Beckwourth CSA Spheres of Influence (adopted Feb 8, 2016)

PLUMAS LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION (LAFCO) BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA (CSA) SPHERE OF INFLUENCE (SOI) UPDATE Adopted Resolution 2016-0002 February 8, 2016 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 LAFCO's Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.2 Sphere of Influence Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.3 LAFCO Policies and Procedures Related to Spheres of Influence . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.4 Description of Public Participation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.5 Possible Approaches to the Sphere of Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.6 SOI Update Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.7 SOI Amendments and CEQA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1 Beckwourth Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1.1 Beckwourth History and Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1.2 Beckwourth Population Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.2 Beckwourth County Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.2.1 Beckwourth CSA History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.2.2 Beckwourth CSA Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.2.3 Beckwourth CSA Service Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.2.4 Beckwourth CSA Planning and Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.2.5 Beckwourth CSA Sphere of Influence Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2.2.6 Beckwourth CSA Extra-territorial Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3.1 SOI Determinations on Present and Planned Land Use for Beckwourth County Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3.2 SOI Determinations on Facilities and Services: Present and Probable Need for the Beckwourth County Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3.3 SOI Determinations on Public Facilities Present and Future Capacity for the Beckwourth County Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3.4 SOI Determinations on Social or Economic Communities of Interest for the Beckwourth County Service Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3.5 Present and probable need for public facilities and services of any Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities within the existing Beckwourth County Service Area Sphere of Influence . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 PREPARERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 1 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 LAFCO's Responsibilities This Sphere of Influence (SOI) Study has been prepared for the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (Plumas LAFCO). Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) are quasi-legislative local agencies created in 1963 to assist the State in encouraging the orderly development and formation of local agencies. This SOI Study consists of a review of the Beckwourth County Service Area. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Government Code §56000 et seq.) is the statutory authority for the preparation of an MSR and periodic updates of the Sphere of Influence of each local agency. A Sphere of Influence 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. 1.2 Sphere of Influence Requirements 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: 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 which 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 5. Present and probable need for public facilities and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing Sphere of Influence 1.3 LAFCO Policies and Procedures Related to Spheres of Influence Plumas LAFCO has adopted policies and procedures related to spheres of influence that are included as part of an overall Plumas LAFCO policy, standards and procedures document adopted on June 16, 2010. Plumas LAFCO has discussed and considered the SOI process in open session, and has adopted a schedule notwithstanding budget appropriations for completing the various municipal service reviews and sphere of influence updates for Plumas County. 