HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 102326056922
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Resolution No. 10232
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving the Fiscal
Year 2026 Gas Utility Financial Forecast, Reserve Management Practices,
Reserve Transfer, and General Fund Transfer, and Amending Rate
Schedules G-1 (Residential Gas Service), G-2 (Residential Master-
Metered and Commercial Gas Service), G-3 (Large Commercial Gas
Service), and G-10 (Compressed Natural Gas Service)
R E C I T A L S
A.Each year the City of Palo Alto (“City”) regularly assesses the financial position of
its utilities with the goal of ensuring adequate revenue to fund operations, including reserves.
This includes making long-term projections of market conditions, the physical condition of the
system, and other factors that could affect utility costs, and setting rates adequate to recover
these costs. It does this with the goal of providing safe, reliable, and sustainable utility services
at competitive rates. The City adopts Financial Forecasts or Plans to summarize these
projections.
B.The City uses reserves to protect against contingencies and to manage other
aspects of its operations, and regularly assesses the adequacy of these reserves and the
management practices governing their operation. The status of utility reserves and their
management practices are included in Reserves Management Practices and Financial Forecast
(Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 1) attached to and made part of this resolution and the staff report
presented to the City Council.
C.Pursuant to Chapter 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, the Council of
the City of Palo Alto may by resolution adopt rules and regulations governing utility services,
fees and charges.
D.On June 16, 2025, the City Council heard and approved the proposed rate
increase at a noticed public hearing.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. The Council hereby approves the Reserves Management Practices (Exhibit
3 1) and FY 2026 Financial Forecast presented to the Finance Committee on April 15, 2025 2 and
continued to May 7, 2025 3 and updated by the June 16, 2025 Council report, (Exhibit 14), which
is attached to this resolution and made a part of the staff report presented to the City Council.
1 Exhibit 3 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/3/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-
agendas-minutes/2025/june-16/rates-attachments/attachment-c-exhibit-3-fy26-gas-reserve-management-
practices.pdf
2 Meeting Agenda Item 2: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16042
3Meeting Agenda Item 2.a.: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16085
4 Exhibit 1 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/2/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-
agendas-minutes/2025/june-16/rates-attachments/attachment-c-exhibit-1-fy26-gas-utility-financial-forecast-and-
cip-detail.pdf
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
6056922
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SECTION 2. The Council hereby approves a transfer of up to $1.5 million from the Gas
Utility Operations Reserve to the Distribution Rates Stabilization Reserve by the end of FY 2025.
SECTION 3. The Council hereby approves the transfer of up to 18% of gas utility
gross revenues received during FY 2024 to the general fund in FY 2026.
SECTION 4. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rate Schedule G-1 (Residential Gas Service) is hereby amended to read as shown in Exhibit
2 5. Utility Rate Schedule G-1, as amended, shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 5. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rate Schedule G-2 (Residential Master-Metered and Commercial Gas Service) is hereby
amended to read as shown in Exhibit 2. Utility Rate Schedule G-2, as amended, shall become
effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 6. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rate Schedule G-3 (Large Commercial Gas Service) is hereby amended to read as shown in
Exhibit 2. Utility Rate Schedule G-3, as amended, shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 7. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility
Rate Schedule G-10 (Compressed Natural Gas Service Service) is hereby amended to read as
shown in Exhibit 2. Utility Rate Schedule G-10, as amended, shall become effective July 1,
2025.
SECTION 8. The City Council finds that the revenues derived from the gas rates
approved by this resolution do not exceed the funds required to provide gas service and the
revenues derived from the gas rates approved by this resolution shall not be used for any purpose
other than providing gas service, and the purposes set forth in Article VII, Section 2, of the Charter
of the City of Palo Alto.
SECTION 9. The Council finds that the fees and charges adopted by this resolution are
charges imposed for a specific government service or product provided directly to the payor
that are not provided to those not charged, and do not exceed the reasonable costs to the City
of providing the service or product.
