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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-06; Ad Hoc - Water Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Date of Meeting: November 6, 1991 (Adjourned Meeting) Time of Meeting: 1:30 p.m. Place of Meeting: 5950 El Camino Real WATER COUMISSION COMMISSIONERS CALI. TO ORDER: Chairman Maerkle called the Meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. ROLL CALI.: Commissioners Present: Maerkle, Bonas, Greer, Henley and Woodward. Absent: None. OLD BUSINESS: chairman Maerkle announced this was a continuation of the Adjourned Meeting of October 23, 1991. Bob Greaney and Geoff Poole gave the staff report, with Mr. Greaney stating that the Commission asked etaff to research several topics pertaining to the District's Inclining Block Rate Structure, establishing a Lifelinf block, number of units billed at the lower blocks and t Rate, revising the number of blocks, the Cost of each review these. Mr. PoOle stated staff looked at the addition of a , lifeline rate for residential customers. Staff established a base rate of 90 Cents for the base rate for the lifeline. The next rate up would be the $1.15, and then two tiers for penalties. The monthly revenue loss would be approximately $25,000 using these figures In reply to query, staff said the first seven units would be at the 90 cent rats. With 17,000 connections, there will always be SOme who will go over their allotment and will provide penalty income. over the penalties with $45,000 coming from residential last billing period there was a total of $260,000 in customers. Commissioner Woodward stated he felt some incentive should be granted to the people who have tried everything possible to save water. Staff stated that the District presently refunds monies for low-flow toilets and showerheads, and provides fret water audits foe all Customers for both interior and exterior uses. Comissioner Bonas stated that the incentives have to t in the water rates. Me. Greaney said that a lifeline rate could be an incentive. The Commission felt that the method of allocation for eingle family residences needs to be changed felm the District-wide average of 15 unite. Mr. Greaney continued the report, stating that the oths issue was the expenditure of the existing funds. Staff looked at improvements to the water billing system an8 and felt that needed further study. I . . . "_ MINUTES 'r ! '. Mr. Poole stated that staff felt some money should be taken out of the reserve for updating the billing ayetet and the computers. Commissioner Greer suggested $100,000 be allocated for upgrades in the billing system. commissioner Bonas stated she felt the water rates were the important issue; reserves and refunds to the Customers. The water commission adopted the following: Lifeline Rate of 90 cents for the first seven units fox all reeidential customers; and the inclining block rate rate of $1.15; Block 2 - $1.43 far 1 - 20 percent OVRr structure to be revised as follows: Block 1 - Retail allocation; and Block 3 - rate of $1.73 for 21 plus percent over allocation. water to single family customem based on actual Water The Water Commission adopted a method of allocating usage during 1989-90. and a refund to all single family customers who exceeded the 20 percent conservation level. Geoff Poole continued the staff report, stating that th Commission is to determine what to do with the money on hand and that collected in the future. Commissioner Bonas suggested that the Commission make a decision in a couple of months whether to drop the rate water bills constant. more or to purchase future water in order to keep the The Commission discussed earmarking the funds by allowing $100,000 for improving the billing system, a refund to the single family residential "Be=, the one- time five-unit credit to all users and dividing the and a reserve fund. remaining monies equally into a rate stabilization fund Commissioner Greer stated that the existing rate structure has caused a lot of phi" and strain and he felt there should be a gesture of good will, with a refund baaed on how much water was used. Geoff Pooh stated that the Water customers were asked to Cut 20 percent, and with the change in allocation, more, and paid higher bills. By adopting the change in nome single family residential user8 cut 20 percent or allocation, the Commission Said the District could give a refund to the single family cuetomees Who exceeded th 20 percent conservation level. He said that future increases would he decreased with a rate stabilization fund. defrayed with a rate stabilization filnd. m: Commissioner Bonas said that those increases would be Chairman Maerkle declared a Recess at 2:58 p.m., and th Cmiseion re-convened at 3:12 p.m., with all Members present. Maerkle Greer BOnaa Henley Woodward MINUTES November 6, 1991 WATER COMMISSION Page 3 cc commissioner Woodward suggested that single familiae that saved 20 percent or more should be given a refund. and tied in with that, a one-time five unit credit be given to everyone in the District, for the 17,000 connections. There would be two refunds; five units at no charge to everyone and to all single family customerf who saved 20 percent. The remainder of the money in the reserve fund is to be reallocated; 50 percent into a rate stabilization fund and $100,000 to update the computer aystem. with the new block rates, there would be a refund to everyone. The Water Commission approved expenditure Of the exieting funds as follows: improvements to water billing systemfcuatomer service, $100,000; refund to single family users who saved more than 20 percent ($91,000); five unite free for everyone; 50 percent of the remaining funds to be placed in a rate stabiliratiol fund and 50 percent in a reservs fund. A report will bt developed by January 15, 1992, on how che new system is operating. Commissioner Woodward reiterated he felt the rate that the customers would be getting a refund in the stabilization is an important item, and would guarantee future by maintaining constant fees. Commissioner Graer stated he wanted information on the two bills introduced by Ron Packard on desalinization and reclamation and would like to see copies of the bills. Commissioner Greer stated he would like information On Sa" Diego's Mayor stating they might break away from Metropolitan Water District. He would like any documentation to provide a basis for that. Geoff Pooh said that the next agenda would have the resales of all homes. item of requiring installation of low-flush toilets in Wednesday, November 13, 1991, and not hold the meeting Commission Consensus was to hold the regular meeting, two meetings this month. scheduled for November 27, 1991, aince there have been ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Adjourned Meeting of November 6, 13, 1991, at 9:OO a.m. 1991, was adjourned at 3:30 p.m., to Wednesday, Novembe Respectfully submitted, Hinutes clerk Harriett Babbitt MISSIONERS ' Haerkle Greer 00nas Woodward Henley