HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-2017 Item 9, RowleyCOUNCIL MEE'TING:—
RECEIVeD
ITEM NO.: MAY Y 6 2017
From: RQN of SLO [
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 9:24 AM
To: Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Rivoire, Dan <DRivoire@slocity.org>; Christianson, Carlyn
<cchristianson@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.org>
Cc: CityClerk <CityClerk@slocity.org>
Subject: Item 9, Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance
Attached please find the RQN letter regarding the proposed private sewer lateral ordinance.
Residents for Quality Neighborhoods
May 16, 2017
SUBJECT: Item 9, Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance
Dear Mayor Harmon and Members of the Council,
Although Council may have a tendency to pass this ordinance tonight so that it is no longer on your
plate, we request you not do so.
According to page 2 of the staff report (packet page 154), the majority of the public outreach and
engagement will occur after the ordinance is passed. This is like putting the proverbial cart before the
horse and is contrary to the Public Engagement and Noticing (PEN) Manual for which the City recently
received an award.
Mr. Delmartini has indicated that the real estate community would appreciate additional community
involvement and discussion prior to the adoption of the ordinance. We presume the city's property and
business owners would agree, and we know that residents would agree as well. Like Mr. Delmartini we
believe there is more to this and more information may be needed to make a decision.
It is our understanding that City staff was required by the settlement agreement to recommend a sewer
lateral inspection and repair program to the City Council within one (1) year of the effective date of the
agreement, i.e., by July 8, 2017. However, unlike the investigation and repair of the sewage collection
system, the agreement did not require that a decision be made regarding a sewer lateral program or a
course of action be taken by this date or at any other specified time.
Since the winter rainy season that causes the overflows has ended, there is sufficient time to conduct
the requested outreach. Therefore, we ask that you allow City staff to conduct additional outreach with
a wider variety of stakeholders to allow more community involvement before adoption of an ordinance.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley,
Chairperson, RON