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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.a.2) General Manager Written AnnouncementsBoard Meeting of May 2, 2013 Written Announcements: Staff Update a) Resignation 2M Safety Officer Diane Von Aspern (formerly Hinson) has announced her resignation effective May 17, 2013 after five and one -half years with the District. Awards and Recognitions b) Northern California Pipe Users Group (PUG) Recognizes District's Support and Participation In 1992, the District was one of the founding charter members of the Northern California Pipe Users Group (PUG). PUG is a forum of public agencies, engineers, and industry professionals dedicated to improving the design, construction, and operation of sewer and water systems. Since its inception, PUG has been instrumental in promoting the development of numerous underground trenchless technologies. A major component of its charter was the education and training of end users in these technologies. District staff participate in these training programs, and also serve as elected members of its Board. PUG's accomplishments include standardized specifications for various technologies, such as micro - tunneling, cured -in- place pipe, pipe bursting, etc., as well as enhancements to materials such as double - gasket concrete pipe. Through PUG's efforts, the availability /use of trenchless technologies throughout Northern California has dramatically increased with a corresponding reduction in costs. At the May 16, 2013 Board meeting, representatives of PUG will recognize the District's support and participation. c) Regional "Excellence in Water Research" Awards to be Presented to Student Winners of the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair The District was one of eleven wastewater and water agencies in Contra Costa County to sponsor the regional "Excellence in Water Research" awards at the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair in March. Two of the student winners are from schools in the District's service area — North Creek Academy in Walnut Creek and De LaSalle High School in Concord. The students and their teachers will attend the May 16 Board meeting to give a brief overview of their projects and receive their awards from the Central San Board President. Written Announcements May 2, 2013 Page 2 of 3 Contracts Update d) Recap of Contracts Signed by General Manager During First Quarter 2013 The Board has asked to receive quarterly reports of the agreements entered into by staff that fall within the increased staff authority limits that became effective December 15, 2011. On that date, the limit on staff authority for professional consulting services agreements was raised by the Board from $50,000 to $100,000. Commencing with this meeting, regular quarterly written announcements will be made indicating all agreements entered into by staff which fall within the staff authority limits (over $50,000 and less than $100,000). Listed below are all such agreements entered into during the first quarter of 2013: 2/26/13 036502 N ESRI, Enterprise Advantage $75,000 Inc. Program / Prepaid Service Credits for Training, Support and Consultation for GIS Software 2/27/13 039358 Y Data Add $10,000 / Public $54,000 Instincts Outreach Services to Secure Customer Participation for Concord Landscape Project 3/18/13 1 036502 I Y I Tree I Add $5,000 / District Wide I $55,000 Wise Arborist Service All other contracts that are not classified as "professional services," such as maintenance services, equipment, chemicals, and supplies, do not require Board approval regardless of dollar amount. The Board approves the annual budget which includes the expenses that come from these contracts, so these contracts are not included in this report as they have historically been within staff authority. Miscellaneous e) Passing of Former Board Member George Rustigian The District has learned that former Board Member George Rustigian passed away on April 17, 2013. Mr. Rustigian was a Member of the District Board of Directors from 1964 Written Announcements May 2, 2013 Page 3 of 3 to 1978. He was appointed to fill a Board vacancy on October 8, 1964. He was a resident