HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/20/1991, 2 - GARBAGE SERVICE RATE ADJUSTMENTS lllll�lylll��lll�llll 1� V, MEETING GATE:
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II In� o san lugs oBIspo August 20, 1991
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: 42
FROM: David F. Romero, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: David Elliott, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Garbage Service Rate Adjustments
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the resolution which increases San Luis Garbage Company's
service rates by 18 percent effective with the first billing
period after September 1, 1991.
DISCUSSION
The franchise held by San Luis Garbage Company since 1987 allows
it to request ordinary service rate adjustments once every two
years. The franchise also states that the city "may consider a
request outside of the schedule stipulated . . . upon demonstra-
tion by the Franchisee to the satisfaction of the city council
that it has incurred extraordinary and consequential cost in-
creases. "
After the last request in 1990, the council granted an overall 10
percent rate increase, which was calculated to suffice until
1992. Unfortunately San Luis Garbage has since incurred three
extraordinary cost increases which have substantially escalated
its overall costs. Also, the enthusiastic response to economy
service has caused some revenue shortfall. Following are des-
criptions of each situation:
IN Effective 12/1/90 the county increased general tipping fees
at Cold Canyon Landfill from $13 .95 to $17. 10 per ton to
cover emergency earthmoving costs and additional closure
costs imposed by the state. Effective 7/1/91 the county
again increased tipping fees from $17. 10 to $21.45 per ton
to pay for additional solid waste planning costs and en-
vironmental monitoring costs. The projected tipping fee
cost increase for 1991 is $139,275.
■ To avoid exorbitant additional insurance costs, San Luis
Garbage elected to retire the fueling facilities at its yard
and use cardlock commercial fueling stations, where fuel
costs about 15 percent more than the near wholesale prices
paid before. The projected fuel cost increase for 1991 is
$16,899.
■ Because the number of residential customers selecting
economy service is about double the expected number, San
Luis Garbage has had to buy many more special economy
service bags. The projected economy service bag cost
increase for 1991 is $14,862 .
Illiil�'" ll�Ill City Of SATTWIS OBISPO
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Garbage Service Rate Adjustments
Page 2
I
■ As the number of economy service customers h s risen, i
revenue has declined, because the $1. 00 per ag rate is set
artific lly low to create an incentive. a 6/18/90 agenda
report re arding volume-based service disc ssed this pos-
sibility. The projected residential reve ue shortfall for
1991 is $13 155. (This shortfall would a much larger,
except that he number of residential c tourers is 13
percent highe than anticipated. )
San Luis Garbage Co any has requested a r to increase to cover
this $184, 191 in ext aordinary cost increes and revenue short-
falls for 1991. According to the follow' g calculations, an 18 i
percent increase effective 9/1/91 should provide enough addition-
al revenue:
$ 171, 036 Extraordin ry cost incr ases for 1991
I I
+ 13 , 155 Extraordinar revenue shortfall for 1991
$ 1841191 Total cost increases revenue shortfalls for 1991
$1, 0500800 Anticipated opera
\\ ' g revenue 9/1/91 to 12/31/91
$1841191/$1, 050,800 = .18 = 18 p r ent increase effective 9/1 i
i
Because this is an interim adj tment, these calculations focus
only on the extraordinary cost increases discussed in the fran-
chise and a revenue shortfall envisioned during the last ratemak-
ing analysis. The next regu ar ratemaking analysis in 1992 will
return to the city's regula procedure 'which calculates a five- '
year average return on rat base and operating ratio.
EFFECTS OF RATE INCREASE ON RESIDENTIAL CII OVERS
I
I
Under the proposed rat adjustment, the stands d rate -- for one
wastewheeler container collected once each week -- would rise
from $11. 00 to $12 . 50 per month. The premium ra a -- for up to
one cubic yard (six tandard garbage cans) collec ed once each
week -- would rise om $15. 00 to $17. 10 per months The economy
rate ($1. 00 per sp ial bag distributed by San Luis Garbage
Company) would not change for two reasons. First, t e dollar-a-
bag concept is ea y for customers to understand and sy for the
city and the gar age company to administer. Second, a low
economy service ate provides conservation-minded cust mers an
on-going incen ive and opportunity to lower their garba a bills
by reducing t e amount of garbage placed at the curb and bound
for the landfill.
