By Brian CHERNICK

The City of Glendale has undertaken preliminary steps to increase the cost of wastewater as council voted to allow staff to begin notifying residents of the impending hearing processes to adopt new rates.

The city currently has a “pay-for-what-you-use” rate structure that includes an initial flat-fee and a rate based on the volume of wastewater used by each household. Both the monthly flat fee and water charge per hundred cubic feet are set to be increased.

According to a Public Works Dept. report presented by City Manager Scott Ochoa, the typical single-family unit currently pays a rate of approximately $18.29 per hundred cubic feet and estimates the same residence will pay a monthly rate of $23.50 in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The long-term plan is to increase rates over the next 12 years, although the presentation provided an overview until the 2020-21 fiscal year when the same residence would be expected to pay a monthly $26.77 for wastewater management – a nearly 50% increase over four years.

Ochoa stated to city council that the city has not issued a rate increase in 18 years and the need for the hike is to keep up with operational and maintenance costs, which have increased throughout the years. Ochoa went on to state that had the rate kept up with inflation at 2-2.5% per year the rates would be 42-56% higher than they are currently.

City council approved the staff to mail notices to residents as per Proposition 218 that requires the City provide written notice of proposed property-related fee changes. Included in the notice will be information regarding the amount and reason for the fee increases along with the date and time of the public hearing. Currently the public hearing is scheduled for June 6 at 6 p.m.

The council also voted to reject 20 bids on three separate projects: the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Installation and Pavement Repair Program, the Landscape Maintenance of General Government Facilities, and the Safe Routes to the School Improvements Project. The various departments recommended council reject the bids as some were higher than budget or engineering estimates or the contractors failed to submit proper documentation and paperwork to proceed.

In each of the cases the respective departments will negotiate directly with the lowest bidders and present their selection at a later date.

The council, led by Mayor Paula Devine, commemorated the 102 years since the Armenian Genocide by declaring the week of April 24 as a Week of Remembrance and announced a commemorative event on April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Alex Theatre that is free for to all to attend. Tickets can be picked up ahead of time at the theater box office, Glendale City College main office or at the Americana at Brand concierge services desk.

  Brian CHERNICK