By Camas Frank
Summer has officially kicked off in SLO with two of the necessities of urban life set to rise in cost after the last two City Council meetings.
Water and parking are in short supply for different reasons, but the City has “enterprise funds” for both; meaning that provision of water and parking, as well as sewer, are run as a business with oversight by the City Council.
Reasoning behind the water increase points to mandated reductions in use, and a citizenry already fairly conscious of water conservation, forcing the City into a vicious loop.
Infrastructure costs have been consistent for the past several years, with water mains on steady replacement schedules. As long as water sales drop, for any reason, the money must come from somewhere.
So starting July 1, a new rate is appearing on resident’s water and sewer bill. And a second rate hike is scheduled for next year. The rise includes a surcharge tied to expected ongoing reductions in sales throughout the current drought.
Despite that reasoning, at least 730 customers submitted written protests against the eventual the 4-1 decision (Councilman Dan Carpenter providing his customary descent from the majority).
Several of those that remained to the end of the meeting were critical of the placement of the item at the end of the agenda, when the item affects almost all City residents in some fashion.
They did not however manage to rally the number of official protests needed under law to prevent the action.
The parking issue didn’t rise quite as much ire as water, but an ordinance expanding the $1.50 downtown meter zones was placed on the July 7 consent agenda after unanimous passage June 16.
Unless anything unexpected occurs that makes Aug. 6 the first day residents and visitors alike, will pay more in all three City parking structures and in newly relocated credit card meters downtown.
The plan comes as work has already eliminated metered parking in two lots around the Chinatown development area. Hundreds more are slated for the chopping block in development over the next year.
Much the same as the water situation, the price increase is to offset revenue from the loss in sales volume, however the shortage of spaces comes with a double blow. More people will require Downtown access once the Chinatown and Garden Street Terrace developments are complete. The supply shortfall could be offset with construction of new garage set for the intersection of Palm and Nipomo and a proposed 445 spaces built on the current surface lot.
For now, meters in the areas outside Downtown will remain at $1.25 an hour but the garage prices will increase from $0.75 to $1 per hour.
Council has yet to discuss financing and scheduling for that structure, but a further shortage would occur as construction commences on that structure likely in 2016.