MEETING r001P AGENDA .
DATE. �TITEM
�ili�l IIIIIIIIO�������I�plllll I1IIt city of sAn tuis
oBispo
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • Sart Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100
August 20, 1991
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Replacement Page for Item 2 of the August 20 Council Meeting
Attached is a replacement for Page 2-2 concerning the garbage rate adjustments. This
page was inadvertently not substituted for a prior draft. The primary changes are in the
monthly rates quoted under the heading "Effects of Rate Increases on Customers".
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city Of San lU1S OBISp0
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Garbage Service Rate Adjustments
Page 2
■ As the number of economy service customers has risen,
revenue has declined, because the $1. 00 per bag rate is set
artificially low to create an incentive. The 6/18/90 agenda
report regarding volume-based service discussed this pos-
sibility. The projected residential revenue shortfall for
1991 is $13, 155. (This shortfall would be much larger
except that the number of residential customers is 13
percent higher than anticipated. ) I
San Luis Garbage Company has requested a rate increase to cover
this $184, 191 in extraordinary cost increases and revenue short-
falls for 1991. According to the following calculations, an 18
percent increase effective 9/1/91 should provide enough addition-
al revenue: i
$ 171, 036 Extraordinary cost increases for 1991
+ 13 . 155 Extraordinary revenue shortfall for 1991
$ 184, 191 Total cost increases/revenue shortfalls for 1991
$1, 050, 800 Anticipated operating revenue 9/1/91 to 12/31/91
$1841191/$1, 0501800 = .18 = 18 percent increase effective 9/1
Because this is an interim adjustment, these calculations focus I
only on the extraordinary cost increases discussed in the fran-
chise and a revenue shortfall envisioned during the last ratemak-
ing analysis. The next regular ratemaking analysis in 1992 will
return to the city's regular procedure, which calculates a five-
year average return on rate base and operating ratio.
EFFECTS OF RATE INCREASES ON CUSTOMERS I
Single Family and Small Multi-unit Residential Customers. Under
the proposed rate adjustment, the standard rate -- for one
wastewheeler container collected once each week -- would rise
from $11. 00 to $13 . 00 per month. The premium rate -- for up to
one cubic yard (six standard garbage cans) collected once each
week -- would rise from $15. 00 to $17.70 per month. Staff
recommends that the economy rate ($1. 00 per special bag dis-
tributed by San Luis Garbage) not change at this time for two
reasons. First, the dollar-a-bag concept is easy for customers
to understand and easy for the city and the garbage company to
administer. Second, the low economy service rate provides
conservation-minded customers an ongoing incentive and oppor-
tunity to lower their garbage bills by reducing the amount of
garbage placed at the curb and bound for the landfill. To
MY % Sat) LL41 S OBI SPO
MNGA COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Garbage Service Rate Adjustments
Page 3
maintain an appropriate level of equity among residential cus-
tomer categories, the economy rate will probably increase with j
the next rate adjustments in 1992 .
Commercial and Large Multi-unit Residential Customers. Amounts i
of rate increases would vary widely depending on the volume of
container and frequency of collection. The rate for a 3 cubic
yard multi-unit residential dumpster collected four days a week
would rise from $178, 00 to $210. 00 per month, The rate for a 1.5
cubic yard commercial dumpster collected seven days a week would
rise from $167.00 to $195.00 per month. The rate for two commer-
cial wastewheelers collected five days a week would rise from
i $93.00 to $110. 00 per month.
i
EFFECTS OF VOLUME-BASED SERVICE RATES
i
When the council approved rate increases in 1990, it also ap-
proved volume-based service rates for residential customers. The
volume-based rate schedule offers three levels of service:
1) The existing standard rate of $11. 00 pays for weekly collec-
tion of a wastewheeler container, which holds as much as three
standard garbage cans.
2) The existing premium rate of $15. 00 pays for weekly collec-
tion of up to one cubic yard or six standard garbage cans.
3) The economy rate allows customers to buy special 33-gallon
bags from San Luis Garbage Company for $1. 00 each. San Luis
Garbage Company then picks these bags up whenever they are placed
at the curb on collection days at no additional cost to the
customer -- the cost of the bags is the service rate.
