Bernson Seeks to Waive Sewer Fee Increase for Porter Ranch Church

Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson introduced a plan Wednesday to waive payment of an additional $33,000 in city sewer fees for the Rev. Jess Moody’s new Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch.

The church has already paid $92,000 in sewer connection fees, but a recent increase in the fee structure raised the church’s obligations by $33,000.

Bernson introduced the motion because he feels the city’s system for levying sewer connection fees is unfair and because it is particularly hard on the church, Smith said.

“We wouldn’t be doing this for a for-profit business,” Smith said.

Moody, one of the San Fernando Valley’s best-known ministers, backed Bernson during his hard-fought reelection campaign last spring. Greig Smith, Bernson’s chief deputy, said the fee waiver was not politically motivated.

Smith pointed out that Bernson proposed in a separate motion Wednesday that the city’s fee system be overhauled so developers pay only those sewer fees in effect when they apply for sewer hookup permits.

Under the current system, permits are good for only six months. If the hookup is not completed in that time, the developer must apply for a new permit and pay for any interim rate increases.

“We think the existing way is unfair,” Smith said. “Especially when many of the delays developers experience come about because they get caught in the city’s own red tape.”