OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting - March 26, 2025

Utilities Rate Advisory Commission — Wednesday, March 26, 2025
BodySacramento, California
SessionUtilities Rate Advisory Commission
DateWednesday, March 26, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:10:24
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I'll just stick to that to the

0:22

Good evening and welcome to the March 25th, 2025 meeting.

0:31

The time is now 530.

0:32

The meeting is called to order.

0:33

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

0:37

Thank you, Chair.

0:38

Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones.

0:41

Commissioner Birdock.

0:42

Here.

0:43

Commissioner Steinbaum.

0:44

Here.

0:45

Commissioner Shambay.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Commissioner Nelson.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Here.

0:50

Commissioner Olson is absent.

0:53

Vice Chair Eberle.

0:54

Here.

0:55

Commissioner Johnson.

0:56

Here.

0:57

Commissioner Tran.

0:58

Here.

0:59

And Chair Zido.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

We have a quorum.

1:03

Okay.

1:04

Alrighty.

1:05

I would like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you would like to speak

1:09

on agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins.

1:14

You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on.

1:16

To the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips.

1:19

We will now proceed with today's agenda.

1:22

So if everybody please stand for the land acknowledgement and the legislative allegiance.

1:31

To the original people of this land, the Nissan people, the southern Maidu, Bali and Plains

1:36

Miwok, put Winton peoples and the peoples of the Wilton Rancheria.

1:42

Sacramento is the only federally recognized tribe.

1:45

May we acknowledge and honor these native people who came before us and still walk

1:48

besides us today on these ancestral lands.

1:51

By choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation

1:55

for Sacramento's indigenous peoples history, contributions and lives.

2:00

Thank you.

2:01

Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance.

2:03

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for

2:08

which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:15

And this is our first meeting of the new year.

2:18

It seems like it's been a long time since we met before it's like last year.

2:21

But we have some new members so we were going to go around and ask them to introduce themselves

2:25

and if you have anything you want to share, that'd be great too.

2:28

So we'd start with Commissioner Verdok and then just go around.

2:33

I am Anthony Verdok.

2:36

I'm a resident of the land park and I'm looking forward to engaging with the commission and helping out.

2:46

I'm Lauren Steinbaum.

2:47

I live in Hollywood Park and I'm excited to join the commission.

2:56

Greetings all.

2:56

I'm Commissioner Shambay.

2:58

I'm representing the South Sacramento area district 8 under Honorable Council member Maiveng.

3:05

I'm indeed very happy to be here and to serve the city.

3:09

Nice to be with you all.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████████████████60%
Community Engagement███████████████20%
Affordable Housing████████10%
Economic Development████████10%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento Utilities Rate Advisory Commission Meeting

The Utilities Rate Advisory Commission (URAC) met on March 26, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 6:40 PM at Sacramento City Hall. The meeting focused on financial planning and leadership selection, with significant discussion of upcoming utility rate adjustments.

Opening and Introductions

  • Full quorum present with Chair Zito presiding
  • Welcomed five new commissioners: Anthony Burdock, Lauren Steinbaum, Babalawo Heru Oba Shambe, Soren Nelson, and Tim Olson
  • Land acknowledgment and Pledge of Allegiance conducted

Key Reports and Discussion

  • City Auditor presented comprehensive review of Water and Wastewater Funds
  • Report highlighted three potential financial plans with rate increases ranging from 74% to 90% over 25 years
  • Major cost drivers identified:
    • Significant inflation in utility industry materials and chemicals (some up 300%)
    • Infrastructure maintenance backlog of $2.1 billion
    • Regulatory requirements (PFAS, water conservation)
    • Rising chemical and operational costs

Timeline for Rate Adjustments

  • Cost of service analysis to be conducted through 2026
  • Public outreach and workshops planned throughout 2026
  • Rate adjustments must be implemented by July 1, 2027
  • Commission meetings will increase from quarterly to monthly in 2026

Leadership Selection

  • Chair Jill Zito reelected as Chair for 2025
  • Spencer Eberle reelected as Vice Chair for 2025
  • Decisions made to maintain continuity during upcoming rate adjustment process

Key Outcomes

  • Department of Utilities will develop detailed cost analysis and rate proposals
  • Commission will play crucial role in reviewing affordability and system needs
  • Additional workshops and facility tours to be arranged for commissioners
  • Emphasis placed on balancing system maintenance needs with rate affordability

Meeting Transcript

I'll just stick to that to the Good evening and welcome to the March 25th, 2025 meeting. The time is now 530. The meeting is called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioners, if you can please unmute your microphones. Commissioner Birdock. Here. Commissioner Steinbaum. Here. Commissioner Shambay. Here. Commissioner Nelson. Here. Here. Commissioner Olson is absent. Vice Chair Eberle. Here. Commissioner Johnson. Here. Commissioner Tran. Here. And Chair Zido. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Okay. Alrighty. I would like to remind members of the public and chambers that if you would like to speak on agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. To the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. We will now proceed with today's agenda. So if everybody please stand for the land acknowledgement and the legislative allegiance. To the original people of this land, the Nissan people, the southern Maidu, Bali and Plains Miwok, put Winton peoples and the peoples of the Wilton Rancheria. Sacramento is the only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor these native people who came before us and still walk besides us today on these ancestral lands. By choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples history, contributions and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And this is our first meeting of the new year. It seems like it's been a long time since we met before it's like last year. But we have some new members so we were going to go around and ask them to introduce themselves and if you have anything you want to share, that'd be great too.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com