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5 Exhibit 2 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-
agendas-minutes/2025/june-16/rates-attachments/attachment-c-exhibit-2-fy26-gas-rate-schedules.pdf
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
6056922
3
SECTION 10. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution approving the FY
2026 Gas Utility Financial Forecast Reserves Management Practices, and transfers, does not
meet the California Environmental Quality Act’s (CEQA) definition of a project under Public
Resources Code Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), because it is an
administrative governmental activity which will not cause a direct or indirect physical change in
the environment, and therefore, no environmental assessment is required. The Council finds
that changing gas rates to meet operating expenses, purchase supplies and materials, meet
financial reserve needs and obtain funds for capital improvements necessary to maintain
service is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California
Public Resources Code Sec. 21080(b)(8) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Sec.
15273(a). After reviewing the staff report and all attachments presented to Council, the Council
incorporates these documents herein and finds that sufficient evidence has been presented
setting forth with specificity the basis for this claim of CEQA exemption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: JUNE 16, 2025
AYES: BURT, LAUING, LU, RECKDAHL, VEENKER
NOES: LYTHCOTT-HAIMS
ABSENT: STONE
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
Assistant City Attorney City Manager
Director of Utilities
Director of Administrative Services
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Exhibit 1
The Gas Utility Financial Forecast and CIP Details have been updated since the April 15, 2025 version
reviewed by the Finance Committee;1 the specific changes are summarized in Staff Report 2411-3776.
This exhibit contains the following tables:
•Table 1: Updated June 16, 2025 Council Version of the Gas Utility Financial Forecast. Key Updated
Numbers Shown in Red.
•Table 2: April 15, 2025 Finance Committee Version of the Gas Utility Financial Forecast for Quick
Reference.
•Table 3: Gas Utility CIP Detail. Same as the April 15, 2025 Finance Committee Version, no changes
were made.
1 Finance Committee Meeting Agenda April 15, 2025, Item 2:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16042
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Exhibit 1
Table 1: Updated June 16, 2025 Council Version of the Gas Utility Financial Forecast. Key Updated
Numbers Shown in Red.
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Exhibit 1
Table 2: April 15, 2025 Finance Committee Version of the Gas Utility Financial Forecast for Quick
Reference.
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Exhibit 1
Table 3: Gas Utility Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Financial Details
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
RESIDENTIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-1
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-1-1 Effective 7-1-2025Sheet No G-1-1
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No G-1-1Effective 11-1-2024
A. APPLICABILITY:
This schedule applies to the following Customers receiving Gas Service from City of Palo Alto
Utilities:
1. Separately-metered single-family residential Customers;
2.Separately-metered multi-family residential Customers in multi-family residential
facilities.
B.TERRITORY:
This schedule applies everanywhere the City of Palo Alto provides Gas Service.
C. UNBUNDLED RATES:Per Service
Monthly Service Charge: ..............................................................................................$ 16.9318.40
Tier 1 Rates: Per Therm
Supply Charges:
1. Commodity (Monthly Market- Based) ........................................ $0.10-$4.00
2.Cap and Trade Compliance Charge ............................................ $0.00-$0.25
3. Transportation Charge ................................................................. $0.00-$0.30
4. Carbon Offset Charge .................................................................. $0.00-$0.10
Distribution Charge:....................................................................................... $
0.82290.8944
Tier 2 Rates: (All usage over 100% of Tier 1)
Supply Charges:
1.Commodity (Monthly Market- Based) ........................................ $0.10-$4.00
2.Cap and Trade Compliance Charge ............................................. $0.00-$0.25
3. Transportation Charge ................................................................. $0.00-$0.30
4. Carbon Offset Charge .................................................................. $0.00-$0.10
Distribution Charge:............................................................................................. $
2.10432.2873
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
RESIDENTIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-1
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-1-2 Effective 7-1-2025Sheet No G-1-2
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No G-1-2Effective 11-1-2024
D.SPECIAL NOTES:
1. Calculation of Cost Components
The actual bill amount is calculated based on the applicable rates in Section C above and
adjusted for any applicable discounts, surcharges and/or Taxes. On a Customer’s bill
statement, the bill amount may be broken down into appropriate components as
calculated under Section C.
