AgdaPkt 2012-05-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.4. B. - Page 3 • Three display ads in the Daily News with information about the rate increase along with the date, time, and location of the April 2 community meeting and the May 7 public hearing. • Held a community meeting that provided an in-depth overview of why rates are increasing and information about the rate protest process. • Mailed approximately 26,000 notices of the increase according to the Proposition 218 notification process on March 20, 2012 to property owners. • Explained the proposed sewer rate increase in the City's conservation newsletter sent to customers in the utility billing system. • Posted all of the above information on the City's website. • Placed a public notice of this public hearing to consider the rate change in the local newspaper on May 1, 4, and 5, 2012. The ordinance was introduced and public hearing was held on May 7, 2012. Thirty one (31) protest letters were received. The second reading and adoption of this ordinance is on May 21, 2012, and new rates will go into effect on July 1, 2012. ALTERNATIVES According to the requirements of Proposition 218, the City must receive protests from more than 50% of current property owners and rate-paying customers on record to negate the proposed rate increase. The City Council could reject or revise Council Utilities Committee / staff recommendation regardless of the number of protest letters received FISCAL IMPACT If Council approves the Council Utilities Committee recommended changes, the Redwood City residential customer's bi-monthly sewer utility bill will increase by $9.56 to $115.76 effective July 1, 2012. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This ordinance is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(8). The City Council finds that the sewer service charges are for the purpose of ineeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits, purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment, or materials, meeting financial reserve needs and requirements, and obtaining funds for capital projects necessary to maintain service within existing service areas. 1 Although the May 21, 2012 City Council meeting was noticed as a special meeting, it is the second and only other City Council meeting held in the month of May. As such, pursuant to the City Charter and Section 2.21 of the Redwood City Municipal Code, it is an adjourned regular meeting which is equivalent to a regular meeting for all purposes.