Sebastopol City Council
June 4, 2024

City Council
Mayor Diana Gardner Rich
Vice Mayor Stephen Zollman
Councilmember Neysa Hinton
Councilmember Sandra Maurer
Councilmember Jill McLewis
City Manager
Don Schwartz
[email protected]
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, MMC
Mary Gourley
[email protected]

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

REGULAR MEETING
Meeting of Monday, May 21, 2024
Special Meeting Start Time: 6:00 pm
MINUTES FOR Regular City Council Meeting of May 21, 2024 As Approved by the City Council at their regular meeting of June 4, 2024 Please note that these are action minutes only. Detailed raw transcript is attached to the minutes and made a part of the public record. These action minutes are the City’s record of a summary of actions that took place at the meeting. The vote/action is the required information of the meeting actions that took place. Approved minutes are available on the City Council Meetings page.

The public is advised that pursuant to Government Code section 54957.5 all writings submitted to the City and City Council are public records and will be made available for review. 6:00 pm City Council Regular Meeting, In Person – Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol, CA/Virtual Format (Zoom)
Call to Order: Mayor Rich called the Regular Meeting to Order at 6:04 pm.

Roll Call:

Present: Mayor Diana Gardner Rich
Vice Mayor Stephen Zollman
Councilmember Neysa Hinton (Arrived: 6:05 pm)
Councilmember Sandra Maurer
Councilmember Jill McLewis

Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Don Schwartz
City Attorney Larry McLaughlin
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Mary Gourley
Administrative Services Director Ana Kwong
GHD Consultant Toni Bertolero
John Jay, Associate Planner
Public Works Superintendent Dante Del Prete
SALUTE TO THE FLAG : Mayor Rich led the salute to the flag.

REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED): To consider and take action on any request from a Council Member to participate in a meeting remotely due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances pursuant to AB 2449 (Government Code Section 549539(f)). There was none. All Councilmembers were in person.

PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS: NONE
STATEMENTS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Conflicts of interest may arise in situations where a public official deliberating towards a decision, has an actual or potential financial interest in the matter before the Council. In accordance with state law, an actual conflict of interest is one that would be to the private financial benefit of a public official, a relative or a business with which the Councilmember is Agenda Item Number: 2 Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

associated. A potential conflict of interest is one that could be to the private financial benefit of a Councilmember, a relative or a business with which the Councilmember is associated. A Councilmember must publicly announce potential and actual conflicts of interest, and, in the case of actual conflict of interest, must refrain from participating in debate on the issue or from voting on the issue and must remove themselves from the dais
There were no stated conflicts of interest.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (FIRST COMMENT PERIOD):

Up to Twenty (20) Minute Time Limit (Two Minutes for up to ten speakers). Additional public comment will be held at the end of the discussion and action items for up to an additional twenty (20) minutes. Mayor has discretion to allow for additional time beyond the 20 minutes allocated for public comment dependent upon the subject matter or number of speakers.

Process for calling on Speakers: Mayor or designee shall ask for public comment as follows: Speakers to be called on in an alternate manner (One speaker in person to be called on first; then one speaker remote to be called on second with additional speakers to be called on in the same manner) based upon the time limit.

The following member(s) of the public spoke during public comment:
• Peter
• Linda
• Debra
• Linda
CONSENT CALENDAR: The consent agenda consists of items that are routine in nature and do not require additional discussion by the City Council or have been reviewed by the City Council previously. These items may be approved by one motion without discussion unless a member of the City Council requests that the item be taken off the consent calendar.

The Mayor will read the consent calendar items; ask if a Councilmember wishes to remove one or more items from the consent calendar; and then open public comment to the members of the public in attendance. At this time, a member of the public may speak for up to three minutes on the entire consent calendar and request at that time that an agenda item or items be removed for discussion.

If an item or items are removed from the consent calendar, the item shall be placed at the end of the regular agenda items unless otherwise determined by the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tern.

Councilmembers may comment on Consent Calendar items or ask for minor clarifications without the need for pulling the item for separate consideration. Items requiring deliberation should be pulled for separate consideration and shall be placed at the end of the regular agenda items unless otherwise determined by the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem.

Mayor Rich stated staff has requested Item Number 3 be pulled from the agenda and will not be heard tonight.

Mayor Rich asked if any Councilmember wanted to remove a consent calendar item.

Councilmember’s Request(s):

Councilmember Hinton requested item number 7 be removed from the consent calendar.

Mayor Rich opened for Public Comment(s). The following member(s) of the public spoke:
• Linda
MOTION:

Vice Mayor Zollman moved and Councilmember Maurer seconded the motion to approve Consent Calendar Item Number(s) 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Item Number 3 was pulled from the agenda and will not be heard tonight and Item Number 7 was removed by Councilmember Hinton.

Discussion:

Councilmember Hinton moved to pull item number 7 from the agenda. There was no second to remove it from the agenda but it was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion.

Mayor Rich called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.

VOTE:

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

Ayes: Councilmembers Hinton, Maurer, McLewis, Vice Mayor Zollman and Mayor Rich Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None

1. Approval of City Council Special Meeting – Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Meeting of May 6, 2024 (Responsible Department: City Administration
City Council Action: Approved City Council Special Meeting – Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Meeting of May 6, 2024
Minute Order Number: 2024-101

2. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for Meeting of May 7, 2024 (Responsible Department: City Administration)
City Council Action: Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for Meeting of May 7, 2024 Minute Order Number: 2024-102

3. Adopt Resolution authorizing the transfer of $1,000,000 to the City of Sebastopol Section 115 Trust Pension Stabilization Trust Account. The Trust Account received an initial deposit of $1.8 million on January 19, 2024. On March 19, 2024, the Council approved staff’s recommendation to explore shifting the balance of funds in our pension reserve to the trust. City consulted with Baker Tilly, who concurred with this transfer. (Responsible Department: Administrative Services) City Council Action: None Taken. Item Removed from Agenda by Staff.

Reference Order Number: 2024-103

4. Resolution approving a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the Youth Annex ADA Upgrades (CIP#0213-20.05) The requested action is to increase the project budget from $161,000 to $181,000, an increase of $20,000. The project is funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Grant Fund 216 and Building/Infrastructure General Fund Reserve Fund Account 216 (Assigned General Fund). (Responsible Department: Engineering)
City Council Action: Approved 4. Resolution approving a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the Youth Annex ADA Upgrades (CIP#0213-20.05) The requested action is to increase the project budget from $161,000 to $181,000, an increase of $20,000. The project is funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Grant Fund 216 and Building/Infrastructure General Fund Reserve Fund Account 216
Minute Order Number: 2024-104
Resolution Number: 6587-2024

5. Approval of the AB 1600 Report for FY 2022-23. AB 1600 (Mitigation Fee Act, 1998), codified as Section 66000 et seq. of the California Government Code, regulates how public agencies collect, maintain, and expend impact fees imposed on developers for the purpose of defraying costs of public facilities. It includes requirements for annual accounting and reporting of the fees. (Responsible Department: Engineering)
City Council Action: Approved AB 1600 Report for FY 2022-23. AB 1600 (Mitigation Fee Act, 1998), codified as Section 66000 et seq. of the California Government Code, regulates how public agencies collect, maintain, and expend impact fees imposed on developers for the purpose of defraying costs of public facilities. It includes requirements for annual accounting and reporting of the fees.

Minute Order Number: 2024-105

6. FY 2024-25 Street Lighting Assessment District – Adoption of resolution of intention to levy and collect the annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2024-25 for the City of Sebastopol Street Lighting Assessment District, preliminarily approving the annual Engineer’s Report and setting the date of Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

the Public Hearing in accordance with provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (Responsible Department: Administrative Services)
City Council Action: Approved 6. FY 2024-25 Street Lighting Assessment District – Adoption of resolution of intention to levy and collect the annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2024-25 for the City of Sebastopol Street Lighting Assessment District, preliminarily approving the annual Engineer’s Report and setting the date of the Public Hearing in accordance with provisions of the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 Minute Order Number: 2024-106
Resolution Number: 6588-2024

7. Approval to Direct City Attorney to review Current City Council Policy for Agenda Preparation, Presentation of Proclamations, Reading of Consent Calendar Items, and Turning off of Microphones after the allocated time limit for Public Comment, Return an agenda item to the City Council no later than the June 18, 2024 City Council Meeting with Options, Legal Analysis and Recommendations for Amendments (if any) (Requestor: Agenda Review Committee/Responsible Department: City Attorney)
Mayor Rich re-ordered the agenda as follows:

Items Number 9 and 11 will be heard prior to Item Number 8.

Item Number 7 will be heard at the end of the regular items.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/PRESENTATIONS: Informational Items or Presentations are items that are informational only and do not require action by the City Council. Presentations shall be scheduled as necessary for the promotion of an event or service or general information items to the Council and should be limited to ten (10) minutes total in length of item (total length includes questions of Council to presenter and public comment).

NONE

PUBLIC HEARING(s):

8. Public Hearing - Appeal of Tree Board denial for the removal of one Bunya Bunya tree at 6700 Sebastopol Ave; Applicant/Appellant: Barlow. The applicant/appellant requests that this decision be overturned based on the safety concerns surrounding the tree from falling cones and fronds both for pedestrians and future tenants of the building (Responsible Department: Planning) REGULAR CALENDAR AGENDA ITEMS (DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION):

9. Water and Wastewater Rate Increases – Discussion to Address City Council Questions received since April 23, 2024, Discussion of Next Steps to Include Discussion of Options as Proposed in the Agenda item, and Approval of Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Raftelis for Water Rate Study public education and involvement in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Topics for Discussion include but not limited to:
a) Discuss current rate proposal and concerns from Council and community and continue 218 process.
b) Consider suspension of 218 process based on current rate proposal. c) Consider request that alternative rate proposals be presented to the Council, with impacts to the City from each alternative outlined.
d) Consider creation of a Council Ad Hoc Committee to support whatever direction is given by Council, including for example to participate in review of the rate structure and to give recommendations to Council and community.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

e) Depending on outcome of agenda item and direction to staff, determine additional funding needed, request and consider recommendations from staff, and make final decision.
(Requestors: Mayor Rich/Councilmember McLewis; Responsible Department: City Manager) City Manager Schwarz presented the agenda item recommending the City Council consider Water and Wastewater Rate Increases – Discussion to Address City Council Questions received since April 23, 2024, Discussion of Next Steps to Include Discussion of Options as Proposed in the Agenda item, and Approval of Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Raftelis for Water Rate Study public education and involvement in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Topics for Discussion include but not limited to:
a) Discuss current rate proposal and concerns from Council and community and continue 218 process.
b) Consider suspension of 218 process based on current rate proposal. c) Consider request that alternative rate proposals be presented to the Council, with impacts to the City from each alternative outlined.
d) Consider creation of a Council Ad Hoc Committee to support whatever direction is given by Council, including for example to participate in review of the rate structure and to give recommendations to Council and community.
e) Depending on outcome of agenda item and direction to staff, determine additional funding needed, request and consider recommendations from staff, and make final decision.

The project consultant, Raftelis, was in attendance.

Mayor Rich asked for questions of staff. The Council directed questions to City staff and the consultant.

Mayor Rich opened for public comment. The following member(s) of the public spoke:
• Carol
• Magick
• Debra
• Hal
• Member of the public
• Kyle
• Oliver
• Linda
• Anthony
• Linda
• Jenna
• Robert
• Aaron
• Member of the public
• Kate
• Ernie
City Council Discussion, Direction or Deliberations:

The Council directed further questions and discussion with staff and Council discussed deliberations.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

MOTION:

Vice Mayor Zollman moved and Councilmember Hinton seconded the motion to :
• Consider request that alternative rate proposals be presented to the Council, with impacts to the City from each alternative outlined.
• Continue 218 Process
• Option 2 for Water
• Option 2 for Sewer
• Deny the Additional Funding of $20,000 for Consultant Staff to provide information to Council
What are new rates going to be in all categories with Option 2 on water and sewer Councilmember Hinton withdrew her second.

Mayor Rich moved and Councilmember Hinton seconded the motion to: Direct staff to return to the City Council Meeting of June 4th to return with various rates for Option 2 for residential; commercial; and irrigation and deny the request for $20,000 additional funding
Mayor Rich called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.

VOTE:

Ayes: Councilmembers Hinton, Maurer, McLewis, Vice Mayor Zollman and Mayor Rich Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Directed staff to return to the City Council Meeting of June 4th to return with various rates for Option 2 for residential; commercial; and irrigation and denied the request for $20,000 additional funding Minute Order Number: 2024-109

11. Ballot Measure Initiatives/Sales Tax Measure: Receipt of Information on Potential Sales Tax Ballot Measures/Time Lines for Placement of a Ballot Measure on the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election /Consideration o Approval of Funding for Education and Outreach Services /Campaign Polling Consultant (Estimate: $30,000). This item tonight is not to approve placement of the ballot measure onto the November 5th 2024 election, but to determine direction to staff to move or not move forward with obtaining information and conducting outreach on a Potential Sales Tax Measure. (Requestor:

Agenda Review Committee/Responsible Department: City Attorney/Outside Legal Counsel) City Manager Schwarz presented the agenda item recommending the City Council Receive Information on Potential Sales Tax Ballot Measures/Time Lines for Placement of a Ballot Measure on the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election /Consideration o Approval of Funding for Education and Outreach Services /Campaign Polling Consultant (Estimate: $30,000). This item tonight is not to approve placement of the ballot measure onto the November 5th 2024 election, but to determine direction to staff to move or not move forward with obtaining information and conducting outreach on a Potential Sales Tax Measure.

Mayor Rich asked for questions of staff. The Council directed questions to City staff and outside legal counsel.

Mayor Rich opened for public comment. The following member(s) of the public spoke:

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

• Linda
• Aaron
• Kate
• Kyle
• Oliver
• Linda
City Council Discussion, Direction or Deliberations:

The Council discussed the item.

Vice Mayor Zollman was in support of researching a ½ cent with some community education Councilmember Hinton was in support of researching a ½ cent with polling Councilmember Maurer in support of researching ¼ cent only and not support a polling consultant Councilmember McLewis in support of researching ¼ cent only and not support a polling consultant Mayor Rich in support of both ¼ cent or ½ cent and polling.

MOTION:

Vice Mayor Zolman moved and Councilmember Hinton seconded the motion to approve:

Researching/test polling on ¼ cent and ½ cent
Conduct outreach and education
Support Funding of $30,000
Mayor Rich called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.

VOTE:

Ayes: Councilmembers Hinton, Vice Mayor Zollman and Mayor Rich Noes: Councilmember Maurer and Councilmember McLewis

Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Approved:
• Researching/test polling on ¼ cent and ½ cent
• Conduct outreach and education
• Support Funding of $30,000
Minute Order Number: 2024-111
PUBLIC HEARING(s):

8. Public Hearing - Appeal of Tree Board denial for the removal of one Bunya Bunya tree at 6700 Sebastopol Ave; Applicant/Appellant: Barlow. The applicant/appellant requests that this decision be overturned based on the safety concerns surrounding the tree from falling cones and fronds both for pedestrians and future tenants of the building (Responsible Department: Planning) Associate Planner John Jay presented the agenda item recommending the City Council consider Appeal of Tree Board denial for the removal of one Bunya Bunya tree at 6700 Sebastopol Ave; Applicant/Appellant: Barlow. The applicant/appellant requests that this decision be overturned based on the safety concerns surrounding the tree from falling cones and fronds both for pedestrians and future tenants of the building.

Mayor Rich asked for questions of staff. The Council directed questions to City staff.

Mayor Rich opened the public hearing. The following member(s) of the public spoke:

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

• Arborist
• Magick
• Member of the public
• Linda
• Melissa
• Kyle
• Kate
• Rei
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Rich closed the public hearing.

City Council Discussion, Direction or Deliberations:

There was no further discussion.

MOTION:

Vice Mayor Zollman moved and Councilmember Maurer seconded the motion to deny the appeal based on the facts and findings included in the attached Resolution of Denial of the Appeal (attached to the agenda item).

Mayor Rich called for a roll call vote. City staff conducted a roll call vote.

VOTE:

Ayes: Councilmembers Hinton, Maurer, McLewis, Vice Mayor Zollman and Mayor Rich Noes: None

Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Action: Denied the appeal based on the facts and findings included in the attached Resolution of Denial of the Appeal (attached to the agenda item).

Minute Order Number: 2024-107
Resolution Number: 6589-2024
The following items were not discussed due to Council protocols and length of meeting.

10. Discussion and Consideration of Recommendations from Staff for Replacement of Ives Pool Heater in an amount not to exceed $ 85,720. Replacement is needed due to the maintenance history, poor operating condition, and an extended lead-time of approximately 3 to 4 months for a replacement heating unit in the case of an unrepairable failure. (Responsible Department: Public Works) City Council Action: None – Item continued
Minute Order Number: 2024-110

12. Consideration of Recommended Actions from Library Ad Hoc Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee was formed to explore future possibilities for Sebastopol’s Branch, including but not limited to the issues of increased staffing and adequate facilities. The item tonight is to receive the Report from the Library Ad Hoc Committee and discuss the recommended actions in the report. It is also recommended that the Ad Hoc Committee be dissolved as it was created for this specific purpose. Depending upon the outcome of the recommendations, the Council could consider a new Ad Hoc for specific actions. (Requestor: Vice Mayor Zollman)
City Council Action: None - Item continued to June 4, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

Minute Order Number: 2024-112

7. Approval to Direct City Attorney to review Current City Council Policy for Agenda Preparation, Presentation of Proclamations, Reading of Consent Calendar Items, and Turning off of Microphones after the allocated time limit for Public Comment, Return an agenda item to the City Council no later than the June 18, 2024 City Council Meeting with Options, Legal Analysis and Recommendations for Amendments (if any) (Requestor: Agenda Review Committee/Responsible Department: City Attorney) City Council Action: None – Item Continued.

Minute Order Number: 2024-107
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Two minutes per speaker for up to twenty (20) minutes total for public comments but can be reduced at Mayor’s discretion depending upon the number of speakers or Mayor has discretion to allow for additional time beyond the 20 minutes allocated for public comment dependent upon the subject matter or number of speakers.

CITY COUNCIL/CITY STAFF REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/FUTURE MEETINGS:

13. City Manager and/or City Clerk Reports: (This will be either verbal reports at the meeting, or written reports provided at or prior to the meeting)

14. City Council Reports/Committee/Sub-Committee Meeting Reports: (Reports by Mayor/City Councilmembers Regarding Various Agency Meetings/Committee Meetings/Sub-Committee Meeting /Conferences Attended and Possible Direction to its Representatives (If Needed) on Pending issues before such Boards. ((This will be either verbal reports at the meeting, or written reports provided at or prior to the meeting)

15. Council Communications Received (Information/Meetings/Correspondence Received from the General Public to Councilmembers)
ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR MEETING:

Mayor Rich adjourned the City Council Regular Meeting of May 21, 2024 at 10:58 pm to the next regular City Council Meeting of June 4, 2024 scheduled to be held at 6:00 pm at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, 425 Morris Street.

Respectfully Submitted:

Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

City Council Meeting - May 21, 2024

PLEASE STAND BY FOR REALTIME CAPTIONS.

WE ARE GOING TO START THE MEETING, AND SHE WILL GET HERE WHEN SHE GETS HERE HER FIRST ITEM.

RECORDING IN PROGRESS.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR BEING HERE FOR THIS EVENING'S MEETING. WE ARE STARTING THE EVENINGS MEETING ABOUT 6:04 AND WE WILL GO AHEAD AND START THE MEETING. TODAY IS MAY 21st. WE WILL GO TO THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WHICH IS THE CALL TO ORDER.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO THIS IS FOR ATTENDANCE OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS.

COUNCILMEMBER MAURER?

I AM HERE.

COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS?
HERE.

VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN?
PRESENT.

MAYOR RICH ?
HERE.

COUNCILMEMBER HINTON IS ABSENT AS OF NOW.

GREAT. IF EVERYONE COULD STAND FOR THE FLAG . I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE, AND I SEE THE COUNCILMEMBER HINTON IS GOING TO SETTLE IN HERE IN A FEW MINUTES. WE NOW WOULD GO TO PROCLAMATIONS OR PRESENTATIONS. THERE ARE NONE TONIGHT SO WE WILL GO ON TO THE NEXT ITEM IN THE AGENDA, WHICH IS STATEMENTS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST. DO I SEE ANY STATEMENTS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST? FROM ANY -- OKAY. A LOT OF NODDING HEADS.

COUNCILMEMBER HINTON, ANY STATEMENTS OF CONFLICT? EXCELLENT. WELL WE ARE MOVING ALONG NOW. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA AND MARY, IF YOU COULD PLEASE MANAGE THAT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS PUBLIC, FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

THE PROCESS IS WE DO IN CHAMBERS FIRST AND THEN WE GO OUT TO ZOOM. IT IS A TWOMINUTE TIME LIMIT OF 20 MINUTES SO POTENTIALLY FIND MEMBERS IN CHAMBERS AND FIVE MINUTES OUT AND ZOOM. WE ARE GOING WITH THE FIRST PUBLIC SPEAKER. GO AHEAD TO THE PODIUM. IF YOU CAN PRESS THE LITTLE BUTTON TO TURN THE LIGHT ON AND I WILL GIVE YOU A Q WHEN YOU HAVE ABOUT 40 SECONDS LEFT.

SO THE BUTTON IS --
ON THE MICROPHONE.

AT THE BASE OF THE MICROPHONE, THERE SHOULD BE COMING IN THE BOTTOM LOWER BUTTON THAT SAYS PUSH.

OH, THAT ONE. ARE WE ALL SET? PETER ALEXANDER, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TWO THINGS BRIEFLY. ONE OF THEM, WITH ALL THESE PROTESTING STUDENTS, IT'S CURIOUS THAT SOMEHOW, HE DOESN'T GET MENTIONED THAT 40% OF ALL UNIVERSITY TUITIONS GO TO FUND THE WAR. BUT REGARDING WHAT I HAVE HEARD, THEY WANT TO RAISE THE RATES, THEY WANT TO RAISE THE RATES, SO LET'S FULFILL OUR DATES. WERE ALL TIME IS NOW AND NOW IS THE TIME TO CEASE CORRUPTIONS CRIMES. HOW YOU LIKE MY SHIRT? I GOT THIS TURTLE SHIRT ON. IT'S VERY COOL. HER REMINDS ME OF TURTLE ISLAND, WHICH REMINDS ME OF THE PROMISED LAND IN THE GARDENS OF GENESIS. SO I'M BACK IN THE FUTURE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT TIME IS UPON US FOR THE 40 DAY GENERAL STRIKE TO FLOW. AFTER ALL, WHO AMONG YOU ARE ON THIS PLANET TO SERVE BANKERS, AND WARMONGERS? THEREFORE, I AM PETER AND I AM COMMANDING TO ALL

TRUE HEARTED WARRIORS TO STRIKE THE SYSTEM INTO SUBMISSION BY THIS FULL MOON FOR IT TO BEGIN FULL-TIME. AND TO MAKE IT EASY, BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO GO FIRST, SO WHAT WE DO IS TO GET TOGETHER WITH 10 FRIENDS AND YOU ALL AGREE TO STOP PAYING YOUR PG&E. IN FACT, WE COULD AGREE TO STOP Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

PAYING MORTGAGES AND RENTS AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE SHERIFF WILL DO TO US?

THEY WILL COME UP AND GIVE US THE BIGGEST ROUND OF APPLAUSE BECAUSE THEY ARE TIRED OF BEING BUFFALOED AROUND BY THIS CORRUPT SYSTEM, ALSO. IT'S LIKE IF YOU REMEMBER, 40 SECONDS. THANK YOU. REGARDING FARMERS AND CACTUS PETE, SOMETIMES ALL YOU SMOKERS, JOKERS, AND MIDNIGHT TOKENS. 27% TAX ON MEDICINAL GREEN? IT'S TIME TO GET LEAN GREEN AND SERENE. $50,000 OFFER TO THE IRS

WORTH -- QUIT OVER THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN CRIMES OF FEEDING ANYMORE. AND REGARDING THESE FARMERS, 60 FARMERS, THIS NEW BALLOT IS COMING UP WITH. I SUGGEST THAT TO GROW OATS, TO GROW CACTUS, BECAUSE JOE

MANTLES, THE NUMBER ONE FARMER OF CHEESE IN THE PORTUGUESE REALM SAID TO ME, YOU CAN MAKE CHEESE OUT OF CACTUS AS EASILY AS YOU CAN FROM COWS MILK.

PETER, THE STATEMENTS.

OKAY. FOR THEM TO PROCEED AND --
YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
CERTAINLY, AND I SEE THE TIMER.

THANK YOU.

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF, I DID LAST YEAR FOR MY NEIGHBORHOOD. NOW I'M GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE SENIOR CENTER. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY MAY HAVE THEIR FUNDING CUT. WHEN YOU ARE TAKING BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS, CONSIDER THE MANY SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. IT'S NOT ONLY THE FUN STUFF LIKE

GOING ON TRIPS, BUT THEY HAVE VOLUNTEERS THAT PROVIDE RIDES, THEY PROVIDE

TECHNICAL HELP FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP LEARNING HOW TO USE THEIR CELL

PHONES, ET CETERA, AND ALSO, I NOTICED WHEN I RANDOMLY GO IN AND THERE'S PEOPLE JUST HANGING AROUND THERE ALL DAY. SO IT LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY ARE USING IT FOR THEIR SOCIAL PURPOSES. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO KEEP THE SENIOR CENTER IN YOUR BUDGET. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, LINDA, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, I WILL COME BACK TO IN CHAMBERS.

HELLO, CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS DEBORAH, I LIVE AT 6775 SUNSET AVENUE AROUND THE CORNER AND TWO WEEKS AGO, I WROTE A LETTER BY EMAIL TO CITY COUNCIL. THE

CHIEF OF -- CHIEF OF POLICE, THE FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF, AND PUBLIC WORKS, AND THE CITY COUNCIL. I WROTE THIS EMAIL TO YOU AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A REPLY SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD COME IN AND READ IT MYSELF. DEAR CITY COUNCIL. I AM IN A QUANDARY REGARDING THE STREET I LIVE ON, 6775 SUNSET AVENUE, SEBASTOPOL, AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE YOUTH CENTER AND PUBLIC WORKS.

JESUS WE HOPE YOU CAN ASSIST OR HAD US IN THE DIRECTION ON WHO NEEDS TO APPROVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WE ARE FIVE HOUSES, ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD PAINTED RED, PARKING ON THE OTHER SIDE. I AM ACROSS FROM THE ANNALEE FIELD. WALL STREET HAS -- PARTS OF TELE HAS RESIDENTIAL PARKING. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR RESIDENTIAL PARKING, PLEASE. AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS, PARENTS, PARKING, THEY ARE NOT AS FORGIVING AS THEY USED TO BE. TODAY, SOMEONE PARKED IN FRONT OF MY DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY, THE POLICE RESPONDED QUICKLY. WE ARE REQUESTING RESIDENTIAL PARKING FOR SAFETY ON THAT STREET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONSIDERING US. ANOTHER ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS ON THE CORNER OF WALLACE AND 15. IF ANY OF YOU DRIVE THAT ROUTE AS WELL, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEAN. IT CAN -- I LIKE OTHERS FEEL, WHY NOT ASSIGN SOMETHING LIKE NO LEFT TURN DURING THOSE HOURS. THE TRAFFIC BACKS UP. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

YOU HAVE ABOUT 20 SECONDS.

YOU KNOW, THE TIMES TO PUT ON THERE, 730 27:30 TO 9:30, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU

COULD LEAD THE PEOPLE ON SUNSET KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE

CROSSWALK ON SUNSET AVENUE WITH A HIGH SCHOOLERS CROSS, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT, LET'S GO OUT TO ZOOM. LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? I'M SORRY?
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

I CAN HEAR YOU NOW, LINDA. GO AHEAD WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY. SO WELCOME BACK, SEBASTOPOL, FOR THE CURRENT MAYOR AND SUPREME LEADER AND SADISTIC SABOTEUR -- THE CITY SUCCESS BY ITS BREVITY.

SEEKING TO SILENCE ALL PUBLIC INPUT, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BY -- DISMISSING IN

FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE NECESSARY PRECIOUS PEOPLE IN GROUPS THAT MAKE THIS TOWN WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT WAS. THEN BY REDUCING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL BY -- INTO QUITTING.

SO LINDA, I'M GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU. COULD YOU PLEASE CONTINUE TO TRACK LINDA'S TIME THERE? YOUR COMMENTS ARE PERSONALLY -- PERSONALLY ATTACKING INDIVIDUALS. IT IS REALLY DISRUPTIVE IN HER CHAMBERS. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A WARNING. PLEASE DO BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE'S NEEDS AND THE TONE AND

SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS ENGAGING, INCLUSIVE, -- [ LAUGHTER ]
GO AHEAD, LINDA.

RIGHT BACK AT YOU. FAILING TO RECOGNIZE THE NATIONAL LYME AWARENESS MONTH,

AN ISSUE THAT IS COSTING THIS COUNTY MILLIONS OF PREVENTABLE PAIN, A

REPRESENTS SEBASTOPOL AT THE BOARD OF FINANCIALLY BLOATED MISMANAGED

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY YOUR PARCEL TAXES -- AND AT THE SAME TIME PUNCHES

THIS TOWN INTO EVER DEEPENING FINANCIAL CRISIS AND CHAOS, UNCEASINGLY

CONFIDENT LEADERSHIP, EMBRACING ALL THINGS CONTAINING -- YOU HAVE ABOUT 25 SECONDS.

SUSTAINABLE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT AND PRACTICING REVERSION OF DRILL BABY

DRILL -- BILL BABY BUILD WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER FOR STRUCTURE -- INFRASTRUCTURE. SO SKIPPING OVER THIS. THE RV VILLAGE, IT'S A AN ABYSMAL DISASTER. THE MAYOR SEEMS TO FEEL --
LINDA, THAT'S TWO MINUTES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

WILL THANK YOU FOR THE ENGAGING AND LISTENING.

THANK YOU. SO AGAIN, THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE IN CHAMBERS, I WILL GO ONE LAST TIME TO THE ZOOM. SEEING NO HANDS RAISED, SINGLE

PHONES OFF THE HOOK, SEE NO ONE TRY TO GET MY ATTENTION, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR. I HAVE A CHANGE IN OUR AGENDA THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY STAFF. ITEM NUMBER THREE

ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, WHICH IS THE ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $1 MILLION TO THE CITY OF -- TRUST PENSION EQUALIZATION TRUST ACCOUNT. THAT ITEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE AGENDA BY STAFF. STAFF HAS REQUESTED

THAT IT BE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA TONIGHT AND HAS INDICATED THAT THIS ITEM

WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE BEFORE IT IS THEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL. ANY CORRECTIONS FROM STAFF? ANYTHING TO ADD?

ONE THING I WOULD ADD TO THAT, ONE OF THE REASONS FOR SUGGESTING THIS IS WE

DON'T KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THE WATER AND SEWER FUND DISCUSSIONS AND THERE

IS A NEXUS BETWEEN THAT TOPIC AND THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE PENSION TRUST. WE ARE SUGGESTING TO HOLD OFF ON A DECISION UNTIL WE HAVE OUR CLARITY ON HOW THESE UNRELATED ADDITIONS PROCEED.

I WILL INVITE ANY COMMENT FROM COUNCILMEMBERS, BUT UNLESS THERE IS ANY

COMMENT, WE WILL SIMPLY REMOVE IT FROM THE AGENDA AND SIMPLY MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR. SEEING NO COMMENTS, THE CONSENT CALENDAR COMMENTS.

BEAR WITH ME. I AM REQUIRED BY OUR CURRENT POLICY TO READ THE TITLES OF ALL THESE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS. APPROVAL, NUMBER ONE, APPROVAL A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING. CLOSED SESSION MEETING MINUTES FOR MEETING OF MAY 6, 2024. ITEM NUMBER TWO. APPROVAL A CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR MEETING OF MAY 7th, 2024. ITEM NUMBER THREE -- FOUR, RESOLUTION APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE YOUTH ANNEX A.D.A. UPGRADES. ITEM NUMBER FIVE, APPROVAL OF THE A.B. 1600 REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023. ITEM NUMBER SIX, FISCAL YEAR 2024-25

STREETLIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 24-25 FOR THE CITY OF Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

SEBASTOPOL STREETLIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, PRIMARILY APPROVING THE

ANNUAL ENGINEER'S REPORT AND SETTING THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 . ITEM

NUMBER SEVEN, APPROVAL TO DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW CURRENT CITY

COUNCIL POLICY FOR AGENDA PREPARATION, PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS,

READING OF CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS AND TURNING OFF OF MICROPHONES AFTER THE ALLOCATED TIME LIMIT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. RETURN AN AGENDA ITEM TO THE CITY COUNCIL NO LATER THAN THE JUNE 18th, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, LEGAL ANALYSIS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS COME A IF ANY. THOSE ARE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS?
I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM SEVEN. I'M GOING TO REQUEST THAT THIS BE NOT

HEARD TONIGHT, AS A CONTINUATION SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THIS AGENDA ITEM. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN ADVISED AND I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE PUSH THIS TO ANOTHER EVENING.

OKAY. THE REQUEST IS TO REMOVE ITEM NUMBER SEVEN FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR AND I BELIEVE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE AGENDA COMPLETELY. DID I UNDERSTAND THAT? ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS CORRECT.

OKAY, AND THAT'S APPROVAL TO DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW, ET CETERA, VARIOUS POLICIES. DO WE HAVE ANY, WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT. BUT DID WE HAVE

ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR? ALL RIGHT, THEN I LOOK PROCEDURALLY TO OUR STAFF FOR

DIRECTION ON HOW WE SHOULD PROCEED WHEN WE HAVE NOT SIMPLY A REQUEST TO

PULL FROM THE CALENDAR AND HERE TONIGHT AT A DIFFERENT TIME, BUT A REQUEST TO REMOVE IT COMPLETELY FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA. WHAT ARE THE STEPS? WHAT

ARE THE PROCEDURAL STEPS, IF SOMEONE ON OUR ABLE STAFF COULD INFORM ME --

YOU'RE ABLE STAFF IS GOING TO TELL YOU THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MOTION TO CONTINUE IT. IT'S DIFFERENT FROM THE STAFF ITEM THAT'S BEING FORWARDED. IF WE

ARE ASKED TO EXPAND THE ITEM, THEN WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT IF THE COUNCIL

WANTS TO EXPAND THE ITEM, IT WOULD PULL FROM THE AGENDA AND THEN A MOTION

TO CONTINUE IT TO BRING IT BACK IN A FUTURE, THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE.