The Commodity Charge is based on the monthly natural gas Bidweek Price Index for
delivery at PG&E Citygate, adjusted to account for delivery losses to the Customer’s
Meter. The Commodity Charge also includes adjustments to account for Council-
approved programs implemented to reduce the cost of Gas, including a municipal
purchase discount 1 and $0.055 per therm for mitigating the impact of short-term natural
gas market price spikes 2.
The Cap and Trade Compliance Charge reflects the City’s cost of regulatory compliance
with the state’s Cap and Trade Program, including the cost of acquiring compliance
instruments sufficient to cover the City’s Gas Utility’s compliance obligations. The Cap
and Trade Compliance Charge will changes in response to changing market conditions,
retail sales volumes and the quantity of allowances required, . The Cap and Trade
Compliance Chargeand is a pass-through charge and itis calculated based on the Cap-
and-Trade Pprogram’s quarterly auction allowance closing prices.
The Carbon Offset Charge reflects the City’s cost to purchase offsets for greenhouse
gases produced when Gas is burned. The Carbon Offset Charge will changes in response
to changing market conditions, changing sales volumes and the quantity of offsets
purchased within the Council-approved per therm cap.
The Transportation Charge is based on the current PG&E G-WSL 3 (Gas Transportation
Service to Wholesale/Retail Customers) rate for Palo Alto, accounting for delivery losses
to the Customer’s Meter.
1 Adopted via Resolution 9451, on September 15, 2014.
2 Adopted via Resolution 10187 on August 19, 2024.
3 https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/GAS_SCHEDS_G-WSL.pdf
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
RESIDENTIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-1
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-1-3 Effective 7-1-2025Sheet No G-1-3
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No G-1-3Effective 11-1-2024
The Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and Transportation Charges
will fall within the minimum/maximum ranges set forth in Section C. Current and historic
per therm rates for the Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and
Transportation Charges are posted on the City Utilities website.4
2. Seasonal Rate Changes:
The Summer period is effective April 1 to October 31 and the Winter period is effective
from November 1 to March 31. When the billing period includes use in both the Summer
and the Winter periods, the usage will be prorated based on the number of days in each
seasonal period, and the charges based on the applicable rates for each period. For further
discussion of bill calculation and proration, refer to Rule and Regulation 11.
3. Calculation of Usage Tiers
Tier 1 natural gas usage shall beis calculated and billed based upon a level of 0.667 therms
per day during the Summer period and 2.0 therms per day during the Winter period,
rounded to the nearest whole therm, based on meter reading days of service. As an
example, for a 30 day bill, the Tier 1 level would be 20 therms during the Summer period
and 60 therms during the Winter period months. For further discussion of bill calculation
and proration, refer to Rule and Regulation 11.
{End}
4 Monthly gas and commodity and volumetric rates are available here, or by visiting
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/utilities/rates-schedules-for-utilities/residential-utility-rates/monthly-gas-
volumetric-and-service-charges-residential.pdf
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
RESIDENTIAL MASTER-METERED AND COMMERCIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-2
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-2-1 Effective 711-1-20254
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No G-2-1
A. APPLICABILITY:
This schedule applies to the following Customers receiving Gas Service from the City of Palo Alto
Utilities:
1.Commercial Customers who use less than 250,000 therms per year at one site;
2.Master-metered residential Customers in multi-family residential facilities.
B.TERRITORY:
This schedule applies everanywhere the City of Palo Alto provides Gas Service.
C. UNBUNDLED RATES:Per Service
Monthly Service Charge: ..........................................................................................$ 156.90170.55
Per Therm
Supply Charges:
1. Commodity (Monthly Market Based) ......................................................... $0.10-$4.00
2. Cap and Trade Compliance Charges ........................................................... $0.00-$0.25
3. Transportation Charge .................................................................................. $0.00-$0.30
4. Carbon Offset Charge ................................................................................... $0.00-$0.10
Distribution Charge: .................................................................................................. $
1.08091.1749
D. SPECIAL NOTES:
1. Calculation of Cost Components
The actual bill amount is calculated based on the applicable rates in Section C above and
adjusted for any applicable discounts, surcharges and/or Taxes. On a Customer’s bill
statement, the bill amount may be broken down into appropriate components as
calculated under Section C.
