[Calclg-l] Mills Act Information Request

[Diane Ayala]

In addition, the City of Ontario.....
Work Program-
Typical 10 year work programs focus on preserving the structure through
reroofs, exterior paint, upgrading internal systems such as electrical
and plumbing, and so on.  We also accept proposals to restore period
features on both the interior (claw foot tubs, hardwood floors, doors,
etc.) and exterior. The City does not specify the improvement.  We do,
however, make recommendations for improvements in order to strengthen
the application.  After the ten years, the property owner has a duty to
keep in good repair, continue to maintain, and preserve the property
accordingly.

Monitoring Program- 
This past year, the City has integrated a Monitoring program.  We manage
this program through the CHRID.  We request receipts, cancelled checks,
bids, photos, site inspection, or any other document to support the
claim of work completed.  In sum, property owners are meeting their
obligations under the contract.

Revenue Loss- 
The revenue loss to the city is estimated upon application submittal.
Combined total of estimated revenue loss for the city during the first
year of all the approved contracts is less than 1% of the City's General
Fund budget. In order to determine actual loss, you would have to follow
each contract assessment annually for the life of a contract and be
aware of real estate market trends and property ownership change.  Whew!

It should be noted that before a property owner enters into a Mills Act
Agreement, they should have a real understanding of how all the
variables of the assessment impact potential savings.  While the City
estimates that the property owner saves approximately 50% for the first
year of the contract, actual savings were only 30%. For the most part
property owners are pleased knowing that they typically receive a
reduction. The good news is that staff has determined 28% of the
property owners with contracts have made improvements to their historic
properties beyond the items included in their Mills Act.    
  
 
-----Original Message-----
From: calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov
[mailto:calclg-l-bounces at ohp.parks.ca.gov] On Behalf Of Gates, Jennifer
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 2:15 PM
To: calclg-l at ohp.parks.ca.gov
Subject: [Calclg-l] Mills Act Information Request

Good Morning CLGs!  On Monday the 23rd, CPF will be holding a workshop
in San Clemente on the Mills Act and we would like to share what's
happening in other communities with the Mills Act program.  Please share
what's going on in your community when you have a minute. 

 

1.       How old is your program?

2.       Eligibility: Are all listed buildings eligible for Mills Act

3.       Additions: Do you allow additions to historic structures under
the Mills Act if they follow the standards?  What size additions do
communities allow under the contract?  Are they assessed under the
special assessment?

4.       Restoration Conditions: What type of improvements do
communities require within the 10 years, if any?  Do you add more after
the initial 10 years? What other restrictions/clauses does your
community require?

5.       Monitoring: How does your community track their contracts and
the improvements?

6.       City Revenue Loss: Does your community maintain an assessment
tracker to understand the amount of city revenue "lost" every year due
to the special tax assessment?  

7.       Lessons Learned/Recent Issues...

 

If you want a copy of the findings of this survey please send me an
email.

Thank you!

Jennifer

 

Jennifer M. Gates, AICP ~ Associate Planner

City of San Clemente ~ Planning Division

910 Calle Negocio Suite 100 ~ San Clemente, Ca 92673

Phone: 949.361.6192 ~ Fax: 949.366.4750

 

 

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