OKAY, SO IN TERMS OF PULLING IT FROM THE AGENDA, WOULD WE PULL IT FROM THE AGENDA AND THEN ADDRESS WHETHER IT'S GOING TO BE CONTINUED LATER ON? WOULD IT BE ADDRESSED -- DOESN'T NEED TO BE ADDRESSED TONIGHT? YOU WOULD NEED TO DO IT. YOU SHOULD DO IT NOW. IF THE COUNCIL IS AGREEABLE TO

PULL THE ITEM IN HAVING COME BACK IN THE FUTURE, THEN YOU WOULD NEED TO DO IT NOW SO THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BECOME OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.

I DO SEE A COUNCILMEMBER. JUST A MOMENT PLEASE. GIVING DIRECTION AS TO HOW

IT'S GOING TO BE EXPANDED IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS WITHIN THE CONTEXT HERE?
YOU CANNOT DISCUSS THAT TONIGHT. IT'S NOT PART OF THAT AGENDA ITEM.

OKAY. SO IT SIMPLY BE A MOTION TO PULL IT FROM THE AGENDA AND THEN A

SEPARATE, A REQUEST TO MOVE IT, PULL FROM THE AGENDA, WHICH COUNCILMEMBER

HINTON HAS DONE, AND THEN A MOTION WITH A SECOND TO REMOVE IT FROM THE AGENDA AND BRING IT BACK AT ANOTHER TIME. IS THAT CORRECT? YES. YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION TO PULL FROM THE AGENDA -- THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THEN SHE COULD DIRECTED BACK TO THE AGENDA REVIEW COMMITTEE AS TO WHAT THAT AGENDA ITEM WANTS TO COME BACK AS A COUNCIL. BUT THAT'S AT THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL CAN DECIDE TONIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS ITEM AS IS.

OKAY. INTERESTING. SO, COUNCILMEMBERS.

YOU CAN ASK -- THE CITY ATTORNEY IS RIGHT HERE, IF HE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HERE.

SO WE DO HAVE IT BEING PULLED FROM THE AGENDA. THE COUNCILMEMBER CAN DO IT SIBLEY THROUGH A REQUEST. SO WE HAVE THAT DEALT WITH. LEGAL COUNCIL, ANY

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE REQUEST TO HAVE IT REMOVED AND BROUGHT BACK AT A LATER TIME?
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

AS THE CITY CLERK ACTUALLY SAID, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO IT UNILATERALLY. SHE'S GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE, YOU SHOULD HEAR THAT NOW. IT WOULD REQUIRE A SECOND, AND THE COUNCIL CAN DEAL WITH IT AT THIS TIME.

OKAY. AND ARE WE ALLOWED WITHIN THIS CONTEXT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THE COUNCILMEMBER IS REQUESTING, COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER CAN GIVE THE REASON WHY SHE WANTS TO CONTINUE.

OKAY. SO ANY QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF PROCEDURE FROM COUNCILMEMBERS? ANYONE?
OKAY, GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.

MAKING THE MOTION TO --

INTERESTED IN EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE ITEM AND I'D LIKE TO HEAR IT AT A FUTURE DATE.

SO THAT IS A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER HINTON. I'M ASSUMING THAT THERE

WOULD NEED TO BE A SECOND IN THE ABSENCE OF A SECOND, WE WOULD THEN GO AHEAD AND HERE IT TONIGHT ON THE AGENDA AT THE END OF THE AGENDA, I ASSUME.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT, I'M NOT SEEING A SECOND, BUT LET'S JUST

RECOGNIZE THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE SIMPLY KEEP IT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA,

THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONCERNS THAT COUNCILMEMBER HINTON MIGHT HAVE. SO I'M NOT SEEING A SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

PROCEDURALLY, WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL PULL IT FROM THE AGENDA. WE NOW

HAVE ITEM THREE, REMOVED, AND ITEM SEVEN PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AND IT WILL

GO TO THE END OF TONIGHT'S AGENDA, WHICH IS OUR PROCEDURAL APPROACH FOR DEALING WITH ITEMS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA. SO, ANY -- WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE COUNCILMEMBERS CONCERNS ABOUT CONSENT CALENDAR. I THINK, AT THIS POINT,

MARY GOURLEY, WE GO TO THE PUBLIC WITH COMMENTS ON ITEMS ONE, TWO, THREE, AND FIVE AND SIX.

SO THREE HAS BEEN PULLED BY STAFF. SO IT WOULD BE ITEMS ONE, TWO, FOUR, FIVE, AND SIX.

THANK YOU.

THIS IS FOR THESE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS. ITEM THREE WAS PULLED BY STAFF.

ITEM SEVEN HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCILMEMBER HINTON AND WILL BE HEARD AT THE END OF THE AGENDA. IF YOU LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ITEMS, I WILL GO TO IN CHAMBERS FIRST . SEEING THEN, I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. OH, I'M SORRY.

GO AHEAD WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS, PLEASE.

GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, AND COMMUNITY. THIS IS IN REGARDS TO AGENDA ITEM ONE THAT IS A PUBLIC HEARING. THAT'S LATER ON THE AGENDA SO THAT WILL BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT IT.

APOLOGIES. THANK YOU.

NO, YOU ARE GOOD. THANK YOU.

SO LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? THANK YOU. CAN YOU GO AHEAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE?

ON NUMBER FIVE, THE DEVELOPERS IMPACT FEE, THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR THE SUPREME

COURT DECISION, AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE, IN REAL DOLLARS OR PERCENTAGES, EVEN, NINE OR 10 PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE PIPELINE TO BE BUILT. HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO IMPACT, AND IT WILL BE LESS. IT WILL SEE A REDUCTION, I

UNDERSTAND, I UNDERSTAND IT, SO I THINK THAT IS WORTHY OF BEING REMOVED AND DISCUSSED MORE FULLY. ON NUMBER SEVEN, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING

ABOUT, TRYING TO SILENCE US, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERTISE AND ALL KINDS OF AREAS. THIS MAYOR WILL NOT LISTEN TO AND DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR FROM PUBLIC

NUISANCES, RATHER THAN THE SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND SOLUTIONS THAT I AND

OTHER PEOPLE, LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT THEY PARTICIPATE IN THIS CITY COUNCIL

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY ARE NOT BEING HEARD, JUST LIKE THE PREVIOUS CALLER -- LINDA, I'M GOING TO STOP YOU. IF YOU COULD PLEASE FOCUS ON THE ISSUES AND STAY AWAY FROM PUBLIC -- PERSONAL ATTACKS. THE PERSONAL ATTACKS DO HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT AND THEY ARE DISRUPTIVE WITHIN OUR CHAMBERS. PLEASE, DO TELL US WHAT YOUR OPINIONS ARE ON THE ISSUES. THANK YOU.

WHAT YOU THINK YOUR TERRIBLE POLICIES ARE HAVING ON THIS TOWN, DESTROYING THEM? YOU WILL NOT LISTEN TO SOLUTIONS.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

LINDA, YOU HAVE 25 SECONDS.

YOU KNOW, AND IT'S JUST, IT'S ABSOLUTELY DESTROYING -- IT'S A FAILURE OF THIS

COUNCIL TO ENGAGE IN --
LINDA. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE YOUR MOVED UNLESS YOU CAN FOCUS ON THE ISSUES AND -- PERSONAL ATTACKS. SO YOU DO HAVE FIVE SECONDS LEFT.

SO I AM SUGGESTING THAT NUMBER FIVE BE REMOVED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.

THAT'S TWO MINUTES. THANK YOU, LINDA, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. AGAIN, THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS, THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS AS NOTED. IF YOU

WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, AND SEEING NONE IN CHAMBERS, I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY AND PLEASE WAIT TO GET MY ATTENTION. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS IS CLOSED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SEE VICE MAYOR ZALMAN -- VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN --

I MOVED TO --
SECOND.

EXCELLENT. ROLL CALL, PLEASE, MARY GOURLEY?
THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO MOVED BY VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAURER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS. ITEM NUMBER

THREE WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA FOR STAFF, AND ITEM NUMBER SEVEN WAS

REMOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER HINTON AND WILL BE HEARD AT THE END OF THE MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER HINTON?
AYE
COUNCILMEMBER MAURER?
AYE
COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS ?
AYE .

VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN?
AYE .

MAYOR RICH?
AYE.

MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

MAYOR, WE DID DISCUSS THE REORDERING OF THE AGENDAS.

OKAY?
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE SALES TAX. WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

OKAY. SO THE PROPOSAL THAT I AM HEARING IS THAT THE WATER, SO ITEM NUMBER NINE IS WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE INCREASES. AS IT HAPPENS ON OUR PRINTED AGENDA, PRIOR TO THAT IS APPEAL OF THE TREE BOARD DENIAL. WE ARE GOING TO GO

AHEAD AND SWITCH THE ORDER OF THOSE ITEMS SO THAT WE WILL HEAR WATER AND

WASTEWATER RATE INCREASES FIRST AND THEN GOES THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE. AND I APOLOGIZE, THAT WAS DISCUSSED WITH ME IN ADVANCE.

DID I GET THAT WRONG?

WE DID DISCUSS HAVING THE WATER RATES AND THEN THE SALES TAX AND IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE DID NOTIFY THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC -- THE APPLICANT AND CITY STAFF. THEY ARE AWARE THAT THAT ITEM WILL PROBABLY BE HELD LATE BUT WE

DID FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST WITH THE WATER RATES WAS PRUDENT TO HEAR THOSE PRIOR TO THAT.

WHAT SHE SAID. SO YES. LET'S GO WITH THE WATER AND SEWER RATES FIRST WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER NINE AND THEN JUST A MOMENT, COUNCILMEMBER MAUER. AND THEN THE SALES TAX DISCUSSION AND THEN WE WILL GO BACK TO THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE.

DID I GET THAT RIGHT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND WE HAVE A COMMENT .

WAS THE COUNCIL INFORMED OF THIS CHANGE BEFORE THIS MEETING?

NO, THE MAYOR HAS THE AUTHORITY, PER THE CITY PROTOCOLS MATERIAL ORDER AT

THE MEETING SO IT CAN BE DONE, IT HAS TO BE DONE AT THE MEETING, WHICH IS WHY IT'S BEING REQUESTED TONIGHT FOR THE REORDERING.

THANK YOU.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

SO OUR PROCESS DOES NOT ALLOW THE NOTIFICATION UNTIL WE ARE SITTING HERE AT THE DAIS, BUT I DO APPRECIATE. I THINK WHAT WE ARE HEARING IS THAT SHE DID TRY TO INFORM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE REORDERING. IS THAT CORRECT?

I NOTIFIED THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE APPLICANT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, REGARDING THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE.

SO FOLKS WHO ARE FOR THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE, AFTER THIS LENGTHY DISCUSSION,

HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE CLEAR, THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO THE BUNYA BUNYA ITEM FOR SOME TIME. WE HAVE THE WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE INCREASE ITEM,

WHICH I EXPECT I COULD TRY TO BE OPTIMISTIC, IT WILL TAKE AN HOUR AND A HALF MINIMUM AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE SALES TAX DISCUSSION, WHICH, AGAIN, 45 MINUTES, AN HOUR. SO JUST, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU IN HERE FOR THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE? OKAY, I REALLY APOLOGIZE. SO BUT PLEASE DO COME BACK AND DO

SHARE YOUR OPINIONS AND RECOGNIZE THAT ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING ZOOM STILL AVAILABLE IS YOU CAN SIGN ON VIA ZOOM. SO WHEN IT IS AN ITEM THAT IS ON

THE AGENDA, THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS VIA ZOOM. SO IF YOU SIGN ON VIA ZOOM ON THIS ITEM, YOU WILL HAVE YOUR TWO MINUTES TO SHARE YOUR OPINION. NOW, IF WE CAN GO TO THE WATER AND

WASTEWATER ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER NINE, THAT IS TO BE PRESENTED, I BELIEVE BY OUR CITY MANAGER INITIALLY.

THAT IS CORRECT. GOOD EVENING. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS SHARE MY SCREEN AND DO A PRESENTATION FOR YOU. THIS WILL NOT TAKE VERY LONG, BUT I DO WANT TO

WALK THROUGH SOME CONTEXT MATERIAL AND FROM THERE, WE HAVE KEVIN FROM --

AND ALSO TONY FROM THE GH DR CONSULTING ENGINEER TO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS AND RESPOND TO COMMENTS. SO I WILL GO AHEAD AND GET GOING. PUTTING SOME CONTEXT AND THE OVERVIEW OF THE CITY FINANCES. TONIGHT'S AGENDA, WE HAVE SEVERAL FINANCE RELATED TOPICS. WE PULLED THE ONE ON THE PENSION TRUST JUST

TO -- WHICH HAS SOME FINANCIAL PUBLICATIONS AND THEN THERE ARE SEVERAL

OTHERS THAT ARE INTO SPREADING TO GET DIRECTLY FINANCE RELATED OR

INDIRECTLY, AT LEAST THE LIBRARY I THINK IS NOT AS DIRECTLY A QUESTION FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT. CITY FINANCES TO HELP SET CONTEXT FOR THINKING ABOUT IT THAT WAY THROUGH MANY OF OUR ISSUES. TO WATER AND WASTEWATER FUNDS, WATER AND SEWER FUNDS, THESE ARE THE KINDS OF FUNDS THAT SHOULD STAND ALONE. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CALLED ENTERPRISE FUNDS. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN REVENUE SOURCES.

MOST TYPICALLY, RATES, AND THEN DEDICATED EXPENDITURES CAN ONLY BE USED FOR THOSE PURPOSES. AND THEY REALLY SHOULD NEVER -- THE DEFICIT OR NEED TO BORROW FROM OTHER FUNDS, BUT THAT IS WHERE WE ARE NOW. THE WATER FUND IS

RUNNING ON THE VERGE OF NEEDING TO GO INTO A DEFICIT FOR -- SEWER FUND WILL BE THERE BY ABOUT $1.1 MILLION BY THE END OF JUNE. THAT IS THAT NEXUS WITH THE GENERAL FUND. BOTH ARE IN CRISIS. JUST DECLARED AN EMERGENCY ON THE GENERAL

FUND, BUT IT -- SYSTEMS ARE IN POOR SHAPE, FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AND AGAIN,

THE FINANCING MINIMAL RESERVES FOR WATER, CAN'T ISSUE THAT BUT WE NEED TO REPLACE ONE OF OUR WELLS AND THE SUPERFUND IS $1.1 MILLION ESSENTIALLY IN THE WHOLE, VERY SOON. THE GENERAL FUND, WE ARE PROJECTING 2.9 MILLION ANNUAL DEFICIT WITH THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ABOUT 1.4 MILLION.

IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT NOW FOR BASIC STREET UPGRADES. AND WE ARE UNDERFUNDED ON FACILITIES, FLEET, TECHNOLOGY, AND OTHER CITY ASSETS. AND OUR FUND BALANCE IS DECLINING. SO BOTH FUNDS OR SETS OF FUNDS, WE HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES. HOW WE GOT HERE, AND THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS, THEY ARE USED TO KEEP WROTE THIS RATES LOW INTENTIONALLY. SYSTEMS HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE EXPENSES, A BAD COMBINATION OF EXPENSES FOR WATER.

FOR SEWER AND ISSUING THE DEBT WITHOUT RATES AND I LACK A PLAN FOR MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING THE SYSTEMS AND ADDRESSING THE CAPITAL NEEDS. ON THE GENERAL FUND, WE'VE HAD ONGOING EXPENSES. THIS IS THE FIFTH YEAR. SALES

TAXES IN PARTICULAR IS A REVENUE -- THE LAST TWO YEARS AND OUR EXPENSES KEEP INCREASING, THE SALARIES, PENSIONS, BENEFITS. JUST GENERAL INFLATIONS FOR MATERIALS. ET CETERA. FOR BOTH FUNDS, OR SETS OF FUNDS, IT TOOK YEARS TO GET HERE. THERE IS NO ONE FIX OR IMMEDIATE AND EASY FIX AND THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE HARDER IT WILL BE TO COME UP WITH FINANCIAL FIXES. THE ACTION REALLY IS THE Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

ORDER OF THE DAY. WE STARTED THE FIXES. THIS IS WHERE I THINK WE ARE BEGINNING TO TURN THE CORNER. I THINK THERE IS SOME REASON FOR LONG-TERM, WE CAN TURN THIS AROUND. LAST YEAR, WE DECLARED A FISCAL EMERGENCY IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. WE PROVED A LONG-TERM FINANCIAL MODEL COME A PROVIDED DIRECTION FOR

A BALANCED GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND THE CREW ARE SO IMPORTANT THAT IT WILL HELP US -- BETTER LONG-TERM THIS IS. IN APRIL, WE PROVED -- THAT ISN'T A DIRECT AND

FIT BUT IT DOES PROVIDE A WAY BOTH BY HAVING A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE MODEL AND

OTHER REVENUE SOURCES TO IMPROVE OUR LEVEL OF SERVICES CONSIDERABLY FOR FIRE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO DEEPER INTO THE GENERAL FUND. AND IT WAS APPROVED

LAST MONTH AND INITIAL APPROVAL FOR -- THESE ARE ALL STEPS AND WHAT I'VE CONSIDERED THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES.

TO ADDRESS ENTERPRISE FUNDS, LITTLE MORE SPECIFICALLY, WE STARTED, WE

STARTED A RATE STUDY, CONCLUDED LAST FALL, IF YOU WILL, WITH THE COUNCIL GIVING DIRECTION TO COME BACK. WE ARE ON AN ACCELERATED SCHEDULE WITH VERY

MUCH IN MIND THAT WE NEEDED TO GET THIS DONE TO STOP THE BLEEDING, FRANKLY, AND GET WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE. IN FEBRUARY, WE ADOPTED A COST PLAN, WHICH INFLUENCES HOW MUCH MONEY SHIFTS FOR THE WATER FUND FROM THE OVERHEAD.

THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THIS ALIGNMENT. IN APRIL, AS I MENTIONED, WE APPROVED, INITIALLY, WATER AND SEWER RATES. AND FROM THE BOTTOM LINE, HOW MUCH MORE DID WE NEED FROM A REVENUE PERSPECTIVE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

MOSTLY TO COVER OPERATIONAL DEFICITS OR COSTS ABOUT THE REVENUES, WE ALSO

NEED TO MAKE SOME CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR

RESERVES, PARTICULARLY ON THE WATER SIDE SO THAT WE CAN ISSUE DEBT TO REPLACE THAT WELL THAT'S AT RISK OF FAILURE. AND I USE THIS TERM LAST TIME. I THINK IT'S KIND OF MEANINGFUL. WHEN YOU'RE IN A HOLE, THE FIRST RULE OF HOLES IS TO STOP DIGGING AND WE ARE ON A WHOLE. WE ARE IN THE VERGE OF ONE AND WE

REALLY NEED TO STOP DIGGING A DEEPER HOLE AND START BACKFILLING AND GETTING BACK ON TRACK. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO WITH THE RATES. WE NEED A LARGER PIE. THIS IS LIKE SLIDE YOU SAW LAST TIME AND IT DRAWS, IN A FAIRLY

SIMPLISTIC AND ARTISTIC WAY, OUR CHALLENGE, WE NEED TO GO FROM A RELATIVELY MODEST AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM WHERE WE NEED TO BE, THAT'S 3 MILLION A YEAR

INCREASE AND THEN WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO DIVIDE IT UP AND THAT'S THE COST OF SERVICE. MY SENSE IS THERE'S NO MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO ALLOCATE IT

THEN HOW WE CAN INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE PIE OVERALL AND THROW IT UP FOR DISCUSSION. WHY INCREASE RATES THIS MUCH? WE DO GET ASKED THAT QUITE A BIT AND BASICALLY, IT'S A MATTER OF RISK. IT MEANS CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT.

WE'VE HAD MINOR DISRUPTIONS. THIS IS NOT THEORETICAL. IT HAD A SEWER SPELL LAST YEAR AND THE LONGER WITH THE HIRING RISKS. NO GUARANTEES THAT THESE STEPS

THAT WE ARE SUGGESTING WILL COMPLETELY ELIMINATE RISKS, BUT IT'S A WAY TO MINIMIZE THEM. AND THEN WE NEED TO BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE. WE NEED TO COVER OUR OPERATING COSTS. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THE RESERVE SO WE CAN

ISSUE DEBT SO WE CAN REPLACE THE OUTER RISK AND THE THE FUND, I MENTIONED IT'S OVER MILLION DOLLARS. WE ARE DOING SOME THINGS TO PROTECT US IN THE FUTURE.

DEVELOPING MASTER PLANS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR SYSTEMS IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH. REGULAR REPORTING ON REVENUE AND

EXPENSES, SO WE CAN KEEP A BETTER EYE ON HOW THINGS ARE GOING AND IN DOING

THE COST ALLOCATION PLAN WHICH IS SUGGESTED EVERY THREE YEARS FOR A TIMEFRAME FOR THAT. THESE STEPS, AGAIN, IT'S PART OF TRYING TO MAKE A FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY PROBLEM. AND SO WHERE WE ARE THIS EVENING, THERE ARE SOME OPTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, ONE IS TO CONTINUE THE PATH THAT WE ARE ON. I THINK

THAT'S WHAT STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND AT THIS POINT, AND ANOTHER OPTION THAT

YOU WOULD HAVE IS TO ACCEPT IS APPROVING WHAT WE DESCRIBED LAST TIME AS

OPTION TWO INSTEAD OF OPTION ONE FOR THE WATER FUND, WHICH COMES DOWN TO THE AVERAGE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AROUND $10 A MONTH IN SAVINGS ON RATES. STILL

HAVE SOME RISK, BUT IT WOULD BE MORE RISK THAN OPTION ONE BUT NOT AS MUCH AS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. THAT IS AN OPTION THAT YOU HAVE. YOU CAN DO THAT BECAUSE ALL THE RATES IN OPTION TWO WOULD BE LOWER THAN IN OPTION ONE. SO THE PROCESS WOULD BE ABLE TO BE CONTINUED. IF YOU WANT TO DO MORE REVISITING AND INAgenda Item Number: 2 Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

DEPTH ANALYSIS, IT WOULD TAKE MORE TIME AND ADD MORE COSTS THAT YOU COULD

REVISIT, THE REVENUE INCREASES, THE COST OF SERVICE ELEMENTS, I WOULD

STRONGLY DISCOURAGE LOWERING THE REVENUE LEVEL BECAUSE THERE IS A MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. OR YOU COULD REVISIT ONLY THE COST OF SERVICE, WHICH IS

ELIMINATING TIERED RATES AND A UNIFORM FLAT RATE AND JUST ONE NOTE THERE FOR COMMERCIAL RATES. THEY WOULD BE HIGHER. TYPICALLY THEN THE TIERED RATES THAT WE PROPOSE. THOSE ARE SOME OPTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AND THEN TONIGHT,

WHAT WE ASK IS FIRST, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS OF OUR EXPERT AND THANK HIM FOR MAKING THE TIME ON SHORT NOTICE FOR US. THEY MAY

HAVE OTHER CLIENTS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON SO TURNING IT OVER TO YOU AND ASKING QUESTIONS. CLARITY ON THE NEXT STEPS. IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING

DIFFERENT, THE MORE SPECIFIC YOU CAN BE ABOUT WHAT THAT SOMETHING LOOKS LIKE, IT WILL HELP US BE SUCCESSFUL AND WHATEVER THAT GOAL IS. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU APPROVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT. SPENT CONSIDERABLY, CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME ANSWERING ROUGHLY 50 QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS, BUT THE MEETING OF THE 18th OF JUNE, THEY WILL PROBABLY SPEND MORE TIME ANSWERING

QUESTIONS AND HELPING US PREPARE AND REALLY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ANTICIPATED WORK FOR THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS ASPECT. WHAT WE ARE ASKING

AND SUGGESTING AT THIS POINT IS THAT WE TURN IT OVER TO YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS

THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AND TONY HAS BEEN THE KEEPER OF THE FAQS AND KEVIN IS AVAILABLE, AS WELL. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CAN YOU, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WHAT I SEE MISSING FROM

THE PRESENTATION SO FAR IS THE COMBINED BIMONTHLY BILL IMAGE TIERED PERHAPS YOU COULD PROVIDE THAT TO US? SOMEONE ON STAFF, I THINK IT'S ON PAGE 26 OF 83.

THAT MIGHT BE A USEFUL REFERENCE FOR THE COUNCIL, AS A REMINDER. THAT IS THE

COMBINED BIMONTHLY BILL ON THE SAMPLE, COMBINED WATER AND WASTEWATER SINGLE-FAMILY BILL. I'M LOOKING AT PAGE 26 OF 83. IS BEING PUT UP ON THE SCREEN.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS? I'M SURE WE HAVE A LOT. I

THINK WHAT WE WILL DO IS LET'S JUST GO AROUND WITH TWO QUESTIONS EACH AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK. ANYONE WANT TO START? OKAY. SEEING -- GO AHEAD.

COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS. LET'S GO AHEAD TO COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS WAS A MOVING PARTY ON REQUESTING THIS.

I HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS BUT I WILL KEEP IT SHORT. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I

HAVE THAT HAS BEEN POSED TO ME AND I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER AND I'M THINKING IT

MIGHT BE FOR OUR ATTORNEY, I'M NOT SURE, IS THAT IS IT LEGAL TO CHARGE FUTURE

RESIDENCE FOR PAST DEBT RELATED TO WATER AND THEN ALSO RELATED TO

WASTEWATER, SEWER, BECAUSE I KNOW IT NEEDS TO PAY FOR ITSELF, SO IS IT LEGAL TO HAVE CURRENT RESIDENCE PAYING FOR WATER THAT WASN'T PAID FOR IN THE PAST? I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION COMPLETELY. AT THE PRESENT TIME, IT CAUSED BYPASS?

NO, WE ARE SAYING WE HAVE A DEBT, AND WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE

WERE IN THE HOLE AND EVERYTHING, IT WAS POSED TO ME THAT HOW CAN WE RAISE

RATES NOW AND ASKED RESIDENCE CURRENTLY TO PAY FOR DEBTS LIKE WE'VE BEEN BORROWING FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND ALL OF THAT. HOW CAN WE ASK RESIDENCE

NOW TO PAY FOR -- PAY A HIGHER RATE TO PAY OFF A DEBT THAT'S BEEN INCURRED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

CAN I ADDRESS THAT?
GO AHEAD.

THE SUPERFUND DID NOT GO NEGATIVE UNTIL THIS YEAR.

AND WATER.

AND WATER IS -- OUR PROJECTIONS ARE BY THE END OF JUNE. ESSENTIALLY, IT WILL BE A 13,000 BALANCE. THAT IS ESTIMATED, A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN THAT. THE LAST PROJECTION WAS WE WERE GOING TO BE 13,000 ON THE BALANCE. THE WATER FUND MIGHT LEAD INTO JUNE AND THE SUPERFUND MIGHT BE 1.1 MILLION DOWN. ALL THAT DEBT ACCUMULATED IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

OKAY.

THAT MY CURRENT UNDERSTANDING. THE CURRENT REFUND, BUT I BELIEVE THAT'S ACCURATE. THANK YOU.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

SECOND QUESTION, COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS?

SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS
WE CAN COME BACK TO YOU.

OKAY.

AND I THINK VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN?

YES, BUT THANK YOU, MATT A, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO HEAR THE SPECIFIC COMMENTS FROM THE PEOPLE. SO I'M JUST INTERESTED -- THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

THANK YOU, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT IDEA. COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD IN A GENERAL SENSE THAT CAUSES YOU CONCERN?

AFTER THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING WHERE WE APPROVE THIS, WHY -- I JUST STARTED

QUESTIONING MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE UNINTENDED

CONSEQUENCES OF IT, IS THIS, I STARTED TO DIG INTO THE DATA, I STARTED TO QUESTION, HOW DOES THIS IMPACT MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. I STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WATER IS DELIVERED TO THE AREAS. HERE IN THE CITY, WHETHER IT'S BUSINESSES OR MOBILE HOME PARKS OR PARKS IN GENERAL. I HAD ALL

THESE QUESTIONS AND I KNOW THAT ALL OF US, THERE WERE A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS FROM THE DIFFERENT COUNCILMEMBERS. SO FOR ME, THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT STARTED THIS FOR ME AND STARTED TO HAVE GREAT CONCERN ABOUT FAMILIES. YOU

KNOW, WITH THESE TIERED RATES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEM AND I STARTED

QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT THE AVERAGE USAGE IS ACTUALLY ACCURATE AND

REQUESTING THAT INFORMATION WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, TO QUITE A LONG TIME TO GET TO ME, WHICH WAS VERY CONCERNING TO ME, AS WELL. THE SPREADSHEETS ARE PRETTY EASY TO DOWNLOAD. BUT NONETHELESS, WE'VE GOT INFORMATION BUT I JUST

LEFT ME WITH MORE QUESTIONS AND MORE ANGST OVER, PERHAPS WE NEEDED TO SLOW

DOWN AND ACTUALLY REASSESS THIS AND LOOK AT IT AND THINK ABOUT ALL THE

DIFFERENT CONSEQUENCES IT HAS BECAUSE BEING A BUSINESS OWNER THE CITY, I

STARTED TO ASK, YOU KNOW, OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS HOW THAT IMPACTED THEM

AND THEY BECAME, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN OVER INFLATION RIGHT NOW. BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING AND NOW, WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE WATER

RATES, AND IN SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASK, I CAME TO REALIZE THAT WE HAD

DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES AS FAR AS WHAT WAS STATED THAT WOULD BE INCREASED

BUT WE RECEIVED SOME ANSWERS THAT LOOK LIKE -- ACTUALLY HAVE AN INCREASE THAT WAS MORE THAN 100% AND JUST BASED ON THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THE

INCREASES WERE DISTRIBUTED SO THOSE ARE, THAT'S TOO LONG OF AN ANSWER, I DON'T

KNOW, BUT THOSE ARE ALL OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I STARTED TO HAVE AND REALLY

HAD A HARD TIME SLEEPING AND HONESTLY, LOOKING PEOPLE IN THE EYE AND SAYING

THAT I CAN SEE BEHIND THIS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE I HAD TWO MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS AND I DID FEEL -- DID NOT FEEL CONFIDENT. SO THAT'S HOW MAYOR RICH AND

I CAME TOGETHER ON THIS AND HAS SOMETHING -- I THINK SHE HAS AND SHE WANTS DAD.

I THINK THAT COVERS IT WELL. MY INTEREST WAS IN MAKING SURE THAT THE TARGET DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS WELL JUSTIFIED. WE ARE LOOKING AT A PROPOSAL OF A THINK 3 MILLION PER YEAR OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS. $9 MILLION THAT WERE BEING INFORMED NEEDS TO BE INFUSED INTO THE WATER AND SEWER FUNDS. SO, IS THAT

TARGET AMOUNT CORRECT, IS THE TARGET DATE TO HAVE IT ALL DONE WITHIN THREE

YEARS AND ACCURATE TARGET DATE, SO THAT HAS TO DO WITH, YOU KNOW HOW QUICKLY WE HAVE TO ESCALATE THE INCREASE. AS THE TARGET AMOUNT RIGHT? IS THE

TARGET DATE CORRECT, AND THEN FINALLY, ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WOULD

BE MORE EQUITABLE, OTHER THAN THE TIERED APPROACH THAT HAS BEEN, THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US. THAT WAS MY INTEREST IN BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT IN ORDER TO GET THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. IT MAY BE THAT

ULTIMATELY, WHAT WE DETERMINE AS A COUNCIL IS THAT, YES, THE TARGET AMOUNT

IS RIGHT, YES, THE TIMETABLE IS CORRECT, YES, THE OPTION WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN IS THE CORRECT OPTION. THE PARTICULAR THREE-TIERED ITEM. BUT, IT WAS WORTH

HAVING THE DISCUSSION AND COLLECTING THE INFORMATION AND I MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR THE 50 OR SO QUESTIONS THAT CAN THE COUNCIL HAS MANAGED TO GET ANSWERED. VERY USEFUL INFORMATION AND I DO APPRECIATE RAFF -- RALPH TELL US

TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS BUT I FEEL THAT THEY WERE Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

RELEVANT. SO THAT WAS MY CONCERN. I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT I CAN

PRESENT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANSWERED FOR PURPOSES OF THE COUNCIL AND FOR PURPOSES OF THE PUBLIC. BUT THAT IS THE CONTEXT. I THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH TO GIVE TIME TO SOME OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS. GO AHEAD, VICE MAYOR.

THANK YOU, MATT A FOR THAT -- MADAME MAYOR

AND I ALSO AM CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR MOST MARGINALIZED AND THAT SERVE OUR MOST MARGINALIZED -- SUBMETERED FOLKS. IT'S GOING TO BE FOR CREST, IT'S GOING TO BE FOR BURBANK. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OUR

LIVES BECAUSE I HEARD IT WAS JUST DEPENDING ON YOUR METER SIZE, BUT THEN HOW

DOES THAT GET DISTRIBUTED TO ALL THE INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE LIKE AT BURBANK BETTER DISTRIBUTED?

I'M SORRY, I'M GOING TO ASK EITHER TONY OR -- TO SEE IF IF THEY'RE IN A BETTER POSITION TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION THEN I AM. ASK THEM TO RESPOND

SO TONY OR OUR REPRESENTATIVE FROM RALPH TELL US, CAN WE GET AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION?
I BELIEVE THIS IS TONI SPEAKING. SORRY FOR SOME REASON I CAN SEE MYSELF ON HERE.

SO WE SUBMITTED A RESPONSE TO A QUESTION PERTAINING TO NONPROFITS AND ALSO,

CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, SUCH AS FOR CREST AND I THINK WE ALSO HAD BURBANK

HOUSING IN THERE AND THAT WAS SUBMITTED VERY, VERY LATE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LATENESS OF GETTING THAT OUT. I THINK MARY HAD JUST DONE THAT ABOUT AT 4:30 OR 5:00 AND SO THAT INFORMATION WAS SENT OUT. I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME, I COULD PULL IT UP. I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DISSEMINATE EXACTLY WHAT THE IMPACTS ARE. BUT THAT WAS SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY.

