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CITY of BRISBANE
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2026 at 2:30PM ● Hybrid Meeting Brisbane City Hall 25 Park Place, Brisbane, CA
The public may observe/participate in the Subcommittee meetings by using remote public comment options or attending in person. Subcommittee members shall attend in person unless remote participation is permitted by law. The Subcommittee may take action on any item listed in the agenda.
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Location: 25 Park Place, Brisbane, CA 94005 - Annex Conference Room Masks are no longer required but are highly recommended in accordance with California Department of Health Guidelines. To maintain public health and safety, please do not attend in person if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 or respiratory illness.
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IN PERSON PARTICIPATION
To address the Subcommittee on any item on or not on the posted agenda, please wait until Public Comments are being accepted.
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Email: [email protected]
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Infrastructure, Franchise, Utilities
Subcommittee Agenda
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SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Councilmember Lentz, Councilmember O’Connell
ROLL CALL
A. Consider any request of a City Councilmember to attend the meeting remotely under the “Emergency Circumstances” of AB 2449
PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
B. Update, Water Rate Study
i. Updates, Law Changes for Prop 218 Projects
ii. RFP for Consultant to Conduct Study
a. Consideration of a different process that includes a deep dive review into the operations of the water system to determine alternatives C. Discussion of Sewer Rates and Tax Rolls
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF MEMO
Meeting Date: September 2, 2026
From: Maz Bozorginia, Public Works Director
Jerry Flanagan, Deputy Public Works Director – Utilities Subject: Water and Sewer Rate Study
Recommendation
Staff recommend the Infrastructure Subcommittee receive this update and provide feedback on the proposed Water and Sewer Rate Study.
Background
In 2023, the City completed a comprehensive Water and Sewer Rate Study to evaluate the cost of providing water and sewer service and establish rates sufficient to support each utility. As outlined in the City's 2023 Proposition 218 Notice and associated rate study materials, the City had not implemented an operational water or sewer rate increase since 2012. During that period, the City's cost to purchase water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) had increased approximately 94 percent, while wastewater treatment charges from SFPUC had approximately doubled.
Following public hearings in April 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-17 establishing revised water and sewer rate structures and authorizing annual rate adjustments through June 15, 2027. The adopted rate plan also established a 25 percent discount for qualifying customers through the City's Low-Income Rate Assistance (LIRA) program. More information for customers is available on the City’s Utility Billing website.
With the final adjustment authorized under the current rate plan scheduled for June 15, 2027, staff have begun planning for the City's next comprehensive water and sewer rate study.
Discussion
Staff have prepared a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified financial consultants to complete the next Water and Sewer Rate Study. The study will evaluate the financial needs of both utilities, including operating and maintenance costs, capital improvements, reserves, revenues, and projected wholesale water and wastewater costs.
Several additional considerations have been identified through initial discussions with staff and the City Attorney's Office. These include the City's ongoing negotiations with SFPUC regarding the wholesale wastewater service agreement, which have not yet been finalized; the existing water rate structure; potential mechanisms for addressing future wholesale cost increases; and the City's approach to Proposition 218 rate-setting process, including consideration of
procedures established under AB 2257. AB 2257 establishes an administrative process for considering challenges to water and sewer rates before they are adopted, including additional noticing and procedural requirements. While the process requires additional time and steps during rate adoption, staff are considering its use because it provides an opportunity to address objections through the administrative process and may reduce the City's exposure to subsequent legal challenges.
This discussion is intended to begin the conversation with the Infrastructure Subcommittee and receive feedback on the City's approach before staff finalize the RFP and moves forward with the rate study.