HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 15, 2012 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, MAY 15,2012
A. Roll Call bv Citv Clerk
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Hansen, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Katzakian, and
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi
Absent: Mayor Mounce
Also Present: City Manager Bartlam, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl
B. Topic(s)
B-1 Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2011/12 Water, Wastewater, and Electric Utility Department
Financial Reports (CM)
City Manager Bartlam provided a brief introduction to the subject matter of the third quarter utility
financial reports update and the presentation regarding the Fiscal Year 2012/13 budget.
Deputy Public Works Director Larry Parlin provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
water and wastewater quarterly update. Specific topics of discussion included the water and
wastewater cash flow summary, operating results, cash balances, bad debt write off, and
operational and regulatory accomplishments.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers stated the work for
others column includes the work for the Electric Utility Department for the Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition System that gets charged out at the end of the year.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Parlin stated the new permit will be good for five
years and will renew for five-year periods thereafter.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Ayers provided a brief overview of the history
of the wastewater budget and discussed the rate structure, reserves, and rate stabilization.
Electric Utility Director Elizabeth Kirkley provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the electric
utility and specific topics of discussion included the electric fund cash flow summary, operating
results, cash balances, power supply costs, power sales, Energy Cost Adjustment revenue, billing
statistics, bad debt write off, general operating reserve at Northern California Power Agency
(NCPA), open position, and utility accomplishments.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Ayers confirmed that the 10% debt service,
which has been consistent for the past few years, is related to past capital improvement projects
and contract restructuring.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Kirkley stated the public benefits fund has been
building up because there is a decrease in participation, staff is looking at doing a larger project
to benefit all ratepayers, and the current number includes carry over from previous years.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Bartlam stated public benefit funds could be
used on a citywide street lighting project to replace the current lighting with higher efficiency
Continued May 15, 2012
lighting.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Bartlam stated the entire City does have lights
with the exception of a neighborhood near Cabrillo Circle and they do not wish to have lights.
In response to Council Member Katzakian, Mr. Ayers provided an overview of the general
operating reserve balance held at NCPA and its connection to the rating agencies and rate
stabilization.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Ayers confirmed that privately -owned utilities
have similar rate structures as public -owned utilities have.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Bartlarn stated the City is transferring money to
NCPA from our public benefits fund instead of operations for power supply costs that are eligible
for public benefit.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Ms. Kirkley stated the recommendation for open position
is based on what the market is doing and could go as high as 10%.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Ms. Kirkley stated the City has not received complaints
regarding meter reading as other communities have because the City does not utilize the Smart
meter technology.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Ms. Kirkley stated staff has assessed its ability to protect
against copper theft and is in the process of installing different material as a result to protect the
City from copper theft at its facilities.
In response to Council Member Katzakian, Ms. Kirkley stated she does not anticipate costs going
down significantly over the next few years based on market conditions and the biggest concern
appears to be with the installation of solar systems.
In response to Council Member Katzakian, Mr. Bartlam stated the trend of the energy cost
adjustment going down will likely continue.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, Mr. Bartlam stated natural gas prices may result in
lower electric costs going into the future although in the present the utility continues to pay for the
past purchases.
B-2 Receive Presentation Reciarding Fiscal Year 2012/13 Budget (CM)
Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Fiscal Year
2012/13 budget. Specific topics of discussion included an overview of the utility funds, revenues,
expenses, capital projects, and reserve amounts related to the electric, water, and wastewater
funds.
In response to Council Members Hansen and Katzakian, Matt Foskett provided an overview
of the timing and process associated with the sale of the renewable energy credits.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Bartlarn stated the 230kV study done by PG&E is
being taken off the books in its entirety.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the $17 million is distributed roughly by
keeping $5 million locally and $12 million at Northern California Power Agency.
N
Continued May 15, 2012
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the treatment plant is expected to be
operational by the fall and a few of the seven total positions have already been hired or are in the
process.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers confirmed that the biosolids facility is
operational and provided an overview of the $8.6 million decrease due to previous projects that
have been completed and are not budgeted for in the future.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Bartlam stated the remaining funds from the former
bond sale were used for the biosolids project and the recommendation will be to use the small
surplus to retire the remainder of the debt.
Discussion ensued amongst Council Member Hansen, Mr. Bartlam, and Mr. Ayers regarding
the wastewater reserve as it relates to the rate model, future projects, permit requirements, and
rate stabilization.
In response to Council Member Katzakian, Mr. Bartlam stated the storm drain permitting issue
is still pending and falls under the wastewater utility as well.
Council Member Johnson requested information regarding the City's current ratings by the
various rating agencies.
In response to Ed Miller, Mr. Ayers stated the purpose of the treated wastewater that goes to the
new Lodi Energy Center is to generate the steam to create the power.
In response to Myrna Wetzel, Deputy Public Works Director Charlie Swimley stated the sediment
catchers work as filters to ensure sediment does not enter into the storm drain system and they
are required until the project is finished.
C. Comments bv Public on Non-Aaenda Items
None.
D. Admournment
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.
ATTEST:
RandiJohl
City Clerk
AGENDAITEM
A% CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TM
AGENDA TITLE: Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2011/12 Water, Wastewater and Electric Utility
Department Financial Reports
MEETING DATE: May 15,2012
PREPARED BY: Deputy City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive utility financial reports for the third quarter of
Fiscal Year 2011/12 ending March 31, 2012.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In accordance with the Lodi Municipal Code, quarterly
financial reports are to be prepared for the Water,
Wastewater, and Electric Utilities. Highlights of the
operations and financial performance of each utility will be presented at the meeting of May 15,
2012.
FISCAL IMPACT: None directly related to the preparation of the report. However, the
presentation is intended to keep the Council apprised of the financial
conditions of the major municipal utilities.
A
Jordan Ayers
Deputy City Manager
APPROVED:
�Wen-radt B—a�—Iam, City Manager