OKAY.

AND IF YOU COULD GIVE ME A FEW MINUTES.

OKAY. WHEN WE COME BACK TO TONI AND WE CAN JUST, MOVING ALONG WITH EVER -- OTHER QUESTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT THE PUBLIC ATTENTION TO WHAT IS ON THE SCREEN HERE. JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL REMINDED OF WHAT THE

DIFFERENCE IS WOULD BE BETWEEN THE CURRENT BILLING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE AVERAGE USER, WHICH HERE IS DESCRIBED AS 9000 GALLONS FOR BIMONTHLY BILLS. SO 9000 GALLONS IN A TWO-MONTH LEAVE. OF -- ON THE SEWER SIDE AND YOU CAN SEE THAT CURRENTLY, THE AVERAGE USER WOULD BE CHARGING -- APPROXIMATELY. AND UNDER THE -- THAT WOULD GO UP TO $314, $.51 AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL OF US

THAT THAT COMBINATION WAS COMMENDATION ONE, THE HIGHER AMOUNT OPTION ONE ON WATER AND OPTION TWO ON SEWER. SO WHEN WE REMOVE THAT SCREEN, MARY GOURLEY, SO WE CAN SEE OUR ZOOM PEOPLE INSTEAD.

YEAH, I THINK WE HAVE TWO QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO ROUND. AND SO TONI, YOU HAD ALSO MENTIONED ABOUT THE NONPROFITS. I KNOW I SUBMITTED THAT.

TOLD ME INITIALLY, THEY WOULD BE PAYING THE SAME AS COMMERCIAL RATES. SO I'M

HOPING SINCE YOU MENTIONED, YOU PROVIDE THE ANSWER, MAYBE I MISSED IT, BUT YOU COULD ALSO LUBE US IN ON THAT. THANK YOU.

TONI, DO YOU WANT US TO COME BACK TO YOU WITH ANSWERS?
NO. I CAN GO AHEAD AND RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION. THE ANSWER IS YES, THEY ARE

CHARGED AT THE COMMERCIAL RATE AND I KNOW THAT -- IT WAS HER GROUP THAT

PREPARED ALL THOSE, NOT THE SPREADSHEETS, BUT THE LIST WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT PROPOSED RATES AND SO SHE CAN CONFIRM ALL OF THAT. BUT IN LOOKING, SO THE ANSWER IS YES, IT IS AT A COMMERCIAL RATE. THE SECOND QUESTION HAD TO DO WITH

HOW MUCH OUR RATES ARE GOING TO GO UP FOR CERTAIN USERS AND I JUST LOOKED AT

THE ONES FOR DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND THEY RANGE ANYWHERE FROM ROUGHLY, OF

COURSE, PRIVACY INFORMATION SO WE CAN'T SAY EXACTLY WHO, BUT IT RANGED IN INCREASES ABOUT 54%, THE HIGHEST ONE IS ABOUT 92% INCREASE. IRRIGATION IS THE ONE THAT GETS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THAT ONE DOUBLED.

TONI, AS A FOLLOW-UP --

THAT'S STRICTLY IRRIGATION ONLY

SO AS A FOLLOW-UP CLARIFICATION QUESTION, THE GROUPS THAT YOU ARE SAYING WILL GET AN INCREASE FROM RANGING FROM 54% TO 92% ARE THOSE SOLELY

NONPROFITS AND SCHOOLS, OR IS IT A BROADER GROUP
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I JUST SAW. IT WAS ACTUALLY NONPROFITS AND SCHOOLS THAT I WAS LOOKING AT.

OKAY.

THAT'S HOW THE INFORMATION WAS SENT OUT IN THAT FORM.

OKAY. AND THEN ON THE SCHOOLS, DO YOU, TO WHOM WITH THOSE NOTICES HAVE GONE? AS THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY, DO WE KNOW?

IT WOULD BE LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SEBASTOPOL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, IT WOULD BE THE SCHOOLS.

OKAY. THAT'S MY TWO QUESTIONS.

ANYONE ELSE, COUNCILMEMBERS WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS? DON'T SEE ANYTHING AT THE MOMENT.
: GO AHEAD, AS A MEMBER.

WE HAD AN EMAIL FROM A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE HAD AN 80 YOU AND THEY WERE

CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY FELT, WITH THE TIERED RATES THAT THE COST OF THE WATER WOULD GO UP. BECAUSE MORE WATER YOU USE, THE MORE EXPENSIVE THAT WATER IS. BUT IF YOU ARE A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENT AND YOU HAVE AN 80 YOU -- AND

YOU ARE SPLITTING THE COST AND YOU ONLY HAVE ONE BASE RATE AND I THINK, I THINK I'M CORRECT IN MY THINKING. AT LEAST THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AGREED WITH

ME THAT THE BASE RATE, SO IF YOU HAD, IF THEY WERE BOTH METERED SEPARATELY,

YOU WOULD BOTH HAVE INCREASES IN THE BASE RATE AND SO WHEN YOU HAVE TWO, YOU ONLY HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE BASE RATE. SO I WONDER IF THAT WOULD APPLY

TO LARGER FACILITIES LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR CREST, DO THEY HAVE MAYBE AN INCREASE IN THE WATER CAUSE, BUT THEY WOULD ONLY HAVE ONE BASE RATE FOR 80 PEOPLE, VERSUS 80 NEW BASE RATES?
IS THAT A RALPH TELL US QUESTION?
I'M ASKING OUR CONSULTANTS HERE. I THINK THE QUESTION, WHAT YOU MIGHT BE

GETTING AT HERE, COUNCILMEMBER MAUER IS WHETHER THE META-FACT, GIVEN ONLY

ONE BASE RATE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE THE SAME OR CERTAINLY BETTER THAN WE MIGHT EXPECT. THE GROUP LIKE THIS. SO CAN TONI OR RALPH, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER US?
IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW THE CONNECTION IS METERED. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

A LARGER APARTMENT COMPLEX, A MOBILE HOME PARK, IF THEY ARE MASTER

METERED, IF THERE IS ONE SIGNIFICANT METER THAT IS SERVING ALL OF THOSE DWELLING UNITS FOR DOMESTIC NEEDS, THEY WILL PAY ONLY ONE BASE CHARGE. FIXED MONTHLY CHARGE BASED ON THE METRIC.

ANY QUESTION?
YES, THIS IS FOR RALPH TELUS. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU NEED AN ADDITIONAL 25 -- $20,000 FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU.

I REFER THAT BACK TO THE CITY MANAGER. I BELIEVE HE'S DISCUSSED THE ADDITIONAL WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE LEADING UP TO AND AFTER THAT APRIL 23rd MEETING AND WHAT'S ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETED UP TO THE PUBLIC HEARING IN JUNE.

SO, RALPH, TELL US, TOLD ME, AND SPEAKING WITH THEIR SENIOR MANAGER TODAY, WE'VE HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF QUESTIONS. AND HAVING THIS MEETING IS

ALSO AN UNUSUAL SITUATION FOR THEM AND THEY BEEN ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS FOR US AND PUTTING OUR FAQS TOGETHER AND ALL OF THAT WORK.

THEY'VE BEEN ESSENTIAL TO MAKING THAT HAPPEN AND IT'S ABOVE AND BEYOND THE

SCOPE OF THEIR INITIAL CONTRACT AND THEIR INITIAL CONTRACT, THEY'VE HAD TO -- IT

DOES FEEL APPROPRIATE TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING TO HELP US ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. THEY ARE ABOUT HALFWAY, IF, THEY SPENT

ROUGHLY HALF OF THAT MONEY IF THEY WERE TO BILL FOR IT AS OF TODAY TO PARTICIPATE. SOME ADDITIONAL WORK BETWEEN NOW AND THE JUNE 18th HEARING. IT'S

REALLY WORK THAT WAS ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR SCOPE, WHICH IS REASONABLE TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR.
[ CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ]
THAT IS WHAT I READ. IF IT IS A OUTREACH, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? MONDAY

CATCHALL WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC WHEN WE EXPLAINED HAVING A TOWN HALL MEETING AND A SESSION IN PERSON. THAT DID NOT PAN OUT. THIS IS A VERY ACCELERATED SCHEDULE. IN TERMS OF ANY PUBLIC HEARING MEDICATIONS Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

WOULD'VE BEEN A BETTER TERM THAN OUTREACH. IT IS NOT COMMUNICATING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. TONIGHT, TONIGHT'S MEETING, ANSWERING ALL OF THE QUESTIONS. COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS?
I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE MOBILE HOME PARK . IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY OF THE MOBILE HOME PARKS ACTUALLY HAVE THE FOUR INCH METER SIZE.

SO THE QUESTION I HAVE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE BASELINE. I AM LOOKING AT A FOUR INCH HERE. THE CURRENT RATE IS 821. WE WENT FORWARD WITH WHERE WE ARE AT. THE RATES STARTING ON JULY 1st 20 15 2787. IF I AM CORRECT,

WITH THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THAT WE RECEIVED, THAT WOULD MEAN OVER 100% INCREASE IN THE RATES. IS THAT CORRECT? AM I OFF?
WHICH PAGE ARE YOU ON? MY QUESTION IS, WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BASELINE AND THE SUB METER. IF YOU'RE TALKING THE BASELINE FOR A FOUR INCH METER. IT IS -- CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THEY WILL BE CHARGED IF THEY ARE IN A FOUR INCH METER?
CERTAINLY. JUST DOING SOME MATH HERE. LOOKING IN OUR REPORT, THE METER GOES UP APPROXIMATELY DOUBLE, NOT QUITE BIGGER THAN ON ONE SCREEN. FOUR INCH METER AT 1527 VERSUS THE CURRENT EIGHT 21. MENTAL MATH, 90% INCREASE. THE WATER USE RATE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50% BECAUSE IT WILL BE CHARGED A COMMERCIAL RATE. THAT COMMERCIAL RATE, AS PROPOSED, A UNIFORM RATE, THAT YOU CURRENTLY HAVE. I'M SORRY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THERE ARE TWO COMPONENTS TO A CUSTOMER BILL. A FIXED METER CHARGE AND WATER USAGE RATES. EXCHANGE IS GOING UP MORE, ABOUT 90%. IT HAS TO DO WITH

RIGHTSIZING THE CAPACITY, THE POTENTIAL CAPACITY ON THAT FOUR INCH METER CONNECTION. TWO WATER USE RATE, WHICH THESE FOLKS WOULD FALL UNDER THE

COMMERCIAL WATER USE RATE FOR EACH UNIT OF WATER WOULD BE CHARGED AT A RATE OF OF $6.03 IN JULY. BURSTING THE EXISTING RATES OF $4.52.

DOES THAT CLARIFY YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS?

BASED ON THE ANSWERS WE RECEIVED WHEN THEY WERE DISCUSSING THIS PARTICULAR. MY QUESTION IS, IS THAT ACCURATE? IF SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. THIS IS WHAT CAME UP FOR ME. THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WHEN WE ARE DOING A 47%

INCREASED PERCENTAGE IS PAIRED WITH I STARTED LOOKING AT THE MOUTH, THE

FAMILY OF FIVE SAYING THEY SPENT TIME ON THIS AND THEY REALIZED HOW HIGH THE BILL IS GOING TO BE. I AM JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND FOR THIS FOUR INCH METER UNDER 100% INCREASE ACCURATE? DID YOU RECEIVE THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WE SENT? I AM NOT SURE IF WE RECEIVE THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION. WHAT I WILL SAY IS THE BILL IMPACT WILL ALWAYS DEPEND ON THIS SPECIFIC ACCOUNT. IT WILL BE THE SIZE OF THE METER CONNECTION. IT WILL DEPEND ON THE CUSTOMER CLASS. IT WILL DEPEND ON YOUR ACTUAL WATER USE. THAT WATER USE MAY DEPEND ON THE TIME OF YEAR. SO, I

CANNOT REASONABLY ANSWER IF THIS PARTICULAR ACCOUNT WILL GO UP BY X PERCENT.

YOU ARE THE ONE THAT PROVIDED US WITH THE ANSWERS. HE RECALLED WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? THIS IS FOR FIRCREST. THAT INFORMATION, I BELIEVE IT WAS TAKING

A LOOK AT THE PROPOSED RATES, THE EXISTING CONDITION AND THE NUMBERS THAT WERE PROVIDED. THOSE WERE CORRECT. SO, I DON'T HAVE A RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. BUT IF IT ENDED UP BEING 108% INCREASE FOR THAT PARTICULAR -- I DON'T LIKE TO USE SPECIFICS. IT IS A PRIVACY ISSUE AND WE PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT

SPECIFIC PROPERTY OWNERS, BUT THERE WAS A PROPERTY OWNER THAT WE HAD REQUESTED, THAT HAD 80 UNITS AND THE INFORMATION THAT WE PROVIDED IS CORRECT. SO, THAT ONE WAS. BUT IN THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION, IF THE INCREASE WAS 108%, I DID NOT DO THE MAP IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE. BUT, THE NUMBERS WERE CORRECT THAT WERE PRESENTED TO YOU.

TONI MIGHT KNOW THAT I AM ESTIMATING THAT THIS ACCOUNT THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAS A DEDICATED LANDSCAPE METER, AS WELL. SO, THEY HAVE A METER FOR DOMESTIC NEEDS. ONE AND A SEPARATE DEDICATION --
I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DO. I BELIEVE IT IS ALTOGETHER. THEY DON'T HAVE A -- IT IS ALL PART OF THEIR MASTER METER. I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCE BILLING GROUP. SO IF I AM SAYING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT CORRECT, IF ANNA COULD CORRECT ME, PLEASE. IT IS NOT A SEPARATE IRRIGATION METER.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

ANY CORRECTION FROM STAFF? OKAY. I AM HOPING WE CAN GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED PRETTY QUICKLY TO GET OUT TO THE PUBLIC. LET'S READ THAT WITH MORE QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO THROW THIS OUT THERE. WELL I AM GOING TO TONIGHT IN THE LAST PRESENTATION, WE COULD NOT TAKE THIS BY CATEGORY, RIGHT? YOU CANNOT JUST DO A CATEGORY OF RESIDENTIAL HOMES. YOU CANNOT DO A CATEGORY OF NONPROFITS. YOU CANNOT DO A CATEGORY OF THOSE THAT ARE SUBMETERED IN A CLUSTER. YOU CANNOT DO A CATEGORY AND BY AVERAGE AMOUNT. RIGHT? FROM WHAT I AM HEARING YOU CANNOT JUST DO THAT. YOU CANNOT PROVIDE AN AVERAGE NUMBER FOR THOSE SPECIFIC CATEGORIES. IS THAT RIGHT?
SO, SINGLE FAMILY, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONNECTIONS. WE HAVE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES . WE HAVE RELATIVELY THE SAME SIZE METER CONNECTION FOR ALMOST ALL RESIDENTIAL USERS. SIMILAR DEMAND THE WINTER AND IN THE SUMMER. GET INTO

COMMERCIAL USERS AND IT IS MORE SPECIFIC TYPES OF DIRECT -- MIXED USE FOR RESIDENTIAL. BECOMES TRICKIER TO IDENTIFY UNLESS YOU CALL OUT SPECIFIC ACCOUNTS.

BASICALLY THE ONLY WAY INDIVIDUALS WITH THAT CLUSTER EFFECT CLASSIFICATION

WOULD NO SPECIFICALLY IF YOU INVITED THEM IN AND EVERYONE CAME IN WITH THEIR BILLS. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

AND THE FOLKS KNOW BY THEIR BILLS, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE, THEIR WATER

USE, THIS PROPOSAL WOULD IDENTIFY WHAT CLASS YOU FALL UNDER IF IT IS RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL FOR IRRIGATION.

SO, THE NOTICE. THE 218 NOTICES, THEY WENT OUT TO PROPERTY OWNERS. SORRY.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER. I THINK WE HAVE OVER 50% OF OUR POPULATION HERE THAT ARE RENTERS. WERE RENTERS NOTIFIED IN ANY WAY BY THE CITY WITH THE WATER AND SEWER INCREASES? THAT WOULD BE STAFF, I THINK.

CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG HERE. ALL NOTICES TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS. SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA PRIMARILY SOCIAL MEDIA. THEY HAVE COME WITH A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE LETTERS ARE PROBABLY THE MOST DIRECTLY

AFFECTED MULTIPLE WAYS TO CONVEY DECAY WHICH IS HOPEFULLY COMMUNICATED IN THIS.

I UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER. GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.

FOLLOWING UP ON VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN'S QUESTION. WE LOOKED OVER THE

COMPLEXES OF MULTIPLE UNITS WITH THE LIGHT ON ONE AND THE LANDLORD SPLITS THE BILLS. THAT IS A QUESTION. IF FOLKS WANTED TO APPLY, JUST FIRCREST AND BURBANK'S. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLEXES, AS WELL. COULD WE HAVE A RATE FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE GENERALLY LOW INCOME AND COULD APPLY? I KNOW IT IS EXTRA FOR US. WORKED. THEY COULD BE IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY. THOSE PEOPLE FOR

ME ARE -- IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY ARE CHARGED ON ONE METER AND THEN THEY HAVE THE TEAR IN THAT IS NOT REALLY FAIR. THAT IS JUST LIKE 50 PEOPLE IN FIRCREST, RIGHT? WE COULD JUST KEEP THEM ALL AT YOUR ONE IF THEY APPLIED. I'M JUST WONDERING.

IS THAT A QUESTION FOR --
IT IS A QUESTION. CAN WE DO A CATEGORY? OR PEOPLE THAT APPLY I GUESS? THAT IS THE QUESTION TO TONI.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO MAKE LEWIS -- COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS AND COUNCILMEMBER MAURER. IS THERE A QUESTION?? LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LOSE TRACK OF COUNCILMEMBER HINTON'S QUESTION.

IT IS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. I WAS TOLD RESIDENTS DO NOT PAY WATER BILLS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT FIRCREST. BUT, YOU DO.

OH, OKAY.

THIS IS UNUSUAL, BUT COULD YOU COME UP TO THE PODIUM . WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE FIRCREST MOBILE HOME PARK WHO IS A RESIDENT. I'M SORRY, IS IT BURBANK OR FIRCREST? OKAY.

FIRCREST.

CAN YOU TELL ME HOW YOU ARE BILLED FOR WATER AND SEWER? Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

I AM BILLED TO THE PARK, THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT. THEY GO AROUND AND READ OUR INDIVIDUAL METERS.

OF INDIVIDUAL METERS . AND WHAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT OTHER METERS IN THE PARK POTENTIALLY.

OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION.

THERE ARE 87 UNITS IN PROBABLY ABOUT 100 PEOPLE.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHERE AM I?
COUNCILMEMBER HINTON, DID YOU GET YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED? TRYING TO ANSWER. GOING TO TRY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

FROM AN INCOME BASE PERSPECTIVE, CHECKING IN WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VERY LATE -- RATES BASED ON INCOME LEVELS, THAT IS ILLEGAL.

SUBSIDIZE ANOTHER SET. OTHER CATEGORIES OF PROPERTY THIS IS SPECULATION ON MY PART. IF THERE ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF PROPERTIES THAT MAYBE WE COULD DO SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, WE CANNOT DO IT BASED ON INCOME.

BY OTHER CATEGORIES, JUST A FOLLOW-UP, WOULD THERE BE A WAY TO ADJUST

BILLING BASED ON THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING ON A PROPERTY OR THE NUMBER OF UNITS ON THE PROPERTY? WE HAVE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS THAT SAY THEY HAVE FIVE PEOPLE LIVING IN THEIR HOUSE. BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE, THEY WOULD GET A HIGHER TIER.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT NUMBER OF APARTMENTS. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN

THE HOUSE IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD LOOK FAVORABLY UPON BECAUSE THAT CHANGES. IT COULD CHANGE FROM DAY TO DAY TO REAR TO REAR. MAYBE YOUR GRANDMOTHER MOVED IN OR WHATEVER. TALKING ABOUT TRACKING BY THE NUMBER.

THE BEST WAY TO CAPTURE THAT IS BY USING VOLUME.

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR OPINION IS THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT. BUT IS NOT AN OPTION? BASING IT ON INCOME, WE DON'T HAVE A BASIS OF DOING THAT. AS TO BASING

IT ON NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS, IT IS A MATTER OF POLICY AND YOU WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST IT?

I DON'T KNOW THE LEGAL RESEARCH INTO MAYBE SOMEONE MORE EXPERIENCED IN HIS INDUSTRY DOES. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IT WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE OUR

ADMINISTRATIVE COST TO SOMEHOW TRACK THIS WITH INTEGRITY AND ADJUST BILLS ACCORDINGLY. COUNCIL MEMBER Mc LEWIS. YOU HAVE A QUESTION? I'M GOING TO THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION TO EDUCATE MYSELF. CAN YOU REMIND ME WITH THE FIXED CHARGE THAT WE HAVE. WHAT IS THAT BASED ON? I'M SORRY. I HAVE A QUESTION TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT. BUT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS.

LEADING ON WATER? SO, OUR CURRENT FIXED AMOUNT ON THE WATER.

THE FIXED CHARGE RECOVERS PREDOMINANTLY MERE SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS CUSTOMER SERVICES. A SERVICE OF OUR EXTRA CAPACITY AS WE REFER TO THE PEAK DEMAND COST. CAN YOU TELL ME, IS IT POSSIBLE, OF COURSE, LOOKING AT THE

DIFFERENT RATES, BUT IS ANYONE CHARGING LIKE A FIXED FEE EVERY MONTH FOR EVERY RESIDENT PAYING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT SOMETHING THAT ANYONE DOES QUESTION WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT FOR THAT?
THERE IS A HANDFUL OF AGENCIES WITH A SEPARATE CHARGE FOR CAPITAL. THE FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS FOR A SEPARATE RATE COMPONENT. RATHER THAN HAVING A FIXED METER SIZE THEY MIGHT HAVE A THIRD CHARGE THAT IS FOR CAPITAL. THAT MIGHT BE PETER-BASED. I DON'T I KNOW ONE AGENCY THAT DOESN'T VOLUMETRIC WE. I

CANNOT THINK OF ONE AGENCY, IF THEY STILL HAVE THIS, THAT IS PURELY VOLUMETRIC. IT CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE FROM THE STANDPOINT.

DO YOU KNOW, IS THAT ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT IN THE PAST. AS WE

CHARGE PEOPLE MORE FOR THEIR WATER, IS THERE AN ARGUMENT FOR HAVING A FIXED CHARGE FOR EVERYONE AND THEN A FLAT RATE FOR WATER. THE WATER RATES AND HAVING THIS TIERED SYSTEM. I SPENT FALLING. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I

LOOK AT THIS AND I FEEL LIKE WE ARE PENALIZING FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.

YES, WE ARE AND QUESTIONS.

I AM JUST ASKING, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE CONSIDERED IN THE PASTOR IS ASSUMING THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR US OR WOULDN'T WORK FOR US? IS EXEMPT IS THE QUESTION.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

HAS IT BEEN EXAMINED IN THE PAST?

CARVING OUT A DISTINCT CAPITAL CHARGE OR SOME THIRD OR FOURTH RATE COMPONENT THAT IS NOT BEEN EXAMINED IN THE STUDY.

LOOK AT QUESTIONS ANSWERED. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PENDING QUESTIONS? OKAY.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF PENDING QUESTIONS. THEN WE WILL GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC. WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION. WE HAVE THE PUBLIC THAT IS INTERESTED HERE. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THE EQUITABLE QUESTION.

THERE IS THE TARGET DOLLAR AMOUNT. IF WE ACCEPT THE TARGET DOLLAR AMOUNT, IS

IT APPROPRIATE QUESTION MARK UP WE ALSO ACCEPT THAT THE TARGET DATE OR ACCUMULATING THAT AMOUNT IS APPROPRIATE. I THINK IT WAS THREE YEARS. ARE

THERE DIFFERENT -- WHAT REMAINS FROM WHAT REMAINS FOR MY PERSPECTIVE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF COLLECTING ACCUMULATED THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. THAT WILL MINIMALLY. THAT 3 MILLION EACH YEAR'S. IS THERE A WAY TO COLLECT THAT AMOUNT

OF MONEY GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE LOOKED INTO INTO THE PAST WITH OTHER

JURISDICTION, THAT IS MORE EQUITABLE, POSSIBLY, RATHER THAN THIS THREE-TIERED APPROACH THAT THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED. I GUESS EMBEDDED IN MY QUESTION IS, WHY DID YOU RECOMMEND THIS PARTICULAR THREE-TIERED APPROACH? WHY THIS ONE?
I WILL START BY SAYING THAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS NOT OURS ALONE. THAT WAS IN CONSULTATION WITH STAFF ALONG THE WAY. WE BELIEVE THAT APPROACH BEST FOR

FILLS YOUR POLICY OBJECTIVES WHICH INCLUDE STABILITY, WHICH WE ACHIEVED IN PART WITH THE DEGREE OF FIXED CHARGES THAT WE RECOVERED. HAVING RATES BY CUSTOMER CLASS IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD. LET'S THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW. WE ARE WELL OVER 70%, 75% OF AGENCIES THEY HELPED FULFILL -- THEY ARE A

CONSERVATION TOOL LOW INCOME, LOW WATER USERS, FAIRNESS BETWEEN DIFFERENT CLASS AND WITHIN THE CLASS. IF YOU USE MORE, YOU PAY MORE. UTILIZING MORE OF THE FIXED INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS BUILT FOR YOUR SYSTEM. THE STORAGE FACILITIES, THE DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES. SO, WE ALLOCATE THOSE COSTS. IT IS OUR

PREROGATIVE THAT IS THE REASON WHY WE RECOMMEND THE --
OKAY. I SEE THAT COUNCILMEMBER MAURER OF THE QUESTION. I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.

WHAT DOES THAT STAND FOR? SO, IT IS 1000 GALLONS.

IT IS WHAT YOUR BILLING UNIT IS AND WHAT. FOR THE COMMERCIAL USERS, IT IS A DOLLAR 50 MORE EVERY THOUSAND GALLONS. IS THAT CORRECT? IT IS GOING TO COST A DOLLAR 50 MORE? YES? OKAY, SKIP THAT QUESTION. I'M GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE TIERED RATE.

KEVIN, I THINK YOU ARE TALKING THAT YOU ARE MUTED.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. THE CURRENT RATE IS 452 FOR ALL USERS. COMMERCIALLY, 603.

A DOLLAR AND $.51 INCREASE.

INCREASE FOR EVERY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

REGARDING THE TIERED RATE SO, YOU HAVE THREE TIERS, YOU HAVE YOUR ONE FROM ZERO TO SEVEN THOUSAND GALLONS. THAT WOULD BE $5.48. TIER TWO, IT IS $8000-$60,000 AND THAT WOULD BE $6.99. TIER THREE WOULD BE GREATER THAN 16,000 GALLONS WILL BE $9.71. SO, SAY I USE FOR EXAMPLE, 10,000 GALLONS. THEN, AM I CHARGED THE FIRST SEVEN OF THOSE AT $5.48 AND THEN THE NEXT THREE AT $3.99? OR AM I CHARGED $6.99 BECAUSE I HAVE USED MORE THAN EIGHT?
THE FIRST SEVEN ARE THE TIER ONE AND THE NEXT IT TIER TWO. THINK MARGINAL TAX RATES. WE ARE NOT GOING.HIGHEST USE FIRST.

OKAY GOOD. THANK YOU.

I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION IN THE LET'S GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC . MY QUESTION IS HOW

MANY CUSTOMERS ARE IN THE -- BASED ON YOUR NUMBERS, HOW MANY WOULD BE IN THE TIER ONE CATEGORY? ONLY BE TIER ONE CATEGORY. NOT GOING INTO TIER TWO.

HOW MANY CUSTOMERS WOULD BE IN THE TIER THREE CATEGORY IN SOME WAY QUESTION MARK YOU THOSE NUMBERS?
I THINK I WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU WITH THOSE NUMBERS. I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE THE USE THAT FALLS IN EACH., BUT AS FAR AS CUSTOMER BILLS IN EACH., I THINK WE HAVE TO FOLLOW UP WITH AN ANSWER.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

OKAY. THANK YOU. WE CAN COME BACK TO IT IF WE NEED TO. CAN WE GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC? ANY LAST MINUTE?

I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG KEVIN CAN STAY WITH US BUT I KNOW IF WE DO PUBLIC COMMENT, IF IT DOES COME BACK, I'M NOT SURE HE IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE. I WAS

TOLD HE HAD ABOUT AN HOUR TO SPEND WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NOW. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR BEFORE. HE IS GOING TO GO BEFORE WE LET THEM GO MAKE SURE YOU'RE SATISFIED.

THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER McLEWIS?

I AM JUST WONDERING, CAN YOU TELL ME WITH YOUR WORK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA, WE DO NOT PURCHASE OUR WATER, BUT OTHERS DO. ARE OUR RATES IN

LINE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO DO NOT PURCHASE WATER FIRST PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE WATER?
THAT IS A TRICKY QUESTION TO ANSWER. THAT IS BECAUSE EVERY AGENCY, THERE ARE LOTS OF VARIABLES. I DON'T KNOW IF I USE THIS EXPRESSION VERY OFTEN. IT IS NOT APPLES TO APPLES. YOU'RE PROVIDING THE SAME WATER SERVICE BUT PROVIDING THE SAME WASTEWATER SERVICE. THE SIZE OF THE SYSTEM IN THE METERED CONNECTIONS THAT YOU SERVE ON THE SCALE THAT YOU GET MATTERS. THE AGE OF THE SYSTEM MATTERS AS YOU POINTED OUT. SOURCES OF SUPPLY ON THE WATER SITE COME INTO PLAY EXTENSIVELY. IT MIGHT BE A PROPERTY TAX REVENUE BASE TO FUND THE CAPITAL NEEDS THAT KEEPS RATES LOW. UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT GIVE YOU AN

ANSWER TO SAY TO OTHER WATER PROVIDERS ONLY HAVE LOWER COST OF SERVICE THAT IS REALLY GOING TO PEND. GENERALLY, THE HIGHER COST OF WATER IS A HIGHER COST OF SERVICE. THE RETIREMENT ON THAT GROUNDWATER OR THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. IT REALLY DOES VARY.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS A QUESTION THAT I WAS JUST ASKED , WHY ARE WE PAYING MORE FOR WATER WHEN THEY PAY FOR WATER?

SINCE WE HAVE HIM LEAVING SOON, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO POST YOU. ONE HAS TO DO WITH COST OF YOUR SERVICES. THE OTHER ONE HAS TO DO WITH POTENTIAL TIMEFRAME. SO, IF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL EXCEPT THE TARGET AMOUNT, THE THREE YEARS AT $3 MILLION A YEAR AND THE TARGET DATE, THREE YEARS FROM NOW. IF THEY WANT RAP TELL US TO LOOK INTO OTHER OPTIONS JUST THE OTHER OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT TIERS, WHAT IS THE STANDARD RATE. OTHER OPTIONS

FOR ACCUMULATING THAT TARGET AMOUNT FOR THAT TARGET DATE, WHAT SORT OF

EXPENSE ARE WE FACING FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FROM RAFTELIS , AS A GENERAL NUMBER? WHAT IS THE MINIMUM? CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF IT? IF YOU WANT TO GIVE US A MAXIMUM TOO. BUT JUST SOME SENSE OF IT. WHAT IS THE EARLIEST THAT

YOU ACTUALLY COULD GET THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER FOR US, FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD?
IT DEPENDS ON WHAT WE WANT TO EXPLORE. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN A NUMBER ON IT WITHOUT HAVING CLEAR DIRECTION. IF WE ARE SIMPLY UPDATING, GOING BACK TO A UNIFORM RATE, WE ARE UPDATING OUR MODEL OF REPORT AND NOTICING ET CETERA.

WE ARE PROBABLY IN THE $20,000 RANGE. IF YOU ARE STARTING OVER, ESSENTIALLY, WE HAVE EXISTING MODELS. HOW MUCH EFFORT IT WILL BE TO GET TO AN AGREEMENT THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.

SORRY, IS THAT THE TARGET AMOUNT 11 AND THE TARGET DATE ALONE. WE JUST ASKED YOU TO GIVE US OTHER OPTIONS.

ALL OF THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, IS A MOVING TARGET AS POINTED OUT BY YOUR CITY MANAGER. THAT IS BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE PROPOSED RATES, IF ADOPTED, WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED ON JULY 1st. NOW, EVEN IF WE MOVE QUICKLY WITH AN ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL LET'S SAY WE HAVE A MONTH OR TWO OF WORK. THAT IS A 45 DAY PERIOD. WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING, WE HAVE THE WAITING PERIOD. YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS IN REVENUE. THAT WILL CHANGE THE RATES. IT WILL CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS. IT MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO

INCREASE THE FIRST YEAR MORE OR YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN A SLIGHTLY LARGER HOLE, IN THAT FIRST YEAR TO DIG OUT OF IT.

OKAY. IT SOUNDS LIKE A MINIMUM OF ONE TO TWO MONTHS OF WORK THAT COST OF WORK FOR 20,000 MINIMUM TO $50,000. IS THAT DOING A COMPLETE REASSESSMENT INCLUDING REASSESSING THE TARGET AMOUNT TO BE COLLECTED.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

STARTING FROM SCRATCH.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH.

WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GET OUT TO PUBLIC COMMENT. BUT BEFOREFIVE LEAVES, THIS IS A COMMENT THAT I HAVE SEEN. WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS LAST TIME. THE FACT

THAT EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SITTING ON AN AQUIFER, IT STILL TAKES MONEY TO GET IT OUT OF THE GROUND, TO BE ABLE TO USE IT. AS A RESULT OF THAT, PART OF THE COST IS PG&E, ELECTRICITY, ALL OF THAT STUFF. IS THAT RIGHT?
THAT IS TRUE. EVEN AGENCIES THAT HAVE ABUNDANT AND INEXPENSIVE

GROUNDWATER, YOU ARE STILL PAYING ENERGY AND TREATMENT COST PRODUCE THAT WATER. THERE ARE SOME CASES WHERE AGENCIES HAVE VERY EXPENSIVE WATER. FOR A LOT OF AGENCIES IS NOT THE MOLECULES THAT DRIVE THE SERVICE. IT IS ALL OF THE

INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS GET EVERYTHING THAT IS AGING AND OUT OF SIGHT AND HAS

HAD DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND DIFFERENT REPLACEMENT THAT UNFORTUNATELY, THE VILLAS COME DUE.