1 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 1.4 Description of Public Participation Process Plumas LAFCO is authorized by the California Legislature and delegated powers as stated in the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (the Act). LAFCO proceedings are subject to the provisions California’s open meeting law, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Sections 54950 et seq.) The Brown Act requires advance posting of meeting agendas and contains various other provisions designed to ensure that the public has adequate access to information regarding the proceedings of public boards and commissions. Plumas LAFCO complies with the requirements of the Brown Act. 1.5 Possible Approaches to the Sphere of Influence LAFCO may recommend government reorganizations to particular agencies in the county, using the SOIs as the basis for those recommendations. Based on review of the guidelines of Plumas LAFCO as well as other LAFCOs in the State, various conceptual approaches have been identified from which to choose in designating an SOI. These seven approaches are explained below: 1) Coterminous Sphere: A Coterminous Sphere means that the Sphere of Influence for a city or special district that is the same as its existing boundaries of the city or district. 2) Annexable Sphere: A sphere larger than the agency’s boundaries identifies areas the agency is expected to annex. The annexable area is outside the district boundaries and inside the sphere of influence. THIS IS THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BECKWOURTH CSA. 3) Detachable Sphere: A sphere that is smaller than the agency’s boundaries identifies areas the agency is expected to detach. The detachable area is the area within the agency bounds but not within its sphere of influence. 4) Zero Sphere: A zero sphere indicates the affected agency’s public service functions should be reassigned to another agency and the agency should be dissolved or combined with one or more other agencies. 5) Consolidated Sphere: A consolidated sphere includes two or more local agencies and indicates the agencies should be consolidated into one agency. While one of the goals of LAFCO is to consider consolidation of districts, this principal does not apply in the case of the Beckwourth CSA because there are no other agencies which are nearby and provide a similar service. 2 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 6) Limited Service Sphere: A limited service sphere is the territory included within the SOI of a multi-service provider agency that is also within the boundary of a limited purpose district which provides the same service (e.g., fire protection), but not all needed services. Territory designated as a limited service SOI may be considered for annexation to the limited purpose agency without detachment from the multi-service provider. This type of SOI is generally adopted when the following conditions exist: a) The limited service provider is providing adequate, cost effective and efficient services b) The multi-service agency is the most logical provider of the other services c) There is no feasible or logical SOI alternative d) Inclusion of the territory is in the best interests of local government organization and structure in the area Government Code §56001 specifically recognizes that in rural areas it may be appropriate to establish limited purpose agencies to serve an area rather than a single service provider, if multiple limited purpose agencies are better able to provide efficient services to an area rather than one service district. Moreover, Government Code Section §56425(i), governing sphere determinations, also authorizes a sphere for less than all of the services provided by a district by requiring a district affected by a sphere action to “establish the nature, location, and extent of any functions of classes of services provided by existing districts” recognizing that more than one district may serve an area and that a given district may provide less than its full range of services in an area. 7) Sphere Planning Area: LAFCO may choose to designate a sphere planning area to signal that it anticipates expanding an agency’s SOI in the future to include territory not yet within its official SOI. There are no anticipated sphere planning areas within Plumas County at this time. 1.6 SOI Update Process 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, as necessary. In updating the SOI, LAFCO is required to conduct a Municipal Service Review (MSR) and adopt related determinations, which was adopted on October 3, 2011.1 This report identifies SOI determinations and recommends a SOI for the Beckwourth County Service Area. LAFCO must notify affected agencies 21 days before holding a public hearing to consider the SOI and may not update the SOI until that hearing is closed. The LAFCO Executive Officer must 1 Plumas LAFCO, Eastern Plumas Municipal Service Review Final, Adopted October 3, 2011, Prepared by Policy Consulting Associates, LLC, pages 84-99. 3 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 issue a report including recommendations on the SOI amendment and update under consideration at least five days before the public hearing. 