of Lafayette. f) Proposed Sewer Service Charge Increases by Nearby Agencies Two nearby sewering agencies are proposing multi -year sewer service charge increases. The City of Concord is proposing to increase their sewer service charge by $39 per year for two years. If approved by the Concord City Council, the current annual charge of $324 per single family home will increase to $363 in 2013 -14 and $402 in 2014 -15. West County Wastewater District is proposing to increase their sewer service charge by an amount between $26 and $43 per year for five years. If approved, the current charge of $304 per year will increase to $347 per year per single family home in 2013 -14. The proposed annual charges for the four remaining future years will be $381, $407, $435, and $465. The rate increase announcements for the City of Concord and the West County Wastewater District are attached for your information. CITY of CONCORD 1950 Parkside Drive MS/45 Concord, CA 94519.2578 Fax: (925) 6WI660 Public Works Telephone: (925) 671.3448 Thomas Wentling, City Treasurer Valerie Barone, City Manager CITE' OF CONCORD NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS OF PROPOSED TWO -YEAR INCREASE IN ANNUAL SEWER SERVICE CHARGE The City of Concord Sewer Enterprise provides for the maintenance and repair of sewer lines in both the City of Concord and the City of Clayton, as well as portions of Contra Costa County. Additionally, the City of Concord arranges for sewage treatment at the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District's (CCCSD) treatment plant by paying a share of the maintenance, operation, and capital improvement costs of the treatment plant. The Sewer Enterprise pays these costs by levying an annual sewer service charge on each property that utilizes or has sewer available to their property. This charge is placed on the property tax bill as a sewer service charge. Periodic rate increases are projected in the Sewer Enterprise 20 -Year Plan. These planned increases are necessary to fund substantial rehabilitation of the City's aging sewer collection system and to cover the City's share of CCCSD's operational and capital expenses. The rate increases also allow the City to comply with its NPDES permit (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) and maintain State Water Resources Control Board response times to sanitary sewer overflows. The City is planning several rehabilitation projects for the Fiscal Years 2013 -14 and 2014 -15, which include structural repairs and capacity upgrades of the sewer collection system in the Downtown and Monte Gardens/San Vincente areas, In addition to the rehabilitation program, the City is required by contract to pay for treatment of the City's sewage at CCCSD's treatment plant, as well as the proportional share of their capital improvement program and the household hazardous waste facility. CCCSD has notified the City that Concord's share of their expenses are projected to be $16.7 million in FY 2013 -14 and $17.5 million in FY 2014 -15. This is more than 72% of the City's Sewer Enterprise total projected expenditures. The last approved increase occurred two years ago in FY 2011 -12, which currently puts Concord's annual sewer service charge as the 4th lowest in neighboring Bay Area communities. This proposed two -year increase represents an approximate 12% rise in year one (FY 2013 -14) followed by another 10.7% rise in year two (FY 2014 -15). Even with the proposed two -year increase in rates, Concord's annual sewer service charge still falls below the average sewer service charge rates in neighboring communities. Current and proposed annual sewer service charges for different property classifications are included on the reverse side of this notice. The current minimum rate is $324. The proposed residential rate is $363 for Fiscal Year 2013 -14 and $402 for Fiscal Year 2014 -15. Commercial rates may vary from these amounts and can be found in the chart on the next page. Continued on reverse NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Council of the City of Concord will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on this matter in the Council Chamber, 1950 Parkside