HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2000-08-01 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 1, 2000
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
o
7:00 p.m.
Present:
(Cassette Tape No. 1)
Councilmembers Gonzalez and Penna*,
Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes and Mayor
Matsumoto
Absent:
Councilman Mullin
*Councilman Penna arrived at 7:03 p.m.
Staff Present:
City Manager Wilson, Assistant City Manager
Moss, Assistant City Attorney Johnson, Public
Works Director Gibbs, Finance Director Steele,
Superintendent of WQCP Castagnola, and
Environmental Compliance Coordinator Honan
Others Present:
Mr. Mike Britten, Corrollo Engineers, Ms. Joan
Cox, Harris & Assoc.
Public Comments None.
Public Hearing - Resolution approving a Report of Annual Stormwater Fees for 2000-01 and
Stormwater Fees and Charges for 2000-01
Public hearing opened.
Staff report presented by Environmental Compliance Coordinator Honan.
Ms. Charlene Moore, 901 Hillside Boulevard, stated her remarks were regarding the sewer rate
increase and Mayor Matsumoto asked her to hold her remarks until Agenda Item No. 5.
Ms. Jackie Williams, 242 Longford Drive, asked if the proposed fee increases affected
property in the city of Daly City or the proposed Serramonte Corporate Center. City Manager
Wilson stated the fee structure is for the City of South San Francisco, and does not pertain to
properties outside City boundaries.
Public hearing closed.
Mayor Matsumoto asked if the current rate has been in effect since 1995 and staff confirmed
that information.
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Gonzalez: To approve Resolution No. 96-2000, adopting a report of
Stormwater Management Service fees for Fiscal Year 2000-01 pursuant to South San
Francisco Municipal Code Section 14.04.110 and Resolution No. 97-2000, approving
Stormwater Management Service Charges for Fiscal Year 2000-2001. Approved by voice
vote.
Public Hearing - Resolution approving a Report of Annual Sewer Rentals and Charges for
2000-01 and 2001-02 and 5 % sewer rate increases for 2000-01 and 2001-02, and authorizing
future rate increases of up to 5% per year for 2002-03 through 2004-05
Staff report and visual presentation given by consultant, Mr. Mike Britten, Corollo Engineers,
explaining the problems the plant has had, proposed expansion and the wet weather
improvements, also known as the clean water program.
Finance Director Steele presented the second portion of the staff report that discussed the
sewer rate increase and purpose, the Prop 218 actions, and the next steps in the process.
Ms. Charlene Moore, 901 Hillside Boulevard, speaking against the increase, stated the increase
did not take into consideration senior citizens and disable people who are on a fixed income.
She stated she has been conserving water for years and felt property owners should not be
penalized due to new developments. She submitted a letter of protest to the City Clerk.
Ms. Jackie Williams, 242 Longford Drive, asked if there is a joint agreement on sewage
service with Daly City. Assistant City Attorney Johnson advised Council that comments are
limited to the sewer rate increase. City Manager Wilson stated there are agreements with
adjacent cities to pay a proportionate share and suggested Ms. Williams direct her questions to
adjacent cities to find out how they set their individual sewer rates. Mayor Matsumoto
informed Ms. Williams her questions were not germane to the items on the agenda.
Mr. Joe D'Angelo, 310 Evergreen Avenue, speaking in support of the increase, stated he
oversees nine sewer districts, and that the rates in South San Francisco are low in comparison
to many of the districts he manages. He further discussed his background and knowledge and
substantiated staff's recommendation for the increase.
Mr. Tony Khorozian, 116 Aptos Way, speaking against the increase, stated there should be
three sewer rates: residential, small businesses, and big businesses/hotels. He felt sewer rates
for people on fixed incomes should not be increased. Mr. Khorozian further commented on
items unrelated to the discussion and Assistant City Attorney Johnson advised Council to limit
comments to the sewer fee increase. City Manager Wilson offered to meet privately with Mr.
Khorozian.
In response to Mr. Khorozian, City Manager Wilson explained that the commercial/industrial
sewer rates are based on flow (gallons) and the strength of the effluent. Rates are fair and
equitable.
Mr. Larry Hirsch, 258 Westview Drive, speaking with concern, stated he owns two
laundromats in South San Francisco. He felt his type of business should be given an equitable
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
AUGUST 1, 2000
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rate due to the characteristics of his business which provides a service to the community.
Manager Wilson stated his agreement with Mr. Hirsch and that models and appropriate
multipliers are set by the State of California, which have already taken these factors into
consideration. A protest can be filed with Plant Superintendent Castagnola.