1.7 SOI Amendments and CEQA LAFCO has the discretion to limit SOI updates to those that it may process without unnecessarily delaying the SOI update process or without requiring its funding agencies to bear the costs of environmental studies associated with SOI expansions. Any local agency or individual may file a request for an SOI amendment. The request must state the nature of and reasons for the proposed amendment, and provide a map depicting the proposal. LAFCO may require the requester to pay a fee to cover LAFCO costs, including the costs of appropriate environmental review under CEQA. LAFCO may elect to serve as lead agency for such a review, may designate the proposing agency as lead agency, or both the local agency and LAFCO may serve as co-lead agencies for purposes of an SOI amendment. Local agencies are encouraged to consult with LAFCO staff early in the process regarding the most appropriate approach for the particular SOI amendment under consideration. Certain types of SOI amendments are likely exempt from CEQA review. Examples are SOI expansions that include territory already within the bounds or service area of an agency, SOI reductions, zero SOIs and coterminous SOI’s. SOI expansions for limited purpose agencies that provide services (e.g., fire protection, levee protection, cemetery, and resource conservation) needed by both rural and urban areas are typically not considered growth-inducing and are likely exempt from CEQA. Similarly, SOI expansions for districts serving rural areas (e.g., irrigation water) are typically not considered growth inducing. Remy et al. write: “In City of Agoura Hills v. Local Agency Formation Commission (2d Dist.1988) 198 Cal.App.3d480, 493-496 [243 Cal.Rptr.740] (City of Agoura Hills), the court held that a LAFCO’s decision to approve a city’s sphere of influence that in most respects was coterminous with the city’s existing municipal boundaries was not a “project” because such action did not entail any potential effects on the physical environment.”2 The recommendation is to adopt an expanded Sphere of Influence which includes the Nervino Airport. However, the airport is already developed so no environmental impacts are anticipated. 2 Remy, Michael H., Tina A. Thomas, James G. Moose, Whitman F. Manley, Guide to CEQA, Solano Press Books, Point Arena, CA, February 2007, page 111. 4 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 2 BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA BACKGROUND 2.1 Beckwourth Community 2.1.1 Beckwourth History and Location Beckwourth (formerly, Beckwith) is a census-designated place (CDP) which means that some census data is available for the community. Beckwourth is located on the Middle Fork of the Feather River, 5 miles east of the City of Portola. The population was 432 at the 2010 census, up from 342 at the 2000 census. There are approximately 606 permanent residents within the Beckwourth Fire Protection District which includes a larger area. The population may be higher in the summer months due to tourists. Beckwourth, sometimes erroneously listed as “Beckwith” on early census reports, was named for James “Jim” P. Beckwourth, an unsung, genuine American hero of mixed ancestry who promoted a lower, safer passage across the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the mid-1800s.”3 The Beckwith post office opened in 1870 and changed its name to Beckwourth in 1932. Nervino Airport is three quarters of a mile east of Beckwourth along State Highway 70 on Reconnaissance Peak. It has a 4,600-foot runway. Variant names for the airport are Beckwourth Airport and Plumas County Airport. State facilities in the town include a State of California, Department of Water Resources maintenance yard and a Caltrans Maintenance Station located at the same site. The Beckwourth County Service Area (BCSA) stretches to the east and west of Beckwourth- Genessee Road and to the south of State Highway 70. The CSA is situated within the boundaries of Beckwourth FPD. BCSA is the most eastern wastewater service provider in Plumas County. The closest neighboring wastewater service provider to the west is Grizzly Ranch CSD. 2.1.2 Beckwourth Population Data The US Census in 2010 reported that Beckwourth had a population of 432. The Census reported that there were 196 households, out of which 41 (20.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 53 households (27.0%) were made up of individuals and 15 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20. There were 131 families (66.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.64. The population was spread out in age as follows: AGE DISTRIBUTION BECKWOURTH CALIFORNIA 2010 Under the age of 18 71 people 16.4% Aged 18 to 24 14 people 3.2% Aged 25 to 44 72 people 16.7% Aged 45 to 64 177 people 41.0% 65 years of age or older 98 people 22.7% TOTAL 432 people 100.0% The median age was 53.9 years. For every 100 females there were 118.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.5 males. 3 Plumas LAFCO, John Gullixson, Beckwourth Fire District Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Update, 2010, p. 7. 