2008/08/12 City Council Resolution 2008-133RESOLUTION NO. 2008-133
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S OPPOSITION TO AN INITIATIVE TO
REDUCE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK'S CURRENT SEWER SERVICE CHARGES TO
THOSE CHARGES IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2006 TO BE PRESENTED TO THE
ELECTORATE ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2008, the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park adopted a
resolution directing that an "Initiative to Reduce City of Rohnert Park's Current Sewer Service
Rates to Rates in Effect on January 1, 2006" ( "Initiative ") be presented to the City of Rohnert
Park voters at the general election on November 4, 2008 in accordance with California Election
Code requirements;
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2008, the City Council received the Initiative impact report
pursuant to California Elections Code section 9212;
WHEREAS, this resolution came before the City Council at a public meeting on August
12, 2008 at which members of the public, including proponents and opponents of the Initiative,
were free to comment on the Initiative and this resolution;
WHEREAS, the City of Rohnert Park sewer charges are the second - lowest of the user
agencies of the Subregional Sewer System, with Rohnert Park's rates being lower than Santa
Rosa and Cotati rates, and higher than Sebastopol rates;
WHEREAS, Sebastopol, while having the lowest sewer service rates, has also
experienced two major sewer system failures resulting in significant discharges of raw sewage to
the Laguna de Santa Rosa and will likely need to increase their sewer service rates to fund sewer
system improvements needed to address their sewer system failures;
WHEREAS, the Initiative would roll back City of Rohnert Park sewer charges below
levels required to fund sewer system operations and maintenance to meet City obligations as
required by the terms of the Subregional Sewerage System Agreement, .City Certificates of
Participation covenants, applicable Clean Water Act requirements, and General Waste Discharge
Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems (GWDR 2006 -03) promulgated by the
State Water Resources Control Board in 2006;
WHEREAS, if the Initiative is approved the City sewer enterprise fund would realize a
revenue loss beginning in Fiscal Year 2008 -09 and culminating in a revenue loss of $3.4 million
in Fiscal year 2009 -10;
WHEREAS, if the Initiative is approved the City sewer enterprise fund would run out of
money in Fiscal Year 2010 -11 or earlier which would result in the City being unable to meet its
sewer system financial obligations;
WHEREAS, if the Initiative is approved the revenue loss to the sewer enterprise fund
would result in a rapid decline in the City's ability to operate the sewer system effectively, which
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would likely cause backups that would lead to overflow of raw sewage in the streets and other
system failures; and
WHEREAS, if the Initiative is approved, the projected revenue shortfall in the City sewer
enterprise would threaten the City's ability to protect the environment and public health, and
provide a reliable, safe, secure and economical sewerage treatment for all citizens of Rohnert
Park.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council opposes the Initiative which, if approved by Rohnert Park voters,
would roll back City sewer service charges resulting in a revenue shortfall that would not only
impact the environment and public health but could cause the City to violate the terms of the
City's Subregional Sewerage System Agreement, applicable Clean Water Act and GWDR 2006-
03 requirements and City Certificates of Participation covenants.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park this 12th day of August, 2008.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
Mayor
ATTEST: RONNBRT PAVt
19 62
erk
CALIFORNIA
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/ISSN; C' Attorney
BREEZE: ABSENT SMITH: AYE STAFFORD: AYE VIDAK- MARTINEZ: AYE MACKENZIE: AYE
AYES: (4) NOES: (0) ABSENT: (1) ABSTAIN: (0)
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