As Corpus Christi discusses a new stormwater charge, it’s important to remember that we already have a utility and stormwater charge. Stormwater is paid for the water charges that each of us who has a meter pays on our bill each month.

Our fees are not low compared to other cities in Texas; they’re very high, in fact. It is the result of the use of the storm water fund to pay for the replacements of pipes, curbs and gutters carried out during the reconstruction of the streets. Other cities don’t, so our stormwater fund has three times as much debt when it only has one-third of San Antonio’s customers.

The simple solution to improve the financing of the maintenance of our storm water system is to transfer the new debt for street works to bond packages, and as the old debt is paid off, use that money to improve the debt. ‘maintenance.

We were the first major city in Texas to operate a stormwater service paid for out of utility bills. We’ve been doing this since 1989. We have done it for the same reasons other cities have done more recently. Drainage is normally funded by property taxes, but due to the high cost of public safety and state restrictions on tax increases, cities are under financial pressure to “create businesses” that may charge. expenses.

Corpus Christi chose and kept the water charges to fund its drainage system because it offers side benefits. Most importantly, as a drought-prone area, the high water rates for things like watering lawns discourage people from wasting water. This makes it available to businesses generating jobs and sanitation at lower cost. Unlike the proposed system, you can choose how much you pay by changing the amount of water you use. City staff said this system means people who have conserved the water do not pay for drainage. This is not true.

In other words, we intentionally have a system and tariff structure where water users with high water consumption pay most of the bill and subsidize people who do not use a lot of water. It works; it’s just.

This becomes evident when you look at the impact on the bill of the system that city staff recommended to implement. People with large residential lots that water their lawns and have swimming pools (I am one of them) will see their overall bills drop dramatically. My bill would go down 10 percent. People who use the minimum water level would see their bills increase by 31% to 71%, depending on the size of the lot. It is not fair.

Staff said the average customer using water will not have any overall change in their bill. That’s true, but 65% of residential customers and 70% of business customers consume less than average. They would all get significant bill increases under the proposal. It is a tax on water conservation.

This becomes even more serious for businesses where those that consume a lot of water, such as water machines and laundromats, would see their bills drop from several hundred to several thousand dollars, while smaller, low-consumption businesses. water would see their bills increase as a two to three digit percentage. An office building that uses a chilled water air conditioning system will see its bill reduced by 10%, while a building of the same size that does not have this type of air conditioning system will see its bill double.

It would undo decades of advancements in water conservation that have made us a leader in the field and fueled our economic growth. We shouldn’t throw this away to copy other cities. The recharge system that municipal staff want is very useful in Austin and San Antonio where they encourage the recharge of their aquifers, their water source. Our soils do not absorb water like theirs and our aquifers are salt water. It does not suit us.

Instead of radically changing who pays what and talking about progress, we should 1) Keep our current billing system; 2) Shift future debt into bond bundles and use the money to make improvements in problem areas and better maintain the system; and 3) Enforce our development codes and create charges to make sure the new development doesn’t flood others or destroy the environment and leave us with the bill.

This would achieve the real purpose of the storm water system – keeping flood water out of homes and businesses.

David Loeb is a former city councilor and planning commissioner and sits on the Stormwater Charges Stakeholder Committee for the City of Corpus Christi.

Under “Via nationalist unity, we will defeat the occupation and block the internal struggles”, a forum was organized by the Nationalist Congress of Kurdistan-Rojava which shed light on the dangers posed historically by the Turkish state and on the reality on the ground that the Kurds must embrace.

Nine recommendations were made by the forum, the most important of which was a call for the Kurdish powers to commit to the 1982 PKK-PDK agreement between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the PKK, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the PDK, as well as an appeal was sent to the “ brothers of the Kurdistan Democratic Party to refrain from sending forces to hot areas preserving intra-Kurdish relations, as well as others calling for dialogue and preventing internal struggles.

In the end a committee was created to discuss the recommendations with all the Kurdish powers throughout Kurdistan.

Akram Hisso, member of the executive body of the Kurdistan Nationalist Congress, KNK-Rojava, indicated that the committee in question is preparing to travel to Southern Kurdistan to discuss the recommendations made with all political parties there. Hisso revealed that contact had been made with some Kurdish powers in southern Kurdistan to give more details.

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During this time Doreen served as Secretary for a long time, but since 2012 she has represented Oswestry Otters on the Policy Committee.

