EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 7, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Municipal Service Review for the City of East Palo Alto, the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, and the West Bay Sanitary District
Recommendation
By motion, direct the Mayor to send the attached letter (Attachment 1) to the San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission (SMLAFCo) to serve as the City’s official response to the Final Municipal Service Review (MSR) for the City of East Palo Alto (City), the East Palo Alto Sanitary District (EPASD), and the West Bay Sanitary District (West Bay).
Background
On April 5, 2022, SMLAFCo released the circulation Draft MSR and on April 19, the Council received a presentation on the MSR from SMLAFCo Executive Officer Rob Bartoli. On May 3, 2022, the City Council directed the Interim City Manager to send a letter (Attachment 2) to the San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission (SMLAFCo) to serve as the City’s official response to the Draft Municipal Service Review (MSR) for the City of East Palo Alto (City), the East Palo Alto Sanitary District (EPASD), and the West Bay Sanitary District (West Bay). The letter was forwarded to SMLAFCo on May 4, 2022.
It is anticipated that on June 6 2022, SMLAFCo will publish the final MSR, which will include responses to public comment and a set of determinations/recommendations for each agency concerning operations, finance, transparency and governance. The report will also include recommended sphere of influence determinations. SMLAFCo will consider the final MSR on June 15, 2022.
Analysis
Staff has reviewed the final MSR and supports SMLAFCo adoption. The report’s determinations and recommendations serve as a framework to enhance City operations, fiscal planning, transparency and governance.
Staff will provide an overview of the draft letter during the City Council meeting on June 7, 2022.
Fiscal Impact
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this City Council update regarding the information described in the staff report.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice by making the agenda and report available on the City’s website and on a bulletin board located at City Hall: 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 (b)(5), in that it is a government administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
Attachments
1. City’s Response Letter to Draft MSR
2. City’s Response Letter to Final MSR