[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6458175,"mediaKeyId","5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce","parentId",5823451,"title","Belmont officials briefed on $98 million Silicon Valley Clean Water capital program and looming need to raise $250 sewer treatment fee","audioSeconds",2955,"startMs",4631000,"endMs",7586000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce&start=4631&end=7586","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce/thumbnail_4631000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458175/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Belmont-officials-briefed-on-98-million-Silicon-Valley-Clean-Water-capital-program-and-looming-need-to-raise-250-sewer-treatment-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458175-efbdbbce340fd8a7281eae0265943a7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448208&Signature=cgzKfNpPkpItMIKn~lnE4SVaS9HBpumNDTphDwu~RTmo9np6Dj8Zk4NXxrZyMc5X4UHsGGOELuK7Ow-gXRKTDtE8aiKUy7RXfVNS8Ez3yCD0ka5wXbkNQ8bNq56tSEghS0Y56jrBripJAK-QsZ5iafgYccnIfc4cCctQkJHiVbMXlQpZWvWcLqMY7UtbbyBF5xX6d6hUQvqhsG3APT2Z3VgLC5lOCzOM7I5wgwasazBOs5IpO~P3kw5Yd2P4rGv5GujHiDlpYy3nyK143Wbjj60ZMMhHmj2Bdm6ORLqlbJpDYD1g5sSS9tN6SpLr18kE9jOx-mR-cKdMUmT407T2TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Belmont City","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Silicon Valley Clean Water officials on Tuesday told the Belmont City Council that an upgraded wastewater-treatment program and new Regional Water Quality Control Board effluent limits will require a substantial near‑term infusion of cash and likely changes to Belmont’s long‑standing flat sewer treatment charge.

The presentation, by Matt Zuka (Authority Manager) and Matt Anderson (Chief Financial Officer) of Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW), and Jaime Trejo of PFM (financial advisor), outlined roughly $98 million of active and planned capital work over the next three years and a separate longer‑range program to meet nutrient‑removal rules for the San Francisco Bay. Belmont’s share of the immediate $32.4 million funding need is about $3.1 million, apportioned to the city as a roughly 9.45% cost share.

Why it matters: Belmont’s sewer treatment facility charge is a flat fee that the council adopted in 2009 and began collecting in fiscal year 2011–12. The fee has been unchanged at about $250 per year for a single‑family home since adoption, and staff and financial advisers told the council that the current structure will not sustain the agency’s capital obligations without either cash contributions, borrowing, or a fee increase.

SVCW officials said most of the near‑term spending is to finish plant upgrades and remaining conveyance projects tied to resilience and aging infrastructure; the longer‑term costs are driven by newly imposed nutrient limits affecting dozens of Bay Area plants after the 2022 algal bloom. “Very few of our projects… are actually based upon ROI or sustainability goals. The bulk of what we’re dealing with here is sort of the heavy infrastructure that it takes to treat wastewater,” Matt Zuka said.

Details and city finance outlook
- SVCW described active projects including fixed film reactor replacements, final effluent pump station replacements, digester and digester‑gas piping rehabilitation, and a remaining force‑main replacement between West Bay Sanitary District and Redwood City. Some of those projects must be completed before wet weather seasons.
- SVCW estimates about $32.4 million of capital spending required over the next two to three years; Belmont’s share of that near‑term need is about $3.1 million (approximately $700,000 in year one, $1.6 million in year two, and $700,000 in year three, per PFM’s modeling).
- PFM’s analysis for Belmont shows the city’s dedicated Sewer Treatment Facility Charge Fund falling toward a target line of $3 million in reserves and projecting negative balances in later years if revenues and obligations remain unchanged. PFM advised that the flat $250 charge “is no longer sustainable to keep up with the ongoing capital contribution obligations.” Jaime Trejo said debt‑service coverage is projected to dip below the 1.0x covenant threshold unless revenues or cash contributions change.

Questions from council members focused on timing, responsibility for conveyance projects and whether those conveyance costs directly serve Belmont, and options to smooth near‑term payments. Matt Zuka said the JPA arrangement spreads the total program costs across members and that member agencies decide whether to pay cash, borrow from SVCW reserves, or participate in a debt issuance. PFM and city staff described cash contributions by members as the current preferred means to meet the next three years of needs while SVCW develops longer‑term financing options.

