquakes and to increase system
performance. During the retrofit, city staff will install a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
system, which will improve efficiency and promote reductions in maintenance costs and will replace the water
tanks with hydrostatic pumps to supply reliable water in the event of a power outage.
Wastewater Service Overview
Major renovations and upgrades to the Crescent City wastewater treatment facility were completed in 2010.
The Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) consists of new influent pumping equipment and controls, new grit
removal system, primary clarifier modifications, upsized and upgraded site piping, removal of underground
storage tank and contaminated soil, and addition of membrane bioreactors, ultraviolet disinfection and effluent
pumping for the production water that comports with the California Code of Regulations Title 22 (Title 22)
requirements.
The City's WWTF is capable of producing, tertiary-treated recycled water meeting Title 22 Water Recycling
Criteria and the City looks for recycled water use opportunities. The reclamation system capacity is 0.6 mgd;
however, the membrane bioreactor can treat up to 1.6 mgd. Effluent that is not recycled is discharged to the
Pacific Ocean. The 24- inch diameter ductile iron pipe outfall discharges into a rocky slot in the surf zone
adjacent to Battery Point Lighthouse and has an effluent conveyance capacity up to 13 mgd (UWMP).
Wastewater Collection System
There are approximately 3,850 sewer connections, 21 lift stations, and 51 miles of sewer line inside the City and
in Community Service Areas served by the City.
Infrastructure Needs and Deficiencies
The City’s wastewater system, originally constructed in the late 1950’s, underwent a major Wastewater
Treatment and Disposal System upgrade which was completed in 2010. Recent upgrades include the B Street
Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project and the 2nd & B Street Sewer Main Line Replacement. The B Street main
line is one of the most critical main lines in the city’s sewer infrastructure. The line was over 50 years old and in
urgent need of replacement.
Wastewater System Planned Upgrades
There is currently a project in place to upgrade lift stations. The upgrade is a joint project with the County and
will rebuild two lift stations as well as installing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for
stations, which will improve the efficiency and promote reductions in maintenance costs.
Law Enforcement
The Crescent City Police Department is located at 686 G. St. and can be contacted at 707-464-2133 or
ccpd@crescentcity.org. The department is comprised of one police chief, two sergeants, nine officers, and one
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 12 2019
records clerk and is currently fully staffed. The department also has a K-9 program with two K-9 officers. The
dogs are valuable in their ability to locate illegal narcotics.
There are current public safety needs that should be addressed. The department will need to build a new
police station or rehabilitate the old one. An ongoing study is underway and potential funding is being
reviewed. The department continues Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) trainings every 24 months to
ensure officer performance.
Crescent City provides all aspects of law enforcement for the City, such as patrol, investigations, traffic
enforcement, and traffic collision investigations. The Department responds to a wide range of calls for service
and provides a number of community support and outreach programs to promote policy/community
partnerships. These programs include volunteer programs such as Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Crescent
City Explorers, and Reserve Officers; and other programs including School Resource Officer (SRO) and Lunch
with the Law. The City Police Chief Ivan Minsal enjoys a good working relationship with the County Sheriff. The
department responded to 8,119 calls for service in 2017 and 8056 calls in 2016.
Fire Protection
The Crescent City Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection within city limits. In 2015, the Crescent City
Volunteer Fire Department and the Crescent Fire Protection District entered into a memorandum of
understanding to combine administration, fire prevention, training, operations and support services as part of
“Crescent City Fire and Rescue” (CCF&R). This was prompted by efforts to maintain a high level of service in an
environment of ever-increasing costs and service demands. The two fire agencies have a long history of
successful cooperative efforts. This has allowed for the blending of operations without changing the underlying
structure of the existing agencies. In 2016, the Fire Department received funds for a seismic retrofit,
modernization of facilities and equipment purchases.
The agency is composed of one full-time Fire Chief, one part-time Deputy Chief, one part-time maintenance
worker, a full-time Administrative Assistant and 50-60 volunteer firefighters. CCFR responds to approximately
1,600 structural and wildland fire, medical and other emergencies yearly within Del Norte County, as well as with
other agencies and departments provided through Memorandum of Understanding Agreements. The agencies
will continue to have separate budgets and oversight from two elected bodies and will retain their own buildings
and equipment. Crescent City provides human resources, financial, and other related services. The CCFR fire hall
is located at 255 West Washington Blvd. in Crescent City. The Crescent City Volunteer Fire Hall is located at 520 I
Street inside the city limits. Recent infrastructure improvements include seismic retrofitting and modernization
of the fire hall, and a new apparatus. The City maintains 492 hydrants (Countywide Fire Services MSR 2016).
City Streets
Infrastructure
The City Public Works Department maintains 23 miles of roads and five downtown parking lots.
