[UPDATED: Wednesday, November 5, 1:30 p.m.]

There’s a whole lot of celebrating going on in Claremont as voters overwhelmingly passed Measure W at the polls Tuesday night, moving the city one step closer to acquiring its water system.

With 6,116 votes in favor and 2,452 opposed, the passing of the measure will allow the city to borrow up to $135 million in revenue bonds to finance the acquisition of the local water system currently owned and operated by Golden State Water Company.

“It’s a great first step but were not there yet,” says Sue Schenk. “Now the city council has a mandate to move forward with the Resolution of Necessity and I hope they do it as fast as possible. I’ll be very happy when we don’t have to deal with Golden State Water anymore.”

Ms. Schenk’s sentiments were reflected in the more than 200 residents and supporters of Yes on W, who mingled at the DoubleTree Hotel while waiting for live election results. Measure W ultimately passed with 71 percent in favor, a significantly higher percentage than needed to move forward with the potential acquisition.

“Golden State Water Company is disappointed in the election outcome, but remains unwavering in its belief that an attempt to take the Claremont system by eminent domain is not in the best interest of the community,” Denise Kruger, Golden State Water Company senior vice president, said in an emailed statement to the COURIER. “We appreciate the support of the many Claremont residents who led the opposition to Measure W. They worked tirelessly to respectfully expose the flaws in the city of Claremont’s feasibility study and the ultimate high cost of a take-over.”

According to a city press release, city council has set a date of Tuesday, November 25 for a public hearing to consider a Resolution of Necessity and whether a take-over is in the public’s best interest. During that hearing, the community and Golden State Water will have an opportunity to address the council and learn more about the potential acquisition.

Passage of a Resolution of Necessity requires a 4/5 vote of the city council and is required before the court process can proceed. Ultimately, if the city elects to advance the process, a judge or a jury would make the decision on the legality of the acquisition, the benefit to the community and any associated purchase price.

Before pursing eminent domain, however, Mayor Joe Lyons said that the city will invite Golden State Water to the table one last time to try to negotiate in good faith on a fair purchase price for the water system. But Golden State Water’s participation in that meeting doesn’t seem likely.

“As we’ve stated before, the system is not for sale,” Ms. Kruger said. “Passage of Measure W does not change the reality that the eminent domain process being pursued by the city will result in higher water costs for Claremont.  In contrast, our most recent rate filing, if approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will result in lower customer bills as we’ve worked hard to reduce costs while not compromising on service or system replacement and maintenance.”

The city will continue to represent Claremont residents during the CPUC hearings while exploring options for operating and managing the water system and potential rate structures, a process the city says will be discussed and decided upon in open public meetings.

“We recognize this is a complex process and there will be many important decisions along the way,” Mayor Lyons said. “The city is committed to working hand-in-hand with the community as we go forward in this process.”

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com

Results provided by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder
In Los Angeles County:
Ballots Cast/Turnout      1,147,248    
Absentee Total                  325,421    
Registration                    4,544,455    
% Ballots Cast/Turnout          25.25    

GOVERNOR
EDMUND G BROWN    Pref: DEM     732,606    66.28    
NEEL KASHKARI        Pref: REP     372,745    33.72    

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
GAVIN NEWSOM        Pref: DEM     695,633    64.63    
RON NEHRING           Pref: REP     380,679    35.37    

SECRETARY OF STATE
ALEX PADILLA             Pref: DEM     660,554    61.96    
PETE PETERSON        Pref: REP     405,495    38.04    

CONTROLLER
BETTY T YEE                     Pref: DEM     638,025    60.34    
ASHLEY SWEARENGIN    Pref: REP     419,304    39.66    

TREASURER
JOHN CHIANG          Pref: DEM     710,130    66.28    
GREG CONLON        Pref: REP     361,226    33.72    

ATTORNEY GENERAL
KAMALA D HARRIS     Pref: DEM     718,018    66.29    
RONALD GOLD           Pref: REP      365,051    33.71    

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
DAVE JONES           Pref: DEM     700,364    66.01    
TED GAINES            Pref: REP     360,575    33.99    

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 27TH DISTRICT
JUDY CHU                Pref: DEM     54,605        60.68    
JACK ORSWELL      Pref: REP      35,386        39.32    

MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY 41ST DISTRICT
CHRIS HOLDEN        Pref: DEM     40,718        63.15    
NATHANIEL TSAI      Pref: REP      23,759        36.85    

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
TOM TORLAKSON        481,464    50.82    
MARSHALL TUCK         465,965    49.18    

STATE MEASURE 1—WATER BOND                
YES      746,265    69.88    
NO        321,596    30.12    

STATE MEASURE 2—STATE BUDGET                
YES      725,018    69.25    
NO        321,917    30.75    

STATE MEASURE 45—HEALTHCARE INSURANCE                
YES      462,742    43.55    
NO        599,752    56.45    

STATE MEASURE 46—DRUG TESTING OF DOCTORS                
YES      391,898    36.59    
NO        679,092    63.41    

STATE MEASURE 47—CRIMINAL SENTENCES                
YES      672,724    63.36    
NO        388,973    36.64    
               
STATE MEASURE 48—INDIAN GAMING COMPACTS                
YES      418,007    40.07    
NO        625,223    59.93    

COUNTY MEASURE P—PARCEL SPECIAL TAX LEVY                
YES      645,889    62.04    
NO        395,123    37.96    

SHERIFF
JIM MCDONNELL    703,662    74.83    
PAUL TANAKA         236,665    25.17    

CLAREMONT CITY SPEC MUNI MEASURE W
YES      6,116    71.38    
NO        2,452    28.62