Council approves water rate hike
Here is a summary of actions taken by the Susanville City Council at its Wednesday, Dec. 7 meeting.
Councilmember Rod De Boer was absent.
Closed session
The council discussed three items in a pair of closed session meetings — one before the public meeting and one afterwards.
Jared Hancock, city administrator, said the council took no reportable action. The three items under discussion were a conference with its real property negotiator regarding the terms of a possible easement, approval of the city’s position list and a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation.
Business from the floor
Jenna Aguilera, Lassen County’s grants and loan program manager, announced a count of Lassen County’s homeless will be taken Wednesday, Jan. 25. Each homeless person who provides information will receive a package of items designed to make life without a home a little bit easier, and the county and Lassen Family Services are seeking donations to collect as many as 400 packages containing knit caps, socks, gloves, thermals and scarves or $15 to sponsor an entire package.
Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Lassen Family Services, 1306 Riverside Drive.
To make a donation or for more information, call Victoria at 257-4599 or email [email protected].
Consent calendar
By a 4-0 vote, the council approved its consent calendar that include three items : minutes from the council’s Oct. 19 and Nov. 2 regular meetings and minutes from its Nov. 17 and Nov. 17 special meetings; approved vendor warrants totaling $1,268,487.74, including $208,442.92 in payroll warrants; and, received a monthly finance report for October 2016.
Public hearings
By a 3-1 vote the council approved Resolution 16-5339 setting fees and policies for the water utility of the city of Susanville. Councilmember Brian Wilson voted no.
According to the staff report, the fixed base rate (based upon the size of the connection) would vary from $23.65 to $289.69 per month. An infrastructure surcharge is added that would vary from $15 to $85 per month based upon the size of the connection. During the non-irrigation season (October through March) the rate will be $1.13 per 100 cubic feet of water (about 748 gallons) used. During irrigation season (April through September) the rate rises to $1.62 per 100 cubic feet.
A drought surcharge is also included. At Stage 1 (seeking a 15 percent reduction in usage) the price per 100 cubic feet of water used would rise to $1,90. At Stage 2 (seeking a 25 percent reduction), the price would rise to $2.06. At Stage 3 (seeking a 40 percent reduction) the price would rise to $2.31.
According to the staff report, the new rate structure is expected to increase revenues by about $800,000, with increased revenues to be used for water system infrastructure needs and increased operation and maintenance costs.
According to the staff report, a single family residential user at the 50th percentile would see the water bill increase by $16.49 per month or $197.87 per year.
The council also approved Resolution No. 16-5340 accepting an annual report on the city’s Development/Mitigation Fees.
New business
By a 4-0 vote, the council waived the first reading and introduced Ordinance No. 16-1007, adopting the 2016 California Building Codes. In order to adopt the codes, the council will need to approve the ordinance at a subsequent meeting.
Continuing business
By a 4-0 vote, the council adopted Ordinance No. 16-1006, amending Section 6.08.070 of the Susanville Municipal Code increasing the fees for the impound of animals and daily care.
By a 4-0 vote, the council approved Resolution No. 16-5341 approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Miscellaneous Bargaining Unit.
By a 4-0 vote, the council approved Resolution No. 16-5342, approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Public Works Bargaining Unit.
City administrator reports
The council received reports from Hancock regarding the Susanville Golf Course, the public works department and the Lassen Library District.
Next meeting
The Susanville City Council holds its next meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21 (closed session). The open session begins at 7 p.m.