The Commodity Charge is based on the monthly natural gas Bidweek Price Index for
delivery at PG&E Citygate, adjusted to account for delivery losses to the Customer’s
Meter. The Commodity Charge also includes adjustments to account for Council-
approved programs implemented to reduce the cost of Gas, including a municipal
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
RESIDENTIAL MASTER-METERED AND COMMERCIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-2
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-2-2 Effective 711-1-20254
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No G-2-2
purchase discount 1 and $0.055 per therm for mitigating the impact of short-term natural
gas market price spikes 2.
The Cap and Trade Compliance Charge reflects the City’s cost of regulatory compliance
with the state’s Cap and Trade Program, including the cost of acquiring compliance
instruments sufficient to cover the City’s Gas Utility’s compliance obligations. The Cap
and Trade Compliance Charge will changes in response to changing market conditions,
retail sales volumes and the quantity of allowances required,. and is calculated based on
the Cap-and-Trade Program’s quarterly auction allowance closing prices.
The Carbon Offset Charge reflects the City’s cost to purchase offsets for greenhouse gases
produced when Gas is burned. The Carbon Offset Charge will changes in response to
changing market conditions, changing sales volumes and the quantity of offsets purchased
within the Council-approved per therm cap.
The Transportation Charge is based on the current PG&E G-WSL 3 (Gas Transportation
Service to Wholesale/Retail Customers) rate for Palo Alto, accounting for delivery losses
to the Customer’s Meter.
The Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and Transportation Charges
will fall within the minimum/maximum ranges set forth in Section C. Current and historic
per therm rates for the Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and
Transportation Charges are posted on the City Utilities website.4
{End}
1 Adopted via Resolution 9451, on September 15, 2014.
2 Adopted via Resolution 10187 on August 19, 2024.
3 https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/GAS_SCHEDS_G-WSL.pdf
4 Monthly gas and commodity and volumetric rates are available here, or by visiting
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/utilities/business/business-rates/monthly-gas-volumetric-and-service-
charges-commercial.pdf
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
LARGE COMMERCIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-3
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-3-1 Effective 711-1-20254
dated 711-1-2024 Sheet No G-3-1
A. APPLICABILITY:
This schedule applies to the following Customers receiving Gas Service from the City of Palo Alto
Utilities:
1. Commercial Customers who use at least 250,000 therms per year at one site;
2. Customers at City-owned generation facilities including the City’s Natural Gas fueling
station at the Municipal Services Center.
B.TERRITORY:
This schedule applies everyanywhere the City of Palo Alto provides Gas Service.
C. UNBUNDLED RATES:Per Service
Monthly Service Charge:$ 717.89780.34
Per Therm
Supply Charges:
1.Commodity (Monthly Market Based) .................................................... $0.10-$4.00
2.Cap and Trade Compliance Charges ..................................................... $0.00-$0.25
3. Transportation Charge .......................................................................... $0.00-$0.30
4. Carbon Offset Charge ........................................................................... $0.00-$0.10
Distribution Charge: .................................................................................................$ 1.16331.0702
D. SPECIAL NOTES:
1. Calculation of Cost Components
The actual bill amount is calculated based on the applicable rates in Section C above and
adjusted for any applicable discounts, surcharges and/or Taxes. On a Customer’s bill
statement, the bill amount may be broken down into appropriate components as calculated
under Section C.
The Commodity Charge is based on the monthly natural gas Bidweek Price Index for
delivery at PG&E Citygate, adjusted to account for delivery losses to the Customer’s
Meter. The Commodity Charge also includes adjustments to account for Council-
approved programs implemented to reduce the cost of Gas, including a municipal
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
LARGE COMMERCIAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-3
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-3-2 Effective 711-1-20254
dated 711-1-2024 Sheet No G-3-2
purchase discount 1 and $0.055 per therm for mitigating the impact of short-term natural
gas market price spikes 2.
