Brief

The Bureau of Street Lighting initiated this ordinance to establish a special lighting district for Verdugo Place and Avenue 32. Council voted 14-0-1 to adopt the measure on May 12, 2026. The ordinance became effective May 28, 2026, following the Mayor's review period. The file is now closed and the lighting district is operational.

Full summary

The Bureau of Street Lighting proposed this new lighting district to fund ongoing operation and maintenance of a single streetlight on Verdugo Place, between 535 and 685 feet south of the Avenue 32 centerline, in Council District 1. The project is tied to a private development and covers six parcels, all of them on or near that stretch of Verdugo Place. Total annual assessments across all six parcels amount to $584.32, split among five single-family residential properties and one vacant lot. Individual assessments range from $12.70 for the vacant parcel to $177.84 for the largest residential parcel, calculated using the Bureau's standard formula based on land use, lot size, benefit zone, and adjustment factors. Under Proposition 218, property owners must approve new assessments through a weighted ballot process before the City Council can levy them. The Bureau mailed ballots to all six affected owners, with ballots weighted in proportion to each owner's share of the total assessment. The ordinance specifies that if weighted yes votes equal or exceed weighted no votes, the Council confirms the assessments and the lighting district proceeds; if no votes prevail, the district is abandoned and the lighting system is removed from service or not constructed. The assessment rate is pegged to Benefit Zone 2, which applies to modern lighting systems on residential streets, at a base rate of $101.62 per equivalent dwelling unit for fiscal year 2025-26. Future years' rates may increase annually by no more than the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index without further property owner approval. The Bureau submitted its engineer's report and proposed ordinance in early December 2025. Council voted 14-0-1 to adopt the ordinance on May 12, 2026. The City Clerk transmitted the measure to the Mayor on May 13, and the ordinance was posted and published on May 18, 2026, taking effect May 28, 2026. The district is now active, with assessments to be collected through the county property tax roll for fiscal year 2025-26, contingent on the lighting system having been energized by July 1, 2025; if not, collection rolls to the following fiscal year.

Activity (6)

• 2026-05-18 Ordinance posted/published. Ordinance effective date: May 28, 2026.
• 2026-05-13 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is May 26, 2026.
• 2026-05-12 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-05-08 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 12, 2026.
• 2025-12-17 Bureau of Street Lighting document(s) referred to Council.
• 2025-12-17 Document submitted by Bureau of Street Lighting, dated December 3, 2025.

Documents (5)

• 2026-05-28 Final Ordinance of Intention No. 188935 · other
• 2026-05-18 Declaration of Posting · other
• 2026-05-12 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2025-12-03 Report from Bureau of Street Lighting · report
• 2025-12-03 Attachment to Report dated 12-03-25 - Draft Ordinance of Intention · attachment