Energy and sustainability note
SVCW also reviewed a biogas augmentation project that increases on‑site methane production by accepting food waste for digestion, then using engines and linear (non‑combustion) generators to produce power. The project is designed to make the plant energy neutral. SVCW said grants and incentives (CalEnergy, CalRecycle, PG&E, and potential IRA tax credits) helped the economics; the project’s payback was estimated at about 6.4 years without the IRA credits and roughly 4.2 years if tax credits are realized.

Next steps
Council members and city staff were told they will receive further modeling and options for Belmont. City staff said any change to Belmont’s sewer treatment facility charge would require a cost‑of‑service study and a Prop 218 process to set new rates, and could take 12–18 months to complete after the city and SVCW finalize program details.

No final action was taken at the meeting; the presentation was informational and councilmembers asked staff to continue analyzing options for funding the city’s share of SVCW’s capital program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Belmont City - Amended City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Silicon Valley Clean Water officials on Tuesday told the Belmont City Council that an upgraded wastewater treatment program and new regulatory limits will make Belmont reconsider a flat $250 sewer treatment fee the city has charged for almost two decades.","taxTitle","Belmont City, San Mateo County, California","taxId",68612,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458166,"At a glance: Belmont Council approves code amendments and names League of California Cities delegate",3127,4578000,7705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce&start=4578&end=7705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce/thumbnail_4578000.jpg","/articles/6458166/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/At-a-glance-Belmont-Council-approves-code-amendments-and-names-League-of-California-Cities-delegate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458166-a65db32133844583b0ca4ee0cb57044e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448208&Signature=IHmxSOMRYIjTpb8PfQjwHY8O90WmkxXlWRvZsvbx8pNIPWgiR0H18n7a4MmkSbQ6ZkaohqfOJ28xU6Tz6QxqzrsyrHie0k3eWNuAR7SL2lGLQGL2x~ohk7FIHBvpvFQyrklzMGHYqotaD6XB5VJwmAJREJHJHgn43Mq6hTIKZzFYfPxxmF606QiW7oQaY6ncJZu3ozS2wFZ0x49hdNrKkXr8JSaOWYoKg1ORjGGtVvGU-DSI57G10TDPfn~Ipl5n2LSHWCDxPdtlrZjSc0a2EYJa-8yqlBk3YffuvLZUbZ-sC-QDaYJy39b9zEiJwJPWlx1eHoTU6IwvXfqLit2Rig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A summary of formal actions taken by the Belmont City Council during its Sept. 23 meeting:

Ordinance amending Belmont City Code — approved
The council adopted an ordinance amending the Belmont City Code to reflect organizational changes, update construction contracting award thresholds, streamline certain regulations, amend fireworks regulations and add requirements for property management. The ordinance was enacted on the consent calendar and approved by roll call (ayes recorded for Council Member McHugh, Council Member Jordan and Vice Mayor Peng Manganaras). The motion carried among members present.

Designation of League of California Cities voting delegate — approved
Council members designated the mayor to serve as Belmont’s voting delegate at the League of California Cities annual conference and named the city manager as the alternate. The motion was moved by Councilmember McKeown and seconded; roll call votes recorded Council Member Jordan, Council Member McCune and Vice Mayor Peng Manganaras as voting in the affirmative.

How decisions were taken
Both items were handled without extended debate. The ordinance was part of the consent calendar; the League delegate appointment was moved and seconded and approved by roll call.

What was not decided
No new fees or rate changes were adopted at this meeting. The larger policy items on the agenda, including the Silicon Valley Clean Water presentation and the Age Friendly action plan presentation, were informational and will return to council for follow up as appropriate.

