MSR G2 1 Dinuba Apr06

CHAPTER 1 – CITY OF DINUBA MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This section provides an overview of the written determinations findings of the City of Dinuba Municipal Service Review. As part of its review of municipal services, LAFCO is required to prepare a written statement of its determination with respect to each of the following: 1) Growth and population projections for the affected area; 2) Infrastructure needs and deficiencies; 3) Financing constraints and opportunities; 4) Cost avoidance opportunities; 5) Opportunities for rate restructuring; 6) Opportunities for shared facilities; 7) Government structure options; 8) Evaluation of management efficiencies; and 9) Local accountability and governance. These requirements are established by AB 2838, the Cortese-Knox- Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. The Dinuba MSR identifies the following written determinations. Written Determinations 1) Growth and Population Historical Data & Population Projections 1. Historical Census data indicates that Dinuba had a 1990 population of 12,743, and a 2000 population of 16,844. California Department of Finance projections indicated a January 2005 population of 19,297. These trends indicate that Dinuba’s population is growing at an average annual rate of approximately 2.8%. 2. Based upon historical population trends, at an average annual growth rate of 2.8%, Dinuba’s 2025 and 2030 population are projected to be 33,524 and 38,487, respectively. These projections are higher than those contained in the City of Dinuba General Plan Update, which are 30,297, and 33,516 for 2025 and 2030, respectively. Planning Documents 1. The City plans for future growth through the implementation of policies and standards set forth in General Plan Elements. Dinuba’s General Plan is a long-range guide for attaining the City’s goals within its ultimate service area and accommodating its population growth to the year 2020. The City’s General Plan provides an excellent foundation and policy base to guide future growth within the City. 2. The City also plans for future growth through the preparation and implementation of specific plans and master plans. The City adopted the Southwest Dinuba Specific Plan in 1992, and is in the process of preparing a specific plan for the northeast area of the City. The City also master plans public infrastructure systems including water, sewer, and storm drain systems. Planning Boundaries 1. The Tulare County General Plan contains an Urban Boundaries Element which sets forth policy regarding development within municipal fringe areas surrounding incorporated cities. 2. According to adopted plans, urban development is to occur only within the incorporated City Limits, with certain exceptions. Within the 20-year UDB, development proposals are City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-1 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 referred to the City for annexation. If the City cannot, or will not, annex, Tulare County considers the proposal on its merits. 3. The City adopted a 10-year UDB as part of its GPU, based upon the capabilities of the City to accommodate new growth. It is anticipated that the City will open up its 20-year UDB for development sometime around the year 2010, although the time frame could vary significantly based upon development demand. The adoption of tiered UDB’s promotes orderly development by discouraging “leap frog” development from occurring. 4. Consistent with City and County General Plan policies, and boundary definitions, a City’s SOI should, at a minimum, be coterminous with, or extend beyond the established 20-year UDB, which is not currently the case for the City of Dinuba. 5. It is recommended that the City review its SOI to determine if all land within the City’s established 20-year UDB is included within its SOI, and explore opportunities to expand its SOI to encompass such land that may not currently be within the City’s SOI. Land Use 1. As prescribed by General Plan Policy, the City should undertake a review of the land use demand and supply no less than once every five years. It is recommended that the City coordinate this process with the scheduled SOI updates to determine any modifications that may be necessary. 2. The City’s General Plan Map for Land Use can be viewed on the City’s website at www.dinuba.org or purchased for $5.00 at City Hall. Annexations 1. Dinuba has been very active in annexing additional land into the City. In 2002, the City annexed over 800 acres of land into the City, and more recently annexed approximately 255 acres into the City. All pending and approved annexations are within the City’s SOI. 2) Infrastructure Needs & Deficiencies Capital Investment Program 1. The City’s CIP is an excellent foundation and planning tool to assist the community in its orderly development in the acquisition of municipal facilities and to assure that service needs for the future are met. 2. The CIP ties the City’s physical development to goals and decisions expressed through hearings, citizen advisory groups, City staff, and documents including the City’s General Plan. 3. The CIP identifies over twenty revenue sources from which CIP projects are funded, and provides a comprehensive description of each revenue source, and how the resources are allocated. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-2 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Domestic Water 1. The City’s water supply is derived from seven active groundwater wells, which have a total maximum production efficiency of approximately 7,600 GPM. 2. Information provided by City staff indicates that the average demand on the water system is about 4.2 MGD, and the maximum daily demand is about 7.3 MGD. The maximum capacity of water system is 11.0 MGD, indicating that the City’s water system is operating at approximately 65% of its capacity. 3. The City’s water system supports 4,575 total connections including 4,137 residential connections, 434 commercial connections, and 4 industrial connections. All connections to the City’s water system are metered, which promotes water conservation. 4. City staff has indicated that the City has an adopted water conservation ordinance but it has not been necessary recently to impose restrictions. It is recommended that the City consider posting the water conservation ordinance on its website as a way of continuing to promote water conservation in the City and potentially increase the level of public participation. 5. The City’s water supply and distribution system was last studied in a Water System Evaluation/Water Quality Evaluation report prepared by Boyle Engineering in 1993. City staff indicated that Boyle Engineering is in the process of updating the City’s Water System Master Plan. It is recommended that the Water Master Plan Update include a study area that, at a minimum, encompasses all areas within the City’s 20-year UDB and SOI. Any foreseen areas that the City anticipates including in its 20-year UDB or SOI should also be included within the master planning area. 6. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide adequate water supply to the growing community for the next decade. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing water system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s CIP. 7. Based upon information obtained from the Department of Water Resources, Dinuba has complied with the Urban Water Management Planning Act (for 2000), as their UWMP has been found by the Department of Water Resources to be complete. The City has until December 2005 to comply with the 2005 requirement. UWMPs are required to be updated every five years in years ending in five and zero. Drainage Infrastructure 1. The City’s storm drainage infrastructure was evaluated as part of the Storm Drainage Master Plan (Quad Engineering, 1989), and the City’s GPU in 1997. 2. Most of the storm runoff collected in the City’s drainage system is discharged to irrigation ditches operated by the Alta Irrigation District. Discharge limitations are established through an agreement between the City and District. 3. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide storm drainage infrastructure to the growing community in future years. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing storm drain system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-3 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s CIP. Wastewater Collection, Treatment and Disposal 1. Several studies of the City’s sewer collection system have been conducted in the past. Studies were completed in 1967, 1971, 1973, 1989, and 2004. Although several of the previous studies are over 25 years old, a significant portion of the conclusions and recommendations are still valid according to the City’s GPU adopted in 1997. The City continues to upgrade its sewer collection system consistent with recommendations in the previous studies. 2. As the improvements identified in previous studies near build-out, it will be necessary for the City to undertake a comprehensive “Sewer System Master Plan Update” to address the City’s sewer collection system needs to accommodate general plan build-out. The comprehensive “Sewer System Master Plan Update” should, at a minimum, incorporate areas within the City’s 20-year UDB and SOI. 3. The City’s Wastewater Reclamation Facility was most recently studied as a part of the “City of Dinuba Maser Plan 2003/04”, RTW Engineering, 2003/04. The master plan recommended exploring the feasibility of the Reclamation, Conservation, and Recreation Project, which would provide for additional wastewater effluent and sludge disposal through the construction of wetlands, ponds, and irrigation of a new 18-hole golf course. 4. The Wastewater Reclamation Facility operates under provisions outlined in Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. 95-200, issued by the RWQCB. The order prescribes that the monthly average dry weather discharge flow shall not exceed 3.0 MGD however a registered civil engineer has certified the plant for a total treatment capacity of 3.14 MGD average daily maximum month flow (ADMMF). According to the Wastewater User Charge Survey Report F.Y. 2004-05, issued by the State Water Resources Control Board in May 2005, Dinuba reported an average dry weather flow of 2.2 MGD, indicating that the plant is operating at approximately 70% of its capacity. 5. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide sanitary sewer collection, treatment, and disposal services to the growing community in future years. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing sewer system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’ CIP. Streets and Roads 1. The City constructs transportation improvements through the implementation of goals and policies set forth in the City’s General Plan Circulation Element, and other plans, including the Tulare County Regional Transportation Plan, which is updated every three years. 2. The City’s General Plan indicates that all City streets would operate at LOS “C” or better conditions through year 2015. 3. The Dinuba City Council has established the following goals related to transportation: repair streets citywide; widen Ave. 416 and Road 80 to four lanes; upgrade public transit system to include trolley; continue sidewalk, curb & gutter program. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-4 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 4. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide transportation related infrastructure for the efficient movement of people and goods. The continuous implementation of General Plan Circulation Element goals and polices also guides the City in meeting the future transportation needs of the community. 5. It is recommended that the City take the lead in planning for transportation and circulation improvements within the boundary of its 20 year UDB and SOI. Streets within this area should be constructed to City standards, since it is likely that the area will ultimately be incorporated into and become a part of the City of Dinuba. Fire and Police Protection Services 1. The Dinuba Fire Department operates out of one fire station equipped and staffed 24-hours a day. The fire station is located at the intersection of E. Tulare Street and N. “H” Street. 2. The insurance services office (ISO) rates fire departments on a scale of one (best) to ten (unprotected). The Dinuba Fire Department current ISO rating is four (4). 3. The City of Dinuba contracts with various agencies to provide the community with the best possible emergency services through mutual aid agreements, including the Tulare County Fire Department, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Visalia Hazardous Response Team. 4. Consistent with the 2003-2005 goals set forth by the Dinuba City Council, a Fire Master Plan was adopted by the City. The Fire Master Plan provides an excellent tool to plan for future staffing and facility requirements to accommodate future growth within the City’s SOI. 5. The City of Dinuba voters passed Measure F, which increased the local sales tax by ¾ cent to raise revenue for increased police and fire protection. The Measure F 10-year expenditure plan includes funding of several projects including a new fire station and joint training facility, and additional equipment and staffing for the department. The passage of Measure F is indicative of the community’s desire to maintain the highest levels of public safety. 6. The Dinuba Police Department operates out of one police station and one sub-station equipped and staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days per year. The City completed the construction of a new Police State and Justice Court Facility in 2000. 7. Based upon current staffing levels, the Police Department has a sworn police officer to population ratio of approximately 1:715, which is excellent compared to other City’s within the County. 8. The Police Department offers various programs for citizens to get involved with public safety efforts in the community. The programs generally consist of community volunteers who are dedicated to a safer community. 9. The City Council has established several goals relating to the public safety within the community including the following; pass sales tax initiative to increase Police Department staffing; decrease gang/drug activity and violence; add 8-10 new police officers assuming sales tax initiative passes; purchase new safety equipment for Police Department; develop City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-5 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 early age prevention program; improve public safety employee retention program; find/develop graffiti proof paint. Solid Waste 1. The City of Dinuba has contracted with a private carrier to provide pickup of solid waste within the City limits. 2. The City has a disposal/recycling program which operates on a split container system. Recyclables are taken to the Tulare County Recycling facility in Visalia where they are sorted and then bailed for sale to recycled material users. 3. Independent (private contractors) service providers are not subject to SOI determinations, and are therefore exempt from the MSR requirement. 3) Financing Constraints and Opportunities 1. In March 2004, the City received a Certificate of Award for their “Excellence in Operational Budgeting 2003-04” from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. The certificate recognizes meritorious achievement in operational budgeting and reflects a highly professional budget document and the underlying budgeting process through which the budget is implemented. The receipt of this award is an indication of the City’s implementation of appropriate financing/funding practices. 2. The City’s budgetary funds are segregated into enterprise and non-enterprise financing functions. Three of the City’s five Enterprise Funds fell short of meeting their required operating reserves at the end of F.Y. 2004-05. For these reasons, City staff continues to monitor these funds closely to bring them to within their required operating reserve limits. 3. The City’s ability to obtain financing in addition to typical General Fund and Proprietary Fund revenues is demonstrated by numerous grants the City has been successful in obtaining to implement capital projects. Recent grants the City has successfully applied for include a Federal EDA grant for WWTF improvements, a CDBG for the Fire Department remodel, and a FEMA grant for a vehicle exhaust extraction system. 4. The City’s budget contains a section describing the status of long term debt owed by the City, and the long-term obligation policy. City funds had a total outstanding debt of $16,796,380 as of July 1, 2005, and the Redevelopment Agency had a total outstanding obligation of $28,111,293 as of July 1, 2005. The City’s long term debt payment amounted to $1,484,011, and the Redevelopment Agency’s debt payment amounted to $2,120,173 in F.Y. 2004-05. 5. Major sources of the City’s long term debt include Certificates of Participation issued in 1998 for expansion of the WWTF amounting to over $5 million of the total debt balance, and Lease Revenue Bonds issued in 2002 for the construction of the Vocational Facility and new Public Works Facility amounting to over $7 million of the total debt balance. 6. It is recommended that the City explore opportunities to establish assessment districts for the public maintenance and operation of various public facilities, for example, landscaping and lighting. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-6 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 4) Cost Avoidance Opportunities 1. The City’s budget process is designed to screen out unnecessary costs through the implementation of a program performance budget format. The program performance budgeting system encourages creativity, effectiveness, broad participation in decision making, and accountability. 2. The City also avoids unnecessary spending through the establishment of an Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit), consistent with the requirements imposed by Propositions 4 and 111. The budget year 2004-05 appropriations limit was $9,364,023. 3. The City avoids unnecessary costs by sharing insurance premiums within all departments of the City. With increasing insurance, workers compensation, and other liability, keeping insurance premiums reasonable has become more and more challenging. The City should continue to explore opportunities to implement methods to keep such costs within reason, including shared insurance coverage for joint agency practices. 4. The City avoids unnecessary costs through the implementation of infrastructure Master Plans and the General Plan, which assist in eliminating overlapping or duplicative services. 5. The City has opportunities to increase its cost effectiveness and revenue raising efforts by including the use of assessment districts, tracking savings and interest on reserves, maintaining a balanced budget including maintaining a General Fund budget that grows each year, and emphasizing performance measurement practices. 6. The City can avoid unnecessary costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the street lighting system by researching and implementing funding options as it relates to Proposition 218 limitations. 7. The City can avoid unnecessary costs by implementing smart growth practices by promoting development in infill areas and areas where infrastructure is already in place (and has excess capacity). It can be expected that the City will avoid unnecessary costs that may be caused by the annexation of proposed SOI areas through comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of a proposed development in those areas. 8. The City could also avoid unnecessary costs through the construction of joint use facilities, including but not limited to recreational sports fields, parks, or other facilities that could be used by multiple agencies. It is a goal of the City Council to continue partnerships with the local School District and the Chamber of Commerce, an indication of the City’s ongoing efforts to work with outside agencies to promote joint use projects. 5) Opportunities for Rate Restructuring 1. Rates and fees for services are established and updated using the City’s budget process, ordinances and other regulations. 2. The City has a sound fee structure in place which allows the City to continue to provide cost effective services to its residents while continuing to maintain and improve the current infrastructure. 3. There is no evidence suggesting that the City would not be able to provide services to the SOI areas for fees consistent with citywide fees for such services. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-7 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 6) Opportunities for Shared Facilities Current Facilities Sharing Activities 1. Some examples of the City’s interagency cooperation efforts include the establishment of automatic mutual aid agreements with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, the Tulare County Fire Department, and the City of Visalia Hazardous Response Team, to collaborate public safety efforts. 2. The City has worked with Tulare County Association of Governments and Tulare County Resource Management Agency on regional planning issues including transportation, solid waste, and coordinating applications to request State and/or Federal funding for joint projects. 3. The City is also working with the Alta Irrigation District on a joint project that would construct a groundwater recharge basin. The project would dedicate approximately 50 acres to drainage and recharge facilities. 4. The City has an ongoing partnership with the Alta Irrigation District to coordinate storm water runoff related issues with the City. The City has agreements with the Alta Irrigation District on the amount of storm water that may be discharged into streams and ditches. This has resulted in a cost savings to the City as these ditches form a major component in the City Storm Water Master Plan. 5. The City continues to work with the Dinuba Unified School District to communicate effectively on issues of shared interest. The City should continue its partnership with the school district to collaborate recreational resources and efforts for the betterment of the community. Future Opportunities 1. The City should continue groundwater recharge efforts by continuing its partnership with the Alta Irrigation District. As groundwater levels in the County continue to dwindle, the importance of groundwater recharge projects is becoming apparent. 2. The City should continue to work with the County on efforts to preserve prime agricultural land, and discourage development that would result in the loss of such lands. The City can accomplish this through smart growth planning, and promoting higher density developments. 