HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 144-10TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 8, 2010
REPORT TYPE: CONSENT
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
CMR: 144:10
Recommendation to Direct the Utilities Advisory Commission to
Consider the Fiscal Year 2011 Wastewater Collection Fund Budget
and Rates
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council direct the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) to consider
the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget and retail rate adjustments for the wastewater collection utility.
DISCUSSION
The purpose and duties of the UAC are listed in section 2.23.050 of the Municipal Code, as
follows:
(a) The purpose of the utilities advisory commission shall be to advise the city
council on long-range planning and policy matters relating to the electric
utility, gas utility, water utility, and the subject of recycled water, excluding
daily operations.
(b) The utilities advisory commission shall have the following duties:
(1) Advise the city council on planning and policy matters pertaining to:
(A) Acquisition and development of electric utility, gas utility, water
utility, and recycled water resources,
(B) Joint action projects with other public or private entities which
involve electric utility, gas utility, water utility, and recycled water
resources,
(C) Environmental implications of electric utility, gas utility, water
utility, and recycled water projects,
(D) Conservation and demand management, and
(E) Recycled water matters not otherwise addressed in the preceding
subparagraphs (A) through (D).
CMR: 144:10 Page 1 of 3
(2) Review and make recommendations to the city council on the
consistency with adopted plans and policies of any major electric utility,
gas utility, water utility, or recycled water project;
(3) Formulate and review legislative proposals regarding the electric utility,
gas utility, water utility, and any recycled water operation to which the
city is a party or in which the city has an interest;
(4) Review the electric utility, gas utility, and water utility capital
improvement programs, operating budgets, and rates, and recycled water
program, budget, and rate, and thereafter forward any comments to the
finance committee or its successor;
(5) Provide advice upon such other matters as the city council may from
time to time assign.
The utilities advisory commission shall not have the power or authority to cause
the expenditure of city funds or to bind the city to any written or implied contract.
The wastewater collection utility is currently not included in the duties of the UAC, but staff is
interested in the input and recommendations from the UAC on the wastewater collection budget
and any proposed rate adjustment for FY 2011. Staff also understands that the Council Ad Hoc
Subcommittee on the roles and responsibilities of the UAC may develop recommendations for
the Council to change the Municipal Code to expand the duties to include the wastewater
collection utility. While the subcommittee is deliberating, the time for the UAC to review the
FY 2011 Wastewater Collection Fund budget and rates is fast approaching. The UAC has the
expertise in, and familiarity with, Utilities budgets for other funds and will provide valuable
insight and guidance to staff and will assist the Council when making decisions on the FY 2011
Wastewater Collection Fund budget and rates.
Under the Municipal Code Section 2.23.050 (b) (5) cited above, the Council may assign other
matters to the UAC. Staff requests Council assign the review of the FY 2011 Wastewater
Collection Fund budget and rates to the UAC. This temporary assignment will not affect any
long-term changes to the UAC's duties that may be recommended by the Council Ad Hoc
Subcommittee.
RESOURCE IMPACT
No additional staff resources will be used to prepare recommendations for the UAC on the
wastewater collection utility since these recommendations would be prepared for Council action
regardless.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Approval of this recommendation will not change the Municipal Code or establish new City
policy, but will change the duties of the UAC for FY 2011 only with respect to the review of the
budget and rates for the wastewater collection utility. The request is in line with Municipal Code
Section 2.23.050 (b) (5) cited above, which states that the Council may assign other matters to
the UAC.
CMR: 144:10 Page 2 of 3
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of this recommendation does not meet the definition of a project, pursuant to section
21065 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), thus no environmental review is
required.
ATTACHMENT
None.
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
JANE RATCHYE
JAssistant Director, Resource Management
VALE O'FONG
Director of Utilities
ES KEEN
Manager
CMR: 144:10 Page 3 of 3