[00:00:01]
FOR COMING.[CALL TO ORDER]
HEARING IS CALLED TO ORDER.THE TWO 18 HEARING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
WE HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
WE'LL TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE OURSELVES AND I'LL PASS OFF TO OUR PRES PRESIDENT, OUR ACTING PRESIDENT, INTERIM PRESIDENT.
I'M ACTUALLY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.
UM, I'M IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT.
ROBERT SHANNON, COMMISSIONER ANNA GAN, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER.
I'M THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE UTILITIES.
AND I'M MARCIE ASDA, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY LISA SQUIRE'S, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD.
SO IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, IF YOU CAN, PLEASE RISE
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
AND WE'LL DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR STANDS.
WHY NATIONS UNDER GOD, US FOR ALL.
UM, WE'LL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
FIRST OFF, I WILL CALL ON OUR GENERAL MANAGER, CHRIS GARNER FOR STAFF REPORT.
I THINK WE'RE ALL KIND OF OUT OF ORDER HERE WITH THAT FLAG.
[ROLL CALL]
TO CALL ON LISA SQUIRES FOR THE ROLL CALL.[STAFF REPORT]
THANK YOU.SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCREEN, UH, LONG BEACH UTILITIES, YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE.
UH, WE HAVE A RELATIVELY NEW NAME SINCE THE, UH, VOTE IN 2022 TO MERGE THE UTILITIES UNDER ONE ROOF.
WE PROVIDE, UH, THE LONG BEACH RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, WATER AND SEWER SERVICES, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT SINCE 1911.
AND WE ALSO SERVE NOW THE NATURAL GAS, UH, UTILITY SERVICES TO LONG BEACH RESIDENTS AND SIGNAL HILL RESIDENTS.
AND WE HAVE BEEN SERVING NATURAL GAS, UH, TO LONG BEACH SINCE 1924.
SO WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
SO WHAT I'LL DO IS I'LL JUST GIVE A VERY BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT SERVICES WE PROVIDE.
SO ON THE WATER SIDE, UM, WE OBTAIN OUR WATER SUPPLY FROM THREE PRIMARY SOURCES.
SO 60% OF OUR WATER SUPPLY COMES FROM LOCAL GROUNDWATER PUMPING.
SO THE LOCAL AQUIFERS, THAT'S OUR LATE LEAST EXPENSIVE WATER SUPPLY.
THEN WE BUY THE INCREMENTAL WATER SUPPLY FROM THE, UH, IT'S IMPORTED THROUGH A METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT THAT COMES FROM THE COLORADO RIVER AND FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
AND THEN 10% OF OUR WATER SUPPLY IS RECLAIMED WATER.
AND WE IRRIGATE, UH, LOCAL PARKS AND CEMETERIES.
AND WE ALSO PROVIDE A RECLAIMED WATER TO THE OFFSHORE OIL ISLANDS TO REPLACE OIL THAT IS PUMPED.
UM, ONE OF THE GOOD NEWS THAT WE HAD THIS PAST YEAR IS WE DRILLED OUR FIRST NEW WATER WELL IN LONG BEACH IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.
AND THAT IS OUR, UH, REINVESTMENT INTO THE SYSTEM TO TRY AND INCREASE OUR, UH, LOCAL WATER PUMPING, WHICH AGAIN, I SAY IS OUR LEAST EXPENSIVE WATER SUPPLY, WATER QUALITY.
SO, UM, EVERY DAY WE PUMP THE LOCAL GROUNDWATER AND WE TAKE IT BY, UH, PIPELINE TO THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT OVER AT SPRING IN REDONDO.
UH, YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE GROUNDWATER TREATMENT PLANT OVER THERE.
AND THEN WE, WE RUN THROUGH VARIOUS PROCESSES AND CLEAN UP THE WATER.
WE TAKE OUT THE ODOR, WE TAKE OUT THE COLOR AND, UH, TAKE OUT THE CONTAMINANTS OUTTA THE WATER.
WE ALSO DO, UH, OVER 70,000, UH, SAMPLINGS THROUGHOUT THE CITY'S, UH, PIPELINE SYSTEM.
AND, UH, WE HAVE A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS AND TECHNICIANS THAT TEST THAT WATER AT ONE OF OUR THREE, UH, WATER QUALITY LABS OVER AT THE TREATMENT PLANT.
WE HAVE 30 LARGE RESERVOIR STORAGE TANKS.
UM, YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE RESERVOIR HILL, UH, NEAR THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE.
AND WE ALSO HAVE A, UH, STORAGE FACILITY RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CITY, BOUNDARIES IN DOMINGUEZ HILLS.
UM, SO WE HAVE 30 LARGE STORAGE TANKS THERE.
WE HAVE, UM, WATER AND SEWER, UM, NOT DELIVERY, BUT WATER AND SEWER THROUGH 2,400 MILES OF PIPELINES.
UH, SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT EVERY MAJOR STREET IN LONG BEACH HAS A WATER, SEWER AND NATURAL GAS PIPELINES GOING THROUGH IT.