3. The Sultana Community Service District has expressed interest in connecting to the City of Dinuba’s wastewater treatment facility. If the Sultana CSD were to connect to the City’s WWTF, this would not only allow for additional connections within the Sultana community, but would also free up capacity at the Cutler-Orosi WWTF. The feasibility of interconnecting the Sultana CSD sewer system to the Dinuba sewer system and treatment facility should be explored as a joint effort between the City of Dinuba and the Sultana CSD. 4. According to City staff, connecting the Sultana CSD sewer system to the City’s WWTF would create some serious challenges and opportunities. On the positive side, such action may facilitate the funding of the eastside trunk sewer, while on the challenging side, the City would have very little jurisdiction to regulate what is coming into the plant from that line. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-8 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 7) Government Structure Options 1. Since development of properties within the SOI generally relies on Master Planned infrastructure available from the City, it is logical for the City to assume the lead in planning for these sites. 2. The City has a sound governmental structure that provides necessary resources to provide public services and infrastructure improvements within the SOI area. 3. Coordinated infrastructure plans for development within the SOI area that are submitted with specific annexation requests would create a checks and balance system for incorporating lands into the City while promoting improvements to impacted adjacent County land. 4. Tulare County LAFCO has adopted specific policies for reviewing proposals for a change in organization, reorganization, incorporations, dissolution and other proposals processed by Tulare County LAFCO, including annexations, and SOI amendment proposals. 5. There are no foreseeable boundary conflicts with surrounding Cities or special districts that would affect the current governmental structure of Dinuba. 8) Evaluation of Management Efficiencies 1. The City of Dinuba’s mission statement is indicative of the City’s efforts to involve the citizens of the community in its decision making processes. 2. The City’s budget process provides a history of performance and accountability and allows for a clear view of what the City’s residents are getting for the fees and taxes they pay. This type of accountability provides for an efficiently and effectively run organization that is readily available to respond to the needs of the community. 3. There is no evidence indicating that the City’s current management structure would not be able to assume services within the SOI area, and/or continue to assist other agencies through mutual aid agreements. 4. The City ensures that services can be efficiently provided in the SOI areas through the preparation of master service plans to provide infrastructure that will ultimately serve the SOI/UDB areas. 5. The City has a sound organizational structure that should be able to continue to provide quality service to current residents, and accommodate future growth within the City and surrounding urban development areas. 9) Local Accountability and Governance 1. The governing body of Dinuba is the City Council, which is elected in compliance with California Election Laws. The City complies with the Brown Act Open-Meeting Law and provides the public with opportunities to get information about City issues, including website and phone access, and bill inserts. Regular City Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers located at 405 E. El Monte Way, Dinuba. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-9 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 2. The City continues to make reasonable efforts to maintain public involvement regarding land use and development projects in the community. The City accomplishes this through regular City Council meetings, website postings, and community feedback surveys. 3. The City maintains a comprehensive website, which provides a means to keep the public informed on local events, current City projects, recreational activities, and other activities occurring in the City. 4. The City’s budget preparation process gives residents the opportunity to review the services the City is providing, and the cost of those services. This type of accountability helps the City to identify services that operating efficiently and areas where improvement may be needed within the organization. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-10 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.0 CITY OF DINUBA 1.0.1 Background In July 2003, the Tulare County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Board adopted a Municipal Service Review (MSR) exemption policy, which identifies the agencies that would be subject to a review and the extent of that review. The agencies in Tulare County were divided into three (3) categories: agencies subject to a full comprehensive study; agencies subject to a questionnaire study; and agencies exempt from a MSR study. Each of the Cities in Tulare County shall be subject to full review. The policy further identifies that the services subject to review shall be: • Police protection • Fire protection • Water and wastewater • Solid waste collection and disposal • Streets and traffic circulation • Power generation and distribution • Health Care The City of Dinuba, founded in 1888 and incorporated in 1906, is located in the northwest corner of Tulare County in the heart of the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. The City of Dinuba operates under the Council-Manager form of government, and became a “charter” City in June 1994. The City provides the following services that are subject to a municipal service review: public safety (police and fire protection), domestic water, sanitary sewer collection, treatment and disposal, and transportation. The City of Dinuba contracts with a private carrier to provide pickup of solid waste within the City limits. Power generation and distribution is provided by privately owned utility companies. The Southern California Edison (SCE) Company serves most of the cities within Tulare County, including Dinuba. Review of the services provided by privately owned and operated utility companies are excluded from this MSR. It should also be noted that due to the unique nature of healthcare, review of this service has been specifically excluded from this report. Dinuba takes pride in maintaining small town traditions and values, while continuing to promote economic development for the betterment of the community. Dinuba is located near the center of the southern San Joaquin Valley with easy access to the entire valley, the rest of the state, and the 11-state Pacific Coast/Intermountain west market area. Freight can be delivered overnight to San Francisco and the south bay communities, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Fresno to the north and Visalia to the south are rapidly growing metropolitan areas that provide a market for a wide range of products. The City is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the community, which is achieved by commitment to growth and community development and providing incentives for local business and entrepreneurs. The City provides the following incentives to promote economic activity in the City: immediate access to sites, fast tracking commercial and industrial permits, on site plan review for change orders, relocation assistance, and applications for state/federal grants for offsite improvements, among others. Incorporated cities surrounding Dinuba include Visalia to the south, Woodlake to the southeast, Reedly to the northwest, Kingsburg to the west, and Orange Cove to the northeast. Smaller size communities surrounding Dinuba include Culter, Orosi, and East Orosi to the east, and Delft Colony and London to the southwest. The current City Limit Boundary and the currently adopted Sphere of Influence (SOI) for the City of Dinuba are illustrated on Figure 1-1. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-11 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 FIGURE 1-1 – DINUBA CITY LIMITS AND SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Source: Tulare County GIS Database (July 2004) City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-12 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The following excerpt from the Tulare County LAFCO website (www.co.tulare.ca.us/lafco/info.asp) defines a SOI and the purpose it serves. A “Sphere of Influence” is the physical boundary and service area that a local governmental agency is expected to serve. Establishment of this boundary is necessary to determine which governmental agencies can provide services in the most efficient way to the people and property in any given area. The Sphere of Influence requirement also works to discourage urban sprawl by preventing overlapping of jurisdictions and duplication of services. The following discussions address the nine legislative factors required by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act: 1) Growth and population; 2) Infrastructure needs and deficiencies; 3) Financial constraints and opportunities; 4) Cost avoidance opportunities; 5) Opportunities for rate restructuring; 6) Opportunities for shared facilities; 7) Government structure options; 8) Evaluation of management efficiencies; and 9) Local accountability and governance. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-13 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.1 GROWTH AND POPULATION The purpose of this section is to present historical and projected growth patterns and population projections to establish a baseline for the evaluation of service needs. 1.1.1 Historical Data & Population Projections Historical population data and future projections have been obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, and the California Department of Finance, respectively. For analysis purposes, this data is compared to other source data relating to growth and population including the City’s General Plan. Historical census data indicates that the City of Dinuba had a population of 12,743 in 1990 and a population of 16,844 in 2000, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.8%. The California Department of Finance estimated a January 2005 population of 19,297, which equates to an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.8% between 2000 and 2005. Table 1-1 compares the City of Dinuba’s population to the overall population of Tulare County for years 1990, 2000, 2005, and projected for years 2025 and 2030. TABLE 1-1 CITY OF DINUBA HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED POPULATION Year Tulare County Dinuba % of Total County Population 1990 311,921 12,743 4.1% 2000 368,021 16,844 4.6% 2005 409,871 19,297 4.7% 2025 594,719 33,524 5.6% 2030 650,466 38,487 5.9% Notes: 1) 1990 & 2000 Population Data Based Upon U.S. Census Data 2) 2005 Population Estimated by California Department of Finance (DOF) 3) 2025 & 2030 Projections for Tulare County Estimated by California DOF 4) 2025 & 2030 Projections for Dinuba estimated using annual growth rate of 2.8% As indicated in Table 1-1, it is estimated that Dinuba’s population will reach approximately 33,500 by year 2025, by applying an average annual growth rate of 2.8% (consistent with historical trends). Since incorporated City’s typically experience higher growth rates than the unincorporated areas of Tulare County, it is anticipated that Dinuba will make up approximately 5.6% of the overall County population by year 2025, compared to 4.7% in 2005. Based upon information obtained from the Tulare County GIS database, the City Limits of Dinuba incorporate approximately 3,118 acres of land, while the City’s SOI incorporates approximately 4,418 acres of land (both which include the WWTF area). Recent annexation approvals by LAFCO have incorporated an additional 255 acres of land within the City’s SOI into the City Limits. The City of Dinuba General Plan Update (GPU) provides population projections in ten year increments, between 2000 and 2040, as follows. • Year 2000 Population: 17,735 • Year 2010 Population: 22,151 • Year 2020 Population: 27,387 • Year 2030 Population: 33,516 • Year 2040 Population: 40,464 City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-14 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Interpolating the above data yields a year 2005 population of 19,822, and a year 2025 population of 30,297. Comparing the GPU population estimates to historical census data indicates that the projections for years 2010 and beyond contained in the GPU may be slightly low. Although historical trends indicate an average annual growth rate around 3%, the City acknowledges that the average annual growth rate through 2040 could be as high as 4% to 5%. 1.1.2 Planning Documents The City of Dinuba plans for future growth through the implementation of policies and standards set forth in General Plan Elements. The General Plan is a long-term, comprehensive framework to guide physical, social and economic development within a community’s planning area. Dinuba’s General Plan is a long- range guide for attaining the City’s goals within its ultimate service area and accommodating its population growth to the year 2020. The City of Dinuba General Plan Update, Adopted October 1997, coordinates all components of the City’s physical development and sets objectives, policies and standards which guide future growth within the City’s planning area. The City’s comprehensive GPU included updates of the following General Plan Elements; land use, circulation, conservation and open space, recreation, urban boundary, and noise. The GPU also incorporated two new elements which included community design and public services and utilities. The remaining mandatory elements which include public safety and housing, were identified by the City as being sufficiently current, and were incorporated into the GPU with minor reformatting only. The City’s Housing Element was last updated in 1992, and the Tulare County General Plan Safety Element, which was adopted by the City of Dinuba, was last updated in 1975. The City’s General Plan provides an excellent foundation and policy base to guide future growth within the City. The City also plans for future growth through the preparation and implementation of specific plans and master plans. In March 1992, the City adopted the Southwest Dinuba Specific Plan that established land use, circulation and public facilities planning for approximately 626 acres of land in the southwest Dinuba Area. A master plan for the northeast area of the City is also being developed. The City also master plans public infrastructure systems including, but not limited to, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems. These infrastructure master plans are discussed further in a subsequent section of this report. 1.1.3 Planning Boundaries In addition to an SOI, which is defined by LAFCO as the “…physical boundary and service area that a local government agency is expected to serve…” the City’s GPU identifies ten year and twenty year urban development boundaries (UDB) based upon the capabilities of the City to accommodate new growth. The Tulare County General Plan contains an Urban Boundaries Element which sets forth policy regarding development within municipal fringe areas surrounding incorporated cities. The following are excerpts from the County of Tulare General Plan Policy Summary Section 1 – Land Use and Urban Boundaries. “This plan element establishes Urban Development Boundaries which define twenty-year planning areas around incorporated cities in which the County and cities will coordinate plans, policies, and standards relating to building construction, subdivision development, land use and zoning regulations, street and highway construction, public utility systems, environmental studies, and other closely related matters affecting the orderly development of urban fringe areas. Within these boundaries, the cities and the County may also establish planning areas representative of shorter time periods in order to assist in more precise implementation of community plans and policies. It is recognized City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-15 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 that these boundaries provide an official definition of the interface between future urban and agricultural land uses.” “This plan element establishes Urban Area Boundaries, which define the area where land uses are presumed to have an impact upon the adjacent incorporated City, and within which the cities’ concerns are to be given serious consideration as part of the land use review process. The Urban Area is considered to be the next logical area in which urban development may occur and the area within which Urban Development Boundaries may ultimately be expanded. Modification of Urban Development Boundaries will be considered at such time as the land use plan for a community is revised to reflect changing needs and circumstances or an extended time frame. Preservation of productive agricultural lands shall be of the highest priority when considering such modifications, and expansion of Urban Development Boundaries to include additional agricultural land shall only occur as a last resort.” Urban development is to occur only within the incorporated City Limits, with certain exceptions. Within the 20-year UDB, development proposals are referred to the City for annexation according to adopted plans. If the City cannot, or will not, annex, Tulare County considers the proposal on its merits. Figure 1-2 shows the City Limits and SOI in comparison to the City’s 20-year UDB. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-16 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 FIGURE 1-2 – DINUBA CITY LIMITS, SOI, AND 20-YEAR UDB Source: Tulare County GIS Database (July 2004) City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-17 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The City of Dinuba adopted a 10-year urban development boundary as part of its GPU, based upon the capabilities of the City to accommodate new growth. It is anticipated that the City will open up its 20- year UDB for development sometime around the year 2010, although the time frame could vary significantly based upon development demand. The adoption of tiered UDB’s also promotes orderly development by discouraging “leap frog” development from occurring. As indicated on Figure 1-2, the City’s adopted SOI generally lies within the City’s 20-year UDB except for an area surrounding the southwest area of the City, and a small strip of land surrounding the east area of the City, in which the SOI extends beyond the 20-year UDB. Land outside of the City’s 20-year UDB, but within the SOI, as depicted on Figure 1-2, is classified as “Urban Reserve” by the City’s General Plan Land Use Map. Consistent with City and County General Plan policies, development proposals within the 20-year UDB are generally referred to the City for annexation. Therefore, it can be reasonably concluded that the City would be expected to provide public services for developments proposed within its 20-year UDB. For this reason, a City’s SOI should, at a minimum be coterminous with, or extend beyond the established 20-year UDB. As illustrated on Figure 1-2, this is not currently the case for the City of Dinuba. It is recommended that the City of Dinuba review its SOI to determine if all land within the City’s established 20-year UDB is included within its SOI, and explore opportunities to expand its SOI to encompass such land that may not currently be within the City’s SOI. The City’s General Plan study area boundary incorporates all land within the City’s SOI, and 20-year UDB, including a buffer area containing land outside of the City’s SOI, and 20-year UDB. The City’s GPU designates greenbelts along the eastern, northern, and northwestern boundaries of the General Plan study area (outside of the established 20-year UDB), more specifically, east of Road 96, north of Avenue 430, and west of Road 72 north of Nebraska Avenue. 1.1.3 Land Use Major City industries within Dinuba are concentrated in food processing and agriculture production. Key economic growth opportunities identified in the City’s GPU include a combination of large scale and small scale industrial developments. Large scale, heavy industry development could occur in agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, and in some of the food processing and packaging material production industries. Wholesale and distribution centers may also be a large scale development opportunity. Other growing business sectors represent smaller scale light industrial opportunities. Dinuba’s Land Use Element designates the general distribution of land for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and governmental development. The plan includes land outside the City’s boundaries, providing a comprehensive growth and development plan. The City’s website contains extensive information with regard to economic development within Dinuba. The economic development section on the City’s website includes information regarding available industrial sites (including a map of the Industrial Area), business incentives, a one-stop permit center, and redevelopment. Dinuba’s industrial park, which totals approximately 690 acres, is located in the southwest portion of the City, and is generally bounded by El Monte Way to the north, Kamm Avenue to the south, Alta Avenue to the east, and Road 72 to the west. As indicated on the City’s website, there is over 400 acres of M-1 or C-4 zoned land available for development. The City commits itself to the growth and prosperity of the community by proving the following incentives to local businesses and entrepreneurs. