6/11/24, 4:54 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWY…DA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAHvm7R0CIz1Ngh34M0SFA%2Fc%3D Page 1 of 1 Item 2 of Regular Agenda for June 11, 2024
Gail Kenny <[email protected]>
Tue 6/11/2024 10:37 AM
To:Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Mayor and Councilmembers:
I have a recurring event on Tuesday evenings I like to attend, so will not be able to be present at the meeting tonight.
As a member of the water advisory committee, I submit the following comments on the proposed water rate increase.
After leaving the last meeting, I thought more about the proposal to charge customers with larger meters a higher rate for water. It seemed a little arbitrary, because a bigger meter does not necessarily translate into higher water use. It all depends on whether the customer actually uses more water. Therefore, I now support one rate for all users, both inside and outside the city, regardless of how large a meter a customer has. I endorse option 3a as set forth in the agenda packet.
If it comes to pass that it in fact costs more to operate the plant in the future than was estimated, rates could be adjusted again at that time.
This painful step is regrettable, but necessary at this time. It remains crucial to get a T-3 operator employed by the city so we can stop paying the high cost of using an outside contractor. I hope valuable lessons have been learned by this experience.
Bryce Kenny
Sent from Mail for Windows
6/11/24, 4:56 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAICs8MsFPIpHnSAiNcG9lI8%3D Page 1 of 4 fyi: $MILLION Boondoggle, Trinidad City Manager Failures with Our Water Department: Massive Rate Increases Proposed
M M <[email protected]>
Fri 6/7/2024 6:45 PM
To:[email protected] <[email protected]>
Cc:Cityclerk Trinidad <[email protected]>
Please contact City of Trinidad Clerk, Gabe Adams, for official figures and more info.
Copy of my letter:
CITY OF TRINIDAD
ATTENTION: Clerk CC: Manager, Council
June 07, 2024
REGARDING: June 11, 2024, City Of Trinidad Council Meeting, Public Comment Period Please include for meeting, and post in the public comments section on our website. Thanks, Mike Morgan
Mike Morgan
Former City Councilman, Resident, Co-Owner Trinidad Bay B&B Hotel WWW.COUNCILGUYMIKE.US
$MILLION Boondoggle, City Manager Failures with Our Water Department
I suggest there be a “No Rate Change” option presented.
In this option:
City Manager, Eli Naffah, is held responsible and finally fired; Water Department Operating Reserves replenished at $300,000 from our General Fund; New “guardrails” and protections put in place so that no future Council or Manager can use it for studies or drought bs ever again.
Until the Council and Staff completely sort out the staffing and Water Department monetary requirements, the General Fund continues to subsidize ratepayers who did nothing “wrong” — ratepayers should not be forced to cover the previous Council and Eli’s Million Dollar Boondoggle.
Schedule a new Rate Study with Rebecca at GHD after staffing is complete and an investigation/audit is complete. In the audit, we need a complete timeline, rate increase criticisms, and results of both previous Rate Studies including resident letter protest votes.
We can, and should, do better.
City Governance Suggestion:
6/11/24, 4:56 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAICs8MsFPIpHnSAiNcG9lI8%3D Page 2 of 4 The City Council should recognize our City Manager form of governance has failed Trinidad.
Staff reports the amount of money these 4 managers in a doz years (acknowledging Suker’s success) have cost us. We go back to what worked for 100 years — City Councilmen directly manage departments and governance, saving and replenishing some of our wasted money.
If the City decides to hire a new City Manager, it must hire a fiscal conservative who has a proven track record. The hiring process must not be rushed to fill Eli’s firing. Create a new position and compensation for our City Clerk — Superior Clerk of Trinidad? This would easily get us through a year or two of City Council governance.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
6/11/24, 4:56 PM
https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADkxOWYxMDM1LWYyYjYtNDA4Zi05MTBhLTY4Y2I3NTgyYTFjMwAQAICs8MsFPIpHnSAiNcG9lI8%3D Page 3 of 4