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In response to Councilmember Arkin, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed staff would <br /> have to check if all $2 million allocated to the General Fund went to roads. She confirmed there was no <br /> specific direction for the money but there is an assumption it was directed towards road work. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, City Manager Beaudin advised impact on local streets was <br /> discussed with PGS for the Franchise Agreement. He reported the City would hire a consultant to help <br /> assess the impacts while meeting Assembly Bill 1600 requirements for a Nexus study. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins advised she does not <br /> have the exact calculations for how much money would have to be drawn from the Fund to assure <br /> there would be no ratepayer increases in FY 22-23. She reported there will be a discussion of next <br /> year's rates at the next meeting and rate smoothing scenarios will be provided then. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed three large garbage <br /> trucks are traveling every street every week; one each for landfill, recycling, and garbage. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins clarified the fund can smooth over <br /> FY 22-23 but ratepayers will eventually have to pay the increase in future years. She advised this <br /> upcoming year is an index-based increase residents are contractually obligated to pay. She noted there <br /> are also small specific SB 1383-related costs to pay this year and included in the Franchise Agreement. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed the City's Action Plan <br /> has up to three full-time equivalent positions to help with SB 1383 compliance. She advised a <br /> consultant has recently been hired to help with implementation. She reported it is a $100,000 contract <br /> with $40,000 set aside for contract employees of the consulting firm to help with the initial program. She <br /> advised that future staffing needs have not yet been determined. <br /> In response to Councilmember Narum, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins confirmed SB 1383 staff <br /> expenses are allowable to be passed onto ratepayers but advised it is a City Council decision whether <br /> or not it should be done. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins explained that reverse <br /> vending is not included in the Franchise Agreement and advised it is a state-run program. She reported <br /> there is not a nexus because it is ratepayer money. She clarified the buyback center is only mentioned <br /> in the agreement in the context that staff would receive a courtesy notice if PGS closes it. She advised <br /> PGS is not obligated to offer a buyback center because the State runs the program. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, City Manager Beaudin clarified the City's road budget is fixed but creating <br /> a new revenue source, such as a potential impact fee, puts more money into the overall pool for road <br /> improvements citywide. <br /> Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> Councilmember Narum advised the money should be used for one-time costs. She explained that <br /> smoothing rates will mean customers will eventually have to pay an even larger increase. She advised <br /> it has been a large concern and discussion point for East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) where <br /> customers recently saw a large increase after a rate smoothing measure expired. She agreed with the <br /> four categories and added rate smoothing may make more sense in year seven. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Councilmember Narum agreed to a $20,000 Nexus study to help figure <br /> out road impacts stemming from SB 1383. <br /> Councilmember Narum moved to adopt the allocation plan as recommended, including up to $25,000 <br /> for a Nexus study on road maintenance with a general direction to use the funds to offset one-time <br /> City Council Minutes Page 5 of 11 June 7,2022 <br />