PO Box 1879, Garden Grove, CA 92842-1879
August 20, 2009
Dear Neighbor,
The Public Hearing for the Water Rate Increase is scheduled for this Tuesday, August 25th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at 11300 Stanford Ave. The rate increase is proposed because of the drought and increased reliance on more expensive water from the Metropolitan Water District, and also because of the diversion of fresh water to protect the Sacramento Delta smelt fish. In addition, it has been proposed to permit the City Manager to increase or decrease the unanticipated water rate charges for the next five years! You may formally protest by mailing a letter stating “I/we protest the rate increase.” This letter should include your printed name, full street address and an original signature. Mail to: City of Garden Grove, P.O. Box 3070, Garden Grove, CA 92842. For detailed information, please call the City Clerk at 714 741-5520 or call our Water Rate Inquiry Hotline number at 714 741-5520. You can view a video at: http://www.ci.garden-grove.ca.us/?q=pw/watercommodityadjustment
This bench is for the birds! The City Council permitted a local resident, Robin Marcario, to apply tile and glass mosaics to a public bus bench to create “a bird bench.” The bench is located on Brookhurst and Skylark. The area is affectionately known as the “Birdcages,” as many of the streets are named after birds. There are a dozen different birds from the common sparrow and robin to the colorful hummingbird and flamingo. Let our City Council know what you think. Leave a message with City Council Secretary Pam Haddad at 714-741-5103 or email "mailto:pamha@ci.garden-grove.ca.us"
Next Tuesday’s City Council meeting, which is on August 25, 2009, begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Community Meeting Room. In addition to the water rate increase described above, the City Council will consider adoption of a resolution approving a Cooperation Agreement with the City of Garden Grove for the installation of playground surfacing at Jardin de los Ninos Park located on Keel Street between Buena Street and Clinton Street. The proposed agreement would provide $80,000 of Agency funding for this playground surfacing.
There otherwise is not much to report this month. The CGGNA does stress the importance of attending the Public Hearing for the water rate increase described above. The proposal to allow the City Manager to increase or decrease any unanticipated water rate charges for the next five years gives unmitigated power to our City Manager Matt Fertal. Do we want a Water Czar in our city, someone who can raise water rates solely at his discretion?
Thoughtfully,
Cheryl Armstrong
CGGNA Chair
714 537-8467 H
714 260-8468 C