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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 3553 City of Palo Alto (ID # 3553) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 3/18/2013 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Utilities Rate Schedule C-1 Title: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Amending Utilities Rate Schedule C-1, Utility Service Calls From: City Manager Lead Department: Utilities Recommendation Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution (Attachment A) amending Utilities Rate Schedule C-1 effective March 18, 2013. Summary The recommended changes correct omissions to Rate Schedule C-1 (Utility Service Calls) that were not addressed when Council amended Utilities Rules and Regulations in 2010. At that time, the treatment of late customer payments was proposed to be moved from Rule 11 to Rate Schedule C-1, but the necessary changes to C-1 were not made. Background In May 2010, Council amended twenty-five of the existing twenty-eight Utilities Rules and Regulations and repealed two obsolete Rules (CMR 223:10). As part of this change, Rule and Regulation 11 (Billing, Adjustments and Payment of Bills) was modified to clarify billing period definitions, policies and procedures related to the levelized payment program, proration, disputed bills, and time limits for billing credits and back-billing. It also included moving Late Payment Charges on unpaid utility bills from Rule and Regulation 11 to Rate Schedule C-1, and inserting new language in Rule and Regulation 11 referring to Rate Schedule C-1 for Late Payment Charge specifics. However, Rate Schedule C-1 failed to incorporate the amendments moved from Rule and Regulation 11. Discussion City of Palo Alto Page 2 The proposed amendments to Utilities Rate Schedule C-1 changes the title for customer clarity (from “Utility Service Calls” to “Utilities Miscellaneous Charges“), specifies a one-time, two percent (2%) Late Payment Charge on each separate unpaid balance (no compounding of interest), clarifies language for meter tests, and amends language between Rate Schedule C-1 and the Municipal Fee Schedule for consistency regarding returned customer payments. Resource Impact Approval of amendments to Utility Rate Schedule C-1 will not result in a change in revenues or expenses. Policy Implications This recommendation does not represent a change to current City policies. Environmental Review This amendment to Utility Rate Schedule C-1 is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8) and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15273(a)(1) and (3). Attachments:  Attachment A - Resolution C-1 Rate Schedule (PDF)  Attachment B - Original C-1 with showing changes (PDF)  Attachment C - C-1 effective 3-18-2013 (PDF) *NOT YET APPROVED* 130225 dm 015003 ATTACHMENT A Resolution No. _________ Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedule C-1 The Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SECTION 1. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, Utility Rate Schedule C-1 (Utility Service Calls) is hereby amended to read as attached and incorporated. Utility Rate Schedule C-1, as amended, shall become effective March 18, 2013. SECTION 2. The Council finds that the revenue derived from the authorized adoption enumerated herein shall be used only for the purpose set forth in Article VII, Section 2, of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto. SECTION 3. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution changing Utility Rate Schedule C-1 to meet operating expenses 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 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: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ___________________________ ___________________________ Sr. Deputy City Attorney City Manager ___________________________ Director of Utilities ___________________________ Director of Administrative Services UTILITY SERVICE MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES CALLS UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-1 CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES Issued by the City Council Effective 37-18-20092013 Supersedes Sheet No.C-1-1 dated 7-1-2005 2009 Sheet No.C-1- 1 Customer charges under this schedule, except for disconnection or restoration of service for non-payment, may be added to the regular monthly Utilities bill of the customer receiving the service, and payment thereof will be subject to the Utilities Rules and Regulations regarding disconnection of service for non-payment. All charges related to disconnection or restoration for non-payment, are due and payable prior to the restoration of Utilities service. Charges during Charges After Business Hours Business Hours A. SERVICE CALLS AND OTHER SERVICE WORK: Charges During Charges After Business Hours Business Hours Setting Meter Set No Charge $ 27394.00 Dispatch of service person to disconnect service at meters for non-payment of Utilities bill $109.00 Not applicable Restoration for of service at meters following turn-off fordisconnection for non-payment of Utilities bill $109.00218.00 $ 27394.00 Restoration of electric service at power pole following turn-off fordisconnection for non-payment of Utilities bill $218.00 $436294.00 Customer deposit Exchange meter for meter accuracy test (Rule 15) $0-300.00 N ot applicableService not Available Note: Customer deposit for meter accuracy test will be refunded if tested meter is more than two percent (2%) over-registering, Deposit will be forfeit if tested meter registers within +/-2% (plus or minus two percent) accurate. B. LABOR RATES PER HOUR PER PERSON: Services provided during normal working hours $ $109.00 Not applicable UTILITY SERVICE MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES CALLS UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-1 CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES Issued by the City Council Effective 37-18-20092013 Supersedes Sheet No.C-1-1 dated 7-1-2005 2009 Sheet No.C-1- 1 Services provided on overtime basis where the overtimeovertime is scheduled at the City's convenience. N ot applicable $128.00 Services provided on overtime basis where the oovertimevertime is scheduled at the customer's convenience. N ot applicable $147.00 BC. RETURNED CHECK PAYMENT FEES: See City of Palo Alto Municipal Fee Schedule. CD. LATE PAYMENT CHARGE: Two percent (2%) of unpaid balance of Utilities Bill SPECIAL PROVISION: 1.Charges made under this schedule may be added to the regular monthly utilities bill of the person receiving the service and payment thereof will be subject to the Utilities Rules and Regulations regarding discontinuance of service for nonpayment. Charge for meter exchange will be refunded if meter is found to be more than two percent (2%) over- registering. {End} {End} UTILITY MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES UTILITY RATE SCHEDULE C-1 CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES Issued by the City Council Effective 3-18-2013 Supersedes Sheet No.C-1-1 dated 7-1-2009 Sheet No.C-1-1 Customer charges under this schedule, except for disconnection or restoration of service for non-payment, may be added to the regular monthly Utilities bill of the customer receiving the service, and payment thereof will be subject to the Utilities Rules and Regulations regarding disconnection of service for non-payment. All charges related to disconnection or restoration for non-payment, are due and payable prior to the restoration of Utilities service. Charges during Charges After Business Hours Business Hours A. SERVICE CALLS AND OTHER SERVICE WORK: Setting Meter No Charge $273.00 Dispatch of service person to disconnect service at meters for non-payment of Utilities bill $109.00 Not applicable Restoration of service at meters following disconnection for non-payment of Utilities bill $109.00 $273.00 Restoration of electric service at power pole following disconnection for non-payment of Utilities bill $218.00 $436.00 Customer deposit for meter accuracy test (Rule 15) $0-300.00 Not applicable Note: Customer deposit for meter accuracy test will be refunded if tested meter is more than two percent (2%) over-registering, Deposit will be forfeit if tested meter registers within +/-2% (plus or minus two percent) accurate. B. LABOR RATES PER HOUR PER PERSON: Service provided during normal working hours $109.00 Not applicable Service provided on overtime basis where the overtime is scheduled at the City's convenience. Not applicable $128.00 Service provided on overtime basis where the overtime is scheduled at the customer's convenience. Not applicable $147.00 C. RETURNED PAYMENT FEES: See City of Palo Alto Municipal Fee Schedule. D. LATE PAYMENT CHARGE: Two percent (2%) of unpaid balance of Utilities Bill {End}