DO YOU REPRESENT OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WITH SOUTHERN AQUIFERS? AND WHAT I

WORK WITH A LOT OF AGENCIES THAT ARE ENTIRELY GROUNDWATER OR HAVE A PORTION OF THEIR SUPPLY FROM GROUNDWATER.

BASED UPON YOUR EXPERIENCE, ARE WE OUT OF WHACK FROM THE OTHER ONES THAT SIT ON AQUIFERS?
IT IS HARD TO SAY AGAIN BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT. BUT KNOWING

THAT YOUR SYSTEM IS AGING AND YOU HAVE A RELATIVELY SMALL CUSTOMER BASE WITH WHICH TO SPREAD YOUR COST OVER, I WOULD SAY NO. YOU'RE NOT OUT OF LINE WITH OTHER AGENCIES.

THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION IS HE LISTENED TO THE CONCERNS, KEVIN, ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HOMES WHERE THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THAT HOME, USING MORE WATER.

JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE OF THEM IN THAT SAME SPACE THAN OTHER HOUSES MAY HAVE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE. YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE IMPACT ON MULTIPLE UNITS. WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF PROPERTIES THAT HAVE A DO YOU -- NOT SURE ONE

WATER METER DO YOU HAVE ANY CREATIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR US GIVEN YOUR

EXPERIENCE ON WAYS THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IN AN EQUITABLE WAY, THESE CONCERNS.

NO. I WOULD SAY THAT WE THINK ABOUT EQUITY. SOMETIMES IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. WE BELIEVE THAT THE SYSTEM IMPROVES FAIRNESS AND EQUITY PARTICULARLY WITHIN YOUR RESIDENTIAL CLASS. IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT UNIFORM

RATES, WELL, UP TO THE AVERAGE, EVERYONE WHO IS GOING TO BE UNDER THE CHAIR WOULD BENEFIT. IT BECOMES PHILOSOPHICAL TO SOME DEGREE. YOU BELIEVE THAT THE

MORE YOU PAY, THE MORE YOU USE, THE MORE YOU SHOULD PAY IF YOU WERE USING MORE OF THAT SYSTEM? SO, FROM THAT STANDPOINT, I BELIEVE THAT THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM THAT WE ARE PROPOSING FOR RESIDENTIAL USERS IS EQUITABLE. WHEN IT

COMES TO THESE OTHER USERS, SOME AGENCIES PROVIDED THAT THEY HAVE DWELLING UNIT FOLLOWING WITH THE RESIDENTIAL TIER. THERE IS AN AVENUE TO INCORPORATE

MULTI FAMILY, IF THAT IS APARTMENT OR MOBILE HOME, INTO A TIERED RATE STRUCTURE.

OKAY. I LIKE THE IDEA BUT I AM NOT FOLLOWING HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN. SO, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?
LET'S SAY YOU HAVE THE COMPLEX. LET'S SAY THERE IS A DOMESTIC METER AND A SEPARATE IRRIGATION METER. THE DOMESTIC METER WOULD GET THE BENEFIT OF THE TEARS FOR EACH DRILLING UNIT. IF YOU HAVE 10 DWELLING UNITS, YOU WOULD HAVE THE TIER ONE ALLOTMENT TIMES 10. SAME FOR TIER TWO. ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO EXPLORE A MULTIFAMILY RATE THAT IS SPECIFIC. THOSE CUSTOMER CLASSES ARE VERY SIMILAR WITH OUR TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL USERS. THEY ARE FAIRLY LOW PEAK DEMANDS. THE PROPOSAL THAT YOU DO WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL.

OKAY, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I DO SEE THAT WE HAVE DANTE IN THE ROOM HERE. OUR PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT. DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANTED TO SHARE WITH US OR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU WANTED ANSWERED? BEFOREFIVE DEPARTS? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. IF WE COULD GO BACK TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, PLEASE.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE WASTEWATER ITEM. IF YOU

WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, GO TO IN CHAMBER FIRST AND THEN GO OUT TO THEM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, I WILL JUMP IN WHEN YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS LEFT.

HELLO. OKAY. I AM CAROL CAPRIO. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY AND CITY COUNCIL

TO FIND A WAY GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE LARGE SENIOR POPULATION IN THIS CITY ON FIXED INCOMES NOT LOW INCOME, FIXED INCOMES. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. I DON'T THINK IT IS SERIOUS. IT IS NOT TO NEGATE THE LARGE SCHOOLS. THESE ARE CATEGORIES. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM.

CAN YOU YOURSELF ?
HI, GOOD EVENING. I HAVE PEOPLE CALLING ON FIXED INCOMES THAT ARE JUST TERRIFIED OF WHAT IS HAPPENING LIKE THE FIRST SPEAKER SAID. WE NEED TO BE MORE CREATIVE WITH HOW TO RAISE MONEY. FIRST OF ALL, EVERY GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT SOME TRAGEDY. THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH THE DEBT WITHOUT CARE OF OUR CITIZENS, WHICH IS YOUR NUMBER ONE DUTY. THERE HAVE BEEN DEFERRED REPAIRS. WHY IS THAT? WHO'S FAULT IS THAT? WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS. PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD THIS. WATER IS LIFE. THIS IS JUST UNCONSCIONABLE THAT YOU WILL

NOT FIND ANOTHER WAY TO RAISE THE MONEY THAT IS NEEDED AND NOT BY RAISING OUR RATES THERE HAVE BEEN DEFERRED REPAIRS. THIS IS PROJECTED THAT WE NEED TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS.

HELLO .

THIS IS DEBORAH CAPRIO. I WAS THINKING OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I VOLUNTEER FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FIND GRANTS. HAS ANYONE EVER LOOKED INTO GRANTS THAT WE CAN GET THE MONEY? IF WE NEED 9000, $9 MILLION, GRANTS. THANK YOU. I CAN GO BACK OUT TO. CAN YOU AND YOURSELF, PLEASE?
I CAN HEAR YOU. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
YES I CAN. CREST MOBILE HOME PARK.

FOR YOUR CONCERNS AND YOUR QUESTIONS . MY MAIN QUESTION RIGHT NOW IS, WE

TALKED ABOUT WATER RATES, BUT, I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY MENTION OF THE SEWER RATE. IF WE HAVE GOT A FOUR INCH LINE, WHAT I AM SEEING ON THIS CHART, THE CURRENT RATE IS $1276 AND THAT IS GOING TO GO UP TO $6307. THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 394%. SO, WHEN I HEAR THAT FIRCREST IS GOING TO GO UP. SOMEONE SAID HUNDRED AND 8%. IT IS GOING UP BY 394%. I AM LOOKING AT THE SHEET THAT WE HAVE FROM THE CITY. THAT IS MY CONCERN. HOW COULD HE BE GOING HUNDRED AND 8% WHEN THE FIXED RATE IS GOING UP AISLES WERE HUNDRED PERCENT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT AND I WILL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. IF THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.

GOOD EVENING. YES. I AM NO EXPERT, BUT I AM BUILDING TRADES. WHAT I AM

PONDERING HERE IS THE ANTIQUATED SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE BEEN KICKING DOWN THE ROAD FOR YEARS ON END. TO UPGRADE IT, MAYBE IT IS THE MOST EXPEDIENT WAYS IS THREE YEARS AND $9 MILLION. LOOKING AND FOCUSING ON THE MOST I SPREADING THIS

OUT OVER A PERIOD OVER EIGHT YEARS AND THEN LOWERING THE WHOLE COST ANALYSIS. YES, IT MAY BE QUITE EASY TO LOOK AT IT FROM WHAT WOULD BE THE EASIEST TO GET US UP TO STANDARD? THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, YOU KNOW, IN A DROUGHT WE WERE CONSERVING WATER. SO, WE LOST REVENUE IN THOSE YEARS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING IN ALL OF THIS. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AND I AGREE. WE HAVE A CONSULTANT THAT HAS MORE EXPERTISE ON THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT

OTHER OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE TO EXTEND THIS PROCESS AND LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED WITH ALL OF THE REVENUES. THANK YOU.

I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. KYLE, CAN YOU AND YOURSELF, PLEASE? YES, I CAN.

THAT IS OKAY.

ONE OF THE FUNNY THINGS ABOUT THIS APPROACH SO WE HAVE BEEN TAKING ABOUT

GETTING THESE KIND OF POWERPOINT SLIDES AND HOW WE GOT THERE IS WE SEEM TO Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

BE VERY FOCUSED ABOUT HOW WE GOT HERE. JUST IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW WE WANT TO PROCEED MOVING FORWARD. IT SEEMS TO BE MISSING FROM THE CONVERSATION, I'M GOING TO BE ASKING YOU FOR TRANSPARENCY. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY. I WILL ASK YOU TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC POINTS. YOU ARE NOT

GOING TO ADDRESS THOSE PRETTY WILL PICK AND CHOOSE THOSE POINTS THAT SERVE THE NARRATIVE IN THE CONTEXT THAT YOU WERE AIMING FOR. BUT, LET'S GO BACK A LITTLE BIT. THERE WAS A PROPOSAL, HOWEVER MANY YEARS AGO WITH THE INCREASED RATES AND IT WILL BE WORTH TALKING ABOUT HOW THAT DID NOT HAPPEN THEN. SO, THERE IS A MISTAKE. THERE IS AN ISSUE. IT IS OKAY TO LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES, BUT WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO ADMIT THOSE MISTAKES. WE HAVE TO OWN UP TO THOSE MISTAKES. WE GOT AN INCREASED RATE FROM HOWEVER MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS A PROPOSAL OF INCREASED RATES. OKAY. WHO IS THAT ON? I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE ARE ALLUDING TO THIS YEARS AGO THAT THERE WERE MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM ENTERPRISE TO THE GENERAL FUND.

WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT TONIGHT, WE ARE NOT HEARING ABOUT IS HOW WE

ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT RIGHT IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HAVING EXPENDITURES OF

EXCEEDING REVENUE AND THERE IS A DIRECT LINK TO THE FACT THAT YOUR REVENUE IS

BEING MISAPPROPRIATED YOUR GENERAL FUND, NOW YOU'RE ASKING US AS RATEPAYERS TO MAKE THAT RIGHT. WHEN YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS HOW MANY YEARS THAT MISAPPROPRIATION HAD BEEN HAPPENING. SO AGAIN, THERE IS MORE MONEY THAT NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR. BUT BY THE RATEPAYERS? I AM NOT SURE THAT IS NECESSARILY THE CORRECT ANSWER. THEN, THIS IDEA THAT SOMEHOW -- THAT IS TWO MINUTES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS.

HELLO. THE PUBLIC WORKS PEOPLE ARE HERE. YOU KNOW, THE WORKS PEOPLE THAT KEEP EVERYTHING RUNNING. THAT IS A BIG DEAL. SO, I THINK THIS IS THE THREE POTENTIAL LAWSUITS HERE. WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT. MISAPPROPRIATION OF FEES UNJUSTIFIED WITH THE SET PRICING. THE TAXPAYER DATA FLOWS, WHERE IS IT? IT WAS ADVERTISED ON THE CITY WEBSITE, IT DOESN'T WORK. IT JUST TELLS YOU HOW TO HYDRATE. SO, I HAVE NO ACCESS TO MY WATER INFORMATION. THE VERIFIED DATA CENTER STEP BEFORE PROCEEDING. WE NEED TO FIND WAYS FORWARD. WE NEED TO MAKE SENSE OF CURRENT PROPOSALS. WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM CLARITY AND EQUITY MODELS FOR HOME AND BUSINESS TAXPAYERS.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW TODAY WE HAVE A RENTAL UNIT. WE CURRENTLY COVER THE WATER FOR OUR TENANT. THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE PRESSURE ON FUTURE RENTAL CARS IN THE CITY. HAVING TO COVER THE COST MAKING IT REGARDLESS. HIGH WATER VOLUME, CAR WASHES, RESTAURANTS, IT BECOMES UNTENABLE.

YOU ABOUT 20 SECONDS.

IF YOU LIKE THE DATA POLICY WAS ALL OVER THE MAP RIGHT NOW.

THINK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT AND I WILL GO BACK OUT TO THEM. LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE? THANK YOU. GO AHEAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS SO TYPICAL THAT THE HIGHLY PAID -- BEFORE THERE IS ANY PUBLIC COMMENT, WE ARE NOT HEARD. WE ARE NOT ONLY NOT HEARD, WE ARE NOT CONSIDERED. THAT IS ONE BASIC THING WITH A GIVEN FACT, ABOUT 50% OF US ARE QUITTERS. I DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE, JUST LIKE THE BOGUS WATER SURVEY A FEW YEARS AGO TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE AGAIN THIS MONTH.

ANYWAY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE REST OF YOU THINK ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT IN THE PIPELINE. ONE OF WHICH IS DOWN THE ROAD FROM

ME WITH THREE AND FOUR BEDROOM UNITS WITH TWO CAR GARAGES AND ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT, 10.2 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A YEAR WITH THE WASTEWATER, SEWAGE, 1400 TONS OF WASTEWATER WITH ALL OF THE TRAFFIC.

YOU HAVE ABOUT 25 SECONDS.

I KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT . I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU SLAM THE BRAKES UNTIL YOU TAKE CARE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.

TRY LETTING YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT AND I WILL COME BACK INTO Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

CHAMBERS. THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.

HELLO, COUNCILMEMBERS. CITY, STAFF GET MY NAME IS ANTHONY, I WORK FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT . I AM THE SENIOR SANITARY SEWER OPERATOR FOR THE CITY. JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME. I WORKED FOR THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA UTILITIES DEPARTMENT FOR 11 1/2 YEARS BEFORE I CAME HERE. I HAVE BEEN WITH ANY ALMOST SIX YEARS. MY PRIMARY FUNCTION IS SEWER. JUST TO GIVE YOU A SNAPSHOT OF HOW

BAD THE SYSTEM IS, DURING A RAIN EVENT OR DURING A NORMAL DAY -- PRINT WHAT I'M GOING TO DROP YOU FOR JUST A MOMENT. YOU COULD FINISH AND ALLOW US TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SPEAKER. ARE YOU DONE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.

DURING A REGULAR DAY, THE CITY CONVEYS ROUGHLY ABOUT $400,000 OF RAW SEWAGE TO THE TREATMENT PLAN. DURING A RAIN EVENT LIKE WE HAD THIS WINTER, WE DID ALMOST $2 MILLION A DAY. THIS IS NOT A COMBINED SYSTEM. WE ARE NOT LIKE SAN FRANCISCO. OUR WASTEWATER IS DIFFERENT THAN THE STORM WATER. IF YOU'RE

SAYING THAT MUCH WATER IN FRUSTRATION AND YOUR SYSTEM YOU KNOW YOUR SYSTEM IS IN REALLY BAD SHAPE. I AM JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT WE CANNOT KICK DOWN THIS ROAD MOVING FORWARD. SO, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF ?

I WAS GOING TO MAKE A QUICK REMARK THAT I GOT A SMART READER, IT WAS A FEW

MONTHS BUT I THINK I CALLED PUBLIC WORKS AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT READY YET. I EVENTUALLY WAITED A MONTH OR SO AND CALLED THE CITY AND THEY WALKED ME THROUGH. I PUT THE APP ON MY PHONE ABOUT HOW TO CONNECT MY BILL TO IT AND

WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT IT, I DON'T KNOW HOW ACCURATE IT IS, BUT IT IS TELLING THAT I HAVE NO LEAKS. THAT IS THE MAIN PART OF IT WITH THE MONTHLY WATER USAGE. I AM SAYING THAT THE SMART METER IN ONLINE WATER SYSTEM ARE WORKING FOR ME RATHER NICELY. THANK YOU A LOT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO BACK IN CHAMBERS. ANYONE IS IN CHAMBERS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT?
MY NAME IS JENNA .

SEBASTOPOL IS NOT A BUSINESS MAKE.

I'M SORRY. CAN YOU PLEASE LEAN INTO THE MICROPHONE.

BUSINESSES THAT ARE SO LONG AND SUCCESSFUL ARE STRUGGLING. HOT MONK CHARGES AND INITIATIVE FEE. IT IS SOMETHING ON TOP OF -- I CAN BARELY AFFORD MY

HEALTHCARE NOW I AM HAVING TO PAY ANOTHER BUSINESS IS BECAUSE THEY CHARGE US FOR THAT OR THEY HAVE TO CLOSE. I KNOW THAT YOU SAID YOU HAVE TO WILL BE

BACK, BUT WHEN WE HAVE EMPTY HOLES TOO AND IT IS COMING OUT OF OUR POCKETS

CREDITING WE ALSO HAVE AN ONLINE BUSINESS THAT DOES VERY WELL COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING TO A STOREFRONT. WHAT IT IS MAKING ME BELIEVE IS THAT ONLINE IS THE WAY TO GO. SO, MAYBE WE WILL NOT HAVE A STOREFRONT. THEN THE DOMINO EFFECT WILL BE, MAYBE EVERYBODY IS GOING TO GO ONLINE. YOU KNOW? SOMEBODY DID IT. THEY ARE DOING EXCELLENT. MAYBE THEY ARE NOT SPENDING IT ON WATER OR RENT. I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A DOMINO EFFECT. WE WILL SEE MORE PEOPLE GOING HOME. WHAT THEN? WE WILL HAVE EVEN LESS MONEY COMING IN.

BUSINESSES WERE CLOSED.

THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. ROBERT, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
HELLO? AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION MARK
CAN YOU HEAR US? WHAT HELLO?
HELLO, KENNY HARRIS, ROBERT?
HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
YOU CAN HEAR ME, ROBERT. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
HELLO? I TURNED UP MY SPEAKER. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I --

GO AHEAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE PICK
OKAY, THANK YOU. A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS. ON THIS QUESTION OF HOW WE GOT HERE, THE 2019 RATE STUDY, THE WATER RATE THAT WAS SET AT THE TIME ACTUALLY WENT Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

DOWN IN THE FIRST YEAR AND THEN EASED BACK UP. IT LOOKS LIKE THE REVENUE

MATCHED WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE ISSUE AS FAR AS THE WATERSIDE IS EXPENSIVE. IT STARTED GOING UP THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO. CONSISTENTLY DOUBLE DIGITS. YOU DO THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR, AFTER YEAR. THE COMPOUND EFFECT OF THAT IS PRONOUNCED. THAT IS THE PROBLEM. SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THOSE EXPENSES ARE PAYING FOR WE KEEP HEARING THEY NEED A LOT MORE MONEY. THE SECOND PART OF IT ARE THE SEWER RATES. THE SEWER RATE STUDY WAS DONE IN 2019.

THE RATES ARE NEVER INCREASED. YOU SEE WHERE IT WAS WITH THE SCENARIO WHERE THERE WAS NO RATE INCREASE IN THAT STUDY. SO, COMPOUNDING THE FACT THAT RATES NEVER WENT UP AND EXPENSES WENT UP BY DOUBLE DIGITS FOR THAT, ALSO.

WHY ARE THE RATES GOING UP IN WIRE THE EXPENSES IS SO HIGH? IT WILL BE EASIER FOR YOU THAN IT IS FOR ALL OF US WATCHING. IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED THING.

PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO WORK ON IT. THE CITY COUNCIL CANNOT DO

THAT ONCE EVERY TWO OR THREE YEARS ARE NEARLY -- NEWLY ENACTED -- ELECTED

MEMBERS WOULD BE TO FIND A WAY TO GET A DEDICATED GROUP THAT LOOKS AT WATER AND SEWER AND THE CUSTOMER WATER AND SEWER. THE BROWN ACT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE EIGHT INTELLIGENCE INSIDE THIS MEETING.

THAT IS TWO MINUTES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. MARY? GOOD EVENING. AND YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE, I AM

REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC WORKS STAFF, THE ONES WHO DO THE WORK TO GET A DAY OUT. THEY SEE THE CONDITION OF OUR SYSTEM. THEY SEE THE CONDITION OF DEFERRED

MAINTENANCE THAT IS ONLY GOING TO COST THE RATEPAYERS MORE MONEY DOWN THE ROAD IF WE CONTINUE TO KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD. THEY DID DECLARE A FINANCIAL EMERGENCY AND IT HAS BEEN ONGOING. THIS PAST YEAR WE HAVE BEEN HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE WATER RATES. MORE AND MORE WE KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS ONLY GOING TO COST MORE MONEY. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL. FOR

EXAMPLE, MOST OF THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE MARINA WATER DISTRICT, THEY INCREASE THE RATES BY OVER 40% LAST YEAR. IT IS PARTLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE REGULAR RATE INCREASES TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION. FOR EXAMPLE, PIPES.

THEY WENT UP 30% FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT. THE CITY DID NOT RAISE RATES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. ALL OF THIS HAS COSTS. I THINK THERE IS A MENTION, WELL, IT IS NOT THE SAME SYSTEM AS SEBASTOPOL. SEBASTOPOL IS THE SAME SYSTEM. IT DOESN'T RELY ON SONOMA COUNTY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WASTEWATER. SO, THIS IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH. IF WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING, IT WILL COST MORE MONEY DOWN THE ROAD. IT WILL BE MORE PAIN IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THIS NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND AGAIN, STAFF WANT TO DO THE BEST JOB THEY CAN TO DO THE WORK.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

SEEING DONE, I WILL COME BACK INTO CHAMBERS. ANYONE WANT TO RAISE MONEY -- SPEAK FOR THE COMMON?
HELLO. WE JUST HAVE SOME BASIC QUESTIONS. HOW MANY METERS ARE THERE IN SEBASTOPOL AND HOW MANY LATE NOTICES ARE GOING OUT EVERY OTHER MONTH? WHAT HAPPENS WITH THOSE LATE FINES? IT'S GOOD TO BE LATE FUNDING SCHEDULE THOSE ARE JUST MY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT AND I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. IS THERE ANYONE I LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF? [ CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ]

IF THE CITIZENS OF SEBASTOPOL PAY, WHY WOULD WE INCREASE THE AMOUNT WE CHARGE OURSELVES TO $10.86 AND THEN $12.60? WILL SEBASTOPOL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO WATER THE PARKS DURING THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS? WHY WOULD WE INCREASE THE RATES ON OURSELVES TO A LEVEL THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE? MY THIRD QUESTION, WHY ARE OUR RATES 30% HIGHER THAN --, WHEN A HALF TO SPEND FEES ON PURCHASING WATER. SEBASTOPOL SITS ON A HUGE AQUIFER. IT IS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE. WE DO NOT NEED TO CONSERVE WATER. A KEY FACTOR IN CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE URBAN CANOPY. TREES, SHRUBS, PLANTS, GRASS, GARDENS, ALL OF THE PLANT

LIFE IS CRUCIAL TO KEEPING THE TOWN COOL, SHADING OUR HOMES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND PARKS. ALL OF THE PLANT LIFE HOSTS INSECTS AND OTHER ANIMALS.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

WALK AROUND SEBASTOPOL, STAND IN FRONT OF HOUSES WITH NO TREES AND ROCK YARDS, FEEL HOW HOT THEY ARE, FEEL THE LACK OF SHADE, SEE THE LACK OF LIFE.

THAT IS TWO MINUTES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS.

I HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COACHES CORNER SINCE 1985. IT IS NOW 40 A MONTH TIMES

12. THAT IS A LONG TIME AND I EXPECT MY RATES TO GO UP AGAIN. I WANT TO POINT OUT THE CITY MANAGER PUT ON THE SCREEN A CHART EXPLAINING THE PROBLEMS. YOU HEARD THE PROBLEMS IN THE FINANCIAL PRESENTATIONS THAT CAME TO YOU BEFORE.

YOU VOTED 4-1 TO PUT THE RATE INCREASE IN BECAUSE YOU HAD TO. I DO NOT BLAME THE COUNSEL FOR GETTING IN THIS POSITION. AS COUNSEL KICKED THE CAN DOWN THAT ROAD TO THE FUTURE, THE FUTURE IS HERE, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE PIPER NOW. THERE IS NOT MANY CREATIVE WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS. REFERRING THE RATE INCREASES IN THE

PAST CAUSED YOU TO BORROW FROM THE GENERAL FUND, YOU HAVE TO PAY IT BACK I

THINK, A LOT OF WHAT I AM HEARING IS GOOD STUFF BUT THE ANSWER IS TURN TO THE CITY ATTORNEY. YOU CAN FILL THIS ROOM WITH LAW BASED ON RATE INCREASES, YOU CANNOT EXEMPT NONPROFITS OR PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE OR LARGE FAMILIES.

WHAT THE COURTS BASICALLY FOUND BUT I AM NOT A ATTORNEY, YOU HAVE TO PAY BASED ON USAGE. YOU CAN HAVE CATEGORIES WITHIN THAT USAGE BUT REALLY THERE IS NO CREATIVITY. I WANT TO CLOSE BY SAYING YOU HAVE SOMETHING ABOUT A TAX INCREASE ON THE AGENDA. IF YOU CANNOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE VOTERS WOULD HELP YOU OUT WITH A TAX INCREASE. YOU NEED TO SOLVE THE SEWER AND WATER PROBLEM IS A FUND. THAT IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE YOU HAVE, YOU CANNOT DEFER IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, NEXT I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM, IF SOMEBODY ON ZOOM WANTS TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

SEEING NINE, I WILL GO BACK TO CHAMBERS, SEEING NINE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.

AND Q, WE ARE NOW BACK WITH COUNSEL MEMBERS AND I EXPECT THERE WILL BE SOME DISCUSSION UP HERE. VICE MAYOR, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? BEFORE I MAKE A COMMENT, IT IS 8:00, I DO NOT KNOW IF WE ALL FEEL THE WAY WE FEEL, NO, NEVERMIND. THE QUESTION THAT CAME UP LAST TIME. IT IS CLEAR WE

CANNOT EXEMPT PEOPLE AND MAKE SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS FOR THOSE THAT ARE LOW

INCOME BUT WHAT YOU SAID BEFORE, WE DO HAVE SOME TYPE OF PROGRAM, CAN YOU REFRESH YOUR MEMORY ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING? I REMEMBER LAST

TIME YOU SAID YOU CAN HELP WITH A COUPLE OF BILLS BUT AFTER THAT DO THEY JUST GO TO THE CREDIT PEOPLE? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE WE CAN PROVIDE OR PEOPLE THAT ARE ESPECIALLY ON FIXED INCOME IF WE PASS THIS.

WE DO WORK WITH A CUSTOMER THAT HAS FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS SO WE DO MAKE UP PAYMENT PLANS, THAT IS ONE OPTION. THE OTHER OPTION, THE CITY PARTICIPATES WITH A ACRONYM DEALING WITH LOW INCOMES. FROM THE STATE IT WILL PASS DOWN

TO THE CITY AND WE CAN APPLY FOR THOSE WITH A CUSTOMER CAN APPLY FOR THOSE AND THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE.

IT IS ON OUR SITE NOW?
YES. THANK YOU.

I HAVE A QUESTION WITH REGARDS TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS, CAN LOOK WORKS

PROVIDE US WITH A DETAILED LIST LIKE WE HAVE WITH ROADS THAT CLASSIFIES THE

SYSTEM, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW BAD THE SYSTEM IS SO IT WOULD BE GOOD

FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE A LIST JUST LIKE WE DO WITH ROADS SO WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW BAD IT IS EVERYWHERE. IF WE CAN DO THAT WITH ROADS I AM

ASSUMING WE SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF LIST FOR THAT HERE AND IF WE DO NOT, WE NEED IT.

WOULD YOU MIND GOING TO THE PODIUM?
THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL. IF I CAN BACKTRACK AND OFFER HELPFUL INFORMATION, IT IS THE BAY WREN FINANCING PROGRAM WHICH HELPS. AS FAR AS COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS'S QUESTION, PART OF THE STUDY IS TO FINANCE THE

PURPOSE OF MASTER PLANS FOR WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS AND THAT IN ITSELF IS

THE DETAILED ROADMAP FOR MOVING FORWARD, IDENTIFYING THE WORST SECTIONS OF

THE SYSTEM, IDENTIFYING THE COST, FINANCIAL PLANNING MOVING FORWARD, SO THAT IS THE ROADMAP WE ARE WORKING ON. I CAN GIVE YOU A HANDFUL OFF THE TOP OF MY Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

HEAD THAT ARE BAD AREAS WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON. WE HAVE A LIST OF OVER 20 MONTHLY HOTSPOTS THAT WE HAVE TO GO AND CLEAN ONCE A MONTH. THERE

IS A GENTLEMAN IN THIS ROOM CHANGING BROKEN SHUTOFFS, TO GET ON LEAKS QUICKER. IN THE MASTER PLANNING PROCESS, PUBLIC WORKS STAFF FROM FIELD STAFF

ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO ENGINEERING WILL HAVE INPUT ON PUTTING THAT DATA TOGETHER.

VOICE MAYOR, SINCE WE HAVE DANTE AT THE PODIUM, DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE DO NOT HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT ALREADY. IF WE

KNEW WE WERE GETTING TO THIS POINT AND WE ARE DIFFERING COSTS, I AM BAFFLED THAT WE DO NOT HAVE IT.

WE DO HAVE ONE IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY ANTIQUATED, IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT. IT CAME OUT OF OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IN 2005.

VOICE MAYOR.

THANK YOU. THE LAST TIME WE DISCUSSED THE STATUS OF WELL 4, THERE WAS

CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FACT THAT IF WE DO NOT DO THE RATE INCREASE WE KNOW

WE NEED TO NOW WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SECURE ANY NECESSARY BONDING OR THAT SERVICING FOR WELL 4 IF IT COLLAPSES. CAN YOU REFRESH PEOPLE'S MEMORY ABOUT HOW SERIOUS WELL 4 IS IN THE CONDITION OF IT NOW?
WELL 4 IS THE OLDEST WELL RIGHT NOW, IT IS OUR MAJOR PRODUCER, 30-40% OF WATER PRODUCTION FOR THE SYSTEM. THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED IN WELL 4 THAT REQUIRE US TO CONTINUE TO RUN THAT WELL FOR TREATMENT. IT IS A SAND PUMPER

WHICH BASICALLY MEANS RIGHT NOW WE ARE REMOVING QUITE A BIT OF SAND FROM THE WATER BEING PRODUCED BEFORE WE GIVE IT TO THE PUBLIC. THAT IS A INDICATOR

THAT THE AQUIFER IS BEING AFFECTED AND A NEW WELL NEEDS TO BE DRILLED AND

DURING THE PROCESS YOU DO CORE DRILLING SAMPLES AND PUT THE PERFORATIONS IN

THE WATER CORE IN THE APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS TO GET THE BEST PRODUCTION WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SAND. BASICALLY IT IS OLD AND WORE OUT AND WE NEED A NEW ONE TO BE MORE EFFICIENT.

IS THAT ONE TIED TO A FORMER CONTAMINATED SOMETHING?

THERE IS A DRY CLEANING CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION ISSUE DOWNTOWN THAT IS BEING ADDRESSED WITH THE TREATMENT AT THAT LOCATION.

I AM SORRY GO AHEAD.

I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO THIS, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG AND THIS TIES INTO

THE COMMENT ON THE TIMING ON WHEN WE NEED THE INCREASES, WE ARE TAKING A RISK WITH WELL 4, IT CAN GO ANY DAY WERE QUITE A FEW YEARS FROM NOW SO THERE

IS NOT A MAGIC FORMULA THAT SAYS IN THREE YEARS WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH MONEY

AND THAT WILL BE IN TIME, WE ARE TRYING TO FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE RISK

OF FAILURE AND THE ABILITY TO INCREASE RATES AT A PACE AND I KNOW IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE IT, WE CAN ABSORB RELATIVE TO THE RISK. I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR NO MATTER WHAT WE DO THERE IS RISK INVOLVED BOTH ON THE WATER AND SEWER SITE.

WE ARE TRYING TO MITIGATE IT TO A ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.

COUNCIL MEMBER, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
I AM READY TO MAKE A COMMENT WHEN WE ARE READY.

I HAVE A QUESTION, THERE WAS CONCERNED EXPRESSED ABOUT THE WATER RATES RESULTING IN THE CITY DECIDING TO REDUCE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LANDSCAPING.

CAN YOU RESPOND TO THAT? THE IDEA BEING IF IT WILL COST THE CITY MORE FOR WATER THE CITY WILL REDUCE ITS MAINTENANCE OF PLANTS AND IRRIGATION.

AS A DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT WIDE WE STRIVE TO MAINTAIN OUR LANDSCAPING WITHOUT WATER WASTE. THAT IS THE CONCEPTUAL GOAL OF THE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE

TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE TURF AND LAWN AREAS THE PUBLIC USES FOR RECREATION IN

THE WEST WAY POSSIBLE WITHOUT WASTING WATER, THAT IS THE OVERALL ENCOMPASSING GOAL OF THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE. THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS, LITTLE LEAGUE IS THE NUMBER ONE WATER USER. UNFORTUNATELY SEVERAL YEARS

AGO WE DID HAVE A CONNECTION TO SANTA ROSA RECLAIMED WATER AND IT IS MY

UNDERSTANDING WHEN THE AGREEMENT TO SEND THE WASTEWATER TO THE GEYSERS

WAS MADE IN SANTA ROSA WE WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO HAVE THAT ALLOCATION BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO MEET A CERTAIN QUANTITY. WE ACTUALLY HAD THAT PARK SET UP ON RECLAIMED WATER. SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE SWITCHED BACK OVER. I Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

CONTINUE TO MONITOR IT AND SEND THEM FRIENDLY REMINDERS WHEN I BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF USE IS EXTENSIVE.

THAT WATER USES PAID FOR BY THE CITY?
WE CHARGE OUR SELF WATER TO DO PROPER ACCOUNTING. BUT WE REALLY NEED TO

TRACK THE PROCESS THROUGH, WE NEED TO CHARGE OURSELVES WILL WE ARE CHARGING EVERYBODY ELSE TO TRACK IT IN THE COUNTY CORRECTLY.

MY POINT IS LITTLE LEAGUE DOES NOT PAY FOR THE WATER USE.

