Nick Friesen Informs the
From: NFries1111@aol.com
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:29:38 -0500
Subject: Water Rates
To: anajarian@ci.glendale.ca.us; dweaver@ci.glendale.ca.us;
fquintero@ci.glendale.ca.us; lfriedman@ci.glendale.ca.us;
rmanoukian@ci.glendale.ca.us; gnp@latimes.com;
nfries1111@aol.com
Honorable Council Persons:
While recognizing the urgent need for continuous maintenance and upgrades to
the City's utilities infrastructure, requiring large sums of money annually, I
am opposed to any action to increase the Water Rates at this time. My
opposition is based on several ongoing factors, which are in your power and
your responsibility to remedy. These factors include:
Lack of public and published management metrics, that would enable better
management of the City and its' utility. This is a tool that has been
reasonably suggested and requested many times in the past, yet there is no
tangible evidence that you have accomplished anything to date. Without
reliable metrics, what is your basis for management of your Departments,
Policies, etc.?
Lack of foresight, outreach, and planning of recent utility activities that
will have long range impact; eg. hiring consultants to do work that should be
performed 'in-house' by staff; early installation of so called "smart
meters" without consideration of future costs, economics, and security
problems.
Evidently illegal transfers of Water System funds to the City's General Fund,
without apology, or recompense. Transfer to the Water System of these
funds would provide a good share of the money that is anticipated from a rate
increase.
There are other issues as well, but on balance, the above is evidence of a lack
of sound Policy and Oversight that gives the impression that things need to be
cleaned up internally, before asking the rate payers for more money. The
Council and Utility Management need to set out reasonable Policies and
Priorities, as a first, good faith step before considering any increase in rates.
Thank You for your consideration of my concerns;
Sincerely;
E. N. (Nick) Friesen,
Citizen of