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-18 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 • Immediate access to sites • Fast tracking industrial and commercial permits • On-site plan review for change orders • Dedication of Tulare County Economic Development Corporation staff to assist with business loans • Assistance with relocation through local realtors • Application for State/Federal Grants and Loans for off-site improvements • Enterprise zone benefits The City’s one stop permit center was established to fast track commercial and industrial projects through the permit process. As identified in the City’s GPU, Dinuba has established a redevelopment agency and adopted the Downtown Urban Design Plan. The purpose of the plan is to reverse the declining economic of the downtown and to maintain the area as a commercial, cultural, and aesthetic center of activity. The redevelopment process will continue to be an important development tool not only in the downtown but in other blighted areas of the City. The City’s General Plan Land Use Element outlines several policies relating to land management, and development within and surrounding the City. Some of these policies, which could be seen as applicable to the MSR process, are reiterated below. Policy 8: “The City should undertake a review of the General Plan’s demographic, financial, land use demand and supply, and infrastructure assumptions no less frequently than once every five years to provide an opportunity for necessary mid-term modifications to the General Plan. This review should include public participation.” Policy 9: “Prior to annexation, specific plans and master plans should be utilized, where appropriate, to implement the General Plan.” As prescribed by General Plan Policy, the City should undertake a review of the land use demand and supply no less than once every five years. It is recommended that the City coordinate this process with the scheduled updates to Spheres of Influence. Following mid-term General Plan reviews of land demand vs. supply, it is recommended that the City determine the need and explore opportunities to expand its SOI. The process should include public participation, and stakeholders’ workshops. The City’s General Plan Map for Land Use can be viewed on the City’s website at www.dinuba.org or purchased for $5.00 at City Hall. 1.1.4 Annexations In 2002, the City annexed over 800 acres of land into the City, including 384 acres in the northwest area of the City, and 61 acres at the WWTF site, and 362 acres in the southwest, south, and southeast areas of the City. The City Limits shown on all Figures include all approved annexations from 2002. More recently, LAFCO has approved four annexation proposals in the northern portion of the City, and one proposal in the southeastern portion of the City, totaling approximately 255 acres. These recently approved annexations are illustrated on Figure 1-3. In addition, the City has also submitted two annexation applications, which are on file with LAFCO, but have not yet been approved (these are not shown on Figure 1-3). All of the potential/approved annexations are within the City’s SOI. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-19 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 FIGURE 1-3 – RECENTLY APPROVED ANNEXATIONS Source: Tulare County GIS Database (July 2004) City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-20 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.1.6 Written Determinations Historical Data & Population Projections 1. Historical Census data indicates that Dinuba had a 1990 population of 12,743, and a 2000 population of 16,844. California Department of Finance projections indicated a January 2005 population of 19,297. These trends indicate that Dinuba’s population is growing at an average annual rate of approximately 2.8%. 2. Based upon historical population trends, at an average annual growth rate of 2.8%, Dinuba’s 2025 and 2030 population are projected to be 33,524 and 38,487, respectively. These projections are higher than those contained in the City of Dinuba General Plan Update, which are 30,297, and 33,516 for 2025 and 2030, respectively. Planning Documents 1. The City plans for future growth through the implementation of policies and standards set forth in General Plan Elements. Dinuba’s General Plan is a long-range guide for attaining the City’s goals within its ultimate service area and accommodating its population growth to the year 2020. The City’s General Plan provides an excellent foundation and policy base to guide future growth within the City. 2. The City also plans for future growth through the preparation and implementation of specific plans and master plans. The City adopted the Southwest Dinuba Specific Plan in 1992, and is in the process of preparing a specific plan for the northeast area of the City. The City also master plans public infrastructure systems including water, sewer, and storm drain systems. Planning Boundaries 1. The Tulare County General Plan contains an Urban Boundaries Element which sets forth policy regarding development within municipal fringe areas surrounding incorporated cities. 2. According to adopted plans, urban development is to occur only within the incorporated City Limits, with certain exceptions. Within the 20-year UDB, development proposals are referred to the City for annexation. If the City cannot, or will not, annex, Tulare County considers the proposal on its merits. 3. The City adopted a 10-year UDB as part of its GPU, based upon the capabilities of the City to accommodate new growth. It is anticipated that the City will open up its 20-year UDB for development sometime around the year 2010, although the time frame could vary significantly based upon development demand. The adoption of tiered UDB’s promotes orderly development by discouraging “leap frog” development from occurring. 4. Consistent with City and County General Plan policies, and boundary definitions, a City’s SOI should, at a minimum, be coterminous with, or extend beyond the established 20-year UDB, which is not currently the case for the City of Dinuba. 5. It is recommended that the City review its SOI to determine if all land within the City’s established 20-year UDB is included within its SOI, and explore opportunities to expand its SOI to encompass such land that may not currently be within the City’s SOI. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-21 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Land Use 1. As prescribed by General Plan Policy, the City should undertake a review of the land use demand and supply no less than once every five years. It is recommended that the City coordinate this process with the scheduled SOI updates to determine any modifications that may be necessary. 2. The City’s General Plan Map for Land Use can be viewed on the City’s website at www.dinuba.org or purchased for $5.00 at City Hall. Annexations 1. Dinuba has been very active in annexing additional land into the City. In 2002, the City annexed over 800 acres of land into the City, and more recently annexed approximately 255 acres into the City. All pending and approved annexations are within the City’s SOI. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-22 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.2 INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES The purpose of this section is to evaluate the infrastructure needs and deficiencies of the City of Dinuba in terms of availability of resources, capacity to deliver services, condition of facilities, planned improvements, service quality, and levels of service. LAFCO is responsible for determining that an agency requesting an SOI amendment is reasonably capable of providing needed resources and basic infrastructure to serve areas within the City and its SOI. It is important that these findings of infrastructure and resource availability are made when revisions to the SOI and annexations occur. LAFCO accomplishes this by evaluating the resources and services to be expanded in line with increasing demands. 1.2.1 Capital Investment Program (2006-2010) The preparation of the City’s five-year Capital Investment Program involved several months of planning and development by key management team members who evaluated the City’s Capital Investment needs to accommodate the community both now and in the future. The five-year CIP reflects the City Council goals and targets for capital improvements that implement General Plan strategies. The City Council included the fiscal year (F.Y.) 2005-06 portion of the CIP in the City’s budget and adopted the CIP as a planning document. The F.Y. 2005-06 capital budget contains 27 funded projects totaling $13,882,689, compared to 16 funded projects totaling $7,390,000 last fiscal year. The City’s CIP is a systematic program of planning in advance for capital improvements to the community. The CIP includes projects that help achieve the following. • Acquire lands for community projects such as streets, utilities, drainage basins and park expansions; • Repair, reconstruct or rehabilitate public facilities to extend their useful life, preserve the community’s investment in these facilities and maintain the quality of life in the community; • Expand or extend public facilities consistent with the General Plan; • Facilitate the development and redevelopment of the community’s commercial and industrial base. The CIP is designed as a planning tool to assist the community in its orderly development in the acquisition of municipal facilities and to assure that service needs for the future are met. The CIP ties the City’s physical development to goals and decisions expressed through hearings, citizen advisory groups, the City staff, and documents including the City’s General Plan. The CIP identifies projects which meet City goals and it also matches projects with available funds that may range from various City reserve funds, user fees, state and federal grants, bonds, and loans. CIP projects is required to be consistent with 1) the City’s General Plan; 2) facility plans and related documents; 3) the City Council’s targets; and 4) mandates from state or federal regulatory agencies. Projects identified in the City’s CIP are ranked on a priority scale of I to IV. Priority I projects are those which have available funding (i.e. available grants and outside sources); those which promote economic development (i.e. create jobs, increase revenues); those which are mandated by state or federal agencies; and those which resolve critical safety issues and benefit multiple agencies. Priority II projects address basic safety, law enforcement, health and welfare concerns in the community. Priority III projects enhance quality of life and improve the livability in the community, such as providing cultural, City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-23 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 recreations, and/or aesthetic value. Priority IV projects are those which will improve the community but do not necessarily need to be completed within a five year time frame. The project may protect prior community investment in public facilities and infrastructure. Funded CIP projects are categorized into the following six program areas. • Transportation Projects • Storm Drain Projects • Parks Projects • Water Projects • Sewer Projects • Other Projects The City’s CIP identifies over twenty revenue sources from which CIP projects are funded. The CIP provides a comprehensive description of each revenue source, and how the resources are allocated. Projects for which funding is currently not available, but which are considered important in carrying out the goals of the City Council, are included in a separate section of the City’s CIP for future planning efforts. 1.2.2 Domestic Water The City’s water supply is derived from seven active deep underground water wells which have a total maximum production efficiency of approximately 11.0 million gallons per day (MGD), or approximately 7,600 gallons per minute (GPM). The City’s water system also includes two elevated storage tanks, over 1,300 water valves, over 550 fire hydrants, and approximately 60 miles of water transmission and distribution pipelines. A Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system, which treats the groundwater prior to being chlorinated and distributed, is located at Well #14. The following information with regard to domestic water production was obtained from City staff. • Daily Average = 4.2 MGD • Maximum Capacity = 11.0 MGD • Maximum Daily Demand = 7.3 MGD Based upon the maximum daily demand, it is estimated that the City’s water system is currently operating at approximately 65% of its capacity. The City owns and maintains two elevated water storage tanks with capacities of 225,000 and 1,000,000 million gallons, respectively. The City’s water system is 100% metered, which promotes water conservation. There are approximately 4,575 total connections to the City’s water system, including 4,137 residential connections, 434 commercial connections, and 4 industrial connections. In spring 2004, the City began a locally funded water system enhancement project that included the construction of a 12” water main along portions of Kamm Avenue and Crawford Avenue. The project improved the quality and reliability of domestic water delivered to that area of the City. The City’s water supply and distribution system was studied as part of the Water System Evaluation/Water Quality Evaluation (Boyle Engineering, September 1993). The study area in the Water System Evaluation/Water Quality Evaluation incorporated a study area of approximately 3,375 acres. The City has continually implemented several improvements to the domestic water system consistent with recommendations contained in the Water System Evaluation/Water Quality Evaluation. As of the preparation of the City’s GPU (June 1997), the City had implemented the following water system improvements as recommended in the Water System Evaluation/Water Quality Evaluation. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-24 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 • Removed five wells from service due to water quality issues • Constructed five new wells for domestic use • Installed standby power units at two wells • Various distribution system (pipeline) improvements City staff indicated that Boyle Engineering is in the process of updating the City’s Water System Master Plan. It is recommended that the Water Master Plan Update include a study area that, at a minimum, encompasses all areas within the City’s 20-year UDB and SOI. Any foreseen areas that the City anticipates including in its 20-year UDB or SOI should also be included within the mater planning area. The City’s recently constructed 1,000,000 gallon water storage tank significantly increased the City’s ability to meet fire flow demands. The following excerpts from the City of Dinuba GPU address the cities water system. “The distribution system should be expanded on the basis of constructing a network system of minimum 12-inch diameter water mains on a maximum one mile grid pattern. Well locations could cause the grid spacing of 12-inch mains to be less than one mile. Industrial areas should be constructed with a network grid spacing of 12-inch water mains at a maximum one-half mile grid patterns.” “The water system can be readily and incrementally expanded to serve newly developed areas. System development charges can be developed on the basis of the proposed new wells and water mains needed for future development.” “As urban growth replaces agricultural land uses, a regional concern for groundwater recharge and overdraft will become an issue for both the City of Dinuba and the surrounding farmland. As ditches become piped and irrigated agricultural lands are developed for urban use, the amount of groundwater recharge will be reduced while groundwater pumping continues in the same area at equal or greater rates. Retention of surface water allocations associated with land that is converted from agricultural use to urban development. The City could maintain these water allocations for the purpose of either a groundwater recharge program or the future use of said surface water for direct treated City consumption.” The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide adequate water supply to the growing community for the next decade. The City has applied for a Clean Water Loan to fund a new water reservoir, water mains, and wells shown in the CIP. Other projects are funded by system development charges (impact fees) and user fees. There are seven water projects, described in detail below, identified in the City’s CIP. Community Water System Improvements – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of providing a more dependable, cleaner source of water to the community. The project, which is annually funded through F.Y. 2009-10, includes the replacement of undersized mains, wharf-head hydrants, dead end mains, and mains that are no longer cost effective to maintain. The project protects the City’s investment in its infrastructure by ensuring the facilities remain in good condition, reduces loss of service due to system failure, and contributes toward maintaining the City’s current fire rating by replacing and modernizing fire hydrants. The project is locally funded through transfers from the Water Construction Fund, and Water System Development Charges. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-25 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Community Water Well Improvements – This has been identified as a priority I project with a purpose of providing a cleaner, safer water supply to the community. The project, which is funded every other year through F.Y. 2009-10, includes the installation of one chlorine generator and injection unit per well site every other year at a total of six potential well sites. The project is consistent with current mandates by the Department of Health Services, and gives the City the ability to chlorinate the water distribution system in emergencies (water sample failures due to intrusion from natural occurrences, disasters, and security breeches). The project is locally funded through transfers from the Water Construction Fund. El Monte Way Water Main – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of providing a more dependable supply of water. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2005-06, includes replacing the water main on El Monte Way from Bates Avenue to Fresno Street. The project, which is consistent with the El Monte Way widening plan, would increase flows and water pressure within the system. The project is funded through a State of California Safe Drinking Water Loan, which will be repaid through water user and system development charges. Well No. 19 – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of improving the water system pressure and reliability. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2005-06, includes the construction of a new well located at the new Public Works Yard in the southeast section of the City. The well will include an automatic starting backup power system. The project is funded through a State of California Safe Drinking Water Loan, which will be repaid through water user and system development charges. Well No. 20 – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of improving the water system pressure and reliability. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2005-06, includes the construction of a new well located at the southwest quadrant of the Road 74/Sierra Way intersection, in the southwest section of the City. The well will include an automatic starting backup power system. The project is funded through a State of California Safe Drinking Water Loan, which will be repaid through water user and system development charges. Northeast Water Reservoir – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of providing an emergency supply of domestic water for the City. The project, which is funded through F.Y. 2006-07, includes the construction of a one million gallon elevated tank in the northeast section of the City. The project will provide a reserve supply of potable water and increase water pressures in the northeast section of the City. The project is funded through a State of California Clean Water Loan, which will be repaid through water user and system development charges. Water Well Enclosures Well Nos. 11 & 14 – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of ensuring that that the pump, relays, valves, and telemetry equipment at the well sites will be protected from the environment and unauthorized intrusions. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2006- 07, includes the construction of two buildings for well pump equipment and electrical controllers at the sites of Well Nos. 11 & 14. The project will ensure that the City’s significant investment its water production facilities will be preserved. Well No. 14 is equipped with filtration, chlorination, and standby power facilities which should be protected from the elements of vandalism, and intentional contamination. Well No. 11 is the most productive well, pumping at a rate of approximately 2,200 GPM. The project accomplishes the purpose of the Chapter 3 grant program in that it provides a protective structure designed to prevent intentional damage or contamination to the community’s drinking water supply. An application for a Proposition 50 Water Securities Grant has been submitted by the City. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing water system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s five year CIP. The following water projects are identified as “unfunded” in the City’s current CIP. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-26 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 • Replace water mains, water services, and fire hydrants along Golden Way and Academy Way, and install water mains, water services, and fire hydrants on Holden Way. • Replace water main, water services, and fire hydrants on Park Way from College to Wilson. Install new water main from Wilson to Palm. • Replace water main, water services, and fire hydrants along Dickey Way, and extend water main up to W. North Way. • Install new water main along Alta Avenue from Motel to Tulare Street. • Install new water main, water services, and fire hydrants along Alta Avenue from N. “L” Street to Sierra Way. City staff has indicated that the City has an adopted water conservation ordinance but it has not been necessary recently to impose restrictions. It is recommended that the City consider posting the water conservation ordinance on its website as a way of continuing to promote water conservation in the City and potentially increase the level of public participation. The Urban Water Management Planning Act requires the Department of Water Resources to evaluate Urban Water Management Plans adopted by urban water suppliers pursuant to Section 10610.4 (c) and submitted to the Department no later than 30 days after adoption and updating once every five years, on or before December 31 in years ending in five and zero. Based upon information obtained from the Department of Water Resources, Dinuba has complied with the Urban Water Management Planning Act (for 2000), as their Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) has been found by the California Department of Water Resources to be complete. The City has until December 2005 to comply with the 2005 requirement. Non-compliant urban water suppliers are ineligible to receive funding pursuant to Division 24 (commencing with section 78500) or Division 26 (commencing with section 79000), or receive drought assistance from the State until the UWMP is submitted pursuant to the Urban Water Management Planning Act. State funding for urban water improvements are often necessary to aid agencies in providing quality water service, especially during drought periods. 