HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 29, 2020 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020
The Special City Council meeting of April 29, 2020, was called to order by Mayor Kuehne
at 7:04 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, all Council Members
participated in the meeting via teleconference and the meeting was available for viewing by the
public via livestream at www.facebook.com/cityoflodi; the opportunity for public comment was
available through councilcomments@lodi.gov.
Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi,
and Mayor Kuehne
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and Assistant City Clerk Farris
Electric Utility Director Jeff Berkheimer provided a presentation regarding rate relief to Lodi
Electric Utility (LEU) customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific topics of discussion
included provision of bill credits to all LEU customers relative to rate classes and two funds to be
utilized to finance credits - Public Benefits and Greenhouse Gas Free Allowance.
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi stated that he likes the proposal as it is fair to all customers, both
residential and commercial, and it is a one-time credit.
Mr. Berkheimer commented that the City will not be spending down the reserves beyond what is
fiscally responsible.
Council Member Chandler stated that he is in favor of the proposal.
In response to Council Member Chandler, Mr. Berkheimer stated that he had reached out to
Northern California Power Agency staff and member agencies to find out what other communities
are doing, and shared several examples - Healdsburg is funding low-income customers for April,
May, and June; Redding provided a $50 bill credit for all accounts and is in the process of
approving a $250 bill credit for all accounts; Roseville provided a one-time residential relief credit;
Silicon Valley Power provided a $30 residential credit and 25% bill discount for residential
customers impacted by the COVID -19 event; and Shasta Lake has previously provided bill
credits through the Cap and Trade Program in 2018 and 2019.
In response to Council Member Mounce, Mr. Berkheimer stated the City is not cutting anything to
provide funding for the credits; some programs may be delayed by six months or a year but no
proposals will be given up.
A.Call to Order / Roll Call
B.Regular Calendar
B-1 Adopt Resolution Approving the Revised Lodi Electric Utility Greenhouse Gas Free
Allowance Proceeds Spending Plan; Authorizing One-Time Bill Credits to Lodi Electric
Utility Customer Accounts; and Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Complete All
Necessary Accounting Adjustments and/or Transfers (EU)
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In response to Mayor Kuehne, Rates & Resource Manager Melissa Price stated that there are
approximately 23,000 residential customers, 3,000 small and medium commercial customers,
and fewer than 50 industrial customers, for a total of approximately 26,000 active accounts
receiving a credit.
In response to Mayor Kuehne, Mr. Berkheimer stated that low-income and elderly customers are
included in the residential bill credit, and staff will evaluate fund balances to see if there is an
ability to provide further relief to low-income and elderly customers as Phase 2. Ms. Price further
responded that low-income customers are continuing to receive a 30% discount on their bills.
Mayor Kuehne stated that he is more concerned about the low-income and elderly customers,
should the City consider a second credit.
In response to Council Member Chandler's question regarding communication to customers,
Deputy City Manager Keys stated customers' bills will have the credit prominently displayed with
a brief explanation, and notification will also go out on the City's and LEU's Facebook pages.
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi suggested giving the credit in June when the weather is hotter and
utility bills will be higher. Mr. Berkheimer responded that staff is trying to impact the most people
in need, and hopefully by June the stay-at-home order will be over and people will be back to
work. Ms. Price further responded that to pick up the higher utility bills, the credit would need to
be pushed out past June, and the credit would not be providing immediate relief.
Council Member Mounce stated that she feels the City needs to make sure the public knows
about the credit and suggested putting up a billboard. She further stated that notification needs to
go out in English and Spanish to make sure that customers know about the low-income/senior
discounts that are available, as well as the Salvation Army program.
Mayor Kuehne concurred, stating the City did not score well on the last survey on imaging for
LEU, and the information included on the bill is limited, so he would encourage LEU to put up a
billboard to announce the credit.
Council Member Chandler agreed, stating this is an opportunity for the City to talk about what it is
doing for citizens, and suggested the LEU Director talk with media outlets.
Ms. Price responded that an advertising contract is currently in process which could be utilized to
promote these activities.
Council Member Mounce made a motion, second by Council Member Chandler, to adopt
Resolution No. 2020-82 approving the revised Lodi Electric Utility Greenhouse Gas Free
Allowance Proceeds Spending Plan; authorizing one-time bill credits to Lodi Electric Utility
customer accounts; and authorizing the City Manager or designee to complete all necessary
accounting adjustments and/or transfers.
VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi,
and Mayor Kuehne
Noes: None
Absent: None
ROLL CALL VOTE
The City Council held a ROLL CALL vote (all voiced their votes).
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There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 7:23 p.m.
C.Adjournment
ATTEST:
Pamela M. Farris
Assistant City Clerk
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