The Cap and Trade Compliance Charge reflects the City’s cost of regulatory compliance
with the state’s Cap and Trade Program, including the cost of acquiring compliance
instruments sufficient to cover the City’s Gas Utility’s compliance obligations. The Cap
and Trade Compliance Charge will changes in response to changing market conditions,
retail sales volumes and the quantity of allowances required,. and is calculated based on
the Cap-and-Trade Program’s quarterly auction allowance closing prices.
The Carbon Offset Charge reflects the City’s cost to purchase offsets for greenhouse gases
produced when Gas is burned. The Carbon Offset Charge will changes in response to
changing market conditions, changing sales volumes and the quantity of offsets purchased
within the Council-approved per therm cap.
The Transportation Charge is based on the current PG&E G-WSL 3 (Gas Transportation
Service to Wholesale/Retail Customers) rate for Palo Alto, accounting for delivery losses
to the Customer’s Meter.
The Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and Transportation Charges
will fall within the minimum/maximum ranges set forth in Section C. Current and historic
per therm rates for the Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and
Transportation Charges are posted on the City Utilities website.4
2.Request for Service
A qualifying Customer may request service under this schedule for more than one account
or meter if the accounts are located on one site. A site consists of one or more contiguous
parcels of land with no intervening public right-of- ways (e.g. streets).
3.Changing Rate Schedules
Customers may request a rate schedule change at any time to any applicable City of Palo
Alto full-service rate schedule.
{End}
1 Adopted via Resolution 9451, on September 15, 2014.
2 Adopted via Resolution 10187 on August 19, 2024.
3 https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/GAS_SCHEDS_G-WSL.pdf
4 Monthly gas and commodity and volumetric rates are available here, or by visiting
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/utilities/business/business-rates/monthly-gas-volumetric-and-service-
charges-commercial.pdf
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-10
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-10-1 Effective 711-1-20254
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No. G-10-1
A. APPLICABILITY:
This schedule applies to the sale of Gas to the City-owned compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling
station at the Municipal Service Center in Palo Alto.
B.TERRITORY:
Applies to the City’s CNG fueling station located at the Municipal Service Center in City of Palo Alto.
C. UNBUNDLED RATES:Per Service
Monthly Service Charge: ..........................................................................................$ 106.11115.34
Per Therm
Supply Charges:
Commodity (Monthly Market Based) ................................................................ $0.10-$4.00
Cap and Trade Compliance Charges .................................................................. $0.00-$0.25
Transportation Charge ....................................................................................... $0.00-$0.30
Carbon Offset Charge ........................................................................................ $0.00-$0.10
Distribution Charge ...................................................................................................$ 0.01900.0175
D. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
1. Calculation of Cost Components
The actual bill amount is calculated based on the applicable rates in Section C above and adjusted
for any applicable discounts, surcharges and/or Taxes. On a Customer’s bill statement, the bill
amount may be broken down into appropriate components as calculated under Section C.
The Commodity Charge is based on the monthly natural gas Bidweek Price Index for delivery at
PG&E Citygate, adjusted to account for delivery losses to the Customer’s Meter. The
Commodity Charge also includes adjustments to account for Council-approved programs
implemented to reduce the cost of Gas, including a municipal purchase discount1 and $0.055 per
therm for mitigating the impact of short-term natural gas market price spikes 2.
1 Adopted via Resolution 9451, on September 15, 2014.
2 Adopted via Resolution 10187 on August 19, 2024.
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS SERVICE
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-10
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No G-10-2 Effective 711-1-20254
dated 117-1-2024 Sheet No. G-10-2
The Cap and Trade Compliance Charge reflects the City’s cost of regulatory compliance with the
state’s Cap and Trade Program, including the cost of acquiring compliance instruments sufficient
to cover the City’s Gas Utility’s compliance obligations. The Cap and Trade Compliance Charge
will changes in response to changing market conditions, retail sales volumes and the quantity of
allowances required,. and is calculated based on the Cap-and-Trade Program’s quarterly auction
allowance closing prices.
