City Council

9.\nConduct a Public Hearing and Consider Resolution Adopting Water and Sewer Rate\nAdjustments for Fiscal Years 2025-26 through 2029-30 and Finding that Adoption of the\nRates is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City operates\nwater and sewer utility systems through enterprise funds supported entirely by ratepayer\nrevenue and recently completed a comprehensive rate study and public participation process to\nupdate the cost-of-service mode and financial plan. This Proposition 218 Public Hearing allows\nfor residents to protest the proposed rates and, if sufficient protest is not received, for Council to\nset rates for the next five years, effective January 1, 2026.\nRecommendation: That the City Council, after conducting a Public Hearing in compliance with\nProposition 218 to accept comments on the proposed water and sewer rates:\n1. Direct the Deputy City Clerk to tabulate the results of the protests received from property\nowners and announce the findings; and\n2. Adopt a Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF\nLA VERNE, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING WATER AND SEWER RATES AND\nCHARGES FOR A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD (FY 2025-26 THROUGH FY 2029-30)"; and\n3. Authorize the City Manager, Finance Director, and Public Works Director to implement\nthe rates, update the Master Schedule of Fees and Charges, make non-substantive\ncorrections to the exhibits, and complete all billing system updates; and\n4. Find that adoption of the water and sewer rates is exempt from the California\nEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section\n21080(b)(8) and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(2).