TO:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
FROM:Len Gorecki, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to adopt Resolution No. 26-07 – A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Bellflower to set a public hearing regarding the intent to grant a water franchise to Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company.
DATE:March 9, 2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
If approved, Resolution No. 26-07 will establish the public hearing date for the granting of a Water Franchise to Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company (BSMWC).
RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
1) Adopt Resolution No. 26-07; or
2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
DISCUSSION
In April 2001, the City granted a Water Franchise to BSMWC for the purpose of transmitting and distributing potable water within the public right-of-way throughout the City. While the Franchise Agreement technically expired in May 2021, BSMWC has continued to operate their water system in good faith and partnership with the City and continued to make their annual franchise fee payments in accordance with the agreement. In order for BSMWC to continue water operations within the public right-of- way, a new water franchise must be granted by the City Council.
The following is a schedule of events for the granting of this franchise if approved:
Adopt Intention to Grant Resolution and set Public Hearing date ................March 9, 2026 Publish Notice and advertise Public Hearing date .......................................March 13, 2026 Public Hearing and Ordinance Introduction .....................................................April 13, 2026 Ordinance Second Read and Adoption ............................................................April 27, 2026
ATTACHMENT
Resolution No. 26-07 ..............................................................................................................2 13-A
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CITY OF BELLFLOWER
RESOLUTION NO. 26-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BELLFLOWER TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING
ITS INTENT TO GRANT A WATER FRANCHISE TO
BELLFLOWER-SOMERSET MUTUAL WATER COMPANY
THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.Recitals. The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A. On April 9, 2001, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 998 granting a Water Franchise to Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company (“Company”) to operate and place water system infrastructure for any and all purposes in, across, upon, under and along public streets, alleyways and right-of-way.
B. On April 9, 2021, the Water Franchise granted to Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company by Ordinance No. 988 expired. On September 15, 2025, Company filed a request to grant a new franchise.
C. Pursuant to Public Utilities Code § 6232, the City Council declares its intent to conduct a public hearing on 04/13/2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Bellflower City Hall, 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, California.
Any person having any objection to the granting of the Water Franchise may appear before the City Council and be heard at that time.
SECTION 2.Actions.The City Council directs the City Clerk to publish notice of the public hearing on the water franchise at least once within 15 days after the passage of this resolution. The notice must indicate that during the term of the franchise, the Company will pay the City the amount specified by California law and if such payment is not made, the franchise will be forfeited. The notice must also indicate that the proposed water franchise will be for a term of 25 years.
SECTION 3.Approval.The Mayor, or presiding officer, is authorized to affix [his or her] signature to this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City Council of the City of Bellflower, and the City Clerk, or [his or her] duly appointed deputy, is directed to attest thereto.”
SECTION 4.Electronic Signatures. This Resolution may be executed with electronic signatures in accordance with Government Code §16.5. Such electronic signatures will be treated in all respects as having the same effect as an original signature.
SECTION 5. The Mayor, or presiding officer, is authorized to affix its signature to this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City Council of the City of Bellflower, and the City Clerk, or its duly appointed deputy, is directed to attest. -2-
City of Bellflower
Resolution No. 26-07
SECTION 6.Effective Date. This Resolution will become effective immediately upon adoption and will remain effective unless repealed or superseded.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELLFLOWER THIS 9TH DAY OF MARCH 2026.
________________________________
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney
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