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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-11-24; Ad Hoc - Water Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEmNG OF: WATER COMMISSION DATE OF MEmNG: TIME OF MEETING: 2:OO p.m. PLACE OF MEmNG: November 24,1993 (Regular Meeting) 5950 El Camino Real __ CALL TO ORDER: Acting Chairman Maerkle called the Meeting to order at 2:OO p.m. ROLLCALL: Present: Absent: Commissioners Henley and Louis. Commissioners Kubota, Maerkle and Melideo. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Kubota COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. NEW BUSINESS 1. AB 1124-01 Discussion of Sewer Charqes for Apartments Pat Guevara stated that Mr. Les Beauchamp has been corresponding with the Water District for some time regarding the sewer charges for apartments. Mr. Beauchamp owns a senior apartment complex and has a vacancy rate of approximately 35 percent and does not feel he should pay the sewer charge for the empty units. Mr. Les Beauchamp, P. 0. Box 5498, San Clemente, CA, addressed the Commission, distributing copies of his letters to the Water District and Community Development; replies to him; copy of articles from the Los Angeles Times regarding overcrowding of apartments and an update on the number of tenants in his apartments as of November 23, 1993. Mr. Beauchamp stated his apartments are under a CUP, and are restricted to senior tenants, with a limit of two people in each unit. He stated that at the present time he has a vacancy rate of 33 percent in the units at 1003-1 01 1 Chinquapin. Mr. Beauchamp stated that the flat fee of $1 3.70 per unit is unfair, as 12 units are not occupied. Acting Chairman Maerkle stated that the services are available for anyone moving into those vacant units, and must remain so at all times. There is no way the Water District can shut off those facilities and turn them on, without incurring more expense. The Water District has certain obligations that must be paid each month, and there must be income to pay those. November 24, 1993 WATER COMMISSION Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Beauchamp stated his second objection is to the condition of the lots at 1015/1039 Chinquapin, 4090 Harrison & APN 206-120-10. He said he complained about the trash on those lots, but the City has determined that the concrete foundations and other trash do not need to be removed. He stated that he has lost prospective tenants due to the condition of those lots. Commissioner Maerkle asked Mr. Beauchamp how long he had owned these apartments, and Mr. Beauchamp answered six years. Mr. Maerkle asked whether the rent had remained the same during that time, and Mr. Beauchamp replied that the rent had increased about $35 per month in seven years. Mr. Beauchamp reiterated his complaint that he sees no justification for the flat fee sewer rates. He said that the rates should be based on water usage for property that it is restricted to seniors. Commissioner Kubota stated that Mr. Beauchamp had been informed by the professional staff how the sewer charge was determined and it is a flat fee for single family, multi-family and mobile homes. The Sewer Department has a duty to accept waste water, regardless of who lives there. Jeanne Flack stated that Mr. Beauchamp had recommended having him let the Water District know how many apartments were vacant and subtract that from the bill. She said that would be a tremendous undertaking by staff, as they would have to do this for each apartment complex in Carlsbad. There is no way this could be done for one organization or person--it would have to be Clty-wide. If people with vacant apartments did not pay the flat fee, that charge would have to go somewhere. This would mean that the single family dwellings would have to pay more to offset this loss of revenue. There are many places that are vacant at different times of the year, such as vacation homes and schools, and those people pay the sewer charge each month. In reply to query by Commissioner Melideo as to whether each apartment had its own meter, Mr. Beauchamp stated there was only one meter. She said he had a savings there, and also was allowed increased density because of the specifications. It would be discriminating against all the other people, if people with apartment vacancies were allowed to not pay the sewer charge. She said that she feels they are not paying their share as it is, as each unit should have its own meter. Mr. Beauchamp again requested that the sewer charge be tied into the water usage rather than a flat charge. Mr. Beauchamp referred to the copy of the Los Angeles Times articles regarding overcrowding of apartments, and that 10 people are allowed to live in a one-bedroom unit. He said that he is only allowed two people in a unit, which restricts him as far as the number of people living in the complex. He also said he doesn’t think the City reads his meter, and now they have requested a back flow protection that will cost him more money. November 24, 1993 WATER COMMISSION Page 3 NEW BUSINESS: (Continued) Mr. Guevara stated that there are fixed costs that the District must pay, and if there was no fixed revenue coming in each month, the rates would have to be raised and lowered each month. Commissioner Kubota suggested that if Mr. Beauchamp has more reference material, he should turn that over to staff. Also, he could spend time with staff discussing the meter reading and other questions Mr. Beauchamp may have. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Melideo, the Water Commission found from all the information and discussion that Mr. Beauchamp’s request for special consideration on the sewer charge cannot be granted. AYES: Kubota, Maerkle and Melideo WATER COMMISSION: Report on Presidents & Manaclers Meeting Commissioner Maerkle reported that the use of ground water was discussed and the Water Authority indicated they would be happy to participate in checking it out. Commissioner Maerkle stated he brought up the fields around Cannon Wells and felt that the Water Authority should check that out. MANAGERS REPORT: Jeanne Flack reported that Ms. Toby Roy, Department of Health Services, will be at the next Commission meeting on December 8, 1993. Also, there will be a representative from the Water Authority to discuss the ten day water storage issue. Commissioner Kubota suggested an agenda item each meeting to indicate the date of the next meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes were continued to the next meeting, since only two Commissioners present today were at the previous meeting. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of November 24, 1993, was adjourned at 3:03 p.m. Minutes Clerk