HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-2012 ac dollar ss1Goodwin, Heather
RECEIVE D
SEP 17 201 2
Grimes, Maev e
Monday, September 17, 2012 10 :26 A M
Goodwin, Heathe r
Water Rate Structure Study Sessio n
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Agenda Correspondence for SS1 .
Thank you .
SLO CITY CLER K
AGENDA
CORRESPONDE NCE
Date li l 12 Item#_.~J
Naeve .xennedy Grime s
City Cler k
City of San Luis Obisp o
990 Palm Stree t
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-324 9
(805) 781-7102
Original Message
From :D . Dollar [dddollar(a~gmail .com]
Sent :Saturday, September 15, 2012 03 :52 PM Pacific Standard Time
To : Marx, Jan ; Ashbaugh, John ; Carter, Andrew ; Carpenter, Dan ; Smith, Kathy
Cc : Lichtig, Kati e
Subject :Water Rate Structure Study Sessio n
Dear City Council ,
We have comments for your consideration on the Water Rate Structure Study Session agenda item at your next
meeting . Please consider these comments .
It is clear that the study session will lead to new water rates . We have three main concerns :
1.Unintended consequences of high water rates .
2.Community values for a well landscaped community, including its residences .
3.Very high rate of water rate increases since 2004 and proposed rate increases .
1.Unintended consequences of high water rate s
There are a number of unintended consequences of high water rates, such as : more dead vegetation around tow n
and increased fire hazards ; more stress for trees, increased disease susceptibility ; less ground water recharge ;
subsidence ; increased runoff from more hardscaping ; urban flooding ; more visual blight from uncared fo r
landscape and poorer air quality .
2.Community values for a well landscaped communit y
There are a number of community values for a well landscaped community : aesthetically attractive community ,
residential, business and public places ; climate appropriate (primarily Mediterranean) plants are water wise ;
healthier trees ; cleaner air from more landscaping (our green lungs); improved noise abatement ; less runoff;
more ground water recharge ; and community pride .
i
3 .Very high water rates increases since 2004 and proposed rate increase s
We have had very large increase in recent years, well above inflation. We need to slow down or better yet
reverse rates . We would not like to see a city of gravel or hard landscaping .
Our community has a high rate of renter occuppied dwellings, most with small lots . High water rates do no t
encourage attractive landscaping. Renters need incentives to landscape .
Our current rate structure does not give well landscaped (especially larger lots) credit for value to community .
Give climate appropriate landscaped lots (especially above 6,500 sq .ft .) larger water blocks at lower rates .
Why is there no Block 3 for businesses? Charts show they use a lot of water .
Below are the actual and proposed water rates from 2004-5 to 2014-15 .Sewer rates are prett y
close to these figures .
Actua l
2004-05 + 8 %
2005-06 + 16 .6 %
2006-07 + 30 .6 %
2007-08 + 47 .6 %
2008-09 + 66 .8 %
2009-10 + 86 .8 %
2010-11 + 107 .3 %
2011-12 + 128 .1 %
2012-13 + 148 .6 %
Propose d
2013-14 + 168 .5 %
2014-15 +187 .3%
In closing, please give consideration to our comments .
The prospect of unintended consequences from high water rates, community values for a well landscape d
community and how high are water rates are and how much they have risen in recent years .
Sincerely ,
Don and Ellen Dolla r
SLO residents and gardener s
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