HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 184-06City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
ATTENTION:FINANCE COMMITTEE
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
DATE:
SUBJECT:
APRIL 18, 2006 CMR: 184:06
RESOLUTION AMENDING VARIOUS RATE SCHEDULES
RELATED TO RECOVERING COSTS THROUGH CONNECTION
FEES FOR NEW METERS IN LARGE DEVELOPMENTS CAPABLE
OF AUTOMATED METER READING, GAS VENT LINES, AND
BOLLARD PROTECTION FOR METER SETS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to amend fees for Utility
connection schedules E-15, G-5, and W-5.
BACKGROUND
The Utilities Department provides service connections to its distribution network in order to meet
new-customer’s needs for electric, gas, water and sewer services. Connections are usually finalized
after the City inspects and approves all equipment installed by the customer (i.e., contractor or
developer) and usually after the customer pays the required fees as set forth in the utility connection
fee rate schedules.
The connection fee schedules are developed to recover costs that the Utilities Department incurs to
provide installation and connection services to new and existing customers. In cases where new
types of equipment or services are introduced, new fees must be created if they are not included in
current utility rate schedules. The Utilities Department is introducing new fees for the installation of
automated meter reading equipment for water and gas meters in large developments, as wel! as
bollards and vent lines to provide better gas meter safety.
In addition, clarification has been made to language in the current electric connection fee schedule,
as it is somewhat vague and subject to incorrect interpretation.
CMR:184:06 Page 1 of 3
DISCUSSION
Gas Safety Features (Bollards and Vent lines)
Gas meter sets have regulators that vent to atmosphere in case of overpressure situations. The
Utilities Department needs to install a regulator vent line if the gas regulator location does not meet
the WGW Utilities Standards (e.g., the regulator is too close to where gas can accumulate and
become a hazard, such as a window, electric panel, etc). The Utilities Department also requires steel
boltards be installed when the gas meter is in danger of vehicular damage. These charges have been
added to Schedule G-5 to allow the utility to recover its cost of installation in a timely manner.
Automated Meter Reading
The City of Palo Alto initiated a pilot program for Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) in 2005 (CMR
187:05). The Utilities Department either purchased meters with factory-installed AMR "Encoder
Receiver Transmitters" (ERTs) or retrofitted the ERTs in the field. These installations were put in
service at meter locations that are time consuming to read, hard to access, frequently read, hazardous
to read, in remote !ocations, and/or in sites with large numbers of meters.
If the City should decide to deploy AMR in the furore, any non-ERT equipped meters will have to be
retrofitted in the field or replaced with new meters containing ERTs. In order to avoid having to
retrofit or replace non-ERT meters in the future for new, large developments (30 units or more) and
having to recover those costs in future rates, the Utilities Department is proposing to require large
developments to have meters with factory-installed AMR- ERTs. While these meters can be read by
the current, manual meter reading methodology used in the field, their fifteen-year battery life allows
them to be used in future AMR applications.
Until the test period is over and a full cost-effectiveness analysis for Automated Meter Reading is
completed, the Utilities Department is not recommending purchasing all future replacement meters
with ERT-equipped replacements.
Electric Connection Fees
Language regarding a one-time waiver of connection fees when connecting services during the
construction of an underground district has been clarified. Previous wording could have been
interpreted to give a permanent fee exemption for service connections within established
underground districts. In addition, language was introduced clarifying that connection fees will only
be charged on new overhead system services or upgrades exceeding 200 amperes. For simple
disconnects and reconnects of services 200 amperes or less, the cost to perform this service is much
less than the established fee for new services that involve more staff time. In this case, charging the
fee can discourage customer replacement of obsolete service equipment and contribute to the
customer/contractor attempting to make the live connections themselves without calling City staff.
CMR: 184:06 Page 2 of 3
RESOURCE IMPACT
The estimated increase in annual connection fee revenues is approximately $20,000 and $!0,000 for
the Gas and Water Funds, respectively. Implementing these charges will allow for meter reading
staffto be better utilized and will avoid the need for additional staffincreases. The language changes
to schedule E-15 are meant to forestall possible future issues and do not have a financial impact.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
These recommendations do not represent a change in current City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The adoption of the resolution does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Air
Quality Act; therefore, no environmental assessment is required.
