HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04212015 - C.22RECOMMENDATION(S):
SUPPORT Assembly Bill 1362 (AB 1362) by Assembly Member Richard Gordon and co-authored by Senator Lois
Wolk;
SUPPORT the introduction of a Constitutional Amendment that will provide equity with water and wastewater
districts on establishing or raising fees to fund stormwater services; and
AUTHORIZE the Chair to send a letter of support to Assembly Member Gordon and Senator Wolk.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact of supporting this legislative effort.
BACKGROUND:
The California State Association of Counties is part of a coalition of statewide organizations in Sacramento working
on a legislative effort to give stormwater agencies the same authority as water districts and wastewater districts to
fund their services. AB 1362 is a critical first step in this effort by providing a definition of stormwater for a future
Constitutional Amendment.
In California, water is divided into 3 separate sectors: drinking water,
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 04/21/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
ABSENT:Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Mitch Avalon, 925-313-2203
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: April 21, 2015
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc: David Twa, Lara Delaney, Julie Bueren, Steve Kowalewski, Mike Carlson, Mitch Avalon
C. 22
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:April 21, 2015
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:SUPPORT Assembly Bill 1362 by Assembly Member Richard Gordon and APPROVE a letter of support.
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
wastewater, and stormwater. Drinking water and wastewater services are provided by utility districts with the
resources necessary to provide an efficient and effective service to society. Water districts and sanitary districts
have the legal authority to establish a rate structure to pay for the construction, operation, maintenance and
replacement of their utility system. The same is not true for stormwater and the revenue sources to fund
stormwater services are inadequate to meet expected or required service levels.
The cost for the County to provide stormwater related services has increased dramatically over the last several
years with no offsetting revenue source. The County is responsible for improving stormwater quality in our storm
drain systems and creeks by removing pollutants such as mercury and trash, and building stormwater treatment
facilities like grassy swales and green infrastructure projects along our roads. The County owns and operates
miles of drainage pipes and ditches in seventeen unincorporated communities that are inadequate, old, and need
replacing. The County Flood Control District is required to maintain flood capacity in its facilities while protecting
and enhancing riparian and aquatic habitats.
Stormwater is viewed more and more as an essential resource that can augment our drinking water supplies and is
critical in maintaining ecological health. As an essential resource more and more attention is placed on improving
its quality and maintaining its infrastructure. Stormwater is becoming a vital service like drinking water and
wastewater and should have a funding mechanism similar to the existing funding mechanism utilized by water
districts and wastewater districts.
To achieve this parity, the Legislature must pass a Constitutional Amendment that would allow the voters of
California to decide if the process to fund stormwater infrastructure and services should be similar to the current
process used by water districts and wastewater districts. Assembly Bill 1362 would provide implementation
guidance for the Constitutional Amendment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Assembly Member Gordon and Senator Wolk would not know the County supports passage of AB 1362 and
introduction of a Constitutional Amendment.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Support Letter - Wolk
Support Letter - Gordon