Ratemaking calculations in 1990 projected the following par-
i
ticipation and revenue for residential service in 1991:
customers revenue
Economy Service 1, 219 15% $ 87,768
Standard Service 5, 641 70% 751,212
Premium Service 11219 15% 219 , 420
Total (original estimate) $1, 058,400
Revised calculations based on nine months experience with the new
rates now project the following participation and revenue (before
rate adjustments) in 1991:
customers % revenue
Economy Service 21536 28% $ 117, 999
Standard Service 51393 59% 711,786
Premium Service 1, 197 13% 215,460
Total (revised estimate) $1, 045, 245
-3
II'iiu''�, Il il�llll City Of sari LUIS OBISPO
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Garbage Service Rate Adjustments
Page 4
I
Not only has the response to economy service been enthusiastic,
but economy service customers are using fewer bags than an-
ticipated. Original projections assumed that each economy
service customer would use an average of about six bags a month,
when in fact the average is just under four bags. All this means
that residential revenue has declined somewhat, but at the same
time residential solid waste going to the landfill has declined
sharply from a peak of 15,272 tons in 1989 to 12 , 029 tons in 1990
and a projected 11,083 tons in 1991. Along with other recycling
activities, volume-based service has undoubtedly contributed to
this reduction as customers have found an economic incentive to
divert waste by recycling and reducing waste at its source.
CANS VS. BAGS FOR ECONOMY SERVICE
When the council approved volume-based residential service, there
was some concern about using bags for economy service. The
council asked staff to look at two other options: 1) enacting a
single can rate and 2) using stickers affixed to cans.
Advantages of both these options:
■ Customers would not have to buy special bags from San Luis
Garbage Company.
i
■ There would be no extra waste in the form of bags going to
the landfill (assuming customers would not use other plastic
bags to line their garbage cans) .
■ There would be no stigma of selling plastic bags manufac-
tured from non-renewable petroleum resources.
■ Cans would be less prone than bags to vandalism or destruc-
tion by animals
Disadvantages of a single can rate:
■ If people were entitled to put out a fixed amount each week,
they would see no reward for further reducing their trash.
Right now economy service customers using bags are setting
out on average less than one can per week.
■ It would be difficult for collection workers to distinguish
between economy service customers and premium service
customers.
■ If a customer had a heavy trash week (such as during holi-
days) there would be no way to dispose of the excess without
ii;�,�i�►!i!ill�nacity of San LUIS OBISpo
MRIZe COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Garbage Service Rate Adjustments
Page 5
incurring the cost of an extra pickup (minimum $13 . 00) .
Disadvantages of stickers affixed to cans:
■ Stickers could fall off or be stolen (a chronic problem
where this system is used) .
► ■ Collection workers would have to peel off stickers from all
cans collected.
On balance it appears that a system using stickers affixed to
cans might work as well as the current system using special
plastic or paper bags. But the current system is working well,
and San Luis Garbage has resolved initial problems, such as how
to prevent customers from overstuffing bags and defeating the
purpose of economy service. Changing to a new system after only
one year would only confuse and frustrate customers who have
responded positively to waste reduction incentives. Besides, the
volume-based residential service will likely be superceded within
a few years as the city moves to more aggressively reduce garbage
and reach AB939 targets. Staff recommends no changes at this
time.
i
PUTURE SOLID WASTE RATE ADJUSTMENTS
Expensive but necessary environmental protection measures will
continue to drive up the costs of operating and developing
landfills. Consequently, in the short term landfill operators
will have to pass these costs on to collection and disposal
companies, who will in turn have to pass them on to customers.
Recent state legislation, such as AB939, has tried to anticipate
the extent of this trend and encourage local governments to find
less expensive alternatives to landfilling, but developing these
alternatives will take even more money, which will likely come
from customer fees. Although the short term outlook calls for
rapidly increasing solid waste rates, successful alternatives
(such as recycling, source reduction and composting) should
eventually hold costs and fees much lower than they would be if
i landfillswere used exclusively.
i
attachment: resolution
i
RESOLUTION NO. (1991 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL
ADJUSTING RATES FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 11 1991
AND SUPERCEDING RESOLUTION NO. 6826
BE IT RESOLVED by the San Luis Obispo City Council as
follows:
1. Effective September 1, 1991 the rates for solid waste
collection and disposal shall be those listed on the attached
rate schedule dated September 1, 1991 and incorporated here by
reference. These rate shall be applied to all service bill
issued after after September 1, 1991.
