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Council debates right‑of‑way infrastructure fee; staff to return with details after consensus on stormwater increase
Summary
In a lengthy budget workshop discussion staff proposed a dedicated right‑of‑way infrastructure fee with two options: a comprehensive $16 million program (estimated $23/month per residential unit and tiered nonresidential rates) or a bare‑bones $10.5 million option (about $15/month per residential unit) to fund streets, signals and equipment replacement. Council expressed broad support to pursue the concept, asked for an appeal process and equity protections for low‑income and elderly households, and directed staff to return with more details while approving a 5% stormwater fee increase for FY27.
Public Works staff presented a proposed right‑of‑way infrastructure fee intended to create a dedicated, stand‑alone fund for street and traffic operations, signal replacements, alley maintenance and pay‑as‑you‑go capital. The proposal used an Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) trip‑generation methodology to assign nonresidential tiers and recommended a residential flat fee for each dwelling unit. The full program option would generate about $16 million annually (estimated residential fee about $23/month per unit); a narrower option would generate roughly $10.5 million (residential fee about $15/month).
Public works staff emphasized equitability, a possible low‑income/elderly assistance mechanism (piggybacking on existing utility assistance programs), and an appeal process for commercial rate assignments. Staff recommended an annual escalation to protect the fund from inflation. Council members widely agreed the city must address deteriorating streets and infrastructure; several said more work was needed on residential equity and appeal procedures. The dais offered staff direction to return with ordinance language and billing methodology at a future meeting. Separately, council agreed to include a 5% stormwater fee increase in the budget packet (projected to add up to $0.26/month for some residential customers) and asked staff to return with the rate study results.
