Pleasanton council adopts water and sewer rate ordinance, approves appraisal-district property purchase and several infrastructure actions

Pleasanton City Council on April 10 adopted an ordinance to adjust water and sewer rates and approved multiple administrative and infrastructure measures, including the purchase of property for the Atascosa Central Appraisal District and a request for proposals for Chapman Street drainage materials.

The council adopted Ordinance No. 25-1364 amending Chapter 50 (Utilities in General) to adjust minimum charges and volumetric water and sewer rates for service inside and outside city limits. The ordinance sets the adjusted rates to take effect in May 2025 and establishes updated charges to run through October 2028 unless the council acts to revise them earlier. Councilmembers voted in favor by voice; the motion carried.

The ordinance was introduced and read in full at the meeting (Ordinance 25-1364). Council discussion included a request by Councilmember Hicks to evaluate whether the senior-citizen discount should be increased during the next budget cycle; Hicks said the current $5 monthly discount likely falls short for fixed-income residents who may pay $90–$100 monthly for utilities and garbage.

Council also approved the purchase of real property for the Atascosa Central Appraisal District (ACAD). Brandy Royal, identified in the meeting as chief appraiser for ACAD, told the council the purchase is being negotiated through a government-capital financing arrangement capped at $2,500,000; that figure includes a $1,400,000 purchase price and up to $1.1 million in renovations, financed on a 20-year fixed rate under 6 percent. Royal said the projected annual payment would start near $220,005 and that the purchase would produce modest annual savings to participating entities (the city’s estimated share: roughly $758 in 2025, increasing in subsequent years depending on pro rata apportionment). The council voted to adopt Resolution 25-1365 approving the purchase.

On infrastructure, the council directed staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for materials needed for the Chapman Street drainage project, a plan that will convey runoff from Johnson at Chapman down Adams Street to the river to address chronic flooding near the theater parking lot. Public Works staff explained the scope as adding pipes and curb inlets to reduce repeated barricading and flooding where water collects.

For building inspections and plan review, the council selected B and B Inspection Services after staff review of proposals. City staff said B and B will provide a locally based team, in-person inspections within 24–48 hours for routine requests, same‑day remote inspections for emergencies, and plan-review turnaround metrics of about five working days for typical projects. Bruce Dealer, representing B and B, said the firm has about 15 field inspectors and a track record of meeting turnaround metrics in comparable jurisdictions. The council approved contracting with B and B; council members noted there is a termination clause and that staff will monitor performance.

The council also met in executive session on economic development and attorney consultation and then voted in open session to direct the city manager and city attorney “to proceed as discussed in executive session” on two items: land acquisition for the airport expansion project and a real estate proposal related to Dowdy property. The motions directed staff to move forward as discussed in executive session; the meeting record contains no further public detail on those negotiations.

Other routine items passed without extended discussion, including the consent agenda (minutes and a temporary street closure for a church barbecue event) and adjournment at 7:12 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 25-1364 (water and sewer rate adjustments): Motion to adopt made during the April 10, 2025 meeting; outcome: adopted (motion carried). Authority cited in meeting: ordinance language embedded in the council packet; effective May 2025. (Provenance: meeting reading begins at the ordinance presentation.)

- Resolution No. 25-1365 (approval of property purchase for Atascosa Central Appraisal District): Motion and second recorded; outcome: adopted (motion carried). (Provenance: ACAD purchase presentation and resolution adoption.)

- Chapman Street drainage project materials RFP: Motion to issue RFP for drainage materials; outcome: approved (motion carried). (Provenance: Chapman Street presentation and vote.)

- Selection of B and B Inspection Services (building inspections and plan review): Motion to select B and B; outcome: approved (motion carried). (Provenance: staff presentation and contractor remarks.)

- Executive-session directions (airport land acquisition; Dowdy real estate proposal): Motions to direct staff to proceed as discussed in executive session; outcomes: approved (motions carried). (Provenance: executive session reconvene and open-session directives.)

Why it matters: The ordinance changes will alter utility bills for Pleasanton residents and ratepayers beginning in May 2025; the ACAD purchase affects the location and operations of the regional appraisal district; the drainage RFP and inspection-services contract affect the delivery and timing of local infrastructure and permitting services.

The council meeting record shows motions passed by roll call/voice votes without numeric tallies recorded in the public transcript; where the transcript records a mover or speaker by name, that name is used; where not specified, the record shows the motion carried by general assent.