Infrastructure Needs and Deficiencies
The City is pursuing a maintenance and rehabilitation schedule to help improve the surface conditions of the
streets. (MSR 2011). The 23 miles of roads maintained by the City were evaluated in a 2017 Pavement
Management Plan. The City uses the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system (PASER) to rate the City’s
paved surfaces on a 1-10 scale, where 1 represents a failed surface and a 10 an excellent one. The average PASER
rating for all city streets was a 6.2 down from a 7.5 in 2008. The City continues to upgrade streets to improve
pedestrian and bicycle safety and access as per the 2016 Regional Transportation Plan developed by the Del Norte
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 13 2019
Local Transportation Commission. In 2015, the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission prepared a Climate
Change and Stormwater Management Plan that addresses localized flooding and the vulnerability of
transportation assets, including city streets, to flooding, erosion and sea level rise.
Planned Upgrades
The City has planned for the following roadway improvements: Front St Design and Reconstruction; “A” Street to
Front St Realignment; and “A” St to Pacific Ave Rehabilitation. The City has plans to implement the Pebble Beach
Drive Improvement project that will connect Preston Island to downtown Crescent City. The route will be safe
for active transportation users like cyclists and pedestrians while accommodating all modes of transport including
cars and buses. The City also has plans to improve pedestrian access and safety throughout the city.
Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities
The city maintains a total of 70 acres of parkland and the following recreational facilities:
• Crescent City Cultural Center
• Fred Endert Municipal Swimming Pool
• Shoreline RV Park
• Beachfront Park (picnic area, gazebo, horseshoe pits, monuments, dog park and Kids Town)
• Fraser Park (a playground, basketball courts, and restrooms)
• Peterson Park (a baseball field, tennis and Pickleball courts, and restrooms)
• Howe Park (picnic area)
• Harbor Trail (a bridge and parking area)
Recent improvements and upgrades include the reconstruction of Shoreline RV Park which consisted of new
grading, new utilities, WIFI & Cable TV, and upgrades to the shower and laundry facilities and renovations to the
Fred Endert Municipal Swimming Pool which included skylight and roof replacement and improved exterior
accessibility as well as installation of LED lighting and installation of an ADA lift. Beachfront Park has plans to
include disc golf, soccer fields and improved beach access and now includes an amphitheater (Beachfront Master
Design Plan, 2016). The City has built the dog park included in the Beachfront design plan. The dog park is located
between Front Street and Battery Street next to the SS Emidio Memorial. The City is dedicated to increasing
community involvement in the Beachfront Park Plan through avenues such as the Beachfront Park Fund (Crescent
City Strategic Plan, 2016).
The Cultural Center, located at 1001 Front St., is available for rental for special events. Beachfront and Peterson
Park are also available for special events. All rentals are available by contacting the Public Works Department
office technician.
Infrastructure Needs and Deficiencies
There are no current needs or deficiencies.
Planned Improvements
A Master Design plan has been developed for proposed upgrades and improvements to the existing Beachfront
Park. The plan includes construction of new roads and a roundabout, new pedestrian walkways, an amphitheater,
a town square, disc golf course, picnic area, soccer fields, and a game center.
Other Public Service Providers
Schools
The Del Norte County Unified School District and Office of Education is located at 301 West Washington
Boulevard. County and District Schools are illustrated in Tables 5 and 6 below.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 14 2019
Table 5: Del Norte County Schools
Kindergarten – Kindergarten – Kindergarten – 12th 7th– 12th Grades
6th Grade 8th Grade Grade
Community Unchartered Avalon/Paragon School Community-Day Schools
Day Schools Shores Academy Castle Rock Charter Elk Creek School
School McCarthy Community School
Table 6: Del Norte District Schools
Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools
Bess Maxwell; Joe Hamilton; Crescent Elk Sunset Continuation
Margaret Keating; Mary Peacock Del Norte
Mountain; Pine Grove; Redwood
Smith River
Solid Waste and Recycling
The City’s solid waste and recycling services are overseen by the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority
(DNSWMA). Weekly recycling and trash pick-up are provided by Recology Del Norte. The Del Norte County
Transfer Station is located at 1700 State Street, Crescent City. Solid waste from the Station is transferred to the
Dry Creek Landfill, located in the Medford, Oregon area. In 2006, the Dry Creek Landfill was estimated to have a
capacity of 47.5 million tons remaining, which is estimated to provide at least 50 years of continued disposal.
Public Transportation
Local public transit is provided by Redwood Coast Transit, providing local service as well as service from Smith
River to Arcata.