City
Councilman Penna questioned why the public hearing was being held at a special meeting and
City Manager Wilson stated that it was originally intended to be heard at a regular meeting, but
due to noticing requirements the item was re-scheduled. Mayor Matsumoto stated the item
was discussed at a May meeting and a community meeting was held by staff in July.
Councilman Penna discussed with staff and consultant the following items:
· Sewer bottlenecks - Mr. Britten stated bottlenecks are located throughout the system with
major ones along Airport Boulevard, Linden Avenue, and the San Mateo Avenue and Shaw
Road pump stations;
· Old Town area being neglected - Director Gibbs stated that the sewer lines have been
replaced and repaired on an as-needed basis. A maintenance program will be submitted to
Council in the next year or so;
· Sewer plant being outdated/outmoded - Supt. Castagnola stated the plant was initially built
in the 1950's, it's been upgraded several times, the last upgrade was in 1991. A co-
generator was built in 1991 to utilize waste gas from treatment processing that covers about
25% of the plants needs and saves $10,000 a month in electricity;
· New developments share - City Manager Wilson stated that new residential developments
sewer hook-up fees will increase from $810 to $1400 per unit;
· Biotech industry share - Supt. Castagnola stated that sewer rates am higher due to the
water usage, oxygen demand, and amount of solids in their water;
· Wet weather program - Director Gibbs stated that the water inflow that occurs during
storms, which currently overstresses the plant, will be collected in retention basins;
· San Francisco sewer rates - Supt. Castagnola stated the rates in San Francisco are very
high and them is currently a freeze on rates due to public protest;
· Residents subsidizing rates for future developments - City Manager Wilson explained that
a treatment plant has a set capacity and a dollar amount to operate it, the fee is calculated to
recapture that cost as new development occurs;
· Testing of industrial discharges - Supt. Castagnola stated that Coordinator Honan measures
the discharges using State guidelines.
Councilman Penna stated his support for the sewer rate increase.
Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes discussed with staff the penalties and lawsuits the City has
encountered. Supt. Castagnola stated the penalties were less stringent at one time, but now can
include a prison sentence if neglect is detected. Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes stated his support
for the sewer rate increase.
Councilman Gonzalez discussed with staff the Prop 218 process and his concern that the fees
will not increase annually through 2004-05. He stated that he has seen repairs made to the
sewer lines in Old Town, and the bottlenecks that Mr. Britten referred to. He acknowledged the
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 1,2000
MINUTES PAGE 3
need for the treatment plant improvements as a way of alleviating these problems.
Mayor Matsumoto asked if there was recently a situation when the plant almost experienced an
overflow and staff stated that there were problems during the power outage, and a potential
situation recently during heavy rains, which was averted. Director Gibbs explained the co-
generator's and emergency generator's effectiveness during emergencies. Mayor Matsumoto
discussed with City Manager Wilson funding the improvements with money from the General
Fund if the increase were not approved, and Council's fiduciary responsibility. Mayor
Matsumoto stated her support for the sewer rate increase and reiterated that the City's rate is
the second lowest on the Peninsula.
(Cassette Tape No. 2)
Mayor Matsumoto asked if there were any more formal written protest to be turned in.
Hearing no response, Mayor Matsumoto closed the public hearing.
Mayor Matsumoto announced a recess for tabulation of the written protests.
(Recess: 8:31 p.m.- 8:41 p.m.)
With the assistance of Ms. Cox, Harris & Associates, City Clerk Payne reported 27 protests
were submitted out of 13,209 properties, equating to a 0.2% response.
Motion-PennaJSecond-Fernekes: To approve Resolution No. 98-2000, approving 5% annual
increases for sewer rates effective in Fiscal Years 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, and increases of
up to 5% annually through 2004-05, amending the master fee schedule to include the rates and
adopting a report of annual sewer rentals and charges for 2000-01 and 2001-02, pursuant to
Chapter 14.12 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code. On the Question: Councilman
Penna asked for a verification on the amount of the rate increase, which staff explained.
Motion continued: Approved by voice vote.
5. Adjournment
Motion-Penna/Second-Fernekes: To adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Unanimously approved
by voice vote.
Submitted by:
Sylvia M. Pa~erk
City of South San Francisco
Approved:
City of
Isumoto, Mayor
>uth San Francisco
The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council to dispose of an item. Oral
communications, arguments, and comments are recorded on tape. The tape and documents related to the items are on
file in the Office of the City Clerk and are available for inspection, review and copying.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 1, 2000
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