03-12-2018 BPU RPT 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: MARCH 12, 2018 ITEM NO: 6 SUBJECT: FORMATION OF AGRICULTURAL WATER RATES TASK FORCE ISSUE: Form an Agricultural Water Rates Task Force based on the City Council direction, and provide guidance to the Water Committee on the development of a work plan and participation rules for the Task Force. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities form an Agricultural Water Rates Task Force based on the City Council direction, and provide guidance to the Water Committee on the development of a work plan and participation rules for the Task Force. BACKGROUND: On November 28, 2017, the Riverside City Council approved in concept the establishment of an Agricultural Water Rates Task Force (Ag Task Force), subject to the Brown Act, for one year while freezing agricultural rates at current levels. The role of the Ag Task Force, composed of community members and stakeholders, will be to work with Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) staff to develop rate alternative recommendations for the Board that address WA -3 and WA -9 rate revisions. The City Council further directed the Board to provide quarterly updates on Ag Task Force activities and final rate recommendations to the City Council Utility Services/Land Use/Energy Development Committee by July 1, 2019. DISCUSSION: Composition of the Task Force At the November 28, 2017 joint meeting with the RPU Board, the City Council directed staff to work with the Board to create the Ad Hoc Agricultural Water Rates Task Force, subject to the Brown Act, to address WA -3 and WA -9 rate revisions, with quarterly updates to the City Council Utility Services / Land Use / Energy Development Committee. No direction had been given to staff on the size of the Task Force, and RPU Board member Andrew Walcker had been tasked with the selection of potential Task Force members. Mr. Walcker had developed a list of over 20 potential Task Force members, representative of various perspectives and interests on the matter, and reached out to all potential members to assess interest in serving on the Task Force. As of this report's publication, 13 16 individuals had expressed interest and willingness to serve. The list of all 24 potential members is attached, highlighting the 1-316 members willing and able to serve.