HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-09; City Council; Minutes (3)MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF: THE CITY COUNCIL AND CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT
(Joint Special Meeting)
DATE OF MEETING: September 9, 2008
TIME OF MEETING: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor/President Lewis called the Joint Special Meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
ROLL CALL: was taken by the City Clerk/Secretary, as follows:
Present: Council/Board Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Nygaard.
Absent: None.
PUBLIC HEARING:
16. AB #19.564 - WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASE.
Senior Accountant Helga Stover and Public Works Manager Cari Dale presented the staff report
and reviewed a PowerPoint Presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Council/Board Member Hall expressed concerns relating to the portion of the proposed increases
that relates to future operations costs. He commented that he would like to see what percentage
of the proposed increase is a result of increasing operations costs.
In response to an inquiry from Mayor/President Lewis, Ms. Dale explained that the San Diego
County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District have increased the purchase price of
water to their member agencies and that a portion of the proposed water rate increase will help
offset the increase experienced by the City of Carlsbad.
Mayor/President Lewis opened the duly noticed Public Hearing at 6:51 p.m.
Dale Kubacki, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Mr. Kubacki submitted a letter to the
Counil/Board protesting the rate increases (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Mr. Kubacki
suggested that the Council/Board consider establishing a tiered billing system that would charge
those individuals using the most water to pay more than those individuals using less water.
Tom Arnold, Carlsbad, also expressed concerns relating to the proposed increases and
encouraged the Council/Board to find ways to increase efficiencies rather than increasing the
water and sewer rates.
In response to an inquiry from Council/Board Member Nygaard, Ms. Stover explained that
although water conservation has been encouraged, water consumption has still increased over the
past five years.
Mayor Pro Tern/Vice President Kulchin confirmed with staff that a tiered billing system currently
exists in the City of Carlsbad.
September 9, 2008 JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND Page 2
CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Council/Board Member Hall stated that he could agree to an increase to offset the water rate
increases being imposed by the San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water
District; however, he would like further discussion regarding future operations costs.
Council/Board discussion ensued regarding their support to continue the item pending further
review at a Council Workshop.
Seeing no one else wishing to speak, Mayor/President Lewis closed the Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m.
ACTION: On a motion by Council/Board Member Nygaard, the Council/Board concurred
to continue the item to a future date.
AYES: Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Nygaard.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
City Attorney Ron Ball explained that the public hearing will not need to be re-noticed unless the
item comes back to the Council/Board with proposed rates higher than what was discussed at this
Public Hearing.
ADJOURNMENT:
By proper motion, the Joint Special Meeting of September 9, 2008 was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
LORRAINE M. WOOD, CMC
City Clerk/Secretary
Sheila R. Cobian
Deputy City Clerk/Deputy Secretary