A forum spokesperson called his knowledge of the city’s sport invaluable.

They said, “Doreen has helped guide the strategy of the Oswestry Sports Forum, helped plan awards nights, forum nights, fundraising events and has shown great interest in grant applications. local clubs and individuals.

“Doreen has also always been keen to promote Oswestry otters as their representative.

“Doreen’s knowledge of the sport at Oswestry for so many years has been invaluable and fascinating! I will miss her terribly. ”

His departure came at a time of more change at the club, with other committee members stepping down from their roles.

Rob Walker of Crossfit Oswestry, who served on the committee since 2014 and chaired the Oswestry Sports Forum from 2017 to 2019, has resigned.

Ben Morris, Oswestry Boy & Girls Club, and Mark Jones, Croesoswallt Archers, also resigned, having served on the grants committee since 2018.

New committee members joined to fill their shoes including; Bob Batts, of Croesoswallt Archers; Andy Lee, of Oswestry Otters; Ian Richardson, from Shropshire Paddlesport; and Stuart Dix of Knockin & Kinnerley Cricket Club.

Forum Chairman Stu Manford is delighted to welcome the new committee members on board.

He said: “The pandemic restrictions have been devastating for local grassroots sport and most committees have been upset.

“We hope to do everything we can to help the local clubs get back on their feet. One of the ways we can help is our grants program where we can award up to £ 500 to local clubs. ”

The deadline for submitting applications for the next round of grants is Monday, June 7.

Full details are available on the Oswestry Sports Forum website at www.oswestrysportsforum.org.uk

LAKE COUNTY, Calif .– The oversight board will consider on Tuesday appointing members to a vision forum committee, interviewing candidates for the public health officer position, and considering extending a license to use for a cell tower project.

The ‌ meeting‌ will begin‌ at 9‌ am‌ Tuesday ‌ April 20, in the Council Chamber on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌ meeting‌ ‌can‌be watched‌ live‌ on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8, ‌ online‌ at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspxand‌ on‌ the‌county‌ Facebook page.

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌ real time, ‌ join‌ ‌the‌ Meeting‌ Zoom‌ ‌by‌ clicking‌ this linkat 9 a.m.

The‌ ‌ meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 918 2458 2947, ‌ ‌passcode 099460.‌ ‌The meeting is also accessible via a mobile phone at + 16699006833,, 91824582947 # ,,,, * 099460 # US.

All interested members of the public who do not have Internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833 and enter the Zoom meeting ID and password information provided. -above.

To‌ submit‌ a writing‌ ‌comment‌ on‌ ‌ any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ please‌ ‌visit‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspxand click on the eComment function linked to the date. meeting If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it cannot be read during the meeting, but will become part of the record.

On Tuesday’s consent agenda, the board is expected to approve the advisory board appointments to the community vision forum planning committee.

The representative of the Town of Clearlake will be Mayor Dirk Slooten and City Councilor Mireya Turner will represent the Town of Lakeport.

Staff reviewed the candidates with the board and finalized their recommendations, which include appointing tribal representatives, Sally Peterson of Middletown Rancheria and Beniakem Cromwell of Robinson Rancheria, and General Members Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, Delores Farrell, JoAnn Saccato and Sue Williams.

The group will be responsible for planning community vision forums focused on promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.

At 9:05 am, council will hold a public hearing to consider extending a license to use a cell tower project at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville.

Horizon Tower Limited LLC is requesting a one-year extension to the operating license, which allows for an 85-foot-tall “tree pole tower”. The Lake County Planning Commission approved the project in January 2019 and the Supervisory Board denied an appeal for the project in April 2019. The permit is valid for two years and will expire on April 23.

Also on Tuesday, in a closed session, the board will interview candidates for public health officer positions and may announce an appointment, based on the text of the agenda.

Public health officer Dr Gary Pace is leaving his post in the county at the end of the month.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Second Reading of the Amendment to the Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance for People Affected by the Agricultural Land Protection Zone, Chapter 21, Section 27.13 (at) 1 (vi).

5.2: Approve the concept, the modification of the uniform and clothing purchasing policy and Annex A, and ask the director of human resources to lead the meeting and conference process with our union representatives.

