A Good CCSD Meeting is Possible, Part 3

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The shortest meeting in months, and three posts at AboutCambria.com. Hmm…

This last installment about the April CCCD Meeting focuses on two of the public comments from Jerry McKinnon and Michael Stoddard.

Jerry McKinnon raised the issue of the CCSD’s responsibility for the upkeep of the Veteran’s Hall. A brief history The building was originally purchased by the Lions in the early 50′s and moved from Camp San Luis to its current location on property donated by the Fiscalini Family. Later, the Lion’s donated the building to the County, with the stipulation it be designated a Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Then the CCSD bought it from the County in 1978 for $1.

Jerry urged the Board to improve transparency and fiscal responsibility by establishing policy creating a distinct budget category for the Vets Hall. The Vets Hall is not only an essential, frequently used community resource, it is a memorial to the men from this area who died in service to this country. To neglect this building would seem to show a lack of respect for not just those men, but the rest of the veterans of this area and, in fact, the entire community.

The CCSD isn’t neglecting maintenance entirely. A bid has been awarded to put a new roof on the building. But much more needs to be done to ensure this building is a shining centerpiece of our community and not run-down evidence of skewed community priorities. He asked the District to prove once and for all that it ISN’T a Veterans Memorial, as they have continued to claim. If they cannot show it ISN’T a memorial, they must start to take better care of the building that is a Memorial to the Veterans of this community.

Michael Stoddard, representing the group Cambrians for a Fiscally Responsible CCSD, presented a rates proposal to the Board that the group had unanimously approved the previous week. The proposal is available in the AboutCambria.com Library for download. The basic suggestions listed below.

General Conditions

• New Rates Dedicated to Water & Wastewater Enterprise
• Operating, Maintenance and Defined Capital Projects
• Include No Costs or Expenses Related to Build Out Reduction Plan
• No Water & Wastewater Enterprise Funds Transferred to General Fund
• New Rates Frozen for a Minimum of 2 Years
• Hiring Freeze Including Contract Workers
• Current Rates Tiered Structure Maintained
• April 16, 2008 Public Meeting of the CFRC

Proposal Overview

• Standby/Availability Charges are Shown/Considered Revenue
  
• + 4% Previously Negotiated Contractual MOU Recognized
• Allows for Defined CIPs Bonded Debt Service
  • Rodeo Grounds Pumping Station Replacement
  • Stuart Street Tank
• Allows for Reserves:
  • Water Capital Outlay: $75,000
  • Water Contingency/Depreciation: $100,000
  • Wastewater Contingency/Depreciation: $150,000

When Michael finished the presentation, Director Sanders asked the same questions he has asked after each of the CFRC’s presentations: what was the vote count and who, specifically, voted. The CFRC publicly announces its meetings and anyone can attend and vote or abstain. As a group, the CFRC has not ever quite understood why Director Sanders has been so insistent that the group “name names”. Seems it would be more helpful to the community if he addressed the content of the group’s suggestions. The CFRC doesn’t expect that their proposals would be THE final rate increase – their access to information is less complete than the CCSD staff. The asset the CFRC brings to the table is ears tuned to Cambrians’ needs and concerns tempered by a moderate understanding of the District’s current situation and plans.

Director Cobin again raised the issue that she was elected by a majority and the CFRC doesn’t have that kind of endorsement. In 2004, 2255 people selected her name as one of three. Indeed, many still support her and the decisions she makes. But 2266 Cambria ratepayers disagreed with her when they protested the rates proposal in the fall. The burden of credulity is not only in our laps.

It was out of concern for the CCSD’s financial situation that the group has spent so much time working up a proposal.Since the beginning the CFRC has asked to work WITH the CCSD Board and Staff – not to do their work FOR them. To dismiss the group’s suggestions because they are not validated through a vote of the majority of Cambrians would mean that anyone’s suggestion would be dismissed. And since a majority of the community refused the proposal of the CCSD, it seems that having more input from the community could ensure success for the needed rate hike.

If you are reading this and voted at the April 16 meeting, I suggest you add your name here as comment. I think everyone who volunteered many hours of time and energy to come up with this reasonable proposal should be recognized (and thanked). The full proposal is available in the AboutCambria.com’s library. If you have questions about the group’s proposal or how they arrived at their conclusions, send an email to CFRC@ aboutcambria.com and I will forward it to the CFRC rates committee members to answer.

All in all, even though very little will change as a result of the meeting, it was a victory as measured by the information exchanged and discussed. I left the meeting feeling a bit better about the future of the community and frustrated that the average Cambrian’s opinion is so casually dismissed unless sought out by the CCSD Board or staff. So it goes. (Apologies to Mr. Vonnegut)

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