5 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 There were 342 housing units of which 169 (86.2%) were owner-occupied, and 27 (13.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 8.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 363 people (84.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 69 people (16.0%) lived in rental housing units. 2.2 Beckwourth County Service Area4 2.2.1 Beckwourth CSA History Beckwourth County Service Area (CSA) was formed in 19675 as a dependent special district of the County, governed by the Board of Supervisors. At that time, the community was served by deteriorating individual septic systems and leaching fields where leaching had surfaced in some areas and was running down ditches. In addition, some seepage was found from the leachfields in a few wells.6 The CSA was given the power to establish a sanitary sewer collection system, treatment plant and domestic water supply system; however, the CSA has not initiated water services.7 The principal act that governs the CSA is the County Service Area law.8 The principal act authorizes county service areas to provide a wide variety of municipal services, including street maintenance, fire protection, extended police protection, water and sewer services.9 A CSA may only provide those services authorized in its formation resolution unless the Board of Supervisors applies to and receives authorization from LAFCO for activation of a latent power.10 Under LAFCO law, districts must apply and obtain LAFCO approval to exercise latent powers or, in other words, those services authorized by the principal act but not provided by the district at the end of 2000.11 2.2.2 Beckwourth CSA Boundaries Beckwourth CSA’s boundary is entirely within Plumas County. The District’s boundaries encompass approximately 0.3 square miles. 12 There has been one annexation to the District since its formation. In 2003, BCSA annexed the Eicher property that consisted of about 40 acres. According to the annexation resolution, this annexation of uninhabited land was the logical extension of the boundary to the adjacent territories to which the District is already providing services.13 Land uses within the District are primarily residential, suburban, and commercial.14 The District has a small system that serves 70 accounts, of which 54 are residential. Based on average household size throughout the County of 1.9 people, the estimated population of BCSA is 103. 4 Plumas LAFCO, Eastern Plumas Municipal Service Review Final, Adopted October 3, 2011, Prepared by Policy Consulting Associates, LLC, pages 84-99. 5 State of California, Board of Equalization. 6 Beckwourth CSA, Engineering Report, Sewer Collection and Treatment System, 1969, p. 1. 7 Board of Supervisors, Resolution 1790. 8 California Government Code §25210.1-25211.3. 9 California Government Code §25210.4 and 25210.4a. 10 California Government Code §25213.5. 11 Government Code §56824.10. 12 Total agency area calculated in GIS software based on agency boundaries as of July 1, 2011. The data is not considered survey quality. 13 Plumas LAFCO Resolution 2003-014. 14 Plumas County Parcel Application. 6 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 The District reported that it has observed no significant change in service demand in the last few years. Presently, the District provides services to 70 accounts.15 Between 2006 and 2010, the District has added one connection to the system. 2.2.3 Beckwourth CSA Service Overview BCSA provides wastewater collection and treatment through four oxidation ponds. Services are presently provided throughout the District’s boundary and to 10 connections outside of its boundary. There are no private septic systems within the District’s boundary. The system is operated by one contract employee who devotes seven hours per week to maintenance and operation activities and is on call at all times. The contract employee has a Wastewater Operator Grade 1 certification, which meets the requirements of the system. The District operates and maintains four oxidation ponds and 2.8 miles of collection system. The oxidation ponds were built in 1973 and 1974 and consist of photosynthetic treatment and oxidation and evaporation in two ponds. The District operates primarily out of two ponds and uses the other two ponds as backup. Each pond has the capacity to hold one acre foot of effluent. The District reported that the ponds are generally in fair to poor condition. The District is subject to waste discharge requirements (Order No. 96-135) adopted by the RWQCB. According to the WDRs, the 30-day average daily dry weather flows may not exceed 20,000 gallons. Average dry weather flow to the system in 2010 was 5,016 gpd, which consists of 25 percent of the system’s permitted capacity. The