Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Sewer fee shock
I'm a new resident of Pacifica and was shocked to learn of the city's interpretation of the ordinance governing sewer fees. Namely, that the fees are based on usage regardless of whether it was the new owners usage or the previous owners. Because I purchased my property in June the fees assess are on the previous owners usage for the year. The previous owner used 10 times (that right 10 times) what i use so my bill for my first year was $1453.40 instead of $567.18. A difference of $866.22! I paid it under the assumption that this would not be resolved before my tax bill was due believing that I would receive a refund. After writing a letter and trying to reach Sandra McClellan in the Finance Office she told me that that was the city's interpretation. When I informed her that it it didn't seem right or legal for me to have to pay fees based on someone else's usage she said she didn't want to discuss it. I said if that's the case then my only was is to resolve this in court which could mean a massive refund to all owners that have encountered this. Her response was to laugh at me and say that all people want to do is sue for a few bucks! Shocked i told her that I'm a single father trying to provide for his daughter and the $866 is not "a few bucks". At that point she said "thanks for moving to Pacifica" and hung up on me. I guess that's my welcome to Pacifica.
I think this is worthy of an article. And, I wonder what attorneys might be willing to pursue this as a class action.
Sincerely,
Jeff Kaplan
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20 comments:
Count me in, and Lionel has done a lot of research into this already if you haven'y searched for his LTE or reports here on Fox, oops I meant Fix Pacifica or Pacifica Riptide.
There are a lot of deadpan city employee interpretations of fee's. As the lady you spoke to she did say interpretation.
But don't expect the Tribune to do any reporting or journalism regarding anything to do with local government that isn't based on a city press release.
try small claims court. It's cheap; can have a nite hearing; lawyers cannot rep the city and its fairly casual. You convince the judge this is not fair and you will probably win.
I was surprised there is no exemption for low income or seniors. My 91 year old mother-in-law can barely afford this ridiculous tax.
Forget it, Mr. Kaplan. Do your research and you'll find that, although intuitively it seems unfair and wrong, it's legal and a standard practice. And welcome to Pacifica! A decaying little backwater where you, as a property owner and resident, will pay more and more and more for less. Settle in and enjoy the weary sighs and heartfelt apologies from Council as they maneuver to protect not only their cushy deal but the cushy deals of city employees who, as you found, have so little regard for the public that pays them. Ain't it grand?
And I am sure no one disclosed the fact of this rapidly increasing sewer tax to this new resident also?
Jeff I'm really sorry you had this experience. I suggest you complain about Sandra McClellan's rude behavior to our city council and city manager. Alo ask them for help rectifying this problem.
Mary Ann Nihart nihartm@ci.pacifica.ca.us
Len Stone LenStonePacifica@gmail.com
Mike ONeill mikeworks4u@sbcglobal.net
Stephen Rhodes rhodess@ci.pacifica.ca.us
Yeah, good luck with that. We all have our favs on here. The jury is still out on the newly elected O'Neill but the rest have done nothing in years to solve this or any other rate problem let alone the occassionally rude and entitled staff. And if they are not part of the solution to Pacifica's problems then they are part of the problems. With this crowd expect to pay more and get less. Start there.
OMG Sandra is toast. She works for Ritzma. There's the real power and no bad press will be tolerated.
I would encourage our new Pacifican to take his complaints up the ladder. Ms. McClelland is not the top person in finance.
Pacifica has the third highest sewer tax in San Mateo County. That's according to a chart provided to the San Bruno City Council. We here in Pacifica don't benefit from such outside information - it's inconvenient when people lie to you about the necessity for such high chrages.
Whoa, if the new neighbor is taking his complaint up the ladder in the finance dept he better be real careful. You get to the top of that one and poof! people just disappear.
I rarely attempt to deal with any City of Pacifica employees ss I'm still recovering from the negative attitude of the lovely Ms Wendy Cosin.
The only city employee that dealt with me rudely was Cecilia Quick. Otherwise, every city employee I've dealt with has been very professional.
"I'm still recovering from the negative attitude of the lovely Ms Wendy Cosin." Good grief! Wendy Cosin was light years ago. It sure takes you a long time to recover.
anonymous@12:53 p.m.
What can I say? I tend to hold a grudge.
Pete Dejarnatt was on the council that raised fees while funneling that money to the general fund. then they raised fees to cover the fine for a sewer spill that was a result of infrastructure neglect because they did not have the money to perform necessary maintenance. so glad he hates people telling him he did a bad job, so much so he quit. but ian butler says it is hard to sit up there.
yes it is hard to rip off the citizens for years and claim you can't stand a few gadflies.
Not to mention the worsening Meth problem around town.
BTW did anyone know there was a 7 police car chase thru the streets of Pacifica the other day.
Ended up with the guy getting arrest at St Peter's church parking lot.
No doubt seeking sanctuary at St. Peter's.
The church sanctuary only works on video games
Ritzma fixed my cable.
yeah she fixed mine too and i get $1200 a month in cafeteria cash! woohoo!
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