Consolidated Irrigation

FRESNO LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION (LAFCO) EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT 1 0 AGENDA ITEM No. DATE: October 10, 2012 TO: Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission FROM: Jeff Witte, Executive OfficerJJ) SUBJECT: Consider Adoption - Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Update Prepared for the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement, Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control, and Fresno Westside Mosquito Abatement Districts. Recommendations: A) Acting as Lead Agency pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, find that prior to adopting the written determinations, the Municipal Service Reviews and Sphere of Influence determinations under consideration are Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15306, "Information Collection" and Section 15320, "Changes in Organization of Local Agencies". B) Find that the Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Update prepared for each of the Districts are complete and satisfactory. C) Find that the written determinations within the Municipal Service Reviews and Sphere of Influence Updates satisfy State Law. D) Pursuant to Government Code Sections 56425 and 56430 make the required determinations for the Municipal Service Reviews and District Spheres of Influence, adopt the Municipal Service Reviews prepared for each District, and update the Sphere of Influence for said Districts by reaffirming their current boundaries or approving the recommended changes. Summary I Background The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 requires LAFCo to review and update, as necessary, special district Spheres of Influence (SOis) every five years. Prior to, or in conjunction with an agency's SOI update, LAFCo is required to conduct a Municipal Service Review (MSR) for each agency. Municipal Service Reviews provide a comprehensive review of the services provided by a city or district and present recommendations with regard to the condition and adequacy of these services and whether or not modifications to a city or district's SOI are necessary. MSRs can be used as informational tools by LAFCo and local agencies in evaluating the efficiencies of current district operations and may suggest changes in order to better serve the public. Sphere of Influence updates may involve an affirmation of the existing SOI boundaries or recommend modifications to the SOI boundaries. LAFCo is not required to initiate changes to an SOI based on findings and recommendations of the service review, although it does have the power to do so. State law requires that the Commission adopt written MSR determinations for each of the following seven criteria: 1. Growth and population projections for the affected area. 2. Location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities, 3. Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services, including infrastructure needs or deficiencies. 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. 7. Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by commission policy. As part of the SOI update, the Commission is required to consider the following four criteria and make appropriate determinations in relationship to each: 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. Environmental Determination The California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") requires that the Commission undertake and review an environmental analysis before granting approval of a project, as defined by CEQA. The MSRs are categorically exempt from the preparation of environmental documentation under a classification related to information gathering (Class 6 - Regulation section 15306), which states: "Class 6 consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded." Indeed, these MSRs collect data for the purpose of evaluating municipal services provided by the agencies. There are no land use changes or environmental impacts created by such studies. Furthermore, the MSRs qualify for a general exemption from environmental review based upon CEQA Regulation section 15061(b)(3), which states: "The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA." Additionally, the SOI updates qualify for the same general exemption from environmental review based upon CEQA Regulation section 15061(b)(3). 2 There is no possibility that these MSRs or SOI updates may have a significant effect on the environment because there is no land use changes associated with the documents. If the Commission approves and adopts the MSRs and SOI updates and determines that the projects are exempt from CEQA, staff will prepare and file a notice of exemption with the County of Fresno, as required by CEQA Regulation section 15062. Descriptions: Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District encompasses 704,000 acres in eastern Fresno County. The District provides mosquito suppression and control services. Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District encompasses 179,673 acres and includes part of the City of Fresno, the City of Kerman, and the communities of Biola, Calwa, Malaga and Easton. The District provides mosquito suppression and control services. Fresno Westside Mosquito Abatement District encompasses 820,186 acres in western Fresno County. The District provides mosquito suppression and control services. G:\LAFCO WORKING FILES\MSR 2nd Round\October 2012\October MSR Staff Report.doc 3 CONSOLIDATED MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW AND SPHERE OF INFLUENCE UPDATE Report to the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission Jeff Witte Candie Fleming Samantha Hendricks 2607 Fresno Street, Suite B Fresno, CA 93721 October 2012 Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District Mosquito and Mosquito-borne Disease Surveillance and Control Contact Information Manager: Steve Mulligan Address: 2425 Floral Ave P.O. Box278 Selma, CA 93662 Phone: (559) 896-1085 Website: http://www.mosquitobuzz.net Management Information Governing Body: Board of Trustees Board Members: Tim Bass, City of Clovis, term Jan. 