peak week wet weather flow to the system in 2010 was 20,063 gpd. On average, flows are well below the capacity of the ponds, which allows for additional pond capacity during rain events. The collection system is composed of asbestos cement piping dating from 1969, which was identified as also being in fair to poor condition. Based on the peak wet weather flow in 2010, the system has a peaking factor of four, meaning the system has relatively weak structural integrity and there is a moderate to high rate of infiltration and inflow during rain events. The 2035 Plumas County General Plan Update Draft EIR reports the following: “Wastewater treatment system is aged. Pump replacement is anticipated to reduce maintenance costs. Current plans call for the construction of roughly 6,000 feet of new four-inch low pressure sewer main to address infiltration/inflow constraints.”16 2.2.4 Beckwourth CSA Planning and Management Practices The District is managed by the County Engineering Department. The Director of Public Works acts as the District’s general manager. The day-to-day operations of the District are managed by three employees who contribute ten hours a month each. In addition, there is one operator who is employed by contract and compensated at a flat rate. County employees are evaluated at a minimum of once a year. The County employees track hours worked for BCSA in a timesheet. Performance and accountability of the system operator are measured by the operation of the wastewater system and timeliness of responses to 15 It was reported by the District that some parcels may have multiple connections, and at present the exact number of connections is unknown. 16 Plumas County, 2035 Plumas County General Plan Update, Draft Environmental Impact Report, Prepared by ESA, November 2012, page 4.9-8. 7 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 requests. The workload of the contract operator is not tracked. Beckwourth CSA reports that it does not perform formal evaluations of overall District performance, such as benchmarking or annual reports. The Board of Supervisors could appoint an Advisory Committee to assist in the oversight of the District. The District’s financial planning efforts include an annually adopted budget. The financial statements are done by the County. The District provided the adopted budget for FY 10-11 and financial statement for FY 09-10. In addition, BCSA plans its capital improvements through a required engineer’s report on present and future conditions. The District’s goal is to make it more comprehensive in the future. The District charges its residents sewer fees that were last updated in 1983. BCSA rates for wastewater service are as follows: $12.75 per quarter for private residences; $33 per quarter for bars, restaurants and lodge halls; $18 per quarter for grocery stores, gas stations and garages; $3 per quarter per room at a hotel or per trailer space in a trailer park; and $33 per quarter for public agencies. The District’s expenditures in FY 09-10 were $26,290. The District’s primary expenditures consisted of salaries and benefits (55 percent) and services and supplies (42 percent). In FY 09-10, the District’s expenditures exceeded revenues by $10,959. Reserve funds are used to cover any excess expenditures in any given year. 2.2.5 Beckwourth CSA Sphere of Influence Background17 The District’s SOI was first established in 1976, and included an area beyond its boundaries where growth was anticipated. The area was a commercial zone along SR 70.18 The SOI was last updated in 1982. 19 It was extended eastward to accommodate commercial and industrial growth along SR 70 and include parcels that were previously split, and also includes a large area north of the boundaries along Beckwourth Genessee Road.20 The size of the current SOI is 0.9 square miles compared to 0.3 square miles of boundary area. 2.2.6 Beckwourth CSA Extra-territorial Services21 BCSA began providing extra-territorial services to one connection on the Hartwig property in 2004, a 54-acre territory at the end of Magpie Road, through an out-of-area service agreement (OASA). The District reported that it also provides services to nine additional industrial connections in that area along Industrial Way; although, there are no records on when services were extended there. In addition, the District will provide services through an OASA to the Fire Center that is currently being constructed by the airport, outside of the District’s existing SOI. The facility will be a joint- use fire station located on County-owned and operated land. USFS will cover the costs of constructing a new main directly to the District’s treatment ponds. Due to fee negotiations 17 Plumas LAFCO, Eastern Plumas Municipal Service Review Final, Adopted October 3, 2011, Prepared by Policy Consulting Associates, LLC, page 85. 