Local Agency Formation Commission

Regular Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

9:00 a.m.

Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, Room 381B

Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration

500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles 90012

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A person with a disability may contact the LAFCO office at (818) 254-2454 at least 72‑hours before the scheduled meeting to request receipt of an agenda in an alternative format or to request disability-related accommodations, including auxiliary aids or services, in order to participate in the public meeting. Later requests will be accommodated to the extent feasible.

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1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER.

2. Pledge of Allegiance will be led by VICE Chairman BEATRICE PROO.

3. SPECIAL ITEM

a. Approve Agreement for Consulting Services with Beverly Burr.

b. Approve Minutes of the meeting held February 12, 2003.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

This is the opportunity for members of the public to address the Commission on items that are not on the posted agenda, provided that the subject matter is within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Speakers are reminded of the three-minute time limitation.

5. FUTURE MEETINGS

March 12, 2003

March 26, 2003

6. NEW BUSINESS

This is the opportunity for commissioners to discuss matters not on the Posted Agenda (to be discussed and upon Commission approval placed on the Agenda for action at a future meeting).

7. ADJOURMENT MOTION

STAFF REPORT

FEBRUARY 26, 2003

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3A

AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES

Background

The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 now requires the LAFCO commission to complete a municipal service review (MSR) of all 88 cities and 93 special districts located in Los Angeles County. LAFCO staff is currently embarked upon the development of a framework for application of Sections 56425 (Sphere of Influence Updates) and Section 56430 (Municipal Service Reviews) contained in the Cortese–Knox–Hertzberg Act.

The application of Section 56425 alone will not significantly impact LAFCO staff and its resources. The application of Section 56430 will however greatly impact LAFCO staff and its resources as the LAFCO commission must now make determinations based on 9 specific findings supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record rather than a just a decision to approve or deny a proposal . While the commission has several staff members and legal counsel available to work on this project, staff will require outside expertise in economics, planning, finance, engineering and specialized municipal services to supplement staff resources.

Section 56430. (a) In order to prepare and to update spheres of influence in accordance with Section 56425, the commission shall conduct a service review of the municipal services provided in the county or other appropriate area designated by the commission. The commission shall include in the area designated for service review the county, the region, the sub-region, or any other geographical area as appropriate for analysis of the service or services to be reviewed, and shall prepare a written statement of its determinations with respect to each of the following:

1. Infrastructure needs or deficiencies.

2. Growth and population projections for the affected area.

3. Financing constraints and opportunities.

4. Cost avoidance opportunities.

5. Opportunities for rate restructuring.

6. Opportunities for shared facilities.

7. Government structure options including advantages and disadvantages.

8. Evaluation of management efficiencies.

9. Local accountability and governance.

Section 56430. (b) In conducting a service review, the commission shall comprehensively review all of the agencies that provide the identified service or services within the designated geographical area.

Status

Staff has met with the commission Sub-Committee on Spheres of Influence and Municipal Service Reviews to determine the steps required to develop a framework and time line necessary to comply with Sections 56425 and 56430. Your LAFCO staff has now completed the first step by preparing digital maps depicting the municipal boundaries and sphere of influence boundaries of all 88 cities and all 93 special districts located in Los Angeles County. In addition, staff has met with other LAFCO’s throughout the state for the purpose of evaluating the various methods and procedures being employed by them to meet this new code requirement. While no single methodology is being universally employed by all LAFCO’s, most LAFCO’s are utilizing outside consultants to develop policies and procedures regarding the implementation of Sphere Of Influence reviews and updates, and to prepare the actual Municipal Service Reviews.

Conclusion

Section 56425 (f) requires the commission to review and update, as necessary, the adopted spheres of influence not less than every five years, commencing on January 1, 2001. LAFCO will need to fast track an implementation plan in order to meet the December 31, 2005 deadline for completion. This can only be accomplished by the utilization of outside consultants. The attached Agreement For Consulting Services is the first step in assembling the various consultants that will be required to complete this task. Burr Consulting will essentially plan the scoping phase of the project, draft the requests for information directed at the local agencies, assist in the budgeting of annual costs of MSR’s, meet with LAFCO staff and commission, assist in the collection of data from local agencies, and perform the other tasks outlined in the Agreement.

Recommendation

Authorize the Executive Officer to execute, on behalf of the commission, the attached

Agreement for Consulting Services.