***NOT YET APPROVED***
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Attachment C
Resolution No. ______
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Utility Rate Schedules R-1 and R C to Increase Refuse Rate for Fiscal Year 2027
R E C I T A L S
A. Pursuant to Chapter 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, the City Council may by resolution adopt rules and regulations governing utility services, fees, and charges; and B. The City has considered the need for an adjustment in refuse collection rates to reconcile the solid waste revenues with the projected costs of providing refuse services and to minimize reliance on the Refuse Fund Rate Stabilization Reserve and has determined that the proposed refuse collection rates will not result in revenues that exceed the funds required to provide refuse service or in fees imposed on any parcel that exceed the proportional cost of service attributable to that parcel; and
C. Pursuant to Article XIIID Sec. 6 of the California Constitution and Government Code Section 53755, on June 15, 2026 the Council of the City of Palo Alto held a full and fair public hearing to consider all protests against the proposed refuse rate increases; and D. As required by Article XIII D, Section 6 of the California Constitution and applicable law, notice of the June 15, 2026 public hearing was mailed to all City of Palo Alto Utilities refuse customers and property owners on April 30, 2026; and
E. The total number of written protests submitted by parcels receiving refuse collection services, prior to the close of the public hearing, was less than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of parcels subject to the proposed refuse rate increases.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility Rate Schedule R-1 (Domestic Refuse Collection) is hereby amended to read as shown in Attachment C, Exhibit 1. Utility Rate Schedule R-1, as amended, shall become effective on July 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility Rate Schedule R-C (Commercial Refuse Collection) is hereby amended to read in as shown in Attachment C, Exhibit 1. The foregoing Utility Rate Schedule R-C, as amended, shall become effective on July 1, 2026.
SECTION 3. The Council finds that the revenue derived from the authorized
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Attachment C
adjustments of the refuse collection rates shall be used only for the purpose of providing refuse service and minimizing reliance on the Refuse Fund Rate Stabilization Reserve, the purposes set forth in Article VII, Section 2, of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, consistent with any limitations imposed by Article XIII C and Article XIII D of the California Constitution.
SECTION 4. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution amending the Utility Rate Schedules R-1 and R-C to meet operating expenses, purchase supplies and materials, meet financial reserve needs and obtain funds for capital improvements necessary to maintain service is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California Public Resources Code Sec. 21080(b)(8) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Sec. 15273(a).
This action is also not subject to CEQA under 14 CCR Sec. 15378(b)(4), as a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. After reviewing the staff report and all attachments presented to Council, the Council incorporates these documents herein and finds that sufficient evidence has been presented setting forth with specificity the basis for this claim of CEQA exemption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________ City Attorney or Designee City Manager
_____________________________
Director of Public Works / City Engineer
_____________________________
Director of Administrative Services