Vote Yes for a Clean and Healthy Bay: San Leandro Stormwater Fee Amendment
The San Leandro Stormwater Water 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.
When Ballots Are Due
Ballots will be mailed to all property owners in the City starting May 20. This is a unique opportunity to support climate-resilient infrastructure in your City outside of a regular election.
Mail your ballot as soon as you get it! Ballots are due to the City Clerk by 5:00 pm 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.
How Much This Will Cost
The City of San Leandro hasn’t increased its Stormwater Fee for over 30 years. 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.
| 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
Endorsements
Mayor Juan González
Former Mayor Jim Prola
School Board Member Diana Prola
Councilmember Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton, District 1
Councilmember Victor Aguilar, Jr., District 3
Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen, District 5
Sign on to endorse the The San Leandro Stormwater Water Fee Amendment
