OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting – August 23, 2023

Utilities Rate Advisory Commission — Wednesday, August 23, 2023
BodySacramento, California
SessionUtilities Rate Advisory Commission
DateWednesday, August 23, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:20

Chair Stapp is ready when you are.

0:28

Good evening.

0:29

Welcome to the August 23rd.

0:32

Um 2023 Utilities Rate Advisory Commission meeting.

0:37

The meeting is now called to order.

0:38

Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum?

0:46

Yes, good evening.

0:47

Thank you.

0:48

Commissioner Zito.

0:49

Present.

0:50

Commissioner Thomas.

0:53

Absent.

0:54

Commissioner Johnson?

0:56

Here.

0:57

Commissioner Vanderworth?

0:58

Here.

1:00

Commissioner Lee.

1:02

Absent.

1:04

Vice Chair Gardowski.

1:06

Absent.

1:07

And Chair Fidel.

1:08

Here.

1:10

Thank you.

1:10

We have a quorum.

1:14

I would like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins.

1:21

For members of the public who wish to join virtually, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link.

1:25

Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide public comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item.

1:34

If you're online, click on raise hand at the bottom of your screen.

1:38

In the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab.

1:43

You'll have two minutes to speak once you're called on.

1:46

After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips and the raise hand feature in Zoom will be disabled.

1:52

We will now proceed with today's agenda.

1:56

Everyone who's able, please rise.

2:03

To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Patwinwintan peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe.

2:16

May me may we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous history, contributions, and lives.

2:32

Thank you.

2:34

Please remain remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:46

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:52

Thank you.

2:54

Our first business today is approval of the consent calendar.

2:59

Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar?

3:05

Thank you, Chair.

3:06

No, we have none.

3:09

Thank you.

3:10

Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this item?

3:16

Is there a motion and a second for the consent calendar?

3:24

I'll move the consent calendar.

3:27

Thank you.

3:30

Do I have a second?

3:31

I'll second.

3:33

Thank you.

3:33

I have a motion by Commissioner Vanderworth and a second by Commissioner.

3:38

Johnson.

3:40

Will the clerk please call the roll for the vote?

3:49

Thank you.

3:50

Commissioner Zito.

3:52

Aye.

3:53

Commissioner Thomas is absent.

3:55

Commissioner Johnson?

3:57

Aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████████████████████30%
Environmental Health████████████████████████████28%
Climate Action██████████████14%
Utilities████████████12%
Procedural██████6%
Public Health█████5%
Environmental Cleanup██2%
Homelessness██2%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting – August 23, 2023

The Utilities Rate Advisory Commission met on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 5:42 PM to 6:51 PM. The commission received two informational presentations from the Department of Utilities: one on the Climate Action Plan progress and another on major regulations affecting the department. The consent calendar was approved unanimously. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2022-02502): Passed a motion approving the minutes of the June 28, 2023 meeting.
  • Department of Utilities Fiscal Year 2022/23 3rd Quarter Accountability Report (File ID: 2023-01058): Received and filed.

Discussion Items

  • Department of Utilities Informational Presentation on Climate Action Plan Progress (File ID: 2023-01057): Sarah Morrissey, Sustainability Program Specialist, presented an update on the department's climate action initiatives. Key points included:
    • The city's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAP) is being updated alongside the 2040 General Plan, with public review opened in April 2023 and adoption expected early 2024.
    • The CAP sets a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 and includes a funding and financing strategy in Appendix D.
    • DOU's sustainability team (two staff) is developing a sustainability action plan, tracking performance dashboards, and working on on-site non-potable water reuse ordinances (Phase 2 feasibility study, with recommendations expected by June 2025).
    • Fleet electrification update: DOU has 377 vehicles; 18 of 149 light/medium-duty vehicles are zero-emission (ZEVs). Replacement cost for a traditional vehicle averages $58,000 vs. $100,000 for a ZEV. Charging infrastructure costs: ~$17,000 for a Level 2 charger, ~$185,000 for a DC fast charger. Questions from commissioners addressed replacement cycles, maintenance costs, and the need for charging during emergencies.
  • Department of Utilities Informational Presentation on Major Regulations (File ID: 2023-01056): Cheryl Hewn (Engineering Manager), Mark Sebarid (Water Quality Superintendent), and another staff member presented on regulations affecting wastewater, drainage, drinking water, and standby generators. Key points:
    • Combined system long-term control plan update due September 2024; estimated $413 million for flow reduction/storage/conveyance and $146 million for rehabilitation.
    • Sanitary sewer management plan update due 2025 after a 2024 audit.
    • Statewide trash discharge prohibition compliance by 2030; estimated $7 million for devices plus $1 million for equipment and 10 additional staff.
    • FEMA levee certification packages due 2024–2027; failure to certify could restrict development and require flood insurance.
    • Drinking water regulations: PFOS (two wells over current response levels, federal MCLs expected end of 2023/early 2024); hexavalent chromium (new MCL proposed at 10 ppb, about half of wells over half the MCL); lead and copper rule revisions (service line inventory in progress, no known lead service lines); microplastics monitoring (source water monitoring to begin late 2023, expensive lab analysis).
    • Standby generators: 120 permitted units; Tier 4 emission requirements cost up to $100,000 per unit; during January 2023 storms, 95 stations lost power, some for over three days, requiring continuous portable generator deployment. Commissioner questions focused on integration of costs into future rate planning, well contamination specifics, and potential for groundwater recharge.

Key Outcomes

  • Both informational presentations were received and filed (no vote required).
  • The consent calendar was approved unanimously (4-0, with three commissioners absent).
  • Chair Fidell requested that a memo on options for providing water to unhoused individuals be added to the September or November meeting agenda.
  • The meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Chair Stapp is ready when you are. Good evening. Welcome to the August 23rd. Um 2023 Utilities Rate Advisory Commission meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Yes, good evening. Thank you. Commissioner Zito. Present. Commissioner Thomas. Absent. Commissioner Johnson? Here. Commissioner Vanderworth? Here. Commissioner Lee. Absent. Vice Chair Gardowski. Absent. And Chair Fidel. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. I would like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. For members of the public who wish to join virtually, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide public comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item. If you're online, click on raise hand at the bottom of your screen. In the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. You'll have two minutes to speak once you're called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips and the raise hand feature in Zoom will be disabled. We will now proceed with today's agenda. Everyone who's able, please rise. To the original people of this land, the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Patwinwintan peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May me may we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Our first business today is approval of the consent calendar. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Thank you, Chair. No, we have none. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this item? Is there a motion and a second for the consent calendar? I'll move the consent calendar. Thank you. Do I have a second? I'll second.

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