Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Harvest CFD amendment after unanimous property-owner vote to fund long-term park services
Summary
The City Council approved amendments to Harvest Community Facilities District No. 1 to change the rate-and-method for Improvement Areas B and C so that, after bond retirement, up to 50% of the special tax can fund services (including the sports park). Two property owners voted unanimously in favor; Council approved the resolutions 3–0 with one recusal.
Mayor Carlos Suarez opened a public hearing Feb. 18 on proposed changes to the Harvest Community Facilities District No. 1. City staff and the developer’s consultant said the amendment revises the rate-and-method of apportionment for Improvement Areas B and C to expand the authorized uses of the special tax and to allow a transition so that, once bonds are retired after 30 years, up to 50% of that tax may be used for ongoing services — the city intends to direct much of that funding to upkeep of the new regional sports park.
City Manager Singer explained the background: the CFD was created to finance infrastructure (streets, stormwater, the sports park) that becomes public, and the requested change is a legal step to allow developer-assigned taxes to support long-term services rather than only capital debt. City Attorney Monica Casio and consultant Dave Fama reviewed the two-step legal process: amend the rate-and-method and adopt a second amendment to the CFD funding, construction and acquisition agreement.
Because the only affected, qualified electors in the improvement areas are the two current property owners — Lennar Homes and Louis/Limanera (as shown in the record) — the election was limited to them. City Clerk Julie Lachshaw reported the ballots were in and the property owners had voted 100% yes.
Councilmember O’Connell asked for a plain-language explanation for the public. Fama summarized: the special tax currently pays bonds for facilities; after bonds are paid off, half of that tax will continue to be levied and can be used to pay for services such as park maintenance. The council noted the change applies only to Areas B and C and does not raise existing tax rates today.
Councilmember Chavez recused from the hearing and vote due to a perceived conflict of interest as a property owner in Harvest. With three council members participating, the city attorney advised the vote required unanimity of the three; the council then passed the series of resolutions (authorizing the rate-and-method amendment, declaring election results, and authorizing the mayor to execute the second amendment) on a 3–0 roll-call vote.
The action clears the way for the developers and the city to move forward under the amended CFD rules; staff and the consultant said details of bond issuance and later allocation of service funds will follow required procedures and notices.
The public hearing record and the city clerk’s certification remain part of the administrative record; staff said they will provide follow-up materials as bond and budget actions proceed.