1.2.3 Drainage Infrastructure The City’s storm drainage infrastructure was evaluated as part of the Storm Drainage Master Plan (Quad Engineering, 1989), and the City’s GPU in 1997. The City’s storm drain system consists of surface runoff to streets (curbs and gutters) and entry into subsurface pipelines that terminate at pump stations discharging to surface ditches or at small retention basins. The system is divided into subsystems, identified below. • Sequoia-Alta System • Northway System • Midtown System • Golden Way System • Kamm-College System • El Monte-Euclid System • Other Drainage City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-27 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Table 1-2 below provides a brief description of each storm drain sub-system including general shed area, calculated surcharges for two-year storm intensities, discharge point (channel), and discharge capacity. TABLE 1-2 STORM DRAIN SUBSYSTEM DESCRIPTIONS Calculated Discharge Discharge Subsystem Name General Shed Area Surcharges (%) Channel Capacity N. of Saginaw Ave. & E. of Alta Alta Irrigation Sequoia-Alta 135% - 392% 8.3 cfs Ave. District Ditch Alta Irrigation Northway N. of North Way & E. of Alta Ave. 161% - 542% 8.3 cfs District Ditch N. of El Monte Way & E. of Alta Alta Irrigation Midtown (Sub-area 1) 466% - 683% 5.5 cfs Ave. District Ditch S. of El Monte Way & E. of Alta Alta Irrigation Midtown (Sub-area 2) 398% - 1,059% 4.4 cfs Ave. & N. of Vassar Ave. District Ditch S. of El Monte Way & E. of Alta Ave. & N. of Vassar Ave. & N. of Alta Irrigation Midtown (Sub-area 3) 1,270% - 2,189% 10.0 cfs E. Whittaker Way & W. of District Ditch Crawford Ave. S. of Whittaker Way & W. of Alta Irrigation Golden Way Not Available 5.0 cfs Crawford Ave. District Ditch S. of Vassar Ave. & W. of the Alta Irrigation Kamm-College S.P.R.R. tracks, N. of Kamm Ave. Not Available 0.9 cfs District Ditch & E. of Alta Ave. S. of Bloomingdale Way & W. of Alta Irrigation El Monte-Euclid Alta Ave. & N. of El Monte Way & 494% - 687% 8.3 cfs District Ditch E. of Alice Ave. Notes: 1) Reference: City of Dinuba General Plan Update (Quad, October 1997) 2) cfs = cubic feet per second In addition to the subsystems identified in Table 1-2, small drainage areas created by new development have in previous years, been allowed to drain to on-site retention ponds. The ponds were typically constructed with steep side slopes and have been characterized by the City as aesthetically undesirable and in some cases hydraulically unsatisfactory. Since the City Council’s adoption of the Storm Drainage Master Plan in 1989, a significant amount of development has resulted in the implementation several master planned improvements, including the construction of the following subsystems; Nebraska system, Crawford-Olive system, and Nebraska-Euclid system, and improvements to the Midtown, and Kamm- College systems. The general storm drainage related needs of the City are divided into two categories, one being the improvement of existing drainage systems serving developed areas, and two, the master planning of new drainage systems to serve undeveloped lands located within the boundaries of the City’s GPU. As indicated in the City’s GPU, older existing drainage systems are in general need of substantial pipeline upsizing and/or replacement due to inadequate capacities. Additionally, the existing pump stations located a the terminus points of established pipeline systems do not have adequate capacity to accommodate the flows that would be transported by the upsized pipelines recommended in the Master Plan. Existing pump station capacities cannot be increased due to discharge limitations prescribed in an agreement entered into between the City and the Alta Irrigation District. For this reason, the GPU prescribes that proposed detention basins at existing pump station sites will need to be constructed to accommodate anticipated high volume flows generated during storm periods. The detention basins would store the City’s storm runoff during peak periods, allowing the pump stations to discharge over a longer period of time to the Alta Irrigation District facilities. The basins will also accommodate, on a short term basis, the potential temporary shut-off of these pump stations, in the event that the Alta Irrigation District City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-28 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 facilities are themselves, temporarily surcharged. While the recommended improvements to the older storm drainage infrastructure are important, they are essentially a separate issue from the storm drainage infrastructure that will serve new development areas. The City’s GPU indicates that undeveloped areas (proposed for future development) should be served by permanent retention/detention facilities to accommodate runoff disposal, due to continued indications from the Alta Irrigation District that additional transport capacity in their facilities is not available. The City assesses system development charges (impact fees) to facilitate storm drainage facilities in areas proposed for urban development. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide storm drainage infrastructure to the growing community in future years. Capital storm drain projects assist in alleviating flooding conditions in the community and provide for a safer and cleaner environment. The City has an adopted drainage fee schedule for new developments, however, fees for pre-existing systems and their associated problems were not addressed. There are five storm drainage projects, described in detail below, identified in the City’s CIP. Community Drainage Improvements – This has been identified as a priority III project with a purpose of alleviating flooding and health and sanitation issues. The project, which is annually funded between F.Y. 2006-07 and F.Y. 2009-10, would correct minor drainage issues or problem areas in the community. The project is locally funded through development fees. Kern Street Drainage System Improvements (Phase II) – This has been identified as a priority III project with a purpose of reducing flooding in the downtown area and at Kern and O Streets. The project, which is funded through F.Y. 2006-07, includes the construction of a 60” and 54” storm drain pipe in Kern Street (College to Alta), and feeder lines from adjoining neighborhoods (approximately 7,050 linear feet of new pipeline). The project is locally funded through transfers from the Storm Drain Construction Fund, and MTBE settlement funds. The City has received MTBE settlement monies from various oil companies due to MTBE contamination. Groundwater Recharge Basin – This has been identified as a priority III project with a purpose of reducing local flooding and promoting groundwater recharge by providing a large area for impounding flood waters and excess irrigation water. The project, which is funded through F.Y. 2006-07, includes the dedication of approximately 50 acres to drainage and recharge facilities, consistent with the City’s GPU. The project, which is a joint project with Alta Irrigation District, is funded through Proposition 13 for water resource enhancements. In the future an additional 30 acres will be acquired for park and open space facilities. The State Grant Application for the project has been approved, and preliminary design has been completed. Forty acres needed for the project are currently owned by the City, and ten will need to be acquired from a private party. Lindara Tract Drainage System Improvements – This has been identified as a priority I project with a purpose of reducing flooding in the Lindara Tract neighborhood. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2005-06, includes the construction of approximately 400 feet of 12” storm drain pipe and structure to connect to a storm drain basin near well #18. The project is locally funded from the Storm Drain Construction Fund. “M” Street Drainage System Improvements – This has been identified as a priority I project with a purpose of reducing flooding in and adjacent to the Dinuba Vocational Center parking lot. The project, which is funded in F.Y. 2005-06, includes the construction of a 24” storm drain pipe in “M” Street from Fresno Street to Merced Street. The project is locally funded from the Storm Drain Construction Fund. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-29 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The City’s approach to planning for and implementing storm drain system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s five year CIP. There are no storm drain projects identified as “unfunded” in the City’s current CIP. 1.2.4 Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Disposal The City provides sanitary sewer collection, treatment, and disposal services to residents in the community. The sanitary sewer collection system consists of gravity collection pipes, manholes, service laterals, pump stations, and trunk sewer mains. Several studies of the City’s sewer collection system have been conducted in the past. These past studies of the City’s sanitary sewer system are identified below. • “Report on Wastewater Survey”, John Carollo Engineers, 1967 – This initial study evaluated the City’s collecting sewers, interceptor (trunk) sewers, treatment facilities, and effluent disposal. • “Report to City of Dinuba on Dinuba Industrial Sewers”, John Carollo Engineers, 1971 – This follow-up study addressed the sanitary sewer needs for industrial users connected to the system. • “Trunk Sewer Survey”, John Carollo Engineers, 1973 – This report was prepared to supplement the 1971 report by including residential as well as industrial needs. • “City of Dinuba East Side Sanitary Sewer Study”, QUAD Engineering, 1987 – This study evaluated the City’s sanitary sewer collection system in the eastern part of the City. As identified in the City’s GPU, although several of the previous studies are over 25 years old; a significant portion of the conclusions and recommendations were still valid as of the City’s adoption of the GPU in 1997. The City continues to upgrade its sewer collection system consistent with recommendations in the past reports identified above. As the improvements identified in those studies near build-out, it will be necessary for the City to undertake a comprehensive “Sewer System Master Plan Update”. Land use and zoning changes which have occurred since the preparation of the previous studies may change the sewer collection needs within the affected area, thereby triggering the need for more detailed analyses of sewer capacities. The comprehensive “Sewer System Master Plan Update” should, at a minimum, incorporate areas within the City’s 20-year UDB and SOI. The City’s Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF) was studied in 1992, and again in 2003/04 as a part of the following reports. • “Wastewater Reclamation Facilities Plan for the City of Dinuba, Final Report”, John Carollo Engineers, 1992 – The plan determined the necessary requirements to bring the WRF into compliance with waste discharge requirements (set forth by the Regional Water Quality Control Board – RWQCB), and included recommendations for expanding treatment and disposal capacity needs to the year 2010. • “City of Dinuba Master Plan 2003/04”, RTW Engineering, 2003/04 – This master plan served as an update to the 1992 master plan identified above. Recommendations included exploring the feasibility of the Reclamation, Conservation, and Recreation Project. The City’s WRF is located approximately two miles west of the City along the southern frontage of Avenue 412, west of Road 70. The wastewater consists primarily of domestic sewage from the City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-30 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 community of Dinuba and industrial waste from food processing plants. Due to problems caused at the WRF due to excessive grease loadings, the City implemented a pretreatment program for industrial dischargers, which has proven successful. The pretreatment program implements a tiered rate structure that bills industrial users based upon the amount BOD and SS loadings that are being discharged. The WRF is a Class III activated sludge plant that consists of headworks, primary and secondary clarifiers, trickling filters, polishing ponds, sludge beds, and evaporation/percolation ponds. The WRF operates under provisions outlined in Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Order No. 95- 200, issued by the RWQCB. WDR Order No. 95-200 prescribes that the monthly average dry weather discharge flow shall not exceed 3.0 million gallons per day (MGD). In accordance with Provision F.4 of WDR Order No. 95-200, a Registered Engineer certified that improvements completed at the WRF are designed for a total treatment capacity of 3.14 MGD average daily maximum month flow (ADMMF). Based upon information contained in the Wastewater User Charge Survey Report F.Y. 2004-05, issued by the State Water Resources Control Board in May 2005, the City of Dinuba reported an average dry weather flow of 2.2 MGD, indicating that the WRF is operating at approximately 70% of its capacity. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide sanitary sewer collection, treatment, and disposal services to the growing community in future years. A community’s growth can be limited by its ability to adequately convey and treat its wastewater. Capital sewer projects allow for continued efforts to improve the City’s wastewater collection system and treatment facilities to ensure that there is adequate capacity for future growth and development. There are three sewer projects, and one “other” project that pertains to WRF improvements described in detail below, programmed in the City’s CIP. Community Wide Sewer System Improvements – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of improving existing City facilities and thereby extending their useful life; protect the City’s investment, and increase sewer service to the City. The project, which is annually funded through F.Y. 2009-10, includes ongoing improvements to the City’s wastewater collection system, including replacement of lines that have exceeded their useful life. Selected projects are reviewed and implemented on an annual basis. The project is locally funded through transfers from the Sewer Construction Fund. Wastewater Reclamation Facility Expansion – This has been identified as a priority I project with a purpose of expanding the WRF to accommodate residential and industrial growth and to bring the facility into compliance with State regulations. The project, which is funded through F.Y. 2005-06, includes construction of new sludge beds, new aeration basins, new aerobic digester, additional pumps, distribution piping, disposal facilities, and other related improvements. The project is funded through system development charges (impact fees), bond proceeds, and a Federal EDA grant. An application for an EDA grant has been submitted. Assuming award of the grant, funding will not be available until late 2005. Install Grit Removal System – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of extending the life of plant pumps and processes as excessive grit leads to early failure of plant equipment. The project, which is funded during F.Y. 2006-07, includes the construction of a grit removal system upstream of process pumps and equipment at the WRF. The project is locally funded through transfers from the Sewer Construction Fund and system development charges. Reclamation, Conservation and Recreation Project – This has been identified as a priority I project with a purpose of providing for wastewater effluent and sludge disposal, create wildlife habitat and nature conservancy, and provide recreational and social amenities for the community. The project, which is funded through F.Y. 2007-08, includes the construction of wetlands, ponds, and 18-hole golf course, a club house, maintenance facility, driving range and related improvements. The project is locally funded through bond issuances and development income. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-31 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The City’s approach to planning for and implementing sewer system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s five year CIP. The following sewer projects are identified as “unfunded” in the City’s current CIP. • Wastewater disposal pond construction • Eastside sanitary sewer trunk line • Tulare street relief sewer • Demolition of old facilities at WRF • Landscaping along Kamm Ave. and Sierra Way frontages • Pipe Alta Irrigation District lines through WRF • Seal disposal ponds with soil cement • Chlorination and de-chlorination of plant effluent • Replacement of headworks/bar screens Unfunded projects are not considered as high priority projects consistent with the current goals of the City Council, but are projects that are anticipated to be needed in future years, and will likely be allocated funding sometime during the CIP cycle. 1.2.5 Streets and Roads The City constructs transportation improvements through the implementation of goals and policies set forth in the City’s General Plan Circulation Element, and other plans, including the Tulare County Regional Transportation Plan, which is updated every three years. The City’s budget identifies several funds which are set up primarily for the implementation of transportation improvements, including but not limited to the following. • Traffic Safety Fund – Funds used for traffic control devices, the maintenance, equipment and supplies for traffic law enforcement and for the maintenance, improvement of, and construction of public streets within the City. This fund generates revenue from traffic school fees, general base fines – courts, and interest earnings. • Gas Tax Fund – This fund is used to account for the City’s share of the gas tax street funds received from the State. The funds must be used for street purposes. • Street Local Transportation Fund (LTF) – This fund is used to account for the City’s share of the Transportation Development Act (SB 325) funds allocated by the State. The funds must be used for transportation purposes. • Transportation Construction Fund – This fund accounts for the revenue received from State grants or loans that is used solely for improvements to City streets, infrastructure, and transportation system. • Transportation Systems Development Fund – This fund accounts for the revenue from developer fees and expenditures for the installation of traffic control devices and transportation related items. The City’s GPU identifies that all City streets would operate at LOS “C” or better conditions through year 2015. Current (2005-2007) goals of the City Council include the following related to transportation. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-32 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 • Repair streets citywide • Widen Avenue 416 and Road 80 to four lanes • Upgrade public transit system to include trolley • Continue sidewalk curb and gutter program The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide transportation related infrastructure for the efficient movement of people and goods. The purpose of capital transportation projects is to protect the community’s investment in its streets, sidewalks, curbs and traffic control devices and to provide a safer and more effective transportation system for the public’s use. Revenues for capital transportation improvements are generated from Redevelopment Agency funds, developer and property owner fees and contributions, State Transportation Funding, the Federal Highway Administration, local utility taxes, and transportation system development fees. Other revenue sources needed to support specific projects are also included. There are seven transportation projects, described in detail below, programmed in the City’s CIP. Pavement Rehabilitation & Railroad Crossing Replacement Program – This has been identified as a priority III project with a purpose of protecting and preserving the City’s investment in its transportation system and to provide the residents with safe, smooth streets to travel on, and to reduce noise and vibration and improve the aesthetics at railroad crossings. The project, which is annually funded through F.Y. 2009-10, includes asphalt overlays, chip and slurry seal application, and fog seal coating of City streets on an annual basis. The project may also provide limited funding for railroad crossing rehabilitation. Individual projects are identified and prioritized prior to each construction season. The project will ultimately enable City staff to implement a Pavement Management System. The project is locally funded through transfers from the Transportation Construction Fund. Ventura Street Extension and Railroad Crossing – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of improving transportation circulation across the railroad tracks and replacing the abandoned crossing at Mono Street. The project, which is funded through F.Y. 2006-07, includes the extension of Ventura Street between Uruapan Drive and “M” Street. The project is locally funded through RDA capital and transportation system development charges. Safe Routes to Schools Hayes Avenue – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of improving safety and access for school children. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2006-07 and 2007-08, includes the construction of drainage curb, gutter, and sidewalk on both sides of Hayes Avenue between El Monte Way and Millard Drive. The project will widen Hayes Avenue to City standards and will provide safe pedestrian access to and from the 6th grade Academy and Intermediate School. The project is funded through a State SR2S Grant, and transfers from the Transportation Construction Fund. Euclid Avenue Phase II – This has been identified as a priority III project with a purpose of improving this area to full City standards. The project, which is funded during F.Y. 2007-08, includes the completion of street improvements on Euclid Avenue between Bloomingdale Way and Nebraska Avenue, including pavement widening, curb and gutter, and sidewalk and drainage improvements. The project is locally funded through RDA – LMISA funds. Academy Way Sidewalk Improvements – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of providing pedestrian facilities on the narrow residential street, which is currently 28 feet wide. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2006-07 and 2007-08 includes the installation of sidewalk and reconstruction of curb and gutter as needed on Academy Way from College Avenue to Second Avenue, providing pedestrian access to Jefferson Elementary School. The project is locally funded through RDA – LMISA funds. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-33 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 City ADA Ramps – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of meeting State ADA requirements. The project, which is annually funded through F.Y. 2009-10, includes the replacement and construction of ADA ramps on every City street corner. ADA ramps will enhance the quality of life for residents with disabilities. Under the program, four ramps per year would be installed. The project is locally funded through RDA – LMISA funds. Avenue 406 Reconstruction – This has been identified as a priority II project with a purpose of protecting and preserving the City’s investment in its transportation system and to provide the residents with safe, smooth streets to travel on. The project, which is funded for F.Y. 2005-06, includes the reconstruction of the travel surface of Avenue 406 between College Avenue and the City Limits. The project is proposed to be a joint project Tulare County. The project is locally funded through transfers from the Transportation Construction Fund and system development charges. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing transportation related improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s five year CIP. The following transportation projects are identified as “unfunded” in the City’s current CIP. • Alley improvement and replacement • El Monte Avenue/Lincoln Avenue/H Street signal • Half street infill • Saginaw Avenue extension • North Alta Avenue widening • Crawford Avenue widening • Nebraska Avenue widening • Kamm Avenue widening • Downtown streetscape • Emergency pre-emption • Kern Street extension and railroad crossing Unfunded projects are not considered as high priority projects consistent with the current goals of the City Council, but are projects that are anticipated to be needed in future years, and will likely be allocated funding sometime during the CIP cycle. The City will need to continue to implement its General Plan Circulation Element goals and policies to meet the future needs of the community. It is recommended that the City take the lead in planning for transportation and circulation improvements within the boundary of its 20-year UDB and SOI. Streets within this area should be constructed to City standards, since it is likely that the area will ultimately be incorporated into and become a part of the City of Dinuba. Based upon information provided by City staff, the City is working towards establishing standards for roadway widths in new gated communities to allow proper access for fire apparatus. Standards are also being established for road surfacing during construction of new residential and commercial development that is consistent with fire access. The City is also working to establish a standard requiring a specified number of emergency accesses based upon the number of units. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-34 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.2.6 Fire and Police Protection Services Fire Much of the information regarding the City’s Fire Department operations has been obtained from the City’s website, www.dinuba.org. The goal of the Dinuba Fire and Ambulance Department is to protect and promote the safety and security of the community through fire suppression, first responder for emergency medical services, fire safety programs such as commercial inspections, senior citizens programs, ongoing fire training, pre-fire planning and public awareness programs. Formed in 1909, the Dinuba Fire Department operates out of one fire station equipped and staffed 24- hours a day. The Fire Department is located at the intersection of E. Tulare Street and N. “H” Street. The trained personnel of the fire department handle all fire and medical emergencies within an average of three minutes within City Limits, and ten minutes within County areas. The fire departments current ISO rating is four (4). The insurance services office (ISO) rates fire departments on a scale of one (best) to ten (unprotected), taking into consideration receiving and handling of fire alarms, fire department operations, water supply, and other factors. The Fire Department currently consists of the following staffing levels. • 1 Fire Chief • 1 Fire Marshall • 3 Fire Captains • 1 Staff Assistant • 1 Staff Aid • 2 Clerical Assistants • 13 Paid Firefighters/Engineers • 20 Paid Call Firefighters The Fire Department is equipped with three 1,250 GPM Engines, one 85 snorkel aerial truck, one confined space van, and four staff vehicles. In addition, the Fire Department is also equipped with three advanced life support (ALS) units staffed with a total of twenty-one (21) emergency medical technicians (EMTs). In 2001-2002, the Fire Department responded to 1,178 incidents (not including ambulance service responses). The City of Dinuba contracts with the following agencies to provide the community with the best possible emergency services. • Tulare County Mutual Aid Agreement which provides mutual instant aid within a six mile radius of the City. • City of Visalia Hazardous Response Team, Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) which coordinates Federal, State, County, and City agencies to respond to disasters in which the City would be incapable of managing alone. • The Fire Prevention Inspection Program enforces State and local codes and ordinances by inspection of commercial, industrial and public buildings. • Valley Industrial to comply with the Federal OSHA 2 in/2 out regulations to ensure that the Department is in compliance with the law. • Department confined space rescue team. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-35 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The Fire Department also offers an ambulance membership program called FireMed. For an annual membership fee of $55.00, subscribers can use the ambulance service with no out of pocket expense, (i.e. insurance payments will be accepted as payment in full). The FireMed Service is staffed 24 hours a day with personnel available to respond on an ALS equipped ambulance to provide advanced life support emergency medical care within the community and surrounding area. Consistent with the 2003-2005 goals set forth by the Dinuba City Council, a Fire Master Plan was adopted by the City. The goals of the City Council for fiscal years 2005-2007 include completing the fire station remodel project, and developing a fire department equipment replacement program. The fire station remodel project includes remodeling the 2nd floor of the existing fire facility and converting the former police station into fire administration offices. The first phase of the project included the dormitory remodel, and was completed in November 2005. The second phase of the project (identified in the City’s CIP), which is under review, includes the remodel of the former police station. The City of Dinuba voters, in the November 2005 Election passed Measure F, which increased the local sales tax by ¾ cent to raise revenue for increased police and fire protection. Measure F revenues are to be used to hire, train and retain police/firefighters/paramedics/9-1-1 dispatchers; expand neighborhood/school policing and crime prevention efforts including more after-school, anti-gang and anti-drug programs; upgrade the 9-1-1 Emergency Response Center; and purchase fire engines/ambulances.” The City is legally bound to use the funds for police and fire protection and has developed a ten-year expenditure plan. The following projects related to fire protection are identified as “unfunded” in the City’s current CIP, however, have since been identified to be funded as a part of the 10-year Measure F expenditure plan. New Fire Station Facility – This project includes the construction of a new 4,000 square foot dormitory and living space located on the west side of town near the intersection of Road 72 and Sierra Way. The City’s Equipment Operations Center (EOC) would also be relocated to the new fire station facility. The estimated cost to construct a new fire station facility is approximately $1.3 million. Northern Tulare County Fire Training Facility – This project includes the construction of a safety training facility for simulated fire evolutions, rescue, confined space, and testing. The training facility would be used for all aspects of safety training by multiple agencies including Police, Fire, and Public Works with training props designed for each. The training facility would be located at the same site as the new fire station facility. The estimated cost is about $175,000. Additional Staff and Equipment – With Measure F funding the Fire Department will be purchasing two new fire engines, and one new ambulance, and hire an additional firefighter/paramedic. The City plans to utilize Measure F to establish a firefighter ratio for the City. The National Fire Protection Association guidelines identify a ratio of 1:1,000. The City plans to evaluate the current fire master plan in relation to the Measure F 10-year expenditure plan in order maintain a strong link between the two plans. The six mile radius of the City covered by the Dinuba Fire Department through mutual aid agreements with Tulare County covers the entire area incorporated by the City’s SOI and UDBs. The Fire Master Plan and Measure F 10-year expenditure plan provide excellent tools to plan for future staffing and facility requirements to accommodate future growth within the City’s SOI. The fire department has indicated a need to become more involved in the development process on issues relating to code enforcement and permit regulations. In addition, the Fire Department should be included City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-36 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 in the review process of the upcoming water system master plan to ensure that additional water storage capacity is planned in the northern part of the City where growth is occurring, and other fire flow concerns are addressed. Police Much of the information regarding the City’s Police Department operations has been obtained from the City’s website, www.dinuba.org. The goal of the Dinuba Police Department is to insure the safety and welfare of the community by providing courteous and professional service. Dinuba police places strong emphasis on crime prevention by encouraging open communication with the citizens and organizing awareness programs for Dinuba's youth. The department's philosophy of community-based policing is a positive and cooperative joint effort in dealing with crime problems. Formed in 1908, the Dinuba Police Department operates out of one police station and one sub-station equipped and staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days per year. The City completed the construction of a new Police Station and Justice Court Facility in 2000. The Police Station is located at the intersection of S. Alta Avenue and S. “Q” Street. The Police Department currently consists of the following staffing and vehicle fleet levels. • 27 Sworn Police Officers • 28 Patrol Vehicles • 12 Support Personnel • 2 Reserve Officers • 2 Chaplains Based upon current staffing levels, the Police Department has a sworn police officer to population ratio of approximately 1:715. The patrol operations of the Police Department include various services provided to the community to maintain the highest levels of public safety in the community. These services include a downtown substation, traffic enforcement, house watch, citizen volunteer patrol, bike patrols, and funeral escorts. The downtown police substation is located in the central business district. Out of this office, the Police Department deploys four parking attendants and community service officers, who are supervised by the support services officer. The personnel provide parking enforcement and security for the downtown business district. The Police Department offers special assignments for officers in the traffic unit, which consists of motorcycle patrol and DUI enforcement. The Police Department has two BMW motorcycles assigned to the morning and early evening shifts. The unit also has a fully self-contained DUI enforcement command trailer with a dispatch center which was provided by a grant through the Office of Traffic Safety, State of California. The vacant house watch is a service that is provided by the Department and has been successful in the early detection and prevention of problems. Residents can call the Police Department to request the service and fill out a form that describes the areas and residents. The checks of the vacant house are completed by the Citizen Volunteer Patrol. Should a problem be noticed, officers are then dispatched to investigate the problem further. The Citizen Volunteer Patrol consists of a group of civic minded people who have expressed an interest in working toward a better community. The volunteers are trained in police operations during an eight session volunteer academy. Once they have completed the proper training, the volunteers are released for City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-37 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 ride-a-longs, patrol, funeral escorts, district attorney paperwork delivery and many other details that free up investigators and patrol officers to improve direct services to the community. The volunteers are also assigned details at special events in the community. These include parade details, park security patrol and funeral escort. The Police Department also offers bicycle patrol as a service to the community. The bike officers are deployed at special events such as community festivals, parades, and for special operations. A funeral escort service is available to establish traffic control for the movement from the service to the cemetery. This is usually completed by the Citizen Volunteer Program, but at times, officers are deployed to assist also. The Police Department has two special programs that involve the community in department activities including a neighborhood watch program, and explorers post #325. These programs are part of the overall community oriented policing philosophy that is employed by the Department and City Government in Dinuba. The neighborhood watch program is a relationship building activity used by the front line officers and supervisors to provide opportunities for communications with the community. It has been very effective in identifying concerns, problems and approaches in dealing with public safety related issues. The Police Explorer Post is an important part of the Department that accepts youth from junior high age through age 21. Recruits complete an explorer academy that is taught by officers and senior explorers. The explorers are responsible for many details such as crowd control, parking details at special events, parade details, ride-a-longs and dispatch. The program teaches responsibility, discipline and teamwork in a group environment that includes police officers, community members and other police volunteers. It also provides the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of volunteering as a member of a community. Crime statistics for Dinuba were obtained from the City’s website and are shown in Tables 1-3 and 1-4 below. TABLE 1-3 2001-2004 CRIME STATISTICS (CATEGORY I CRIMES) Category 2001 2002 2003 2004 Homicide 1 1 0 1 Rape 8 11 8 7 Robbery 17 22 15 21 Assault 426 451 440 493 Burglary 419 307 234 228 Theft 501 512 706 707 Vehicle Theft 85 117 136 176 Total Reported Crime 1,457 1,421 1,539 1,633 Notes: 1) Source: www.dinuba.org City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-38 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 TABLE 1-4 NUMBER OF ARRESTS BY DINUBA POLICE DEPARTMENT Category 2001 2002 2003 2004 Adult Felony 290 326 338 262 Juvenile Felony 32 48 40 62 Adult Misdemeanor 611 557 558 375 Juvenile Misdemeanor 101 88 74 98 Total Arrests 1,034 1,019 1,010 797 Notes: 1) Source: www.dinuba.org The City Council of Dinuba has set forth specific goals for fiscal years 2005 through 2007, several of which are related to the public safety efforts of the City. The Dinuba City Council goals related to improving the public safety of the community are identified below. • Pass sales tax initiative to increase Police Department staffing (Top Goal) • Decrease gang/drug activity and violence (Top Goal) • Add 8-10 new police officers assuming sales tax initiative passes (High Goal) • Purchase new safety equipment for Police Department (High Goal) • Develop early age prevention program for teen drug, alcohol, and gang issues (High Goal) • Improve public safety employee retention program (Medium Goal) • Find/develop graffiti proof paint (Low Goal) The City’s CIP identifies capital projects for which funding is not currently available, but which are important in carrying out City Council’s goals and targets and in implementing the General Plan. Due to a lack of identified funding, the projects have not been identified in the five year plan however as funding sources are identified they will be moved into the planning document (formal CIP) and capital budget. Unfunded projects related to Police Department operations include the development of a Police Department Facility “Shell”. The City of Dinuba Police Department operates under a mutual aid agreement with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. The sworn police officer to population ratio within Dinuba is exceptional compared to surrounding City’s. The City will need to continue to plan for additional staffing and equipment for Police Department operations to serve the growing population of the community. The City’s General Plan and CIP are excellent tools to plan for and accommodate the current and future public safety needs of the community. A Police Master Plan would also help the Department prepare for future growth. Should the City be successful in passing a local sales tax measure, it would be beneficial for the City to prepare an implementation plan for the sales tax measure revenue, and how it will be allocated. The City would then have an opportunity to incorporate the implementation plan into a Police Master Plan document. It is not known if the City currently has an adopted Police Master Plan. 1.2.7 Solid Waste The City of Dinuba has contracted with a private carrier to provide pickup of solid waste within the City limits. Weekly curbside or alley collection of household, commercial and industrial solid waste is provided by the City’s refuse disposal contractor. The City also has a disposal/recycling program which operates on a split container system. Recyclables are taken to Tulare County Recycling facility in Visalia where they are sorted and then bailed for sale to recycled material users. Yard waste, which is collected in a separate container, is taken to the private hauler’s facility, where it is pressed into fertilizer. The City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-39 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 City’s website provides information on pickup days, and customer service contacts for solid waste information/service requests. Each April in conjunction with Earth Week, the City conducts a community spring clean-up for the collection of appliances, furniture, general household trash, discarded building materials, and yard waste disposal of these materials at the County Landfill. In 1989, the State of California passed the Integrated Waste Management Act. Assembly Bill 939 (AB 939) required all cities and counties to implement programs to reduce landfill tonnage by 25% by the end of 1995, and 50% by the end of 2000. The eight Tulare County City’s (Porterville, Visalia, Tulare, Lindsay, Dinuba, Farmersville, Exeter, and Woodlake), which are involved in the Joint Power Authority are currently at 50% diversion. Based upon information obtained from the Tulare County Solid Waste Division website (www.co.tulare.ca.us/solidwaste/swabout.htm), the County buries about 300,000 tons of waste per year, which is equivalent to about 5 lbs. per person per day, or one ton per County resident per year. The budget for this operation is $12-$13 million annually. The County operates three landfills or solid waste disposal sites. These three facilities are the Visalia Landfill, northwest of Visalia; the Woodville Landfill, southeast of Tulare; and the Teapot Dome Landfill, southwest of Porterville. The County also operates seven transfer stations. The transfer stations are located in rural areas for the convenience of the people who live near them and do not accept large volumes of waste. The seven transfer stations and approximate locations are listed below: • Badger Transfer Station, east of Badger • Balance Rock Transfer Station, north of Balance Rock • Camp Nelson Transfer Station, northeast of Camp Nelson • Earlimart Transfer Station, north of Earlimart • Kennedy Meadows Transfer Station, near the Inyo County line in southeast Tulare County • Pine Flat Transfer Station, north of Pine Flat • Springville Transfer Station, south of Springville Based upon discussions with the Tulare County Solid Waste Division, the Visalia Landfill is planned to expand in 9-phases, based upon increased demand. Phase 1 expansion has already been implemented. With the nine phased expansions, the total capacity of the Visalia Landfill is estimated at 16,521,501 cubic yards. The Tulare County Solid Waste Division further indicated that the Visalia Landfill has sufficient capacity to accommodate solid waste disposal demands through year 2040. 1.2.8 Written Determinations Capital Investment Program 1. The City’s CIP is an excellent foundation and planning tool to assist the community in its orderly development in the acquisition of municipal facilities and to assure that service needs for the future are met. 2. The CIP ties the City’s physical development to goals and decisions expressed through hearings, citizen advisory groups, City staff, and documents including the City’s General Plan. 3. The CIP identifies over twenty revenue sources from which CIP projects are funded, and provides a comprehensive description of each revenue source, and how the resources are allocated. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-40 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Domestic Water 1. The City’s water supply is derived from seven active groundwater wells, which have a total maximum production efficiency of approximately 7,600 GPM. 2. Information provided by City staff indicates that the average demand on the water system is about 4.2 MGD, and the maximum daily demand is about 7.3 MGD. The maximum capacity of water system is 11.0 MGD, indicating that the City’s water system is operating at approximately 65% of its capacity. 3. The City’s water system supports 4,575 total connections including 4,137 residential connections, 434 commercial connections, and 4 industrial connections. All connections to the City’s water system are metered, which promotes water conservation. 4. City staff has indicated that the City has an adopted water conservation ordinance but it has not been necessary recently to impose restrictions. It is recommended that the City consider posting the water conservation ordinance on its website as a way of continuing to promote water conservation in the City and potentially increase the level of public participation. 