PREPARED BY:Tom Auzenne, Roger Cwiak, Roland Ekstrand, Lucie Hirmina,
Tomm Marshall, Sam Zuccaro
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Dir~.~tor, ~m~nistrative Services
HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution
CMR: 184:06 Page 3 of 3
* * * NOT
ATTACHMENT A
YET APPROVED***
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO AMENDING UTILITY RATE SCHEDULES E-15,G-5,
AND W-5 OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES RATES
AND CHARGES PERTAINING TO SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby
RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION !.Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code, Schedule E-15 (Electric Service
Connection Fees) of the Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges is
hereby amended to read in accordance with Sheets E-15-1, E-15-2,
E-15-3, E-!5-4, E-15-5, and E-15-6, respectively, attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing
Utility Rate Schedule, as amended, shall become effective on
July i, 2006.
SECTION 2.Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code, Schedule W-5 (Water Service Connection
Fees) of the Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges is hereby
amended to read in accordance with Sheets W-5-!, W-5-2, W-5-3,
W-5-4, and W-5-5, respectively, attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. The foregoing Utility Rate Schedule, as
amended, shall become effective on July i, 2006.
SECTION 3.Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code, Schedule G-5 (Gas Service Connection
Fees) of the Paio Alto Utilities Rates and Charges is hereby
amended to read in accordance with Sheets G-5-1, G-5-2, G-5-3,
and G-5-4, respectively, attached hereto and incorporated herein
by reference. The foregoing Utility Rate Schedule, as amended,
shal! become effective on July i, 2006.
SECTION 4.The Council finds that the revenue
derived from the authorized adjustments of the several electric
service rates shal! be used only for the purposes set forth in
Article VII, Section 2, of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto.
//
//
//
0603 t 7 cs 0072690
***NOT YET APPROVED***
SECTION 5.
resolution doesthis
California Environmental Quality Act, California
Resources Code section 21080, subdivision (b) (8).
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
The Council finds that the adoption of
not constitute a project under the
Public
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Utilities
Director of Administrative
Services
060317 cs 0072690
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE W-5
A. TERRITORY:
Inside the incorporated limits of the City of Palo Alto and on land ov,~ed or leased by the City of Palo
Alto.
B. FEES:
All fees must be paid prior to the scheduling of any construction. Depending on material availability and
scheduling constraints, utility service will be installed between 30 and 40 days following receipt of ful!
payment.
1.DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EXTENSION CHARGE
For City Standard 6" Main, charge per foot ................................................................$103.00
2.SERVICE CONNECTION CHARGES:
Category 1 - Domestic Water Selwice
Size Amount
1-inch colmection ...................................................................................................$3,648.00
1-1/2 inch connection ...................................................................................................4,226.00
2-inch connection ...................................................................................................4,715.00
4-inch connection ...................................................................................................6,975.00
6-inch connection ...................................................................................................7,776.00
Category 2 - Fire Selwice
Size
4-inch connection
6-inch colmection
8-inch connection
Amount
...................................................................................................$6,288.00
...................................................................................................7,044.00
...................................................................................................7,790.00
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. W-5-1 dated 7-1-2005 CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. W-5-1
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE W-5
(Continued)
Category 3 - Additional Domestic or Irri~ation Services
For service installations connecting to a pre-existing, larger service.
1-inch comaection
1-1/2 inch connection
2-inch connection
4-inch connection
$1,369.00
1,652.00
1,740.00
4,011.00
Category 4 - Combination Domestic Water Selwice and Fire Service
For requests of combination domestic and fire water services, two service cormection charges will
apply: the charge for connection of a fire service and the charge for domestic service installation
connection to a larger service.
Category_ 5 - Master Water Service
Approval by the Director of Utilities is required for a connection that serves domestic water service
and fire protection through a detector meter. The charge for master water service will be based on
the Engineering Manager’s, Water-Gas-Wastewater, estimate of the total costs of all materials,
metering not listed in Section B(4), labor and other costs incidental to the installation.
