Council Updates: Budget, Sewer System Rates, Savi Ranch Housing Vote

Council Updates:

Budget

General budget was approved with anticipated expenditures of $26,603,544 and revenues of $26,629,254. This shows a surplus of $25,710.
The Capital Improvement budget was approved for $943K. Expenditures approved for the next fiscal year includes:
• The long awaited Dog park In Brush Canyon 30K
• Lining of the Hidden Hills Storm Drains 200K
• Wheel Chair ramp program 50K
• Street Marking and Signs 50K
• La Palma Repairs 100K
• Park Improvements 100K
• Friends Church High School Field Lights* 250K
• Veterans Park Sport Field Lights 113K
• Master Plan of Parks 50K

*This item is our share of the funding for the joint use sport fields at the new Friends High School. We have an agreement with the school to use the fields for our sport activities when school is not in session.

Sewer System Rates

The new sewer rates were approved at the community-approved amount of $86.28 per year but the fee was set at $66.00 per year. The majority Council set the fee lower in anticipation of transferring the sewer system to the Yorba Linda Water District in the near future.
I can understand the desire to transfer the system to the water district but I disagree with this decision.
As I have stated before, the City can provide the service less expensively. Winders proposal would have taken money out the general fund to loan money to the sewer system but had a rate of return of at least 4%. This is better than the rate of return we are receiving currently @ ½% allowing the system to pay back the general fund monies used to subsidize the system. The rates would have been $50.88/ year.
Additionally, this is a possible bargaining tool we have to help negotiate land development on the largest pieces of land in the City. One of the only ways we can control density and development standards in those areas is our control of the sewer system. As our attorney stated: ”it is a small stick”. But it is a stick nonetheless.

Savi Ranch Housing Vote

During this November election, there will be a Measure B vote on the ballot to determine if you would be for or against higher density housing in Savi Ranch. We are, by law, required to provide the opportunity for developers to build higher density homes for low-income families. Savi Ranch has been identified, as one of the sites the Council felt would impact the community the least. Because we have a voter approved building ordinance in Yorba Linda, the voters have to approve the conversion of commercial property into residential in excess of 10 units per acre.
This Measure B vote does not approve any specific project. If approved, any proposed project would have to go through all City or State required planning processes, CEQA, public noticing, etc.
The benefits of this site:
• Off-loads the density numbers required by the state from predominantly the west side into an industrial area
• Help support the businesses in the Savi Ranch area increasing our sales tax revenue
• The area is lower than Yorba Linda Blvd/ Weir Canyon making the project less visible and not as intrusive
• There is a potential to incorporate a community room in the project area to allow for an extension of classes and community events to be conveniently offered to East End residents

For more information on these and other Council Actions from the July 20 Council meeting, go to: http://tinyurl.com/2f53n2w

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