Problem Statement
While Groundwork San Diego – Chollas Creek has completed a significant amount of work along the creek much more needs to be done. The lack of an adequate revenue stream to assure proper maintenance of work that has already been implemented or identified as a future project has been a major issue. Funding sources generally require a long term maintenance program; however, they are also restrictive in terms of allowing the grant money to be allocated to maintenance. Therefore, consideration is being give to the proposition of a maintenance assessment district (MAD).
Scope of Work
A MAD is a legal mechanism by which property owners can vote to assess themselves to pay for and receive services above-and-beyond what the City normally provides. This is called a “special benefit” and what the City normally provides is called a “general benefit.” In the past, MADs were also known as Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMDs) or Lighting and Landscape Maintenance Districts (LLMDs).
A MAD may be used to provide funding for construction/installation on a limited basis. Assessments to fund construction are limited to five years for landscaping, statues, fountains and lighting and up to 30 years for acquisition of parkland or open space land and park and recreation improvements and maintenance.
An Assessment Engineer delivers the final Assessment Engineer’s Report to the City. The formation of a MAD requires significant research and ultimately must be approved and voted upon by property owners. Research tasks would include the following:
I. Boundary definitions and analysis of these and other potential alternative boundaries
II. What could be justified as a “special” benefit
III. What legal precedents exist that support that justification
IV. What does a field based analysis of the area reveal consistent with these benefits?
An additional layer of information would include GIS mapping to identify the ownership (both public and private) of legal parcels. Evaluation would include an assessment of the properties current conditions, valuation, usage, zoning and vegetation.
City of San Diego web page
http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/general-info/mad.shtml
Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek was formed in partnership with the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the City of San Diego. Our mission is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment in southeastern San Diego’s Chollas Creek communities by developing community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, social, and economic well-being. We manage habitat-based restoration projects designed to support wildlife and conservation, promote public awareness, provide environmental education, and improve public health.
Chollas Creek is located largely in the City of San Diego, with headwaters in the cities of Lemon Grove and La Mesa. The 32 square mile watershed is part of the Pueblo Watershed, a jurisdictional designation created to streamline the management of several small watersheds.
Chollas Creek runs through southeastern San Diego, with a population of 160,000. The area is comprised of the lowest household incomes in the City, with many households below the poverty level. The unemployment rate is 12.7 %, compared to 6.2% citywide. The demographics of our participants is 64% Hispanic, 20% African American, 5% Asian, and 11% other (Caucasian, and Pacific Islanders). This ethnic diversity distinguishes neighborhoods within the Chollas Creek watershed from other neighborhoods throughout San Diego.
Chollas Creek was the subject of an extensive City of San Diego planning process in 2002 which resulted in the completion of the Chollas Creek Enhancement Program (CCEP). Funded in part by the California Coastal Conservancy, the plan set the stage for restoration of Chollas Creek using quality design and development guidelines and strong social capital investment. The CCEP spawned the creation, also in 2002, of the Chollas Creek South Branch Implementation Program and Wetlands Management Plan. That document identified priority projects and cost estimates for the south section of the creek. Within that document was the Segment 8 Chollas Walk project, for which Groundwork is seeking WRP funding.
This South Branch segment of Chollas Creek runs adjacent to the Southcrest Community Park and then travels westerly along the north border of the park and continues on to 38th Street. Chollas Walk presents an opportunity to continue the trail linkages envisioned by the CCEP from National Ave. to the 38th & Alpha Street Park, and to restore a highly degraded part of Chollas Creek.
Currently totally blocked from view, and filled with trash, homeless encampments and non-native growth, this 2,200 foot section holds the possibility for optimal viewing opportunities for the community, as well as creek cleaning and wildlife habitat strategies. Chollas Creek in this reach has been heavily infested with Giant Reed (Arundo donax), Ash trees, Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), and many exotic annual weeds which out compete the native plants and create security and fire risks.
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