Shared Facilities & Services
The City of Crescent City and Del Norte County are cooperating on a Pavement Management Assessment. The
Del Norte Local Transportation Commission compiled a 2016 Regional Transportation Plan that serves as a guide
for the development of a coordinated and balanced multi-modal regional transportation system. The plan
addresses future transportation development projects that will be implemented by Del Norte County and the City
of Crescent City. Rural Human Services is an outreach organization based in the City that coordinates programs
throughout Del Norte County. It runs a Farmer’s market at the Del Norte County fairgrounds in Crescent City, a
food bank program, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, a natural resources outreach program and a
supported living services program.
BUDGET
The City’s Budget is organized by fund type, divided into the following categories: General Fund, Special
Revenue Funds, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, Fiduciary Funds and Capital Project Funds.
The City’s adopted fiscal year 2018-19 (City Council Resolution No. 2018-26) sets budget amounts shown in
Table 7. The City’s primary source of General Fund revenues derives from Taxes. The City’s primary source
of General Fund expenditures is Wages and Salaries.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 15 2019
Table 7: Crescent City Budget Information 2018-19
Type of Fund(s) Budget Amount
General $5,922,059
Special Revenue $4,376,830
Enterprise $9,907,728
Internal Service $1,174,757
General CIP Funds $413,292
Fiduciary Funds $103,056
Total $ 21,897,722
The appropriated Enterprise and Internal Service Fund amounts do not include depreciation. The
appropriated amounts do include transfers between funds.
Audit Report
The City’s assets exceeded its liabilities by $21,693,983 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016. The biggest
increases in expenditures include increases in spending on community projects and increases in insurance
and retirement expenses. Maintaining infrastructure and increases in employee expenses are unavoidable,
but charges for services could be increased to offset increased expenses.
Service Rates
New service water connection charges are determined by estimated usage figured at a single-family
equivalency of 250 gallons per day at a rate of $2,700.00 per single family equivalent. Water and wastewater
rates and fees are set by Proposition 218 passed by the City Council. Other fees are set by a city approved
resolution and may be amended only after a properly noticed public hearing. (Ord. 566, 1980; Ord. 563 § 2,
1980; prior code § 16-126). Water service charges are $2.62 for every 100 c.f. above the 500 c.f. minimum
charge. The current Crescent City Fee schedule is available on-line on the City’s webpage.
Table 8: Crescent City Fee Schedule
Size Service Connection Fees Monthly Service Rate
5/8” – 3/4” Set by Resolution 2017-22 22.49 up to 500 cf
1” Set by Resolution 2017-22 22.49 up to 500 cf
1-1/2" Set by Resolution 2017-22 22.49 up to 500 cf
2” Set by Resolution 2017-22 22.49 up to 500 cf
Financing Constraints and Opportunities
The City of Crescent City conducts an annual budgeting process and controls costs to limit expenses. The City
actively pursues grant funding from numerous agencies that provide rural area funding to cover infrastructure
and other City improvements.
Cost Avoidance Opportunities
The City already shares staff members across departments to reduce staffing costs. The City also uses volunteers
and works with non-profit organizations to provide services at low costs.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 16 2019
MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW DETERMINATIONS
This chapter addresses the requirements of the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act
of 2000 (California Government Code Section 56430). As part of the municipal service review process, LAFCo is
required to make written statements of determinations in each of the categories listed below.
Growth and population projections
According to the US Census Bureau, the 2015 5-year population estimate for Crescent City was 7,120. Using a
0.1 percent annual growth estimate, and the 2010 population, the Crescent City population could increase to
7,300 by the year 2035 (CA Department of Finance, 2016). The city has plenty of space to accommodate this
level of growth.
The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the
Sphere of Influence.
Although the City of Crescent City is considered a Disadvantaged Community Place with place ID number
0617022, it is incorporated so it is not considered a DUC. It is directly adjacent to the Bertsch-Oceanview CSD,
which is within the current sphere of influence. Bertsch-Oceanview has a population of 2,568 and a MHI of 35,678
and is considered to be a disadvantaged community (Department of Water Resources, Disadvantaged Community
Mapping Tool, 2017). Crescent City provides water to the Bertsch-Oceanview CSD which then distributes it to
the community.
Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services, including infrastructure needs
or deficiencies.
Growth in the incorporated Crescent City area is expected to be minimal and the current public facilities and
infrastructure should be adequate to accommodate future increases. A building at 2nd and H Streets was recently
purchased for future renovation as the new City Hall location. There is a need for a new police station and a study
looking at feasibility and funding sources is still underway.
Financial ability of agencies to provide services
The City establishes annual appropriations for General; Special Revenue; Enterprise; Internal Service; General
CIP; and Fiduciary Funds as part of their budget process. These funds are allocated to provide the range of
services offered by the City.
Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities
The City of Crescent City provides potable water service to the City, some unincorporated areas around the City
and Pelican Bay State Prison. The City delivers water directly to customers within the City, the County Service
Area/Assessment District Number One (CSA1/AD1) and additional unincorporated areas outside of the City.
