Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting Summary – September 26, 2018
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Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting Summary – September 26, 2018
This meeting of the Sacramento Utilities Rate Advisory Commission (URAC) was held on September 26, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The commission reviewed the quarterly accountability update from the Department of Utilities, heard the director’s report on rate assistance and water efficiency programs, and discussed a business reimbursement initiative for the 9th Street utility project. No public comments were made.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 – Approval of Minutes for June 27, 2018: Motion to approve carried unanimously (5-0).
Discussion Items
- Item 2 – Department of Utilities Accountability Plan Quarterly Update: Ryan Pham, Business Services Manager, presented a high-level summary of the department's performance commitments and financial status. Key financial figures included:
- Drinking water State Revolving Fund loan of $173.1 million (approved December 2017), of which $22 million had been expended and $46.3 million encumbered as of September 4, 2018, primarily for the accelerated water meter program.
- Series 2017 water revenue bonds of $62.6 million, with $58.1 million expended and $4.4 million encumbered as of the same date.
- Wastewater bonds expected to be issued in late 2018; interim capital projects funded by pay-go funds from FY2018-19 budget.
- Commissioner Anthony Thomas asked about the relationship between the $173.1 million total and the $22 million expended, leading to a discussion about clarifying the language in future reports. The department agreed to revise the phrasing.
- Director’s Report – Bill Busath: Focused on two topics:
- Utilities Rate Assistance Program: Approximately 8,750 participants, stable after a peak of about 9,200. FY18 expenditures totaled $1.75 million for rebates and administration. An automated recertification process (leveraging SMUD’s database) helped maintain participation. Five nonprofit housing providers received assistance via SMUD.<br>- Water Efficiency Initiatives: Emphasis on “wise and efficient” water use rather than conservation. Key programs included the My Water Pledge (city ranked 7th), Mulch Mayhem (350 yards of mulch distributed), river-friendly landscape design rebates (up to $150 advance for design), smart controller rebates (fully covered), leak detection via automated meter monitoring, and tree care outreach due to drought stress.
- Commissioner Discussion – Business Reimbursement for 9th Street Project: Commissioner Keith Ellis asked about compensation for businesses negatively impacted by the 9th Street utility project (completed August 2018). Director Busath stated that the department, in coordination with the city council member, decided to offer $5,000 per business to 12 businesses, requiring a hold harmless agreement. This was a voluntary, unprecedented gesture. Commissioner Andrew Day asked about the decision process and potential liability concerns; staff clarified no specific threats had been identified.
Key Outcomes
- The commission received and filed the accountability update and director’s report without formal vote.
- Staff will revise the wording in the accountability report to better explain the relationship between loan amounts, expended funds, and encumbrances.
- The department committed to providing Commissioner Anthony Thomas with the names of the five nonprofit organizations receiving rate assistance.
- A future presentation on the storm drainage system (similar to one given at the Water Advisory Committee) will be brought to the commission in October or November 2018.
- Meeting adjourned after member comments and announcements, including an invitation to an event at the 28th Street landfill on October 30, 2018.
Meeting Transcript
Keith Ellis. Brian Biering. Andrew Day. Present. Anthony Thomas. April Javist. You have a quorum. And a quick announcement, please. This meeting has been video streamed and can be viewed on the city's website or viewed later from the archive files. Please silence all cell phone and mobile devices. If you wish to speak tonight, please complete a speaker slip located in the back of the room and return it to me at any time. And copies of the agenda are also located in the back of the room. And should you need an assisted listen device, they are available from me upon request. Thank you. Um just before we start the meeting, a couple of things. Might be good for you to just get a handle on it because I think Solid Waste will be seeing them more coming next at the next calendar year. Um and then also, so thanks, Aaron. And then I other thing Aaron just told me about right today is that on the 20, no, on October 30th, to let everybody know that the clause gonna be back in action. There's gonna be an event on 28th Street landfill. We could all go to that. Um they might let you go ahead and run the claw if that interests you. They might not. Um, I don't know, but if that gets you to go, then go. Oh, look at that. We have a deck of there. We'll send invitations. It's for uh city officials, so primarily uh due to insurance. So you'll be part of that. No, you're close enough. Close enough for government work. Okay, that's what I like to say, but yeah. So anyway, thank you. And that that that could be a fun event. So that with that, let's do the consent agenda. Um has everybody taken a look at the the last the minutes from the last meeting? And I'll give you a second to just look at that. Good. Is everybody ready to vote on the minutes? All right. Can I get a motion for the minutes from the June meeting? So moved. Seconded. Keith Ellis. Aye. Brian Biering. Andrew Day. I Anthony Thomas. Aye. April Javis? Yeah.
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