Title
Public Hearing for the proposed dissolution of the San Leandro Hillside Geologic Hazard Abatement District and Potential Action Upon a Resolution for the Approval of the Dissolution of the San Leandro Hillside Geologic Hazard Abatement District.
Staffreport
SUMMARY
On October 6, 2025, the GHAD Board initiated proceedings for the dissolution of the San Leandro Hillside Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) and set a Public Hearing for November 17, 2025.
During the Public Hearing, property owners will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed dissolution and submit their ballots. Ballots will be counted and the results announced. If not more than 50% of the property owners - weighted by assessed real property valuation - object to the dissolution, the GHAD Board may proceed with the dissolution proceedings. If the GHAD Board votes to dissolve the GHAD, the decision must be confirmed by a written approval of more than 50% of the property owners - weighted by assessed property valuation - within 90 days of the date of the public hearing.
If the GHAD is dissolved, responsibility for ongoing and future slope repairs and maintenance within the GHAD would transfer to the individual property owners. If the GHAD is not dissolved, it cannot continue to operate without funding; however, the GHAD Board could consider a property assessment to restore necessary GHAD functions and responsibilities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff, acting as an agent for the GHAD, recommend that the GHAD Board conduct the Public Hearing, receive public comments, and tabulate ballots regarding the proposed dissolution. Following all ballot procedures and guidelines, the GHAD Board will determine whether to proceed with the GHAD dissolution.
BACKGROUND
The San Leandro Hillside Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) was established on November 8, 2000, to administer repairs to a landslide resulting from the 1998 El Niño storm and to conduct ongoing maintenance and monitoring for 26 privately owned lots on Hillside Drive in the Bay-O-Vista area. The City, acting as the GHAD’s agent, oversaw the design and construction of the landslide restoration project, which was completed in 2001. Remaining GHAD funds were then used for continued slope and drainage system maintenance on private property.
During the winter storms of 2022, two slope areas within the GHAD boundary experienced additional erosion requiring temporary stabilization measures to prevent further damage. Completion of this work exhausted the GHAD’s remaining funds, its only asset. With no available funding, the GHAD can no longer carry out its responsibilities.
On October 6, 2025, by Resolution No. GHAD 2025-001, the GHAD Board approved the initiation of proceedings for dissolution of the GHAD and set a Public Hearing for November 17, 2025.
Analysis
In accordance with the California Public Resources Code, notices of the Public Hearing and ballots were mailed to all GHAD property owners at least 30 days in advance, and notice of the Public Hearing was published in the newspaper at least 10 days prior. During the Public Hearing, property owners will have the opportunity to hear and provide comments regarding the proposed dissolution and ballot proceedings. Ballots may be submitted by mail or in person, up to, and including, the time of the Public Hearing. The ballot must be physically received by the City Clerk by the deadline to be counted. At the conclusion of the Public Hearing, ballots will be counted and weighted by assessed property valuation and results will be announced.
A vote by the GHAD Board may proceed if not more than 50% of the property owners, weighted according to the assessed real property valuation, object to the dissolution. If the GHAD Board decides to dissolve the GHAD, that decision must be confirmed by a written approval of more than 50% of the property owners - weighted by assessed property valuation - within 90 days following adoption of the resolution ordering the dissolution.
If the GHAD is dissolved, the responsibility for current and future repairs and maintenance, including installing temporary erosion control measures, will revert to the individual property owners.
If the GHAD is not dissolved, it cannot continue to operate without funding. The GHAD Board could then consider a property assessment as a potential next step to restore necessary GHAD funding, functions and responsibilities.
If the GHAD is neither dissolved nor funded, it will have no ability to act. Therefore, responsibility for repairing and maintaining any existing or future slope will revert to the property owners of the properties where the damage occurs.
Previous Actions
• On October 6, 2025, by Resolution No. GHAD 2025-001, the GHAD Board approved the San Leandro Hillside GHAD Initiation of Proceedings for the Dissolution and Setting a November 17, 2025, Public Hearing Date
• Annual Reports 2004 through 2015 were approved by the San Leandro Hillside GHAD for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 through FY 2015
• On July 21, 2003, by Resolution No. GHAD 2003-001, the GHAD Board approved the San Leandro Hillside GHAD Annual Report for FY 2002-2003
• On November 20, 2000, by Resolution No. 2000-172, the City Council formed the San Leandro Hillside GHAD
• On October 16, 2000, by Resolution No. 2000-162, the City Council called for a Public Hearing on the formation of the San Leandro Hillside GHAD
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
• On October 31, 2025, and on November 7, 2025, a Notice of the November 17, 2025, Public Hearing for dissolution was published in the local newspaper.
• On October 17, 2025, a Notice of the November 17, 2025, Public Hearing for dissolution of the GHAD was mailed to all District property owners.
• On July 10, 2024, a survey was sent to District property owners seeking their opinion on a potential District dissolution.
• On August 7, 2023, a survey was sent to District property owners requesting their interest in receiving additional information regarding a possible new assessment levy to replenish depleted GHAD funds.
Legal Analysis
The public hearing procedure was reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney acting as the attorney for the agent of the GHAD and as the GHAD Board’s attorney.
Financial Impacts
None. The dissolution is necessary because all funds have been expended.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution Ordering Dissolution
B: Mailing List for Public Hearing Notice Letters
C: Sample Ballot with Instructions
D: Public Hearing Notice Letter to Property Owners
E: Passed Resolution GHAD 2025-01
F: District Map
G: Plan of Control
H: Copy of newspaper published Public Hearing Notice
I : GHAD Public Hearing Presentation
PREPARED BY: Dane Rodgers, Senior Engineer, Public Works- Engineering Division