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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 01011967 - 67-340 IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA CSA COUNTY.. STATE OF CALIFORNIA. In the Matter of Public Hearings before � the Public Utilities Commission of the � State of California regarding the appli- cation of Sobrante Water Company for an RESOLUTION No. 67/340 order authorizing an increase in: rates } for water service. ) WH.MEAS the Board of Supervisors having received a copy of the application of Sobrante Water Company for an order authorizing an increase in rates for water service and a copy of a "Notice of Hearing" May 25,, 1967 at 1.9 a.m. in the Public Utilities Commission Courtroom, State Building, San Francisco.. California, for the purpose of obtaining views of interested parties in this matter; and '14MEAS the Board, acting in its capacity as general representative of the water consuming public., having received, a report from the Health Department regarding the status of the Sobrante Water Company, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT BY THIS BOARD RESOL"V"ED that the Health Department is authorized to present a statement (a copy of which is attached hereto) before the Public Utilities Commission in relation to the application for increase in rates for grater services of the Sobrante Water Company, PASSED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of May, 1967 by the following vote of the Board: AYES: Supervisors James P. Kenny, Alfred M. Dias, James E. Moriarty, Thomas John Coll, Edmund A. Linscheid. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. PrsowwoN No. 67/.340 Statement of the ?bard of Supervisors ) before the public Utilities Commission ) of the Mate of California. regarding ) the matter of the application of ) SC AI-M WAMR Ca,?Ahff, a COR O- RATIMT, for an order authorizing an increase in rates for water service The cormission has before it application, number 49085 submitted by 5obrante "dater Company, and signed by Ronald and James B. Craven as officers of the c - pang, asking for a rate increase ;for grater service provided to some 134 customers. Records from the County Health department indicate this water system has been a continuing source of complaints during the intervening years from 1952 to 1964 when the system was sold to its present owners. The Health Department in 1964 requested a study be made of the system by the Bureau of Sanitary Engineer- ing, State Health Department. A copy of this study has been attached for your inf'orm..ation. The results of this study and. a long history of customer com- plaints regarding loss pressure and, in some cases, Loss of water service com- pletely, led Supervisor Dias and members of the :health Department staff to meet frequently with a committee of residents representing the service area. The objective of the citizens committee is to seed out means of providing adequate and safe water to serve their needs. Their principal concern has been directed toward annexation to East Bay Municipal Utility District. The State Iffealth Department report points up the inadequacies of the system (as set forth in Chapter 7 - Health & Safety Code) with relation to quantity at the source, pipe size requirements, and pressure differentials in the system. Your commissions General Order 103 sets forth similar standards which have not in the past and are not now being Bret. One two (2) inch fire hydrant or stand pipe is provided by the water purveyor for fire protection for the residents within the service area of the system. We do not take issue with the need for the applicants to improve their rate structure to provide an equitable return on. their investment. The applicants have docimented their geed for additional income. However, we do take issue with applicants EVEMSTT "Btl, item "g" and the proposed improvements to satisfy consumer needs as shown on nage 2 of EXHIBIT stBlt. A review of the application for a rate increase submitted by the previous owners (December 21, 1950 alleged the same situation add the attempts to alleviate the lack of pressure and mater qua:�t .ty was to add an additional 2 inch water line for relief to the area af- fected within, the system. It is apparent to the Health Department that the proposed improvements stated in the current application will. not satisfy the basic essential needs of the consumers. The source of supply will not be in- creased to meet the derands. ibre rants for .fire fighting will not be provided size of the water main to be installed wi:ll not enhance the system to meet ac- centahle standards. The 'Health Devartment has, with the cooperation of the Building Department, instituted procedures to limit further building in the service area of this water system. Such action was ursdertaken. in 1965 as it was quite apparent that the water system was in meed of a major capitael investment program to .bring the system yap to even minimal standards. There have been no additional water con- nect4 onS made to this system since this action was taken. Recently this Board. of Supervisors initiated the necessary actions for the formation of a County dater District as a preliminary ,step toward possible future annexation to the East Bay Municipal utility District. In tabbing this action the ward recognizes the need to resolve this water supply probl.er and that this water company has demonstrated, during preceeding years, their in- ability to provide the winancia.l support necessary to meet consumer needs, regardless of ownerehip. Therefore,. the Board of Supervisors of Contra (Costa County can not support the proposed increase in rates for water service contained in application number 49085 ;presently being heard. More the cormissi.on as it can not accomplish the basic essential needs sof the grater consmii g public concerned or the potential development of the area. We further request that your commission, through ghat ever means are available, advise the conawwrs of this water system to vigor- ously pursue the advantages offered by annexation to the East Say Municipal Utility District. Edmund A. Zi.nscheid Chairman, Board of Supervisors 51916?