UH, YESTERDAY WE HAD ONE OF OUR PIPELINES BREAK IN AN ALLEY.
IT WAS, UH, BUILT, UH, INSTALLED IN 1930.
SO WE HAVE SOME PIPELINES THAT ARE GOING ON CLOSE TO 100 YEARS OLD, BUT STILL IN OPERATION.
UM, WE MAINTAIN OUR PIPELINE SYSTEM
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AND WHAT OUR ENGINEERS STRATEGICALLY REPLACED THAT.SO WE HAD REMOVED MOST OF OUR, UH, MOST VULNERABLE PIPELINE, WHICH WAS THE CAST IRON PIPELINE OF OUR SYSTEM.
AT ONE POINT, WE WERE EXPERIENCING ABOUT 200 MAIN BREAKS A YEAR, WHICH IS A TREMENDOUS COST IN THAT AND BE THROUGH THAT STRATEGIC REPLACEMENT.
WE'RE DOWN TO ABOUT 30 A YEAR.
UM, WE PROVIDE, UH, CUSTOMER SERVICE 24 HOURS, UH, IN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
UH, WE HAVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
WE, UH, UH, EXERCISE THE VALVES, EXERCISE THE FIRE HYDRANTS.
WE GO TO PEOPLE'S HOMES TO CHECK ON LEAKS, UM, METERS AND SO ON.
WE HAVE A UTILITY CALL CENTER.
WE HAVE DISPATCH CENTER, THE SEWER SYSTEM.
SO YOU HEAR A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE, UH, GAS AND WATER SYSTEMS, BUT YOU DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT THE SEWER SYSTEM.
BUT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE OPERATIONS THAT THEY DO.
UM, THEY MAINTAIN THE ENTIRE SEWER SYSTEM, MAKE SURE IT'S FREE OF CLOGS AND, UH, BLOCKAGES.
UM, SO WE SEND ROBOTIC CAMERAS THROUGH THE PIPELINES TO INSPECT EACH EACH INCH OF THE PIPELINE SYSTEM, UH, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.
AND WE DO THAT ON A CONTINUAL BASIS.
UM, THIS, THIS YEAR WE'LL HAVE RESPONDED TO NEARLY 1000 CUSTOMER SERVICE, UH, REQUESTS FOR SERVICE ON THE SEWER SIDE.
AND WE'RE PROUD TO SAY THAT WE DO THAT ALL ON THE DAY THAT, UH, WE'RE CALLED.
WE GET OUT THERE AND IMMEDIATELY AND CHECK ON THAT.
SO OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, THESE ARE OUR LARGE, UM, PROJECTS THAT WE DO IN THE SYSTEM.
WE ARE REINVESTING THE MONEY WE GET FROM OUR RAY PAYERS BACK INTO THE SYSTEM.
SO YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THAT'S A LARGE, UH, GATE VALVE THAT WE INSTALLED.
THE PIPELINES THAT WE'RE INSTALLING, THE STORAGE TANKS THAT I TALKED ABOUT ARE UP IN THE UPPER LEFT.
SO, UM, UH, WE HAVE TO LIFT THE SEWAGE UP 'CAUSE IT'S GRAVITY FED.
UM, VERY EXPENSIVE TO MAKE THESE REPAIRS AND KEEP THIS SYSTEM OPERATING.
SO WHAT YOU'RE HERE ABOUT TONIGHT IS OUR PROPOSED RATE INCREASE.
SO THE BOARD APPROVED IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, A 11% WATER RATE INCREASE, WHICH IS ABOUT $6 AND 25 CENTS A MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER.
AND THEN ON THE SEWER SIDE, WE HAVE AN 8% INCREASE, WHICH IS ABOUT 91 CENTS ON A MONTH ON AVERAGE FOR THE CUSTOMERS.
UM, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TAKE THIS MONEY, THIS REVENUE THAT YOUR, UH, GRAY PAYERS WILL PROVIDE TO US AND CONTINUE TO REINVEST BACK INTO THE SYSTEM.
WE'RE LOOKING AT, UH, AGAIN, THE GROUNDWATER REINVESTMENT TO TRY AND MAXIMIZE OUR PUMPING, LOCAL PUMPING BECAUSE THAT'S OUR LEAST EXPENSIVE SUPPLY.
AND THEN MAINTAIN THE 3,500 MILES OF PIPELINE.
AND THEN, UH, WE ALSO HAVE RESERVES.
WE HAVE $180 MILLION BUDGET ON THE WATER SIDE AND A BUDGET THAT SIZE.
WE NEED TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY FOR RESERVES FOR EMERGENCIES AND UNPLANNED EXPENDITURES.
THIS GRAPH SHOWS WHAT, UM, YOU KNOW, I TALKED ABOUT LONG BEACH UTILITIES, AND THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HAD A LEG, A REGULATORY BODY REVIEWING ALL THREE OF THE MAJOR UTILITIES ON YOUR UTILITY BILLS.
