LEAF F.A.Q.

1. What is LEAF?
2. What does LEAF do?
3. Who pays for LEAF?
4. How much does LEAF cost?
5. Do other communities have LEAF?
6. Who is in charge of LEAF?
7. Why do we have LEAF?
8. Do I have to pay for LEAF?
9. How do I benefit from having LEAF in Hawkwood?
10. Will LEAF pay for clearing and removing snow?
11. How long will LEAF exist?
12. How does the vote work?
13. If the vote is against LEAF, what happens then?
14. How can I do my part to ensure that LEAF is removed?
15. How can I do my part to ensure that LEAF continues?
16. Why do I have to have an HCA membership?
17. How do I get a membership?
18. I’m a resident of Hawkwood, why do I have to buy a membership?
19. What is HCA’s position on LEAF?

1. What is LEAF?
1. LEAF is an acronym created by the Hawkwood Community Association (HCA) and it stands for Landscape Enhancement and Appreciation Fund. The City of Calgary refers to LEAF as a Special Tax Levy or Special Boulevard Tax. LEAF was implemented in 2005 and it has 5 year terms. The last year of this term is this summer (5-year term = 2005-2009).
   
   
2. What does LEAF do?
1. LEAF provides for an enhanced level of maintenance of Hawkwood’s public green spaces over and above what the City provides. Fields, parks, playgrounds and other green spaces will be watered, mowed and maintained well above current standards. Planters with cascading flowers are placed on boulevards and at community entrances. Tree wells and shrub beds are edged, cleaned and weeded regularly. All this gives Hawkwood a much better look to people living and passing through the community. These services can be provided by the City or a private contractor.
   
   
3. Who pays for LEAF?
1. Each homeowner pays the Special Boulevard Tax in addition to their annual property taxes. Every fall, each homeowner receives a letter from the City reminding them of the levy for the upcoming year.
   
   


4. How much does LEAF cost?
1. Since inception in 2005, LEAF has cost each homeowner in Hawkwood $55.00 per year. There are almost 3,200 households in Hawkwood and so the annual budget for LEAF is around $175,000. This pays for the enhanced services that Hawkwood receives from the City or private contractors.
   
   
5. Do other communities have LEAF?
1. Yes, across the City there are a handful of communities that have the privilege of having a LEAF-like program. In the NW, Citadel has a levy that was implemented the same time as Hawkwood’s and costs each Citadel homeowner $65.00. Communities such as Arbour Lake and The Hamptons have Homeowner’s Association Fees that go partly towards landscape enhancement, but those fees are mandatory and are stipulated in a caveat registered against each lot sold in those communities. The Hamptons pays approximately $100.00 per year on landscape enhancement out of a mandatory annual $200.00 fee. Ranchlands is currently trying to get a levy in place, no doubt based partly on the successes seen in Hawkwood and Citadel.
   
   
6. Who is in charge of LEAF?
1. The City of Calgary Parks Department works closely with HCA’s LEAF Coordinator to ensure proper selection & placement of flowers and planters and proper maintenance of the public green spaces. Both City employees and third-party contractors are utilized for performing the maintenance in Hawkwood.
   
   
7. Why do we have LEAF?
1. The harsh economic reality is that with budget cutbacks and increased costs for services, the City can no longer afford to provide the level of services in our green spaces and boulevards like it did 20 or 30 years ago. Obviously, the City has grown and resources and budgets are stretched pretty thin. So, rather than watch our parks wither and look unmaintained, HCA embarked upon the LEAF program for homeowners and residents to enjoy a much improved standard for our public places compared to neighbouring communities..
   
   
8. Do I have to pay for LEAF?
1. Yes. Every homeowner pays the LEAF levy on their annual tax bill. It is important to note that HCA has the option of increasing the levy annually by 3.5% and it has chosen not to do so to date. The $55.00 per year amounts to less than $5 per month or $0.15 per day.
   
   
9. How do I benefit form having LEAF in Hawkwood?
1. While there is no direct monetary benefit to having LEAF, realtors would probably tell you that home values are increased with the enhanced beautification seen on the boulevards and parks. Certainly residents appreciate the entrance features and the neat trees and shrubs when driving in Hawkwood or going out for their walks. It could be suggested that this makes people feel better about their community and enjoy living here.
   