5. The City’s water supply and distribution system was last studied in a Water System Evaluation/Water Quality Evaluation report prepared by Boyle Engineering in 1993. City staff indicated that Boyle Engineering is in the process of updating the City’s Water System Master Plan. It is recommended that the Water Master Plan Update include a study area that, at a minimum, encompasses all areas within the City’s 20-year UDB and SOI. Any foreseen areas that the City anticipates including in its 20-year UDB or SOI should also be included within the master planning area. 6. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide adequate water supply to the growing community for the next decade. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing water system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s CIP. 7. Based upon information obtained from the Department of Water Resources, Dinuba has complied with the Urban Water Management Planning Act (for 2000), as their UWMP has been found by the Department of Water Resources to be complete. The City has until December 2005 to comply with the 2005 requirement. UWMPs are required to be updated every five years in years ending in five and zero. Drainage Infrastructure 1. The City’s storm drainage infrastructure was evaluated as part of the Storm Drainage Master Plan (Quad Engineering, 1989), and the City’s GPU in 1997. 2. Most of the storm runoff collected in the City’s drainage system is discharged to irrigation ditches operated by the Alta Irrigation District. Discharge limitations are established through an agreement between the City and District. 3. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide storm drainage infrastructure to the growing community in future years. The City’s approach to planning for and City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-41 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 implementing storm drain system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’s CIP. Wastewater Collection, Treatment and Disposal 1. Several studies of the City’s sewer collection system have been conducted in the past. Studies were completed in 1967, 1971, 1973, 1989, and 2004. Although several of the previous studies are over 25 years old, a significant portion of the conclusions and recommendations are still valid according to the City’s GPU adopted in 1997. The City continues to upgrade its sewer collection system consistent with recommendations in the previous studies. 2. As the improvements identified in previous studies near build-out, it will be necessary for the City to undertake a comprehensive “Sewer System Master Plan Update” to address the City’s sewer collection system needs to accommodate general plan build-out. The comprehensive “Sewer System Master Plan Update” should, at a minimum, incorporate areas within the City’s 20-year UDB and SOI. 3. The City’s Wastewater Reclamation Facility was most recently studied as a part of the “City of Dinuba Maser Plan 2003/04”, RTW Engineering, 2003/04. The master plan recommended exploring the feasibility of the Reclamation, Conservation, and Recreation Project, which would provide for additional wastewater effluent and sludge disposal through the construction of wetlands, ponds, and irrigation of a new 18-hole golf course. 4. The Wastewater Reclamation Facility operates under provisions outlined in Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. 95-200, issued by the RWQCB. The order prescribes that the monthly average dry weather discharge flow shall not exceed 3.0 MGD however a registered civil engineer has certified the plant for a total treatment capacity of 3.14 MGD average daily maximum month flow (ADMMF). According to the Wastewater User Charge Survey Report F.Y. 2004-05, issued by the State Water Resources Control Board in May 2005, Dinuba reported an average dry weather flow of 2.2 MGD, indicating that the plant is operating at approximately 70% of its capacity. 5. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide sanitary sewer collection, treatment, and disposal services to the growing community in future years. The City’s approach to planning for and implementing sewer system improvements is excellent, and is demonstrated by the City’s dedication to aggressively seeking outside grant/loan funding, and making sure adequate funding is allocated towards the City’ CIP. Streets and Roads 1. The City constructs transportation improvements through the implementation of goals and policies set forth in the City’s General Plan Circulation Element, and other plans, including the Tulare County Regional Transportation Plan, which is updated every three years. 2. The City’s General Plan indicates that all City streets would operate at LOS “C” or better conditions through year 2015. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-42 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 3. The Dinuba City Council has established the following goals related to transportation: repair streets citywide; widen Ave. 416 and Road 80 to four lanes; upgrade public transit system to include trolley; continue sidewalk, curb & gutter program. 4. The City’s CIP ensures that Dinuba can continue to provide transportation related infrastructure for the efficient movement of people and goods. The continuous implementation of General Plan Circulation Element goals and polices also guides the City in meeting the future transportation needs of the community. 5. It is recommended that the City take the lead in planning for transportation and circulation improvements within the boundary of its 20 year UDB and SOI. Streets within this area should be constructed to City standards, since it is likely that the area will ultimately be incorporated into and become a part of the City of Dinuba. Fire and Police Protection Services 1. The Dinuba Fire Department operates out of one fire station equipped and staffed 24-hours a day. The fire station is located at the intersection of E. Tulare Street and N. “H” Street. 2. The insurance services office (ISO) rates fire departments on a scale of one (best) to ten (unprotected). The Dinuba Fire Department current ISO rating is four (4). 3. The City of Dinuba contracts with various agencies to provide the community with the best possible emergency services through mutual aid agreements, including the Tulare County Fire Department, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Visalia Hazardous Response Team. 4. Consistent with the 2003-2005 goals set forth by the Dinuba City Council, a Fire Master Plan was adopted by the City. The Fire Master Plan provides an excellent tool to plan for future staffing and facility requirements to accommodate future growth within the City’s SOI. 5. The City of Dinuba voters passed Measure F, which increased the local sales tax by ¾ cent to raise revenue for increased police and fire protection. The Measure F 10-year expenditure plan includes funding of several projects including a new fire station and joint training facility, and additional equipment and staffing for the department. The passage of Measure F is indicative of the community’s desire to maintain the highest levels of public safety. 6. The Dinuba Police Department operates out of one police station and one sub-station equipped and staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days per year. The City completed the construction of a new Police State and Justice Court Facility in 2000. 7. Based upon current staffing levels, the Police Department has a sworn police officer to population ratio of approximately 1:715, which is excellent compared to other City’s within the County. 8. The Police Department offers various programs for citizens to get involved with public safety efforts in the community. The programs generally consist of community volunteers who are dedicated to a safer community. 9. The City Council has established several goals relating to the public safety within the community including the following; pass sales tax initiative to increase Police Department City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-43 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 staffing; decrease gang/drug activity and violence; add 8-10 new police officers assuming sales tax initiative passes; purchase new safety equipment for Police Department; develop early age prevention program; improve public safety employee retention program; find/develop graffiti proof paint. Solid Waste 1. The City of Dinuba has contracted with a private carrier to provide pickup of solid waste within the City limits. 2. The City has a disposal/recycling program which operates on a split container system. Recyclables are taken to the Tulare County Recycling facility in Visalia where they are sorted and then bailed for sale to recycled material users. 3. Independent (private contractors) service providers are not subject to SOI determinations, and are therefore exempt from the MSR requirement. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-44 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.3 FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS The purpose of this section is to evaluate a jurisdictions capability to finance needed improvements and services. 1.3.1 Annual Budget At the time this report was initiated, the City’s F.Y. 2005-06 budget document was not available in hard copy format from City Hall. For this reason, evaluations and discussions provided in this section are based upon the City’s F.Y. 2004-05 budget document. In March 2004, the City received a Certificate of Award for their “Excellence in Operational Budgeting 2003-04” from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. The certificate recognizes meritorious achievement in operational budgeting and reflects a highly professional budget document and the underlying budgeting process through which the budget is implemented. The receipt of this award is an indication of the City’s implementation of appropriate financing/funding practices. One of the keys for the City’s ongoing success in meeting the goals of the City Council is the full allocation of discretionary resources in the General Fund to public safety and recreation services. The City’s General Fund resources are designated between discretionary and non-discretionary funds. Discretionary revenues, which include property tax, sales tax, utility user tax, motor vehicle in-lieu (MVL) tax and other miscellaneous revenues are used solely to support public safety, and parks and community service programs. Non-discretionary revenues, which include various permits, fees, and charges, support the services that generate those revenues. This differentiation allows those services that have specific identifiable users to be funded by charges for services from those users thereby protecting the “discretionary funds” for public safety, and parks and community services. The City’s 7% utility user tax is fully dedicated to the General Fund to support Police, Fire, and Parks and Community Services. The Utility Tax is one of the few local revenues still controlled by the City. Over the past several years local control has been compromised as the State delves into local revenues to fix its own problems, significantly limiting the ability of cities and counties to provide effective and efficient local services. Every year, the City analyzes the State and local environment and asses all information about changes to local revenues and develops plans that will steer the City clear of the fiscal and regulatory implications that may potentially degrade the local service delivery system. The following excerpt from the City’s budget for F.Y. 2004-05 indicates how the City evaluates revenue shortages and plans to supplement such income. “Each year as the State’s fiscal picture changes in terms of cost or benefit to our local revenue base we plan and adjust accordingly. For the next several years, the State’s fiscal problems could be very costly to our revenue base. Next year we estimate losses to our General Fund, as a result of a reduction the VLF revenue, of about $350,000. To deal with this loss and a general erosion our revenue base we are actively seeking additional larger sales tax generators (Wal-mart, Bret’s Ford) to view or community as a regional shopping market place and locate their businesses here. Because of the interference of the State in the “sales tax” collection and distribution process, even if those businesses locate in our community in 2004, we won’t see any increase in our sales tax income until 2007. But it is very important for our future financial health that we aggressively seek out this new revenue base.” The City’s budgetary funds are segregated into enterprise and non-enterprise financing functions. Enterprise Funds are established to account for services financed and operated in a manner similar to a City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-45 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 private business. In contrast to the General Fund, the Enterprise Funds operate as separate entities. This means that each enterprise program maintains a separate set of books, and funds are not co-mingled or transferred, except in rare cases and then only be specific Council action. The cost for these services is paid for by service fees. City Council policies stipulate that the costs of providing goods or services to the general public through Enterprise Funds must be financed or recovered primarily through user charges. User charges must be established and maintained at proper levels to assure adequate income to pay for current services and to maintain reserves to allow for adequate cash on hand at all times to pay bills, meet emergencies, and provide for operating capital needs. Over the past few years, the City’s Enterprise Funds have encountered increases in the cost of utilities, workers compensation insurance rates, liability insurance rates, and fuel costs. In order to meet the required reserve for the Water Fund, Sewer Fund and the Disposal Fund in future years, it was determined by staff that a rate increase was needed in F.Y. 2004-05. Table 1-5 shows the projected enterprise fund balances for June 30, 2005 compared to the required operating reserves consistent with the City Council’s policy on reserves. TABLE 1-5 ENTERPRISE FUND BALANCE VARIANCES Budgetary Fund Project Fund Balance 06/30/05 Required Operating Reserve 06/30/05 Variance Health Insurance $180,179 $300,000 ($119,821) Water $605,821 $182,987 $422,834 Sewer $128,879 $200,988 ($72,109) Disposal $104,681 $233,626 ($128,945) Ambulance $633,026 $238,943 $394,083 Notes: 1) Source: City of Dinuba Annual Adopted Budget 2004-05 2) Figures do not take into account reserves for capital replacement or deferred maintenance As indicated in Table 1-5, three of the five Enterprise Funds fell short of meeting their required operating reserves at the end of F.Y. 2004-05. For these reasons, City staff continues to monitor these funds closely to bring them to within their required operating reserve limits. The Water Fund meets its required operating reserve, which includes additional revenue estimated at $72,754 resulting from a 2.0% cost of living increase for all customers. The Sewer Fund also included a 2.0% rate increase for cost of living which was included in the adopted budget for F.Y. 2004-05. The Sewer Fund balance decreased by $261,146 from F.Y. 2003-04 as a result of capital projects at the wastewater treatment plant as well as increased operating costs. A 2.0% rate increase for cost of living was also included in the Disposal Fund budget, which increased revenues by an estimated $57,000, and as a result, will help bring the fund closer to meeting its required operating reserve. The rate increases for water, sewer, and disposal services was anticipated to cost approximately $1.03/month for the typical residential user. The City’s ability to obtain financing in addition to typical General Fund and Proprietary Fund revenues is demonstrated by numerous grants the City has been successful in obtaining to implement capital projects. Revenues for capital funds are non-recurring revenues that are anticipated (such as forthcoming grant, or one-time fees) and are forecast separately and scheduled only for the year or years in which they are anticipated, and they are limited to their use by local City policy. Recent grants the City has successfully applied for include a Federal EDA grant for WWTF improvements, a CDBG for the Fire Department remodel, and a FEMA grant for a vehicle exhaust extraction system. The City’s budget contains a comparative analysis of financing rates among other agencies in the study area similar in size to Dinuba. Figure 1-4 shows charts taken directly from the City’s 2004-05 budget, which compare the City’s population, sales tax revenue, and General Fund to surrounding City’s in the region similar in size to Dinuba. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-46 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 FIGURE 1-4 – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FINANCING RATES Notes: 1) Source: City of Dinuba Annual Adopted Budget 2004-05 As indicated by Figure 1-4, although the City’s population is significantly less than surrounding City’s, Dinuba generates comparable General Fund Revenues, indicating the City’s success in being a competitor in the regional market. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-47 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The City’s budget contains a section describing the status of long term debt owed by the City, and the long-term obligation policy. The following excerpts from the City’s budget outline policies which establish limits for the City’s allowed indebtedness. The City by ordinance or resolution may issue all manner of securities and incur all manner of indebtedness, but within the following limits: 1. General Obligation Bond Limit: Indebtedness of the City as evidenced by issues general obligation bonds shall at no time exceed ten percent of the assessed valuation of all property taxable by the City; 2. Other Debt Limit: Indebtedness of the City, other than voted general obligation bonds and securities having a dedicated utility, enterprise or special agency or authority revenue source or pledge, shall at no time exceed ten percent of the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the City. 3. Definitions & Exemptions: The term “indebtedness” as used in the General Obligation Bond Limit and the Other Debt Limit shall not include bonds or other obligations denoting indebtedness issued for the purpose of financing or refinancing the acquisition, construction, or completion of public improvements, the payment of which is not general obligation of the City, and which is secured by a lien upon or levy of a special tax or assessment on property within an identified geographic area or district. City funds had a total outstanding debt of $16,796,380 as of July 1, 2005, and the Redevelopment Agency had a total outstanding obligation of $28,111,293 as of July 1, 2005. No new debt was incurred by the City for F.Y. 2004-05, and the Redevelopment Agency incurred additional debt of $450,000 during F.Y. 2004-05. The City’s long term debt payment amounted to $1,484,011, and the Redevelopment Agency’s debt payment amounted to $2,120,173 in F.Y. 2004-05. Major sources of the City’s long term debt include Certificates of Participation issued in 1998 for expansion of the WWTF amounting to over $5 million of the total debt balance, and Lease Revenue Bonds issued in 2002 for the construction of the Vocational Facility and new Public Works Facility amounting to over $7 million of the total debt balance. It is recommended that the City explore opportunities to establish assessment districts for the public maintenance and operation of various public facilities, for example, landscaping and lighting. The City’s current policies with regard to assessment districts have not been researched in detail due to a lack of information. 1.3.2 Written Determinations 1. In March 2004, the City received a Certificate of Award for their “Excellence in Operational Budgeting 2003-04” from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. The certificate recognizes meritorious achievement in operational budgeting and reflects a highly professional budget document and the underlying budgeting process through which the budget is implemented. The receipt of this award is an indication of the City’s implementation of appropriate financing/funding practices. 2. The City’s budgetary funds are segregated into enterprise and non-enterprise financing functions. Three of the City’s five Enterprise Funds fell short of meeting their required operating reserves at the end of F.Y. 2004-05. For these reasons, City staff continues to monitor these funds closely to bring them to within their required operating reserve limits. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-48 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 3. The City’s ability to obtain financing in addition to typical General Fund and Proprietary Fund revenues is demonstrated by numerous grants the City has been successful in obtaining to implement capital projects. Recent grants the City has successfully applied for include a Federal EDA grant for WWTF improvements, a CDBG for the Fire Department remodel, and a FEMA grant for a vehicle exhaust extraction system. 4. The City’s budget contains a section describing the status of long term debt owed by the City, and the long-term obligation policy. City funds had a total outstanding debt of $16,796,380 as of July 1, 2005, and the Redevelopment Agency had a total outstanding obligation of $28,111,293 as of July 1, 2005. The City’s long term debt payment amounted to $1,484,011, and the Redevelopment Agency’s debt payment amounted to $2,120,173 in F.Y. 2004-05. 5. Major sources of the City’s long term debt include Certificates of Participation issued in 1998 for expansion of the WWTF amounting to over $5 million of the total debt balance, and Lease Revenue Bonds issued in 2002 for the construction of the Vocational Facility and new Public Works Facility amounting to over $7 million of the total debt balance. 6. It is recommended that the City explore opportunities to establish assessment districts for the public maintenance and operation of various public facilities, for example, landscaping and lighting. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-49 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.4 COST AVOIDANCE OPPORTUNITIES The purpose of this section is to identify practices or opportunities that may help to eliminate unnecessary costs. 