HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 13957
City of Palo Alto (ID # 13957)
Utilities Advisory Commission Staff Report
Meeting Date: 2/2/2022
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Staff Recommends the Utilities Advisory Commission Review and
Approve the Utilities Advisory Commission's 2022-2023 Annual Work Plan,
and Recommend the City Council Review the Work Plan and Provide
Feedback
From: Director of Utilities
Lead Department: Utilities
Recommendation
Staff Recommends the Utilities Advisory Commission Review and Approve the Utilities Advisory
Commission's 2022-2023 Annual Work Plan, and Recommend the City Council Review the Work
Plan and Provide Feedback
Background
ANNUAL WORKPLAN AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
In accordance with the 2020 City Boards, Commissions, and Committees Handbook, each Board
and Commission should prepare an annual work plan for proposal to the City Council by the
second quarter of the calendar year. The Council will review the work plan and provide
feedback annually at a dedicated City Council meeting. The annual report should include the
results of the prior year’s plan. When applicable, the City Council would like to see metrics of
community involvement and participation in meetings and activities included in the work plan.
Council expects Boards and Commissions to work on items in the approved workplan. In
addition, Council may refer additional items to the Boards and Commissions in response to new
developments. Boards and Commissions should refrain from expending their time and that of
the staff liaison on items that have not been approved by the City Council. If the Board or
Commission would like to add an issue for review after an annual workplan has been approved
by the City Council, a prompt request by the Board or Commission Chair to the City Council is
required and the item will then be addressed by the City Council as a whole.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Work Plan
CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Draft Work Plan
July 2022-June 2023
Utilities Advisory Commission
Staff Liaison Name and Contact Information: Dean Batchelor, Director of Utilities – 650.496.6981 General Purpose and/or Purview of Board/Commission:
The Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) is charged with providing advice on long range planning and
policy matters, acquisition, development and financial review of electric, gas and water resources; joint
action projects with other public or private entities which involve electric, gas or water resources;
environmental implications of proposed electric, gas or water utility projects; and conservation and
demand management. Additionally, the UAC is charged with providing advice on the acquisition,
development and financial review of the dark fiber network and wastewater collection utilities. As a highly
regulated industry, there may be matters not listed below that will be presented to the UAC in accordance
with current or future (local, state or federal) legislative requirements.
Section A: Standing topics Description
Annual Budget Rate changes to Water, Gas, Electric, Wastewater collection, and Fiber services.
Water Supply Consider potential future sources of water supply. This includes recycled water,
demand management programs, grey water, treatment efforts, and use of effluent.
Electric Supply Consider updates to the electric supply portfolio and issues relating thereto.
Gas Supply Consider aspects of the gas supply portfolio, such as the carbon offset program.
Utilities CIPs Discuss CIP projects.
Reliability & Resiliency Ongoing discussions regarding the reliability and resiliency of the utilities.
Legislative initiatives The Utility tracks many local, state and federal bills that touch on utilities. Should
any new laws, regulations, or ordinances pass during the year, the UAC may need to
discuss the changes.
Council-driven initiatives The UAC will address any matter assigned by the City Council.
Staff-driven initiatives The UAC will address matters as requested by staff.
Section B: FY2023 topics
CA Renewable Energy
Credits (RECs)
Review progress with the sale of Bucket 1 and 3 RECs. Provide recommendations for
discontinuance (or continuance) of revenue program.
S/CAP support Discuss community engagement, technology (current & emerging), finance, and
community scaling of S/CAP plans to meet the City’s goals for sustainability and
climate action. This includes electrification efforts, possible code modifications,
potential full or partial retirement of the gas distribution system, and electrification
of gas appliances. It also includes permitting and inspection processes for customers
wishing to upgrade panels, electrify appliances, or install solar PV, energy storage,
and/or EV charging systems.
Advanced Metering
Infrastructure Project
Discuss the launch and deployment of the utility’s AMI project.
Fiber to the Premises Discuss the proposal for launching and deploying fiber to support AMI and possibly
City-wide FTTP.
Climate impacts Discuss impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, drought, and wildfires,
on the utilities.
Section C: Potential topics
Undergrounding Discuss the progress and potential acceleration of undergrounding electric
infrastructure.
Cybersecurity Discuss issues related to the cybersecurity of utility operations.
Workforce Discuss ongoing issues with hiring and retaining qualified utility workers.
Water quality Discuss community concerns with water quality.