HomeMy WebLinkAbout8124RESOLUTION NO 8124
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS TO
CONTINUE THE SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF THE REDLANDS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CUSTOMER
PAYMENTS FOR CITY UTILITY SERVICES
WHEREAS, on March 17 2020 the City Council of the City of Redlands ratified and
confirmed the Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency as issued by the City's
Director of Emergency Services; and
WHEREAS, during mid-March 2020, the Governor of the State of California issued
Executive Orders to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 virus that direct bars, wineries,
restaurants, and nightclubs to either close for an indefinite period of time and/or significantly
reduce occupancy of patrons amid the coronavirus pandemic, and has also discouraged large
gatherings; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the directives issued in connection with the COVID-19 virus,
those who work in the hospitality service and other industries, including other hourly 'gig'
employees, could face significant financial hardships; and
WHEREAS, a slow economic reopening was occurring during the last weeks of June and
early July 2020 after over three (3) months of mandated limitations to business operations in the
face of the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 in July, the Governor of the State of
California again issued orders to partially reverse those reopening measures for counties including
San Bernardino, and
WHEREAS, similar actions have been taken by public agencies throughout the country to
protect utility customers from adverse actions based upon nonpayment of their utility service
accounts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 17 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 8066 to first
address the need for suspension of certain provisions to the municipal code as it relates to customer
service utility payments and billings in furtherance of customer protection; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of Resolution No. 8066 are set to lapse on July 28th, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Redlands recognizes that its utility services
customers may experience financial difficulty as a result of the continued effects caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic as a result of illness; quarantines; `social -distancing; disruptions to, and/or
loss of employment; or because their income has been, or will be, otherwise unexpectedly affected;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Redlands as
follows:
Section 1 During the time period commencing on the effective date of this resolution
through and including September 30, 2020, and as this time period may be extended by written
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action of the Director of Emergency Services/City Manager pursuant to Section 2, below City
staff shall process City utility service customer billings as follows:
A. The imposition of late charges and penalties shall be suspended and shall not accrue
to a customer's account.
B. Disconnections of City utility services for the reason of nonpayment of City utility
service accounts shall be suspended.
C. The City Manager, or his designee, may waive the requirement for a prepayment
deposit in circumstances of extreme financial hardship based upon the financial hardship criteria
established for the processing of administrative citations as set forth in Chapter 1.22 of the
Redlands Municipal Code and the City Council resolutions implementing that Chapter relating to
financial hardship.
D The City Manager shall have the authority to modify the billing process (e.g. the
dates upon which utility billings are sent to customers and the time at which utility meters are read
by City staff) for any or all utility service accounts dependent on the availability of City staff
resources and other COVID-19 emergency -related factors.
Section 2. Suspension of the above provisions shall continue through September 30th,
2020, unless otherwise deemed appropriate for extension by written action of the Director of
Emergency Services/City Manager for a period thereafter not to exceed ninety (90) days. Any such
written action shall be immediately communicated in writing to the City Council.
ADOPTED SIGNED AND APPROVED this 21st day of July 2020.
ATTEST
7 « P_
Donaldson, City Clerk
CYaila
l W Foster, Mayor
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I, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 21st
day of July 2020, by the following vote:
AYES. Councilmembers Tejeda, Momberger, Davis; Mayor Foster
NOES None
ABSTAIN None
ABSENT Councilmember Barich
ea�rfe Donaldson, City Clerk
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CVtesolutions\Res 8100-8199\8124 Conti mance of Utility Municipal Services Customer Reliefdocx