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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 17, 2007 SSCITY OF LODI INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2007 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, April 17, 2007, commencing at 7:02 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members — Hitchcock, Katzakian, Mounce, and Mayor Johnson Absent: Council Members — Hansen Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl B. TOPIC(S) B-1 "Update on Mobile Home Electric Rates" PUBLIC COMMENTS: co Jim Baum, owner of Shady Acres Mobile Home Park, requested the item be removed from the agenda to allow mobile home owners to review the material and costs associated with the same. Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce stated that a representative of Casa de Lodi requested the meeting be continued until they have had an opportunity to review the documentation. Council Member Hitchcock stated she views this as an informational only meeting and would prefer to continue with the background of the subject matter. Council Member Katzakian agreed. City Manager King briefly introduced the subject matter of mobile home electric rates. Electric Utility Director George Morrow provided a PowerPoint presentation (filed) regarding the mobile tome park electric rates. Specific topics of discussion included background, park description, EM (Mobile Home Park Service) rate history, rates to mobile home tenants, EM language, EM rate application, "pad" discounts, EM versus EA (Residential Service) rate comparison, EM recommendation, and summary. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Morrow stated the mobile home park rate is 5% less because the rate was previously tabled; possibly due to equity considerations. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Morrow stated the mobile home rate payers do get to participate in discount rate programs. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Morrow stated a park owner provides information to tenants and staff analyzes billings and reduces the amounts accordingly if discounts apply. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Morrow stated some mobile home parks are being charged EA rates while others are being charged EM rates, as determined by a review of the billings. City Attorney Schwabauer provided an overview of the intent and literal meaning of the ordinance language for the two rates. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Morrow stated staff can attempt to get additional historical information regarding whether there was an oversight when the previous market cost adjustment rate discussion occurred. Mayor Johnson stated he would prefer to Continued April 17, 2007 go from this point forward to determine a solution rather than focus on the history of the problem. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Morrow stated the two parks being charged the rate in question are Cherokee and Lodi. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Morrow stated staff will be bringing back to Council EM rate adjustments. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Morrow stated the $200,000 would go directly to Electric Uility instead of the park owners. He also provided an overview of the mathematical equations associated with possible additional revenue. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce, Mr. Morrow stated the 47% average increase does not apply to end users who already receive the discount. City Manager King provided an overview of the schedule stating there is an action item on the April 18, 2007, Council meeting agenda setting a public hearing for May 2 to coincide with the budget timelines. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, Mr. Baum stated he has some concerns with the numbers and facts of the presentation and is not prepared to go into details at this time. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Baum stated the May 2 date provides adequate time for him to review the material. In response to Mayor Johnson, Mr. Morrow stated staff will touch base with the affected park owners regarding the schedule. City Attorney Schwabauer stated notice will be provided pursuant to law as required for all public hearings. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce, Mr. Morrow stated the park owner at 1651 Cherokee Lane was provided a letter notice. C. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS None D. ADJOURNMENT No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 a.m. ATTEST: Randi Johl City Clerk W AGENDA ITEM CITY OF Low COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGEW TITLE: Updab on Mobile Horne Electric Rates (EUD) MEETING DATE: April 47, 2007 (Shirtslreve Session) PREPAOtED BY-. El rtdc Ud tp DincW RECOMDBD ACTION: Presentation Only. BACK40MUND INFORMATION: The rate being recommended would replicate the five -tier schedule adopted for all other residential users. It is recommended that these changes become effective July 1, 2007. The City Council held a pubic hearing in February 2006, to amend electric rates for all customer classes. During the presentation, it was noted that the rates being charged mobile home residents were substas tially lower than those of customers residing in other types of residential homes. This rate disparly appears to be the result of staff misunderstanding the direction received during rate discussions at Council meetings in October 2005. There are six mobHe home parks, with a total of 490 pads being served by Lodi