Part 2. Investigation And Report On The Project of California Streets And Highways Code >> Division 4. >> Part 2.

Before any ordinance or resolution may be adopted by the legislative body of any county, city, district or other public corporation, ordering the construction of any public improvement or the acquisition of any property for public use where the cost of such construction or acquisition is to be paid in whole or in part by special assessments or through special assessment taxes upon lands, the proceedings required by this division shall be taken.

The legislative body shall by resolution or ordinance determine in general the nature, location and extent of such proposed improvement or acquisition. Reference may be made to one or more plans, specifications or plats for such descriptions and for all particulars relative thereto, which plans, specifications or plats shall be on file with the clerk of the legislative body and open to inspection.

The legislative body shall also generally define the boundaries or extent of the district or lands to be specially assessed to pay all or any part of the cost of the proposed improvement or acquisition. The district may be described by:
  (a) Stating the exterior boundaries thereof, or
  (b) Giving a description thereof according to any official or recorded map or maps, or
  (c) Referring to a plat or map on file in the office of the clerk of the legislative body which shall indicate by a boundary line the territory to be included in the assessment district, and which shall govern for all details as to the extent of the district.

The legislative body shall also determine the amount or percentage, if any, proposed to be paid toward the cost of such improvement or acquisition from any source other than special assessments upon benefited property, and shall determine the law under which the proceedings are to be conducted.

The legislative body shall cause a written report upon the proposed improvement or acquisition to be prepared for it. The legislative body of a county may require the county surveyor or the county road commissioner to procure the required information and prepare the report, and the legislative body of a city may require the city engineer or the superintendent of streets to procure the required information and prepare the report. In lieu of the county surveyor, county road commissioner, city engineer or superintendent of streets, the legislative body of the city or county may employ any competent person to procure such information and prepare the report. The person required to prepare the report shall complete and file the same with the legislative body within one year from the date such person is directed to prepare the report.

The report on the proposed improvement or acquisition shall contain all of the following information:
  (a) A map, plat, or diagram showing the general nature, location, and extent of the proposed improvement or acquisition and the lands to be assessed to pay any part of the cost thereof.
  (b) The total estimated cost of the proposed improvement, stating separately the estimated cost of each class of construction proposed, such as grading, paving, curbing, and the like, and including the incidental expenses of the proceedings, the total amount of which shall also be separately stated, as well as any cost of registering bonds.
  (c) The total estimated cost, including the incidental expenses of the proceedings and any cost of registering bonds, the total amount of which shall also be separately stated, of the proposed acquisition. If the acquisition of property for more than one purpose is involved, and any of the purposes will require the acquisition of property or rights in property for which compensation is required to be made, which property or rights would not be required if that purpose were omitted, the estimated cost of the property or rights acquired for that purpose shall be separately stated.
  (d) The true value of the parcels to be assessed calculated in accordance with Part 8 (commencing with Section 2980).
  (e) The true value of each parcel to be assessed calculated in accordance with Part 8 (commencing with Section 2980).
  (f) The amount, as near as may be determined, of the total principal sum of all unpaid special assessments and special assessments required or proposed to be levied under any completed or pending assessment proceedings, other than that contemplated in the instant proceedings, whether direct or ad valorem, upon each parcel proposed to be assessed, which would require an investigation and report under this division.
  (g) The estimated amount of the assessment for the proposed acquisition or improvement to be levied upon each parcel to be assessed. If the district is to be divided into zones, the proposed zones and the percentage to be assessed against each zone shall be shown on the district map and the estimated assessment shall be proportioned, as nearly as may be, according to the zones and percentages.
  (h) The number of years within which the bonds, if any, to be issued shall mature, and the number of installments of the principal of the bonds, and the interest rate or maximum interest rate at which the bonds shall be issued if no definite interest rate is to be fixed until the bonds are sold.

A copy of the resolution or ordinance adopted pursuant to Section 2821 shall be attached to the report.

The assessments required to be set forth in the report shall be deemed to be estimates only and the final assessments levied under any street improvement law may differ therefrom in amount. The final assessments shall be subject to the limitations imposed by this division and shall be levied in accordance with the street improvement law designated and shall be subject to objection only in the manner provided in that street improvement law.

The person preparing the report shall appear at the hearing on the report and give all information concerning it to all interested property owners and to the legislative body.

The legislative body may by order or resolution abandon the proposed acquisition or improvement during the preparation of the report or at any time thereafter until, but not after, the award of contract for the acquisition or improvement.

When the report has been approved by the legislative body, the fact and date of such approval shall be indorsed thereon, and the report shall be filed with the clerk of the legislative body.