1.4.1 Budgetary Processes The City’s budget process is designed to screen out unnecessary costs through the implementation of a program performance budget format. The program performance budgeting system encourages creativity, effectiveness, broad participation in decision making, and accountability. The City also avoids unnecessary spending through the establishment of an Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit), consistent with the requirements imposed by Propositions 4 and 111. The limit is based on actual appropriations during the 1978-1979 fiscal year and is increased each year using the growth of populations and inflation. Not all revenues are restricted by limits; only those which are referred to as “proceeds of taxes”. Some examples of proceeds of taxes are sales tax, property tax, and business license tax. During any fiscal year, a City may not appropriate any proceeds of taxes they receive in excess of their limit. If they do receive excess funds in any one year, they carry them into the subsequent year to be used if they are below their appropriations limit in that year. Any excess funds remaining after the second year have to be returned to the taxpayers by reducing tax rates r fees. As an alternative, a majority of the voters may approve and “override” to increase the limit. The City has experienced steady growth in population which has enabled the City to spend at levels below the appropriations limit. Subsequent to the passage of Proposition 111, the gap between the appropriations limit and the revenues subject to limitation has widened. The budget year 2004-05 appropriations limit was $9,364,023. The City avoids unnecessary costs by sharing insurance premiums within all departments of the City. With increasing insurance, workers compensation, and other liability, keeping insurance premiums reasonable has become more and more challenging. The City should continue to explore opportunities to implement methods to keep such costs within reason, including shared insurance coverage for joint agency practices. 1.4.2 Cost Avoidance Strategies The City avoids unnecessary costs through the implementation of infrastructure Master Plans and the General Plan, which assist in eliminating overlapping or duplicative services. Master planning documents also provide sound funding alternatives for their implementation, and plan for growth within and surrounding the City. At the time Master Plan documents are updated, the planning area should also be updated to include the City’s current SOI and/or UDB areas. Planning out to ultimate service area boundaries helps identify any impacts that future planned infrastructure may have on current infrastructure in place, and mitigations that would alleviate such impacts. The City has a development impact fee program in place (termed system development charges) to help offset the financial responsibility of the City to install and maintain the infrastructure necessary to serve new developments. The City has opportunities to increase its cost effectiveness and revenue raising efforts by including the use of assessment districts, tracking savings and interest on reserves, maintaining a balanced budget including maintaining a General Fund budget that grows each year, and emphasizing performance measurement practices. The City can also avoid unnecessary costs associated with payment of high interest rates on debt owed by the City by pursuing general obligation bonds while interest rates are low, and by exploring opportunities to refinance higher interest loans to reduce the existing debt obligations of City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-50 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 the City. The City can avoid unnecessary costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the street lighting system by researching and implementing funding options as it relates to Proposition 218 limitations. The City can avoid unnecessary costs by implementing smart growth practices by promoting development in infill areas and areas where infrastructure is already in place (and has excess capacity). Through the preparation, implementation, and updating of infrastructure Master Plans, the City can avoid unnecessary costs by incrementally expanding its infrastructure to areas zoned for General Plan development. Master planning increases the City’s preparedness when SOI areas are proposed for development. It can be expected that the City will avoid unnecessary costs that may be caused by the annexation of proposed SOI areas through comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of a proposed development in those areas. The City could also avoid unnecessary costs through the construction of joint use facilities, including but not limited to recreational sports fields, parks, or other facilities that could be used by multiple agencies. It is a goal of the City Council to continue partnerships with the local School District and the Chamber of Commerce, an indication of the City’s ongoing efforts to work with outside agencies to promote joint use projects. Additional strategies which have the potential of eliminating unnecessary costs include the formation of homeowners associations for larger scale residential developments where shared (community) facilities are present. Associations could maintain facilities such as streets, play grounds, swimming pools, parks, gyms and even domestic water infrastructure should the community have an independent water supply, thereby relieving the financial obligations of the City. 1.4.3 Written Determinations 1. The City’s budget process is designed to screen out unnecessary costs through the implementation of a program performance budget format. The program performance budgeting system encourages creativity, effectiveness, broad participation in decision making, and accountability. 2. The City also avoids unnecessary spending through the establishment of an Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit), consistent with the requirements imposed by Propositions 4 and 111. The budget year 2004-05 appropriations limit was $9,364,023. 3. The City avoids unnecessary costs by sharing insurance premiums within all departments of the City. With increasing insurance, workers compensation, and other liability, keeping insurance premiums reasonable has become more and more challenging. The City should continue to explore opportunities to implement methods to keep such costs within reason, including shared insurance coverage for joint agency practices. 4. The City avoids unnecessary costs through the implementation of infrastructure Master Plans and the General Plan, which assist in eliminating overlapping or duplicative services. 5. The City has opportunities to increase its cost effectiveness and revenue raising efforts by including the use of assessment districts, tracking savings and interest on reserves, maintaining a balanced budget including maintaining a General Fund budget that grows each year, and emphasizing performance measurement practices. 6. The City can avoid unnecessary costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the street lighting system by researching and implementing funding options as it relates to Proposition 218 limitations. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-51 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 7. The City can avoid unnecessary costs by implementing smart growth practices by promoting development in infill areas and areas where infrastructure is already in place (and has excess capacity). It can be expected that the City will avoid unnecessary costs that may be caused by the annexation of proposed SOI areas through comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of a proposed development in those areas. 8. The City could also avoid unnecessary costs through the construction of joint use facilities, including but not limited to recreational sports fields, parks, or other facilities that could be used by multiple agencies. It is a goal of the City Council to continue partnerships with the local School District and the Chamber of Commerce, an indication of the City’s ongoing efforts to work with outside agencies to promote joint use projects. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-52 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.5 OPPORTUNITIES FOR RATE RESTRUCTURING The purpose of this section is to identify opportunities to positively impact rates without decreasing service levels. This section provides a comparison of various utility rates to surrounding jurisdictions to show that the City can provide effective quality service at rates comparable to surrounding agencies. 1.5.1 Fee Structure The City’s budget process includes an annual review and update of user rates charged for water, sewer, disposal, and ambulance services. The water, sewer, and disposal rates were increased by 2.0% in F.Y. 2004-05 to adjust for cost of living increases. As indicated in previous sections of this report, utility user fees charged to existing residents are generally allocated to the operation and maintenance of existing facilities, and are not to be used for the construction of new facilities. Development impact fees (or system development charges as termed by the City of Dinuba), and building permit fees are used to construct the infrastructure for new developments. Having separate funds set up for the construction of new infrastructure, and for the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure allows the City to continue to provide cost-effective quality services to current residents. Tables 1-6 and 1-7 compare the water and sewer rates for the eight Tulare County cities (Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, and Woodlake). The rates identified are for single family dwellings metered water service, and flat rate sewer fees. The sample monthly bill for water service is calculated using 15,000 gallons (2,005 cubic feet) of water as a base. TABLE 1-6 WATER RATES (TYPICAL SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING) Monthly Base City Service Charge Metered Rate Other Charges Sample Monthly Bill City of Dinuba1 $15.74 $0.674 per 100 cf $0.00 $21.17 City of Exeter2 $10.00 $0.620 per 100 cf $0.00 $13.13 City of Farmersville3 N/A N/A N/A N/A City of Lindsay4 $15.75 $0.80 per 100 cf $0.00 $27.79 City of Porterville5 $5.00 $0.72 per 100 cf 6% of Total $20.61 City of Tulare6 $9.67 $0.406 per 100 cf $0.00 $12.38 City of Visalia7 $5.91 $0.510 per 100 cf $0.00 $16.14 City of Woodlake8 $16.00 $0.00 $0.00 $17.00 Average $18.32 Notes: 1) City of Dinuba Base Rate covers usage to 1,200 cubic feet (cf) 2) City of Exeter Base Rate covers usage to 1,500 cf 3) Water rate information for City of Farmersville not available 4) City of Lindsay Base Rate covers usage to 500 cf 5) The City of Porterville assesses a 6% Utility Users Tax within City Limits 6) City of Tulare Base Rate covers usage to 1,337 cf 7) City of Visalia Metered Rate is applied to total usage 8) City of Woodlake charges flat rate of $16.00/month City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-53 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 TABLE 1-7 SEWER RATES (TYPICAL SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING) City Flat Rate Connection Fee (per EDU) City of Dinuba $16.12 $3,500 City of Exeter $16.00 $1,900 City of Farmersville $21.25 $550 City of Lindsay $27.11 $700 City of Porterville $25.39 $3,375 City of Tulare $22.19 $342 City of Visalia $13.81 $2,325 City of Woodlake $16.00 $4,483 Average $19.73 $2,147 Source: Wastewater User Charge Survey Report F.Y. 2004-05 (CalEPA – SWRCB) As indicated in the above tables, the City is able to provide quality service at comparable rates to other cities within the County. While the City’s water rate is slightly above average compared to the other cities, their sewer is slightly below the average. The City charges the highest sewer connection fee compared to surrounding cities. Connection fees are generally used to implement capital infrastructure improvements to serve new development. There is no evidence suggesting that the annexation of areas within the SOI would result in unreasonable fees for these services as properties annex and develop within the City. It is anticipated that fees for the SOI areas would be inline with citywide fees for such services. As previously discussed, the City has programs in place (development impact fees, capital investment program, etc.) for the construction of new infrastructure, thereby, mitigating the need to increase rates for current residents to support new development within the SOI areas. 1.5.2 Written Determinations 1. Rates and fees for services are established and updated using the City’s budget process, ordinances and other regulations. 2. The City has a sound fee structure in place which allows the City to continue to provide cost effective services to its residents while continuing to maintain and improve the current infrastructure. 3. There is no evidence suggesting that the City would not be able to provide services to the SOI areas for fees consistent with citywide fees for such services. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-54 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.6 OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHARED FACILITIES The purpose of this section is to evaluate opportunities for a jurisdiction to share facilities and resources, thereby increasing efficiency. This section provides a description of the City’s current facilities sharing activities, and identifies future opportunities to collaborate with other agencies on joint use projects and/or practices. 1.6.1 Current Shared Facilities The City has demonstrated its desire to work with surrounding agencies in providing quality service to residents in a cost effective manner. Some examples of the City’s interagency cooperation efforts include the establishment of automatic mutual aid agreements with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, the Tulare County Fire Department, and the City of Visalia Hazardous Response Team, to collaborate public safety efforts. The City has worked with Tulare County Association of Governments and Tulare County Resource Management Agency on regional planning issues including transportation, solid waste, and coordinating applications to request State and/or Federal funding for joint projects. The City is also working with the Alta Irrigation District on a joint project that would construct a groundwater recharge basin. The project would dedicate approximately 50 acres to drainage and recharge facilities. Land acquisition and preliminary design is anticipated for fiscal year 2005-06. The project is funded through Proposition 13 for water resource enhancements. The City has an ongoing partnership with the Alta Irrigation District to coordinate storm water runoff related issues with the City. The City works closely with the Alta Irrigation District to coordinate issues regarding irrigation ditches and storm drainage. The City has agreements with the Alta Irrigation District on the amount of storm water that may be discharged into streams and ditches. This has resulted in a cost savings to the City as these ditches form a major component in the City Storm Water Master Plan. The City continues to work with the Dinuba Unified School District to communicate effectively on issues of shared interest. There is high demand for additional softball fields for both the City and School’s youth softball programs. Over the last couple of years, the City’s recreational program grew by about 50%. There are more independent team demands for use of fields as well as for the competitive travel teams. The City should continue its partnership with the school district to collaborate recreational resources and efforts for the betterment of the community. 1.6.2 Future Opportunities With the State budget crisis impacting both Counties and Cities, the need for intergovernmental cooperation is becoming apparent, as every agency is facing an unprecedented assault on local resources. For this reason, it is important for City’(s) and the County to meet this challenge on common ground. The City should continue groundwater recharge efforts by continuing its partnership with the Alta Irrigation District. As groundwater levels in the County continue to dwindle, the importance of groundwater recharge projects is becoming apparent. As the City has planned for the construction of groundwater recharge basins within the City, ultimately this effort could be expanded to include areas within the SOI through a joint effort between the City, County, various Irrigation Districts, and the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District. Groundwater recharge would benefit both the County as a whole and the City in terms planning for future growth within the SOI boundary. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-55 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 The City should continue to work with the County on efforts to preserve prime agricultural land, and discourage development that would result in the loss of such lands. The City can accomplish this through smart growth planning, and promoting higher density developments. The Sultana Community Service District has expressed interest in connecting to the City of Dinuba’s wastewater treatment facility. The Sultana community is currently served by the Cutler-Orosi WWTF. The Cutler-Orosi WWTF capacity and compliance related issues have limited proposed development from occurring in community’s that rely on the facility for wastewater treatment. If the Sultana CSD were to connect to the City’s WWTF, this would not only allow for additional connections within the Sultana community, but would also free up capacity at the Cutler-Orosi WWTF. Sultana is located approximately two miles east of Dinuba. The topography of the area generally slopes from east to west (Sultana to Dinuba), so gravity flow could likely be successfully achieved between the communities. The feasibility of interconnecting the Sultana CSD sewer system to the Dinuba sewer system and treatment facility should be explored as a joint effort between the City of Dinuba and the Sultana CSD. A joint grant application could be submitted, or a joint project could be undertaken by the City of Dinuba, the Sultana CSD, and Tulare County. It is not likely that the Sultana CSD would be able to fund such a large project, as they are constrained by a limited budget. According to City staff, connecting the Sultana CSD sewer system to the City’s WWTF would create some serious challenges and opportunities. On the positive side, such action may facilitate the funding of the eastside trunk sewer, while on the challenging side, the City would have very little jurisdiction to regulate what is coming into the plant from that line. 1.6.3 Written Determinations Current Facilities Sharing Activities 1. Some examples of the City’s interagency cooperation efforts include the establishment of automatic mutual aid agreements with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, the Tulare County Fire Department, and the City of Visalia Hazardous Response Team, to collaborate public safety efforts. 2. The City has worked with Tulare County Association of Governments and Tulare County Resource Management Agency on regional planning issues including transportation, solid waste, and coordinating applications to request State and/or Federal funding for joint projects. 3. The City is also working with the Alta Irrigation District on a joint project that would construct a groundwater recharge basin. The project would dedicate approximately 50 acres to drainage and recharge facilities. 4. The City has an ongoing partnership with the Alta Irrigation District to coordinate storm water runoff related issues with the City. The City has agreements with the Alta Irrigation District on the amount of storm water that may be discharged into streams and ditches. This has resulted in a cost savings to the City as these ditches form a major component in the City Storm Water Master Plan. 5. The City continues to work with the Dinuba Unified School District to communicate effectively on issues of shared interest. The City should continue its partnership with the school district to collaborate recreational resources and efforts for the betterment of the community. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-56 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 Future Opportunities 1. The City should continue groundwater recharge efforts by continuing its partnership with the Alta Irrigation District. As groundwater levels in the County continue to dwindle, the importance of groundwater recharge projects is becoming apparent. 2. The City should continue to work with the County on efforts to preserve prime agricultural land, and discourage development that would result in the loss of such lands. The City can accomplish this through smart growth planning, and promoting higher density developments. 3. The Sultana Community Service District has expressed interest in connecting to the City of Dinuba’s wastewater treatment facility. If the Sultana CSD were to connect to the City’s WWTF, this would not only allow for additional connections within the Sultana community, but would also free up capacity at the Cutler-Orosi WWTF. The feasibility of interconnecting the Sultana CSD sewer system to the Dinuba sewer system and treatment facility should be explored as a joint effort between the City of Dinuba and the Sultana CSD. 4. According to City staff, connecting the Sultana CSD sewer system to the City’s WWTF would create some serious challenges and opportunities. On the positive side, such action may facilitate the funding of the eastside trunk sewer, while on the challenging side, the City would have very little jurisdiction to regulate what is coming into the plant from that line. