February 20 and March 5: Meetings on Proposed Sewer Rate Increases and Restructuring

As part of the proposed rate increase and restructuring this year, the ordinance pertaining to the proposal was introduced at the City Council meeting on February 20. The ordinance was on the consent calendar, meaning that no presentation was given. Time was available for public comments for items on the consent calendar.

The public review and comment period was open until March 5. At its March 5 meeting, the City Council conducted a Public Hearing to vote on the proposed rate increases and restructuring. There was an opportunity for public comments. Additionally, the meeting was the last opportunity to submit written protests.

If approved, the rate increases will become effective on July 1 for fiscal years 2018-2018 through 2022-2023.

The proposed rate increases and restructuring will allow the City to generate a reliable source of revenue needed to meet increased regulatory requirements; increase system capacity to prevent system overflows and protect human and environmental health; rehabilitate, upgrade, and replace aging infrastructure; and keep revenues aligned with the costs of providing reliable wastewater service.

Property owners can submit a written protest to the proposed increase to the sewer rates. However, only one protest will be counted per parcel. Each protest must (1) be in writing; (2) state that the identified property owner opposes the proposed increases to the sewer rates; (3) identify the parcel for which the protest is made (by assessor’s parcel number or street address); and (4) include the signature of the property owner. Protests submitted by e-mail, facsimile, or other electronic means will not be counted. Written protests may be submitted by mail to the City Clerk at 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403 or at the public hearing, so long as the protests are received before the public hearing ends. Please identify on the envelope for any written protest, whether mailed or submitted in person to the City Clerk, that the enclosed written protest is for the Public Hearing on the Proposed Sewer Rate Increase.
 
During the March 5 hearing, the City Council heard all public testimony and consider all written protests. At the end of the  hearing, the City Council  decided whether to adopt the proposed sewer rates. Oral comments at the hearing will not qualify as formal protests unless accompanied by a written protest, but the City welcomes your input. If, at the end of the  hearing, written protests against the proposed increases to the sewer rates are not presented by a majority of affected property owners of the identified parcels, the City Council will be authorized to adopt the rates.