TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Steven Lederer - Manager, UVWMA
REPORT BY: Steven Lederer - Manager, UVWMA
SUBJECT: Manager's Report
RECOMMENDATION
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MANAGER'S REPORT
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Manager to provide an update on the status of current activities.
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BACKGROUND
Monthly Financial Report: The most recent financial report is attached.
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Discount Program for Economically Disadvantaged customers:
At a previous Board meeting the Board asked staff to investigate the possibility of implementing a discount program for economically disadvantaged customers. After reviewing several options, we recommend a program that mirrors the Low Income Financial Assistance program used in the City of Napa. The key elements include:
1. Residential accounts only, for those who have qualified for the PG&E CARE program. Key point here being that UVA/UVDS staff do not have to ask for or analyze financial data or make judgement decisions. The customer either is on the PG&E CARE and qualifies for our discount, or they don’t.
2. Discount would be a flat amount of $15/month (since UVDS bills quarterly, it would actually be $45/quarter).
3. When an account is closed, the discount would cease (i.e. the next customer will not be able to inherit the discount unless they too qualify). A qualifying customer can get the discount at their new location.
4. The customer would have to recertify (present a current letter) every 3 years.
5. The company will keep track of the amount discounted and bill the Agency quarterly for the full amount of the discount. Agency shall reimburse the Company from Agency funds.
6. The City of Napa indicates that 5.8% of their customers participate. At roughly 5000 residential customers, if 6% participated, and each got $15/month discount, the cost to the Agency would be about $54,000/year.
Staff is available to answer any additional questions the Board may have. Based on the Board’s input, staff could return at the June meeting with a more detailed proposal for adoption.
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The City of Calistoga has reported they are ready to take their mandatory commercial service ordinance to their Council in May. Agency Counsel has reviewed the ordinance and found it to be acceptable. Agency staff will attend the Council meeting if requested by City staff. This should greatly reduce the theft of service issue that has been present in Calistoga for some time.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.