LITTLE LEAGUE DOES NOT BUT THEY PROVIDE 100% OF THE MAINTENANCE, IT IS A

AGREEMENT MADE IN THE PAST, THEY PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND THEY WERE CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

MY FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IS THERE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT EXPRESSED

FRUSTRATION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS BILLS THROUGH OUR NEW WATER METER

SYSTEM AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PUBLIC, HOW WOULD THE PUBLIC TROUBLESHOOT ACCESS QUESTIONS? WOULD THEY CONTACT YOUR DEPARTMENT? I KNOW CITY HALL HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO SEVERAL CUSTOMERS. PUBLIC WORKS,

WE WERE ONE OF THE INITIAL ACCOUNTS TO SET UP TO TEST TO ENSURE IT WAS ACCESSIBLE AND WE COULD FOLLOW IT. WE HAVE PEOPLE IN PUBLIC WORKS THAT CAN HELP WITH THAT. I BELIEVE IT IS A GOOD TOOL.

PEOPLE CAN CONTACT CITY HALL?
IF I CANNOT HELP YOU I WILL FIND SOMEBODY THAT WILL.

THANK YOU, THOSE OF THE ONLY QUESTIONS I HAVE. I DO HAVE A QUESTION, I THINK IT WOULD GO TO ANNA. THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP ON WHAT HAPPENS IF PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH WATER BILLS. DO WE HAVE A POLICY THAT ALLOWS WATER TO BE CUT OFF FOR RESIDENTS IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO PAY THE WATER BILLS? DO WE DO THAT IN THIS CITY?
YES WE HAVE THAT POLICY. I WOULD LIKE TO BACKTRACK A LITTLE BIT REGARDING THE VICE MAYOR'S QUESTION. THEY MENTIONED THE BAY RUN PROGRAM, THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROGRAM FROM THE WATER BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THAT IS FOR WATER CONSERVATION'S SERVICES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE YOUR TOILET TO LOW-FLOW, THOSE OF THE FOLKS WHO CAN CALL. YOU CAN CHANGE IT YOURSELF BUT IF YOU CALL THESE FOLKS THAT INFORMATION IS ONLINE. THE WATER ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM IS WITH THE NORTH COAST ENERGY SERVICE PROVIDER FOR RESIDENTIAL

WATER AND SEWER BILL ASSISTANCE FOR THE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN THE AREA

THROUGH THE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THROUGH THE STATE. THEY RUN OUT OF MONEY VERY QUICKLY BUT WE LEFT THIS ON THE WEBSITE SO RESIDENTS CAN TAP INTO THIS AND SIGN UP. THEY CAN GET NOTIFICATIONS IF MORE GRANTS ARE AWARDED THEY CAN APPLY FOR IT.

THAT ADDRESSES THE GRANTS QUESTION FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC BUT HAVE WE IN FACT TURNED OFF PEOPLE'S WATER? I AM CURIOUS IF THAT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

WE DO TURN OFF PEOPLE FOR NONPAYMENT AND WE DO WORK WITH THEM TO GET THERE WATER TURNED BACK ON THROUGH PAYMENT PLANS OR ONE OF THESE AVENUES.

THANK YOU. CITY MANAGER?
TOMORROW ACTUALLY AT 11:00 OUR TIME, EPA'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND

RESILIENCY AND FINANCE CENTER IS HAVING A WEBINAR ON HELPING COMMUNITIES ACCESS FUNDING AND WE HAVE SOMEBODY REPRESENTING OUR CITY PARTICIPATING. I WOULD NOT PUT IT IN THE BANK BUT WE WILL EXPLORE IT.

COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS.

HAVE YOU ALL DONE THE MATH AS FAR AS HOW THE INCREASES, EVEN IF IT IS 100%,

HAVE YOU DONE THE MATH ON HOW IT WILL IMPACT US AS A CITY IN OUR BUDGET WITH

THE COST OF WATER AND ALSO BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE COST, AND ALL

OF THAT, IF WE ARE LOOKING AT SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE WATER OURSELVES,

THAT WE ARE FUNDING, THERE IS A ARGUMENT FOR REASSESSING, SO HAVE YOU DONE THAT MATH?
WE HAVE DONE THAT MET.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT IS?
IN THE FAQ, THERE IS A ANSWER.

I SAW SOMETHING BUT IT WAS NOT CLEAR TO ME.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

WHAT IS THE EXPECTED INCREASE COST TO THE CITY? IT WAS A LITTLE UNCLEAR, THE ANSWER. THAT WAS PAGE 79 OF 83. IS THERE A ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT THE COUNCILMEMBER IS ASKING? OKAY WE HAVE ON A LOOKING AT IT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
I HAVE A QUESTION. CAN YOU CLARIFY? IN THE STAFF REPORT WE ARE PAYING ANOTHER 20,000, HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE INTO THE STUDY SO FAR? THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS FOR AROUND 75,000, WE ARE SUGGESTING ADDING 20 AND WE STILL WILL NOT BE CLOSE TO COVERING THE MONEY THEY PUT INTO IT.

SO AT LEAST 100,000 SO FAR TO DATE.

IF YOU APPROVE THE 20,000, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE STAFF TIME, TONY HAS SPENT MANY HOURS AND WE ARE PAYING FOR THAT AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE NUMBERS.

TO FOLLOW UP, THE 20,000 REQUESTED, IT APPEARS THAT 10,000 HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO REIMBURSE -- AND THERE IS A BALANCE OF 10,000 TO BE CAN CONTINUALLY AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC OUTREACH.

THAT IS CORRECT.

I THINK THERE WAS A QUESTION, COUNCILMEMBER?

I HAVE A COMMENT, I DO NOT SUPPORT GIVING ANY EXTRA MONEY TO THE --

CONSULTANT, OUR CITY MANAGER ALSO SAID THAT IN TERMS OF THE WATER RATES, WE

HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC SOCIAL OUTREACH ALREADY INCLUDING LETTERS AND

ALSO THANKS TO LAURA, SITTING HERE, SHE HAS DONE A VERY DEEP DIVE REVIEW IN

THE NEWS AND WE HAVE ALREADY PAID THEM TO DO THE STUDY, THEY BROUGHT US A

FLAWED STUDY IN OCTOBER AND THEY BROUGHT IT BACK AND I APPRECIATE WHAT

THEY HAVE DONE BUT I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THEY HAD TO ANSWER THE EXTRA QUESTIONS

SO WE HAVE TO BACKTRACK AND PAY THEM MORE BECAUSE THEY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE AGREED TO DO? I DO NOT SUPPORT GIVING THEM ANY EXTRA MONEY. I DO NOT WANT TO BE UNGRATEFUL BUT THAT IS WHERE I STAND WITH THAT. I

JUST WANTED TO SAY, I VOTED AGAINST THESE RATES BUT I WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED

THE LOWER LEVEL OF RATES BUT I DID A ANALYSIS AFTER THE FACT TO FIGURE OUT

WHERE THE STUDY GO WRONG AND I AM NOT SURE IT IS WORTH ME GOING THROUGH THIS BUT SINCE I AM HERE I WOULD DO IT QUICKLY. THERE WAS BY THAT .9 MILLION IN LOSSES IN THE WASTEWATER ACCOUNTS TO THE END OF THE 23-24 BUDGET YEAR. SO FROM 2018 - 23, THERE WAS 2 .1 MILLION INTENTIONAL DRAWDOWN OF RESERVES, SO THE

STUDY PLANNED TO DRAW DOWN THE RESERVES TO PRESUMABLY KEEP THE RATES LOWER. THERE WAS 2 .1 MILLION LESS REVENUE IN THE SEWER AND 150 LESS REVENUE IN THE WATER THAN PROJECTED. THE EXPENSES WERE 1 MILLION HIGHER IN WATER AND WHEN THAT .7 MILLION LESS IN SEWER THAN WHAT WAS PROJECTED. THE ALLOCATIONS, THE PROJECTED ALLOCATIONS WAS ABOUT 200,000 MORE THAN PROJECTED IN WATER AND 300,000 LESS IN SEWER. THE DEBT FOR THE WATER FIND WAS 275,000 MORE THAN PROJECTED AND SEWER WAS 442,000 MORE FOR A TOTAL OF 717,000 MORE DEBT THAN WHAT WAS PROJECTED. SO FOR ME THAT EXPLAINED THE LOSSES. THE WAY I SEE IT, THESE ACCOUNTS ARE DEPLETED AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. WE STARTED THE 218

PROCESS, WE COULD PROBABLY EITHER DO NOTHING AND LET THE PROCESS CONTINUE

OR WE COULD TAKE OPTION TO AND EITHER TAKE IT STRAIGHT ON IN TERMS OF WATER

BECAUSE WE ALREADY CHOSE -- I DID NOT CHOOSE IT BUT OPTION ONE WAS CHOSEN FOR

WATER AND OPTION TO FOR WASTEWATER SO WE CAN GO WITH OPTION TWO WHICH

WOULD BE THE LOWER LEVEL FOR BOTH WATER AND SEWER AND OR WE COULD ALSO

TAKE MORE TIME, WE CAN TAKE THREE YEARS TO GO SLOWER IN TERMS OF RATE

INCREASES FOR WATER AND KEEP SEWER THE SAME OR I AM GUESSING WE CAN ALSO DO NOTHING AND HAVE THE RATES CONTINUE ON. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE TEARS,

IN TERMS OF THE TIERED RATES, IT DOES NOT, I DO NOT THINK IT WILL CAUSE THE BILLS TO GO UP AS MUCH AS THE BASE PRICES ARE GOING TO GO UP. EVERYBODY, IF YOU HAVE

A RESIDENTIAL HOME, THE BASE COST FOR THE WATER WILL GO UP IN THE FACE FOR

SEWER WILL GO UP AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE MOST PAIN COMES IN AND THE

SECOND PAIN IS WHERE IF YOU ARE A BIG USER OF WATER, FOR EXAMPLE, BEFORE THE DROUGHT WE WERE USING ABOUT 17-18 THOUSAND GALLONS OF WATER -- COUNCILMEMBER, GREAT THANKS.
-- WHEN THE DROUGHT HAPPENED AND WE WERE CUTTING BACK THE WATER USE WEEK CUT IT BACK BY ABOUT 70%. AND ALSO WE HAVE BARREN AND FREE COMPOST AND WE Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

HAVE THREE PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY AND A GARDEN IN THE FRONT AND BACK. WE

FOUND WAYS TO REDUCE THE WATER USE AND MAINTAIN OUR BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AND OUR TREES AND WE HAVE A APPLE TREE AND FIG TREE AND GARDEN. SO I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE CONSERVATIVE AS WELL. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.

THANK YOU, I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER HAS BEEN WAITING VICE MAYOR. GO AHEAD.

I DID NOT HAVE AS MANY QUESTIONS THIS TIME, I FEEL LIKE WE HAD A THOROUGH

PRESENTATION PRIOR AND MADE A VOTE AND NOW IT HAS BEEN RELEASED TO THE

PUBLIC AND OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, WHICH IS WHY HE WAS BROUGHT BACK TONIGHT TO ADDRESS, I WILL NOT CHANGE MY VOTE. I THINK WE HAVE

KICKED THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD, WE HAVE OLD PIPES WHICH HAS BEEN POINTED OUT A PUBLIC WORKS, PIPES COST MORE THESE DAYS, EVERYTHING COSTS MORE. I LOOK AT MY USAGE ON THE CITY WEBSITE, I CAN SEE THE USAGE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THIS

MORNING I USED A BUCKET, I LIKE TO TAKE A BATH AND I TAKE THE BUCKET AND TAKE THE WATER OUT AND WATER MY PLANTS, IT IS NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL. I BELIEVE IN A

TIERED APPROACH, I HAVE RAISED A FAMILY, I ALSO HAVE A LITTLE RENTAL, THEY USE

MORE, I DO NOT HAVE A SUB METER, IF YOU WANT TO SEPARATE OUT IF YOU ARE A LANDLORD YOU GET A SUB METER, THAT IS WHAT YOU DO OR YOU FIGURE IT OUT. I

KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF OLD BUILDINGS, I HAVE BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER AND A LOT

OF THE BUILDINGS SHARE WATER AND THE LANDLORD BILLS AND THEY HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT. WE NEED TO DO IT AND NOBODY WANTS TO PAY MORE BUT I AM SORRY, WE HAD

THIS DISCUSSION AND I SAT ON THE COUNCIL AND WE PROBABLY DID NOT RAISE THE RATES AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD AT THAT TIME. SO THAT IS WHERE I AM GOING TO SIT TONIGHT.

ON THE ISSUE OF THE 20,000 SINCE YOU HAVE THE MICROPHONE?

I FEEL LIKE WE CANNOT NOT PAY SOMEONE FOR THE TIME BUT I DO AGREE THAT WE DID ADEQUATE PUBLIC OUTREACH. WE SENT THE LETTERS AND DID OUTREACH AND I FEEL

BAD BUT I DO KNOW AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER RESIDENTS NOT IN THE ROOM TONIGHT THAT SAID I AM OKAY WITH IT. WE GOT A DEAL AND NOW WE HAVE TO PAY AND THAT IS WHERE I SIT TONIGHT.

THANK YOU, I THINK WE HAVE THE VICE MAYOR I THINK AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS.

I APPRECIATE HEARING FROM MY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I DID VOTE FOR

OPTION ONE FOR WATER BEFORE HOWEVER AND I AM APPRECIATIVE OF COUNCIL MEMBER Mc LEWIS AND MAYOR RIDGE FOR DIGGING MORE INTO THE QUESTIONS AND I

THINK THE PAIN WAS NOT SOMETHING I REALLY ANTICIPATED BUT THEN HEARING FROM

THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS I AM LIKE THIS WILL BE BAD BUT I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF

OPTION TWO FOR BOTH AND I DEFINITELY WANT THE TEARS, I AM SORRY, IT IS TRUE, WHAT WAS THE PHRASE? YOU PAY TO USE, OR WHATEVER, I DO AGREE WITH THAT AND NO I AM NOT VOTING FOR THE -- THING. I APPRECIATE THE WORK BUT IT IS NOT MY FAULT IT WENT OUT OF SCOPE.

COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS?

I DID VOTE FOR THE RATES BEFORE AND I AM ONE OF THE REASONS IT IS BACK HERE

TONIGHT BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN AND I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTING THE

TEARS BUT HAVING A FAMILY AND TALKING TO MANY FAMILIES I DO NOT THINK IT IS

FAIR TO PENALIZE PEOPLE WITH FOUR KIDS IN THE HOUSE THAT NEED TO BATHED AND

HAVE SHOWERS AND I APPRECIATE THE CONSERVATION EFFORT PEOPLE MAKE BUT NOT

EVERYBODY CAN DO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE WORKING FAMILIES, PARENTS WORKING

AND RAISING CHILDREN, I HAVE MY OWN CHILD, I CANNOT IMAGINE DOING A LOT OF

THESE CONSERVATIONS, IT IS NOT REALISTIC FOR MY LIFESTYLE BUT HAVING SAID ALL

OF THAT, I PERSONALLY DO NOT FEEL WE DID EXPLORE ENOUGH, I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH

THE FIRST STUDY THAT CAME BACK AND I AM NOT SUPPORTIVE OF PROVIDING THEM

MORE MONEY THEY NEEDED TO FIX WHAT THEY DID NOT TO CORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSES I RECEIVED WITH THESE QUESTIONS, I

THINK IT WAS FLAWED, I WILL BE THE FIRST TO CRITICIZE ON THAT SO I AM NOT IN

FAVOR OF GIVING MORE MONEY BUT I AM ALSO IN FAVOR OF FLATTENING THE CURVE A BIT. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WHEN I LOOK AT THE ACCELERATOR OVER THE NEXT

SEVERAL YEARS AND WHERE THE RATES WILL GO, THE THIRD TIER, THAT THIRD TIER IN A COUPLE OF SHORT YEARS, AT $11. RIGHT NOW WE ARE PAYING $4.60 SO DO THE MATH Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THERE, I THINK, I WISH THE EXPERTS WOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME AND PERHAPS OUR EMPLOYEES SPENT MORE TIME EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS RATHER THAN THE TWO. I

FAVOR A TWO-TIER APPROACH, I LOOKED AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT CITIES IS SO THAT IS

WHERE I AM AT, I WILL NOT SUPPORT WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING BECAUSE I

CANNOT LOOK AT MY NEIGHBORS IN THE EYE AND SAY I THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THAT IS HOW I VOTE, SO I CANNOT SUPPORT THAT NOW.

ALL RIGHT, I THINK WE NEED TO GET FINAL COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER. I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. I DID WANT SOMEONE HERE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF METERS

IN THE CITY, IT IS A NUMBER THAT IS AVAILABLE SO IF SOMEBODY ON STAFF CAN COME UP WITH THAT, THAT WAS A QUESTION ASKED BY THE PUBLIC. CLOSE TO 3000 IS WHAT I

AM HEARING AND I SEE DANTE NODDING HIS HEAD SO I WANTED TO GET THAT ANSWERED. SO I AM TORN BY THIS ISSUE. WHAT I LOOK AT IS, I AGREE, GIVEN THE

INFORMATION WE RECEIVED AND ALSO LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC WORKS

SUPERINTENDENT, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WEIGHED IN ON THIS SO WE HAVE THAT 3 MILLION A YEAR FOR THREE YEARS, I ACCEPT THAT, I ACCEPT DENISE TO HAPPEN WITHIN THREE YEARS. I AM UNHAPPY ABOUT IT BUT I ACCEPT IT. THE QUESTION BECOMES, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ACUTELY THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY? I WISH WE HAD TIME. IN A PERFECT WORLD I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPTIONS BEFORE US AND I

GUESS THAT IS ONE THING I WOULD SAY TO STAFF, AS ONE CITY COUNCILMEMBER, I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED -- THIS IS A COUNSEL THAT LIKES OPTIONS. I WOULD HAVE

LIKED THE OPTIONS LAID OUT TO US, TO TEARS WITH THREE TIERS, NOT STAFF DIRECTING

TO THE CONSULTANT THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE THREE-TIER APPROACH, THE

OPTIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL AND THEN I WOULD HAVE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THE OUTCOME. I AM ECHOING BACK WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS AND WHAT WE HEARD FROM COUNCILMEMBER MAUER

WHEN THIS WAS DISCUSSED BUT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROBLEM I FACE AS A

COUNCILMEMBER REPRESENTING THIS WONDERFUL CITY WITH MY ONE VOTE IS TO DELAY IN ORDER TO GETTING THE OPTIONS WILL COST MORE MONEY. IT POTENTIALLY

RAISES THE RATES WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT FOR THE RATEPAYERS AND IS THAT NOT IRONIC AND ALSO DELAYS THE ACCUMULATION OF THE MONEY DELETE NEEDED. EITHER

WE ACCUMULATE THE THREE YEARS WORTH OF MONEY LATER THAN WE WOULD IF WE STARTED ON JULY 1 OR ESCALATE THEM HIGHER TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOST TIME PLUS WE ARE PAYING FOR A CONSULTANT. OUR STAFF CANNOT DO IT, WE HAVE TO PAY FOR A

CONSULTANT TO REASSESS SOMETHING OR ANOTHER AND THAT WILL COST AROUND 50,000, SO IT IS NOT A PERFECT WORLD. THAT IS THE QUANDARY I FACE. I WISH WE HAD MORE OPTIONS AND I SAY TO STAFF WE SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE OPTIONS. WE SHOULD

HAVE HAD THAT AVAILABLE EVEN IF IT TOOK A COUPLE WEEKS LONGER TO GET INFORMATION, ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS WE SHOULD HAVE HAD IT. WHAT DO WE DO NOW? I GUESS I HAVE A QUESTION THAT WILL HELP ME DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH MY

VOTE, WE DO NOT HAVE BEFORE US AND IF WE DO PLEASE DIRECT ME WHERE I WOULD

LOOK, WHAT THE RATES WOULD BE IF WE WENT WITH OPTION TWO FOR WATER AND OPTION TWO FOR SEWER? DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER IS? IS IT SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE SEE ON PAGE 26 OF THIS STAFF REPORT WHICH LAYS OUT OPTION ONE FOR WATER AND OPTION TWO FOR SEWER?
DID WE HAVE THAT SLIDE LAST TIME? CAN THEY BRING IT BACK UP SO WE CAN SEE IT? TONY DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWER?

I THOUGHT WE HAD RESPONDED TO THAT IN ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, LET ME SEE IF I CAN SEARCH FOR THAT. IT WAS NOT SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT. IT WAS LOWER THOUGH.

OUR COUNCILMEMBERS ARE CORRECT THERE WAS A SLIDE THAT WAS IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS ON PAGE 18 OR SLIDE 18 OF THE SLIDE SET FROM THE APRIL 23 COUNCIL MEETING WHICH IS PAGE 15-43 AND I HOPE STAFF CAN BRING THAT UP. COUNCILMEMBER, SINCE YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT, WHAT DOES IT GIVE US IN TERMS OF THE AVERAGE? I WILL LOOK AT PAGE 26, THE REASON I ASK THE

QUESTION IS NOT TO DELAY A DECISION BUT IF IT DOES NOT MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN

TERMS OF RATEPAYERS AND GREATER RISK FOR THE CITY THAN IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS WORTH KNOWING. COUNCILMEMBER?
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

IN THE FIRST YEAR ON OPTION TWO IT IS A 37% INCREASE IN THE SECOND YEAR IS 4% AND THE THIRD IS 4%. OPTION ONE WITH A 50% INCREASE THE FIRST YEAR, 16 THE SECOND AND ONE AND A HALF THE THIRD. SO THAT IS JUST WATER.

WE SEE THE COMBINED WATER AND WASTE SINGLE-FAMILY BILL SO I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING THE ANSWER TO THAT. I KNOW THERE WAS A SLIDE IN THE ORIGINAL.

THE CITY MANAGER EARLIER SAID IF YOU CHOSE OPTION TWO, IT WOULD SAVE $10 A MONTH, IS THAT CORRECT OR IS IT $10 A BILL?
I BELIEVE IT IS $10 PER BILL BUT I WOULD LIKE TO VERIFY THAT OR MAYBE TONY KNOWS THAT READILY, SHE HAS BEEN IT IS MORE DEEPLY THAN I HAVE.

SO THAT WOULD BE 60 A YEAR INSTEAD.

SO I AM LOOKING AT THE CURRENT ON PAGE 26 OF 83, THE CURRENT COMBINED BILL FOR THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOOKS TO BE 20 AND 28 UNDER THE PROPOSAL WE AGREED TO, IT WOULD BE 314.

IT IS 10 A MONTH I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN,
SO MAYBE IT IS LOWERED BY $20, MY FINAL OPINION ON THIS IS I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF OPTION TWO, CONTINUING THE 218 PROCESS IT IS NOT MAKING ME HAPPY BUT I WOULD BE IN SUPPORT IN TERMS OF THE CITIES NEEDS OF ALLOWING THE 218 PROCESS

TO MOVE FORWARD BUT OPTION TWO FOR WATER AND OPTION TWO FOR SEWER RECOGNIZING THAT IF WE WANT TO REDO THE STUDY AND SPEND 50,000 IN ORDER TO REDO THE STUDY THEN WE CAN DO THAT DOWN THE LINE. IN TERMS OF THE 20,000, I

WOULD ASK FOR A FINAL COMMENT FROM THE CITY MANAGER BUT I AM HONESTLY NOT COMFORTABLE ALLOCATING THAT MONEY.

CAN I ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THAT MONEY? WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT PAY FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE? ARE WE GOING TO COLLECTIONS?

I DO NOT THINK THEY WILL PURSUE US TO COLLECTIONS, I THINK THEY WILL STILL BE HERE ON JUNE 18 FOR THE HEARING, I WOULD SUGGEST WE PROBABLY NEED TO STOP

ASKING QUESTIONS THAT REQUIRE THEIR ASSISTANCE, THEY PUT MORE INTO IT THAN WE

PAID THEM FOR, I THINK THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT FLAWS IN THE FALL AND THEY HAVE

SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT, I THINK WE HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT,

BUT THAT WOULD BE MY WORKING ASSUMPTION AND I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME PRESSING THEM TO BE AS RESPONSIVE AS THEY HAVE BEEN.

I THINK YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTION. ANY OTHER COMMENT OR DISCUSSION FROM COUNCILMEMBERS? ANY FINAL COMMENTS FROM STAFF BEFORE WE BASICALLY MAKE A DECISION HERE? NO.

I HAVE A QUESTION, I AM TRYING TO FIND IN THE REPORT, HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE

DISCUSSION AROUND THE DIFFERENT, I WAS TRYING TO FIND THAT IN THE REPORT, -- YOUR QUESTION?
THE RATES -- YOU SAID OPTION TWO, I AM LOOKING FOR THE DEFINITIVE.

I AM LOOKING AT A COUPLE DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS, FROM THE PRESENTATION A

MONTH AGO, THE COMBINED SINGLE-FAMILY WILL --
NOT WHAT I AM ASKING.

THAT IS A QUESTION THAT I ASKED. COMBINED AND OPTION TO DITCH -- FOR THE COMBINATION WE APPROVED 314 AND $.51, IF WE GO OPTION TWO ON BOTH IT IS $304, SO IT GOES FROM 315 -304, THERE WAS A QUESTION PENDING FROM COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS WHICH IS WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE COMMERCIAL RATES?

YES I AM TRYING TO FIND --

MAYBE STAFF WERE TONY CAN LOOK FOR THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION AND VICE MAYOR?
I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE, I THINK IT IS OPTION 3, BUT OPTIONS ARE LAID OUT IN THE STAFF REPORT, PAGE 4-83 --

I AM GOING TO STOP YOU BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A PENDING QUESTION --

I AM GOING TO INTERJECT BECAUSE I AM A LAWYER AND I CAN MAKE A MOTION

ANYTIME --

IN TERMS OF PROCEDURALLY, WE HAVE A QUESTION PENDING FROM A COUNCILMEMBER, IS A MOTION ALLOWED FOR THE QUESTION IS ANSWERED? YES OR NO? YES.

GO AHEAD VICE MAYOR.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

SO THE BEST I CAN COME UP WITH, BUT I AM MOVING IS OPTION THREE ON PAGE 4-83

WHERE STAFF HAS LAID OUT DIRECT STAFF TO REDUCE RATES TO THE AMOUNT LESS ON WHAT WAS APPROVED ON APRIL 23 2024, AND CONTINUE WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING ON JUNE 18 2024, WITH OPTION 2 FOR BOTH WATER AND SEWER AND NOT PAYING -- THE 20,000.

I WILL SECOND THAT.

WE DO HAVE A PENDING QUESTION, PROCEDURALLY CAN WE GET THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE? OKAY, TONY DO YOU HAVE A ANSWER? IT WOULD BE FROM THE APRIL 23 REPORT, UNFORTUNATELY I CAN ONLY FIND IT FOR THE SINGLEFAMILY RESIDENTIAL, WE LOOKED AT OPTION ONE VERSUS OPTION TWO. I CANNOT SEEM TO LOCATE THE ANSWER FOR WHAT IT WOULD BE FOR THE DIFFERENT METERS. I AM STILL SEARCHING FOR THAT.

ANYBODY ELSE ON STAFF HAVE A ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION?

IT IS IN THE APRIL --
IT IS NOT I HAVE IT RIGHT HERE.

IT IS PROBABLY ON THE FINANCIAL REPORT BUT ANYWAY --
SO, COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS, I THINK WE HAVE TO GO FOR IT WITH A VOTE ON THIS

ITEM WITHOUT YOUR QUESTION BEING ANSWERED, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE STAFF PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO COUNSEL AT SOME POINT? ACTUALLY I THINK WHAT

COUNSEL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHAT THE NEW RATES ARE GOING TO BE IN ALL CATEGORIES IF WE ARE GOING WITH OPTION TWO ON WATER AND SEWER? CAN WE MAKE THAT PART OF THE MOTION?
SURE.

WHO HAD THE SECOND?

THAT IS FINE, WE CAN HAVE THAT FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION SO WE CAN RESPOND TO PEOPLE THAT ASKED QUESTIONS.

DO WE NOT EVEN KNOW ON WHAT RATES WE ARE VOTING ON?
WE KNOW WE ARE VOTING ON RATES THAT ARE OPTION 2 IN WATER AND SEWER.

COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS HAS A GOOD POINT.

WE ARE VOTING ON SOMETHING AND NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT THEY ARE THAT SEEMS BIZARRE TO ME.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS, THE QUESTION YOU ARE ASKING --
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE RATES ARE.

WHAT THE RATES ARE FOR THE 4 PIPE --
NO FOR ALL OF THEM.

I THINK THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE THE DIRECTION WE GOT WAS FOR OPTION ONE

AND OPTION TO SO THE FINANCIAL PLAN IS BASED ON THE DIRECTION WE GOT AT THE

TIME SO THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER ANALYSIS ON WHAT IT WOULD BE FOR OPTION TWO

FOR BOTH BUT I KNOW WE ANSWERED IT IN ONE OF THE Q AND A SHEETS WE HAVE BUT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE EMAILS TO FIND THAT RESPONSE.

THANK YOU TONY. WHAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE INDIVIDUALLY AS COUNCILMEMBERS IS

HOW WE ARE GOING TO VOTE GIVEN WE DO NOT HAVE THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF INFORMATION BUT I SEE MARY MAY HAVE A ANSWER.

MY ANSWER WOULD BE TO TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK AND ALLOW STAFF TO FIND THAT INFORMATION SO THE COUNCIL CAN VOTE ON THE ITEM.

THAT SEEMS THE ETHICAL DECISION. I LOVE THAT MARY. FIVE-MINUTE BREAK. WE WILL COME BACK PROMPTLY IN FIVE MINUTES SO WE CAN GET THROUGH ADDITIONAL ITEMS.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT EVERYONE, WE ARE GOING TO RECONVENE AFTER A BRIEF FIVE-MINUTE BREAK. WE DO NEED TO POOL THIS PARTICULAR ITEM TO COMPLETION, DO WE HAVE STAFF INFORMATION ON WHAT THE OPTION TO DIG FOR WATER WOULD BE? ANYONE?

I WANT TO CLARIFY THE QUESTION, ACCORDING TO THE ANSWERS SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, THE COST TO THE CITY WILL GO FROM 96 THOUSAND A YEAR TO 214,000 A YEAR

FOR WATER, THAT IS THE ANSWER WE RECEIVED, I FELT LIKE I ASKED THE QUESTION AND

I DID NOT GET THE FULL ANSWER BUT I LOOKED IT UP SO I WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER

THAT WHEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET AND WE ARE CHARGING OURSELVES MORE THAN 100% MORE.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, DO WE HAVE A ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT WAS RAISED? IF NOT I THINK WE NEED TO JUST GO FORWARD WITH A VOTE HERE. STAFF, ANY ANSWER?

UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT IN THE FINANCIAL PLAN, THAT WAS NOT ONE OF THE

OPTIONS SO WE WILL HAVE TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM --, IT IS IN ONE OF THEIR MODELS BUT NOT IN THE FINANCIAL PLAN ITSELF.

OKAY, WE DO KNOW, I AM CERTAINLY CAN INCLUDING THAT THE OPTION TO DIG

AMOUNT FOR WATER IN TERMS OF THE IMPACT ON RESIDENTS WOULD BE LOWER THAN THE OPTION 1 AMOUNT FOR RESIDENTS. SO COUNCILMEMBERS NEED TO DECIDE

WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE COMFORTABLE VOTING ON THIS ITEM WITH THAT PIECE OF INFORMATION BUT WITHOUT THE SPECIFICS.

BEFORE WE VOTE I WANT TO SAY FOR ME I THINK IT IS UNETHICAL FOR US TO VOTE ON

SOMETHING AND WE DO NOT EVEN KNOW THE NUMBERS WERE WHAT THE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE. THAT IS MY COMMENT, I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS BUT LET'S MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE COUNSEL NUMBERS ARE ELECTED AND SHARING

THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THEY FEEL, A DECISION WILL AFFECT THE COMMITTEE AND

WHETHER THEY FEEL THEY HAVE THE CORRECT INFORMATION IS RELEVANT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. EACH OF US NEEDS TO VOTE BASED ON THE INFORMATION WE HAVE AVAILABLE. WE DO NOT HAVE SPECIFIC NUMBERS ON OPTION 2 FOR WATER BUT WE DO KNOW THAT OPTION 2 HIS LOWER THAN OPTION WITH EACH ACROSS THE BOARD FOR WATER. TONY, I AM MAKING THAT ASSUMPTION, IS THAT CORRECT? I AM PRETTY SURE THAT IS CORRECT, THE DOUBLE DUTCH EXPENDITURES ARE LESS.

I AM NOT HAPPY WITH PRETTY SURE.

I AM SURE.

I DID VERIFY THAT WITH --, TO ENSURE WE COULD DO THAT, IF THAT WAS NOT THE CASE WE WOULD HAVE TO STOP THE 218.

THIS GOES TO THE POINT I ALREADY MADE, HAVING COMPLETE INFORMATION FOR THE

CITY COUNCIL ON DECISIONS THAT ARE THIS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY -- I AM HOPING WE HAVE THAT IN THE FUTURE.

I HAVE TO SAY I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED, I ASKED FOR A SLIDE TO BE PUT UP FROM OUR

PRESENTATION THAT AT LEAST SHOWS PERCENTAGES, SO WE MAY NOT HAVE THE EXACT

NUMBER BUT WE NEED TO SHOW THE PUBLIC AND WE SAW THAT ANOTHER COLLEAGUE

OF MINE HAD THE SLIDE AND THIS IS WHAT WE VOTED ON TWO WEEKS AGO SO I THINK

WE SHOULD SHOW THE FOR THE PUBLIC, I THINK WE ARE FUMBLING HERE AND IT FEELS

FRUSTRATING AND I AM NOT SURE I WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH MY SECOND TO BE HONEST. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN STAFF RIGHT NOW AND OUR CONSULTANT GOT

OFF EARLY AND WE HAVE ONE REMAINING QUESTION AND WE ARE VOTING ON

SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM TWO WEEKS AGO AND IF WE CANNOT SHOW THE PUBLIC WHAT THAT EQUALS, I AM GOING TO WITHDRAW MY SECOND.

