Laserfiche WebLink
6.1.A. - Page 8 <br /> 7. PUBLIC HEARING(S) <br /> A. Approval of Water Utility Service Rates and Charges <br /> 1. Staff Report; <br /> Mr. Ezell introduced Art Jensen, Executive Director of the Bay Area Water Supply and <br /> Conservation Agency to provide a more regional outlook on issues related to water. Mr. <br /> Jensen focused on "The Rising Cost of Water and Other Matters". One Council Member <br /> asked Mr. Jensen for Redwood City's recycled water program. Mr. Jensen said <br /> Redwood City began using recycled water to balance its water budget and that was a <br /> responsible approach. <br /> Mr. Ezell said that Redwood City is trying to keep its infrastructure safe and reliable. He <br /> covered how water rates translate to customers. He shared the history of rate increases <br /> and he gave credit to the Utilities Commission for its hard work around these issues. He <br /> shared some water benchmarking which showed that Redwood City is a good place. <br /> The Mayor opened the Public Hearing. <br /> Kathryne Barnard, a resident since 2001, expressed her thanks for the opportunity to <br /> speak, said she had written a letter, had spoken in 2006, and feels the water rate set up <br /> was and still is inequitable. She expressed concerns about the title of the item using the <br /> word "approval," the inequity between rates for residential versus commercial customer, <br /> differentials in various tiers as quite large, and she does want a little differential for <br /> conservation but opined that even if one has drought-resistant plants, there is a need for <br /> irrigation. She spoke in favor of removing the top tier and the differential be narrowed to <br /> 20 percent. <br /> Mayor Aguirre noted Council received and read her letter. <br /> Alan Bygones, a long-time resident, spoke in favor of this because water is one item <br /> that is needed and must be planned for given the aging of the equipment underground. <br /> He opined that we have a unique system with Hetch Hetchy and he related one recent <br /> experience where a fire hydrant was corroded due to age. <br /> Recommendation: <br /> Waive First Reading and Introduce Ordinance amending Redwood City Code <br /> Section 38.5 —Water Service Charge. <br /> ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF REDWOOD CITY AMENDING SECTION <br /> 38.5 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY RELATING TO <br /> WATER SERVICE CHARGES AND FEES <br /> Council asked questions of Mr. Jensen regarding the macro level and Mr. Jensen <br /> responded. He shared some additional good news on the Public Utilities Commission. <br /> Another Council Member thanked Mr. Jensen for what he presented and recognized an <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIUSUCCESSOR AGENCY May 7, 2012 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 <br />