Changes in Our Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) Operation

By Dennis Albright, Headlands Development Representative

As most residents are aware, our LMD is actually an assessment district that was formed when Glen Cove was originally built more than 20 years ago to provide funds to maintain Glen Cove’s common area landscaping. Most visible are the trees, shrubs and groundcover landscaping in the Parkway medians and along the side slopes. Adjacent backyard fences along these streets are also maintained by the LMD. Also included are the landscaped areas behind the residences that abut open space areas that surround the perimeter of the Glen Cove area developments and fire breaks in those areas. Glen Cove 1 and 2 LMDs are located in the first phase of development in Glen Cove Hills located on Robles Drive and the streets primarily bounded by Shady Lane and Bluebell Drive. Glen Cove 3 LMD encompasses the rest of the Glen Cove developments which were built out later.

Each residence pays a fee annually that appears on their property tax statements. These fees make up our annual assessment budget of approximately $500,000 which the City of Vallejo manages through LMD Inspectors who oversee maintenance contracts performed by private landscaping contractors, currently D&H Landscaping, whose vehicles and workers you often see at work here. They trim and generally keep up the landscaping and rehabilitate areas that have become degraded over time and must be replanted or improved. Because the LMD budget is funded in this manner, it is not a part of Vallejo’s general fund. Our LMD is an entirely separate fund that is not affected by general fund revenues and expenditures. These funds are dedicated to our LMD operation and by law cannot be commingled with other City funds. Please note: This is not a part of the current budget problems the City of Vallejo is struggling with.

As with any other expense, over time operating expenses increase. After 20 some years we are finally at a point where this budget, and therefore the individual assessments, needs to be increased. The assessment for Glen Cove 1 and 2 LMDs was increased several years ago for this reason, and because the residents desired an increase in the scope of work in their area. Now it’s time for a similar increase in Glen Cove 3 LMD in order to ensure the high level of maintenance we currently enjoy. This will require a vote of the property owners.

The current annual assessment amount is $155. The City is currently working with their LMD financial advisers to determine what increase is required. The process will begin with community outreach meetings to inform the public and obtain their input and ideas. A plan will then be prepared and provided to the residences with the objective of gaining their support for any changes to the LMD operation and the assessment increase.

One additional beneficial element to be considered is the maintenance of “city trees,” which are those planted in the city easements near the sidewalks in most of our front yards. All of the LMDs created after Glen Cove have included this within their scope of work so it gets performed automatically. When the new assessment amount has been determined, residents will receive a ballot in the mail for their vote of approval or disapproval. If approved, the assessment will probably be increased by a moderate amount. If disapproved, the level of maintenance in Glen Cove 3 LMD will gradually be reduced commensurate with the funds available to meet the increasing cost of operation. Bottom line, the appearance of our common landscaped areas will degrade and will have a less desirable appearance, something none of us should want.

This happened several years ago in the Hunter Ranch LMD when the residents turned the increase down. As a result, their LMD fences along Redwood Parkway between Highway 80 and Ascot Parkway have fallen into disrepair and landscaping that has died has not been replaced. This is not something any of us would want to see happen here. Fortunately these residents will soon have another chance because their LMD will be extended a second opportunity for an approval vote, as well as a number of other LMDs that will be offered their first increase opportunity.

Accordingly, we will keep the community informed of these upcoming meetings through newsletter articles, by notices on our Parkway median banner signs and at our GCCA General Meetings as this LMD reassessment process begins and evolves so that we can all participate, provide input, get questions answered and become knowledgeable about the increase we will need in order to support the high level of maintenance we have come to expect. Please stay alert for notices of the public outreach meetings and attend if at all possible. This is a serious matter that has long term impact on our community, our quality of life and our property values. Don’t let us fall into the trap that the residents of Hunter Ranch got caught up in. Many of them are currently expressing regret for their votes.