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Council adopts two Natasha Lane assessment resolutions despite homeowner opposition
Summary
The Montebello City Council approved two annual assessment resolutions for the Natasha Lane Landscape (2005-1) and Sewer/Pump Station (2005-2) districts after hearing residents’ concerns about a $67,000 repair estimate and roughly $3,200 per-parcel assessments; staff said Prop 218 balloting did not produce a majority protest.
The Montebello City Council on June 24 adopted two resolutions confirming engineer’s reports and levying assessments for the Natasha Lane Landscape Assessment District (Resolution 26‑39) and the Natasha Lane Sewer and Storm Water Pump Station Assessment District (Resolution 26‑40).
The measures moved forward after a blended public hearing that combined both items. City officials said the hearing was routine and that the Proposition 218 ballot count for the two districts—20 parcels total—produced 10 ballots in opposition and one in support, short of the 11 needed to constitute a majority protest that would block the assessment. The council voted to adopt the resolutions by motion of Councilmember Peralta, seconded by Councilmember Melendez; roll call votes were recorded as unanimous.
At public comment, multiple residents urged the council to reconsider or clarify the assessments. Raymond Perez, a property owner on Magnolia Avenue, told the council the district notice cited an estimated $67,000 in maintenance and repairs but listed a $3,200-per-parcel assessment that “appears to continue annually,” raising concerns that a one-time repair would instead become a permanent annual charge. Perez said the extra cost would strain homeowners already paying more than $13,000 a year in property taxes.
City staff and the city attorney explained the Prop 218 process that produced the ballot results and said the council had discretion to adopt the engineer’s report when the majority protest threshold was not met. Councilmember Melendez, who represents the district, acknowledged residents’ concerns but said the city had long subsidized repairs and that continuing to do so would shift the burden to the broader taxpayer base. “This is something we can’t just keep pushing every year,” Melendez said, while noting staff sought to minimize the impact on affected homeowners.
The resolutions adopt the engineer’s reports for fiscal year 2026‑27 and levy assessments consistent with those reports. Staff said they would answer follow‑up questions from residents and that the assessments are part of an annual review process the council considers each year. The council closed the hearing after the vote.
What’s next: Property owners who object to the adopted assessments retain any statutory rights available under state law to seek clarification or further administrative review; staff said administrative questions about the notice and the assessment calculation can be directed to the City Clerk’s office.