18 Plumas LAFCO, Sphere of Influence Study for Beckwourth CSA, 1976. 19 Plumas LAFCO Resolution 82-07.08. 20 Beckwourth CSA, Notice of Public Hearing, 1982, Attachment. 21 Plumas LAFCO, Eastern Plumas Municipal Service Review Final, Adopted October 3, 2011, Prepared by Policy Consulting Associates, LLC, page 85. 8 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 between the District and USFS an agreement has not been completed yet. A requirement of the agreement to provide services is eventual annexation of the territory to the District. 3 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DETERMINATIONS The recommendation for the Beckwourth County Service Area Sphere of Influence is to expand the Sphere of Influence to include the Nervino Airport as shown on the map at the end of this report. 3.1 SOI Determinations on Present and Planned Land Use for Beckwourth County Service Area 1-1] The District is not a land use authority, and does not hold primary responsibility for implementing growth strategies. The land use authority for unincorporated areas is Plumas County 1-2] The District’s estimated population is 103. 1-3] There has been no significant change in service demand in the last few years. 1-4] Minimal growth in population and similarly in service demand is expected in the next few years if planned developments are constructed. 1-5] The District should maintain close communication with the Plumas County Planning Department to be aware of any proposed General Plan and Zoning changes. 1-6] The population of Plumas County has declined from 20,007 in 2010 to 18,606 in 2014. 22 3.2 SOI Determinations on Facilities and Services: Present and Probable Need for the Beckwourth County Service Area 2-1] The potential for expansion of BCSA will largely depend on land use designations as defined in the Plumas County General Plan update that is underway.23 The District reported that there may be the potential to annex the Nervino Airport property, including parcels south of SR 70, adjacent to Industrial Way and Hawley Road, and the industrial park.24 2-2] The District is also considering taking on water services in the community. The industrial park developers have expressed interest in getting water service from the CSA should it initiate water retail. Extension of water services to the industrial park would require annexation of the territory. 22 US Census Bureau, US Census Quick Facts, December 28, 2015. 23 Plumas County, http://www.countyofplumas.com/index.aspx?NID=479, December 29, 2015. 24 BCSA, Application for Approval of an Out-of-Area Service Agreement, 2011, pp. 1-2. 9 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 3.3 SOI Determinations on Public Facilities Present and Future Capacity for the Beckwourth County Service Area 3-1] The District’s financing levels are not adequate to provide services to its existing territory. Funding for capital improvement projects is not adequate to fix or replace failing equipment. 3-2] Wastewater rates are the lowest of the providers in the region and were last updated in 1983. It is recommended that the District update its rates so that they are comparable to other service providers and in order to finance necessary capital improvements. 3-3] There is sufficient treatment capacity to serve current needs and the anticipated increase in demand. 3-4] The system is aged and the pumps occasionally fail and need to be replaced. 3-5] BCSA plans its capital improvements through a required engineer’s report on present and future conditions, which needs to be updated, as it was last completed in 1969. 3-6] Based on the District’s peaking factor, infiltration and inflow increase significantly during rainy periods. As there are no records of an inspection of the collection system since it was constructed in 1969, it is recommended that the District complete an overall assessment of the system to determine the cause and extent of the infiltration and inflow and any other needs or deficiencies. 3-7] The District could benefit from an advisory committee to work with the County staff and advise the Board of Supervisors regarding the needs of the District. Perhaps some of the Beckwourth Fire Protection Board members would be willing to serve in this capacity. 3-8] An advisory committee could work with the voters in the District to promote understanding of the need for fee increases and other improvements. 3.4 SOI Determinations on Social or Economic Communities of Interest for the Beckwourth County Service Area 4-1] The Beckwourth Fire Protection District provides a focus for community identification and activities. 4-2] The community of Beckwourth has a unique history and some employment opportunities but the residents depend on the community of Portola, five miles to the west, for most services. 