2 . Upon passage, this resolution shall supercede Reso-
lution No. 6826 (1991 Series) .
3 . The city clerk shall furnish copies of this resolution,
as executed, to finance department, public works department and
San Luis Garbage Company.
On motion of , seconded by ,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day of
1991.
Mayor Ron Dunin
Attest:
City Clerk
* * * * * * * * * * *
City dministrative Officer At or y
KI erector of Finance Public Works Director
i
- Co
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
RATE SCHEDULE FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
9/1/91
MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DUMPSTER CONTAINERS (PER MONTH)
size of COLLECTIONS PER WEEK
container
(cubic yards) 1 2 3 4 5 8 7
1 $51.00 $7600 $91.00 $12600 $151100 $177.00 $221100
1.5 59.00 86.00 109.00 14300 171.00 186.00 28300
2 6500 97.00 1260D 15800 184.0 197.00 299.00
3 84.00 119.00 164.00 210.00 274.00 296.00 39800
4 101.00 15200 21500 29300 35500 395.00 49300
6 13800 211.00 29600 438.00 SM00 557.00 65800
8 177.00 261.00 1 39500 584.00 72900 I 789.00 I 891.00
The rates stated above for dumpster containers shall include the monthly container rental fee.
COMMERCIAL GARBAGE CANS (PER MONTH)
number COLLECTIONS PER WEEK
of
cans 1 2 3 4 5 8 7
1 $71.00 51600 $2600 $31100 $3200 $Mm $40.00
2 1 am 2600 3500 39.00 4200 4600 5300
3 17.00 3200 44.00 47.00 Sam 5300 6300
4 2a00 37.00 51.00 5500 60.00 6500 77.00
5 24.00 4200 5800 64.m 71.00 77.DD 91.00
6 27.00 47.00 65.00 7300 81.00 9a00 105.00
7 31.00 5300 7200 8300 9300 101.00 119.00
B 34.00 5800 79.00 91.00 10300 114.00 13300
9 3800 6300 B&D0 99.00 11200 12500 14500
10 1 41.00 61100 1 94.00 1 11a00 1 124.00 131100 1 16200
Mwdmum volume and weight per garbage can:35 gallons and 80 pounds
Additional charge per can per collection:$3DD
02 -7
Rate Schedule for Solid Waste Collection and Disposal-9/1/91
Page 2
COMMERCIAL WASTE WHEELER CONTAINERS (PER'MONTH)
number COLLECTIONS PER WEEK
of
containers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 $18.00 $26.00 $32.00 $44.00 $54.00 $61.00 $79.00
2 35.00 5200 63.00 87.00 110.00 123.00 158.00
3 41.00 59.00 76.00 98.00 119.00 130.00 182.00
4 47.00 67.00 87.00 110.00 127.00 137.00 207.00
5 53.00 74.00 100.00 127.00 159.00 171.00 241.00
6 58.00 83.00 114.00 146.00 190.00 205.00 275.00
7 64.00 93.00 131.00 175.00 22200 240.00 308.00
8 71.00 105.00 149.00 203.00 254.00 274.00 341..00
9 77.00 114.00 163.00 228.00 277.00 301.00 411.00
10 83.00 125.00 177.00 254.00 30200 329.00 479.00
11 90.00 136.00 191.00 278.00 326.00 358.00 548.00
12 96.00 146.00 205.00 1 303.00 1 350.00 386.00 617.00
In addition to the collection rates stated above for waste wheeler containers,there shell be charged a
monthly rental fee for each container.
COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER CONTAINERS (PER MONTH)
size of COLLECTIONS PER WEEK
container
(cubic yards) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 $38.00 $57.00 $68.00 $94.00 $119.00 $133.00 $171.00
1.5 45.00 65.00 81.00 106.00 129.00 140.00 197.00
2 51.00 72.00 94.00 118.00 138.00 148.00 224.00
3 63.00 90.00 124.00 158.00 205.00 722.00 297.00
4 77.00 114.00 16200 219.00 274.00 296.00 371.00
6 104.00 158.00 222.00 328.00 379.00 418.00 493.00
8 133.00 1 196.00 296.00 1 438.00 1 548.00 592.00 668.00
The rates stated above for dumpster containers shall include the monthly container rental fee.