Electric Utility. Mobile home park owners (master -teetered) are billed on the EM rate schedule; they then bill their sub -metered tenants on the applicable rale schedule (EA, ED) and apply any entitled discounts. Residents of mobile home parks are eligible for the same rates and discounts as "traditional" residential customers. In checking with the six parks in Lodi, there is a fair amount of misunderstandingfmisinterprotation of the mobile home park rate structure. We found that four parks (414 pads) are charging their tenants at the EA residential rate Gout 6# per kilowatt-hour over the EM rate). The other two parks (76 pads) are using the EM (mobile home park) rate schedule to bill their tenants. Curren*y, Mobile Home Padc Service (EM) includes a discount of $8.13 per number of occupied mobile home park units wired for sarvice each month. This discount provides recovery by mobile home park ownersfor thek costs of owning, operating and maintaining their electric sub metered system. Other energy providers within our area that offer a mobile home park service rate allow park owners a discount of $0.37925 per day or approximately $11.38/m onper number of occ ied units. Attached are the proposed EM schedule, theEM SOTduled and t current Schedule EA for comparison. J A Aftchmsoft (3) AA-V%t, George F. Morrow Electric Utility Director APPROVED: 131 044, City Manager i CITY OF LODI ELECTRIC UTILITY DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE EM MOBILE HOME PARK SERVICE APPLICABILITY: This schedule is applicable to service supplied to mobile home parks through one meter and sub - metered to all individual mobile home units. RATES: MinimumCharge...................................................................................$5.00 Energy Charge is by Tier of kWh usage: $/kWh Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 (Baseline) (101-130% of 131-200% of (201-300% of (Over 300% of (Baseline) baseline) baseline) baseline baseline $0.1420 $0.1450 $0.2235 $0.3180 $0.3300 Summer (May through October) Energy Tiers Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 (Baseline) (101-130% of 131-200% of (201-300% of (Over 300% of baseline) baseline) baseline baseline Beginning Tier 0 482 626 963 >1,443 kWh/month Ending Tier 481 625 962 1,443 kWh/month Winter (November through April) Energy Tiers Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 (Baseline) (101-130% of 131-200% of (201-300% of (Over 300% of baseline) baseline) baseline baseline Beginning Tier 0 392 509 783 >1,173 kWh/month Ending Tier 391 508 782 1,173 kWh/month Per number of occupied mobile home park units wired for service ................. $ 11.38 Canceling Ordinance No. 1772 EM -1/3 Effective July 1, 2007 Ordinance No. SCHEDULE EM MOBILE HOME PARK SERVICE MARKET COST ADJUSTMENT (MCA): A market cost adjustment may be included in each bill for service. The adjustment shall be the product of the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) for which the bill is rendered times the adjustment amount per kWh. The adjustment amount per kWh will reflect amounts charged the City of Lodi by various suppliers of bulk power not covered in the above rates. BILLING CYCLE CHARGE (MONTHLY BILL): The Billing Cycle Charge is the higher of the Minimum Charge or the sum of the Customer Charge, Energy Charge, Discount and MCA. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: (a) This rate is available only for mobile home park master metering in service prior to March 31, 1989. (b) It is the responsibility of the master -metered customer to notify the City Finance Department within 15 days following any change in the number of occupied mobile home park units wired for service. (c) Miscellaneous electric loads such as general lighting, laundry rooms, general maintenance, and other similar use incidental to the operation of the premises as a multi -family accommodation will be considered domestic use. (d) To qualify for Single Household Alternative Rate for Energy (SHARE) the sub -metered tenants of the master -metered City of Lodi Customer will submit an application, including the tenant's unit number, to the City of Lodi Finance Department. The City of Lodi Finance Department will notify the master -metered Customer of the tenant's certification. (e) Certification will be required to determine income eligibility for the SHARE program. Sub - metered tenants of the master metered City of Lodi Customer must sign a statement upon application indicating that the City of Lodi may verify the sub -metered tenant's eligibility at any time. The master -metered Customer, not the City of Lodi, is responsible for extending the SHARE program to tenants certified to receive them. If verification establishes that the SHARE tenant is ineligible, the tenant will be removed from the master -metered Customer's qualified tenants and the City of Lodi may render corrective billings. (f) An additional medical discount is available as described in Schedule MR, Residential Medical Rider. Canceling Ordinance No. 1772 Effective July 1, 2007 Ordinance No. EM -2/3 SCHEDULE EM MOBILE HOME PARK SERVICE (g) The master -metered Customer shall not bill any sub -metered tenant more than that tenant would be billed if that tenant were an individual customer of the City of Lodi. For a qualifying SHARE tenant, the master -metered Customer shall bill the qualifying tenant at the applicable rates equivalent to Schedule ED, Residential SHARE Program Service. A non -qualifying tenant shall be billed at the applicable rates equivalent to Schedule