05-11-2020 BPU RPT 07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A T E R E N E R G Y L I F E RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES • ' Board Memorandum P U B L I C U T I L I T I E S BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: MAY 11, 2020 ITEM NO: 7 SUBJECT: CONDUCT OF BOARDMEMBERS WHEN APPEARING OR ATTENDING NON - BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES MEETINGS; TELEPHONIC PUBLIC COMMMENT AT BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES MEETINGS ISSUES: Amend the Standing Rules of the Board of Public Utilities as to the conduct of Boardmembers who appear or attend non -Board of Public Utilities meeting, as set forth in this report and consider allowing public comments by telephone at the beginning of Board of Public Utilities "virtual" board meetings, with individual comments extended to five minutes or less. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities: Amend the Standing Rules of the Board of Public Utilities to provide rules of conduct for Boardmembers who appear at or attend non -Board of Public Utilities meetings, as set forth in this report; and 2. Approve allowing public comments by telephone at the beginning of Board of Public Utilities "virtual" board meetings, with individual comments extended to five minutes or less, while Governor Newsome's Executive Order N-29-20 or other similar order is in effect. BACKGROUND: The Standing Rules are silent as to the conduct of Boardmembers at non -Board of Public Utilities meetings. The Standing Rules, Rule 53 only provides that "The Chair or a Board designee may represent the Board on an issue before the City Council." After discussion at the April 27, 2020, the Board directed staff to provide a revision to the Standing Rules regarding such conduct. Based upon the comments provided at the April 2711 Board meeting, staff recommends that the Board consider the following new section, which is modeled after the City Council's Rules of Procedures and Order of Business: 12. ADVOCACY A. Board members shall represent the official policies or positions of the Board of Public Utilities when designated as delegates for this purpose. B. When representing their individual opinions and positions, Board members shall explicitly state they do not represent the Riverside Board of Public Utilities, nor will they allow the inference that they do.