For service connections of 4-inch through 8-inch sizes and meter sizes of 3-inch through 8-inch, the
new owner must provide and install a concrete vault with meter reading lid covers to house meters
and other required control equipment in accordance with the Water Utility’s specifications.
An approved backflow prevention device with bypass assemblies must be provided by owner on all
fire services.
3. METER CHARGES:
5/8 Inch x 3/4 Inch .................................................................................................................$63.00
1 Inch ..................................................................................................................................151.00
1 ½ Inch ..................................................................................................................................396.00
2 Inch ..................................................................................................................................500.00
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. W-5-2 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. W-5-2
"WATER SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE W-5
(Continued)
3 Inch ...............................................................................................................................2,272.00
4 Inch ...............................................................................................................................3,880.00
6 Inch ...............................................................................................................................4,901.00
AMR Encoder Receiver Transmitter .........................................................................................100.00
4.ADDITIONAL METERS ON CONNECTION:
With new connection .......................................................................................................$298.00
On existing colmection .........................................................................................................725.00
5. RELOCATION OF FACILITI_-ES:
Approved relocation of service, hydrants, or other facilities will be done at the cost of the person
requesting the re-location. Deposit of estimated cost is required before relocation work beghas. After
the City completes the work, a final billing based on actual costs will be sent to the person requesting
the relocation of facilities.
6.CAPACITY FEES:
Domestic:
5/8 Inch x 3/4 Inch ............................................................................................................$1,200.00
1 Inch ...............................................................................................................................2,250.00
1 ½ Inch ...............................................................................................................................4,500.00
2 Inch ...............................................................................................................................9,000.00
3 Inch ......................................................................By estimate at $30/FU ($66,750 at capacity)
4 Inch ....................................................................By estimate at $30/FU ($176,333 at capacity)
6 Inch ....................................................................By estimate at $30~U ($339,667 at capacity)
Note: FU is fixture unit (1 FU=15gpd)
Fire Service:
4 Inch .............................................................................................................................$8,250.00
6 Inch ...........................................................................................................................$19,970.00
8 Inch ...........................................................................................................................$36,300.00
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. W-5-3 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. W-5-3
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE W-5
(Continued)
If a customer is up~’ading the capacity of an existing service, then the capacity charge will be the
difference between the new service size and the existing service size.
C. OTHER CONDITIONS
1.SERVICE CHARGES:
(A)Additional Service connections are available with payment of additional service connection
charge as shown in Section B.
(B)Replacement of service connection made necessary because of ordinary wear and deterioration
will be made without charge. Replacement due to inadequacy because of additional demand or
load will be charged as a new seladce connection.
2.INSTALLATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS"
(A)Any condition which, in the opinion of the EnNneering Manager, Water-Gas-Wastewater will
result in a cost higher than the charges set forth in Section B will be classified as unusual. The
charge for an unusual installation will be based on EnNneering Manager, Water-Gas-
Wastewater’s estimate of the total costs of all materials, labor, and other costs incidental to the
installation.
(B)In the event water service to a premises is requested and insufficient capacity exists to provide
such service, the applicant shall bear the total cost for enlarNng the distribution system to
accommodate serving the applicant. The EnNneering Manager, Water-Gas-Wastewater may
require the applicant to make arrangements for the design and construction of said expansion in
accordance with City standards and specifications. Alternatively, the Engineering Manager,
Water-Gas-Wastewater may elect for City forces or contractors to design and install
respectively such facilities at the applicants’ expense.
3.EXCEPTIONS:
(A)Water Service Areas 3 & 4, connections served directly from supply main: The dist~bution
system charges (Section B) will be based on a maximum frontage of 660 feet. This exception
applies to single applications for service and does not apply to subdivisions or tracts.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. W-5-4 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. W-5-4
Do
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE W-5
(Continued)
(B)The subdivision developer will furnish and install the water system at his or her expense and in
accordance with City’s specifications.
