REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 20, 2014
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT
Title
Receive report of findings and summary of discussions from the Recharge Fresno Community Forums and direct City staff to initiate the Proposition 218 hearing process for proposed changes to the schedule of rates, fees, and charges for public water service and setting the public hearing for February 5, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the City Council receive the findings and summary of discussions from the Recharge Fresno Community Forums and authorize Department staff to initiate the Proposition 218 hearing process for proposed changes to the schedule of rates, fees, and charges for public service.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On July 31, 2014, the City Council rescinded the Water Division's four-year schedule of rates, fees, and charges, which had been previously approved by City Council in August 2013 and in effect since September 2013.
Upon rescinding the Water Division's four-year schedule of rates, fees, and charges, the City Council directed Department of Public Utilities staff to initiate a participatory roundtable process. The purpose of the roundtable process was to foster and undertake serious discussions relative to all project issues, including regional water issues, the scope of city projects, alternatives for financing capital costs, alternatives to the City's current policy on water, and an evaluation of subsidy options for low or fixed income ratepayers. City staff was also directed to prepare findings and a summary of the discussions from the participatory roundtables. Meeting minutes from the roundtables are attached to this report (Attachment 1), and the following pages summarize findings from the discussions. Finally, the City Council directed staff to develop a five-year rate plan to replace the previously adopted four-year rate plan, and delay enactment of ...
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