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014 David Cardenas, City of Fowler, term Jan. 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014 Pete Esraelian, City of Selma, term Jan. 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015 Tokuo Fukuda, City of Kingsburg, term Jan. 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015 Esther Gonzalez, City of Orange Cove, term March 2012 to Dec. 31, 2013 Mary Anne Hill, County of Fresno, term June, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2012 Dan Munk, City of Reedley, term Jan. 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014 Joe Reyna, City of Parlier, term Jan. 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014 Karen Steinhauer, City of Sanger, term Jan. 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015 Bruce Taylor, County of Fresno, term Jan. 2011 to Dec. 31, 2014 Vacancy, City of Fresno Board Meetings: Third Monday of each month at 1: 00 PM at 2425 Floral Avenue, Selma, CA 93662 Staffing: 1 Manager, 1 Field Supervisor, 5 Area Supervisors, 1 Biologist/GIS Specialist, 1 Entomologist, 1 Administrative Assistant, 1 Office Assistant, 1 Mechanic, and 1 Senior Operator, and 30 seasonal employees Service Information Empowered Services: Vector and Vector-home Disease Surveillance and Control Services Provided: Mosquito and Mosquito-borne Disease Surveillance and Control Area Served: Central Fresno County and portion of Kings County (See Map) Population Served: Unknown Acres Served: 677,120 Infrastructure: The main office in Selma and five satellite depots to provide services Fiscal Information Budget: Total budget FY 2012/2013 $2,989,000 Sources of Funding: Property taxes Rate Structure: N.A. Administrative Policies Master Plan: No Policies/Procedures: Yes By-laws: No Boundary Updated: 1987 SOI Updated: 2007 Other: No 1. MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW Description of District The Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District (MAD) was formed in 1946. It operates pursuant to the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Law (Health and Safety Code. Section 2000 et seq.). The District encompasses approximately 1,040 square miles in the central portion of Fresno County and approximately 18 square miles in Kings County (1,058 square miles total). The District extends from Kings County on the south to Madera County on the north. Its western border is contiguous to the Coalinga-Huron MAD, Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District (MVCD) and Fresno Westside MAD The District includes the Cities of Clovis, Fowler, Kingsburg, Parlier, Reedley, Orange Cove, Sanger and Selma, a portion of the City of Fresno, and unincorporated areas surrounding these cities. Its sphere of influence encompasses 2,232,320 acres and the boundaries contain 677,120 acres, as shown on the enclosed map. (Note: that portion of the District located in Kings County is not shown.) An eleven-member board of tmstees governs the District, one appointed by each of the nine cities within its boundaries and two appointed by the Board of Supervisors. A District Manager is responsible for administrative functions. The District has 13 full time and 30 seasonal employees. District Services Services provided by the District include mosquito and mosquito-borne disease surveillance and control, mosquito source reduction and public education for abatement of mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases. 2. MSR DETERMINATIONS This portion of the report addresses the factors specified in the governing statute for Municipal Service Reviews. Growth and Population Projections The District's services do not affect rates or location of urban development or population growth, nor does that directly affect the governance of the District, a composite board of trustees created by appointments from cities and the County. MSR and Sphere Update 2 Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District Location and Characteristics of any Disadvantaged Communities There are a few disadvantaged communities within the District, and the District provides services that protect the public health of these communities. Infrastructure Needs and Deficiencies The District provides services from a number of office locations. The main office is in Selma, which has 57 year old facilities, and there are outlying offices (satellite depots) from which services are provided in Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Sanger, and a depot between the communities of Riverdale and Caruthers. The ages of these facilities are 19, 49, 36, 37 and 43 years, respectively. The District's Board has determined that existing facilities are not adequate to provide for future needs and is planning for acquisition of property and construction of a new central office facility .. Financial Ability to Provide Services The District operating budget for FY 2012-2013 is $2,989,000. The District has set aside reserves of $4,012,000, including building reserves for property acquisition and construction of new facilities. Property taxes constitute the main revenue source. There is no District debt. Opportunities for revenue enhancement include the potential of annexing additional area (un-served, unincorporated area in eastern Fresno County