HomeMy WebLinkAbout8152RESOLUTION NO 8152
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS
ADOPTING A MUNICIPAL SERVICES COVID-19 UTILITY BILL REPAYMENT
PLAN POLICY
Whereas, Executive Ordei N-42-20 was signed by the Governor and ordered on April 2,
2020, and
Whereas, Executive Order N-42-20 suspends the authority of urban and community water
systems to discontinue residential service and further prohibits water systems from discontinuing
service to large swaths of business customers, and
Whereas, Executive Order N-42-20 does not eliminate the obligation of water customers
to pay for water service, does not prevent the water system from charging for such service and
does not reduce the amount a customer already may owe to a water system, and
Whereas, in order to serve the customers and the community responsibly, the disconnection
of water service for nonpayment and the imposition of late fees will resume after the rescission of
Executive Order N-42-20 for all delinquent balances accrued thereafter, and
Whereas, the City recognizes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on its
customers and is committed to providing alternative payment arrangements,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
REDLANDS AS FOLLOWS
Section 1 Policy The City of Redlands' Municipal Services COVID-19 Utility Bill
Repayment Plan Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit "A," is hereby adopted
Section 2 CEQA Exemption The City Council hereby finds and determines that the
adoption of this Resolution is exempt from review and under the California Environmental Quality
Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8)(l) and CEQA Guidelines
Section 15273 because this Policy relates to water service operations currently in place
Section 3 Effective Date This Resolution and the policy established by this
Resolution shall take effect immediately
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 17th day of November, 2020
ATTEST
rine Donaldson, City Clerk
a5
Paul W Foster, Mayor
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Agmair
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 17th
day of November, 2020
AYES Councilmembers Banch, Teieda, Molnberger, Davis, Mayor Foster
NOES None
ABSENT None
ABSTAINED None
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Donaldson, City Clerk
EXHIBIT "A"
Municipal Services COVID-19 Utility Bill Repayment Plan Policy
Background
At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, our community has experienced an unprecedented
situation. In an effort to ease the burden to the City's customers during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the City ceased the imposition of late fees and the disconnection of utility services for non-payment
on March 17 2020.
On April 2, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-42 20, restricting the City's
authority to disconnect water service for non-payment. To serve our customers and the community
responsibly the disconnection of water service for nonpayment and the imposition of late fees on
new account balances will resume beginning on or after the day Executive Order N-42 20 is
rescinded.
Purpose and Intent
The purpose and intent of this utility billing payment plan policy is to assist customers
experiencing financial hardship with flexible payment options and protections from water service
disconnections after the Executive Order N-42 20 is rescinded.
Eligibility
A utility service customer experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, with
delinquent balances that have or will accrue as of the day that Executive Order N-42 20 is
rescinded, but not after.
Payment Terms
If a customer has a delinquent account balance, this policy shall allow for a payment plan to be
established for the delinquent portion of the customer's bill. Current charges accruing to the
customer's account as of the day Executive Order N-42 20 is rescinded shall be due in full each
billing cycle and must not fall into delinquency
• Delinquent amount due is below $3,000
15% of the balance due to be paid immediately
The 85% remaining balance is to be paid in the immediate 12 months (i.e. the next
six billing bi-monthly periods) following the establishment of the Payment Plan,
and in equal bi-monthly installments along with the customer s current bi-monthly
bill, and payment made by the customer's current due date
• If amount due is greater than $3,000, a payment plan may be granted, according to the same
payment terms above, but for a longer repayment period in excess of 12 months at the
discretion of and approval by the City Manager.
After the rescinding of Executive Order N-42 20, no penalties shall be charged to existing
delinquent balances accrued prior to the establishrnent of the Payment Plan and no
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termination of service will occur while a Payment Plan is active and remains in good
standing, along with the customer's current account charges
• After the rescission of Executive Order N-42-20, failure to abide by the Payment Plan terms
and failure to pay current charges due on a customer's account will result in disconnection
of water service and other collection efforts, and all past due amounts will be due in full,
plus reconnection fees prior to reconnection of services unless a subsequent payment plan
is authonzed by the City Manager
Executive Order N-42-20
The full text of Executive Order N-42-20 can be found here
https //www gov ca gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4 2 20 -EO -N -42 -20 -text pdf
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