OKAY, WE DO KNOW FROM THE COUNCILMEMBER, SHE DID FIND FROM THE APRIL 23 STAFF REPORTS FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING, THE SLIDE SET FOR AGENDA ITEM 1, PAGE 15-43 WHICH IS SLIDE 18 WHICH I WOULD HOPE WE CAN SHARE HERE, IT IS THE BEST

INFORMATION WE CAN GET IN ANY OF OUR DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THE OPTION TO DITCH WATER CHARGE. I WOULD HOPE SOMEBODY ON STAFF COULD CONVERT THIS

TO A DOLLAR AMOUNT ESTIMATE FOR US, THESE ARE PERCENTAGES AND THEY ARE SHOWING A REVENUE ADJUSTMENT OF 37%. SO A 37% INCREASE IN YEAR 1 AND TONY, WHAT WAS THE REVENUE INCREASE FOR OPTION ONE? IN YEAR ONE?

EXCUSE ME, THIS IS JUST THE REVENUE ADJUSTMENT, THIS IS REALLY NOT THE COST OF

SERVICE, THEY ARE SEEING REVENUES HAVE TO INCREASE BY THIS AMOUNT IN TOTAL

FOR EVERYBODY SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU WANT THE SPECIFIC RATES FOR THE

CUSTOMERS AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT DOES NOT SHOW THAT SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON.

SO WE HAVE IMPERFECT INFORMATION, WE HAVE A SECOND THAT IS WITHDRAWN, COUNCILMEMBERS WITH COMMENTS, GO AHEAD.

WE NEED TO KNOW HOW IT WILL IMPACT OUR BUSINESSES AS WELL, WE HAD PEOPLE

TALKING ABOUT IT AND NOW WE WANT TO VOTE ON SOMETHING WE HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY AT THIS POINT. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

UNDERSTOOD, COUNCILMEMBER.

I WANT TO POINT OUT OPTION 1 WAS APPROVED ON APRIL 23 SO THIS IS ON THE TABLE AND THAT IS MOVING FORWARD INTO 18, THAT IS ALREADY A DONE DEAL, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT TO TAKE IT DOWN TO OPTION 2 WHICH WILL REDUCE THE COST

FOR OUR RESIDENTS SO YES, WE DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE DATA HERE BUT WE HAVE THE ADJUSTMENT, FOR OPTION ONE IT WAS A 50% INCREASE THE FIRST YEAR AND 16 FOR THE SECOND, FOR OPTION TO DIG IT IS A 37% INCREASE FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND 4% THE SECOND YEAR, IT IS LESS. THAT IS WHAT IS NEEDED. SO DEFINITELY OPTION 2 IS A LOWER LEVEL FOR WATER. SO IF WE DO NOT TAKE ANY ACTION TONIGHT, THEN OPTION ONE

WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND OUR RESIDENTS WILL PAY MORE THAN IF WE TOOK A ACTION TONIGHT TO LOWER THE RATES.

I DO THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER OPTION, TO BUMP IT OR PUT THIS ITEM ON THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHICH I THINK IS JUNE 4 AND THE STAFF REPORT WAS DUE YESTERDAY, I AM JUST SAYING THAT. TO PUT THIS ITEM BACK ON THE AGENDA ON JUNE 4 WHICH WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE JUNE 18 PROP 218 PROCESS TO COMPLETE

AND WE CAN ASK FOR NUMBERS TO COME BACK TO US THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE

IMPACT ON RATEPAYERS OF OPTION TO DITCH, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT BY THE WAY THAT THE 37% IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT NEEDS TO BE COLLECTED AND OPTION TO DITCH, IT IS NOT THE RATE IMPACT NECESSARILY. ANNA, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
YES MAYOR, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR OPTION TO DITCH? OPTION 1 IS $5.48? IS THAT WHAT WE ARE SEEING? OPTION ONE, $5.48, $6.99, $9.71.

WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON? ARE YOU ON A PAGE OF THE STAFF REPORT? YES, IN ANSWER

TO YOUR QUESTION, WHAT IS BEING ASKED IS WHAT WOULD THE WATER RATES BEFORE THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL USER FOR OPTION 2.

WHAT I FOUND IN MY FILE, WHERE IT SAYS OPTION TO DITCH WHICH IS LOWER LEVEL OF SERVICE IT IS LISTING OUT THE TEARS, WILL THAT BE HELPFUL? OR IS THAT NOT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
THAT WOULD HELP.

DO YOU HAVE ONE LIKE SLIDE 32? FIVE-YEAR SCHEDULED WATER RATES BASELINE, THAT IS OPTION ONE I AM ASSUMING.

COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH US?
SO THE TIER ONE WITH THE LOWER LEVEL SERVICE IS $5.01.

TIER 1 WITH OPTION TO DITCH.

YES.

IS THAT FROM TWO WEEKS AGO?
I NEED TWO WEEKS AGO SENT TO ME AGAIN OR PUT ON THE SCREEN. I CANNOT FIND IT.

THANK YOU.

COMBINED WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES, IS THIS FOR OPTION ONE OR TWO? IT IS 31. ORB PAGE 22-43.

IN THE APRIL 23 STAFF REPORT?
YES.

MARY, COULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL THAT TO COUNCILMEMBERS? I AM SORRY, WHICH SLIDE IS THAT? 22? OKAY.

DO YOU HAVE IT FOR THE OTHER SIZES AS WELL? METER SIZES? I AM SORRY WHAT SLIDE IS THAT? I CANNOT READ IT, 31. OKAY. ALL RIGHT, THIS IS

SHOWING WATER USE COMPARISON FOR BASELINE OPTION ONE AND LOWER SERVICE OPTION TO AND IT SHOWS THAT TIER 1 A SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED RATE. GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN. COUNCILMEMBER, THOSE THIS PROVIDE YOU WITH THE INFORMATION YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
I AM SORRY I AM TRYING TO LOOK AT IT.

WHAT IT DOES NOT PROVIDE US IS A COMPARISON OF THE IMPACT ON THE AVERAGE USER.

IT DOES NOT PROVIDE OTHER METER SIZES EITHER.

I THINK I HAVE THAT FOR THE AVERAGE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.

I KEEP ASKING ABOUT OTHER METER SIZES, WE KEEP GOING BACK TO THE SINGLEFAMILY RESIDENTIAL, IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ALL THIS INFORMATION, I FIND THIS SOMA INCOMPETENT AND INSANE.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

A LOT OF FRUSTRATION HERE.

DO WE NEED TO VOTE TONIGHT? IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOWER THE RATES BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 18? WE ARE STARTING TO LOOK GOOFY HERE.

I AM NOT EXPERT BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION UNTIL THE 18th AND YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GO TO OPTION TWO FOR BOTH WATER AND WASTEWATER ON THE 18th, THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

YES.

SO WE COULD TABLE THIS ITEM AND REQUEST THAT STAFF COME BACK WITH THE FULL INFORMATION ON OPTION TO DITCH FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES ON THE 18th.

IS THAT WHAT I AM HEARING?

STAFF WOULD COME BACK THE FIRST MEETING OF JUNE AND THEN WE MOVED TO THE 18th.

IS THAT WORKABLE? WHAT I HEARD CITY MANAGER SAY AND I WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK, IN FACT THOSE NUMBERS COULD BE BROUGHT BACK ON THE 18th AND THE CITY

COUNCIL AT THAT POINT BASED ON THOSE NUMBERS MAKE A DECISION TO REDUCE TO OPTION TO DITCH ACROSS THE BOARD, IS THAT CORRECT?
I SAID YOU HAVE UNTIL THE 18th TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION, I DO NOT WANT TO COMMIT TO HAVING THE PARTICULAR DATA IN ADVANCE OF THE 18th.

THEN I WILL ASK THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, CAN WE COME BACK ON JUNE 4, CAN STAFF BRING BACK ON JUNE 4 THE INFORMATION CANCEL IS ASKING FOR ABOUT THE VARIOUS

WATER RATES INCLUDING COMMERCIAL AND IRRIGATION AND RESIDENTIAL FOR OPTION TO DITCH ACROSS THE BOARD?
I DO NOT KNOW, TONY MAY BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO ANSWER THAT.

YES WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. IT IS IN THE WATER MODEL

BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT IT, IT JUST WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPORT BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT WAS SELECTED.

SO MY PROPOSAL IS THAT WE DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 4

WITH SPECIFIC DETAILED RATES FOR OPTION TO DITCH ACROSS THE BOARD SO THE COUNCIL CAN THEN MAKE A INFORMED DECISION. IS THAT ACCEPTABLE TO EVERYONE? OKAY, DO WE NEED A MOTION TO MAKE THAT OFFICIAL OR IS THIS DIRECTION?

IT IS DIRECTION BUT I WOULD DO THE MOTION TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ALL -- SO I WOULD AMEND THE MOTION TO STATE THAT WE WILL NOT PAY THE 20,000 TO --,

RECOGNIZING THAT A PORTION OF THAT IS FOR SERVICES ALREADY RENDERED AND A PORTION FOR FUTURE SERVICES. SO NO 20,000 AMOUNT TO --, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU GUYS WERE GREAT. DO RETURN ON JUNE 4 WITH THE OPTION TO DITCH NUMBERS ACROSS THE BOARD, WATER AND WASTEWATER. I AM LOOKING FOR A SECOND ON THAT MOTION.

I AM HAPPY TO SECOND.

CAN WE DO A ROLL CALL PLEASE?
DIRECTING CITY STAFF TO RETURN TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 4 WITH

VARIOUS RATES FOR OPTION TO DIG ACROSS THE BOARD FOR RESIDENTIAL, BUSINESS AND IRRIGATION. COUNCILMEMBER?
YES.

YES.

YES. TALK MAC YES.

YES.

THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMMENTS FROM FORMER MAYOR PATRICK SLATER IS NOT OUR

PROUDEST MOMENT SO THANK YOU TO THE PUBLIC FOR BEING THERE FOR US AS WE WORK THROUGH THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS DISCUSSION FOR ME IS IT A MAN STREETS ONCE AGAIN THAT WE HAVE A's AMAZING CITY

COUNCIL THAT INSISTS ON HAVING ACCURATE AND FULL INFORMATION BEFORE ANY SORT OF DECISIONS ARE PLACED ON THE SHOULDERS OF OUR RESIDENTS. I AM PROUD OF THAT. SO NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WE REORDERED ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, THE NEXT ITEM IS GOING TO BE THE SALES TAX ITEM. MRS. ITEM NUMBER 11 ON THE AGENDA.

BALLOT MEASURE INITIATIVE, SALES TAX MEASURE, RECEIPT OF INFORMATION ON

POTENTIAL SALES TAX BALLOT MEASURES, TIMELINES FOR PLACEMENT OF A BALLOT MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 5 2024 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SERVICES, PLUS CAMPAIGN, PULLING CONSULTANT. ESTIMATE, 30,000. I BELIEVE THIS IS BROUGHT TO US BY OUR CITY MANAGER.

CORRECT, ONCE AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE SCREEN AND WALK THROUGH A BRIEF PRESENTATION.

I AM SORRY TO INTERRUPT, JUST FOR PURPOSES OF THE PUBLIC, THE NEXT ITEM WOULD

BE THE TREE APPEAL AND WE WILL TRY TO DO OUR DARNDEST TO GET TO THE ITEM BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND IT IS TIME SENSITIVE, IS THAT CORRECT? I DO NOT KNOW PROCESS WISE.

NO IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE DECIDED, ONCE IT IS OPENED AND YOU HEAR THE APPEAL, THE COUNCIL HAS 30 DAYS FROM THAT DATE TO MAKE THE DECISION. YOU CAN OPEN IT TO CONTINUE IT BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DECIDE IT TONIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, I GUESS THE TREE PEOPLE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL PEOPLE SHOULD PROBABLY STICK AROUND, JUST STAYING.

META-MAYOR, CLARIFICATION, I KNOW THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE HERE IF NOT MORE FOR AGENDA ITEM 12, ARE WE SAYING IN ALL LIKELIHOOD WE ARE NOT GOING TO --

IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT WE WILL GET THROUGH SALES TAX ITEM, THE TREE AND THE POOL PLUS THE LIBRARY IN THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF.

I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MARY AS HAVE HAVE TO PEOPLE THAT DRAFTED THE REPORT,

MARY, CAN YOU STATE WHAT YOU RECOMMENDED IN THE LAST BINNING WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF WE RAN OUT OF TIME TONIGHT?
I AM SORRY. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING IF WE DID NOT GET TO THIS ITEM THAT WE WOULD BRING IT FORWARD TO THE JUNE 4 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.

THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE LAST MEETING.

WE WERE HOPING TO OPEN THE ITEM TONIGHT TO GIVE GENERAL INFORMATION TO THE COUNCIL AND RETURN IT TO THE JUNE 4 MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

BUT IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE WE WILL EVEN GET TO IT.

I WILL NOT SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL BUT THE PROTOCOLS SAY IF YOU HAVE FIVE MEMBERS THAT WANT TO GO BEYOND 1030 YOU CAN. I AM NOT GOING THAT DIRECTION BUT I AM SAYING THAT IS A OPTION. WE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL 1030.

YOU CAN BUMP IT.

BECAUSE OF THE TIMING AND THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR, YOU CAN BUMP THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING.

YOU ARE THE COUNCILMEMBER THAT REQUESTED IT.

I DO KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE AND I DO NOT WANT THEM TO SIT UNTIL 10:30 PM ONLY TO HEAR WE WILL NOT GET TO THE ITEM SO WE WILL CONTINUE IT TO THE JUNE 4 CALENDAR CORRECT?
SO WE WILL REMOVE THE LIBRARY ITEM ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AND MOVE IT TO JUNE 4.

WE ARE CONTINUING IT TO JUNE 4 BECAUSE OF THE LATENESS OF THE ITEM AND THE OTHER ITEMS TAKE PRECEDENCE.

TAKE YOU.

TAKE YOU, WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO GET TO THE ITEMS. SO IN THAT VEIN LET'S GO TO THE SALES TAX ITEM PLEASE. CITY MANAGER.

I AM GOING TO KICK THIS OFF AND WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY ALEX FROM THE REDWOOD

LOG GROUP THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY BE PICKING THINGS UP ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH. THIS IS TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SALES TAX MEASURE AND

CONTACTS, I WILL GO DO IT QUICKLY, THE GENERAL FUND, LONG-TERM PROSPECTS AND ROUGHLY 4 .3 MILLION A YEAR IS WHAT WE NEED TO FILL THE GAP AND MAINTAIN OUR ASSETS PROPERLY AND KEEP OUR ROADS AND IMPROVE THEM MODESTLY. I DO NOT

THINK THERE IS ANYONE FIXED TO THE FISCAL EMERGENCY, WE NEED A MIX OF STRATEGIES INCLUDING A MIX OF NEW REVENUES. IF A TOT COMES IN, AT LEAST WHAT I HAVE SEEN, IT COULD BE AROUND 2 MILLION A YEAR WHEN THEY ARE FULLY OPERATING. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YEARS BEFORE THAT COULD COME TO FRUITION.

MORE THAN SPECULATIVE, LESS THAN DEFINITIVE, THEY ARE LOOKING A LITTLE BETTER

THAN THEY WERE A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD BUDGET AND COUNT ON FOR SURE. OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY TO BRING MORE TAXES

AND REVENUE TO THE CITY FOR BUSINESS ATTRACTION, HAVING FEES THAT DO A Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

BETTER JOB OF COVERING COSTS, WE WILL BRING ITEMS TO YOU IN THE NEXT MEETING

ON THAT AND THEN FIRE CONSOLIDATION IS A KEY STEP BECAUSE IT DOES PLUG A BIG FINANCIAL HOLE. THOSE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH. YOU CAN SEE THE ONGOING NEED AGAIN, 4 .3 MILLION+. THE HOTELS IF THEY COME TO FRUITION ARE AROUND 2 MILLION PER YEAR. QUARTER SENT WITH HOTEL AND SALES TAX FILLS ABOUT 40% OF THE GAP AND THAT COVERS 80%. WE ARE LOOKING AT COST SIDE AS WELL. BACK IN MARCH WE

LOOKED AT TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY OUR COST PER CAPITA WAS HIGHER THAN OTHER SMALL CITIES IN THE COUNTY. VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION COST,

LIABILITY, THEY GO IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR OUR FINANCIAL BENEFIT AND WE

ARE LOOKING AT OTHER SERVICE MODELS, FIRE CONSOLIDATION IS A EXAMPLE OF THAT AND THEN CONSOLIDATING APARTMENTS. WE ARE BRINGING A PROPOSAL THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS TO CONSOLIDATE ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS AS A EXAMPLE.

WHAT WE ARE FACING IS A PREVIEW OF WHAT I AM LIKELY TO INCLUDE IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAJOR CUTS. IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. POTENTIALLY ONE

MIGHT THINK ABOUT THE CUTS, A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE IF WE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE

THE REVENUES ON THE OTHER END OF THE BRIDGE, WE HAVE TO REALLY TIGHTEN THINGS UP DRAMATICALLY FOUR YEARS BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. A SALES TAX MEASURE MAKES THAT TIMEFRAME A LITTLE SHORTER AND LESS PAINFUL. WITH THAT I WILL STOP

AND TURN IT OVER TO THE ATTORNEY HELPING US OUT ON THIS AND ASK ALEX TO PICK IT UP FROM HERE.

THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I KNOW SOME OF YOU

ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS INFORMATION BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC I WILL RUN THROUGH IT ONCE AGAIN. SALES TAXES IN CALIFORNIA ARE SET TWO DIFFERENT WAYS. FIRST THERE IS A STATEWIDE SALES TAX OF 7 1/4% WHICH APPLIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO ENACT THEIR OWN SALES TAXES. SO IN THE CITY THERE IS CURRENTLY .7 SALES TAX, A QUARTER PERCENT ADOPTED IN 2005 1/2% ADOPTED AND APPROVED IN 2013. ON TOP OF THAT THERE IS 1 4 TO 5% COUNTYWIDE OF

ADDITIONAL SALES TAXES AND THAT IS A MIX OF SALES TAXES FROM THE COUNTY, THE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, SMART, AND ALL OF THOSE COMBINED. TOGETHER THAT HAS A OVERALL SALES TAX RATE OF 9 POINT TO 5% IN THE CITY CURRENTLY. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. LOCAL AGENCIES LIKE THE CITY HAVE AUTHORITY IN A COUPLE OF WAYS TO ENACT SALES TAXES. ONE THERE IS A GENERAL AUTHORITY AND THAT ALLOWS CITIES OR COUNTIES TO ENACT SALES TAX WITH A COMBINED RATE OF UP TO 2 PERCENT. SO EVERYBODY'S RATE NEEDS TO BE UP TO 2 PERCENT. UNDER THAT GENERAL AUTHORITY THE CITY HAS ABOUT 1/4% AVAILABLE IF THE CITY WANTS TO PURSUE A ADDITIONAL SALES TAX INCREASE. ON TOP OF THE GENERAL AUTHORITY THE LEGISLATURE HAS

FROM TIME TO TIME AUTHORIZED CITIES AND DISTRICTS TO ENACT ADDITIONAL SALES TAXES ABOVE THE 2% CAP. IN SONOMA COUNTY IN 2017 IN RESPONSE TO THE FIRES THAT

HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZED THE COUNTY OR ANY CITY WITHIN THE COUNTY TO ENACT A SALES TAX OF UP TO 1%. UNDER THAT AUTHORITY

THERE IS AT LEAST A QUARTER OF A PERCENT AVAILABLE TO THE CITY FOR POTENTIAL SALES TAX MEASURE. NEXT SLIDE. TWO OPTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL TO DECIDE TO

PURSUE A BALLOT MEASURE TO INCREASE THE SALES TAX, THE FIRST IS TO USE THE

GENERAL AUTHORITY, THAT WOULD BE A QUARTER PERCENT SALES TAX OR COMBINING

IT WITH THE SPECIAL AUTHORITY THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZED, COMBINED THAT IS A HALF A PERCENT SALES TAX. SO AS THE COUNCIL KNOWS, THERE ARE GENERAL TAXES AND SPECIAL TAXES. A GENERAL TAX IS A TAX THAT CAN BE USED FOR ANY GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE. A SALES TAX IS, EXCUSE ME, A SPECIAL TAX IS A TAX WHERE THE MEASURE RESTRICTS ITS USE TO A SPECIFIC PURPOSE. THAT MAY BE A TAX FOR FIRE SERVICES FOR EXAMPLE. IT IS A SPECIAL TAX BECAUSE IT IS LIMITED. GENERAL TAXES REQUIRE A 4/5 VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT AND SUBMITTED TO VOTERS, ONCE ON THE BALLOT THE ONLY REQUIRE MAJORITY, 50% PLUS ONE TO PASS. HOWEVER GENERAL TAXES ARE REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED AT A

ELECTION, A REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION WHERE A COUNCIL MEMBER IS UP FOR ELECTION, THAT IS NOVEMBER OF EVEN YEARS FOR THE CITY. SPECIAL TAXES ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY REQUIRE TWO THIRDS VOTE FOR APPROVAL, SO 66.7%. THEY CAN BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT AT ANY TIME. IN THE GENERAL NOVEMBER, THE PRIMARY OR AT A SPECIAL ELECTION. WHEN A SPECIAL TAX IS A SALES TAX IT STILL REQUIRES 4/5 OF THE Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AND PLACED ON THE BALLOT. OTHER TYPES OF SPECIAL TAXES ONLY REQUIRE THREE VOTES FROM THE CITY.

THE SALES TAX WOULD REQUIRE 4/5. REGARDLESS WHETHER IT IS A GENERAL OR SPECIAL TAX. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. STATE LAW ALLOWS, AND IT IS COMMON FOR CITIES

TO RETAIN PROFESSIONALS TO DO A COMMUNITY SURVEY OR RESEARCH WHEN THEY

ARE CONSIDERING A POTENTIAL SALES TAX MEASURE, THAT IS ALLOWED UNDER STATE LAW AND IT IS COMMON. THOSE CONSULTANTS USE SCIENTIFIC PULLING METHODS WITH STATISTICAL MEASURING TO GAUGE SUPPORT FOR A MEASURE. IT IS A OPPORTUNITY TO

GAUGE THAT SUPPORT AND A OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO GAIN

INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT PRIORITIES ARE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR SPENDING THE

MONEY, WHETHER IT IS PARK IMPROVEMENTS, ROAD REPAIRS, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE

THAT THE COUNCIL WANTS TO GAUGE THE COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT FOR AND HOW THE REVENUE FROM A MEASURE MAY BE USED. THAT IS SOMETHING A COMMUNITY SURVEY CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE, IF THE COUNCIL DECIDED IT DID

NOT WANT TO RETAIN A CONSULTANT TO DO THAT SORT OF SURVEY, THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT COULD BE AROUND 30,000 WHICH WILL COVER THE COST OF THAT KIND

OF SURVEY, THOSE KINDS OF SURVEYS ALSO GAUGE SUPPORT FOR A MEASURE AFTER

BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ABOUT THE SURVEY SO YOU GET A TRUE SENSE OF HOW THE COMMUNITY FEELS ABOUT A PARTICULAR MEASURE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO TONIGHT THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER. THE FIRST IS, IS THE COUNCIL INTERESTED IN PURSUING A LOCAL SALES TAX

MEASURE AS PART OF THE BUDGET STRATEGY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THE CITY MANAGER REFERENCED EARLIER. THE NEXT IS, IS THE COUNCIL INTERESTED IN

RETAINING A CONSULTANT TO PULL THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR A POTENTIAL SALES TAX MEASURE. THEN, IF THAT IS SOMETHING THE COUNCIL WANTS TO DO, THE THIRD

AND FOURTH ISSUES TO CONSIDER ARE WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY. SO FIRST, DO YOU WANT TO SURVEY BOTH THE QUARTER SENT AND HAVE SENT OPTION FOR SALES TAX? ALSO, DO YOU WANT TO GAUGE VOTERS OPINIONS ON

HOW THAT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT AND LAST, HE JUST HAD A THOROUGH DISCUSSION

ABOUT POTENTIAL UTILITY RATES, POLLS COULD TAKE IN FACTORS LIKE OTHER

MEASURES COMING UP WAR IMPACTS TO VOTERS THAT ARE PRESSING AT THE SAME TIME. THE QUESTION MAY SAY IF HE KNEW THE COUNTY HAD THE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT AT THE SAME TIME, IS THAT MAKING YOU MORE OR LESS LIKELY TO SUPPORT? IF

YOU KNEW UTILITY WATER AND SEWER RATES WERE GOING TO INCREASE, WOULD THAT MAKE YOU LESS LIKELY TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE? THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN A SURVEY IF THAT IS SOMETHING THE COUNCIL DESIRES. THOSE

ARE THE FOUR GENERAL HIGH-LEVEL ITEMS TO CONSIDER TONIGHT AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL ON THIS MATTER. I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER.

THERE REALLY CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

AT THE HANDS RATE ALREADY. I AM NOT SURE WHO WAS FIRST. VICE MAYOR.

THANK YOU. I DO NOT KNOW WHO TO DIRECT THIS TO, MARY SENT US SOME INFORMATION VIA EMAIL TO ALL OF US AT 1:52 PM THIS AFTERNOON, I THINK MARY YOU GOT IT FROM THE LAST POLLSTER, DANNY, CAN YOU SPEAK CLOSER?

IF YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT THE LAST SURVEY RESULTS, THAT WAS FROM THE FORMER -- YES THE EMAIL YOU SENT OUT.

THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, THE ATTACHMENT THAT SHOWED THE POLL

RESULTS FROM THE MEETING, I FORGET THE DATE, I DO HAVE THE CONSULTANT ON THE

LINE THAT DID THE FORMER SALES TAX, I HAVE HIM HERE TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING PULLING IN EDUCATION. ROB, LET ME SEE IF I CAN UNMUTE YOU. HOLD ON AND SEE IF YOU CAN ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS.

VICE MAYOR, YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE SURVEY?

YES IN THE CONTENTS OF MARY'S EMAIL, IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE SUMMARIZED SOME OF THE CONVERSATION.

I DID. CAN YOU HEAR US ROB?
YES I CAN.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THEY HELPED US WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST SALES TAX MEASURE AND HE WAS THE ONE I ADDRESSED THE QUESTION TWO REGARDING HIS THOUGHTS ON THE POLLING.

HE CAN ADDRESS SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

JUST SO I HAVE CONTEXT AND THE PUBLIC THOSE AS WELL, THIS PARTICULAR PERSON WE ARE SPEAKING TO WAS WORKING WITH DANNY, NO, NOW I AM GETTING CONFUSED.

DANNY DID THE SURVEY, THE COUNCIL HIRED DANNY TO DO THE SURVEY, THAT WAS TOTALLY SEPARATE. THEY WERE WORKING WITH US ON THE LANGUAGE, THE RESOLUTION AND ALL OF THAT. THERE WAS TWO DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME. HOWEVER THIS IS ONE OF THE COMPANIES WE ARE LOOKING FOR IF THE COUNCIL IS READY TO GO FORWARD WITH PULLING. WE CAN POTENTIALLY CONTRACT WITH THEM TO DO THE OUTREACH.

THE GENTLEMAN ON THE LINE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH JULY?
THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POLLING.

SO THIS IS A FRESH NEW PERSON.

CORRECT BUT THEY ARE EXPERTS IN THAT, THAT IS WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION WHAT

THEIR THOUGHTS WERE REGARDING THE OTHER ITEMS, LIKE THE ZERO RATES AND

PARTIAL TAX AND ALL OF THAT, THAT WAS THE RESPONSE ON EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

SINCE ALL OF US HAVE THE EMAIL, I WILL SHARE, AT 1:52 PM. SORRY, ANYWAY I AM

HAPPY TO ASK A QUESTION OF THIS GENTLEMAN ON THE LINE, BASED ON WHAT YOU

HEARD FROM MARY, WE HAVE A LOT OF COMPETING THINGS, A LOT OF THINGS ARE HEADING OUR COMMUNITY. PENDING PRIOR CONSOLIDATION, A PARCEL TAX OF $2.55

COMING AT SOME TIME, PENDING GARBAGE WE DO NOT KNOW THE OUTCOME OF AND AS YOU JUST FIGURED OUT, THE WATER AND SEWER THING. THOSE THREE THINGS WERE

CONSIDERED, I AM CONCERNED BASED ON WHAT WE HEARD EARLIER TONIGHT, FIXED INCOME ELDERS, WHAT ARE YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS KNOWING THAT?

I HAVE THE BENEFIT OF LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION EARLIER, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS YOUR CITY IS NOT UNIQUE IN FACING THESE LAYERED COMPETING NEEDS. I AM

WORKING IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WHERE THERE IS SIMILAR ISSUES REGARDING

WATER, SEWER, SOMETIMES CITIES RAISE PARKING FEES, A LOT OF CITIES ARE FACING

THE SAME FISCAL PRESSURES YOU ARE AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT

REVENUE STREAMS SOME OF WHICH ARE BEYOND YOUR CONTROL AT THE COUNTY AND SCHOOLS ARE IMPOSING THINGS. SO IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR A MUNICIPALITY TO GO

FOR MORE INCREASES SUCH AS A SALES TAX ALONG WITH THE OTHER INCREASES BEING ENACTED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN A PERFECT WORLD IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE ONE

PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF VOTERS AT ONE TIME BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS NOT THE WORLD MOST PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN. IS A LONG WAY OF SAYING YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN

FACING THESE CHALLENGES AND THERE IS MANY OTHER MUNICIPALITIES STILL

PURSUING THE REVENUE ENHANCEMENT BECAUSE ULTIMATELY IT COMES DOWN TO FUNDING FOR DIFFERENT SERVICES. THE WATER RATE HIKE IS VERY SPECIFIC TO THAT

SERVICE, THE SALES TAX WOULD SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND WHICH WOULD GO TO FIND ALL OF THE IN THE STRUCTURE AND SERVICES CONTAINED THEREIN. PRIOR TO

REFERRAL IT WOULD EDUCATE THE RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT IS COVERED BY THE

GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATE THEM ON THE NEED TO MAINTAIN THOSE SERVICE LEVELS.

CAN I ASK A FOLLOW-UP? A SICKLY YOU ARE SAYING WE ARE NOT ALONE, THAT MEANS

IF WE DECIDED TO FOR SOMETHING IN A VERY YOU COULD COPY AND PASTE FROM THE OTHER JARRED FISHING'S AND LET US KNOW WHAT OURS SHOULD LOOK LIKE? I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN THAT. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 15 YEARS. THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IN TERMS OF DEVELOPING THE MEASURE AND I THINK IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF ART AND SCIENCE TOGETHER COMMITTEE FEEDBACK.

THERE IS A WINDOW BEFORE THE CITY, IF IT WERE TO REFER THE MEASURE AND TAKE

STEPS TO PLACE THE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT, OR YOU HAVE A WINDOW TOGETHER

COMMITTEE FEEDBACK AND CONDUCT PUBLIC INFORMATION EFFORTS, THAT EFFORT

CAN BE INSTRUCTIVE IN TERMS OF THE POTENTIAL VIABILITY OF THE MEASURE,

COMMUNITY RECEPTIVITY AND SHAPE THE MEASURE TO PRESENT IT TO VOTERS,

ULTIMATELY IT IS THE VOTERS CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT THE CITY

REVENUE BUT BEFORE THE COUNCIL PRESENTED TO VOTERS YOU HAVE A WINDOW TO Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

ASSIST THE ENVIRONMENT, HOW MUCH DO SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES IMPACT VOTERS

THINKING ABOUT GRANTING THE CITY REVENUE AND WHAT IS THE VOTERS ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND ARE THEY WILLING TO STEP UP TO SUPPORT THEM?
COUNCIL MEMBER Mc LEWIS HAS A QUESTION.

I AM SORRY I DID NOT SEE THE COUNCILMEMBER. GO AHEAD.

SO WHAT DOES IT COST TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT? DOES IT REQUIRE A SUNSET DATE?

MEASURES DO NOT REQUIRE A SUNSET DATE, IT CAN BE SOMETHING YOU BAKE INTO IT,

IT IS OPTIONAL FOR THE CITY TO INCLUDE A SUNSET, IN TERMS OF THE COST, THAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE CLERK OR OTHERS WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS.

THE QUESTION IS BASICALLY ABOUT THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE INITIATIVE, IN ORDER TO PROTECT IT, IF WE DID DO IT TO PROTECT IT, DOES IT NEED A SUNSET DATE? THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. SOME PEOPLE HAVE INTERPRETED THE BUSINESS

ROUNDTABLE AS REQUIRING A SPECIFIC SUNSET IN NUMBER OF YEARS, THAT IS NOT HOW

MOST MUNICIPAL ATTORNEYS ARE INTERPRETING IT, MOST ARE INTERPRETING IT BY

CONTINUING TO ALLOW A SUNSET DEFINED AS UNTIL ENDED BY VOTERS, THAT WOULD DEFINE WHEN IT ENDS BY THE VOTERS OF COURSE. SO THE COUNCIL COULD PUT IN A SUNSET IN TERMS OF YEARS AS WELL.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO PUT ON THE BALLOT?
I DO HAVE THAT. WE HAVE PROJECTED FROM THE COUNTY, FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION, WITH THE TWO SEATS WE HAVE ON IN THE MEASURE, IT WILL BE ABOUT 30,000 PLUS.

THAT INCLUDES THE TWO SEATS AS WELL?
THAT INCLUDES THE TWO COUNCIL SEATS THAT ARE OPEN. THAT IS THE LOW END, IT RANGES ANYWHERE FOR A BALLOT MEASURE, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, IT WAS 20-50

AND IT DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF MEASURES IN VOTERS, WE ARE TAKING A ESTIMATE BASED ON OUR PAST, WE ARE SAFE IN SAYING IT IS ABOUT 30,004 ONE MEASURE IN TWO SEATS.

THANK YOU. GO AHEAD COUNCILMEMBER.

