1995 JT ADJ MIN APR 10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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resolution be passed to safeguard the development monies. City Attorney Biggs advised that any actual increase could not take place until May 2, 1995, the public hearing date. Councilmember Sandoval urged consideration of the low income senior citizens. Grand Terrace Mayor Byron Matteson said there were four issues to consider: (1) Grand Terrace had purchased 1 million gallon capacity and currently utilize 60%, of that capacity. Needless to say Grand Terrace will never use full capacity. He stated that the revenues to be generated should not apply to the City of Grand Terrace; (2) AB1600 funds provided $1.8 million for expansion of the sewer plant; there is a question of accountability if money is siphoned. It is not fair to Grand Terrace to incur a rate increase in order to subsidize the Colton debt. The Grand Terrace rate is for maintenance not expansion; (3) He suggested a joint powers agreement for the sewer operation amongst Grand Terrace, Colton and San Bernardino and (4) proposed that a bond be issued as the ratings would be better and the percentage lower. Grand Terrace Mayor Matteson opined that the City of Colton would save mega- bucks. He concluded that the City of Grand Terrace feels strongly about addressing this matter on a friendly basis rather than legal. Mr. Joe Lopez, 789 West "F" Street, said he had been chairman of the Utilities Commission in 1992 and recalled that the Utilities Commission did recommend rate increases in 1992 and the Commission had recommended the repair of existing sewer lines on the east side and down Pennsylvania Avenue. In the future for deeper appreciation of the Utilities Commission's studies, he suggested the studies not be done overnight and further suggested that the Commission establish findings and conclusions. These studies are for the citizenry's use. He emphasized the commissioners are the people you should listen to as they have done the research and the leg work. He said the Commission had asked pertinent questions regarding senior citizen rates and found that the State will not issue funds. He stressed that the Council needs to let people know why things do not work and they will understand. Mr. Lopez said RIX was a great project over the tertiary treatment and now we need the tertiary treatment. He said there is a lot of information at the Water Board. He spoke about the pipeline in Reche Canyon area where there was a recommendation to upgrade the line from 46" to 48" and all the City had to pay was for the additional diameter. He said the City decided to lay the line at tremendous expense. He suggested that there are plenty of alternatives at lower costs. Mrs. Jean Ferrante, 113 Lyndon Drive, observed that five years ago the State said the City had to come up with a treatment plan. There were people here who studied the LEMNA project, at Moorpark, which was going to save money and now the plan is to raise the sewer bill to $25.00. She said she understood that the $12.50 per month revenues were to be held in a special fund to build the plant. She said her calculations show that the City should have $5.4 million in a fund, which she did not know was for sewer pipes. 5