SO THAT'S WATER, NATURAL GAS, AND SEWER FOR OVER.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A HUNDRED YEARS, ONE BODY IS LOOKING THAT IN SETTING THOSE RATES.
AND SO YOU'LL SEE THAT FOR THE THREE UTILITIES, RIGHT NOW IT'S $140 FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER A MONTH FOR GAS, WATER, SEWER.
WITH THE RATE INCREASE, IT'LL GO TO $149.
BUT YOU COMPARE THAT AGAINST THE $171 FOR SACRAMENTO, 187 FOR SAN JOSE, $207 IN LOS ANGELES, 227 IN SAN DIEGO, 2 44 IN OAKLAND, AND $350 FOR THE SAME SERVICES IN THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO.
PEOPLE ASK WHERE THEIR MONEY GOES.
UM, IF SEAN CAN MOVE HIS HEAD, I CAN SEE, OKAY, THERE, 28 CENTS FOR THANK YOU SEAN.
UH, 28 CENTS FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE UTILITIES.
25 CENTS GOES TOWARDS THE PURCHASING OF THE COMMODITY, THE WATER COMMODITY, THE NATURAL GAS COMMODITIES, 21 CENTS GOES TOWARDS OUR LABOR FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT PROVIDE THE SERVICES.
UH, 21 CENTS IS THE REINVESTMENT INTO THE, UH, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
AND THEN 5 CENTS IS THE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER, WHICH IS ALLOWED PER THE CITY CHARTER.
UM, IF WE HAVE EXCESS REVENUES, WE CAN TRANSFER THAT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
SO WE'VE HAD, UH, ALREADY THREE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, UH, WITH THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTIL UTILITIES.
UH, WE HAD THE INITIAL ONE MAY 2ND, UH, WHERE THEY DISCUSSED THE FY 25 BUDGET AND RATES.
WE HAD A SECOND PUBLIC WORKSHOP LATER THAT MONTH, AND THEN THE LAST ONE IN JUNE WHERE THE BOARD ADOPTED THE FY 25 BUDGET.
AND THIS WATER AND SEWER RATES THAT WE'RE, WE'RE DISCUSSING TONIGHT.
AND TONIGHT IS THE PROP TWO 18 HEARING.
FROM HERE IT GOES TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEY REVIEW THE BUDGET AND THE RATES AND, AND THEN, UH, CHOOSE TO ADOPT IT.
UM, SOMETIME IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
IT MAY BE AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER 3RD.
UH, WE SUSPECT THAT, UH, IT'LL BE SEPTEMBER 10TH, BUT IT COULD BE AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER 3RD.
SO YOU HAVE THE, THE PUBLIC HAS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY
[00:10:01]
TO GO AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL.IF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE BUDGET AND THE RATES, THEY'RE SCHEDULED TO BECOME EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, WHICH IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION OF THE MEETING NOW.
ITEM ONE IS TO RECEIVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INTO THE RECORD ON THE PROPOSED INCREASE TO THE CITY'S WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 THROUGH 2025 TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT PURSUANT TO PROPOSITION TWO 18 AND IN THE ABSENCE OF A MAJORITY PROTEST, CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[1. 24-54416 Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record on the proposed increase to the City’s Water and Sewer Rates for Fiscal Year 2024-2025; receive public comment pursuant to Proposition 218; and, in the absence of a majority protest, conclude the public hearing. ]
AND NOW WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT.IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO AND WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE COMPLETE A SPEAKER'S CARD, WHICH IS OVER TO MY LEFT AND SUBMIT IT TO THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT OF THE BOARD.
YOUR NAME WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER IT WAS RECEIVED.
SPEAKERS WILL STATE THEIR NAME AT THE MICROPHONE.
[PUBLIC COMMENT An opportunity will be given to the public to address the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners concerning the subject matter. Each person will be allowed three minutes unless extended by the Board.]
PLEASE LIMIT YOUR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES.STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING IS ADJOURNED.
TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, THE BOARD EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT WILL NOW CALL PUBLIC SPEAKERS TO THE MICROPHONE.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE KY CHUN.
IF YOU CAN COME FORWARD AND SPEAK INTO THE MIC.
I'M JUST GONNA START MY TIMER HERE AND YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT TO LOOK AT ME, BUT I'M VERY DISTRESSED ABOUT THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASES FOR WATER AND SEWAGE.
I HAVE A DOCTORAL LEVEL DEGREE.
I WORK, HAVE A GOOD JOB AT THE UNIVERSITY, BUT AN 11% INCREASE FOR WATER AND A NINE PER 8% INCREASE FOR SEWAGE ON TOP OF HIGH INFLATION.
AND HISTORICALLY HIGH INTEREST RATES IS REALLY AN ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, BOTH FOR MYSELF AND THE MANY OTHER PARENTS WHO HAD NEITHER THE TIME NOR RESOURCE RESOURCES TO ATTEND THIS MEETING TONIGHT.
WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE MANY FAMILIES OF THE CHILDREN THAT I WORK WITH AT MY JOB WHO MAYBE ARE WORKING TWO JOBS, DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION OR CHILDCARE, UM, $9 I UNDERSTAND FOR, FOR MANY FOLKS MIGHT JUST BE A VENTI STARBUCKS WITH THE DRIVE THROUGH.
BUT FOR MYSELF, WITH, WITH A CHIL WITH A CHILD AND A SINGLE PARENT, UH, WITH $9, I CAN ACTUALLY FEED OUR FAMILY FOR TWO DAYS.
I CAN BUY THREE POUNDS OF ORANGES AND TWO POUNDS OF APPLES AND NINE, 9 CENTS CORN TORTILLAS AND A BAG OF CHEESE FOR $9 AND MAKE THAT LAST TWO DAYS.
SO I, AND, AND, AND I WILL ADD THAT THE $9, UM, ESTIMATED IS REALLY AN AVERAGE, RIGHT? SO IF YOU HAVE A LARGER HOUSE, IF YOU HAVE FIVE PEOPLE IN YOUR FAMILY OR TWO FAMILIES DOUBLING UP IN HOUSE, THE WATER RATES ARE JUST GONNA BE HIGHER DUE TO SHOWERS AND THAT SORT OF THING.
SO I UNDERSTAND I'M, I'M ALL FOR PAYING MY FAIR SHARE OF TAXES AND I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN THAT.
BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU CONSIDER AN INCREMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS, MAYBE 12 MONTHS, 18 MONTHS.
I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS. I KNOW YOU NEED TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND THAT WE ALL BENEFIT FROM THAT.
THE OTHER THING THAT I MIGHT ADD AS A SOCIAL SCIENTIST, UM, AND I KNOW THIS WAS NOT A SURVEY, THIS IS A MAJORITY PROTEST PROCESS, BUT IF YOU'LL CONSIDER THE PROCESS ASSUMES THAT THE SILENT MAJORITY IS IN FAVOR OR APPROVES OR DOES NOT OBJECT TO THE RATE INCREASES.
BUT AGAIN, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE FOLKS THAT COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT WHO COULDN'T AFFORD CHILDCARE, MAYBE WE'RE WORKING AT MCDONALD'S AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORKING AT A HOTEL, UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY FAIR TO ASSUME THAT EVERYONE'S OKAY WITH THAT.
SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THE EQUITY, UM, ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS, THE BARRIERS, UM, I DID NOTE THAT THE FIVE PAGE DOCUMENT SENT OUT WAS AN ENGLISH ONLY.
THERE WAS A PARAGRAPH THAT DID INCLUDE THE PHONE NUMBER AND THE EMAIL, BUT THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL BARRIER AGAIN, FOR SOMEONE WHO'S AN IMMIGRANT OR WORKING FAMILY.
THEY HAVE TO CALL, THEY ASK TO ASK FOR THE FIVE PAGE DOCUMENT.
THEY HAVE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE STANDING IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF A HUNDRED PEOPLE AND GIVING A SPEECH.
YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE BUS DOWN HERE.
SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT THE MAJORITY PROCESS, THE MAJORITY, UM, PROTEST PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE IS NOT EXACTLY A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE.
THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR OVERSAMPLING AMONGST, UM, THE MORE PRIVILEGED AND WEALTHIER, UM, POPULATION.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING MY FEEDBACK AND I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO.
BUT I DID JUST WANNA BRING UP THAT ISSUE THAT THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED.
[00:15:07]
THANK YOU.OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GLORIA PARS.
YOU MAY COME FORWARD AND SPEAK INTO THE MIC.
MY NAME IS GLORIA PARCE AND I LIVE IN LONG BEACH AND I'M BASICALLY AGREEING WITH HER, UM, A LOT OF US ELDERS, WHICH I AM ONE OF THEM, THAT INCREASE DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
I MEAN, IT'S NOT A LOT IF YOU JUST REALLY LOOK AT IT, BUT FOR A LOT OF US THAT DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY AND WE'RE ON OUR OWN, WE'RE ON A BUDGET, IT'S, IT'S GONNA HURT SOME OF US, YOU KNOW? SO MY QUESTION IS, HOW DID YOU GET TO THAT AMOUNT? WHAT BROUGHT THAT PARTICULAR AMOUNT UP? WHAT KIND OF, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? LIKE, IT'S LIKE WHAT, $6 OR WHATEVER IT IS.
HOW DID WE GET TO THAT? OR HOW DID YOU GET TO THAT? UH, THIS IS A, A HEARING TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS.
IT'S NOT A FORUM FOR QUESTIONS OH.
LIVE, BUT AFTERWARD OUR STAFF IS HERE AND WE'D BE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
AND I'M VERY, VERY NERVOUS, BUT, OKAY.
FIRST OF ALL, NO NEED TO BE NERVOUS.
UH, WE UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY IS JUST HERE.
