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//7 ' / Redwood City Water Rates Community Roundtable Meeting Notes/Re�cord Meeting Facilitated and Notes Compiled by the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center 4/21/05 The following notes provide some general themes regarding the three approaches to water rate increases. The groups identified the themes, and those are transcribed in this document. In addition, there are table notes from each of the six tables (labeled A— F). There were approximately 25 participants in the water rate community roundtable meeting, representing primarily Redwood City residents. In general, • 3 of 6 tables favored a hybrid of approaches numbers 1 and 3, with variations • 2 of 6 tables favored approach number 1 and would eliminate approach number 2 • 1 of 6 tables favored approach number 2 with some improvements Themes that the group identified in their report back: 1. Appreciate conservation promotion (#3) 2. A disincentive for businesses to move here (#3) 3. Would like more conservation education in the proposal (#3) 4. Protect the "life line users" and spread the burden to include tier 2 u1 order to promote equity and conservation (hybrid #1 and #3) 5. Favors City, not customers (#2) 6. Simple, straightforward, and easier to sell. (#2) 7. There are some concerns about the impact on low-income, life-line customers. For these customers, the City could offer waivers of an increased basic service charge.(#2) 8. Offer rebates for consumers who meet of go under their voluntary water targets ("to promote conservation) (#2 and relevant to others) 9. Large families and low income folks would not be penalized (#3) 10. Spread out rate increases 11. Targets only some users. The option would discourage landscaping. (#3) Other issues that were brought up • Some participants are very concerned about the potential effects of chloramines in the drinking water supply • There are concerns about the impact of new development on water supply and rates. Some participants wondered about the wisdom of building new housing (and the resulting increased demand on water) when the City is trying to both promote conservation and raise rates. � • The beautification committee should have a water conservation/native landsczping award to promote and highlight water conservation. • Invest in solar energy and savings to finance water • Some gardeners will not have access to recycled water. Responses to the approaches (table notes) GROUP A Approach 1 • 25 % increase is too n�uch. o As a residential user, my % is increasing more than a commercial users' %