From: [email protected]
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Proposed Water And Sewer Rate Increases
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 1:55:16 AM
I urge you all to reject these proposed rate increases at their current levels. Being a retiree for many years on a fixed income, I'm well aware of inflation dating
way
back
to
the
70's.
However, these proposed increases over a five year period in some cases will reach 100 % from their current rates . This will make it in much more difficult for low, middle, and retiree income earners to make ends meet.
A
reply
will
be
appreciated.
Thank
you
for
your
time
and
service.
Chuck
Burns
Huntington
Beach
CA
92649
714
369-7384
4/16/2024
20 (24-217)
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: water & trash prices
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024 7:43:38 AM
From: JO ANNE KESSELL <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:47 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: water & trash prices
IM probably too late but want to express my thoughts I own a 4plex and as the owner, I pay all water & trash fees for tenants. So when you raise fees, it will then mean I will have to raise rents. Do you realize that?
Sincerely, JoAnne Kessell
From: Richard Chester
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Proposed Water Rate Increase
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:18:57 AM
Thank you,
Richard Chester
310 503-1573
Begin forwarded message:
From: Richard Chester <[email protected]>
Date: April 15, 2024 at 10:04:48 AM PDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Proposed Water Rate Increase
I Richard & Theresa Chester @ 16571 Marie Lane, HB 92647 wish to contest the proposed rate increase.
As property owners for almost 3 decades this increase would not only cause financial hardship on a retired resident. Please submit this email as a vote NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS PROPOSAL.
Thank you,
Richard Chester
310 503-1573
From: Patricia Goodman
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda Item 20 Proposal to adjust water and sewer rates Date: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:17:31 PM
I protest the proposed water and wastewater rate increase in Agenda Item #20. I am a homeowner at my current address since 1997 and at a previous since 1978.
I request an independent analysis of this proposal to determine reasonableness for an increase in user rates.
I don’t think I am able to make a judgement about the need for this increase based upon the information provided in the attached PowerPoint presentation.
The age and useful life of equipment is an indicator for replacement, however, aren’t there additional data and measurements to support the replacement of equipment? Isn’t water per person water consumption declining? Are these rate increases effective into perpetuity or are they for a fixed term? Are there programs available to supplement low income residents, and will they keep up with increased rates? Is there any plan to use renewable energy to try to reduce energy costs in the long run?
Patricia Goodman
Huntington Beach, CA
Sent from my iPad
From: Patricia Goodman
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Re: Agenda Item 20 Proposal to adjust water and sewer rates Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 3:58:31 AM
I was able to read in the April 16, 2024 Agenda Item 20 attachment that these proposed rate increases are for five years. Is there any reason why bonds could not be issued to finance capital improvements? Bonds may be issued to match the life of the CIP.
I understand that the water rates are passed through from other public agencies in which the city has minimal control. No one does not want their water and sewer systems to fail. However we do want to have a better understanding of capital improvements.
Thank you.
Patricia Goodman
Sent from my iPad
> On Apr 16, 2024, at 1:17 AM, Patricia Goodman <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
I protest the proposed water and wastewater rate increase in Agenda Item #20. I am a homeowner at my current address since 1997 and at a previous since 1978.
>
> I request an independent analysis of this proposal to determine reasonableness for an increase in user rates. >
> I don’t think I am able to make a judgement about the need for this increase based upon the information provided in the attached PowerPoint presentation.
>
> The age and useful life of equipment is an indicator for replacement, however, aren’t there additional data and measurements to support the replacement of equipment? Isn’t water per person water consumption declining? Are these rate increases effective into perpetuity or are they for a fixed term? Are there programs available to supplement low income residents, and will they keep up with increased rates? Is there any plan to use renewable energy to try to reduce energy costs in the long run?
>
> Patricia Goodman
> Huntington Beach, CA
>
> Sent from my iPad
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Support of water and sewer rates
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6:35:40 AM
Get Outlook for iOS
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 9:49:22 PM
To: Kalmick, Dan <[email protected]>; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; Bolton, Rhonda <[email protected]>; Moser, Natalie <[email protected]>
Subject: Support of water and sewer rates
Dear City Council
I support the proposed changes to the water and sewer rates. The city needs to support the infrastructure for Huntington Beach Residents.
Keep in mind that despite the proposed increases, Huntington Beach still pays less than many other cities
Charlie Jackson
A twenty three year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: OPPOSE Agenda Item 20 (24-217) Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments (Increases) Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:42:07 AM
From: Cari Swan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:11 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 20 (24-217) Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments (Increases)
Dear Mayor Van Der Mark and Council Members,
I am writing to OPPOSE Agenda Item #20 (24-217) Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments (INCREASES).
I am not able to attend the meeting and Public Hearing in person this evening, but I did spend considerable time over the weekend walking my neighborhood and talking with friends and neighbors and gathered several Letters in Protest of the Increases. I will deliver the Letters of Protest to the Clerk's office this morning.
I was actually pleasantly surprised that a couple neighbors had already written and mailed letters to protest the increases. The general feeling among those that I spoke with was a general distrust for leadership in the city (elected and staff) and that there are little or no protections for how our tax dollars are being spent. One neighbor brought out his property tax bill (which inspired me to look at my own) only to see the significant assessments we are already paying for water and sewer....not to mention our normal monthly water and sewer fees (taxes) which were increased just a few of years ago.
Even the wording of this agenda item and the mailer that was sent to announce the Public Hearing is full of misleading and deceptive language! "Rate Adjustments"....these so-called adjustments are substantial and excessive INCREASES. Is staff afraid to call it what it is? Rather than continuing to bilk the tax and rate payers, I suggest a deep dive into the finances and excesses at city hall.
Apparently, the Water Rate Increase is the latest "California Scam" to cover mismanagement and deficits across the state by water agencies. The fact is, there will never be enough money to cover the decades of mismanagement, but it needs to start right here in HB and right now! There are more TAKERS than MAKERS in the state and the city and someone needs to have the courage to stop the trend of mismanagement.
Thank you,
Cari Swan
20412 Mansard Ln., HB 92646