SO WE, WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND AS THE, UH, VICE PRESIDENT SAID, UM, WE WILL HAVE STAFF STAY AFTER AND WE WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AS LONG AS IT TAKES.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DIANE ATIA.
DEAR MEMBERS OF THE LONG BEACH BOARD OF UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS DIANE TIA AND I'VE BEEN BEEN A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH FOR OVER A DECADE.
AND I CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT, IT GETS HARDER EVERY YEAR TO BE A HOMEOWNER IN THIS COMMUNITY.
I RECENTLY TOOK ON A NEW MORTGAGE IN LONG BEACH, AND AS IT STANDS, I AM BARELY BREAKING EVEN EVERY MONTH WITH MY BILLS IN MORTGAGE.
AS A SINGLE FEMALE RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT THESE, THESE RATES HIKES WILL HAVE ON MY ABILITY TO AFFORD ESSENTIAL UTILITIES.
I'M APPALLED BY THE PROPOSED 11% IN WATER RATES IN ADDITION TO 8% IN SEWER RATES.
AS OF TODAY, MY WATER AND SEWER BILL FOR JUST MYSELF AS A SINGLE PERSON IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS OVER $170 PER MONTH.
I HAVE REDUCED MY SHOWER TIME.
I HAVE REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF TIME WATERING MY GRASS.
I HAVE LIMITED THE NUMBER OF DISHES THAT I WASH PER WEEK, AND I HAVE EVEN BEGUN TO WATCH MY PRIZED ROSE GARDEN SLOWLY DIE FOR FEAR OF HAVING A MORE ELEVATED BILL EVERY MONTH.
IT IS EXTREMELY DISHEARTENING TO SEE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE BEING PROPOSED, PARTICULARLY AT A TIME WHERE MANY RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY FACING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
THE DECISION SEEMS TO OVERLOOK THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACED BY SINGLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS LIKE MINE, WHERE EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR COUNTS.
I DO NOT HAVE A SPOUSE TO RELY ON TO HELP ME COVERAGE, TO COVER ANY OVERAGE COSTS THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON MY HOUSEHOLD.
IT IS ALL ON MY SHOULDERS TO KEEP MY HOUSEHOLD RUNNING, AND IF I FAIL, I LOSE MY HOUSE.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WOULD PUSH MY MONTHLY UTILITY EXPENSES BEYOND WHAT I CAN REASONABLY AFFORD, POTENTIALLY FORCING ME TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES BETWEEN ESSENTIAL NEEDS.
I UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE WATER, THE CITY'S WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.
HOWEVER, I STRONGLY URGE THE BOARD TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT DO NOT PLACE SUCH A HEAVY FINANCIAL BURDEN ON RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH LIMITED INCOMES AND LIMITED RESOURCES.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE EQUITABLE WAYS TO FUND THESE IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING SINGLE INCOME FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS.
I TRUST THAT THE BOARD WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VOICE OF THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THESE PROPOSED INCREASES AND EXPLORE MORE SUITABLE AND FAIR ALTERNATIVES.
I DO HOPE THAT MY WORDS ARE VERY MUCH HEARD TONIGHT AND TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. WHITEHEAD.
[00:20:07]
HELLO, I'M MR. WHITEHEAD.AND, UH, SINCE UH, YOU'RE NOT TAKING QUESTIONS, IT'S JUST COMMENT, HOPEFULLY THIS RATES INCREASE.
WE'LL BE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT, UH, WILL BE SUFFICIENT IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH PFAS.
THAT WAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK AND HIT US UP FOR MORE MONEY IF YOU HAVE TO IMPROVE THE WATER SYSTEM TO TREAT FOR PFAS.
WHAT WAS THAT? THE, A LITTLE PARTICULATES IN WATER THAT, UH, SOME WATER COMPANIES ARE NOW HAVING TO FILTER OUT OF THE WALL.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JENNIFER LRE.
I DON'T OBJECT TO THIS INCREASE IN ITS ENTIRETY.
AND SO I'VE NARROWED IT DOWN TO ONE BIG DETAIL AND THAT'S THE INCLUSION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUDGET, WHICH THEN TRANSLATES INTO WHAT WE NEED FOR RATES TO COVER THAT BUDGET.
RIGHT? SO, UM, I'VE ASKED IF IT WOULDN'T BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO USE BOND ISSUES, WHICH WOULD THEN BE TRACEABLE, UH, ACCOUNTABLE.
UM, WE COULD, WE COULD MONITOR PROGRESS TOWARD OUR GOALS.
AND, AND I UNDERSTAND I'VE GIVEN THIS A LOT OF THOUGHT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S GONNA INVOLVE, UM, VOTER APPROVAL IS GONNA INVOLVE INTEREST EXPENSES AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES, NONE OF WHICH WE WANT EITHER.
SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, AND I WILL OBJECT TO ANY INCREASE UNTIL THIS HAPPENS, IS FOR THOSE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET, BUT WITH SOME WAY OF EARMARKING THOSE FUNDS SO THEY CAN'T GO ASTRAY, THEY CAN'T BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE, AND THEN TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THE PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLETION.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN, FORGIVE ME IF I SAY YOUR LAST NAME WRONG.
I WANNA, CAN YOU HEAR ME? ALRIGHT.
I WANNA SAY HI TO MY FRIEND GLORIA CORDERO.
I'M THE FORMER CHAIRMAN FOR THE CDAC COMMISSION, CITY OF LONG BEACH.
AND, UH, I WANT TO EXTEND MY APPRECIATION FOR THE TIME THAT ALL OF YOU ON THIS BOARD SERVE BECAUSE IT'S, IT TAKES TIME, SACRIFICE AND SO FORTH.
SO I COMMEND ALL OF YOU, UM, PER THE DISCUSSION OF THE ITEM TONIGHT.
I AM NOT CLEAR, BUT I'M NOT IN OPPOSITION OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I, I KNOW THAT, UH, THERE HAS TO BE INCREASES, UH, TO BE INCURRED.
I HAVE GROWN OLD HERE IN LONG BEACH.
THAT'S ALL LONG I'VE BEEN HERE.
MY CHILDREN AS ATHLETES HAVE MOVED ON AND MY HOME NOW ARE TWO PEOPLE.
SO MY, UM, CONCERN FOR YOU WOULD BE TO TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION, UM, HOW OFTEN WILL THESE INCREASES TAKE PLACE AND IS IT MEASURED OR IS IT AT THE WHIM OF THE COUNCIL WHENEVER GARY GOES OVER THERE AND SAYS, I NEED THIS MUCH MORE MONEY.
WHAT DO WE DO? IS THERE A SEQUENCE? IS THERE A FORMULA THAT NEEDS? AND, AND THERE MUST BE, THERE MUST BE A FORMULA TO BE PUT IN PLACE, OTHERWISE WE'RE EXPOSED, UH, TO ANYTHING THAT COMES FORWARD WHEN ALL OF YOU ARE GONE AND NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS COME ON BOARD.
SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, BE CAUTIOUS.
IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HAVE EVERY THREE YEARS A CONSIDERATION TO RAISE? IS IT ANNUALLY? WHEN IS IT? THE OTHER IS LOOK AT THE 180 MILLION RESERVES THAT WE HAVE IN THE KITTY.
COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THERE WAS A GRAB, UH, TO MERGE THE DEPARTMENTS AND OF COURSE THERE WAS A UPRISING BY SOME OF THE CITIZENS.
AND THAT WENT TO COURT, THAT CAME BACK.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, UH, WE TEND TO LOOK, UH, WITH THE FORESIGHT, UH, IN A SENSE,
[00:25:01]
UH, THAT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE WE'RE GOVERNMENT, WE COME RIGHT BACK TO SQUARE ONE.UM, AND SO, UH, KIND OF, UH, SHARING THAT.
THE OTHER PART OF, UH, THIS IS IF YOU CAN IN FACT WORK, UH, WITH THE RESERVES AND IF, IF, IF ANNUALLY THERE ARE NO IMPACTS, MAYBE THOSE RESERVES CAN BE USED FOR OTHER THINGS, UH, AS, AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO INCREMENTALLY RAISE, UM, THE, THE, UH, THE COST GOING FORWARD.
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY IMPACTS PER SE, THEN YOU'VE GOT THAT A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.
OTHER, UH, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE HOW DO YOU POPULATE THAT 180 MILLION? HOW DO YOU DO THAT? THAT'S A RHETORICAL QUESTION.
SO, UH, FOR THE RECORD, I KNOW THAT THE COST OF LIVING, UH, ALL THROUGH WHEREVER WE ARE IN THIS UNITED STATES.
SO THE COST THAT IS NOW ON THE BOARD, UH, WOULD, UH, REDUCE MY SPENDING TIME AND RESOURCES AT THE GOLF COURSE.
SO GOOD LUCK WITH ALL OF THAT, AND I WISH ALL OF YOU BEST.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MATT DAVIS.
I'VE ALSO LIVED IN BELMONT SHORE EARLIER.
UM, I WANTED TO BRING UP THE, THE TREE ISSUE, AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A LOT OF THE PROBLEM OF WHY THE SEWERS AND THE PIPES ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
SO I AM ALSO OPPOSED TO THE INCREASE.
UM, WE'VE PRETTY MUCH CONTACTED THE CITY OVER A HUNDRED TIMES OVER 10 YEARS AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN DONE.
I HAVE PHOTOS ON MY PHONE OF THESE TREES AND THE WHOLE ROAD IS DESTROYED.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, NOTHING EVER GETS DONE.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THE INCREASE OF THE, THE RACE WILL ACTUALLY GO EXPENSE WISE, BUT I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF IT IS PROBABLY FIXING SEWERS AND FIXING THE WATER PIPES BECAUSE OF THE TREES THAT ARE ACTUALLY BANNED IN THE CITY THAT YOU COULD LIFT THIS TREES.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ADAM HUANG.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH OVER 10 YEARS NOW, A DECADE.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, LONG BEACH IS REALLY SPECIAL TO ME.
