Sunnyvale approved several infrastructure items related to the city’s waste disposal, water supply and downtown parking district.

At its most recent meeting June 16, the Sunnyvale City Council approved new water and trash utility rates, its urban water management plan and the maintenance district for downtown.

Stephen Napier, the city’s utility billing division manager, said the city studies water, wastewater and garbage rates every five years.

This year’s increases were almost spot-on with city employee projections, with water rates increasing 7.5% and wastewater rates increasing 7%, both as projected. Garbage collection rates increased 3%, 1% lower than projected.

The cost of purchased water is the biggest driver of water rates, accounting for 62% of operating costs. Upcoming infrastructure improvements include water main replacements and upgrades to the city’s Sunnyvale Recovery and Transfer Station (SMaRT).

The city received 102 protests to the rates, falling well short of the 50% needed to stop the increases.

A member of the public, Steve S, called the threshold a “disrespect.”

“People objecting to this is a futile effort—really shows the fallacy of our government thumbing their nose at the citizens to say you have to have 50% of written sign (sic) turned in,” he said.

Napier said Sunnyvale has managed to keep its rates lower than its neighbors primarily because of sound financial planning that includes shoring up its stabilization reserve. 

Council Member Linda Sell called the effort “impressive.”

“We never like to see prices raise, but Sunnyvale appears, the staff, is trying its best to do different techniques to keep costs low, so I really appreciate that,” she said.

The city is also doing well to manage its water sources, with a small shortfall late in a drought cycle.

Winola Cheong, a city physical engineer, said the city has a “very reliable and diversified portfolio.” However, under the five-year drought scenario, there’s a 4% shortfall late in the cycle, but multi-stage framework has the city well-positioned to manage.

A lion’s share of the city’s water comes from two sources — 61% from San Francisco Water Power and Sewer (SFPUC) and 38% from Valley Water.

Since 2000, per capita water consumption dropped from 170 to 105 gallons per person per day despite population growth, with 57% coming from residential use and 22.5% coming from commercial use. Consumption is expected to continue in line with population growth moving forward. 

The city is projected to meet demand through 2045 with a “healthy buffer.” The city is also working on installing advanced metering throughout the city.

The council also approved the maximum increase to the downtown parking maintenance district. 

Shirene Nafie, property administrator, said paid parking at city-owned lots allows business owners to improve their lots to the maximum capacity. The district keeps pace with the consumer price index (CPI), which is 2.48%. 

The maximum assessment provides $257,000, with $28,000 going into the city’s reserve to fund long-term capital improvements.  

The council also postponed discussing putting charter changes on the ballot until its June 23 meeting and extended a moratorium on smoke shops until May 18 next year.

Council Member Murali Srinivasan was absent.

Sunnyvale City Council Consent Calendar Spending

The council approved the following spending via the consent calendar:

• A $1.28 million contract with Verde Design, Inc. for design and construction support services for the Serra Park renovation.

The council meets again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 23 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave. in Sunnyvale. 

To submit public comments ahead of the meeting, visit http://Sunnyvale.ca.gov/PublicComments; Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/96111580540; meeting call-in telephone number: 833-548-0276, meeting ID: 961 1158 0540 

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com 

Previous Sunnyvale City Council Meetings:
Sunnyvale Ramps up “Vanlording” Enforcement
Sunnyvale Stays its Hand on Increasing Eviction Payments
Sunnyvale Safe Parking Continues to Languish, Council’s Patience Wears Thin