Water Affordability in Detroit

Fwd: Board of Water Commissioner Meeting 6/28/22 Inbox Russ Bellant Attachments Sat, Jun 25, 7:16 PM (2 days ago) to bcc: me I am forwarding to you this extremely important message from Cecily, a City retiree and tireless worker for a better City for all its residents. Please take the time to scroll through this message. You will see that the water department is ready to adopt a water affordability plan but will not share it with the public. I believe there will be good parts to the plan, but there may be limits and consequences that are problematic and that should be discussed. Secretive policymaking is contrary to representative government and justifies citizens asking "what are they hiding." This is not just about financial fairness for families in hardship but could be about public health as well. Finally. I compiled and have attached a 2019 report on household water costs from 1987-2019. During that 32 year period, a house that used 7 CCF (5236 gallons) experienced a 630% increase. That averages a 20% annual increase a year for 32 years, due to added fixed costs and the compounding nature of rate increases. This is why we need justice on the waterfront. Russ ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Cecily Mcclellan Date: Sat, Jun 25, 2022 at 4:45 PM Subject: Board of Water Commissioner Meeting 6/28/22 To: Cecily Mcclellan Good afternoon, Fellow Water Warriors & WPD Allies! As you know, Director Gary Brown of DWSD will be presenting his Lifeline Water Affordability Plan to the Board of Water Commissioners (BOWC) on Tuesday 6/28 at 10:00 a.m. despite our request for a 30–45-day public review period. It is our intention to participate in public comment, both in person and virtually, to employ Mr. Brown to meet allow the community and water advocates to have a copy of his proposed “water affordability plan” prior to submitting to BOWC for a vote. Should you decide to join us by contributing public comments virtually, please see the information below to do so. Attached is a copy of WPD’s June 22, 2022 press release. PLEASE NOTE: Public comment is at the beginning of the meeting. If you intend to make public comment, the process is intricate. VIRTUALLY: During the public comment section, look for reactions at the bottom of your screen and raise your hand as soon as they call for public comment. BY PHONE: During the public comment section, raise your hand using the Zoom hand icon on your desktop or mobile device, or if calling into the meeting by phone, press *9 to raise your hand (press *6 to unmute when called upon). If you have not already taken the WPD Water Affordability Pledge, please do so by clicking this link: https://www.wethepeopleofdetroit.com/water-affordability-pledge. Possible talking points include the community needs: A copy of Mr. Brown’s plan Time to review the plan and have input A permanent water affordability plan Transparency, engagement, and authentic accountability 11-Point Water Affordability Platform In commitment to building the Beloved Community, Cecily Mcclellan, B.A. Director of Water Works She/Her/Hers Watch - We The People of Detroit Life Sized City Segment!