On February 5, 2014, results were reported to the City Council on the recent community engagement effort regarding the financing of parks and street lighting in the City's

western neighborhoods.

The report follows months of outreach to homeowners and local businesses about funding shortfalls in the West-side assessment districts that fund 10 parks and more than 9,000 street lights, as well as trails and landscaping. Because of rising utility and maintenance costs, and assessments frozen since 1993, many of the City's assessment districts have insufficient funds. Over the last 3 years, the City has explored all potential funding and cost savings options, but existing funds simply cannot maintain current service levels. The City has been seeking to simplify and streamline our neighborhood-based parks and street lighting districts, so each property owner is paying a fair rate, while clearly understanding the services they are receiving for their assessment dollars.

A telephone survey and more than 1400 returned postcards show that residents value well maintained, clean and attractive parks, trails, and landscaping. Most are not aware that these parks and lights are maintained by special property assessments, and a majority of West-side residents are not ready to support an increase to their assessment district rates at this time. Key telephone survey results, which had  a margin of error of +/- 3%, include:

• 71% think things in Rancho Cucamonga are going in the right direction
• 85% think parks, trails, and recreation facilities are adequately maintained
• 56% are not aware that they pay an assessment for the maintenance of parks and street lights
• 32% initially support an assessment increase; with more information, the number increases to 46%

This issue has been talked about in other areas of town in recent years, with property owners in the Victoria, Terra Vista and Caryn neighborhoods approving new assessment rates to preserve their parks and other services. However, the survey results show that West-side residents want the City to tighten its belt further while they learn more about potential rate increases.

"Following this report, the City is making changes to maintenance levels in parks and landscaping to live within our means," said Mayor Pro Tem Sam Spagnolo. "Our goal is to preserve our core services in all 10 parks, so things like restrooms, play equipment, park shelters, and general use park areas are still maintained." Changes to maintenance include partnering with sports and equestrian groups to maintain sports fields and the equestrian facility at Heritage Park, reducing mowing and overall maintenance, deferring replacement of equipment, reducing staff and contracting for more services, and temporarily draining and fencing the Red Hill lake feature while developing new maintenance options.

"The lake needs maintenance," said Public Works Director Bill Wittkopf. "By temporarily draining it and relocating the wildlife, we can get in there to see the pumps and develop a more cost-effective, long-term option. We'll be reporting back to the City Council on that plan within 120 days."

While these maintenance changes take place, the City Council also directed staff to continue the outreach effort with West-side residents. "We need to keep sharing information and hearing back from the community," said Mayor Dennis Michael. 

You may also view this information in the West-Side Parks and Street Lighting Updatebrochure.