I WANT TO EXPAND A LITTLE BIT THE VICE MAYOR'S QUESTION, I SAT IN A MEETING ON

FRIDAY WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE GROUP AND HEARD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON A TAX

MEASURE, THE DISCUSSION AND FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT KNOW, IT IS HOW CITIES AND

AIDS FROM VARIOUS CENTERS, BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS WAS VERY

CONSERVATIVE AND THE TAX CAME UP FOR A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT CITIES THAT ARE

LOOKING AT IT IN ADDITION TO THE ROUNDTABLE SO THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE LOOKING LOCALLY BUT I AM THINKING GLOBALLY. THIS IS GOING TO BE A LARGE PACKET IN NOVEMBER. THE DISCUSSION AROUND THIS WAS, WE NEED TO

BE CONSERVATIVE, WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT A TAX MEASURE BUT HAVE YOU LOOKED

BEYOND OUR OWN ISSUES BUT KNOWING WE HAVE THE STATE ROUNDTABLE AND WE

ALSO HAVE THE COUNTY, OUR KIDS, OUR FUTURE, THERE WAS A CONSERVATIVE

APPROACH AND WE DID NOT KNOW IF ANY OF US SHOULD DO THIS ATTITUDE, SO I'M

CURIOUS FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE LOOKING BROADER FROM COUNTY TO STATE, HOW DOES THAT LOOK FOR YOU THEN? WHOEVER WANTS TO ANSWER.

I WILL SAY THE COUNTY MEASURE AS A SPECIAL TAX, THAT IS MUCH MORE

VULNERABLE WITH THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE ITEM BECAUSE THE BUSINESS

ROUNDTABLE WILL CHANGE THE LAW SO THE SPECIAL TAXES THAT ARE PUT ON BY THE

VOTERS THROUGH THE INITIATIVE PROCESS, RIGHT NOW THEY CAN PASS WITH A SIMPLE

MAJORITY VOTE, THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE WILL CHANGE THAT TO SPECIAL TAXES,

EVEN IF THEY ARE PLACED ON THE BALLOT, THE INITIAL PROCESS WILL REQUIRE TWO

THIRDS OF THE VOTE FROM THE VOTERS SO FOR EXAMPLE THAT ISSUE IS MUCH MORE

VULNERABLE TO BEING ALL ON AT THE SAME TIME, HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE CITY'S

MEASURE, GOES BACK TO WHAT THE POLLSTER MENTIONED, THERE CAN BE A EFFECT

WHEN THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT MEASURES ON THE BALLOT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS LIKELY TO BE -- I SEE YOU RAISING YOUR HAND.

IF I CAN ADD TO THAT, THIS IS SOMETHING WE CHARACTERIZE AS THE BALLOT

ENVIRONMENT, YOUR MEASURE WILL NOT EXIST IN THE VACUUM, IT EXISTS IN THE

CONTEXT OF OTHER MEASURES IN THE BUSINESS MULTIPLE MEASURES YOU MENTIONED IS A BIG ONE. THEY COULD ENGENDER A STATEWIDE CONVERSATION ABOUT TAX Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

BURDEN AND SO FORTH, IT IS WEEKLY TO ENGENDER A OPPOSITE CONVERSATION FROM

OPPONENTS TO THAT MEASURE BUT LOCAL SERVICES, IT IS HARD TO DIVIDE HOW THAT WILL PLAY. AS I MENTIONED TO THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBER, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING

AT LOCAL MEASURES, IT IS ABOUT THE NEXUS BETWEEN THE FUNDS AND SERVICES THEY WOULD PROVIDE. THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT IS FOREMOST IN VOTERS MINDS IN MY EXPERIENCE. VOTERS ARE TYPICALLY MORE SUPPORTIVE OF REVENUE THAT STAYS

LOCAL FOR THEM THEN GOES TO THE COUNTY OR STATE AND IF THERE IS A STRONG

NEXUS BETWEEN NEED AND VOTERS PERCEIVE THE NEED FOR REVENUE TYPICALLY

THEY ARE WILLING TO GRANT -- SO AGAIN IT GOES BACK TO THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE REVENUE YOU ARE SEEKING AND THE SERVICES YOU FIND.

THANK YOU, ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
GO-AHEAD COUNCIL MEMBER.

FROM THE CONVERSATION, CAL CITY DISCUSSED THE PULLING AND WHAT YOU

MENTIONED WAS CORRECT BUT THEY SAID THE CHALLENGE THEY ARE CONCERNED

WITH AND I AM ASKING IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, IF THIS ROUNDTABLE IS OUT FUNDING, THEY HAVE RAISED SO MUCH MONEY THAT CAL CITY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH IT. THEY

ECHO YOUR THOUGHTS, AND THEY PULL PEOPLE AND ASK THEM ABOUT THE

ROUNDTABLE, IF THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE LOCAL IMPACT THEY ADMITTEDLY

THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT THING BUT AS SOON AS THEY WENT DEEPER INTO IT AND

EXPLAINED IT IT MADE SENSE TO THEM SO MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE A WAY, I AM JUST

CONCERNED ABOUT THE STORY WE TELL AND HOW WE DO THAT, IS THERE A MAGIC FORMULA FOR US TO EDUCATE PEOPLE?

I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A MAGIC FORMULA BUT THERE IS A PLAYBOOK THAT OUR

FIRM HAS FOLLOWED SUCCESSFULLY IN MANY COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE STATE OF SIMILAR SIZE TO SEBASTOPOL. IT IS A FACTUAL AND NEUTRAL CASE YOU HAVE TO

PRESENT TO VOTERS AND RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND MAKE A CONCERTED

EFFORT TO TOUCH ALL CORNERS OF THE CITY AND BRING TO THEM I THINK A FRANK PRESENTATION OF WHERE THE CITY IS AT FISCALLY. VOTERS NEED TO BE REMINDED

THAT THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE SERVICES BECAUSE PEOPLE DO NOT

WALK AROUND THINKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT IS THE CITY OR THE COUNTY OR THE STATE THAT PAYS FOR THE ROADS. YOU HAVE TO OPEN A CONVERSATION WITH THE

COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THE CITY MAINTAINS, HOW THE REVENUE STREAMS ARE

DOING, THERE IS A LOT OF IMPACTS TO THE ECONOMY AND A LOT OF VOLATILITY IN REVENUE STREAMS. SAY IN VIEW OF THESE WE ARE CONSIDERING BRINGING A REVENUE ENHANCEMENT TO THE VOTERS AND HERE IS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

I AM GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU, I AM LOOKING AT THE CLOCK AND REALIZING WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. I THINK THAT WAS A VERY COMPLETE ANSWER. I THE COUNCILMEMBER WITH A QUESTION.

DID SEBASTOPOL USE A PULLING CONSULTANT IN THE LAST TWO TAX INITIATIVES? THE ONES THAT PASSED?
NOT THAT I AM AWARE OF.

MY FOLLOW-UP TO ROB, YOU WERE FORWARDED THE PULLING WE DID IN JULY, I THINK IT WAS TITLE FORWARD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. YOU FORWARDED THAT LAST PULLING TO US RECENTLY, I AM FORGETTING THE NAME ON THERE. MARY? LET ME PULL IT UP, I DO NOT HAVE THE TITLE IN FRONT OF ME.

GIVEN THE FACT WE ALREADY DID PULLING LAST JULY ABOUT WHAT OUR COMMUNITY

VALUED, WHETHER IT BE POLICE, LIBRARIES, WRAPAROUND SERVICES, GIVEN THAT IS YOUR RIGHT STILL 30,000?

A COUPLE OF THINGS, I THINK THERE ARE TWO ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE SEPARATED, THE

SCIENTIFIC PULLING THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AND THE COUNCIL CAN DECIDE IF IT WANTS TO RELY ON PULLING FROM A YEAR AGO. TYPICALLY A LOT OF THINGS CHANGE IN A YEAR. INFLATION AND OTHER FACTORS CAN INFLUENCE OPINIONS BUT THAT IS A SPECIAL ISSUE. OUR SCOPE RELIES ON DEVELOPING THE EDUCATION AND

INFORMATION MATERIALS OF THE PROGRAM AND PRESENTING THOSE MATERIALS IF YOU LIKE, TO BRING THE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD SAY THERE IS THE POLLSTER AND THE COMMUNICATIONS WORK AND WE ARE MORE THE LATTER.

I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR THE ATTORNEY, YOU MENTIONED THE FACT THAT YOU

ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS OUR KIDS OUR FUTURE AND THEN A LIBRARY RENEWAL Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THING THAT IS COMING UP AND THEY WANT A QUARTER CENT TOOK GIVEN ALL OF THE

THINGS THE COUNCILMEMBER WAS ASKING FOR, THE BIG ENVIRONMENT, WITH HOURS

GOING MAYBE LIKE A HALF PERCENT AND THEN THERE IS KIDS OUR FUTURE, THEN

LIBRARY TAX, WITH ALL OF THAT, DOES IT CHANGE YOUR OVERALL ASSESSMENT YOU PROVIDED SO FAR?

IT DOES NOT AS TO THE CITY'S POTENTIAL AUTHORITY TO GO UP TO ANOTHER HALF A PERCENT. TO YOUR POINT IN THE DISCUSSION, WHETHER THAT MAKES POLITICAL SENSE OR IS VIABLE, I WOULD DEFER TO ROB ON THAT. BUT WE HAVE TAKEN THOSE MEASURES INTO CONSIDERATION IN MAKING THAT DETERMINATION. YOU CAN GO UP TO A HALF PERCENT.

I AM GOING TO COLLECT MANY QUESTIONS AND THEN GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC. ONE

QUESTION I HAVE IS, WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST, HOW MUCH HAS BEEN ALLOCATED IN

THE BUDGET ALREADY FOR TAX MEASURES AND IS ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNT BEING

REQUESTED TO COVER EITHER THE CONSULTANT FEES OR THE FILING FEES OR ANY OTHER FEES?
SO THERE IS 30,000 IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WE HAVE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNCIL

WANTS TO GO FORWARD WITH THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, THE COST FOR THE

ELECTION ITSELF IS PROGRAMMED INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET SO WE

ALLOCATED THE COSTS INTO THAT, THE ONLY THING WE'RE LOOKING AT TONIGHT IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO DO PULLING OR OUTREACH AND WE HAVE 30,000 AVAILABLE BECAUSE WE DID NOT SPEND THAT ON THE LAST MEASURE.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THE SALES TAX MEASURE? 80,000 OR 60,000 IN YOUR ESTIMATION? THERE IS CONSULTANT AND FILING FEES.

THERE IS NO FILING FEES TO FILE THE BALLOT, IT IS THE COST OF THE ELECTION ITSELF.

THE COST OF THE ELECTION CAN RANGE COME IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET WE HAVE THE COST ALLOCATED AT 30,000, TWO SEATS, 15 MINUTES 18,000 FOR THE BALLOT MEASURE ITSELF. THE CONSULTANT IS AROUND 30, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH YOU FIGURE ABOUT 18,000 FOR THE ELECTION, THE HARD COST ITSELF TO HAVE THE COUNTY DO IT.

THERE ARE LEGAL FEES FOR THE LEGAL COUNSEL TO REVIEW THE ORDINANCE AND THE BALLOT QUESTION, I DO NOT HAVE THAT COST BUT I WOULD SAY AT LEAST 10 IF NOT MORE.

ALEX WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT 10?

THAT IS PROBABLY GOOD TO PREPARE THE MEASURE AND RESOLUTION AND THE IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS, THAT IS A GOOD ESTIMATE.

I WOULD ALSO ADD OUR FEES WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT LOWER JUST LOOKING AT THE

TIMETABLE, THERE IS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO THE OUTREACH BEFORE THE PALLET REFERRAL SO I DO NOT THINK WE WOULD HIT THE 30,000 MARK.

SO WE CALL IT 25, 18 AND 10, SO 55,000 MORE OR LESS, DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.

YOU SAID THERE IS 30,000 IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED, I KNOW

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET BUT IT HAS NOT COME TO THE COUNCIL

FOR ANY DISCUSSION SO WHAT YOU WERE SAYING THOUGH IS THAT STAFF IS LIKELY TO RECOMMEND 30,000 IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. THAT WOULD BRING US UP TO 60,000. ALL RIGHT, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL MONEY TONIGHT.

YOU ARE ALLOCATING 30,000 FOR THE EDUCATION OUTREACH AND PULLING IF THE

COUNCIL WISHES TO DO SO SO WE ARE ALLOCATING IT OUT OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET

THERE IS NO BUDGET NEEDED BECAUSE WE DID NOT USE FUNDING FOR THAT PREVIOUS SALES TAX.

THE MAN HAS BEEN SET ASIDE BUT WE NEED TO APPROVE ALLOCATING IT BUT I UNDERSTAND.

OKAY I UNDERSTAND THAT IS THE MONEY PIECE I WANTED ANSWERS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO OUT TO PUBLIC COMMENT? ANYTHING STAFF WANTS TO ADD BEFORE WE DO THAT? OKAY, LET'S GO OUT TO PUBLIC COMMENT IF WE COULD ON THIS ITEM.

THANK YOU MAYOR, THIS IS FOR THE POTENTIAL SALES TAX BALLOT MEASURE TO GIVE

DIRECTION TO STAFF WHETHER OR NOT TO INVESTIGATE IT IS DOABLE TO PUT ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION, IF YOU LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT I WILL GO TO Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

CHAMBERS FIRST, SEEING NINE, OUT TO THEM, LINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE?
YES, I GUESS I DID NOT REALLY READ THE AGENDA. I WAS SURPRISED BY THIS. I THOUGHT WE HAD DONE A GENERAL SALES TAX A FEW YEARS AGO. I THINK WE WILL

RUN INTO PROBLEMS, IF THE WATER GOES UP LIKE YOU MENTIONED AND THERE IS ALSO A LIBRARY TAX WHICH I WILL VOTE FOR NO MATTER WHAT, BUT THAT IS ME. I HAVE NOT RETIRED MY BRAIN. I HAVE A FEELING YOU WILL HAVE TO HIRE THE CONSULTANT TO DO

THE EDUCATIONAL PULLING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING -- ALREADY WITH THE COST OF GROCERIES AND WATER GOING UP AND I JUST GOT MY POWER BILL AND MY GOSH. I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE EDUCATIONAL PULLING.

THANK YOU LINDA FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO BACK TO CHAMBERS.

YES, BASED ON THE BUDGET, WE CANNOT BALANCE THE BUDGET WITHOUT ADDITIONAL REVENUE, THIS IS ONE AVENUE TO TAKE. A LEVEL WAY TO LOOK AT SALES TAX, IT IS NOT

JUST FOR CITIZENS OF THE CITY BUT IT IS PEOPLE WHO VISIT WHO ARE PAYING THIS AS WELL. ALSO THINKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE INITIATIVE, THERE ARE A

NUMBER OF COMPONENTS IN THE INITIATIVE WHICH MAKES IT MORE CHALLENGING IN THE FUTURE TO RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE SO THOSE ARE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

WE HAVE SEEN THE STATE OF OUR ROADS, THEY WILL NOT BE FIXED WITHOUT FINDING

ADDITIONAL REVENUE SO AS I YOU SUPPORTS ASKING THE COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE

CITIZENS TO CONSIDER A TAX MEASURE AND ALSO TO DO CRITICAL PUBLIC OUTREACH ON THAT AS WELL.

INK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, NEXT I WILL GO TO ZOOM. UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE. CAN YOU SEE THAT TIMER? GO AHEAD.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING RAISING ITS OWN WATER BILL BY OVER 100,000 PER YEAR AND THEN ASKING TAXPAYERS TO ADD MORE TAXES TO PAY FOR THE INCREASE ON TOP OF PAYING 50-300% MORE FOR WATER AND SEWER. WHEN I SEE THIS TYPE OF LOGIC I DO NOT SUPPORT A SALES TAX. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF COUNSEL

WOULD FORMALLY RECOGNIZE THAT THAT THE CITY OWES TO WATER AND SEWER

ENTERPRISE FUNDS FOR THE MISALLOCATION'S OF FUNDS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE

OVER THE LAST DECADE, THIS WOULD ALLOW THE SALES TAX TO REPAY THE DEBT TO

WATER AND SEWER AND KEEP WATER AND SEWER RATES DOWN AND ALSO FIND WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU CAN SELL THE TAXPAYERS ON A SALES TAX

INCREASE IF IT KEPT WATER AND SEWER RATES LOWER AND FUNDED WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. AS IT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY NOTED, RECENT ALLOCATION STUDIES SHOWED OVER 700 THOUSAND OF WATER AND SEWER FEES THAT WERE MISAPPROPRIATED TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND. AS THE PREVIOUS ALLOCATION STUDY WAS OVER 20 YEARS OLD AND ALLOCATIONS WERE NOT CHANGED, IT IS CLEAR AT LEAST A DECADE'S WORTH OF THIS APPROPRIATION HAS TAKEN PLACE. AT THE LAST MEETING ON APRIL 23, THE CITY ATTORNEY McLAUGHLIN DID NOT HAVE ANY STRONG ANSWERS THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES THAT WERE IN PLACE DURING THE LAST DECADE. HE

REFERENCED OUTMODED MODELS, REFERENCED THE GENERAL FUND COULD HAVE BEEN

SUPPORTING THE WATER AND SEWER FUND WHICH IS ALSO ILLEGAL SO IT IS CLEAR

THERE WAS NO STORED WATER AND SEWER FEES, IF A CITIZEN HIRE IS A LAWYER, IT IS

CLEAR --
THAT IS TWO MINUTES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. ANYBODY IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE. BACK TO ZOOM. PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF KYLE. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER?
YES I CAN.

IT IS INTERESTING HOW QUICKLY WE COME RIGHT BACK TO THE SALES TAX MEASURE. I

RECALL COUNSEL GIVING DIRECTION TO STAFF TO EXPLORE A WIDE RANGE OF REVENUE GENERATION TECHNIQUES. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US TAKE THE TIME AND REVISIT

WHAT THOSE WERE AND HEAR HOW MANY OF THOSE HAVE COME BACK TO COUNSEL, IT IS STAFF DIRECTION. GIVING DIRECTION TO STAFF TO BRING BACK REVENUE GENERATION ITEMS, WHY ARE WE NOT SEEING THOSE THINGS? WE ARE CIRCLING RIGHT

BACK TO A REGRESSIVE SALES TAX MEASURE WHICH REQUIRES PAYING MONEY TO OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS. I SAY IF BUT I KNOW YOU ARE ALREADY GOING DOWN THIS

ROAD, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU ARE GOING DOWN THIS ROAD THAT YOU DO NOT Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

INCLUDE COUNSEL INPUT ON A GENERATION OF ANY POLLING. WE SOLVED TERRIBLY

BIASED PULLING LAST TIME AS A RESULT OF COUNSEL INPUT AND I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS WONDERFUL FOR MY STUDENTS IN STATISTICS THAT

NEED TO WRITE ABOUT BIAS AND PULLING AND THE WAY POLICYMAKERS CAN USE

BIASED TO INFLUENCE POLICYMAKING BUT I WOULD PREFER FOR OUR CITY THAT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THANK YOU KYLE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT WE WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS.

KYLE SAID WHAT I WAS ABOUT TO, VERY SKETCHY PULLING LAST TIME AROUND,

TRYING TO SELL A SALES TAX AND WE ARE IN DANGER OF BLOWING WHATEVER AMOUNT

OF MONEY THAT WAS DISCUSSED EARLIER OVER CONSULTANTS AND THINGS BECAUSE

AS THE FIRST SPEAKER SAID I DO NOT THINK PEOPLE WILL BUY THIS AT THIS POINT, WITH

ALL OF THE OTHER PRESSURES, GAS, ENERGY PRICES, WATER RATES GOING UP, INFLATION, SO ON AND SO FORTH. THERE IS NO COMPELLING REASON FOR THE SALES TAX FOR A CITIZEN HERE TO VOTE FOR. THE WOMAN THAT WAS HERE EARLIER TALKING ABOUT HER BUSINESS, THEY WOULD JUST GO ONLINE AND CLOSE THE STOREFRONT. THIS

IS A PROBLEM FOR THE CITY, IF WE TRACK ALL OF THE PRICES UP, WE WILL HAVE LESS

STOREFRONTS AND WE HAVE LESS PEOPLE CHOOSING TO EAT IN RESTAURANTS HERE OR STAY IN HOTELS IF WE EVER GET ONE. WE ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE AND I THINK IT IS A

TALL ORDER TO SELL THIS, IT IS MORE LIKELY WE WILL BURN MONEY TO TRY TO SELL IT AND FAILING WHICH WILL BE VERY EMBARRASSING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM, LINDA, UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE. GO AHEAD WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE.

ALL GOOD POINTS OLIVER, ALONG THOSE LINES, I WANT TO POINT OUT OVER HERE

WHERE I LIVE -- WE HAVE NOT ONLY FOR VACANT COMMERCIAL OUTLETS AT THE

REDWOOD MARKETPLACE ACROSS FROM OUR RV SHANTYTOWN, WE HAVE A ADDITIONAL 2 IN THE BUILDING ON THE CORNER ALMOST EXACTLY NEXT TO IT, NOBODY WANTS TO BE AROUND THAT REGION WHICH IS LESS THAN DESIRABLE. ANYWAY, THAT AGAIN IS OUR MAYOR. SHE IS OUR LIAISON AND I LAY THAT SITUATION AT HER FEET ALONG WITH ADRIAN. ANYWAY ON THIS ISSUE AND THE POLLING, THE FRAUDULENT PULLING IS PART OF WHAT GOT US IN THE SITUATION. I GO BACK TO THE POLLING, THE

BOGUS WATER SURVEY FOR THE WIRELESS WATER METERS, I WAS NOT POLLED I LIVE IN

A APARTMENT AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF US THAT NEVER GOT POLLED AND THE

WHOLE THING WOULD HAVE GONE A DIFFERENT WAY HAD THERE BEEN ADEQUATE PULLING OF THE PUBLIC. SO IT IS THE SAME THING. IF YOU WANT TO GET MY OPINION,

YOU HAVE TO WRITE TO ME, I AM ELECTRIC SENSITIVE, COMPUTER FREE AND CELL PHONE FREE.

YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

HUNDREDS OF US ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR POLLING, I THINK IT IS BY DESIGN,

YOU HAVE A PREDESIGNED OUTCOME YOU WANT, A NARRATIVE THAT YOU CAN CONTROL -- ANYWAY, YOUR POLLING SUCKS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU LINDA FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO BACK TO CHAMBERS.

IF THERE IS ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? SEEING NONE.

BACK OUT TO ZOOM ONE LAST TIME, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. SEEING NONE, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SEE THAT IT IS CLOSE TO 10:00, WE WILL TRY TO WRAP THIS UP WITH DISCUSSION AT THE COUNSEL TABLE AND HOPEFULLY A DECISION.

I AM CURIOUS ABOUT WHY WE ARE ALL COUGHING HERE. SO COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS. ANYONE? ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD VICE MAYOR.

THANK YOU MADAME MAYOR. I WILL PROVIDE MY OWN QUIT COMMENTS, THEY HAVE NOT DIFFERENT MUCH AT ALL FROM WHERE WE WERE. BACK IN JULY OF LAST YEAR

WHEN WE EXPLORED POLLING AND WE DID THE POLLING AND I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN

A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT HOW DEFECTIVE IT WAS BUT NEVERTHELESS IT WAS DONE

BY A REPUTABLE INSTITUTION AND OUR CITIZENS WAIT IN ON VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

ON WHAT THEY VALUED AND WHAT THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO PUT FORTH BY WAY

OF A HALF PERCENT SALES TAX, I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THAT STUDY AND IT WAS JUST

CIRCULATED EARLIER TODAY SO WITH THAT I AM INTERESTED IN A HALF PERCENT

BECAUSE HONESTLY, A QUARTER PERCENT, I DO NOT KNOW, WITH ALL OF THE MONEY Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THE MAYOR ASKED MARY ABOUT, WHAT IS THE POINT? IT WILL NOT EVEN MAKE A DENT IN WHAT IT IS WE NEED TO GET OUR FINANCES STRAIGHT. SO I AM IN FAVOR OF THE HALF

PERCENT AND I AM ALSO IN FAVOR OF DOING SOME COMMUNITY EDUCATION, WITH THE EMPHASIS ON SOME. I UNDERSTAND ROB THAT YOU FEEL LIKE A YEARS THAT IS OLD BUT

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT WAS JUST LAST JULY AND I DO NOT THINK PEOPLE'S OPINIONS HAVE CHANGED THAT MUCH SO I AM INTERESTED IN SOME EDUCATION BUT NOT A LOT.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

I STAND ON WHAT I SAID A YEAR AGO, I REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION, PEOPLE SAID IT

FELT RUSHED, WE WOULD'VE HAD A BETTER SHOT LAST NOVEMBER BUT I AGREED WITH

THE COUNSEL AT THE TIME AND I SAID FINE I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF IT IN NOVEMBER AND I STICK WITH THAT TODAY. I RECALL THE POOL AS WELL, THERE WAS NOT A DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN A QUARTER CENT AND A HALF CENT, UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOW FACED WITH EVEN MORE DEBT SO IT IS NOT A EASY THING BUT WE JUST HAVE TO DO IT. WE ARE

A SMALL TOWN, THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED OUR SALES TAX, WE ARE IN THIS BOAT

BECAUSE WE HAD ONE-TIME MONEY DROPPING IN AND WE HAVE TO ASK OUR CITIZENS THAT LIVE HERE AND VISITORS THAT BUY THINGS FOR THIS EXTRA PUMP. FOR ME IT IS

MORE IMPORTANT THAN SOME OF THE COUNTYWIDE MEASURES BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT

HERE IN OUR JURISDICTION AND WE NEED THE MONEY TO MAKE SURE THE CITY KEEPS RUNNING SMOOTHLY SO I AM SUPPORTING A HALF PERCENT TONIGHT.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

I HAVE CONCERNS WITH A HALF PERCENT, I DO NOT THINK BUSINESSES WILL SUPPORT IT AND I THINK RESIDENTS WILL RESIST IT. THERE IS A RISK OF IT FAILING. NOT ONLY MIGHT

IT FAIL AT THE POLLS, IT COULD ALSO SET US UP FOR A LIABILITY SITUATION WITH THE COUNTY, THEY CAN ARGUE THAT WE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO TAKING A HALF PERCENT. I

DO NOT WANT TO SET OUR CITY UP IN A SITUATION WHERE WE MIGHT BE LEGALLY CHALLENGED. I KNOW WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING SO I AM WILLING TO SUPPORT A

QUARTER PERCENT BUT ALSO, SINCE THE LAST TWO ELECTIONS, WE DID NOT USE POLLING CONSULTANTS AND WE USED ONE LAST YEAR AND GOT SOME INFORMATION. I

WOULD NOT SUPPORT PAYING FOR A POLLING CONSULTANT BUT I WOULD SUPPORT A VICE MAYOR, GO AHEAD.

ALEX, BASED ON WHAT COUNCILMEMBER MAUER IDENTIFIED, FOR THE COUNTY TO GO

FOR A HALF PERCENT, SO I KNOW YOU FEEL THE SAME A LITTLE BIT BEFORE BUT CAN

YOU CURRENTLY GIVE US A CURRENT PERSPECTIVE OF HOW MUCH RISK YOU THINK WE

ARE TAKING IF WE DO A HALF PERCENT THIS TIME, BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY AND THEN THERE WAS SOME BIG STATE ENTITY THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER?

THE CD PFA, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND FINANCE ADMINISTRATION IS

WHO IT MINISTERS STATEWIDE TAX SERVICES SO ULTIMATELY IT WOULD BE THEM WHO WOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ENOUGH LEGAL AUTHORITY. WE ARE

CONFIDENT THAT BASED ON THEIR PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS, THAT THERE IS THAT TOTAL COMBINED AMOUNT OF .5%. THERE IS BEEN PREVIOUS JURISDICTIONS IN THE

COUNTY WHO HAVE RELIED ON SIMILAR AUTHORITY AND CD TFA HAS APPROVED THAT WHERE WE ARE CONFIDENT IN THAT AMOUNTS.

I JUST WANTED TO ECHO COUNCILMEMBER MAUER'S CONCERNS. HAVING A BUSINESS

HERE AND BEING REALLY IN TOUCH WITH THE BUSINESS OWNERS HERE, I KNOW THERE'S

A LOT OF TALK RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE WATER AND WORRY ABOUT THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS AND THEY WORRY ABOUT HAVING THE STACKS. IT JUST MAKES IT LESS AND LESS APPEALING FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO SEBASTOPOL TO SHOP. IT'S JUST A FACT. I KNOW WE NEED MONEY AND I'M NOT ARGUING THAT BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT IT. AT THIS POINT IT KEEPS COMING BACK SO I

COULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE HALF -- SORRY, QUARTER SENT, GETTING TIRED, THE QUARTER SENT AND NOT THE POLLING, JUST AS COUNCILMEMBER MAUER SUGGESTED.

BUT THAT'S PROBABLY NOTHING MORE THAN THAT. THAT'S WHERE I MET WITH IT BUT I

DO WANT TO SAY FOR THE PUBLIC THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND I KNOW

THAT THE BUSINESSES ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, AND IT THIS POINT THEN LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE QUARTER PERCENT. SO I'M IN

SUPPORT OF SALES TAX MEASURE AND I ACTUALLY THINK THAT SPENDING THE MONEY IN ORDER TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IS SUPER IMPORTANT. I'M STILL FEELING THE STING Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

OF VARIOUS PRIOR EXPERIENCES WHEN WE'VE BEEN ACCUSED OF NOT GETTING THE

INFORMATION OUT THERE EFFECTIVELY, AND ON THE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION

PIECE, THE PUBLIC OUTREACH, I WOULD URGE IF WE GET TO THAT POINT AND IT'S

SUPPORTED BY THE COUNCIL, I WOULD URGE THAT WE NOT JUST APPLY ON DIGITAL OUTREACH. LET'S RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO

DO NOT USE DIGITAL ACCESS TO MEDIA, AND SO I KNOW POSTCARDS AND MAILERS ARE EXPENSIVE BUT NEED TO ACCESS THOSE PEOPLE TO INFORM THEM. ON THE QUARTER

PERCENT VERSUS HALF PERCENT RATE I -- I'M WONDERING IF WE -- IT SEEMS TO ME, I

HEAR FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT A HALF PERCENT IS NOT

GOING TO BE SUPPORTED BUT I ALSO SAW I THINK DISCUSSION IN THE STAFF REPORT

HERE THAT WOULD PROPOSE THAT ONE THING WE COULD DO IN OUR POLLING IS TEST

THAT, FIND OUT IN OUR QUESTIONS WHETHER WE -- AND TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE EFFECTIVE OUTREACH, TO ME THAT WOULD BE COMPELLING. CAN WE, AS PART OF OUR

POLLING, SAY GO AHEAD WITH THIS MEASURE, APPROVED THIS EFFORT, BUT ASK THE

POLLING TEST THE QUARTER PERCENT VERSUS HALF PERCENT AND ALLOW

PROCEDURALLY THAT QUESTION TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL AFTER POLLING RESULTS HAD BEEN COLLECTED. I DON'T KNOW TO WHOM I'M ASKING THIS QUESTION. IT MIGHT BE STAFF. THAT'S PROBABLY YOU, ALEX.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE POLL AND THE COUNCIL DOESN'T

HAVE TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION UNTIL IT'S READY TO PLACE THE MEASURE ON THE

BALLOT, AND FRANKLY, THAT'S THE EASIEST THING TO CHANGE AND THE RESOLUTION YOU'LL BE ADOPTING IS A HALF CENTS, PORTER, OR VICE VERSA. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE POLLED FOR NOW AND THE COUNCIL COULD DEFERRED THAT DECISION.

IT'S FAIRLY ROUTINE TO DO SO, TO TEST DIFFERENT AMOUNTS AND SEE WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD SUPPORT.

SO I GUESS MY QUESTION TO MY FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD BE WHETHER YOU

WOULD BE WILLING TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO INCLUDE THAT IN A POLL THAT WOULD

ALLOW US TO GET A DEADER ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER THE PUBLIC -- OUR PUBLIC IN FACT WANTS TO SUPPORT ONE OR THE OTHER. I SEE COUNSEL. GO AHEAD, VICE MAYOR.

THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR. I'M CONFUSED IN THE STAFF REPORT. YOU USUALLY PUT

DOWN RECOMMENDATIONS, NOW YOU HAVE OPTIONS, SO YOU WANT US TO PICK ONE OF

THE OPTIONS AND IT'S NOT JUST TO PROVIDE YOU DIRECTION, IT IS ACTUALLY REQUIRING A MOTION. IS THIS WHAT WE ARE BEING ASKED FOR, MARY OR DON OR SOMEBODY?
YES. PROVIDE DIRECTION THROUGH A MOTION.

WELL THEN IN THAT CASE I'M JUST GOING TO JUMP IN AND I KNOW I'LL BE LECTURED, EVERYBODY, OTHER PEOPLE CHIME IN. NEVERTHELESS, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO

CONSIDER THE OPTIONS FOR -- CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR SALES TAX MEASURE HAVE SENT FOR THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR A POLLING CONSULTANT.

CAN I ASK HOW MANY VOTES ARE NEEDED TO APPROVE THIS? I THOUGHT IT WAS A 4/5 VOTE.

WE ARE NOT PLACING ANYTHING ON THE BALLOT. I NEED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. THIS ITEM IS NOT PLACING ANYTHING ON THE BALLOT. THIS ITEM IS JUST TO INVESTIGATE

AND BRING SOMETHING BACK TO THE COUNCIL, AND IF WE ARE DOING POLLING, TO INVESTIGATE IF THE COMMUNITY IS SUPPORTIVE.

OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.

WELL I WANT TO MAKE COMMENT TO JUST SAY THAT WHEN I SAT ON THE WEST CAMDEN

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD FOR OUR BOND MEASURE, WE ALSO, I'M VERY FAMILIAR, THEY DID

POLLING OF THIS VERY QUESTION TO ASK WHAT THE AMOUNT, WHAT THE APPETITE WAS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL BOND. SO I DON'T KNOW THAT I HEARD, DID YOU ADD A QUARTER OR A HALF? BECAUSE I'M IN FAVOR OF THAT, OR THE POLLING, SO I THINK IT SHOULD BE PART OF THE MOTION.

I WISH THESE THINGS WERE NUMBERED ANYWAY, MAKE IT EASIER MOVING FORWARD.

SO IT'S THE SECOND ONE. CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR SALES TAX, HALF PERCENT FOR THE NOVEMBER 5 MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND CONSIDER FUNDING FOR A POLLING CONSULTANT.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

YOU WOULD -- I THINK THE QUESTION THAT WE HEARD IS ARE YOU MOVING THAT ALSO A QUARTER PERCENT BE INCLUDED IN THE POLLING?
OH YEAH, SORRY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. SO A HALF OR A QUARTER WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE POLLING AND IF THAT'S THE CASE I WOULD SECOND THAT.