The Carbon Offset Charge reflects the City’s cost to purchase offsets for greenhouse gases
produced when Gas is burned. The Carbon Offset Charge will changes in response to changing
market conditions, changing sales volumes and the quantity of offsets purchased within the
Council-approved per therm cap.
The Transportation Charge is based on the current PG&E G-WSL 3 (Gas Transportation Service
to Wholesale/Retail Customers) rate for Palo Alto, accounting for delivery losses to the
Customer’s Meter.
The Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and Transportation Charges will fall
within the minimum/maximum ranges set forth in Section C. Current and historic per therm rates
for the Commodity, Cap and Trade Compliance, Carbon Offset and Transportation Charges are
posted on the City Utilities website.4
{End}
3 https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/GAS_SCHEDS_G-WSL.pdf
4 Monthly gas and commodity and volumetric rates are available here, or by visiting
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/utilities/business/business-rates/monthly-gas-volumetric-and-service-
charges-commercial.pdf
Exhibit 2Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Exhibit 3
GAS UTILITY RESERVES MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The following reserves management practices shall be used when developing the Gas Utility
Financial Plan:
Section 1. Definitions
a)“Financial Planning Period” – The Financial Planning Period is the range of future fiscal
years covered by the Financial Plan. For example, if the Financial Plan delivered in
conjunction with the FY 2015 budget includes projections for FY 2015 to FY 2019, FY 2015
to FY 2019 would be the Financial Planning Period.
b)“Fund Balance” – As used in these Reserves Management Practices, Fund Balance refers
to the Utility’s Unrestricted Net Assets.
c)“Net Assets” - The Government Accounting Standards Board defines a Utility’s Net Assets
as the difference between its assets and liabilities.
d)“Unrestricted Net Assets” - The portion of the Utility’s Net Assets not invested in capital
assets (net of related debt) or restricted for debt service or other restricted purposes.
Section 2. Supply Fund Reserves
The Gas Utility’s Supply Fund Balance is reserved for the following purposes:
a)For existing contracts, as described in Section 4 (Reserve for Commitments)
b)For operating and capital budgets re-appropriated from previous years, as described in
Section 5 (Reserve for Re-appropriations)
Section 3. Distribution Fund Reserves
a)For existing contracts, as described in Section 4 (Reserve for Commitments)
b)For operating and capital budgets re-appropriated from previous years, as described in
Section 5 (Reserve for Re-appropriations)
c)For cash flow management and contingencies related to the Gas Utility’s Capital
Improvement Program (CIP), as described in Section 6 (CIP Reserve)
d)For rate stabilization, as described in Section 7 (Rate Stabilization Reserve)
e)For operating contingencies, as described in Section 8 (Operations Reserve)
f)For tracking unspent or unallocated revenues from the sale of carbon allowances freely
allocated by the California Air Resources Board to the gas utility under the State’s Cap and
Trade Program, as described in Section 11 (Cap and Trade Program Reserve)
g)Any funds not included in the other reserves will be considered Unassigned Reserves and
shall be returned to ratepayers or assigned a specific purpose as described in Section 9
(Unassigned Reserves)
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Section 4. Reserve for Commitments
At the end of each fiscal year the Gas Supply Fund and Gas Distribution Fund Reserve for
Commitments will be set to an amount equal to the total remaining spending authority for
all contracts in force for the Wastewater Collection Utility at that time.
Section 5. Reserve for Reappropriations
At the end of each fiscal year the Gas Supply Fund and Gas Distribution Fund Reserve for
Reappropriations will be set to an amount equal to the amount of all remaining capital and
non-capital budgets, if any, that will be re-appropriated to the following fiscal year for each
fund in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.28.090.