4-3] The formation of an advisory committee to work with the residents, the County Staff and the County Board of Supervisors could contribute to a greater feeling of ownership for the wastewater treatment facilities and the benefit that this system provides for the community. 10 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 3.5 Present and probable need for public facilities and services of any Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities within the existing Beckwourth County Service Area Sphere of Influence In addition to a consideration of population growth, the State Law requires LAFCO to consider whether or not an area is a Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community (DUC). A DUC is an area where the Median Household Income is less than 80% of the State of California Median Household Income. 5-1] The Median Household Income is not available for the Beckwourth CSA, only for Plumas County. The Plumas County Median Household Income for 2010 to 2014 was $48,032.The State of California Median Household Income for 2010 to 2014 was $61,489. Eighty percent of the State Median Household Income was $49,479. Therefore, Plumas County could be considered to be a Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community.25 5-2] The purpose of this law is to consider whether a DUC could become part of an incorporated city with more services; but there are no incorporated cities close enough to the Beckwourth CSA that could annex this area. The City of Portola is located five miles to the west. 25 US Census Bureau, US Census Quick Facts, December 28, 2015. 11 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 ABBREVIATIONS AB Assembly Bill BCSA Beckwourth County Service Area BOE Board of Equalization (State of California) CDP census-designated-place CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CSA County Service Area CSD Community Services District District Beckwourth County Service Area DOF Department of Finance (State of California) DUC Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community FPD Fire Protection District FY Fiscal Year gpd gallons per day LAFCO Local Agency Formation Commission MSR Municipal Service Review OASA out-of-area service agreement RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SOI Sphere of Influence USFS US Forest Service WDRs Waste Discharge Requirements 12 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 REFERENCES Beckwourth CSA, Application for Approval of an Out-of-Area Service Agreement, 2011, pp. 1-2. Beckwourth CSA, Engineering Report, Sewer Collection and Treatment System, 1969, p. 1. Beckwourth CSA, Notice of Public Hearing, 1982, Attachment. Plumas County, 2035 Plumas County General Plan Update, Draft Environmental Impact Report, Prepared by ESA, November 2012, page 4.9-8. Plumas County Board of Supervisors, Resolution 1790. Plumas County, http://www.countyofplumas.com/index.aspx?NID=479, December 29, 2015. Plumas County Parcel Application. Plumas LAFCO, Eastern Plumas Municipal Service Review Final, Adopted October 3, 2011, Prepared by Policy Consulting Associates, LLC, pages 84-99. Plumas LAFCO, John Gullixson, Beckwourth Fire District Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Update, 2010, p. 7. Plumas LAFCO Resolution 2003-014. Plumas LAFCO Resolution 82-07.08. Plumas LAFCO, Sphere of Influence Study for Beckwourth CSA, 1976. Remy, Michael H., Tina A. Thomas, James G. Moose, Whitman F. Manley, Guide to CEQA, Solano Press Books, Point Arena, CA, February 2007, page 111. State of California, Board of Equalization. US Census Bureau, US Census Quick Facts, December 28, 2015. PREPARERS Plumas LAFCO, John Benoit, Executive Officer PO Box 2694, Granite Bay CA 95746 916-797-6003 johnbenoit@surewest.net Christy Leighton, Planning Consultant 555 E. Willow Street, Willows CA 95988 530-934-4597christyleighton@sbcglobal.net 13 PLUMAS LAFCO BECKWOURTH COUNTY SERVICE AREA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Adopted by Resolution 2016-0002 on Feb 8, 2016 PROPOSED SPHERE OF INFLUENCE MAP: Beckwourth County Service Area 23 24 19 DR EESENEG HTRUOW KCEB TS YELEERG M N Y O R R T T L H E S S T T MAIN ST N INDUSTRIAL WAY ·|}þ 70 NERVINO RD 26 25 30 MAGPIE RD YAW LAIRTSUDNI DR YELW AH DR NOTLAYOL HTRUOW KCEB 35 36 31 BECKW OURTH CALPINE RD 14 htroN 32 pihsnwoT Range 14 East Range 15 East Beckwourth CSA Ponds PLUMAS COUNTY Beckwourth CSA 4 Legend Parcels Beckwourth CSA Beckwourth CSA ·|þ} Resolution: 178 70 CA State Highway Railroad Tracks A of r e B a e c S k e w rv o e u d rt h O C ut S si A de Adopted: December 29, 1967 Roads Sectional Grid (MDB&M) District Boundary B R e e c so kw lu o tio u n rt : h 2 0 C 1 S 6 A -0 ( 0 S 0 O 2 I) Stream / River Beckwourth CSA Adopted: February 8, 2016 Waterbodies 0 330 660 1,320Feet Sphere of Influence Source: Plumas LAFCo Map Created 2/21/2016