5.3: Pass a resolution to seek approval of an agreement with University of California regents to conduct a statewide investigation of invasive blasthole drillers in the amount of $ 21,526 $ for the period from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

5.4: Approve Addendum # 2 to the Commercial Lease Agreement between Lake County and Big Oak Center LLC to allow adjustment of the rental payment for the property located at 13340 E. Highway 20, # 0, Clearlake Oaks, Calif. And authorize the chair board to sign.

5.5: (a) Waive the formal tendering process, in accordance with Section 38.2 of the Lake County Code, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods or services ; and (b) approve the agreement between Lake County and Alameda County Crisis Support Services for Crisis Support Services for the fiscal year 2021-2022 for a maximum contract of 72,624 $ and authorize the chairman of the board to sign the agreement.

5.6: (a) Waive the formal tendering process, in accordance with Section 38.2 of the Lake County Code, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the property or services ; and (b) approve the agreement between Lake County and IDEA Consulting for professional consulting services for the fiscal year 2021-2022 for a maximum contract of $ 40,000 and authorize the chair of the council to sign the agreement.

5.7: (a) Waive the formal tendering process in accordance with Section 38.2 of the Lake County Code as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods or services ; and (b) approve the first amendment to the agreement between Lake County and the Sutter Psychiatric Center for acute psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute psychiatric hospitalizations for the fiscal year 2020-2021. for a reduction of the maximum contract from $ 250,000 to $ 100,000 and authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign the agreement.

5.8: (a) Waive the formal tendering process, in accordance with Section 38.2 of the Lake County Code, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods or services ; and (b) approve Amendment One to the Agreement between Lake County and Davis Guest Home for Adult Residential Support Services and Specialized Mental Health Services for the fiscal year 2020-2021 for a reduction in the maximum contract to $ 200,000 and authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign the amendment.

5.9: (a) Waive the formal tendering process, in accordance with Section 38.2 of the Lake County Code, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the property or services ; and (b) approve the Agreement between Lake County and the Mother-Wise Program (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) for the fiscal year 2021-2022 for a maximum contract of $ 125,000 and authorize the chairman of the board to be signed.

5.10: Approve the appointments of the Advisory Board to the Planning Committee of the Community Vision Forum.

5.11: Approve amendment three to the agreement between Lake County and the Kelseyville Motel for COVID-19 emergency isolation housing and authorize the chairman of the board to sign.

5.12: Pass a resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to apply for the Water Safety and Law Enforcement Equipment Grant Program grant.

5.13: Adopt resolution amending resolution 2020-134, allocation of sheriff / coroner position 2201 to add a deputy sergeant-sheriff due to imminent retirement due to industrial disability.

5.14: (a) Abandon the normal sealed tendering process under Order No. 2406, section 38.2 as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods; (b) adopt the resolution amending resolution n ° 2020-133 to amend the adopted budget for the fiscal year 2020-21 by allocating unforeseen income in budget unit 2301 – Sheriff / Jail Facilities, (c) approving the purchase replacement tasers and (d) authorize the Sheriff or his representative to issue a purchase order to Axom Enterprises in the amount of $ 119,868.10.

5.15: Approve the withdrawal of the drug from Sheriff K-9 Dozer to his manager Sgt. Dennis Keithly for the cost of $ 1 per section 2.6.5 of the DSA MOU.

TIMED ELEMENTS

6.2, 9:06 am: Public hearing, continued from April 13, 2021 – discussion and examination of the extension of the use permit, File n ° UPX 21-01 and CE 21-01, Extends UP 18-01; located at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville, APN # 009-004-21.

NON-TIMED ITEMS

7.2: (a) Consideration of the purchase of communication equipment to be installed at various repeater sites in the amount of $ 21,502.52 and (b) authorize the sheriff or his representative to issue purchase orders to Daniel’s Electronics and L3 Harris.

IN CAMERA SESSION

8.1: Conference with Legal Advisor: Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Section 54956.9 (d) (2), (e) (1) of the Government Code – A Potential Case.

8.2: Conference with Legal Advisor: Existing Litigation under Section 54956.9 (d) (1) Government Code – Center for Biological Diversity v. County of Lake, et al.

8.3: Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (1) – California Native Plant Society v. County of Lake, et al.

8.4: Appointment of a public employee in accordance with Article 54957 (b) (1) of the Government Code: (a) Interviews with the public health officer (b) appointment of a public health officer.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is protected from spam. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.