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Residents urge council to reconsider tiered stormwater fee as "too high"
Summary
Multiple residents asked Riverside City Council to revisit a proposed tiered stormwater fee at the Jan. 5 meeting, saying the proposed tiers and amounts impose hardship on seniors and lower-income households and requesting clearer data and phased implementation.
Three residents used the public comment period at the Jan. 5 Riverside City Council meeting to press elected officials to reconsider the proposed tiered stormwater fee and to ask for clearer public information about the proposed charges.
Terry Mabe of 500 Wynora Avenue said she is "on the third tier" and pleaded with council to "take a second look before you take a final vote" on the amounts. Tim Gosnell of 12 Beatrice Drive described making formal public-record requests for tiered amounts and said he felt the proposed levels were "too high," warned the charges would affect seniors and called on council to consider a lower starting fee and revisit the structure in a few years. "It's too high," Gosnell said.
Joe Lemke of 1519 Brandt Pike urged officials to improve communication and to present clear, accessible information to residents about the fee structure and the rationale for the amounts. "Put out facts... in real language," Lemke said, adding that residents need receipts and explanations for decisions affecting household budgets.
Councilmembers acknowledged receipt of the comments; the transcript shows the mayor and manager noting that the fee will be discussed in upcoming meetings. The public speakers asked for additional data, a possible phased approach and clearer outreach before any final vote is taken.
