California Code, Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 1900

If the legislative body of a city by a resolution adopted by a four-fifths vote of its members, determines that any improvement of streets within the boundaries of the city is of more than local benefit and that the assessments levied against the property fronting on the street improvement or in the assessment district are unjust and in excess of the benefits derived from the improvement, public money may be appropriated to reduce such assessments.