Stormwater & Water Infrastructure
Storm drain funding, stormwater fees, water infrastructure
Candidate positions as stated in official meetings, side by side. Citations link to the source meeting.
In 2016, they argued for a TOT as a viable revenue source, citing HERMOSA Beach's success [3]. In 2018, they supported a stormwater service fee increase as necessary to address subsidy issues [6]. In 2023, they supported a stormwater fee increase as an investment in clean water but advocated for extending the ballot deadline to January 17th for better public engagement [9]. In 2023, they expressed concern about reliance on city funds for 60% of capital projects and supported the fee resolution [11]. In 2025, they questioned why water rates increased despite the treatment plant's potential savings [16].
Over time: They shifted from advocating for a TOT as a revenue source in 2016 [3] to supporting direct fee increases in 2018 [6] and 2023 [9].
In 2014, David Lesser opposed stormwater service charge rate increases without a council vote and expressed concern about the structural deficit [2]. In 2016, he questioned the age of sewer infrastructure and replacement criteria [6], and in 2018, he supported Measure W to address water fund deficits [9]. In 2023, he warned about potential state legislation increasing vote thresholds for stormwater fees [11], and by 2023, he supported raising the stormwater fee, citing prior councils' avoidance of the issue [14]. In 2024, he acknowledged community support for storm drain fee increases [19], and in 2025, he supported stormwater infiltration projects to avoid compliance risks [21].
Over time: David Lesser shifted from opposing stormwater rate increases without a vote in 2014 [2] to supporting fee increases by 2023, citing prior inaction [14].
No substantial public record on this issue in our archive.
In 2017, they emphasized that staff time should be considered a fiscal implication in the adoption of an annual stormwater service fee [3]. In 2019, they supported a federal grant approval related to stormwater, describing it as a win-win for the city and Public Works due to its cost efficiency [5]. In 2022, they supported a water rate increase, highlighting the need for proactive infrastructure investment and maintenance [6]. In 2024, they celebrated the results of a storm drain measure election and credited staff and residents [7].
Over time: They shifted from emphasizing fiscal implications of stormwater service fees in 2017 [3] to supporting infrastructure investment and federal grant approvals by 2019 and 2022 [5][6].