EA, Residential Service. (h) The master-meter/sub-meter rate discount provided herein prohibits further recovery by mobile home park owners for the costs of owning, operating and maintaining their electric sub - metered system. FIXED INCOME DISCOUNT: For those customers who are on fixed incomes below $45,000 annually and who are over 62 years of age, and do not qualify for any other discount, a discount of 5% shall apply to the electric bill. Procedures as to qualification will be established by the Electric Utility Department. Canceling Ordinance No. 1772 EM -3/3 Effective July 1, 2007 Ordinance No. i CITY OF LODI ELECTRIC UTILITY DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE EM MOBILE HOME PARK SERVICE APPLICABILITY: This schedule is applicable to service supplied to mobile home parks through one meter and sub - metered to all individual mobile home units. RATES: CustomerCharge............................................................................................. $ 4.87 Energy Charge: Summer (May 1 through October 31) First 440 kWh, per kWh................................................................................. .10197 Over 440 kWh, per kWh................................................................................ .14025 Winter (November 1 through April 30) First 400 kWh, per kWh................................................................................. .10197 Over 400 kWh, per kWh................................................................................ .14025 MINIMUM CHARGE: All kWh, per kWh............................................................................................ .05000 Per number of occupied mobile home park units wired for service ................. $ 8.13 MARKET COST ADJUSTMENT (MCA): A market cost adjustment may be included in each bill for service. The adjustment shall be the product of the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) for which the bill is rendered times the adjustment amount per kWh. The adjustment amount per kWh will reflect amounts charged the City of Lodi by various suppliers of bulk power not covered in the above rates. Canceling Ordinance No. 1693 EM -1/2 Effective June 1, 2006 Ordinance No. 1772 SCHEDULE EM MOBILE HOME PARK SERVICE BILLING CYCLE CHARGE (MONTHLY BILL): The Billing Cycle Charge is the higher of the Minimum Charge or the sum of the Customer Charge, Energy Charge, Discount and MCA. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: (a) This rate is available only for mobile home park master metering in service prior to March 31, 1989. (b) It is the responsibility of the master -metered customer to notify the City Finance Department within 15 days following any change in the number of occupied mobile home park units wired for service. (c) Miscellaneous electric loads such as general lighting, laundry rooms, general maintenance, and other similar use incidental to the operation of the premises as a multi -family accommodation will be considered domestic use. (d) To qualify for Single Household Alternative Rate for Energy (SHARE) the sub -metered tenants of the master -metered City of Lodi Customer will submit an application, including the tenant's unit number, to the City of Lodi Finance Department. The City of Lodi Finance Department will notify the master -metered Customer of the tenant's certification. (e) Certification will be required to determine income eligibility for the SHARE program. Sub - metered tenants of the master metered City of Lodi Customer must sign a statement upon application indicating that the City of Lodi may verify the sub -metered tenant's eligibility at any time. The master -metered Customer, not the City of Lodi, is responsible for extending the SHARE program to tenants certified to receive them. If verification establishes that the SHARE tenant is ineligible, the tenant will be removed from the master -metered Customer's qualified tenants and the City of Lodi may render corrective billings. (f) The master -metered Customer shall not bill any sub -metered tenant more than that tenant would be billed if that tenant were an individual customer of the City of Lodi. For a qualifying SHARE tenant, the master -metered Customer shall bill the qualifying tenant at the applicable rates equivalent to Schedule ED, Residential SHARE Program Service. A non -qualifying tenant shall be billed at the applicable rates equivalent to Schedule EA, Residential Service. Canceling Ordinance No. 1693 EM -2/2 Effective June 1, 2006 Ordinance No. 1772 y Ov CITY OF LODI ELECTRIC UTILITY DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE EA RESIDENTIAL SERVICE APPLICABILITY: This schedule is applicable to single-phase domestic power service in single-family and multi -family dwellings separately metered by the City including those on discontinued all electric rate schedule, EE. RATES: MinimumCharge...................................................................................