I WAS ABLE TO AFFORD MY FIRST HOME OUT HERE AND PRICES ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE NOW THOUGH, SO, UM, AND I, I'VE BEEN IN A, IN A REALLY BLESSED POSITION TO NOT ONLY HAVE A HOME, BUT I ALSO HAVE FOLKS THAT I GET TO RENT OUT TO.
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BE A SLUMLORD HERE, BUT WITH THE INCREASE IN PRICES IS GONNA MEAN INCREASING RENTS.
AND IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, YOU DRIVE DOWN ANAHEIM, YOU DRIVE DOWN PCH, WE GOT A REALLY BIG ISSUE WITH THE UNHOUSED POPULATION RIGHT NOW, RIGHT? AND NINE BUCKS, YOU GUYS MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT'S, IT'S A LOT.
THAT'S A LOT OF HOLY MOLY, TACOS, UH,
AND A SIDE NOTE TOO, I THINK YOU GUYS ARE MAKING THE COMPARISON WITH SAN FRANCISCO AT $350 IN THEIR RATES.
WE'RE NOT SAN FRANCISCO, WE'RE NOT SILICON VALLEY.
WE'RE NOT PUMPING IN THAT TYPE OF MONEY.
SO TO GIVE THAT EXAMPLE, IT'S REALLY SKEWED AND I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT.
ANAHEIM IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLPARK TOO.
UM, SO, AND I, I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ANAHEIM, SO I KNOW THAT CITY VERY WELL.
UH, ANOTHER THING I'D LIKE FOR YOU GUYS TO CON CONSIDER AS WELL TOO IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE YEARS AGO YOU, IF YOU ALL LIVED HERE, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE UTILITIES TEAM, YOU GUYS JUST RE RACKED UP THE, OUR GAS PRICES DURING THE WINTERTIME.
WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY LIKE 200 PLUS BUCKS JUST TO KEEP OUR HOMES WARM, RIGHT? AND WITH THESE LITTLE INCREASES THAT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN, THAT'S A HUNDRED PLUS DOLLARS A YEAR, EXTRA, EXTRA AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU GUYS MIGHT SNEAK IN THERE LIKE THAT IS A HIT.
SO I AM, I URGE YOU, I IMPLORE YOU TO REALLY CONSIDER, THINK ABOUT YOUR LEGACY, WHAT YOU'RE GONNA BE LEAVING BEHIND, BECAUSE YOU GUYS MIGHT NOT BE IN THE JOB, LET'S BE HONEST, FOR ANOTHER 10, 20 PLUS YEARS.
BUT WHAT YOU GUYS MAKE THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE NOW IS GONNA AFFECT A LOT OF US IN THE LONG RUN.
SO THINK ABOUT THE LEGACY AND WHAT YOU WANNA LEAVE YOUR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS HUMBERTO FADO.
CAN WE A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE COULD.
[00:30:01]
PERFECT.I LIVE IN THE WEST SIDE OF LONG BEACH.
AND, UH, I'M SURPRISED ABOUT THIS MEETING BECAUSE INCREASING THE WATER IN MY OPINION IS SOMETHING, IS NONSENSE PRACTICALLY.
FIRST OF ALL, CALIFORNIA HAS A HISTORY OF DROUGHT.
THERE'S NO WATER IN CALIFORNIA.
SO YOU ARE LATE GENTLEMEN, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU ARE REALLY LATE.
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THAT.
IT BECAUSE THAT HURTS ME HERE.
THAT YOU ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE, THE PRICE OF THE WATER.
WHY? YOU, YOU KNOW THAT BY HISTORY, CALIFORNIA IS, IS DRY ALL THE TIME.
WHY YOU DIDN'T BUILD DAMS? WHY DIDN'T BUILD RESERVOIRS WHILE DURING THE WINTER, ALL THE WATER RUNS TO THE, TO THE SEA.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ALSO, I WAS READING SOME ARTICLES THAT, UH, EARTHQUAKE MIGHT DAMAGE THE, THE, THE, THE, THE AQUEDUCT.
AND WE MIGHT STAY SIX MONTHS WITH NO WATER.
SO INCREASING THE PRICE WILL SOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS. THEY WON'T.
WHY YOU DON'T RECYCLE THE WATER.
THERE ARE OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THEY RECYCLE THE WHOLE WATER, CONVERTING THE WATER IN, UH, DRINKING WATER.
YOU SHOULD DO THAT, BUT YOU'RE BEHIND ALSO ON THAT.
ALSO, WHAT I THINK OUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS, ALWAYS BY HISTORY, THEY GO UP AND UP AND UP, BUT NEVER COME DOWN, NEVER REMAINS STABLE FOR SOME TIME.
BUT THE LOWER AMOUNT, THEY'RE LOWER AND LOWER AND LOWER EVERY TIME THEY'RE TELLING US, YOU ARE TELLING US DON'T USE TOO MUCH WATER.