SO WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.

I THINK YOU SAID, MARY, WE HAD THE POLLING LAST YEAR BUT PREVIOUSLY WE HAD NOT HAD ANY POLLING AT ANY TIME YOU WERE CALLED?
THAT'S CORRECT.

BECAUSE MY QUESTION HAD BEEN HAD WE EVER GONE AGAINST THE POLLING? THE ONE THAT WE DID LAST YEAR WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT I'M AWARE OF. WE EVER GONE OUT AND DONE POLLING.

WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND. ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM ANYONE? COUNCILMEMBER HILL.

IF MEASURE H GOES THROUGH, IF THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE DOESN'T AFFECT MEASURE H, OUR CURRENT TAX RATE WILL BE 9.75. IF YOU HAD A QUARTER PERCENT, THAT WAS OUR TAX RATE UP TO 10%, WHICH IS -- THAT'S PRETTY HARD TO SWALLOW.

BUT IF YOU DO A HALF SENT THEN YOU'RE AT 10 POINT 25. SO YEAH, I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS.

OKAY, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT AGAIN THIS IS A POLLING AND I THINK POLLING IS

REALLY VALUABLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF SO MANY THINGS, AS WE POINTED OUT EARLIER, THAT WE HAVE GOING ON. SO IT WILL HELP EDUCATE US ABOUT WHETHER WE

ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY, SO FOR ME EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT FINAL COMMENT.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, COUNCILMEMBER McLUHAN.

SINCE YOU SAT ON DIFFERENT BOARDS, WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE? HAS ANYONE EVER DONE THE POLLING AND GONE WITH WHAT THEY RECOMMENDED, WHICH IS NOT A TAX? I JUST SAT ON AND THERE WAS POLLING INVOLVED WITH ITS NOW McKENNY

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND FOR THE CLIMATE ISSUE THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COUNTYWIDE CLIMATE TAX AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NOT

ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR ITS AND I FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THAT, THAT THAT WAS A

COUNTYWIDE THING AND I DON'T KNOW -- I WASN'T INVOLVED ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WORK ON THAT ISSUE. SO I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF DEBATE WHEN I SAT ON

THE BOND ABOUT WHAT THE RIGHT AMOUNT WAS AND WE WENT WITH WHAT THE POLLING PEOPLE RECOMMENDED.

OKAY, ANY ADDITIONAL -- I'M LOOKING AT THE CLOCK, HOPING WE CAN GET TO ON YOUR BUNION HERE. COUNCILMEMBER BARON, ANYTHING FINAL?
I JUST DON'T SUPPORT HIRING A CONSULTANT. WE HAD A TAX INITIATIVE CONSULTANT RAISE TAXES TWICE WITHOUT PAYING FOR A CONSULTANT TO HELP US GET THERE. AND ALSO I JUST SUPPORT A QUARTER PERCENT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE EASIER TO FOLLOW THAN THE HALF PERCENT.

UNDERSTAND. I'M IN FAVOR OF GOING FORWARD TO GET THE POLLING AND FOR ME IT'S

THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR PUBLIC

FEELS ABOUT THIS, THAT WE MAY HEAR FROM THE PUB THAT THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO APPETITE FOR SALES TAX. I FEEL WE NEED TO DO THAT SO WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND. ANY ADDITIONAL? I JUST WANT TO GET THE INFORMATION. I JUST WANT TO

KNOW FROM THE PUBLIC, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS, AND RESPECT THAT DECISION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. AND SO, ANYWAY, I THINK WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE ARE

GOING TO TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THIS ITEM,

SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER HINTON TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE STAFF

DIRECTION TO TEST THE PERCENTAGES FOR A POTENTIAL SALES BALLOT MEASURE TO

CONDUCT THE OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONAL POLLING, TO AUTHORIZE STAFF UP TO $30,000 FOR SUCH POLLING EDUCATION OUTREACH. COUNCILMEMBER HINTON,

COUNCILMEMBER MAUER, --
NO.

COUNCILMEMBER Mc LEWIS.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

NO.

VICE MAYOR ZOLMAN.

YES.

MAYOR RICH.

YES.

MOTION PASSES 3-2 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS HINTON, VICE MAYOR RICH IN AFFIRMATIVE AND COUNCILMEMBERS IN OPPOSITION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ARE NOW AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, ITEM NUMBER EIGHT

ON OUR AGENDA, APPEAL OF TREE BOARD DENIAL FOR THE REMOVAL OF ONE BUN YOUR BUNION A TREE AT 6700 SEVASTOPOL AVENUE. APPLICANT APPELLANT IS BARLOW. THE

APPLICANT APPELLANT REQUESTS THAT THE DECISION BE OVERTURNED BASED ON THE

SAFETY CONCERN SURROUNDING THE TREE FROM FALLING CONES AND FRONDS BOTH FOR PEDESTRIAN AND FUTURE TENANTS OF THE BUILDING. I AM -- SO THE BAR LOW IS, OKAY. SO THAT'S THE ITEM AND THIS MUST BE STAFF TAKING THE LEAD HERE.

JOHN JAY HAS JOINED US ON ZOOM. I THOUGHT I SAW HIM.

OKAY.

YES I'M HERE, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
WE CAN HEAR YOU, JOHN.

GO JOHN, GO AHEAD AND LET'S BE EFFICIENT.

THANK YOU, I'LL GO THROUGH IT VERY QUICKLY, IN A MATTER OF TIME. SO THIS IS THE APPEAL. THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE THAT IS LOCATED AT 6700 SEVASTOPOL AVENUE. THE APPLICATION WAS CITED FROM THE BARLOW. THE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED ON SEPTEMBER 14. THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD FIRST HEARD THIS ITEM AT THEIR NOVEMBER 28 MEETING. THEY DID NOT TAKE ANY ACTION, HOWEVER, THEY DID DISCUSS AT LENGTH AND HEARD COMMENTS FROM STAFF, THE APPLICANT AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

THE CITY ARBORIST WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING AND PROVIDED A

VERBAL REPORT ON THE SUBJECT TREE AND CHANGED HER RECOMMENDATION FROM

REMOVAL TO KEEPING THIS TREE WITH MITIGATION MEASURES INCLUDING SAFETY NETTING RELATED TO THE FRONDS AND CONES. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE JANUARY

MEETING, BASED UPON THE REVISED RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY ARBORIST, THE

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVED DIRECTION TO STAFF TO RETURN TO THEIR NEXT MEETING WITH FINDINGS OF DENIAL, AND THAT WAS ON FEBRUARY 27 OF 2024. STAFF

HAD PROVIDED A LETTER OF DENIAL BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THAT AND THE BARLOW DID APPEAL THAT DECISION. THEIR LETTER IS INCLUDED IN YOUR STAFF REPORT TONIGHT. STAFF IS STILL RECOMMENDING THAT THE TREE BE KEPT WITH

MITIGATION MEASURES, BUT THAT -- THE APPEAL BE DENIED, SORRY, AND UPHOLD THE DECISION OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD. WITH THAT I WILL CONCLUDE MY REPORT. I

BELIEVE BECKY GOT HOLD OF THE CITY ARBORIST AND IS STILL IN THE MEETING AND CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE APPLICANT.

OKAY. DO WE NEED TO HEAR FROM BECKY DUCTULES OR CAN WE GO DIRECTLY TO THE APPLICANT? THAT'S A QUESTION FOR YOU, JOHN JAY OR OTHER STAFF MEMBERS.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING ADDITIONAL THAT BECKY NEEDS TO NOTE ABOUT THE PROJECT. BOTH OF HER REPORTS ARE PART OF THE ARGUMENTS AND I THINK SHE'D BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTION SHOULD THE COUNCIL HAVE THEM.

EXCELLENT. SO LET'S GO TO THE APPLICANT AND TAKE CARE OF THAT NEXT STEP. IS THE APPLICANT IN THE ROOM OR ON ZOOM? AND BY THE APPLICANT, THAT WOULD BE THE BARLOW?

YES, I BELIEVE JENNIFER EDMONDS WAS --
IS IT JENNIFER HAGLER? OR HAGUE? AM I PRONOUNCING THAT CORRECTLY? THAT'S MY PARTNER.

SORRY.

SHE WAS HERE IN PERSON BUT SHE LEFT.

SO THE APPLICANT IS NOT IN THE ROOM, NOT PRESENT. WHAT DOES THAT DO TO OUR PROCEDURE? CAN WE STILL MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT THE APPLICANT PRESENT? IF SO, GOOD. LET'S MOVE FORWARD. THE NEXT STEP FOR US TO ASK BASTIONS AS COUNCILMEMBERS ON THIS ITEM, CORRECT? OKAY. I'M SORRY, MARY GIRLIE? OKAY, SO

WE HAVE JUST PROCEDURE REALLY, WE HAVE THE BARLOW APPEALING A DECISION TO ALLOW THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE TO STAY THERE. THE BARLOW'S POSITION AS THEY Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

WOULD LIKE THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE TO BE REMOVED. IS THAT CORRECT? AM I CHARACTERIZING THAT CORRECTLY? NO , OKAY.

YES MA'AM, THAT IS CORRECT.

OKAY, GREAT. QUESTIONS, COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.

MY FIRST QUESTION IS TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY BECAUSE THERE IS HISTORY OF THESE

BIG PINECONES AND THEY INCLUDED IT BUT YOU CAN READ IT ON THE INTERNET, FILING LAWSUITS. I MEAN DOES THE CITY HAVE ANY LIABILITY, I GUESS THAT'S MY FIRST QUESTION. IT'S ON THE BARLOW PROPERTY, OR IS THIS JUST THEM ASKING US BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF THEIR OWN LIABILITY. BUT WOULD WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY IF WE SAY YES TO THE TREE TODAY AND SOMEBODY GOT HURT IN THE FUTURE?

FIRST OF ALL I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT FOR THE RECORD THAT THE CITY ARBORIST WITH

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS ON THE TREE REMAINING THAT ARE INTENDED TO MITIGATE ANY DANGEROUS CONDITION OR EXPOSURE TO THE PUBLIC FOR THAT. SECONDLY, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT USE THAT BUILDING BE PUT TO IN THE FUTURE. THE CIRCUMSTANCE COULD

POSSIBLY CHANGE DEPENDING ON WHAT USE THE BUILDING ADJACENT IS PUT TO IN THE FUTURE. YES THE BARLOW IS CONCERNED ABOUT ITS OWN LIABILITY. I AM SURE. I HAVEN'T ASKED THEM BUT I'M SURE THAT'S THE CASE FROM THE CITY. I DON'T THINK WE

ARE CREATING A DANGEROUS CONDITION BY ALLOWING AN EXISTING TREE TO REMAIN, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CITY ARBORIST CONDITIONS AS SHE SPECIFIED.

THANK YOU, ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS? DID WE SAY THE ARBORIST WAS ON THERE?
YES SHE IS.

I HAVE A QUESTION. I'VE BEEN READING A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT THIS AND PEOPLE ARE SENDING US PICTURES OF THE TREE FROM 10 YEARS AGO OR NINE YEARS

AGO, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE BRANCHES HAVE BEEN TRIMMED TREMENDOUSLY UP TO THE TOP. ARE THESE PICTURES -- IS THAT THEM DOING WHAT WE ARE SAYING OR

PERHAPS YOU WERE SAYING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AS FAR AS MAINTAINING THE TREE? DO YOU FEEL LIKE WHAT'S BEEN DONE IS APPROPRIATE? CAN YOU HEAR ME?
YES.

GOOD. I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN THE PAST AND THAT

CONTINUING MAINTENANCE WOULD BE A REQUIREMENT FOR KEEPING THAT LEVEL OF HAZARD REDUCED TO A REASONABLE LEVEL. AND I THINK THAT THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL MEASURE THAT COULD BE FOLLOWED. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THIS WAS IN

THE MEASURES THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING OR NOT, BUT SOMEBODY

HAD SUGGESTED, I THINK THAT WAS ON THE BOARD, THAT THE STRUCTURE EXTENDED

TO COVER THE AREA THAT'S OVER WHERE THE PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY WOULD OCCUR,

AND I THINK THAT PUTTING SOMETHING LIKE WIRE ON TOP OF IT, LIKE FENCING WIRE,

SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON TOP OF A PERGOLA WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD MEASURE IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS A PEDESTRIAN OR ACTIVITY OR PEOPLE SITTING OR WHATEVER.

BUT IT'S AN EXISTING SITUATION THAT WAS THERE WHEN THEY DEVELOPED THE PROPERTY. SOMEBODY SAID THAT THERE WAS A PICTURE OF BARNEY -- I'M GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU. I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD.

IS IT TRUE THAT IT PRODUCES I GUESS PINEAPPLE SIZED CONES ABOUT EVERY THREE YEARS? AND THE REASON I'M ASKING IS I LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR A LONG TIME AND WE

WALKED UNDER TREES WITH COCONUT EVERYDAY, DIDN'T CUT THEM ALL DOWN, SO I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

THANKS FOR GETTING ME BACK ON TRACK. THEY WOULD NEED TO REMOVE THE CONES ANNUALLY. IT MEANS SENDING SOMEBODY UP IN A BUCKET TRUCK OR CLIMBING THE

TREE, WHICH IS EASILY DONE ANNUALLY TO REMOVE THE CONES AS THEY DEVELOP AND YOU WILL LEAVE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FRONDS THAT DROP AND THEY'RE SHARP AND SPIKY AND POINTED.

BECKY, I'M SORRY, I HATE TO INTERRUPT YOU BUT WE ARE REALLY GETTING SHORT ON

OUR TIME AND I THINK THE QUESTION HAS BEEN ANSWERED BUT I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TODAY.

WE NEED TO GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

NEVERMIND.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC? OKAY, MARY, IF YOU

COULD --

THANK YOU, MARY, IS A PUBLIC HEARING SO I WILL BE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING

FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS APPLICATION FOR THE APPEAL OF THE TREE BOARD DENIAL, I'M GOING TO CHAMBERS.

SEE NONE -- I'M SORRY.

CAN YOU PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM, BECAUSE THEN EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU, EVEN THOSE ON ZOOM. THANK YOU.

CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME NOW? OKAY. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE. I AM AN ARBORIST. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN REMOVING THIS TREE. LIKE BECKY SAID, IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO MITIGATE THIS. THE PINE CONES ARE HEAVY, THEY FALL STRAIGHT DOWN. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BUILT UNDER IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY KNEW IT WAS THERE WHEN THEY BUILT IT. DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ME? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT. ASKED I'LL GO OUT TO ZOOM. MAGIC, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOUR SELF, PLEASE?
HELLO.

WOW THERE, CAN YOU HEAR US?
YES.

CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER BY ANY CHANCE?
NO.

I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS MAGIC AND I WANT TO THANK THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

FOR ITS THOROUGH ANALYSIS, THE NEED TO PROTECT THE TOWERING BUNYA BUNYA TREE THAT STANDS AT THE GATEWAY OF OUR CITY. THEY ALSO MAKE CLEAR THE MEDICATIONS THAT WOULD ANSWER ALL CONCERNS OF SAFETY. THIS BELOVED TREE IS

SACRED IN AUSTRALIA, WHERE THEY HOLD A CEREMONY EVERY FOUR YEARS TO END ALL FEUDS. THE TRIBES COME FROM A LIVER TO INVOKE PEACE, PERFECT FOR OUR PEACE TOWN. LET'S PLACE A SIGN NEXT TO THE BUNYA BUNYA TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS DEEPER MEANING. THE PLACE OF NATURE IS EMBEDDED IN OUR GENERAL PLAN AND THIS IS THE

PERFECT CHANCE TO INVOKE THE RIGHT OF THE STREET TO NOT ONLY EXIST BUT THRIVED . JUSTICE WILLIAM O DOUGLAS IN THE 60s DECLARED THAT THE TREES HAVE STANDING. BACK IN 2013 WE SAVED THE TREE. TODAY I ALSO SENT YOU A PHOTO OF BARNEY ELDRIDGE HUGGING THE TREE. SO I HAVE A WIN WIN PROPOSAL. DID YOU KNOW THE SEEDS FROM THE LARGE PODS ARE A DELICIOUS FOOD? A RESTAURANT COULD DRAW TOURISTS AND TOWNSPEOPLE FOR A TREAT FROM THIS ANCIENT TREE. MY

FAVORITE IDEA IS PIZZA TOPPINGS SO WE INSTALL NETS TO CATCH THE PODS, THEN THEY CAN BE HARVESTED AND PEOPLE WILL ENJOY ITS BEAUTY AND ITS FRUIT. PEOPLE OF OUR TOWN LOVE THAT TREE AND NOW WE COULD HAVE DELEGATED PEACE PIZZAS. IT

WOULD BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO BRING THE DEEPER MEANING OF THIS GUARDIAN TO LIFE FOR ALL TO UNDERSTAND AND CELEBRATE. BASICALLY, THE RIGHTS OF NATURE

RECOGNIZES THAT TREES, RIVERS THE CREATURES ALL HAVE STANDING IN THE EYES OF THE LAW.

YOU HAVE ABOUT 25 SECONDS.

JUST LIKE PEOPLE, THESE RIGHTS GIVE US A WAY TO PROTECT NATURE AND NO LONGER LET PROPERTY OWNERSHIP BE THE BOTTOM LINE. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE

EARTH HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED MOTHER EARTH AND NEVER THOUGHT THEY OWNED HER. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL COME BACK TO IN CHAMBERS. IF ANYONE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO, PLEASE.

FOUR HOURS LATER, THANK YOU ALL FOR STILL BEING HERE. MY HEART FLUTTERED IN

APPRECIATION WHEN I READ THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD'S WAY OF MITIGATING THE

SITUATION, AS I'M SURE THE MANY CREATURES THAT HAVE FLUTTERED IN APPRECIATION OF THIS ICONIC BEING THAT GRACES THE ENTRANCE OF OUR TOWN. AS

MAGIC POINTED OUT, WE HAVE A DIRECTIVE IN OUR GENERAL PLAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ORDINANCE AND THIS PROPOSAL IS A POSITIVE STEP IN THAT DIRECTION THAT HAS YET TO BE FORMALLY IMPLEMENTED. MY UNDERSTANDING OF COMPROMISE AT ITS

GREATEST IS WHERE EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN GET MORE THAN WHAT THEY WOULD'VE Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

INDIVIDUALLY GOTTEN, AND THIS, JUST LIKE THIS IS INNOVATIVE AND WE CAN PUT A

PLACARD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TREE THAT CELEBRATES LIFE AND CELEBRATES OUR

TOWN'S INGENUITY, AND GIVES INSPIRATION TO OTHER COMMUNITIES IN WHAT WE CAN

DO WHEN WE THINK OF OTHER BEINGS AS OUR KIN AND TO SPEAK FOR THEM AS WE WOULD CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE A VOICE YET. SO I REALLY HOPE THAT COUNCIL

UNANIMOUSLY VOTES TO SAVE THIS TREE AND LET THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE BARLOW REVEL IN APPRECIATION OF IT AS THEY ENJOY THE RECREATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT I WILL GO OUT TO ZOOM. LINDA, WILL YOU UNMUTE YOUR SELF, PLEASE? GO AHEAD WITH YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, LINDA?

THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS AND MAGIC, VERY ELOQUENT, GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU

AGAIN AND PERHAPS THAT TREE CAN BECOME A DESTINATION, SORT OF SIMILAR TO THE

SWALLOWS THAT GOT THEIR OWN SIGNS BEHIND THE SCHOOL ANNEX UNDER THE EAVES WHERE THEY ANNUALLY MAKE THEIR NEST. ANYWAY, IN ADDITION TO OUR RIGHTS OF

NATURE, THERE ARE STILL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE OBSERVED AND MORE

OF THE VERY, VERY BIG ONES, WE ARE ALL BEING BOMBARDED BY MICROWAVE

RADIATION AND RADIATION IN OUR CELL PHONES AND ALL THE SMART METERS AND ALL THE SMART DEVICES. THE WIRELESS DEVICES ARE MAKING US ILL AND WE NEED TO

START RECOGNIZING THAT AND TAKING MEASUREMENTS --
LINDA, IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC I APPRECIATE IT. IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HEAR YOUR OPINION ON THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE.

THANK YOU. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO WITHOUT YOU, REALLY, MAYOR. BUT I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT. I WOULD SAVE THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE, MAKE IT A DESTINATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND THANK YOU LARRY FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU, LINDA, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO CHAMBERS. IF

THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING, SEE NONE, I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM. MELISSA, WILL YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF PLEASE?
HELLO, HOPEFULLY YOU ALL CAN HEAR ME. GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS, THIS IS MELISSA HANLEY. I'M THE VICE CHAIR OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD SPEAKING TO YOU THIS EVENING AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. I WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK ON THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING. THIS REQUEST WAS BROUGHT TO

OUR BOARD EARLIER THIS YEAR UNDER SIGNIFICANT DELIBERATION AMONGST THE

BOARD AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY ARBORIST WHO IS PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND HERE THIS EVENING. BYE BECKY. OUR BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DENY THIS OPERATION AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO UPHOLD THIS DENIAL. DURING THE MEETING, AS YOU'LL NOTE IN THE REPORT, MS. NUCKOLS DENIES THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE TREE TO MITIGATION. SHE NOTED THIS TREE WILL

BENEFIT FROM COMPETENT ANNUAL MAINTENANCE, WHICH WOULD MITIGATE THE RISK OF DROPPING FRONDS AND CONES. SHE ALSO RECOMMENDED NETTING AS A SOLUTION.

IN ADVANCE OF THE DRV MEETING OUR BOARD RECEIVED MANY, MANY LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AND HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTEND IN PERSON. PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WE RECEIVE ARE UNIVERSALLY IN SUPPORT OF PRESERVING THIS TREE.

COMMENTS NOTED THE ICONIC NATURE OF THE TREE AS A SYMBOL OF THE GATEWAY

ENTRANCE TO THE DOWNTOWN CORE, THE AGE OF THE TREES BELIEVED TO BE AT LEAST 140 YEARS OLD, IF POSSIBLE LINKAGE TO LUTHER BURBANK AND ITS RARITY AS ONLY A HANDFUL LEFT IN PUBLIC SPACES IN THE COUNTY. WE ALSO LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECORDED INCIDENTS OF INJURY DUE TO THIS TREE. THE BARLOW CONTENDED

THAT THE TREE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR SPACE FOR A PERFECTIVE TENANT. OUR BOARD DISCUSSED THIS CONCERN AND DETERMINE

THEIR ALREADY EXPENSIVE EXISTING PATIO SPACES SURROUNDING THE TENANT BUILDING WITH CANOPY STRUCTURES ALREADY IN PLACE. IN CONCLUSION OUR WORK

FELT THAT THE BARLOW HAD NOT EXHAUSTED ITS OPTIONS TO MITIGATE THE

PERCEIVED SAFETY RISKS BEFORE TAKING THE DRASTIC ALBEIT EASIER ROUTE OF REMOVING THIS TREE, WHICH IS A CHERISHED ASSET TO OUR TOWN. I HOPE YOU WILL UPHOLD THE DENIAL OF THIS APPLICATION AND PRESERVE HISTORY. THANK YOU AND SORRY FOR THE FRINGY IN THE BACKGROUND.

THANK YOU, MELISSA.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

MARY GURLEY, I SEE THAT WE HAVE 10:30 APPROACHING. I'D LIKE TO CHECK IN WITH COUNSEL. I KNOW WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND JUST SEE IF COUNSEL -- IS THERE ANYONE WHO IS NOT COMFORTABLE STAYING THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE DISCUSSION OF THIS ITEM? ANYONE WHO FEELS WE NEED TO LEAVE RIGHT AT 1030?

I'D LIKE TO NOT ONLY FINISH THIS BUT FINISH I SINCE I HEARD THAT IT WAS TIME SENSITIVE.

IS IT IN FACT TIME SENSITIVE?
YES.

AND WHY IS IT TIME SENSITIVE?

BECAUSE THE HEATER IN THE POOL COULD GO OUT AND IT TAKES ABOUT FOUR MONTHS

TO ORDER A NEW ONE, SO THE LONGER WE WAIT TO ORDER ONE, THE GREATER THE

CHANCE THAT THE POOL WILL HAVE TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT.

I UNDERSTAND, SO THE QUESTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER HINTON IS WHETHER PEOPLE

ARE WILLING TO WAIT -- FIRST OF ALL, ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO STAY THROUGH AT LEAST THE END OF THIS ITEM?

I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT I THINK WE HAVE SOME MEMBERS HERE ALSO TO SPEAK TO US.

SO IS EVERYONE AT THE VERY LEAST WILLING TO WAIT THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF THIS ITEM THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING? YES HUMECTANT THE QUESTION IS ON SCHOOL, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY TAKE US CLOSER TO QUARTER TO 11, ANYONE FEEL THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STAY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL DISCUSSION? I SEE THE VICE MAYOR SAYING NO. OKAY, SO VICE MAYOR ZOLMAN IS NOT WILLING TO STAY AND THAT IS OUR

POLICY, SO RESPECTING THAT POLICY, WE WILL JUST GO THROUGH THE ITEM THAT WE

ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AND WE WILL NOT -- WE WON'T ADDRESS THE SCHOOL ITEM. I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE CONTINUE THE IVES POOL ITEM TO THE

NEXT MEETING AND THAT WE ADDRESS IT IN THAT WAY, AND I APOLOGIZE TO MEMBERS

OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE WAITING HERE, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE IN BEING HERE. APPRECIATE IT. OKAY. SO I'M SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER, DID YOU HAVE -- OKAY. SO, SORRY, SO LET'S FINISH THIS ITEM AND THEN WE'LL CALL IT A NIGHT. WE WERE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU, MARY, FOR ALLOWING ME TO COMPLETE THAT.

I WILL COME BACK INTO CHAMBER. IF THERE IS ANYONE IN CHAMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM, SEE NONE, I WILL GO BACK OUT TO ZOOM.

KYLE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
YES I CAN.

THANK YOU, LET ME SEE IF I CAN FIND A TIMER. CAN YOU SEE THE TIMER? YES I CAN.

RATES, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

AT THIS LATE HOUR IT'S REALLY, REALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR THAT WE GET AN APPEAL FROM THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, WE DON'T HAVE THE APPLICANT. PRETTY

STRAIGHTFORWARD, I WOULD THINK, THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE APPLICANT WHO IS

THERE TO ACTUALLY DEFEND THEIR APPEAL THAT MAYBE EVEN GIVING SOME SORT OF A

CLEAR INDICATION BEFORE WE WOULD GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT, LOGISTICS ABOUT WHAT AN APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MIGHT LOOK LIKE. THAT WOULD HELP I

THINK WITH THE PROCESS OF PUBLIC COMMENT, STREAMLINING, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I'M SUGGESTING WE GET TO STREAMLINE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I'VE

WATCHED THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS HE RODE DRASTICALLY OVER THE LAST

COUPLE OF YEARS AS A RESULT OF INABILITY OF COUNSEL TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO MANAGE TIME IN MEETINGS, RIGHT? REGULARLY WATCHING ITEMS GO FAR, FAR LONGER

THAN THEY NEED TO WITHOUT THE ABILITY OF BEING ABLE TO REEL IN BOTH

COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AS WELL AS RUNNING ON OF

COMMENTARY BY PAID CONSULTANTS WHO I'M SURE WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TALKING WHEN THEY'RE CHARGING BY THE HOUR. I THINK IT'S A PRETTY CLEAR DIRECTION WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO IN TERMS OF THIS ITEM. I JUST WOULD REALLY

LIKE TO ACTUALLY TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REALLY REFLECT ON TIME AND IT MEANT, HOW WE CAN MANAGE THIS IN THE FUTURE. SOMETHING THAT MAY NEED TO

BE CONSIDERING, AGENDA REVIEW TO JUST REALLY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

OF WHAT TIME IT TAKES TO GET THROUGH THESE THINGS AND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN OPTIMIZE TIME IN THE FUTURE. WE DON'T ALL HAVE 140 YEARS TO GROW OR 600 YEARS TO GROW, LIKE A TREE DOES. LET'S CONSIDER THAT WHEN WE ARE PLANNING OUT HOW WE PROCEED FORWARD IN THINGS LIKE THIS. THANKS.

THANK YOU, KYLE, FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. AGAIN, COMING BACK TO CHAMBERS, SEE NONE, KATE, CAN YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
YES, THANK YOU.

DO YOU SEE THE TIMER?
THANK YOU, MARY.

GO AHEAD.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY HEARTENED TO HEAR ALL THE SUPPORT FOR THIS

TREE AND THE PREVIOUS COLORS AND SPEAKERS WHO MENTIONED THE RIGHTS OF

NATURE AND I ALSO TOTALLY SUPPORT TREES AND THE URBAN CANOPY, AND I FIND IT

INTERESTING THAT WE EXPECT BARNEY TO PAY TO KEEP WATERING THIS TREE, JUST AS

WE EXPECT EVERYONE TO KEEP WATERING THEIR TREES, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE IRRIGATION RATES WILL BE GOING UP OVER 100%. AND SO MY REAL QUESTION IS IF

EVERYONE IN THIS TOWN REALLY SUPPORTS TREES, MAYBE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM. BECAUSE OUR AQUIFER, WHICH WE SIT ON, WHICH IS HUGE, WE HAVE NO NEED FOR WATER. WE CAN SUPPORT TONS OF TREES, TONS OF PLANTS. WE CAN SUPPORT THE BIRDS AND THE BEES AND THE BUTTERFLIES THAT ALL LIVE IN THOSE PLANTS. IF WE THINK ABOUT OUR WATER PRICING. SO YOU KNOW,

BARNEY COULD JUST SAY HE DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE WATER FOR THE TREE AND THEN THE TREE MIGHT DIE. I'M NOT SAYING AT ALL HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT, BUT

PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLANTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AREN'T NECESSARILY OBLIGATED TO WATER THEM IF THEIR WATER RATE INCREASES OVER 100%. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU KATE FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT SPEAKER I HAVE IS RAY. RAY COULD YOU UNMUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE?
OKAY. WOW MARY.

HOW ARE YOU?
I'M DOING WELL, GOOD EVENING MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. AFTER MAGIC SHARED HER NOTE I WENT ONLINE AND I FOUND THE LACK OF NOTES FROM 2013,

WHERE BARNEY WANTED TO CUT THE TREE DOWN BACK THEN, AND HOW HE FOUND A RESOLUTION AND WAS GRATEFUL FOR EVERY ONE'S SUPPORT, AND HE LOVED THE TREE.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR THE BEAUTIFUL TREE, IS WHAT THEY WROTE FROM THE BAR LOW BACK THEN. SO MY WORDS ARE PLEASE STICK WITH THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD'S DECISION AND HONOR THIS TREE. THE PREVIOUS COLOR'S CONCERNS ABOUT WATERING THE TREE, THE TREE HAS STOOD THERE FOR OVER 100 YEARS. IT'S TAKEN

CARE OF ITSELF AND ITS THIRSTING FROM THE LAGUNA, SURE, AND IT'S GOING TO LIVE FOR ANOTHER 100 YEARS-PLUS. SO WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH ITS GROWTH

AND PRESENCE AND THE MITIGATION OPTIONS ARE HUGE, AND ARE DOABLE, AND JUST

PUTTING UP A CANOPY, CATCHING THE PODS, REMOVING THE PODS AS INSTRUCTED IS

GREAT AND THAT IS PREVENTATIVE AND YEAH, IT'S DOING OUR PART, AND DOING OUR

PART, AS MAGIC SAID, TO HONOR THE TREE, PUT UP A SIGN, MAKE IT A CENTERPIECE, LET PEOPLE SEE AND HONOR IT AND COME TO APPRECIATE WHEN WE DO VISIT THE BARLOW.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I'LL GO ONE LAST TIME TO CHAMBERS. SEE NONE I WILL ONE LAST TIME TO ZOOM. SEE NONE, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.

OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM GOING TO TAKE A MINUTE TO READ SOMETHING THAT WAS EMAILED TO ME BY BARNEY ALDRIDGE TODAY. BYE DIANA, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE PHOTO OF BARNEY HUGGING THE BUNYA BUNYA TREE MANY YEARS AGO.

WOW, DIANA, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS, I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL VOTE TO SAVE THE TREE. THE BARLOW IS HYPER FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY. IT'S DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHEN TO INTERVENE. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LET NATURE DO HER THING AND WE PEOPLE HAVE TO MANAGE AROUND HER, BEST WE CAN. THE TREE IS MAGNIFICENT AND NEVER DID ANYTHING TO ANYONE THAT I KNOW OF. IT'S NOT MY DECISION AND I TRUST

THE EXPERTS AND OUR CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, WHATEVER THAT IS. FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I HOPE SHE CAN STAY STANDING TALL, BARNEY. SO GO AHEAD.

Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024

THANK YOU FOR READING THAT NOW AND I HAVE MY MOTION TO DENY THE APPEAL AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION OF DENIAL OF THE APPEAL.

I'LL SECOND THAT.

ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS? NO? GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER HINTON.

I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, DOESN'T THAT SEEM ODD? MAYBE YOU THOUGHT -- ANYWAY, THAT MAKES IT EASY.

OR IS THERE A LIABILITY FOR US?
NO, I'M JUST SAYING.

I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT I LIVE IN A TOWN WHERE PEOPLE LOVE THEIR TREES. LOVELY TREES.

VICE MAYOR ZALMAN SAID THAT.

SO MOVED BY VICE MAYOR ZOLLMAN AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MAUER TO

DENY THE APPEAL BASED ON THE FACTS AND FINDINGS INCLUDED IN RESOLUTION OF THE APPEAL. COUNCILMEMBER HINTON?
COUNCILMEMBER MAUER?
YES.

COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.

SAVE THE TREE.

VICE MAYOR ZALMAN.

MAYOR LYNCH.

YEAH.

MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU EVERYONE AND WE'LL CALL THIS MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:40. MARY, THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED BUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE ITEMS THAT WEREN'T ADDRESSED? ADDRESS THEM AT THE AGENDA SETTING? OKAY. OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THANK YOU STAFF AND THE PUBLIC AND SEBASTOPOL TIMES, AND WHAT A GREAT WAY TO END THE MEETING.

RECORDING STOPPED. [Event Concluded]
Agenda Item Number: 2
Agenda Item Number: 2
City Council Meeting Packet for Meeting of: June 4, 2024