Brief

The Bureau of Street Lighting initiated an ordinance establishing a lighting district for the Columbus Avenue and Acre Street area. Council adopted the ordinance on May 12, 2026, by a vote of 14-0-1. The ordinance was published and became effective on May 28, 2026. The file is now closed following mayoral transmission.

Full summary

The Bureau of Street Lighting proposed the Columbus Avenue and Acre Street Lighting District to fund ongoing operation, maintenance, and electric energy costs for four streetlights serving portions of Gresham Street and Acre Street east of Columbus Avenue toward Memory Park, in Council District 6. The project was funded through a Community Development Block Grant and covers 21 parcels, with total annual assessments of $3,597.33 split among property owners based on land use, lot size, and proximity to the lighting system. Assessments were calculated using the Bureau's standard Proposition 218 methodology, which assigns each parcel a number of Equivalent Dwelling Units based on land use type and acreage, then multiplies by a benefit zone rate and adjustment factors for lot shape and partial lighting. All 21 parcels fall under Zone 2, the rate for modern lighting systems on residential streets, set at $101.62 per EDU for fiscal year 2025-26 after a 3.3 percent CPI adjustment. Individual annual assessments range from roughly $152 for standard single-family lots to $224 for larger multi-family corner parcels. Five parcels had existing assessments that the new district replaces; the remaining parcels had none. Future annual assessments may increase by no more than the Los Angeles-area CPI without a new property owner ballot. Under Proposition 218, property owners were entitled to receive ballots and protest the assessments before a public hearing. The ordinance required the Bureau to mail notices and ballots to all 21 affected parcel owners, with the City Clerk counting and certifying results. If weighted yes votes equaled or exceeded no votes, the Council could confirm the assessments; a weighted majority of no votes would have required abandoning the district and removing the lighting system from service. The Bureau submitted its report and engineer's certification in March 2026. Council adopted the ordinance on May 12, 2026, by a 14-0-1 vote. The City Clerk transmitted the file to the Mayor on May 13, and the ordinance was published and took effect on May 28, 2026, establishing the district for the 2025-26 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.
• 2026-03-18 Bureau of Street Lighting document(s) referred to Council.
• 2026-03-18 Document submitted by Bureau of Street Lighting, dated March 11, 2026.

Documents (5)

• 2026-05-28 Final Ordinance of Intention No. 188934 · other
• 2026-05-18 Declaration of Posting · other
• 2026-05-12 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-03-11 Attachment to Report dated 3-11-26 - Draft Ordinance of Intention · attachment
• 2026-03-11 Report from Bureau of Street Lighting · report