Vote details and records are available in the city clerk's official meeting minutes and video for Sept. 23, 2025.","The City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Belmont City Code and appointed the mayor as Belmont's voting delegate to the League of California Cities annual conference; both actions were taken on the consent calendar or by motion with roll call votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458171,"Belmont council hears Age Friendly City action plan emphasizing mobility, housing and emergency preparedness for older adults",932,1844000,2776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce&start=1844&end=2776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823451-82398692f48875052265a61b7cea41ce/thumbnail_1844000.jpg","/articles/6458171/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Belmont-council-hears-Age-Friendly-City-action-plan-emphasizing-mobility-housing-and-emergency-preparedness-for-older-adults","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458171-c869bcb17aaf3591a9dfe8323556b9d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448208&Signature=bXio7XqGUl7zRh0K0nwle0OOoxRG1ZKZWJVNsCOLgy9X4-3Whp08I-QMP8xgjEg-8KIzSUqQ~P2G3c3DV5Q4vdJMqZA~gac7S17t1q9epwsE91V9Ru9XJJ0DFmUcOeoVY3~vDQYM~Qkg8nZ58KsSCetQczU2HCKTgOJYZOvi09jyW89w8ieaYbJ4Q0HRCxFy4TJREEDzZfLO5ujM4KbgPN8C1~1QWJbw0YBqdNHSkyL-C2FvDWVlVtlFfjvcPK-WI4yuwTHMmFSV5QNYTIGoNWVfqiFi7CbKYnOTVm1YaCHSRJVhpcMH4-E-CS~KTu5eWT-~ttkro4AHnm7tb2IU-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from the Center for Age Friendly Excellence (CAFE) presented Belmont's Age Friendly City Action Plan at Tuesday's council meeting, summarizing survey and focus group findings and recommending a multi‑year set of projects to support older adults.

The 5Ws: CAFE consultants Anne O'Brien and Karen Cunningham told the City Council the plan is a five‑year roadmap based on seven focus groups and a 229‑response community survey. The document maps strategies across eight World Health Organization‑based domains of livability — outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, social participation, communication, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, community support and health services — and CAFE added a ninth domain, emergency services, following staff consultation in February 2025.

Why it matters: The plan is intended to identify low‑cost, short‑term projects and longer‑term priorities that help older residents remain independent and connected. It recommends outreach, accessibility upgrades, intergenerational programming, technology training, and greater inclusion of older adults in housing conversations — all intended to address unmet needs surfaced in Belmont’s focus groups and survey.

Key recommendations and supporting details
- Outreach and information: The plan calls for centralized, accessible places to share information about services — the senior center, library and community hubs such as farmers markets and local diners — and for technology classes and improved internet access to reduce digital exclusion.
- Outdoor spaces and mobility: CAFE recommended research into age‑friendly seating and park furniture, partnerships to expand pedestrian and bike safety education, and better promotion of existing mobility options such as county senior guides and local shuttle services.
- Housing and inclusion: The plan urges the city to ensure that older adults are included in housing discussions and made aware of upcoming affordable units as they become available.
- Emergency preparedness: CAFE added emergency services as a formal domain and recommends targeted outreach (including SMC Alert and Genesys signups), emergency preparedness training for older adults, and distribution of paper checklists (for example, in water bills) because older adults tend to prefer printed materials.

Survey and engagement background
CAFE reported that Belmont’s certification process began in 2022; focus groups and surveys informed the action plan. Consultants said the plan is a living document and can be adjusted by staff and council priorities. \"The action plan is a living document that will continually evolve in order to support older adults and continue to be relevant as you need it to be,\" Anne O'Brien said during the presentation.

Council response and next steps
Council members praised the city staff and the parks and recreation team for existing senior services and welcomed the plan’s practical suggestions. CAFE said the city should submit the action plan for AARP approval and schedule periodic evaluations; staff will consider which projects to implement and suggested forming ad hoc committees or a senior advisory group to pursue age‑friendly furniture, outreach and intergenerational events.

No formal council action was taken; the presentation was accepted and staff will follow up as the city incorporates the action plan’s recommendations.","Consultants from the Center for Age Friendly Excellence presented Belmont's action plan, which draws on seven focus groups and a 229‑response community survey; the plan recommends projects across eight domains (plus a newly added emergency services domain) to help older residents age in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Belmont officials briefed on $98 million Silicon Valley Clean Water capital program and looming need to raise $250 sewer treatment fee

At a glance: Belmont Council approves code amendments and names League of California Cities delegate

Belmont council hears Age Friendly City action plan emphasizing mobility, housing and emergency preparedness for older adults