Homeowners and businesses whose water is supplied by the Menlo Park Municipal Water District will face water rate increases to cover the rising costs of renovating the Hetch Hetchy system.
The Menlo Park City Council at its April 18 meeting unanimously approved an 11.9 percent rate increase for four consecutive years starting next year.
The city gets water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is projected to more than triple water rates — from the current $1.02 per 75,000 gallons to $3.52 — by 2015 to help cover costs of Hetch Hetchy improvements.
After four years, city staff and the council will decide if the 11.9 percent local increase needs to be adjusted, but some form of increase is likely for 10 years to cover the rising cost of water.
With the approved increases, the monthly rate for a typical single-family household will increase from $25.25 now to about $38.71 by 2010. If increases continue, monthly rates could reach $75 by 2015.
The city’s water system distributes water to about one-third of the city — the Sharon Heights area, the Civic Center, the Willows neighborhood, the Belle Haven community and the city’s industrial area.
Garbage rate increase
In addition to rising water costs, Menlo Park residents will also have to pay more to get their garbage collected.The City Council at its April 18 meeting unanimously approved a 6 percent rate increase for all single-family households. The rate increase will go into effect July 1.
The city now charges residents $10.15 a month for one garbage can, $25.14 for two cans, and $37.71 for three cans. Rates will jump to $10.76, $26.65 and $39.97, respectively.
A recently discovered bookkeeping error revealed rate increases should have been implemented in 2005, and rate hikes will likely be required for the next three years, said Finance Director Carol Augustine.
Commission vacancies
The deadline to apply for two expired seats on the Menlo Park Planning Commission is Wednesday, April 26. The terms end April 2010.The seats are currently filled by commissioners Henry Riggs and Melody Pagee. Mr. Riggs is reapplying for his seat, and Ms. Pagee is yet to announce her decision.
Reapplying commissioners and new applicants will be considered by the City Council at a future meeting.
There is also an open business-member seat on the Las Pulgas Committee, and an open seat on the Housing Commission.
The terms end March and September 2009, respectively. Applications are due by May 3 for both seats.
The Las Pulgas Committee advises the council on activities and programs of the city’s Community Development Agency, which oversees redevelopment projects.
All applications must be submitted to the city clerk’s office. For more information, call the city clerk at 330-6620.
