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.
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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