RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Roseville’s participation in the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP).
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BACKGROUND
The California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) is designed to help electric utility customers address past-due electric bills accumulated from March 4, 2020 – June 15, 2021, the COVID-19 billing relief period. The State Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) will administer the program for the state and disburse funds after completing review and approval of a utility application, no later than January 31, 2022. Within 60 days of receiving any CAPP funds, Roseville Electric Utility will issue assistance to customers in the form of bill credits following a prioritization of fund distribution as established in legislation. Once participating in the CAPP program, the electric utility cannot disconnect recipients for 90 days after a benefit is applied and cannot disconnect while a customer is current on a repayment plan, or while CSD reviews/approves applications.
Roseville Electric Utility has been actively engaged and supportive of this program since its inception in legislation this year. The CAPP provides another opportunity for Roseville Electric Utility to support customers that may be behind on their electric utility bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allows us to assist residential customers, inactive accounts, and commercial customers, provided funding is sufficient.
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FISCAL IMPACT
The funds received from the State of California will be used to reduce or eliminate past due balances on customer electric utility accounts, thereby reducing the potential of bad debt incurred by the utility. Roseville Electric Utility estimates approximately $1.37 million in total arrears that could qualify for program participation.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, or is otherwise not considered a project as defined by CEQA Statute §21065 and CEQA State Guidelines §15060(c)(3) and §15378. Authorization to participate in the California Arrearage Payment Program meets the above criteria and is not subject to CEQA. No additional environmental review is required.
Approval of a resolution to participate in the CAPP meets the above criteria and is not subject to CEQA. No additional environmental review is required.
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CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN/OVERARCHING GOALS
Goal A - Remain fiscally responsible in a changing world
Goal B - Support community engagement and advocacy
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Respectfully Submitted,
Amber Blixt, Utility Government Relations Administrator
Michelle Bertolino, Electric Utility Director |
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Dominick Casey, City Manager
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