that is within the District's SOI) to the District with assessments on such parcels, which revenues would be offset by the costs to provide services to that area. A Proposition 218 benefit assessment ballot (wholly paid for with District funds) and proposed annexation of properties within this area was defeated by a weighted vote of property owners in 2007. The District has no further plans to annex the area .. The District has undertaken a number of means to avoid and regulate expenses including participation in two joint powers agencies with similar districts for pooled self-insurance of liability, workers compensation, property and auto physical damage, as well as employee health insurance. The District participates in joint chemical purchase bidding programs with other districts in the region and has informal agreements with other districts in the region to share equipment and personnel as the need arises. Status of, and Opportunities for, Shared Facilities There are no obvious opportunities for shared facilities in the operations of the District unless it pursues consolidations with other Mosquito Abatement Districts in the County. The District provides a mosquito control program on the CSU Fresno campus and farm, through an agreement with CSUF. MSR and Sphere Update 3 Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District Government Structure and Operational Efficiencies No obvious management inefficiencies were identified from this limited review and it appears the District is efficiently serving its residents and customers. While being a single agency it provides services through a series of outlying office locations. It maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) that includes mapping and parcel information and a database of surveillance and control activities and service requests. The District is governed by the Board of Trustees appointed by the Board of Supervisors and City Councils of cities located within the District. Regular meetings are held at 1: 00 PM on the third Monday of each month. District agendas are posted at the site of the meeting and on its website at http://www.mosquilobuzz.net/BoardMeetingAgendaNoPosting.him. 3. SPHERE OF INFLUENCE REVIEW AND UPDATE Government Code Section 56076 defines sphere of Influence as "A plan for the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency, as determined by the commission. Description of Current Sphere of Influence The District's boundaries and sphere of influence are not coterminous. The sphere of influence encompasses 2,232,320 acres and the boundaries contain 677,120 acres No Proposed Sphere Changes The District reports its sphere and boundary is correct at this time and no changes are anticipated. Sphere of Influence Determinations When LAFCO amends a sphere of influence it must adopt specific determinations with respect to the following factors: 1. Present and planned land uses, including agricultural and open-space lands; Land uses include a mixture of residential, commercial, industrial, public, agricultural and open space uses. 2. Present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area; The need for District public health services will increase with growth m population and with decreases in services provided by the State. 3. Present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide; The District provides services over a large geographic area. The capacity of the existing District facilities are not adequate for provision of services into the future, and the District is planning to construct a new central office facility. MSR and Sphere Update 4 Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District 4. Existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency. The entire region benefits from protection of public health and comfort through an active, effective program to control mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. The District includes several identifiable communities including Clovis, Fowler, Kingsburg, Parlier, Reedley, Orange Cove, Sanger, Selma, a portion of the City of Fresno, a number of unincorporated communities (including Caruthers, Del Rey, Friant, Laton, Raisin City and Riverdale, and unincorporated areas surrounding these cities and communities. 4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & REFERENCES This draft Municipal Service Review was prepared by Fresno LAFCo staff. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS In consideration of information gathered and evaluated during the Municipal Service Review it is recommended the Commission: 1. Accept public testimony regarding the proposed Municipal Service Review. 2. Approve the recommended Municipal Service Review determinations, together with any changes deemed appropriate. 3. Affirm the current Sphere of Influence and that it not be revised at this time. 4. Encourage the district to work with the other mosquito abatement districts to determine if consolidation is desired and feasible. MSR and Sphere Update 5 Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District ,§-..0 i :-...-\ ~ ~ ~})~" ~ ,p f0a "'.. ,?J':> «.' '· 0 :Yo l:'.~o 1'0,S' <-'1'}1, 1)0 :J, <\ Co <-'1)9,, . ' ,, '~\ ,' ~ ~ . ' •••• ,. •••• KE~MAN ,/~ .. Fresno County ® ------] Tulare County r c:::Y°; N (.,!...~; ~ 0 20 40 W+E §r ... ~Miles s ~ HURON Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission Legend Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District □ District SOI Note: Portion of District Located in Kings County Not Shown. - Distict Area District Formed: 1946 Map Date: October 2007 City Areas SOI Adopted: 3/24/1976 District Area: 658,078 Acres Cities Overlapping District SOI Updated: 4/18/2007 Sphere Area: 2,286,238 Acres