Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting - June 22, 2022
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Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting - June 22, 2022
The Utilities Rate Advisory Commission (URAC) met virtually on June 22, 2022, from 5:40 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. to consider consent items and receive an update on the Department of Utilities Accountability Plan for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022. The meeting was held via teleconference due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. Commissioners present: Connie Gutowsky, Phillip Thomas, Jill Zito, and Vice Chair Rae Vander Werf. Chair Megan Fidell and Commissioner Melissa Lee were absent.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2022-01024): Approved the minutes of the April 27, 2022 URAC meeting. Vote: 4-0 (Gutowsky, Thomas, Zito, Vander Werf; absent: Fidell, Lee).
- Teleconferencing Meetings During COVID-19 State of Emergency (File ID: 2022-01259): Approved a motion to continue meeting by teleconference under California Government Code section 54953(e) due to the ongoing pandemic and social distancing requirements. Vote: 4-0.
Discussion Items
- Department of Utilities Accountability Plan Update - 3rd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022 (File ID: 2022-01192): Received and filed. Key highlights from staff presentations by Bill Busath (Director, DOU) and John Conover (Water Distribution Superintendent):
- SURA Program (Sacramento Utility Rate Assistance Program): As of March 31, 2022, 8,755 residential participants and five not-for-profit organizations were enrolled. Total spending in Q3 FY22 was $871,365; cumulative spending of $2,708,929 out of a $3.78 million budget. The program is expanding to include storm drainage fees starting July 1, 2022. City Council approved an additional $1 million for FY23.
- Community Engagement: The DOU newsletter continued, and stormwater pollution outreach campaigns (with Uptown Studios) ran through June 2022, including cleanup kit distribution.
- Sustainability: Research on climate change impacts on drinking water sources, including case studies of wildfires (Camp Fire and Tubbs Fire). Findings were shared with water quality and R&D teams. No drinking water compliance issues were noted.
- Water Conservation: Cumulative water use reduction compared to July–December 2020 is 11%; compared to same period in 2013, reduction is 27%. Water savings in Q3 estimated at 49 million gallons. Director Busath expressed concern over the low cost-to-savings ratio (~$600,000 quarterly, half reimbursable) and stated the department would internally vet the methodology before reporting accurate costs at the next meeting.
- Water Division Innovations: Staff-developed tools include a battery-powered lighting system, flexible chemical spill dam, diffuser for dechlorination, steel traffic lid block for meter reading, chlorine cylinder storage rack, and GIS-based chlorine residual tracking.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DOU formed a Recruitment and Engagement Committee and an Equity Committee. The Equity Committee is conducting a CARE protocol assessment (Portland State University) and will develop a five-year equity action plan.
Vice Chair Vander Werf asked about sharing innovations with other water systems regionally/nationally. John Conover noted participation in Sacramento Area Waterworks Association (SAWA) and American Water Works Association (AWWA) committees.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were received for consent or discussion items, nor for matters not on the agenda.
Commissioner Comments-Ideas and Questions
- No additional comments were made beyond the discussion.
Key Outcomes
- The consent calendar was approved unanimously.
- The Department of Utilities Accountability Plan Update was received and filed (no vote required).
- Staff will provide refined water savings cost data at the next quarterly URAC meeting.
- The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Vice Chair staff is ready when you are good evening. Oh, let me turn my camera on. Good evening, everyone. And welcome to the June 22nd, 2022 utility rate advisory commission meeting. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll so we can establish quorum? Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, please unmute and turn on your video for roll call vote. Commissioner Gutowski. Thank you. Commissioner Lee will be absent tonight. Commissioner Thomas. Commissioner Thomas, I do see you online. Are you yes? I'm here. Thank you. Commissioner Zido. Present. Thank you. And Vice Chair Vanderwerf. Here. Thank you. And Chair Fidel will be absent tonight. And we have a quorum. Thank you. Thank you so much. This meeting is virtual via Zoom. For members of the public who wish to join us, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you join the meeting, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand to provide public comment when the when myself uh asked to confirm there's public speaking period for your desired item. One, if you're online, you can click the raise hand option at the bottom of your screen. If you're in the mobile app, you can use the tab um the raise hand option in the under the more tab. And if you're on telephone, you you can you raise your hand by dialing star nine. Um and then you'll be able to unmute yourself by dark dialing star six. Speakers, if you are calling in by phone, will be called on by the last four digits of your phone number. You'll each have two minutes to speak once you're hold on. And we will now proceed to today's uh with today's agenda. First, I'd like to start with the land acknowledgement. Please rise for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands to the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu people, the Valley and Plains Mewak people, the Patwin Winto people, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who have come before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in an active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's Indigenous people's history, contributions, and their lives. Thank you so much. Please, if you are still standing, please remain standing and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you, everybody. Um, our first business today is approval of the consent agenda. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent agenda? Thank you, Vice Chair. I have no members of the public with their hands raised for this item. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on any items? Seeing no hands.
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