Under contractual agreements, the City also delivers water to the Bertsch-Ocean View Community Services
District, the Church Tree Community Services District and Meadow Brook for their customers.
CSA1/AD1 also provides wastewater conveyance for customers within their jurisdiction. However, wastewater
from the CSA1/AD1 is treated by the City’s WWTP. The BOV CSD has the same boundary and serves the same
customers as the CSA1/AD1. The BOV CSD provides water service and the CSA1/AD1 provides wastewater
collection service. The BOV CSD purchases its water from the City and the CSA1/AD1 conveys its wastewater to
the City for treatment and disposal.
Given the above conditions, and because these areas are within the Crescent City SOI, a future annexation of
one or both of these Special Districts to the City of Crescent City may be warranted, as would consideration of a
future Special District consolidation. Furthermore, in order for urban densities designated in the City of
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 17 2019
Crescent City and the Del Norte County General Plans to be developed, services must first be available.
Crescent City could pursue the annexation of the Bertsch-Oceanview CSD and the Crescent City Harbor District.
Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies
The City is governed by the Crescent City City Council. The City Council is comprised of five elected members
that serve a four year term. The current government structure is operating efficiently, and the City appears to
have sufficient governance structure and operational capacity. No change is needed.
Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by commission policy
The future annexation of the Bertsch-Oceanview CSD and the Crescent City Harbor District would allow for more
efficient service delivery to these areas. The Harbor District is pursuing financial solutions to address deficits that
should improve its ability to provide adequate services and be more viable for future annexation.
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS
The current sphere of influence (SOI) surrounding the City of Crescent City is very large and is proposed for
reduction as part of a SOI update. The SOI will still include the Church Tree Community Services District, the
Bertsch Ocean-View CSD and the Meadowbrook subdivision north of city limits.
Present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands.
The area surrounding Crescent City is primarily agricultural, commercial timber production lands, recreation
areas, residential developments and mobile home parks. There are areas of light industrial and commercial areas,
some of which are vacant. Opportunities for growth exist, but physical hazards and constraints such as flood
plains and hillsides are barriers to growth. The Commission carefully considered the areas within the SOI,
especially resource lands. The Commission is particularly concerned with private land within resource lands and
would like to consider their retention within the SOI to make access to the water supply more available for
cannabis use and other small agricultural businesses.
Present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area.
Given the low growth estimates for the City, there are no anticipated needs for the expansion of public services
and facilities. The proposed reduction in the SOI will remove areas that will not need public services from the
City. Development is currently in progress in the industrial areas around the airport and the airport itself is
proposed for inclusion in the SOI. State and Federal lands will not be developed, will not rely on an extension of
city services and are proposed for removal. However, private inholdings within resource lands could potentially
be used for small agriculture businesses and require water service in the future.
Present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to
provide.
The current capacity of public facilities provided by the City appear to be adequate to serve current demand.
Existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they
are relevant to the agency.
The City of Crescent City is a shopping and service industry hub for local residents in Del Norte County. Crescent
City’s commercial and public businesses support the daily local needs of the greater population of the County.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 18 2019
For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special district that provides public facilities or services related
to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire protection, the present and probable need for those
public facilities and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere.
The current SOI is proposed for reduction due to a lack of demand for development on the edges of the current
SOI. There are no disadvantaged unincorporated communities that will be removed from the current SOI that
will no longer be able to receive services from the City.
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 19 2019
REFERENCES
City of Crescent City, 2016. Beachfront Master Design Plan.
City of Crescent City, 2016. Annual Water Quality Report. http://crescentcity.org/docs/2016CCR.pdf
City of Crescent City, 2016. Strategic Design Plan
Coleman Engineering, 2017. City of Crescent City Water Improvement Project Preliminary Engineering Report.
CA Dept. of Water Resources: http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/grants/resources_dac.cfm
CA Dept of Water Resources Groundwater Information Center
http://www.water.ca.gov/pubs/groundwater/bulletin_118/basindescriptions/1-1.pdf
Freshwater Environmental Services, 2014. 2010 Urban Water Management Plan Amendment, Crescent City CA
North Coast Resource Partnership: http://www.northcoastresourcepartnership.org/app_pages/view/7897
State of California, Department of Finance, E-1 Population Estimates for Cities, Counties and the State with
Annual Percent Change — January 1, 2016 and 2017. Sacramento, California, May 2017.
California Department of Transportation:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/eab/index_files/2016/DelNorte2016.pdf
US Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/06
US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System Accessed 2017
https://sdwis.waterboards.ca.gov/PDWW/JSP/WaterSystemDetail.jsp?tinwsys_is_number=277&tinwsys_st_cod
e=CA&counter=0
US Census Bureau https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml
Crescent City Adopted
MSR/SOI 20 2019