   
10. Will LEAF pay for clearing and removing snow?
1. No. The reality is that clearing and removing snow is an extremely costly event, and one that cannot be predicted with any accuracy. Technically, perhaps LEAF could help with snow removal, but the actuality is that is would raise the levy astronomically and not be a financially prudent thing to do.
   
   
11. How long will LEAF exist?
1. LEAF operates in 5-year terms, with the first term coming to an end in 2009. The City now allows for the society or association to vote at an annual general (AGM) or special meeting to either continue or cancel the levy. If a simple majority of the association votes in favour of continuing LEAF, it will continue for another five years (2010-2014).
   
   
12. How does the vote work?
1. In HCA’s case, there will be a special meeting in May that will be advertised in the Hawk Eye, our website (www.hawkwoodcalgary.com) and on big bold signs and sandwich boards in the community. Only residents with valid memberships are allowed to vote. If the simple majority of HCA members at the meeting vote in favour of LEAF, it will continue for another five years. If the vote is to discontinue LEAF, then it will trigger a ballot system that the City will use to have homeowners vote again whether they want LEAF or not.
   
   
13. If the vote at the meeting is against LEAF, what happens then?
1. The City will facilitate the petitioning process to discontinue LEAF by mailing out ballots to each homeowner. The City then counts the number of ballots returned within a specified time frame to determine if a simple majority of ALL of the homeowners voted to discontinue the levy – NOT a simple majority of returned votes. Therefore, if more than half of the almost 3,200 homeowners do not vote against continuing LEAF, it will continue as if it had been voted in favour in the first place.
   
   
14. How can I do my part to ensure that LEAF is removed?
1. If you do not want the LEAF continued, you may organize an effort to petition the community to ensure that votes are returned to the City voting against LEAF. The City will provide a map and petition form for you to gather signatures and you will have 120 days to collect the signatures. Remember, over half of the 3,200 or so homeowners must agree to discontinue LEAF.
   
   
15. How do I do my part to ensure LEAF continues?
1. Make sure you come to the Special Meeting of HCA on May 25, 2009, at 7:30 at the Hawkwood Baptist Fellowship Church (20 Hawkwood Drive), make sure you have a valid HCA membership and vote in favour of LEAF. Membership is one per household, regardless of who shows up (i.e. spouses) at the meeting.
   
   
16. Why do I have to have an HCA membership?
1. The City has dictated that the association or society that brought about the special tax levy (in this case HCA), must hold a vote at its Annual General Meeting to continue the levy. HCA Bylaws state that in order for a person to vote at its AGM or Special Meeting, they must be a member. Memberships are $30 and are valid for one calendar year from date of purchase. If you are buying a membership just to vote on this issue, then it’s $30 you spend once every 5 years. Because HCA did not get a quorum at its AGM, it will hold a Special Meeting in May in accordance with its Bylaws.
   
   
17. How do I get a membership?
1. You can fill out the form in the back of the Hawk Eye or on the website and mail it in with a cheque. You can even check to see if you have a valid membership with your email address on the HCA website. If you have a child participating in some of the community sports like soccer, chances are you have already purchased your membership. Memberships will be available for purchase at the Special Meeting, but please consider purchasing your membership prior to the meeting to avoid delays.
   
   
18. I’m a resident of Hawkwood, why do I have to buy a membership?
1. As a resident of Hawkwood, you are welcome to come to any meeting of the HCA and express your opinion. However, you must be a member of the HCA in order to vote on any motion at any HCA meeting. Essentially, the City has a Bylaw that states that the Special Tax Levy continuance must be decided at the AGM of the association that implemented it (HCA) and HCA has a bylaw that states you MUST be a member to vote at the AGM. If you want to have a say in LEAF – either for or against – then please be a member, because that is the only way you can affect the outcome of the vote.
   
   
19. What is HCA’s position on LEAF?
1. HCA initiated the LEAF process back in 2004, and we mounted a huge volunteer effort to get the LEAF in place. Now, we are the envy of many of the communities in the City and we are proud to support LEAF and the value it brings to the community. HCA stands firmly behind LEAF as it relates directly to HCA’s mission which is “to provide leadership and support to build, beautify and sustain a vibrant, cohesive community”.