O
Rate Schedule for Solid Waste Collection and Disposal-9/1/91
Page 3
UNSCHEDULED EXTRA COLLECTIONS
$13.00 1 cubic yard(minimum charge)
$17.00 2 cubic yards
$25.00 3 cubic yards
$33.00 4 cubic yards
SINGLE FAMILY and MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL
VOLUME-BASED RATES
ECONOMY RATE
$1.00 per special 33-gaon bag distributed by San Luis Garbage Company
(payable when bags are issued)
STANDARD RATE
$13.00 per month for one wastewheeler container collected once each week
PREMIUM RATE
$17.70 per month for up to one cubic yard(sbc standard garbage cans)collected
once each week
Maximum volume and weight per garbage can:35 gallons and 80 pounds
SERVICE AWAY FROM THE STREET CURB
$4.00 additional per month per can or container
a -9
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TO: CITY COUNCIL 9:60P
AGENDA o�-
FROM: DAVE ELLIOTT, PUBLIC WORKS MEETING DATE/Mw#�...
COPIES TO:
August 15, 1991 �/Da1X`'S'°'cft11 ❑ FYI
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❑ CDD Dix
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ADDENDUM TO AGENDA REPORT . ❑ POUCE CIL
GARBAGE SERVICE RATE ADJUSTMENTS ❑ MGMT.TEAM ❑ RJX_-DIP.
COUNCIL AGENDA OF AUGUST 20, 1991 ❑ C.READ FU ❑3 IMLDM[.-r.r
After the agenda report for garbage service rate adjustments was
submitted, public works staff realized that the rate schedule
needed one more minor adjustment to provide for extra collections
from residential customers. Because these extra collections were
so rare in the past, the City did not regulate them. But now
that the City has started volume-based service, more customers
need occasional extra collections, and the rate schedule needs to
clarify applicable charges.
Attached are substitute third and fourth pages for the rate
schedule which specify three types of extra collection:
1) Extra collections on regular collection day with garbage
truck provide more volume for customers who want to put out
additional garbage (not hard-to-handle waste like appliances
or carpeting) on their regular collection day. The rate is
$1.50 per standard garbage can or equivalent volume to be
included on the next bi-monthly bill. This service is not
available for economy service customers because they are not
billed for their service.
2) Late makeup collections with garbage truck provide service
for customers who forget to put out their garbage on the
regular collection day. These collections are performed
with a garbage truck which deviates from its regularly
scheduled route. These collections are not appropriate for
hard-to-handle waste. Customers must phone to request this
service, and the rate is $5.00 per trip plus $1.50 for each
extra garbage can (or equivalent volume) beyond what is
allowed for that customer each week. Charges are included
on the next bi-monthly bill. Again, this service is not
available for economy service customers.
3) Extra collections with pickup or flatbed truck provide
service for customers with hard-to-handle trash which cannot
be picked up by compactor garbage trucks. Customers must
phone to request this service, and the rate is $11.00 per
trip plus various specified charges depending on the type
and volume of trash. Charges are included in the next bi-
monthly bill for standard and premium service customers.
Economy service customers must pay in advance.
