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minutes 02-05-00Page 8 of 66 <br />rates, that’s an appointed commission, but the organization itself, the Environmental Services Department, is not self- <br />funding, the Sewer Commission has no incentive to maximize the rates because the only thing that’s going to happen is, if the <br />Environmental Services Department is set up like the Department of Public Works, or the Department of Parks and <br />Recreation, or the Police Department, that is basically funded by an appropriation that comes from the County Council, and <br />the services are paid for in your tax bill, like virtually all county services except for the Department of Water Supply - If you <br />set it up that way, but you have a Sewer Commission that sets the sewer rates, there isn’t any incentive for that Sewer <br />Commission to raise the sewer rates, and sit there and take all the heat, when what’s going to happen is the County Council is <br />not going to let you keep the money. They’re going to cut your appropriation, as a result of your raising more of your own <br />money. <br />IRVINE: Chris, I thought there’s some sort of federal mandate on these sewers. <br />YUEN: They’re supposed to be self-funding. The rates are supposed to be set that way, but that’s true whether it’s the <br />County Council that sets it or if you have a Sewer Commission that sets it. <br />SANTANGELO: Point of information on that. The requirement by the Federal government for the sewer system to be self <br />sufficient is based on its grant. That’s a loan requirement. Once that is no longer there, we do what we want. The problem I <br />have with that, Sue, is only a few people are sewered, and yet we all benefit from that. But I’m wondering if we could take <br />the commission up separately. Maybe we all agree that we want this department, but we could really disagree about the <br />commission. So that one isn’t held hostage by the other. <br />IRVINE: Fine by me, too. <br />SANTANGELO: Because we need to second something. <br />IRVINE: Yes, or bring it up next time. <br />RAY: My inclination is to incorporate an advisory commission that would advise the department. Seems to be the reasonable <br />way to go. And then at least you have an independent body that’s weighing in from a public policy standpoint that can have <br />some influence over the County Council. Gives them something to hang their hat on to make a tough political choice in terms <br />of rates. Sue. <br />IRVINE: Sounds good. <br />SANTANGELO: Then I’d like to second that. <br />YUEN: So, the motion is with a pure advisory commission. <br />IRVINE: Correct. <br />RAY: Does everybody understand the motion? All in favor? <br />COMMISSIONERS: Aye. <br />RAY: Opposed? Chris will work out some proposed language, incorporating the sentiments expressed today in regard to the <br />whole issue of privatization, managed competition, or whatever. Let’s let him come up with some language that would reflect <br />the lack of impediments, or obstacles, to that being considered, and see how we all like it. <br />Well, congratulations. That was a big one. I didn’t even know that was coming up. <br />HIGASHI: It’s on the agenda. <br />RAY: I was thinking that was one we were going to take off. <br />HIGASHI: Mr. Chair? <br />file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 02-05-00.html7/1/2011 <br /> <br />