OTHER SERVICES:
1.MANrI2:OLD:
(A) 2 Inch ............................................................................................................................$567.00
2.ABANDONMENT:
(A) Small service less than 2 Inch .......................................................................................$882.00
(B) Large service more than 2 Inch ....................................................................................1,281.00
3. METER INSTALLATION:
Charges for meter installations by third parties, i.e. contractors, homeowners, etc.
5/8 Inch to 2 Inch ....................................................................................................................$76.00
3 Inch to 6 Inch .......................................................................................................................228.00
4. FIRE HYDRANT:
(A) Install New Hydrant without Lateral .........................................................................$2,621.50
(B) Install New Hydrant with Lateral ................................................................................9,061.83
(C) Relocation behind curb (up to 5 feet) .......................................................i ..................3,946.16
Relocations more than 5 feet will require a New Lateral and the existing Lateral willbe disconnected
and abandoned at the main.
OTHER FEES:Per Hour
The following fees wi!! apply to utility work performed by outside contractors:
(A) Engineering Fee ..............................................................................................................$86.00
(B) Utility Inspection Fee ........................................................................................................83.00
/End}
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. W-5-5 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. W-5-5
GAS SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-5
TERRITORY:
Inside the incorporated limits of the City of Palo Alto and on land owned or leased by the City of Palo
Alto.
FEES:
All fees must be paid prior to the scheduling of any construction. Depending on material availability and
scheduling constraints, utility service will be installed bet~veen 30 and 40 days following receipt of full
payment.
1. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EXTENSION CHARGE:
Charge per lineal foot ............................................................................$86.00/ft.
2. CONrNECTION CHARGE FOR SERVICE INSTALLED ON EXISTING MAIN:
Size
1-inch colmection ...............................................................................................................$2,562.00
2-inch connection .................................................................................................................3,583.00
Above 2-inch connection .........................................................................................Utility Estimate
Excess Len~h Fee: An additional charge ($18.00/foot for a 1 -inch connection and $20.00/foot for a
2- inch connection) will apply to an extension geater than forty feet from the street property line to
the gas meter location, measured along a line perpendicular to the street property line.
Service Location: The service line will be installed along the shortest, most practical route, as
determined by The Utilities Department (from the gas main in the adjoining street, alley, lane road,
or easement to the nearest suitable meter location at the building or structure).
3. METER CHARGES:
175-400 CFH Rotary-Residential ........................................................................................$167.00
675 CFH Rotary .....................................................................................................................474.00
675 CFH Rotary - Curb Installation ........................................................................................785.00
1000-1500 CFH Rotary-Commercial ..................................................................................1,156.00
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. G-5-1 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. G-5-1
GAS SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-5
(Continued)
2000 CFH Rotary-Colrmaercial ............................................................................................1,500.00
3000 CFH Rotary-Commercial ............................................................................................1,766.00
5000 CFH Rotary-Cormnercial ............................................................................................2,172.00
7000 CFH Rotary-Commercial ............................................................................................2,441.00
11000 CFH Rotary-Commercial ..........................................................................................3,116.00
16000 CFH Rotary-Commercial ..........................................................................................3,766.00
Electronic Volume Corrector System ..................................................................................5,378.00
AMR Encoder Receiver Transmitter- diaphragm meter .................................................................75.00
AMR Encoder Receiver Transmitter- rotary meter ......................................................................120.00
Vent line for gas regulator 100.00
Bollard (to protect gas meter) installation Fee .............................................................................150.00
Other Meter Sizes ....................................................................................................Utility Estimate
ADDITIONAL METERS ON CONNECTION:
(Applies to small meters up to 400 SCFH)Per Meter
With new connection ..............................................................................................................$ 80.00
On existing metered connection .............................................................................................165.00
Charges for meters above 400 SCFH, will be based on the Utility’s estimate.
5. SERVICE RELOCATION:
Service riser relocation .........................................................................................................$752.00
Service riser relocations will only be performed on one i~_ch (i~’) m~d !ar~polyethylene ~_~e.~ pipe
services. All "other material pipe" services must be replaced from the main to the meter at the fees
listed in Section B(2) of this rate schedule.