Section 6. CIP Reserve
The CIP Reserve is used to manage cash flow for capital projects and acts as a reserve for
capital contingencies. Staff will manage the CIP Reserve according to the following practices:
a)The following guideline levels are set forth for the CIP Reserve 1. These guideline levels are
calculated for each fiscal year of the Financial Planning Period and approved by Council
resolution.
a)
Minimum Level 12 months of budgeted CIP expense
Maximum Level 24 months of budgeted CIP expense
b)Changes in Reserves: Staff is authorized to transfer funds between the CIP Reserve and
the Reserve for Commitments when funds are added to or removed from the Reserve for
Commitments as a result of a change in contractual commitments related to CIP projects.
Any other additions to or withdrawals from the CIP reserve require Council action.
c)Minimum Level:
i)Funds held in the Reserve for Commitments may be counted as part of the CIP Reserve
for the purpose of determining compliance with the CIP Reserve minimum guideline
level.
ii)If, at the end of any fiscal year, the minimum guideline is not met, staff shall present
a plan to the City Council to replenish the reserve. The plan shall be delivered by the
end of the following fiscal year, and shall, at a minimum, result in the reserve reaching
its minimum level by the end of the next fiscal year. For example, if the CIP Reserve is
below its minimum level at the end of FY 2017, staff must present a plan by June 30,
1 The guideline levels were corrected to match the Council-approved language updated from the
FY 2021 Financial Plan.
2 Each month is calculated based upon 1/12 of the annual budget.
3 For example, in the Financial Plan for FY 2021, the 48 month period to use to derive the annual
average is FY 2021 through FY 2024. In the FY 2022 Financial Plan, the 48 month period to use to
derive the annual average would be FY 2022 through FY 2025 etc.
Minimum Level 20% of the maximum CIP Reserve guideline level
Maximum Level Average annual (12 month)2 CIP budget, for 48 months
of budgeted CIP expenses 3
Exhibit 3 Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
2018 to return the reserve to its minimum level by June 30, 2019. In addition, staff
may present, and the Council may adopt, an alternative plan that takes longer than
one year to replenish the reserve, or that does so in a shorter period of time.
d)Maximum Level: If, at any time, the CIP Reserve reaches its maximum level, no funds may
be added to this reserve. If there are funds in this reserve in excess of the maximum level
staff must propose to transfer these funds to another reserve or return them to
ratepayers in the next Financial Plan. Staff may also seek Council approval to hold funds
in this reserve in excess of the maximum level, if they are held for a specific future purpose
related to the CIP.
Section 7. Rate Stabilization Reserve
The Rate Stabilization Reserve is used to manage the trajectory of future Funds may be added
to the Rate Stabilization Reserve by action of the City Council and held to manage the
trajectory of future year rate increases. Withdrawal of funds from the Rate Stabilization
Reserve requires Council action. If there are funds in the Rate Stabilization Reserve at the end
of any fiscal year, any subsequent Gas Utility Financial Plan must result in the withdrawal of
all funds from this Reserve by the end of the Financial Planning Period.
Section 8. Operations Reserve
The Operations Reserve is used to manage normal variations in costs and as a reserve for
contingencies. Any portion of the Gas Utility’s Fund Balance not included in the reserves
described in Section 4-Section 7 above will be included in the Operations Reserve unless this
reserve has reached its maximum level as set forth in Section 8 d) below. Staff will manage
the Operations Reserve according to the following practices:
a)The following guideline levels are set forth for the Operations Reserve. These guideline
levels are calculated for each fiscal year of the Financial Planning Period based on the
levels of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and commodity expense forecasted for that
year in the Financial Plan.
Minimum Level 60 days of O&M and commodity expense
Target Level 90 days of O&M and commodity expense
Maximum Level 120 days of O&M and commodity expense
b)Minimum Level: If, at the end of any fiscal year, the funds remaining in the Operations
Reserve are lower than the minimum level set forth above, staff shall present a plan to
the City Council to replenish the reserve. The plan shall be delivered within six months of
the end of the fiscal year, and shall, at a minimum, result in the reserve reaching its
minimum level by the end of the following fiscal year. For example, if the Operations
Reserve is below its minimum level at the end of FY 2014, staff must present a plan by
December 31, 2014 to return the reserve to its minimum level by June 30, 2015. In
addition, staff may present, and the Council may adopt, an alternative plan that takes
longer than one year to replenish the reserve.
