HomeMy WebLinkAbout8383RESOLUTION NO. 8383
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS
AUTHORIZING THE CITY' S ENROLLEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN
THE CALIFORNIA LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
WHEREAS, on December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into
law and appropriated $638 million to the Low -Income Household Water Assistance Program
(LIHWAP). Additionally, on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act appropriated $500
million to LIHWAP; and
WHEREAS, $116 million in one-time funding has been allocated to California to provide
LIHWAP assistance; and
WHEREAS, LIHWAP is administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services and at the state level by the California Department of Community
Services and Development (CSD); and
WHEREAS, the funding source for LIHWAP is federal funds allocated to the state through
the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; and
WHEREAS, LIHWAP is a customer -based temporary federal program that will serve as
a complimentary program resource to the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment
Program by offering another form of potential assistance to low-income households continuing to
experience difficulty making payments for residential water and wastewater services; and
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2022, CSD adopted final program guidelines establishing the
process and criteria for the administration of funds appropriated for the program; and
WHEREAS, California's implementation of LIHWAP requires that benefits are issued to
eligible households whose community water system, wastewater treatment provider, or
wastewater billing entity (water systems) are enrolled in the program to receive LIHWAP
assistance benefits directly from CSD via its third -party funds disbursement partner, HORNE,
LLP; and
WHEREAS, the City operates an eligible water system consistent with the LIHWAP
Guidelines and must be enrolled in LIHWAP to ensure income eligible customers can participate
in the program; and
WHEREAS, to enroll in the program the City must, among other things, execute a Direct
Payment Agreement with CSD's third -party funds disbursement partner, HORNE, LLP; and
WHEREAS, eligible customers are residential customers with (1) a total household income
at or below 60 percent of the State Median Income or (2) a member of the household who is
currently a recipient of the Low -Income Household Energy Assistance Program, CalFresh, or
L:\ca\Reno\8383 Resolution L1lIWAP.docx
CalWORKS; and
WHEREAS, LIHWAP payments may be applied toward the water and/or wastewater
arrearage amounts, which include current charges, late fees, reconnection fees, taxes, and other
charges, accrued during any time period; and
WHEREAS, low-income customers can apply to their Local Service Providers (LSPs) to
receive a one-time benefit in the form of a credit of up to $2,000 on their water and/or
wastewater bill; and
WHEREAS, CSD via HORNE, LLP is responsible for the issuance of LIWHAP assistance
payments to all water and wastewater systems enrolled in the direct payment program; and
WHEREAS, once the City is provided payment, the City must apply the payment, as a
credit, to the customer's account within five business days and on the first billing statement after
the credit has been posted, must notify customers of the amount of LIHWAP payment received
and identify the payment was received from LIHWAP; and
WHEREAS, LSPs have begun accepting customer applications and will operate through
August 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, customers may only benefit from LIHWAP if the City is enrolled;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Redlands as
follows:
Section 1. The City Council approves and supports the enrollment and
participation in the California Low Income Household Water and Assistance Program and
approves the direct payment agreement with HORNE, LLP.
Section 2. The Management Services/Finance Director, or designee, is
authorized to sign and file any and all documents necessary to receive payments from the
California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) and its third- party funds
disbursement partner, HORNE, LLP, including the Direct Payment Agreement, for the purpose
of applying credits to specified low- income customer accounts.
Section 3. The Management Services/Finance Director, or designee, is
authorized to provide any and all assurances, certifications, and commitments required to enroll
in and receive monies from LIHWAP.
Section 4. The Management Services/Finance Director, or designee, is
authorized and directed to represent the City in carrying out its responsibilities for participation
in LIHWAP, including completing direct payment summaries as required by CSD and
compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
L:\ca\Reso\8383 Resolution LIEIWAP.docx
Section 4. The Management Services/Finance Director, or designee, is
authorized to accept and apply funds from LIHWAP in accordance with the guidelines adopted
by the CSD.
Section 5. This resolution shall be effective upon approval by the City
Council.
ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 23d day of August 2022.
C4 C-- --/—
Paul T. Barich, Mayor
ATTEST:
C -� �� � a—, I a �—'
e Donaldson, City Clerk
LAcalReso18383 Resolution LIHWAP.docx
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 special meeting thereof held on the 23' day
of August 2022.
AYES: Councilmembers Tejeda, Davis, Guzman -Lowery, Gallagher; Mayor Barich
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None n
iE!0e`Donaldson, City Clerk
L;\calReso18383 Resolution LDIWAP.docx