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Home My WebLink About2020-05-28; Extension of COVID-19 Related Temporary Relief Measures; Gomez, PazTo the members of the: CITY COUNCIL · Date5fat/,o CA ~CC ~ . CM v ACM ~DCM(3)L CMWD Board Memorandum May 28, 2020 To: From: Via: Re: Carlsbad Municipal Water Paz Gomez, Deputy City M nag Laura Rocha, Deputy City Mana Scott Chadwick, Executive Man e Extension of Covid-19-Related T y Relief Measures (carlsbad Municipal Water District Memo ID# 2020103 This memorandum provides information on the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD) Executive Manager's extension of COVID-19-related temporary relief measures to the end of the state of local emergency. Background Due to the transition to a new utility billing system as well as the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, the Executive Manager implemented, and the Board confirmed on May 5, 2020, the following temporary relief measures: • Potable water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment through May 31, 2020 • Late fees will not be assessed during March, April and May 2020 • Potable water business customers who closed their accounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency may discontinue water service, which will stop the accrual of any monthly fees associated with having an active potable water service account and then, when ready to reopen, may have water service reestablished without paying a reconnection fee. The CMWD Board also authorized the Executive Manager to extend the temporary relief measures to June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if necessary. Since the City of Carlsbad and CMWD are still in a state of emergency, it is necessary to extend these measures. This memorandum notifies the Board that the Executive Manager is extending the measures to the end of the state of emergency. Discussion The Utilities Billing Division in the City of Carlsbad's Finance Department manages CMWD's water billings and collections. In March 2020, the city implemented a new utility billing system. Carlsbad Municipal Water District 5950 El Camino Real I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-438-2722 I 760-431-1601 fax I www.carlsbadca.gov Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors May 28, 2020 Page 2 Because of billing delays related to the system's implementation, water shutoffs and late fee charges were suspended for the month of March. In addition, after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, the Executive Manager implemented, and the Board confirmed on May 5, 2020, the suspension of potable water shutoffs and late fee charges until May 31, 2020. The measure included authorization of a program allowing potable water business customers that closed their accounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency to contact the Utilities Billing Division to discontinue water service. This action st~ps the accrual of any monthly fees associated with having an active potable water service account. When the business establishment is ready to reopen, the program allows the business customers to reestablish their accounts and have potable water service resume without paying reconnection fees. On May 5, 2020, the Board also authorized the Executive Manager to extend the temporary relief measures to June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of local emergency, if necessary. This memorandum notifies the Board that the Executive Manager will extend the temporary relief measures to the end of the state of local emergency, as authorized. Next Steps CMWD shall continue to monitor the regulations and at the appropriate time or the end of the state of local emergency, the Executive Manager will rescind the temporary relief measures. If modifications to the relief measures are needed prior to the end of the local emergency, staff will return to the Board for a decision. Attachment: A. Resolution No. 1639 from the May 5, 2020, Special Meeting of the CMWD cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager Celia Brewer, General Counsel Robby Contreras, Assistant General Counsel Vicki Quiram, General Manager Kevin Branca, Finance Director RESOLUTION NO. 1639 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (CMWD BOARD) OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE EXECUTIVE MANAGER'S TEMPORARY RELIEF MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC STATE OF EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE MANAGER TO EXTEND THESE MEASURES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2020, OR THE END OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, IF NECESSARY. WHEREAS, there is currently a COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; and Attachment A WHEREAS, on Dec. 10, 2019, the· CMWD Board adopted Resolution No. 1625, approving a Residential Potable Water Service Shutoff Protection Policy for Non-Payment of Charges in C0!17pliance with California Senate Bill 998, the Water Shutoff Protection Act, enacted on Sept. 28, 2018; and WHEREAS, in addition to the measures outlined in the Senate Bill 998 policy, and due to the transition to a new utility billing system as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, the Executive Manager implemented the following temporary relief measures: (1) Potable water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment through May 31, 2020 (2) Late fees will not be assessed on all utility bills for March, April and May 2020 (3) Potable water business customers that have closed their accounts due to the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency may contact the Finance Department Utilities Billing Division to discontinue water service, which will stop the accrual of any monthly fees associated with having an . active potable water service account, and then, when ready to reopen, may have water service reestablished without paying a reconnection fee; and WHEREAS, after implementation of these temporary relief measures, California's Governor issued Executive Order No. N-42-20, which prohibits residential potable water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, requires restoration of water service for residential water shutoffs occurring after the state of emergency began on March 4, 2020, and prohibits commercial water shutoffs if the business is in a critical infrastructure sector; and WHEREAS, staff recommends the CMWD Board confirm the temporary relief measures implemented by the Executive Manager; and WHEREAS, staff recommends the CMWD Board authorize the Executive Manager to extend the temporary relief measures through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of emergency, if necessary. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the CMWD Board confirms the temporary relief measures implemented by the Executive Manager. 3. That the CMWD Board authorizes the Executive Manager to extend the temporary relief measures through June 30, 2020, or the end of the state of emergency, if necessary. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Special Meeting of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District of the City of Carlsbad on the 5th day of May, 2020, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. NAYS: ABSENT: None. None. MA TT HALL, President BARBARA ENGLESON, Secretary (SEAL)