DON'T, DON'T, DON'T, UH, UH, WATER YOUR LAWNS, DON'T WASH YOUR CARS, DON'T WASH YOUR DRIVEWAYS.
BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP PAYING MORE AND MORE AND MORE.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT YOU COULD DO ALSO BESIDES THAT, BESIDES BUILDING DAMS, BUILDING RESERVOIRS, EVERYTHING.
ALSO THE TECHNOLOGY COULD HELP YOU.
I ASSUME YOUR, UM, YOUR PEOPLE, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES GOES UP AND UP AND UP.
THERE ARE THE ACTUALLY TECHNOLOGY, THE COMPUTERS.
THEY CAN DO A LOT OF WORK FOR THE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF HAVING SOME PEOPLE JUST SITTING IN THE DESK READING THE NEWSPAPER, JUST PUT THE COMPUTER TO WORK TO BE WORKING FOR YOU.
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO IN ORDER TO AT LEAST KEEP THE PRICE STABLE FOR ONCE, FOR SOME TIME.
SO PERSONALLY, I THINK I, I I, I AM, I OPPOSE THAT INCREASE.
AND I THINK MANY PEOPLE OPPOSE THAT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO DO SOME THINGS.
MR. BIDEN SAID THE ECONOMY IS OKAY, IT'S COMING DOWN, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, BUT WHEN WE GO TO THE SUPERMARKET, THE PRICES GO UP AND UP AND UP.
SO BESIDES PAYING THE HIGH PRICES, YOU KNOW, IN THE STORES AND EVERYTHING, ALSO WE, WE HAVE TO START PAYING HIGHER PRICES TO, TO THE WATER ALSO.
GENTLEMEN, THAT'S MY MY OPINION.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, FOR PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE FEW WORDS.
THE PUBLIC PROTEST PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.
UM, WOULD ANY OF OUR COMMISSIONERS LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? OKAY.
SEEING YES, GLORIA? YEAH, I WOULD.
I I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING.
UM, THIS IS NEVER AN EASY, EASY NIGHT.
WE DON'T NOT LOOK FORWARD TO IT.
[00:35:01]
WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE THAT, UM, WE REPRESENT.WE ALL, I'VE LIVED HERE SINCE I WAS BORN.
UM, SO THESE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING ARE NOT EASY.
UM, THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT WATER AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP WERE VERY, VERY KEY ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, ABOUT DAMS, ABOUT RESERVOIRS.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK BEING DONE.
WE, WE AREN'T DOING ALL OF IT HERE.
WE ALSO ARE DOING IT IN THIS, AT THESE AT METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT IN LA WE'RE ALSO DOING IT WITHIN THE STATE.
SO, AND THERE IS A DROUGHT AND WE ARE WORKING ON, ON ISSUES WITH THE COLORADO RIVER AND THE STATE WATER PROJECT.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY WE HAVE TO RAISE WATER.
BUT YOU ALL ASK SOME REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS AND WE WILL STAY HERE AFTER TO ANSWER SOME OF THOSE.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER COMMENT? OKAY, I'M GONNA, I CALL NOW ON THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR HER COMMENTS.
UH, DURING THE COURSE OF THE PROTEST PERIOD, WHICH IS NOW CLOSED, WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 420 PROTESTS, BOTH VERBAL AND WRITTEN.
51 OF THOSE WERE MAIL AND LETTERS.
347 WERE EMAILS AND 22 WERE IN-PERSON PROTESTS MADE THIS EVENING, NONE OF WHICH HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE CITY CLERK.
BUT EVEN ASSUMING THAT ALL OF THESE PROTESTS ARE CERTIFIED BY THE CLERK, THIS NUMBER DOES NOT REPRESENT A MAJORITY OF THE RATE PAYERS, WHICH IS ABOUT 45,000 PLUS ONE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.
THEREFORE, THE PROTEST IS UNSUCCESSFUL.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2024.
IF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE PROPOSED INCREASE ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, THE NEW RATES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD ON JUNE 6TH, 2024
[CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS]
CAN TAKE EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2024.YOU SAID 45,000 PLUS ONE PROTESTS TO CONSTITUTE 10%.
NO, THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY PROTEST.
THE MAJORITY BECAUSE THERE'S ABOUT 90,000 CORRECT.
UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL BEING HERE.
UM, IT'S, IT'S BEEN AN EVENING WHERE WE'VE ALL WRITTEN A FEW NOTES DOWN AND, AND HEARD SOME OF YOUR COMMENTS.
THESE ARE ALL ISSUES AND CONCERNS THAT WE DISCUSS REGULARLY.
AND I, I LIVE HERE AS WELL MY WHOLE LIFE AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE IN IT WITH YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMING, COMING OUT 'CAUSE I KNOW THAT'S NOT EASY.
UM, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
WILL BE, REMAIN FOR QUESTIONS AFTER.