Drive, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard), at which time and place interested persons may appear and be heard. Written protests on the proposed increase in the annual sewer service charge may be mailed or delivered to the City Clerk at 1950 Parkside Drive, MIS 03, Concord, CA 94519 -2578. Your letter must identify the real property you own by service address or assessor's parcel number. Your letter must be legibly signed by any one of the current property owners or customers on record and must be received prior to the close of the Public Hearing on June 4, 2013. Only one protest per parcel will be counted. No assessment increase may be imposed if a majority protest is received before the close of the public hearing. Please be advised that in the event that you challenge the City Council's decision on this matter in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the close of the public hearing. For further information on the proposed increase, please telephone the City of Concord Public Works Department at (925) 571 -3448. AMWAL SEWER SERVICE CHARGES BY OCCUPANCY Charge Classification Existing Charge Proposed Charge FY 2013 -14 FY 2014 -15 Residential Owners Minimum rate for any premises $324.00 $363.00 $402.00 Each single family dwelling unit $324.00 $363.00 $402.00 Each dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling structure $324.00 per unit $363.00 per unit $402.00 per unit Mobile Home Park $324.00 per space $363.00 per $402.00 per space space Commercial Owners - Charge Based upon quantity of water used in cubic feet: Minimum rate for any premises $ 324.00 $363.00 $402.00 Bowling Alleys $2.86/100 cu. ft. $3.20/100 cu. ft. $3.55/100 cu. ft. Car Washes $2.86/100 cu. $. $3.20/100 cu. ft. $3.55/100 cu. ft. Health Studios & Gymnasiums $2.86/100 cu. ft. $3.20/100 cu. ft. $3.55/100 cu. ft. Hospitals - Convalescent $2.86/100 cu. ft. $3.20/100 cu. ft. $3.55/100 cu. ft. Multiple Unit Lodging (Hotels, Motels & Rooming Houses) $2.86/100 cu. ft. $3.20/100 cu. ft. $3.55/100 cu. ft. Laundromats & Laundries $2.86/100 cu. ft. $3.20/100 cu. ft. $3.55/100 cu. ft. Restaurants $5.70/100 cu. ft. $6.39 /100 cu. ft. $7.07 /100 cu. ft. Restaurants with pretreatment facilities approved annually $3.24/100 cu. ft. $3.63 /100 cu. ft. $4.02/100 cu. ft. Bakeries Determined Determined Determined individually individually individually All others $3.24/100 cu. ft. $3.63 /100 cu. ft. $4.02 /100 cu. ft Institutional Owners Minimum rate for any premises $324.00 $363.00 $402.00 As defined in Section 110 -31, except for Convalescent Hospitals $3.24/100 cu. ft. $3.63/100 cu. ft. $4.021100 cu. ft. Industrial Owners - Charge based upon quantity of water used and quality of effluent: Minimum rate for any premises $324.00 $363.00 $402.00 Flow/Million Gallons $2,514.00 $2,817.00 $3,119.00 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.) per 1,000 pounds $591.00 $662.00 $733.00 Suspended solid S.S. per 1,000 pounds $503.00 $564.00 $624.00 . NOTICE PROPOSED SEWER RATE INCREASE 6o.z.f� PUBLIC HEARING DATE: JUNE 4, 2013 TIME: 9 :00 A.M. WEST COUNTY WASTEWATER DISTRICT 2910 HILLTOP DRIVE RICHMOND CA 94806 WEST COUNTY WASTEWATER DISTRICT 6MF 6e 1 'ON ;iwJad y0 `sjnoawal alVFd 30VISOd S(1 CIS Peuosa.Jd **Tu,�O-Rel-wojuj juie:podw1 908 6 VD `PuOW40 d an]ad doa111H 0162 �- paEo8 ayj of ,(im as 431$sla aaMfta;sEM A4unoo ;salA `' -- «•x•.,. THE DISTRICT xz _ •.Mae, oarot The West County Wastewater District (WCWD) was cre- ated on December 19, 1921, as a special district governmen- tal agency and consists of 249 miles of gravity wastewater (sewer) pipelines, 17 lift stations, 6 miles of pressure force , C.