From: K Blum
To: Wendi Sims
Subject: Approval of Wastewater Rates Restructuring
Date: Monday, June 9, 2025 12:07:11 PM
Hello Council,
I urge you to pass the restructuring of the wastewater rates so that the city can continue to maintain a high level of service and we do not push this forward for another council to deal with. This small band aid needs to be ripped off so that you can continue to provide updates to our wastewater system throughout the city.
The false claims of the people protesting in front of you tonight are because of the misinformation that the Grover H2O group continues to push out to their small but loyal following. Their view is not the view of the majority of property holders in Grover Beach. If I am wrong after tonight, then I will be really surprised.
Please don't fall to the whim of the small but vocal group. They are not in the best interests of the city. I wish you the best of luck tonight.
Karl Blum
From:
To: Kassi Dee; Robert Robert; Clint Weirick; Jules Tuggle; Kathy McCorry-Driscoll Cc: Wendi Sims
Subject: Council Communication - June 9, 2025 CC Meeting Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025 9:39:10 PM
Good evening Mayor and Council Members,
My name is Steve Lieberman. I am a long-time Grover Beach resident, and a rate payer.
As you consider both budget adoption and a Prop 218 hearing related to a possible wastewater rate increase, I’d ask you to consider the following points.
Wastewater Fund – We find ourselves in this position due to the consequences of Proposition G-24. Elections have consequences, and so does a failure to maintain, modernize, and plan for infrastructure such as wastewater.
Costs to maintain vital infrastructure do not decrease over time, they increase (parts, labor, technological upgrades).
Asking the City to cut other costs to offset a significant needed wastewater system investment is a pipe dream. It’s like telling Von’s to figure out how to keep egg prices at $1.00/dozen nationally like they were in 2000 as opposed to the $6.23/dozen the AP reported in April of this year.
An increase of $2.28 per month is reasonable to maintain a safe wastewater system.
The Inter-Fund Loan ($1.1M?) – I would encourage the council to consider an accelerated payback plan as compared to the current 6-year cycle.
Please don’t be impacted by the mistruths being spread:
New development already pays for the added impact to the infrastructure – Development Impact Fees
Public Safety includes water and wastewater systems – We tend to take basic needs for granted…we only have to reflect back to the mandatory boil water notice that occurred to all of us in April of this year. A text message issued by the county suddenly informed us that our drinking water system was unsafe and contaminated….bottled water disappeared from store shelves. Well maintained Water and Wastewater systems are pivotal to the public health and safety of our community.
Please consider ALL RATEPAYERS when considering this item and the related impact to the budget. Many of us don’t attend meetings as we are confident you will honestly, professionally, and compassionately represent ALL OF US when making policy decisions.
YES to the rate increase
YES to accelerating the repayment schedule for the outstanding inter-fund loan.
Respectfully,
Steve Lieberman
From: Susannah Brown
To: Wendi Sims
Subject: Public Comment – Sewer Rate Hearing June 10
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025 10:40:06 AM
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing ahead of tonight’s hearing to sincerely thank you for the thoughtful and transparent approach you have taken in planning for Grover Beach’s sewer infrastructure needs. As a data scientist working locally on infrastructure and policy issues, I want to commend your leadership in addressing necessary upgrades before they become emergencies.
Your outreach through mailers, public sessions, and informal gatherings has been proactive and commendable. It is clear that this process has been approached with care, clarity, and a strong commitment to keeping Grover Beach’s rates among the most affordable in the region.
While I understand the vote is scheduled for Monday June 9th, 2025, I would like to offer a few supportive suggestions as you move toward implementation:
Five year rate projections: While the first-year increase has been clearly communicated, presenting the full five-year outlook for a typical household could further build public understanding.
Visual project timeline: A simple chart linking the planned improvements to an approximate schedule could help residents see how their contributions are supporting meaningful work across the city.
Grant funding update: If any state or federal applications are underway or under consideration, sharing that narrative could help demonstrate that all funding options are being pursued alongside rate adjustments.
Thank you again for your leadership and for guiding this conversation with integrity and compassion. Even when difficult, these kinds of investments protect the community and reflect forward-looking stewardship. I support your staff, your council and the mayor and trust that you all have the best interest of Grover Beach in mind while balancing and deciding on this tough decision.
With appreciation,
--
Susannah Brown
CEO, Data Scientist
Renaissance Strategy Dynamics (Ren Strategy)
805-540-0395
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/SusannahBrown
1 Nicole Retana
From: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Item 3 Yes on new Sewer/Wastewater Rates
From: Rachel Mann
Sent: Monday, June 9, 2025 12:57 PM
To: Wendi Sims <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 3 Yes on new Sewer/Wastewater Rates
Dear Council,
I am in favor of completing the decades-long backlog of projects to repair, replace, and maintain our city sewer and wastewater system in a timely manner.
I believe it is ratepayers' responsibility to fund these projects, and that the proposed rate increases are both necessary and appropriate.
To protect current residents from further displacement due to the high costs of new housing construction, I am opposed to increasing development impact fees. Neighbors in new homes will also be paying the new rates, same as those in used homes.
It's a Ponzi scheme to make them pay extra to fix existing infrastructure that we should have been taking care of all along.
Please vote Yes on Item 3 tonight.
Sincerely,
Rachel Mann
District 2 resident