Dear City Council,
Last week, in my capacity as a
Public Works Commissioner, I voted against raising the sewage rate a flat 36%.
I did this not because I do not recognize the need to overhaul the existing
sewage plant, nor because I deny the need for additional revenue in order to do
so. My position has been, and remains, that because the impact of those
households with faulty lateral lines is much higher those of citizens who do
maintain their pipes, taxes should reflect this fact.
Ideally, the flat tax of the city
would be set higher than 36% with discounts offered to homeowners upon proof
their lateral is not allowing excessive water intrusion. In addition, San Mateo
should have replacement required at Point of Sale, or, at a bare minimum, an inspection
report should be required. According to SAMCAR more than 1800 homes sold in San
Mateo (1810, precisely) over the last three years, and each represented an
opportunity to improve our sewage system for everyone.
Attached is a picture, taken this
Saturday, of raw sewage and pieces of toilet paper pooled on the sidewalk a few
houses down from where I live in Hayward Park.
This kind of overflow will not improve under the current Clean Water
Program because its high level planning does not adequately address major
upstream dysfunction such as failing laterals.
We cannot truly have a clean water
system in San Mateo if faulty laterals are not replaced. I also believe
providing a strong financial incentive (such as a tax penalty for faulty
laterals or higher rates for those who cannot prove compliance) is the best
means of achieving a fully updated and sealed system.
It pains me that the city is
proposing to spend nearly a billion dollars without addressing failing laterals
in any capacity. A holistic approach is required to have truly clean water (and
sidewalks) in San Mateo.
Respectfully
No comments:
Post a Comment