CHICO — In both a prequel and a sequel, the city’s Internal Affairs Committee took a deep dive into sewer rates at a special meeting Monday.
The impetus of the discussion was a property owner’s appeal the Chico City Council heard at its last regular meeting. Daniel Hays, a former councilor, challenged the Public Works Department’s determination that he was billed correctly for his building in the 1300 block of Mangrove.
The council referred the matter to the IAC — Kasey Reynolds, Tom van Overbeek and Addison Winslow — for a broad look at sewer charges; they’ll report back when the appeal resumes Tuesday evening. Hays attended Monday’s meeting, though was advised he could not address his circumstances in specific, just rate calculations in general.
“The reason we’re sitting here is because of you,” van Overbeek, the IAC chair, told Hays, characterizing the review as “a worthwhile exercise.”
Public Works engineer David Kehn explained the city’s commercial rates consist of fixed charges and variable charges based on usage — the latter measured in units known as equivalent dwelling units based on water use for a single-family residence.
On the commercial side, the city delineates average EDUs for different types of businesses and charges accordingly. The formula primarily factors water used during winter months (December through March), but also factors suspended solids and biological oxygen demand.
“We don’t meter the sewer,” Kehn said, “we only meter the water. We don’t measure discharge from each individual unit.”
Reynolds asked about an appeal process; Kehn said engineering staff handles these inquiries, and Director Brendan Ottoboni added, “This is something that’s constantly happening.”
Ottoboni further explained that the charges are “cost recovery; we’re not making a profit.” The update to rates was made to cover improvements to trunk lines and the wastewater treatment plant “to make the system sustainable.”
In regards to the rate methodology, Hays asked about carryover from year to year; Keen replied that Public Works is recalculating based on the 2023-2024 winter.
Hays also asserted that “EDUs have nothing to do with commercial.” Van Overbeek responded that “we didn’t invent this — it’s how it’s done in the rest of the state. EDU is just a reference.”
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Culminating the discussion, van Overbeek said city leaders would review the code with the city attorney and revise language as necessary.
In the other item of business, which took the final three minutes of the half-hour meeting, the IAC approved city engineers’ recommendation for an all-way stop at West Lindo Avenue and Dixon Street.
Ottoboni said a resident’s request prompted the assessment by Public Works Engineering, and the proposed stop signs address safety concerns. All three councilors voted for it, then adjourned.
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