Exhibit 3 Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
c)Target Level: If, at the end of any fiscal year, the Operations Reserve is higher or lower
than the target level, any Financial Plan created for the Gas Utility shall be designed to
return the Operations Reserve to its target level by the end of the forecast period.
d)Maximum Level: If, at any time, the Operations Reserve reaches its maximum level, no
funds may be added to this reserve. Any further increase in the Gas Utility’s Fund Balance
shall be automatically included in the Unassigned Reserve described in Section 9, below.
Section 9. Unassigned Reserve
If the Operations Reserve reaches its maximum level, any further additions to the Gas Utility’s
Fund Balance will be held in the Unassigned Reserve. If there are any funds in the Unassigned
Reserve at the end of any fiscal year, the next Financial Plan presented to the City Council
must include a plan to assign them to a specific purpose or return them to the Gas Utility
ratepayers by the end of the first fiscal year of the next Financial Planning Period. For
example, if there were funds in the Unassigned Reserves at the end of FY 2015, and the next
Financial Planning Period is FY 2016 through FY 2020, the Financial Plan shall include a plan
to return or assign any funds in the Unassigned Reserve by the end of FY 2016. Staff may
present an alternative plan that retains these funds or returns them over a longer period of
time.
Section 10. Intra-Utility Transfers Between Supply and Distribution Funds
The Gas Utility records costs in two separate funds: the Gas Supply Fund and the Gas
Distribution Fund. At the end of each fiscal year staff is authorized to transfer funds between
the Gas Supply Fund and Gas Distribution Fund if consistent with the purposes of the two
reserves involved in the transfer and in order to balance gas utility reserves to avoid negative
balances. For example, Gas Distribution revenues are needed to pay for certain supply-
related costs such as administration of the Gas Supply Fund. Such transfers shall be included
in the ordinance closing the budget for the fiscal year.
Section 11. Cap and Trade Program Reserve
This reserve tracks unspent or unallocated revenues from the sale of carbon allowances freely
allocated by the California Air Resources Board to the gas utility, under the State’s Cap and
Trade Program. Funds in this Reserve are managed in accordance with the City’s Policy on the
Use of Freely Allocated Allowances under the State’s Cap and Trade Program (the Policy),
adopted by Council Resolution 9487 in January 2015. At the end of each fiscal year, the Cap
and Trade Program Reserve will be adjusted by the net of revenues and expenses associated
with the Cap and Trade program.
Exhibit 3 Docusign Envelope ID: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: CFB5B606-F826-4F0F-9E3A-D153AA15D61F Status: Completed
Subject: RESO 10232 - Gas Utility Rates
Source Envelope:
Document Pages: 20 Signatures: 6 Envelope Originator:
Certificate Pages: 5 Initials: 0 Christine Prior
AutoNav: Enabled
EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled
Time Zone: (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto , CA 94301
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
IP Address: 165.225.242.87
Record Tracking
Status: Original
7/14/2025 4:34:34 PM
Holder: Christine Prior
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
Location: DocuSign
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Storage Appliance Status: Connected Pool: City of Palo Alto Location: Docusign
Signer Events Signature Timestamp
Amy Bartell
Amy.Bartell@PaloAlto.gov
Assistant City Attorney
City of Palo Alto
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Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
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ID: d8ecb53d-ef81-4016-8886-1560c48de42a
Lauren Lai
Lauren.Lai@PaloAlto.gov
Director Administrative Services/CFO
COPA
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Alan Kurotori
Alan.Kurotori@PaloAlto.gov
Director of Utilities
City of Palo Alto
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Ed Shikada
Ed.Shikada@PaloAlto.gov
Ed Shikada
City of Palo Alto
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Ed Lauing
Ed.Lauing@PaloAlto.gov
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Mahealani Ah Yun
Mahealani.AhYun@PaloAlto.gov
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Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure created on: 10/1/2013 8:33:53 AM
Parties agreed to: Amy Bartell
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