HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-77 - Pursuit of Consolidation of Mesa Water District & Sanitary DistrictRESOLUTION NO 16-77
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING MEASURE TT ON THE NOVEMBER 8, 2016 GENERAL
ELECTION BALLOT, THE PURSUIT OF CONSOLIDATION OF MESA WATER
DISTRICT AND THE COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT, AND THE PROVISION OF
WATER, SEWER AND TRASH COLLECTION SERVICES BY AN INDEPENDENT
SPECIAL DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF COSTA MESA
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, Measure TT is on the November 8, 2016 General Election ballot
asking voters in the City of Costa Mesa, "Shall the Mesa Water District and the Costa
Mesa Sanitary District pursue consolidation?"; and
WHEREAS, both Mesa Water and Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) are
independent special districts that operate effectively, efficiently and transparently; and
WHEREAS, an independent special district is a form of local government that is
closest to the people, created by its community to meet a specific need, and governed by
a Board that is locally elected, usually according to the neighborhood where they live; and
WHEREAS, an independent special district is focused on performing and
administering a distinct set of services that are: 1) specifically funded by the district's
ratepayers or taxpayers; and, 2) may not be provided by cities or counties due to
inadequate tax bases and/or competing demands for existing taxes; and
WHEREAS, consolidation of special districts in Orange County has long been
discussed by multiple individuals and parties at the local, regional and state levels,
including elected officials, the press and public, the City of Costa Mesa, CMSD, Mesa
Water, the Orange County Grand Jury and, most recently, by the Little Hoover
Commission; and
Resolution No. 16-77 Page 1 of 4
WHEREAS, Mesa Water provides drinking and recycled water services and,
separately, CMSD provides sewer and trash collection services, with the two districts
serving primarily the same service area and customers within the City of Costa Mesa;
and
WHEREAS, many water and sanitary services in Orange County are grouped
together under the service of one area -specific special district or municipality; and
WHEREAS, a recent "Optimal Governance Structure Study" by nationally
recognized firm Arcadis U.S., Inc. shows that consolidating Mesa Water and CMSD could
provide a one-time, up -front cost savings of approximately $15.6 million that could be
passed on as an immediate rebate of up to $650 per customer; and
WHEREAS, the study by Arcadis shows that consolidating Mesa Water and CMSD
could result in additional annual savings of $2.7 million that could reduce customers'
sewer rates by up to 28 percent; and
WHEREAS, the study by Arcadis further shows that consolidating Mesa Water and
CMSD could provide the potential for increased flexibility and transparency, increased
environmental benefits, and improved customer service under one financially strong
agency providing high-quality water, sewer and trash collection services; and
WHEREAS, as public agencies, Mesa Water and CMSD are fiscally obligated to
the public and to ensuring good stewardship of public funds; and
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa City Council desires to promote reducing the size and
cost of local government to benefit all Costa Mesa residents.
Resolution No. 16-77 Page 2 of 4
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF COSTA MESA that it supports and endorses Measure TT on the November 8, 2016
General Election ballot.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council supports and endorses the
pursuit of consolidation of Mesa Water and CMSD.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City Council supports and endorses the
provision of water, sewer and trash collection services by an independent special district
in the City of Costa Mesa.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4"' day of October, 2016.
Stephen MWMensinger, Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS O FORM:
Thomas P. Duarte, City Attorney
Resolution No. 16-77 Page 3 of 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 16-77 and was duly passed
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on
the 4th day of October, 2016, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Monahan, Righeimer, and Mensinger
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Foley, Genis
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 5"' day of October, 2016.
�d&�
Brenda Gree , City Clerk
Resolution No. 16-77 Page 4 of 4