Rate Schedule for Solid Waste Collection and Disposal-9/1/91
Page 3
UNSCHEDULED EXTRA COLLECTIONS FOR
COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AND
MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DUMPSTER CUSTOMERS
$13.00 1 cubic yard(minimum charge)
$17.00 2 cubic yards
$25.00 3 cubic yards
$33.00 4 cubic yards
SINGLE FAMILY and MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL
VOLUME-BASED RATES
ECONOMY RATE
$1.00 per special 33-gallon bag distributed by San Luis Garbage Company
(Payable when begs are issued)
STANDARD RATE
$13.00 per month for one wastewheeler container collected once each week
PREMIUM RATE
$17.70 per month for up to one cubic yard(six standard garbage cans)collected once each week
Maximum volume and weight per garbage can:35 gallons and 80 pounds
SERVICE AWAY FROM THE STREET CURB
$4.00 additional per month per can or container
EXTRA COLLECTIONS ON REGULAR COLLECTION DAY WITH GARBAGE TRUCK
$1.50 per standard garbage can or equivalent volume
(Not available for economy service customers)
LATE MAKEUP COLLECTIONS WITH GARBAGE TRUCK (phone call required)
$5.00 per trip plus$1.50 per extra garbage can or equivalent volume
(Not available for economy service customers)
,Rate Schedule for Solid Waste Collection and.DisposaG-9/1/91
Page 4
EXTRA COLLECTIONS WITH PICKUP OR FLATBED TRUCK(phone call required)
$11 M per trip plus:
$1:50 per garbage can or equivalent volume(amounts over six cans by quotation)
$10,00 per.appliance
$9.00 per piece of furniture
$1.50 per mattress or bonspring
(Economy service customers must pay.in advance:)
MEETING ��`�paG, A
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DATE mEE-nNG 1:00P AGENDA
MMMMOMMOMMM
August 19 , 1991 D•pa+ es Action ❑ In
2' C3 CDD DTR.
AO 2rFTN.DTR.
The Honorable Ron Dunin .ACRO ❑ RECD
Mayor of San Luis Obispo WAT7�CMEY �FWDUL
CLEWORTG. ❑ POLTCECaL
P.O. Box 8100 C) MCMT.7E4b1 ❑ Y,EC.DTR.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100 1 CC DFU O.uMDHL
-Ede
RE: Garbage Service Rate Adjustment
August 20 City Council Agenda Item No . 2
My dear Mr. Mayor Dunin:
Having moved my family into San Luis Obispo last November, I. have
immediate knowledge and experience with the area' s cost of living
in this beautiful locale. It was with great difficulty and
challenge that we purchased a home in the City. No one can
forecast all anticipated and unanticipated utility cost increases
over a period of two years , but it greatly disturbs me to see the
average cost of living, excluding housing , creep beyond the means
of persons living on the line between just-making-it to meet their
monthly obligations . The proposed rate increase would appear only
partly justifiable! In 1990, the City chose to pursue a rate
structure that would encourage reduction of waste at the land
fills. Because City residents have been able to achieve this, they
are now "lucky enough" to be faced with the increased cost of
making the hauling financially feasible for the contractor.
Unanticipated dumping fee increases may not be liked by all , but
success in reducing waste should not be greeted with stab in the
pocketbook, especially as new rates will considered in 1992 . If
the cost of doing business increases ( ie. reduced waste hauled,
fuel costs ) , then it seems only fair to have that business share in
that increased cost of operating the business .
We are also being faced with the likely prospect of increased water
and sewer fees to support the short-term and long-term needs of our
City. As housing needs continue to increase, it is apparent to me
that the present or future City residents cannot fully carry the
cost of living here. People want to live in San Luis Obispo, not
because its expensive, but because the City has juggled and
balanced the growth issues it faces attempting to retain its
character and appeal. No community in California is exempt from
growth! How we encourage the quality of growth San Luis Obispo
residents desire largely depends upon affordable housing and its
Arn Yv associated costs . I don't want the City to become an exclusive
neighborhood eliminating opportunities for families earning less
Um than the median wage to reside here. But this is a foreseeable
W r-t circumstance. Please consider the timeliness and magnitude of all
Ls utility rate increases as a way to keep struggling families , like
r ' 3 mine, from turning toward more affordable housing opportunities in
less populated areas of the County thus increasing the quality of
life costs associated with commuting to San Luis Obispo for
employment. I respectfully and strongly urge you and the Council
to consider: 1 ) only those utility cost increases associated with
the increased general tipping fees at the landfill , and 2 ) that any
rate adjustment be incrementally adjusted over a longer time frame
(eg . one year) to provide a buffer to families trying to stay
afloat during these difficult economic times.
Respectfully yours,
Russell L. Lambert
1041 Lily Lane
San Luis Obispo , CA
cc: Councilmember Roalman
Councilmember Pinard
Councilmember Rappa
Councilmember Reiss
Mr. John Dunn, City Administrator
s