13 PUBLIC COMMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

1 Christina Casha From:Victoria Labarge Sent:Wednesday, August 30, 2023 1:12 PM To:Mayor and City Council; Gerry Beaudin; Tamara Baptista; Pleasanton City Clerk; editor@pleasantonweekly.com; dborenstein@bayareanewsgroup.com; Livermore Independent Subject:Water rate increase Follow Up Flag:Follow up Flag Status:Flagged *** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. *** Dear Mayor Brown, Council Members and City Staff, The purpose of this email is to implore you to revisit the rate increase and the timeline for such increases. The reason I am asking this is because the mailer that was sent out is misleading as it gives the residents no comparison to what they are paying today. It also doesn't take into account that the City will be capturing revenue from 55% of the residents that were not paying any variable costs but will be in the future. How could a rate study have been done that didn't take that into account is questionable as to any accuracy and leads me to question how this rate increase can be put into effect without that analysis. I had the incorrect percentage increase validated by Citizens for Sensible Water Rates Zone 7. This group recently met with the Assistant Director of Public Works and the director admitted that the percentages as stated by the city are significantly lower than reality. I have already submitted my letter of protest but am emailing because I believe you all on the City Council can withdraw this and revisit the necessary increases taking into account 55% will now be paying at least a portion where they didn't before. Also a new brochure needs to be sent out and who ever designed this one needs to be held accountable for the lack of information and the serious misrepresentation of the percentage of increase. Sincerely rate payer, Victoria LaBarge