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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 108-08City of Palo Alto C ty Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES DATE: JANUARY 14, 2008 CMR: 108:08 SUBJECT: EXPANSION OF GAS METER REMOVAL POLICY This is an informational report and no Council action is required. SUMMARY This report describes a new Utilities Depm-tment policy that allows customers to have their gas meters removed and their natural gas service terminated, in order to eliminate the monthly natural gas "customer charge" that is part of the rate structure for natural gas service. BACKGROUND Effective July 1, 2007, the City Council adopted changes to the Gas Utility’s Rate Schedules, (CMR:204:07). One change established a monthly "customer charge" for all customer classes, in’espective of monthly gas consumption, in order to collect a portion of the utility’s fixed operating costs. Some residential and commercial customers with active utilities accounts mad a natural gas meter in place do not consume natural gas and wish to be exempt from the "customer charge." The Utilities Department has a policy in place for "Utilib7 Disconnections Prior to Building Demolition," which includes requirements for subsequent restoration of utility set, rice. There was no policy, however, that addressed customers wishing to permanently remove gas meters. Simple termination of gas service, without removal of the meter, would not eliminate the fixed costs incurred by the Gas Utiliw. The new policy (Attachment B), effective January 14, 2008, provides for gas meter removal, termination of the customer charge, and identification of customer requirements for future restoration of gas service. CMR: 108:08 Page 1 of 2 The modified policy allows a customer to request removal of his or her gas meter, with the approval of the property owner, in order to officially terminate the monthly "customer charge." Although gas meter removal would be free upon request, the re-establistvnent of natural gas service would be treated as a request for new natural gas sei-~dce, and follow the procedures for installing a new natural gas meter. The current cost for installation of a new residential gas meter is $167 (subject to change in the furore). The policy takes effect on January 14, 2007, and after that date, interested customers can complete and submit the required documentation t0 the Utilities Department. Given the number of customers likely to take advantage of this program, the financial impact will be inconsequential. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW This policy does not meet the definition of a project under Section 21065 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). ATTACHMENTS A. Gas Meter Removal Application (Non-Demo) B. Gas Meter Removal Policy (Non-Demo), Effective January 14, 2008 PREPARED BY:TOM AUZENNE Assistant Director, Customer Support Services DEPARTMENT APPROVAL: CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: EMILY IcIARRISON Assistant City Manager CMR: 108:08 Page2 of 2 ATTACHMENT A Service Address: Account #: Palo Alto, CA 9430 Number of Units: Name: Address: lf not same as above Phone: Applicant Signature: Emait: Name:. Address: lf not same as above Phone:Email: I hereby declare that I am the owner, or agent of the service address listed above and authorize the removal of GAS Meter, # . I understand that I will be responsible for any and all future fmancial responsibilities and meeting the Utilities application requirements for new gas service including Utilities fees, load sheets, the installation fee, application fees, building permit fees and inspection fees. I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. My signature is notarized below: Sig-nature of O~qaer/Agent:Date: State of California, County of: On , before me,(Property, Owner/Agent) appeared personally "known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfacto~, evidence) to the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to within the instrument and ackaaowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his,qaer/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s) or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument. WITNESS my hand and official seal. Signature of Notaw: To be completed by the CITY: ROUTE FORM TO: Utilities Customer Support Services: 2nd floor City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. ]Phone (650) 329-2t61 Application Received by:Date: Gas Meter Removed: Meter Removed by: Supervisor: WORK PERFORMED BY UTILITIES OPERATIONS Water ¯ Gas ° Wastewater Operations ~ Yes [] No Final Read: Date: Date: ATTACHMENT B Effective January 14, 2008 CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES NATURAL GAS HETER REHOVAL POLICY (Non-Demolition) The City of Palo Alto Utilities Department (CPAU) allows removal of an existing natural gas meter serving single or multi-family residential, or single or multi-tenant commercial customers. Such removal requires the written permission of the property owner. In all cases of such removal, reinstatement of natural gas service would be treated as a request for new natural gas service, and follow the CPAU procedures for installing a new natural gas meter. Prior to meter removal, a current CPAU Gas Meter Removal Application (Non- Demolition) form shall be completed. This Application: ~Identifies the Utilities customer requesting meter removal, ~-Provides written permission from the property owner to remove the natural gas meter serving the customer’s premise/unit, ~ Identifies the responsible party for future reinstatement of natural gas service, including meeting the Utilities application requirements for new gas service, The Customer Support Services Division of the Utilities Department will maintain a file copy of the completed and processed Gas Meter Removal Application (Non- Demolition) form in case of dispute.