Residents, business owner object to proposed sewer-rate increase during public comment
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Summary
Two public speakers during the April 23 meeting criticized a proposed sewer-rate increase, raising concerns about cost to fixed-income residents, transparency and petition procedures; council did not take action on rates at the meeting.
Two members of the public spoke during the council's public comment period on April 23 to object to a proposed increase in sewer rates.
Martin Mejia, who identified himself as a property owner at 2104 Hagen Oaks Boulevard, said he understands the need for capital improvements but objected to the timing and size of the proposed increase and asked the council to consider a lower rate or a longer amortization period. "Perhaps we should look at a lower rate, perhaps we should look at expanding this capital improvement over a larger amount of years and make those increases reasonable to the taxpayers of this community," Mejia said. Mejia said the increase would be burdensome to residents on fixed incomes and asked that his objection be placed on the record.
A second speaker, JC Yamas, introduced himself as a local business owner and said he opposes the sewer-rate increase, which he described as a "300% increase," and urged greater transparency about how the money will be spent. Yamas said petitioning to cancel the proposal is difficult for some residents and urged the council to make the process and spending clearer. "We need transparency on how we're spending this bill ... We need to see how every penny is spent for this community," he said.
Madam Clerk responded to Mejia that formal complaints require official forms and in-person or written filing; the transcript records the clerk advising that official forms are available. The council did not discuss or vote on sewer rates during the meeting; the meeting went into closed session and continued other agenda business before returning to the general plan report.
Why it matters: speakers said the increase would affect veterans and residents on fixed incomes and called for clearer information and ease of petitioning. No staff presentation or council action on the sewer-rate proposal was recorded in the transcript for this meeting.
Next steps: the transcript shows the mayor adjourned to closed session after the public comments; the clerk indicated those present would be called later for agenda-listed items. The record does not show further council action on sewer rates during the April 23 meeting.