$5.00 Enerav Charae is by Tier of kWh usaae: Summer (Mav through October) Enerav Tiers Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 (Baseline) (101-130% of 131-200% of (201-300% of (Over 300% of baseline) baseline) baseline baseline $/kWh $0.1420 $0.1450 $0.2235 $0.3180 $0.3300 Summer (Mav through October) Enerav Tiers Winter (November through April) Enerav Tiers Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 (Baseline) (101-130% of 131-200% of (201-300% of (Over 300% of baseline) baseline) baseline baseline Beginning Tier 0 482 626 963 >1,443 kWh/month Ending Tier 481 625 962 1,443 kWh/month Winter (November through April) Enerav Tiers MARKET COST ADJUSTMENT (MCA): A Market cost adjustment may be included in each bill for service. The adjustment shall be the product of the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) for which the bill is rendered times the adjustment amount per kWh. The adjustment amount per kWh will be calculated to reflect amounts charged the City by various suppliers of bulk power not covered in the above rates. Canceling Ordinance No. 1718 Effective June 1, 2006 EA -1/2 Ordinance No. 1772 Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 (Baseline) (101-130% of 131-200% of (201-300% of (Over 300% of baseline) baseline) baseline baseline Beginning Tier 0 392 509 783 >1,173 kWh/month Ending Tier 391 508 782 1,173 kWh/month MARKET COST ADJUSTMENT (MCA): A Market cost adjustment may be included in each bill for service. The adjustment shall be the product of the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) for which the bill is rendered times the adjustment amount per kWh. The adjustment amount per kWh will be calculated to reflect amounts charged the City by various suppliers of bulk power not covered in the above rates. Canceling Ordinance No. 1718 Effective June 1, 2006 EA -1/2 Ordinance No. 1772 SCHEDULE EA RESIDENTIAL SERVICE BILLING CYCLE CHARGE (MONTHLY BILL): The billing cycle charge is the higher of the sum of the Minimum Charge and the MCA or the sum of the Energy Charge and the MCA. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: (a) When a business or commercial establishment is conducted in conjunction with a residence and both are measured through one meter, this rate does not apply. (b) This rate does not apply to service used for common area and facilities in multi -family dwellings. (c) An additional first block medical quantity is available as described in Schedule MR, Residential Medical Rider. FIXED INCOME DISCOUNT: For those customers who are on fixed incomes below $45,000 annually and who are over 62 years of age, and do not qualify for any other discount, a discount of 5% shall apply to the electric bill. Procedures as to qualification will be established by the Electric Utility Department. Canceling Ordinance No. 1718 Effective June 1, 2006 EA -2/2 Ordinance No. 1772 Electric Utility Department Mobile Home Park Electric Rates City Council Shirtsleeve Session April 17, 2007 Background • EUD provides Mobile Home Park service under its EM rate tariff • Six parks receive "grandfathered" service due to operation before March 31, 1989 • EUD provides service to master meter • Park owner "submeters" and provides bills to park tenants • Tenants qualify for all normal rate discounts • EM rate substantially below regular EA residential rate (-5 0/kwh or 32%) 2 Park Description Name Pads Location Almond Drive 87 471 E. Almond Shady Acres 44 621 E. Lockeford Casa De Lodi 240 812 E. Turner Palms 52 845 S. Cherokee Cherokee 42 1651 S. Cherokee Lake 34 1390 W. Lockeford Note: 499 pads in total 3 EM Rate History EM Consistent with EA residential rate until 2001 In August 2001, an MCA (Market Cost Adjustment) was implemented for EA rate but not the EM rate (1.75 to 5.75 0/kwh) In December 2002, an approximate 5% increase was given to EA rate for CAISO costs. EM received no increase. • In December 2005, an MCA of 0.71 0/kwh was set for EM rate. EA received an MCA of 1.75 to 20 0/kwh. 4 Rates to Mobile Home Tenants • EM rate tariff provides that tenants receive all applicable discounts • If no discounts apply, EM tariff says tenants pay regular EA residential rate —This was correct prior to divergence of EM and EA rates in 2001 —Should provide that tenants pay the mobile home rate less pad discounts to owners 6i EM Language The master -metered Customer shall not bill any sub -metered tenant more than that tenant would be billed if that tenant were an individual customer of the City of Lodi. For a qualifying SHARE tenant, the master -metered Customer shall bill the qualifying tenant at the applicable rates equivalent to Schedule ED, Residential SHARE Program Service. Anon-qualifying tenant shall be billed at the applicable rates equivalent to Schedule EA, Residential Service. C.1 t� �P 9��FOR�EM Rate Application • Four (4) parks using same outside billing agent charged full EA rate to tenants • Remaining two (2) parks charge the EM rate to tenants • For 15 month period of Jan 06 through Mar 07, the four parks charging EA rate received ~$206K over EM rate (about $32/mo for 423 homes). 7 "Pad" Discounts • EM rate tariff provides a discount (" pad discount") to compensate park owner for cost of park electric distribution • Currently, discount equals $8.13 per occupied pad per month • EUD proposing to increase discount to $11.38 per pad per month (consistent with PG&E rate) E:1 EM vs EA Rate Comparison Tariff Average Rate EA 15.7 0/kwh EM 10.7 0/kwh Difference 5.0 0/kwh Note: Calendar Year 2006 data t� �P EM Recommendation 9��FOR� It is recommended that the EM rate be modified to reflect the tier size and prices of the EA rate tariff (47% average increase) Existing 2 -tiered EM energy charges of 10.197 to 14.025 Olkwh would change to five -tiered charges ranging from 14.2 to 33.0 0/kwh Pad discount increased from 8.13 to 11.38 0/kwh per month 10 Summary • Staff recommends EM rate be modified to be consistent with EA rate • Staff also recommends "pad discount" for park owner be updated • Inconsistent application of rates to mobile park tenants found • Proposed May 2, 2007 public hearing on possible EM rate changes 11