Curb Meter- Riser relocation on existing l"pe pipe ............................................................$540.00
Curb Meter- Riser relocation on same alignment of existing service .....................................877.00
Curb Meter- New service from main to house ....................................................................1,280.00
6. RELOCATION OF FACILITI35;S:
Approved relocation of service and other facilities will be done at the cost of the person requesting
the re-location. Deposit of estimated cost is required before relocation work begins. After the City
completes the work, a final billing based on actual costs will be sent to the person requesting the
re!ocation of facilities.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. G-5-2 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. G-5-2
GAS SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-5
(Continued)
C. OTHER CONDITIONS:
1. SERVICE CHARGES:
(A)Additional service connections are available with payment of additional service connection
charges shown in Section B.
Replacement of service connections made necessary because of ordinary wear and
deterioration will be made without charge. However, if the need for replacement arises due
to meeting an increase in load, the new service will be charged as a new service under
Section B.
(c)In commercial or industrial areas where a surface meter installation is impractical, meters
may be placed in undergound vaults. Vaults must be provided and installed by the ov~cler in
accordance with the gas utility’s specifications. The vault lid sections shal! not exceed 70
pounds. All lids shall be centered above the gas meter to allow visibility of the meter face
for meter reading purposes.
2. UNDER UNUSUAL CONrDITIONS:
(A)A condition which, in the opinion of the EnNneering Manager, Water-Gas- Wastewater will
result in a cost higher than the fees in Section B, will be classified as unusual. The charge for
an unusual installation will be based on the EnNneering Manager, Water-Gas-Wastewater
estimate of the total costs of all materials, labor, and other costs incidental to the installation.
In the event gas service to a premises is requested and insufficient capacity exists to provide
such service, the applicant shall bear the total cost for designing and enlarNng the
distribution system to accommodate serving the applicant. The Engineering Manager,
Water-Gas-Wastewater may require the applicant to make arrangements for the design and
construction of said expansion in accordance with City standards and specifications.
Alternatively, the EnNneering Manager may elect for City forces or contractors to design and
install respectively such facilities at the applicant’s expense. Full credit to the applicant will
be provided for any over sizing or extra facilities installed to meet service demands above the
specific capacity needs of the applicant as defined in the Utility’s rules and Regulations.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No. G-5-3 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. G-5-3
GAS SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE G-5
(Continued)
3. EXCEPTIONS:
Gas Service Area 2, connections served directly from supply main: The distribution system charges
(Section B) will be based on a maximum frontage of 660 feet. This exception applies to single
applications of service and does not apply to subdivisions or tracts.
4.MASTER METERED GAS SERVICE
For master meter services using high volumes of gas, the applicant must provide all required meters,
sending units, regulators, and other necessary flow control equipment as specified by the City and
approved by the Engineering Manager, Water-Gas-Wastewater.
D. OTHER SERVICE CHARGES:
1. OTHER SERVICE FEES:
The following fees will apply to utility work performed by outside contractors:
(A) Engineering Service Fee ........................................................................................$86.00/hr
(B) Inspection Service Fee ...........................................................................................$83.00/hr
{End}
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supersedes Sheet No.G-5-4 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No. G-5-4
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E- 15
A. APPLICABILITY:
This schedule applies to all connections, expansions, and up~ades to the City’s electric distribution
system except those that serve street li~ating or traffic signals.
B. TERRITORY:
All territory within the incorporated limits of the City and land owned or leased by the City.
C. ADVANCE ENGINEERING FEES
Advance engineering fees must be paid to start the engineering process and are non-refundable. The
engineering fees witl be credited against the estimated job cost prior to the collection of construction
fees. Advance engineering fees will not be collected for service connections that do not require a job
estimate.
D. ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
Al! estimated on-site, off-site distribution system, and service connection fees must be paid prior to the
scheduling of any construction or connections to the City’s electrical distribution system.
E. SUMSNY OF FEES:
The following schedule is for summary purposes. Section F herein describes the specific fee and
conditions in detail.
1. UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS:
(A) Service Connections Which Do Not Require an Estimate
Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential .....................................................................................................$410
(2) Residential: Rear Easement .............................................................................$670
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Lndustrial 400A or Less ......................................$670
(4) Multi-Family/Corrmaercial/Industrial Greater Than 400A .................By Estimate
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. E-15-1 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No.E-15-1
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E- 15
(Continued)
(B) Service Connections That Require Estimates
Advance Engineering Fees
(1) Residential ....................................................................................................$300(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 400A or Less ........................................$600
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial!Industrial Greater Than 400A .................By Estimate
On-Site
(1)
(2)
(3)
Distribution System Fees
Residential ....................................................................................................N/A
Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 400A or Less ...........................By Estimate
Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 400A .................By Estimate
Off-Site Distribution System Fees
(1) Residential .........................................................................................
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial!Industrial 400A or Less ...........................
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 400A .................
2. OVERHEAD SYSTEMS:
By Estimate
By Estimate
By Estimate
All service connection fees are based on a 100-foot service len~h. If additional service len~h is
required there may be additional fees.
o
Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential ....................................................................................................$580(2) Multi-Family/Commercial!Industrial 400A or Less ......................................$840(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 400A .................By Estimate
TEMPORARY SERVICES:
Temporary service charges 200A maximum, 250 V maximum, 3-wire services 100’ in lengh ~4t-are
shown in the following table. Fees for services requiring greater voltage or capacity will be
determined by estimate.
Overhead Service Connection Fees
(1) Residential ....................................................................................................$790
(2) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial 400A or Less ...........................By Estimate
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 400A .................By Estimate
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. E-15-2 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No.E-15-2
ELECTRIC SER~CE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDL~E E- 15
(Continued)
No FEES:
Underground Service Colmection Fees
(1) Residential ....................................................................................................$630
(2) Multi-Family/CommercialAndustrial 400A or Less ...........................By Estimate
(3) Multi-Family/Commercial/Industrial Greater Than 400A .................By Estimate
1. UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS
Connection fees for new or replacement services to the underground electrical system consist of one
or more of the following: Service Connection Fee, On-site Distribution System Fee and/or Off-site
Distribution System Fee.
(A) Service Connection Fees:
Where the City connects any Customer to the electrical distribution system, a service
com~ection fee shall be charged. A one-tinge waiver of this fee is granted for services
connected during the construction of an underground conversion district.
(1) Residential - Single Family
These fees apply to development in which electric metering will be on a single-family
basis.
(a) For a 250 volt maximum, 200 ampere maximum service .............................. $410
(b) For any connection requiring greater capacity the fee shall be the estimate of the
installation cost or $410 whichever is greater.
(c) For a 250 volt maximum, 200 ampere max service from a rear easement $670
(d) For any connection requiring greater capacity the fee shall be the estimate of the
installation cost or $670, whichever is greater.
(2) CommercialAndustrial
These fees apply to commercial, industrial, multi-family residential services.
(a) For a 250 volt maximum, 400 ampere maximum service .............................. $670
(b) For any connection requiring greater capacity, the fee shall be the estimate of the
installation costs or $670, whichever is greater.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. E-15-3 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No.E-15-3
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
(B) On-site Distribution System Fees:
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E- 15
(Continued)
Where the City installs or will install the underground conductors (primary or secondary),
switches or transformers in and on facilities provided by the developer within the boundaries of
a sub-division or other development, an on-site distribution system fee shall be charged. The
fee shall be the estimate of the installation costs.
(C) Off-Site Distribution System Fees:
Where the City installs or will install an electric distribution system, system extension, or
system reinforcement outside the boundaries of a sub-division or other development to be
served, an off-site distribution system fee shall apply. The fee shall be the estimate of the
installation costs.
2.OVERHEAD SYSTEMS
Connection fees shall apply for all new services or for service upgades exceedin~ 200 amperes.