- mains and a Water Pollution Control Plant that has the ca- 3M pacity to treat up to 12.5 million gallons per day of average dry weather flow. WCWD serves all of the City of San Pablo as well as portions of North Richmond, Pinole and unincorporated Contra Costa County. tY . individual home and business owners are responsible for the sewer lines from the home or business up to the point of connection to the District's line. WCWD is responsible for the sewer lines from the connection point to the Plant and the entire treatment process. THE ISSUE In 2012, WCWD hired an engineering consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis of its infrastructure, including pipes, lift stations, treatment plant and facilities. Each was evaluated on its ability to meet four Levels of Service. * Protect Health and Safety * Protect the Environment * Provide Excellent Customer Service * Be Cost Efficient The report from the analysis became the 20 -year District -Wide Master Plan. the 5 -Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The maintenance and re- placement of our wastewater system is critical to the health and safety of our community and to the protection of the Bay environment. Our system must be properly maintained to prevent sewage spills and treat wastewater, protect public health and protect the water and wildlife of the San Pablo Bay. The issues facing the District over the next five (5) years are: e 60% of pipes are 40 years or older, 40% are 50 years or older; o regulatory changes require adherence to more stringent standards; The first five years of this Plan establishes Example of Damaged Clay Pipe o current sewer rates have not kept pace with the cost of maintaining facilities, infrastructure and equipment; 0 inefficient use of land, facilities and equipment. THE COST The total cost of the projects identified in the 5 -Year Capital Improvement Program is $92.2 million. Nearly half of this -' -- — — - - -- - -- - - — - - -- - expense is to replace and improve aging and failing col - District Engineering lection pipes and increase the capacity of undersized Facilities Studies $9.2 . 1 p4a S1.7 pipes. Plant Reha & Impron $32.0 >e Rehab & Replace I�GrI1GLQIg1� $46.5 - -- - - -- $0.8 — -- — - -- Distribution of 5 -Year CIP Cost in Millions The cost of paying cash for all of the identified projects would require higher increases in the Sewer Use Charge than the proposed rates. Instead, WCWD is proposing to pay for the projects with a combination of rate in- creases over the next five years and loans from the State Revolving Fund. The repayment of the loans will take place over 20 years, allowing WCWD to raise rates at a slower pace and reduce the impact to rate payers in the near future. The proposed rate increases are needed to show that the District has the ability to repay the loan as well as pay for the projects. THE MONEY As a fee - for - service government agency, the primary source of revenue for operating expenses is generated from the Sewer Use Charge to pay for the collection and treatment of wastewater. This charge is collected along with property taxes on each par- cel's property tax bill. The District receives a small portion of property taxes from properties in the_ District, which pays for the Building Sewer Re- placement Grant program and a small amount of capital improve- ment projects. A small amount of revenue is generated from di- rect services provided such as contract services, permit reviews and inspections. Monthly Rate Comparison: Fiscal Year 2012113 55 50 45 -- -- -' 35 30 — — - - 20 F O C fa0 Pte+ f0 N 3 v 2 o z 3 3 'z c _- ,n aJ � O c o n W i E E ' N M y m W •p v7 m E o •� m N a p v O h O LL U Q �Q Y Fiscal Year 2011/12 Revenue — - Other Taxes Interest — Service I% 5% <I% Rents& Contracts Leases 2% i 2% Fees/ I% Sewer Service Charges 89% WCWD sets its rates based on the cost of collect- ing and treating wastewater for its ratepayers. While the rates charged by other agencies do not factor into its rate setting analysis, the District does look at rates charged by comparison agencies. The bar chart shows that WCWD's current monthly rate, shown in green, is below the average rate of comparable agencies, shown in yellow. The proposed rate increase for Fiscal Year 2013/14 -- is less than $4 per month for a single family home. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The West County Wastewater District, in compliance with Article XIIID of the California State Constitution and the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act, is hereby notifying all affected property owners of the following: I . The District is proposing to increase the rates of its sewer use charge to adequately fund the ongoing costs of providing sewer service to properties within the District. Revenue from sewer use charges pays for operations, maintenance and improvements for the sewer system as well as for sewage treatment 2. This notice includes the proposed schedule of rates for the 2013 114 fiscal year through the 2017 /18 fiscal year. If the pro- posed rate increases are approved by the District Board, the rates will become effective July I of each successive fiscal year, commencing July I, 2013, and remain in effect until otherwise modified by the District Board. The sewer rates can- not exceed the amounts adopted by the District Board without providing future written notice to the property owners. COMMENTS &c WRITTEN PROTEST A Public Hearing will be held on June 4, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. to allow the District Board to hear and consider all oral and writ- ten testimony concerning the proposed sewer rates. If you oppose the proposed rate changes, you may submit a formal written protest at the hearing or, via postal mail or hand - delivery. A formal written protest must be submitted in writing and state any opposition to the pro- posed increases, contain a description of the property (the parcel number is preferred and is printed above your mailing ad- dress on this notice), and include the original signature of the property owner (faxes or a -mails are not ac- ceptable). Protests will be tabulated pursuant to procedures adopted by the District Board. If written protests are submit- ^f N, ted with respect to a majority (50% plus 1) of the parcels within the District, then the proposed changes will not be imposed. Protests may be mailed to: West County Wastewater District, Secretary to the Board, 2910 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA 94806. • QUESTIONS? Call NBS at (800) 676 -7516 if you have any questions regarding the proposed increases. Proposed Rate Increases CURRENT RATES: User Flat Min. Flow BOD SS C'atterry Rate (1) Charge (21 are Charge (4) Charge (51 Single Family Residential $304 n/a n/a n/a Na Multi- Family Residential $274 n/a n/a n/a n/a Mobile Home Residential $274 n/a n/a n/a n/a Comm. Domestic Strength n/a $304 $4.18 n/a n/a Comm. High Strength (6) _ n/a $304 $8.98 n/a n/a Industrial (6) n/a $304 $2.20 $0.55 $0.91 PROPOSED RATES: $380 n/a n/a n/a n/a User Flat Min. Flow BOD SS Category Rae ( 1) CIla= j2) Charge _(3) Charge (4) Ch a= T(5) Year One: FY 2013114 n/a $435 $7.85 n/a n/a Single Family Residential $347 n/a n/a n/a n/a Multi - Family Residential $303 n/a n/a n/a n/a Mobile Home Residential $303 n/a n/a n/a n/a Comm. Domestic Strength n/a $347 $3.72 n1a n/a Comm. High Strength (6) n/a $347 $6.24 n/a n/a Industrial (6) n/a $347 $2.40 $0.26 $0.32 Year Two: FY 2014/15 n/a $406 $8.39 n/a n/a Single Family Residential $381 n/a n/a n/a n/a Multi - Family Residential $333 n/a n/a n/a n/a Mobile Home Residential $333 n/a n/a n/a n/a Comm. Domestic Strength n/a $381 $4.08 n/a n/a Comm. High Strength (6) n/a $381 $6.86 n/a n/a Industrial (6) n/a $381 $2.63 $0.28 $0.34 Year Thr Single Family Residential $407 n/a n/a n/a n/a Multi - Family Residential $356 n/a n/a n/a n/a Mobile Home Residential $356 n/a n/a n/a n/a Comm. Domestic Strength n/a $407 $4.36 n/a n/a Comm. High Strength (6) n/a $407 $7.34 n/a n/a Industrial (6) n/a $407 $2.81 $0.29 $0.36 Year four. FY 2016117 Single Family Residential $435 n/a n/a n/a n/a Multi- Family Residential $380 n/a n/a n/a n/a Mobile Home Residential $380 n/a n/a n/a n/a Comm. Domestic Strength n/a $435 $4.66 n/a n/a Comm. High Strength (6) n/a $435 $7.85 n/a n/a Industrial (6) n/a $435 $3.00 $0.31 $0.38 Year Five: FY 2017/18 Single Family Residential $465 n/a n/a n/a Na Multi - Family Residential $406 n/a n/a n/a n/a Mobile Home Residential $406 n/a n/a n/a n/a Comm. Domestic Strength n/a $406 $4.98 n/a n/a Comm. High Strength (6) n/a $406 $8.39 n/a n/a Industrial (6) n/a $406 $3.21 $0.33 $0.40 (1) Per Dwelling Unit (2) Per Connection (3) Per 1,000 gallons of metered water consumption (4) Per unit of measured or estimated biochemical oxygen demand (5) Per unit of measured or estimated suspended solids (6) Additional costs apply to recover monitoring costs; includes food service and some medical uses on a case -by -case basis