By Sheryl Hamlin
While this may be the intent of the Consent Calendar, it is noteworthy that neither council nor citizens chose to speak on any of the following matters on the Consent Calendar:
4. Adoption of Ordinances 1286 and 1287 for the Water and Sewer Rate Increases
5. Consider the Approval of a Landscape Maintenance Agreement with the Harvest at Limoneira Master Corporation
6. Notice of Intent Solid Waste Franchise Agreement Contract Extension
7. Change Order No. 1 to the Construction Contract with Super Seal & Stripe, Inc. for the 10Th Street (SR 150) Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Striping Project.
Water and Sewer Rate Increases
The City was asked to provide evidence that the new rate structure was Prop 218 compliant. The response was this link from the City Attorney: Rate Study
The City attorney also said that there was no attorney review for Prop 218 compliance and if it existed such correspondence would be privileged.
Questions unanswered:
-Is the cost to add or service a large meter more than a smaller one?
-Is the cost differential proportional to any or all water charges?
-How does the concept of a “class” differ from a “tier”?
-SPUSD can ask the citizens for another parcel tax to fund its massive meter charge increases. Is this not another tax on ratepayers who are also homeowers?
-Future plans to “fix” the wastewater plant involve more capital, which were not included in the approved new rates. Is this not a de facto rate increase implied by future borrowing?
Limoneira Landscape
Questions unanswered.
-Since the initial water study was prepared in the EIR prior to the drought, was there thought given to updating this water study post drought?
-What is the water source of the 3 and 2 million gallon tanks?
-What is the effect on the SP water allocation? We used to receive a report indicating how much of the allotment (adjudication) had been used.
Note that Council Member Juarez recused himself on item 5 due to stock ownership in Limoneira.
To watch the video, click here.
For more information on author: sherylhamlin dot com
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