HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - No. 2005-192WHEREAS, the Lodi Customer Assistance & Relief Energy (CARE) Package Program
is designed to provide financial assistance to Lodi families who are below the current federal
income guidelines in the payment of their City of Lodi utility bill; and
WHEREAS, City of Lodi staff, representatives of Central Valley Waste, and Lodi
Salvation Army staff are recommending a continuation of the program for the next 12 months,
commencing September 1, 2005. For year two of the program, staff is proposing the following:
> customers are eligible for a maximum grant of $150 every six months (an increase of $25
from the first year of this program);
a family in heed will be interviewed by staff of the Lodi Salvation Army and must meet the
eligibility requirements (see attached Exhibit "A" — Eligibility Requirements);
> if approved by staff from the Lodi Salvation Army at its Lockeford Street office, the Lodi
Salvation Army will then notify the City of Lodi Finance Department of eligible customer
name and the amount of the relief payment; City of Lodi Finance staff will input
appropriate payment data into the customer's account;
> the Salvation Army will once again notify the City of Lodi Electric Utility Department of
approved customers; these customers will then be contacted for a free, in-home energy
audit (staff will also deliver important customer information regarding water conservation
and services available through Central Valley Waste); and
> a new set of income guidelines have been developed for year two of this program, which
the Salvation Army will utilize as a part of the customer eligibility screening process (see
attached Exhibit T"). Nate: Each income level has increased by $1,000-00, in
consultation with Salvation Army staff, the increase will allow additional families to
participate in this program (Salvation Army staff had to reject a significant number of
applications, because the income levels were too low; the Salvation Army representatives
feel the modest income level increase will assist more families),
WHEREAS, several entities are partnering to ensure success of this program. Below is
a listing of those agencies/departments and the financial resources committed by each to fund
this effort:
Central Valley Waste, $15,000 (this contribution will fund the refuse relief payment
component);
City of Lodi Electric Utility, $60,000 (this contribution will fund the program
administration, customer outreach and material duplicating costs, as well as the electric
utility relief payment component);
City of Lodi Public Works, $30,,000 (this contribution will fund the water and wastewater
relief payment components);
- City of Lodi Finance Department (-staff time);
- Lodi Salvation Army.
WHEREAS, staff recommends approval of a contract with the Salvation Army to
administer the program and provide the necessary customer screening services at its offices
located on Lockeford Street in Lodi, with the Electric Utility staff serving as the City's point of
contact for the program, frequently meeting with Salvation Army staff on document filing,
customer follow-up, management of the budget, etc.; and
WHEREAS, Electric Utility, Finance, and Public Works staff, in conjunction with Central
Valley Waste Services and the Lodi Salvation Army, recommend approva) of these funds, as
well as execution of the contract, to it the Lodi CARE Package Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby
authorize the City Manager to allocate various funds for the Lodi CARE Package Program in
the amount of $90,000 as follows:
180609 — Water Fund (Public Works) $15,000
170609 — Wastewater Fund (,Public Works) $15,000
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized and directed to
execute a contract with the Salvation Army to assist in coordinating this program.
Dated: September 7, 2005
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2005-192 was passed and adopted hy the Lodi City
Council in a regular meeting held September 7, 2005, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hansen, Hitchcock, Johnson, i7ounce, and
Mayor Beckman
SUSAN J. BLACKSTON
City Clerk
Lodi C.A.R,E. Package
RMIR
Eli qmgy_Re uirerrents:
must meet income guidelines as established in Exhibit T;"
customer has not received assistance through the Lodi CARE Package Program in
the past six (6) months;
customer must present (in person) appropriate documentation of the following in
order to qualify for a relief payment -
current City of Lodi utility statement;
ID/Social Security Cards for ALL members of the household, and driver's
license or California ID card of the person listed on the utility account;
proof of current income (i.e,: pay stub, grant letter, etc,)® handwritten notes
are not acceptable;
copy of rental agreement;
proof of unexpected expenses (within the last sixty days), resulting in the
inability to or hardship in paying City of Lodi utility account;
City of Lodi receipt for customer's co -payment, if applicable/necessary;
> customer must consent to a free, in-home energy audit, once their relief payment
has been approved; and
contact the Lodi Salvation Army to determine eligibility; the number is 369-5896.
Lodi C.A.R,E. Package
MUM
Benefit Levels,
A $150.00 per eligible customer service address/account; and
> one relief payment in a six-month period; no more than two (2) relief payments in
12 months,
> 1-2 persons in household $17,000 (maximum)
> 3 persons in household $21,000 ( " " )
> 4 persons in household $26,500 ( " " )
> 5 persons in household $32,000 ( " " )
> 6 persons or more in household $37,500 ( " ` )