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-57 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.7 GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE OPTIONS The purpose of this section is to consider the advantages and disadvantages of various government structures to provide public services. This section describes the potential fiscal impacts of development within SOI areas, and the annexation of land. 1.7.1 Development within SOI Areas One of the most critical elements of LAFCO’s responsibilities is in setting logical service boundaries for communities based on their capability to provide services to affected lands. Similar levels of public participation can be expected for either City or County development projects in the planning and development process for the SOI territories. It is possible that development in the SOI areas that occurs under County control may not fully resolve impacts to the City, such as increased traffic on City streets, and new groundwater wells to support County development impacting Dinuba groundwater aquifers and other analogous assumptions. It can also be assumed that the reverse is true; that development controlled only by the City may leave impacts in the County unresolved in whole or in part. The challenge of this planning effort is to coordinate shared infrastructure and improvements so as to mitigate impacts on either side of the City/County limit boundary. Since the development of the SOI territories generally relies on Master Planned infrastructure available from the City, it is logical that the City assume the lead in planning for SOI properties, consistent with the City of Dinuba General Plan. If the City were to be the lead planning agency for properties within the SOI, LAFCO could require the City to bring coordinated plans for infrastructure forward to LAFCO at the time specific annexation requests are submitted. This would provide a checks and balance system for incorporating new lands within the City, and would render the remaining County lands a part of an integrated whole. The City of Dinuba has well defined boundaries that establish the ultimate service areas of the City. There are no unincorporated islands within the City Limit Boundary indicating that the potential for overlapping or duplicative services is not present. Tulare County LAFCO has adopted specific policies for reviewing proposals for a change in organization, reorganization, incorporations, dissolution and other proposals processed by Tulare County LAFCO. Tulare County LAFCO policy C-1 identifies factors and standards to be considered in review proposals including additional requirements for City annexations, standards for annexation to special districts, standards for the formation of special districts, and standards for City incorporation. Tulare County LAFCO policy C-2 outlines general procedures for changes in boundaries or organization to be processed by LAFCO. Generally, proposals for changes in boundaries, formations, or changes of organization can be submitted for the consideration of LAFCO by petition of the registered voters or affected landowners; however, prior to the circulation of any petition, a “Notice of Intent to Circulate” must be presented to the LAFCO Executive Officer. A proposal may also be initiated by a resolution adopted by the governing body of any related public body (County, City or Special District). The proposal must be submitted on forms available from the LAFCO staff office, or on the LAFCO website, along with the applicable number of maps, legal descriptions, and filing fees to cover the proposal submitted. Tulare County LAFCO policies C-3 and C-4 outline specific criteria for petitions for change in organization, and protest hearings, respectively. Tulare County LAFCO policy C-5 sets forth specific criteria for establishing, and reviewing amendment proposals to, Spheres of Influence. Policy C-5 contains criteria regarding the following items: Existing boundaries, conflicting boundaries, initial implementation, scheduled updates – Cities, scheduled updates – Special Districts, Exceptions, separation of communities, municipal service reviews, and also contains an MSR exemption policy. SOI City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-58 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 amendments shall be processed in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by Tulare County LAFCO. 1.7.2 Boundary Conflicts There are no foreseeable boundary conflicts with surrounding Cities or special districts that would affect the current governmental structure of Dinuba. 1.7.3 Written Determinations 1. Since development of properties within the SOI generally relies on Master Planned infrastructure available from the City, it is logical for the City to assume the lead in planning for these sites. 2. The City has a sound governmental structure that provides necessary resources to provide public services and infrastructure improvements within the SOI area. 3. Coordinated infrastructure plans for development within the SOI area that are submitted with specific annexation requests would create a checks and balance system for incorporating lands into the City while promoting improvements to impacted adjacent County land. 4. Tulare County LAFCO has adopted specific policies for reviewing proposals for a change in organization, reorganization, incorporations, dissolution and other proposals processed by Tulare County LAFCO, including annexations, and SOI amendment proposals. 5. There are no foreseeable boundary conflicts with surrounding Cities or special districts that would affect the current governmental structure of Dinuba. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-59 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.8 EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCIES The purpose of this section is to consider the management structure of the jurisdiction. 1.8.1 Mission Statement/Budget The City of Dinuba’s mission statement, identified below, is indicative of the City’s efforts to involve the citizens of the community in its decision making processes. “The goal of Together, A Better Community" is achieved by employees working together as an organization and with the community, providing services which can be most appropriately provided by local government; achieving goals established by the residents and elected officials; and maintaining order and improving quality of life, and protecting the overall interest of the community,” The following section discusses various operational and service aspects of the City of Dinuba. Much of the information was obtained from the City’s website at www.dinuba.org. The website provides detailed descriptions of the departments serving the residents of the City. Overall, a review of the documentation reveals that the City is well run and organized in an efficient manner. The City’s budget document is an excellent example of the efficient management methods used. The budget contains detailed descriptions of the budget format, budget process, the basis of accounting / budgeting, and budgetary controls. The budget for each department by program includes the following. • Program purpose statement • Program description • Key points • Details of allocated positions by department • Fiscal summary for each department program This information provides a history of performance and accountability and allows for a clear view of what the City’s residents are getting for the fees and taxes they pay. This type of accountability provides for an efficiently and effectively run organization. Corrections to programs can be made when needed and services that are no longer required can be evaluated. The following key additions to the F.Y. 2004-05 General Fund budget occurred to enhance the service level requirements of the City. • One Police Records Supervisor • Corporal Pay for Special Assignments • One Fire Captain • Additional appropriations for electricity and contract services for parks • One part-time Custodian for City Hall and the Vocational Center • Salary Adjustments to maintain mid-range of Comparative Cities In total, the additions, which continue to build upon the service levels of the City, amounted to $114,449. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-60 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.8.2 Organizational Structure The City of Dinuba, which operates under the council-manager form of government, became a “Charter City” in June of 1994. The Chief Executive Officer is the City Manager who serves at the pleasure of the City Council and carries out City policies. All other department heads in the city serve under contract and at the pleasure of the City Manager. The City consists of seven departments which include the City Manager’s Office, Administrative Services, Parks and Community Services, Community Development Services, Fire Services, Police Services, and Public Works Services. The City Manager’s Office has the responsibility to ensure the needs and concerns of the community and the City organization are properly addressed to assure Dinuba is a good place to live and conduct business. There are five appointed advisory commissions and committees who assist the City Council in making policy decisions. They are the Planning Commission, the Parks and Community Services Commission, the Dinuba Economic Development Committee, the Police Advisory Commission, and the Architectural Review Committee. Each commission and committee is made up of citizens who work to provide services to the community while assisting the Council in achieving goals established by the citizens and elected officials. The organizational chart for the City is illustrated on Figure 1-5. FIGURE 1-5 – CITY OF DINUBA ORGANIZATIONAL CHART Source: City of Dinuba Annual Adopted Budget 2004-05 City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-61 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 A summary of the City’s departments and the various services they provide to residents is provided below. City Manager’s Office – The City Manager’s Office has the responsibility to ensure the needs and concerns of the community and the City organization are properly addressed to assure Dinuba is a good place to live and conduct business. The purpose of the Management Services program of the City Manager’s Office is to provide leadership for the overall management of the operations of City government, to support and advise the City Council as to the implementation of its policies, programs and targets, and to ensure that the services provided to the citizens of Dinuba are consistent with the Council’s goals and the organization’s philosophy. Administrative Services Department – The City’s Administrative Services Department consists of the following programs: Management Services, Budgeting and Grant Management Services, Financial Services, Human Resource Services, and Dinuba Vocational Center. The purpose of the Management Services Program is to provide accurate and complete official records and to direct the City’s financial, human resource, and risk management services; and to coordinate the vocational training at the Dinuba Vocational Center. The purpose of the Human Resource Services Program is to provide support for the personnel and human resource needs for City departments by attracting, retaining, and developing positive, competent, and productive employees. The purpose of the Financial Services Program is to support the government of the City in the areas pertaining to financial accounting systems and financial management information. The purpose of the Budget & Grant Management Services Program is to provide budgetary analysis, financial, strategic, and legislative support to decision makers, managers, and City departments. Parks and Community Services Department – The City’s Parks and Community Services Department consists of the following programs: Management Services, Sports Services, Youth Services and Community Events, and Parks and Facility Maintenance. The purpose of the Management Services Program is to provide overall management and leadership to the Parks & Community Services Department and staff members; examine administrative effectiveness and seek better procedures to ensure maximum use of allocated funds; motivate staff and encourage them to strive toward excellent customer service; provide assistance and inspiration to staff to meet goals and objectives of the Department; and develop and strengthen community relationships. The purpose of the Community Services Program is to provide the community with quality low cast sports and leisure activities and programs; free and low cost youth services and activities; fun family oriented activities and events; a variety of community special events; safe, well maintained playground equipment and play areas; and community center for family picnics, parties, and gatherings. The purpose of the Parks Services Program is to provide the community with clean, well groomed park grounds, open spaces, and assessment districts; regular maintenance of existing facilities; leadership in the acquisition of land and design and development of new parks and open spaces. Police Services Department – The City’s Police Services Department consists of the following programs: Management Services, Patrol Services, Records and Communications Services, Investigative Services, and Animal Control Services. The purpose of the Management Services Program is to provide executive support for the overall leadership of the Police Department. This division is responsible for directing all personnel and assuring that the performance level of staff is consistent with the City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-62 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 expectations of the organizational mission statement. The purpose of the Patrol Services Program is to provide the fundamental police functions of crime prevention, deterrence of crime, apprehension of offenders, recovery and return of property, and traffic enforcement. The Investigative Services Program performs technical law enforcement investigations of criminal activity. The division analyzes complex situations, identifies, collects and preserves evidence and develops the necessary data to successfully obtain a criminal complaint and apprehend outstanding fugitives. The Records and Communication Services Division maintains public and confidential records of all police department investigations of criminal cases, traffic accidents and civil cases as required by statute; provides radio communication services for Police, Fire, and Ambulance; handles telephone requests for routine and emergency services to City residents twenty- four hours a day, seven days a week. The Animal Control Services Division responds to requests for animal control services for the City of Dinuba; educates the public about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare; identifies health issues regarding unvaccinated animals; and identifies and licenses all dogs within the City. Fire Services Department – The City’s Fire Services Department consists of the following programs: Management Services, Fire Suppression Services, and Emergency Medical Services. The purpose of the Management Services Program is to provide the department leadership and decision making for its overall operation, consistent with the values and goals of the organization and expectations of the community. The purposed of the Fire Suppression and Prevention Program is to protect and promote the safety and security of the community through fire suppression, emergency medical services, and fire safety programs such as commercial inspections, senior citizens programs, ongoing fire training, pre-fire planning and public awareness programs. The purposed of the Emergency Medical Services Program is to provide professional advanced life support ambulance service to the City of Dinuba and 800 square miles of surrounding communities in Northern Tulare County, including Cutler, Orosi, Yettem, Seville, Delft, New London, Bob Wiley Detention Facility and half way to Visalia. Public Works Services Department – The City’s Public Works Services Department consists of the following programs: Management Services, Street Maintenance, Property & Equipment, Utility Services, and Wastewater Reclamation. The purpose of the Management Services Program is to provide department leadership and direction in the delivery of transportation, water, wastewater, drainage, and solid waste services. The purpose of the Property & Equipment Services Program is to preserve the City’s investment in its real property and operating equipment. The purpose of the Transportation Services Program is to provide construction, installation, maintenance and repair of streets, signs, pavement makings, and traffic signals consistent with community expectations and applicable standards. The Utility Services program is further segregated into water services, sewer collection services, disposal and street sweeping services, and transit services for the operation of each individual utility. The Wastewater Reclamation Services Program operates and maintains the wastewater reclamation facility consistent with local, State and Federal standards and regulations. Development Services Department – The City’s Development Services Department consists of the following programs: Management Services, Economic Development and Redevelopment, Capital Projects Services, and Building & Planning Services. The purpose of the Management Services Program is to provide the overall management of the department and provide direction to the department in the delivery of services in the area of building services, planning, development, capital improvements, and economic City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-63 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 development. The purposed of the Building and Planning Services Program is to assist development by issuing permits, reviewing plans, and inspecting public and private projects; to provide long and short range planning services, process entitlements, process specific plans, and update the General Plan; to provide the highest quality service to the public ensuring that developments are safe and conform to the standards outlined in the General Plan. The purpose of the Capital Projects Services Program is to provide leadership and support in the development and monitoring of the City’s CIP. The purpose of the Housing and Economic Development Grants Program is to administer income received from the City’s CDBG Re-Use program; to provide CDBG eligible activities that meet the established national objectives, to provide a benefit to local low and very low income groups,; and to support the HOME programs and projects that provide down payment assistance loans and grants for low to moderate income housing projects. 1.8.3 Written Determinations 1. The City of Dinuba’s mission statement is indicative of the City’s efforts to involve the citizens of the community in its decision making processes. 2. The City’s budget process provides a history of performance and accountability and allows for a clear view of what the City’s residents are getting for the fees and taxes they pay. This type of accountability provides for an efficiently and effectively run organization that is readily available to respond to the needs of the community. 3. There is no evidence indicating that the City’s current management structure would not be able to assume services within the SOI area, and/or continue to assist other agencies through mutual aid agreements. 4. The City ensures that services can be efficiently provided in the SOI areas through the preparation of master service plans to provide infrastructure that will ultimately serve the SOI/UDB areas. 5. The City has a sound organizational structure that should be able to continue to provide quality service to current residents, and accommodate future growth within the City and surrounding urban development areas. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-64 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 1.9 LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE The purpose of this section is to evaluate the accessibility and levels of public participation associated with the agency’s decision-making processes. 1.9.1 Public Access and Information Methods The governing body of Dinuba is the City Council, which is elected in compliance with California Election Laws. The City complies with the Brown Act Open-Meeting Law and provides the public with opportunities to get information about City issues, including website and phone access, and bill inserts. Dinuba provides free community events on a regular on-going basis. During the summer months, the Entertainment Plaza hosts a variety of family entertainment for the young and young at heart. Music varieties include Rock, Dixieland, Jazz, Folk and easy listening music bands. Other events and activities include cruise nights, annual car show and an Outdoor Market Expos - all held in the beautiful downtown. The City posts information regarding upcoming events on their website. The City’s website also contains a community feedback survey asking for the community’s input on public safety related issues. According to feedback from the community, the City needs better gang and drug prevention activities, more police officers, and improved 9-1-1 emergency response times. The City is working with a Community Advisory Group formed of community leaders to develop a plan to address these needs in the most fiscally responsible way. A potential finance measure is being considered because existing local funds are not enough. Any measure placed on the ballot will include strong fiscal accountability procedures, including an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee to guarantee that all funds are spent as promised to the public. The City’s website is an excellent informational tool, and provides remote access to the current events of the City, contact information for all City departments, emergency contacts, utility information (rates, street sweeping schedule, etc.), crime statistics, a complete City profile, current projects, and much more. The City’s website can be accessed at www.dinuba.org. Regular City Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers located at 405 E. El Monte Way, Dinuba. The City posts meeting minutes and agendas on their website as a courtesy. The City’s budget preparation process gives residents the opportunity to review the services the City is providing, and the cost of those services. The budget includes a description of the goals accomplished during the previous budget cycle, and the current goals (in progress) of the City of Council. This type of accountability helps the City to identify services that are operating efficiently and areas where improvement may be needed within the organization. 1.9.2 Written Determinations 1. The governing body of Dinuba is the City Council, which is elected in compliance with California Election Laws. The City complies with the Brown Act Open-Meeting Law and provides the public with opportunities to get information about City issues, including website and phone access, and bill inserts. Regular City Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers located at 405 E. El Monte Way, Dinuba. 2. The City continues to make reasonable efforts to maintain public involvement regarding land use and development projects in the community. The City accomplishes this through regular City Council meetings, website postings, and community feedback surveys. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-65 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01 3. The City maintains a comprehensive website, which provides a means to keep the public informed on local events, current City projects, recreational activities, and other activities occurring in the City. 4. The City’s budget preparation process gives residents the opportunity to review the services the City is providing, and the cost of those services. This type of accountability helps the City to identify services that operating efficiently and areas where improvement may be needed within the organization. City of Dinuba MSR Page 1-66 Tulare County LAFCO MSR G2_1 Dinuba Apr06.DOC/55-7301-01