Candidates Lay Out Plans For Sewer Agency Cleanup

Some freshly baked cookies and a refreshing drink on the patio during a warm afternoon set a comfortable scene to talk about … sewers?

Ross Valley Sanitary District director Frank Egger, incumbent Marcia Johnson and attorney Mary Sylla are running for two open seats on the board in the June election.

The Ross Valley Sanitary District serves Kentfield, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Fairfax, San Anselmo and Ross.

Egger and Sylla were guests of honor Thursday and Friday at Modern Cookie in Larkspur during meetings with the public, which were facilitated by former Larkspur City Councilwoman Kathy Hartzell.

"I'm just trying to bring a directional approach to the situation, a common sense approach about how we should go about it," said Egger.

The district identified a major sewer line under Magnolia Avenue that needed emergency replacement earlier this year. That came on the heels of a pipe burst in 2010.

The RVSD has been plagued by sewer spills and reported infighting. The district has been blasted over its proposed rate hikes. Larkspur, San Anselmo and Fairfax have pushed back against the rate increases, adding another PR and financial headache for the RVSD.

"When you have that level of community opposition, it becomes a real problem. You have to show each community what needs to be done so they can understand it," Egger said.

Johnson and RVSD general manager Brett Richards have backed the rate increase which could help secure bonds to pay for improvements to the district's nearly 200 miles of sewer lines.

The new rate plan would be based on water usage instead of a flat fee. Residential customers could see their annual bill increase as much as 31 percent in the first year, from $638 to $835, and by the fifth year of the plan the average annual bill for these customers will have grown about 93 percent to $1,232, according to a report in the Marin IJ.

Johnson said the annual price tag might go up for some customers, but it might actually drop for others. Egger and Sylla proposed putting the rate increase before the voters.

"We have to change our attitudes as to how we see ourselves, our roles in our communities and sell ourselves," Egger said. "We have to have community buy-in to fix the problems that we're facing."

Asked point blank, how can people trust the RVSD again, Egger acknowledged that is one of the toughest challenges facing the board.

In her candidate's statement, Sylla wrote "I became keenly aware of the RVSD in December 2005 when 4,000 gallons of sewage spewed into my home. An observer of the Board since, I believe I have expertise to contribute to it, and the management of its $21 million budget of your and my money."

Johnson has reportedly been at the heart of recent controversies. Hartzell and former Corte Madera Town Councilman John Dupar, chairpeople on the Central Marin Sanitation Agency, sought to have Johnson removed from the CMSA board. Johnson was critical of the CMSA leadership, reportedly accusing the joint powers authority of being "slimy."

Johnson stands on her claims that she has improved the fiscal health and infrastructure of the RVSD. Her candidate statement cites "award winning financial reporting, increased community outreach … testing of Corte Madera Creek and more."