Vote Yes for a Clean and Healthy Bay: San Leandro Stormwater Fee Amendment

The San Leandro Stormwater Fee Amendment will invest an additional $2 million per year in maintaining and upgrading the City’s stormwater system. This funded is needed to:

  • Repair and maintain critical stormwater infrastructure to protect the city from flooding during a storm;
  • Remove trash and pollutants from rain water runoff to keep our waterways and the Bay clean;
  • Invest in the City’s aging stormwater infrastructure.

This measure is necessary to keep residents and property safe across all areas of the City as strong winter storms become more frequent and intense, and is supported by city leaders.

  • San Leandro, 2023 (NBC Bay Area)

  • San Leandro, 2022

  • San Leandro, 2022

  • Flooding at street corner in Oakland

    Oakland, 2023

When Ballots Are Due

Check your mailbox the week of May 27. Property owners will receive a ballot in the envelope pictured here.

To vote, fill out your official ballot by marking Yes, sign, date, and print your name, and return in the included envelope, with pre-paid postage.

This is a unique opportunity to support resilient infrastructure in your City outside a regular election. Mail your ballot as soon as you get it! Ballots are due to the City Clerk by 5:00pm on July 8 (postmarks don’t count).

Why a Stormwater Fee is Needed

Our stormwater system is made up of 71 miles of pipes and street gutters and two pump stations that are designed to keep stormwater out of homes, schools, roads, and businesses, and protect the community from detrimental floods. Our system also includes specially designed infrastructure that keeps trash and pollution out of the Bay.

This infrastructure is essential for keeping our water clean. This additional revenue will pay for these essential infrastructure investments and this much needed maintenance, as well as allow the City to pursue state and federal grants, which require matching funds.

What This Will Pay For

Trash Capture Devices


Trash capture devices installed in storm drains collect trash from stormwater runoff before it enters local waterways and San Francisco Bay, protecting aquatic life and local habitats.

Street sweeping

Regular street sweeping prevents street debris and trash that often carries heavy metals, petroleum, and toxic chemicals from entering stormdrains, and eventually the Bay. It also keeps that debris from blocking storm drains, helping to prevent neighborhood flooding.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)


GSI is a type of urban greening where plants and soil filter stormwater before it flows to the Bay. Rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and planter boxes are all types of GSI.

Stormwater pipe cleaning and maintenance

Regular pipe cleaning is important because blocked pipes prevent stormwater from flowing to the Bay, endangering our communities.

STORMWATER FUND BUDGET NEED PROPOSED
Monitoring and Reporting $458,000 $540,000 $540,000
Operations & Maintenance $140,000 $140,000 $140,000
Street Cleaning $627,000 $780,000 $780,000
Trash Capture Device Maintenance $0 $200,000 $200,000
Pipe Cleaning $0 $100,000 $100,000
Green Infrastructure Plan & Implementation $0 $100,000 $100,000
Very High Priority Projects: Debt Service $0 $424,000 $424,000
High Priority Projects: Pay as You Go (PAYGo)¹ $0 $800,000 $800,000
Medium-Low Priority Projects: PAYGo² $0 $1,577,000 $0
General Fund Loan Repayment ($2.5m at 1.75% for 30 years)   $107,000 $107,000
Total $1,225,000 $4,768,000 $3,191,000

¹ Total funding needed for High Priority projects = $22.4m amortized over 30 years = $800,033 per year
² Total funding needed for Medium-Low Priority projects = $47.3m amortized over 30 years = $1,576,667 per year

How Much This Will Cost

The City of San Leandro hasn’t increased its Stormwater Fee for over 30 years, and existing fees are not keeping up with inflation. In order to maintain the stormwater system, meet updated clean water regulations, and increase system capacity in the face of climate change, the city is proposing a modest increase of less than $2 a month for most households.

Land Use Category Current Fee Proposed Amended Fee
FY 2024-25		 Additional Monthly Cost
Single-Family Residential $ per parcel $ per parcel  
Small <3,200 sq. ft. $26.33 $26.07 ($0.02)
Medium 3,200 to 7,200 sq. ft $26.33 $49.97 $1.97
Large >7,200 sq. ft. $26.33 $75.15 $4.07

Endorsements

  • Greenbelt Alliance

Mayor Juan González
Former Vice Mayor Jim Prola
Councilmember Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton, District 1
Councilmember Victor Aguilar, Jr., District 3
Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen, District 5

Vice Chair Ed Hernandez, Eden Health District Board of Directors
School Board Member Diana Prola
Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro

Sign on to endorse the The San Leandro Stormwater Water Fee Amendment







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