Overhead services that do not require the addition of poles to the system will be the standard service
for residential areas not in Underground Districts. Underground Service will be required for all new
industrial, commercial, and multi-family residential construction. No new construction that will
require new poles to be added to the system shall be permitted except with the approval of the
Electrical Engineering Manager and only after a finding that an underground service is not feasible.
Replacement of existing overhead services with new overhead services will be a!lowed so long as the
new service does not exceed the size of the existing service or 200 Amperes for single-family
residential or 400 amperes for all other, whichever is greater. Replacement of 250 volt. 200 ampere
maximuna. 3-wire overhead residential service &ops to existing structures will be done bythe Ci_ty at
no cost to the customer providin~ such a replacement does not require relocation of the com~ection at
the pole or mid-span, does not require relocation at the house by more than 10 feet. and does not
exceed 100 feet in len~h.
(A) Overhead Service Connection Replacement Fees:
(1)Residential - Single Family
These fees apply to development in which electric metering will be on a single-family
basis.
(a)For a 250 Volt, 200 ampere, 3 wire,
100 feet in 1eriCh Maximum services .......................................................$58O
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. E-15-4 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No.E-15-4
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
(Continued)
(2) Commercial/Industrial
These fees apply to commercial, industrial, multi-family residential services.
(a)For a 250 Volt, 400 ampere, 3 and 4 wire services,
100 feet in length maximum service ...................................................$840
(3)Replacement of Overhead Services of greater voltage, other than described above when
done for the customer benefit, or when required due to damage by customer, shall be the
estimate of the insta!lation costs.
3. TEMPORARY SERVICE
A fee shall be charged to connect temporary service. The Customer shall furnish all equipment up to
the designated point-of-service. This point-of-service will usually be the weatherhead for overhead
temporary services in overhead distribution areas or the secondary connection box for underground
temporary services in underground distribution system areas. The City will not supply overhead
temporary services in underground service areas or underground temporary services in overhead
distribution system areas. The City will supply: overhead conductors and meter for overhead
temporary services; and meter only for underground temporary services. The City will connect both
overhead and underground services to the City’s electrical distribution system. Any additional off-
site facilities or work required sha!l be provided and removed by the utility at the customer’s
expense.
(A)Overhead Temporary Service Fees:
(1) For a 250 volt, 200 ampere, 3 wire service,
100 feet in length maximum service ...............................................................$790
(2)The fees for a temporary service of greater length and capacity or voltage shall be the
estimate of the installation and removal costs or $790, whichever is greater.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. E-15-5 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No.E-15-5
ELECTRIC SERVICE CONNECTION FEES
UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE E-15
(Continued)
(B)Underground Temporary Service Fees:
NOTES:
(1)For a 250 volt, 200 ampere, 3-wire maxhnum service,
Ifa service box is available at the property ....................................................$630
(2)Ifa service box is not available at the property, the charges to provide a service box will
be at the customer’s expense.
(3)The fees for a temporary service of greater lengh and capacity or voltage shall be the
estimate of the installation or removal costs or $630, whichever is greater.
These fees apply to all vacant land except where the fees are recorded as previously paid.
The Customer is responsible for the installation of all equipment from the facility to the designated
point-of-service. For underground systems, this includes conduit and conductors. For overhead
systems, because the point-of-service is the weatherhead or point of attachment to the facility, this
includes the mast or riser and all conductors therein.
When the City replaces a service, the Customer is obligated to accept a shutdown of service during
regular working hours. The time of the shutdo-aqa shall be agreed upon as mutually acceptable.
When, for the convenience of the Customer, the shutdown is during other than regular working
hours, it shall be done entirely at the Customer’s expense. The Customer shall pay the entire cost of
the overtime labor, not the incremental cost.
The City can generally provide service availability from 30 to 45 days after all fees are paid except
when long lead-time equipment or materials are required. Consult the City for estimated lead-times.
The City cannot be held liable for delays in service connection caused by conditions beyond it’s
control, including, but not limited to, delays in the arrival of equipment such as transformers,
switches and cable.
{End}
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. E-15-6 dated 7-1-2005
Effective 7-1-2006
Sheet No.E-15-6