09-13-2021 BPU RPT 11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PARTICIPATION IN THE CALIFORNIA ARREARAGE PAYMENT PROGRAM AND THE CALIFORNIA WATER AND WASTEWATER ARREARAGE PAYMENT PROGRAM TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR UNPAID ELECTRIC, WATER, AND WASTEWATER SERVICES INCURRED DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC ISSUE: Consider recommending that the City Council adopt a Resolution to authorize the City to participate in California Arrearage Payment Program and the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program to request funding for customer accounts with past due electric, water, and wastewater service charges provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council: 1. Adopt a Resolution to authorize the City to participate in the California Arrearage Payment Program and the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program to request funding for past due customer accounts with electric, water, and wastewater service charges provided during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Allow the City to accept California Arrearage Payment Program and the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program funding on behalf of customers to be applied to their unpaid bills for services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all documentation needed to facilitate participation in the California Arrearage Payment Program and the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: In July 2021, the State Legislature passed nearly $2 Billion in funding to address statewide energy, water, and wastewater utility arrearages. On July 16, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 135, which created the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) to administer funding for electric utility customer arrearages. There is $993.5 million in the program, $694.9 million for Investor-Owned Utilities and Community Choice Aggregators and $298.5 million for publicly owned utilities and co-operative electric utilities.