06-01-12 BPU RPT 07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A.; E R E is E R G Y _ — RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: June 1, 2012 ITEM NO: 7 SUBJECT: AMENDMENT OF BOARD STANDING RULES TO ADDRESS CONDUCT OF MEETINGS ISSUE: That the Board of Public Utilities consider amending the Standing Rules of the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Riverside to address the conduct of meetings. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities approve an amendment to the Standing Rules of the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Riverside to address the conduct of meetings. BACKGROUND: On November 2, 2004, the electors of the City of Riverside approved Measure MM amending the City Charter to expand the powers and duties of the Board of Public Utilities. Measure MM empowers the Board, not the City Council, to authorize and award contracts for goods, services, construction, and supplies for the Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) Department, within the limits of the RPU Department budget. The Board also has additional authority under the Water and Electric Utility Rules and Rates to hear customer appeals of certain determinations or decisions by the RPU General Manager. Such decisions include appeals of disputed bills (Water and Electric Rules 21, "Disputed Bill Appeal Process,") and appeals of the RPU General Manager interpretation and application of the Water and Electric Utility Rules and Rates (Water and Electric Rules, "General Provisions"). The Board also conducts public hearings for amendments to its Rules and Rates, and also for the adoption of certain legally-mandated reports, such as the Water Utility's Urban Water Management Plan. The Standing Rules are currently silent as to how the Board exercises these authorities and conducts its meetings, for general items of business, public hearings, and customer appeals. The proposed amendments to the Standing Rules are based upon the City Council's Rules of Procedure and Order and are meant to be a guide to the Board and customers as to how the Board conducts its meetings. The following highlights the proposed changes: Order of Discussion This amendment would formalize the current order of discussion after introduction of a discussion item as follows: 1. General items Staff presentation Public comments RPU Boardmembers, including questions, discussion, motion and action