EAST PALO ALTO SANITARY DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 901 Weeks Street

Glenda Savage, President East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Joan Sykes-Miessi, Vice President Phone: (650) 325-9021
Bethzabe Yañez, Secretary Fax: (650) 325-5173
Martha Stryker, Director www.epasd.com
Dennis Scherzer, Director
Akin Okupe, M.B.A, P.E., General Manager

November 10, 2020

Subject: City of East Palo Alto Council Members voted to take over the East Palo Alto Sanitary
District on October 20,2020
Dear East Palo Alto Sanitary District Rate payers and Customers:

In recent weeks, East Palo Alto Sanitary District (EPASD) position to charge developers sewer
service and connection fees has been the subject of many discussions. At present, the
wastewater system cannot support the proposed new developments without some upgrade to
the District’s sewer system. Such an upgrade will of course cost money and we strongly believe
that that cost should not be borne by you the current ratepayers and customers.
Seemingly in direct opposition to EPASD, and regardless of the efforts that have been mutually
undertaken to some to an acceptable resolution, the East Palo Alto City Council on October 20,
2020, voted to join Sobrato, Midpeninsula Housing/EPA CAN DO to request a municipal review
of the District by LAFCO. A municipal review is the first step at considering the possible
dissolution or merger to another entity of a public agency.

Representative of the City also told LAFCO Commissioners that it is the intent and desire of the
City to take over the District. We believe that such a change could result in a massive rate
increase with the cost to improve infrastructural estimated to be $40 million. This cost we
believe would be transferred to you, the current rate payers and customers.
Prudent management and oversight of the District deems that the costs of installing new
pipelines or increasing the capacity of existing lines should be the responsibility of new
developers. If fully covered by the ratepayers and customers, the costs of the connections and
service for the proposed new developments, if done today, would raise your sewer rates from
$600 to $1,200 per year!

Regards,
Akin Okupe, General Manager