From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: In support of Burbank Water and Power"s proposed budget and rate increases Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2022 12:13:52 PM
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Chris Weber
To: [email protected]
<[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2022, 04:58:56 PM PDT
Subject: In support of Burbank Water and Power's proposed budget and rate increases Dear Mayor Talamantes, Vice Mayor Anthony, Councilmember Frutos, Councilmember Springer, and Councilmember Schultz,
My name is Chris Weber, and I support both the Burbank Water and Power (BWP) proposed budget and rate increases. The proposed investments identified in the budget and the rate increases will allow BWP to properly meet its three-fold policy objectives of affordability, reliability, and sustainability now, in the immediate future, and in preparation to being greenhouse gas (GHG) neutral by 2040.
Affordability: Over the past several years, BWP leaned too heavily into the affordability plank of its three-pronged approach. By keeping rates significantly below the average rates in the local market, the utility did not have resources to invest in additional sustainable energy sources or update its aging infrastructure. A 6% increase in electric residential rates and a 9% increase in water rates would provide BWP with the necessary funds to meet future renewable energy state mandates, create investment funds for local renewable energy projects, maintain the existing infrastructure, and put BWP’s residential rates closer to parity with other local markets. Coupled with these rate increases must come additional income qualified assistance programs for Burbank residents, and I’m encouraged to hear that BWP is working on those programs as well.
Reliability: BWP recently received the American Public Power Association’s highest honor in recognition of the outstanding reliable electric service provided to the Burbank community, a mark of pride for our city and the utility. However, to maintain this reliability, BWP must invest in its aging infrastructure urgently, as it is more cost- effective to conduct maintenance and planned upgrades rather than endure large- scale service interruptions such as water main breaks and failures in the electric distribution infrastructure. For example, Burbank has 30 miles of pipeline that are over 100 years old, which creates additional risk for water main breaks and service interruptions. In order to avoid costly service interruptions and maintain its current outstanding reliability record, BWP needs to increase the pipe replacement rate and complete needed maintenance on the utility’s aging assets. Additionally, the utility will pilot and potentially expand new solar battery technologies to create local support for energy resilience; these infrastructure investments and key staff hires will be possible through these essential rate increases.
Sustainability: It is my opinion that previous BWP leadership paid lip service to sustainability, climate change, and BWP’s role in mitigating climate impacts locally.
Under the exceptional leadership of General Manager Dawn Roth Lindell, BWP ATTACHMENT 3
A3-1
publicly committed to “take meaningful strides in addressing this generation’s greatest challenge – climate change” and implemented changes to move us towards achieving this aim (such as increasing the amount of renewable energy in Burbank's energy portfolio and posting a role for a long-needed sustainability officer). To meet the state’s requirement of having 60% of its power portfolio from renewable sources by 2030 and address the climate crisis, BWP will not be able to make meaningful strides toward this goal without significant investments to both support these aims and avoid costly annual noncompliance fines. For example, the existing Power Systems and Facilities staffing levels are inadequate for negotiating 6-8 new renewable contracts in order to meet the state requirements before 2030. If BWP is unable to complete those contracts in this time frame, the utility and our city are at risk for $147M in penalties annually starting in 2030 and will still be required to increase its renewable portfolio in accordance with state law.
Additionally, BWP must take a leading role in providing information to the community on how they can conserve natural resources and help the city combat climate change. This will require investments in both data infrastructure as well as personnel dedicated to implementing sustainable programs. For example, without investments in its customer data and advanced water metering infrastructure and its customer sustainability programs, BWP will not be able to meet its goals of effectively reducing consumer demand by 2.7% over the budget period.
Finally, fostering local energy resilience through investments in renewable power sources is one way of mitigating the impacts of climate change and reducing dependence on other entities for Burbank’s power. With investments such as the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC) Solar and Battery project, the EcoCampus Solar and Storage project, and the Citywide Solar and Storage project, BWP will be able to both build local, renewable energy sources and make a little more progress towards the state’s mandated 2030 goals.
With the impacts of climate change intensifying each year and wildfires becoming increasingly more commonplace in our region, the city of Burbank and BWP must take meaningful steps to mitigate our climate risks, and that begins with investing in BWP and approving these rate increases. We cannot afford to provide residential rates significantly below market any longer, as this will only cause our future investment costs to be both more expensive and under emergency conditions. I strongly support these rate increases and the BWP proposed budget, and look forward to seeing your support as well.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your discussion on this topic in the coming weeks.
Best,
Chris Weber
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-2
From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: Proposed BWP rate increases
Date: Monday, April 18, 2022 8:53:36 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Abrahamian
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 10:48 AM
To: City Council DL <[email protected]>
Subject: Proposed BWP rate increases
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
We are against any rate increases for BWP.
What bothers me the most is the large construction going on in Burbank. You are asking me to cut back on water and at the same time increasing water usage with the large apartment construction projects. We are just two people over age 80, lived in Burbank over 60 years. The amount of water we use must be minuscule compared to the rest of the community.
Paul & Natalie Abrahamian
Burbank, CA 91504
Sent from my iPad
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-4
From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: BWP Rate Hikes
Date: Monday, April 18, 2022 8:52:21 AM
From: Kevin Meagher
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 9:21 AM
To: City Council DL <[email protected]>
Subject: BWP Rate Hikes
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Council Members
We are in receipt of notice of an outrageously
high rate hike proposal by BWP of $8.00
a month for electric and $6.50 for water. This untimely huge hike is fuel for the inflation bandwagon. It iss unaffordable. And the financial assistance programs have too low a threshold. There is no helo for the general senior citizen population that has made Burbank home and contributed to its well being for a lifetime.
People like us who have lived and run a business in this city.
I urge each one of you not to just rubber stamp this.
Kevin Meagher
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-5
From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: Burbank Water And Power
Date: Monday, April 18, 2022 8:55:25 AM
From: Rosalie Salvato
Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 9:29 PM
To: City Council DL <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Burbank Water And Power
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Would appreciate a reply to my message.
On Tue, Apr 5, 2022 at 9:31 PM Rosalie Salvato wrote:
To City Council Members,
I recently received a notice from the BWP regarding a
proposed 9% increase for infrastructure repairs etc.
A bi-partisan "Infrastructure Bill" was passed and I believe the funds have been distributed to the States. Money for these improvements etc. should be provided under the
Infrastructure Bill.
NO increase in rates.
Rosalie Salvtato
Burbank, CA 91506
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-8
From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: Proposed BWP rate increases
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022 11:51:56 AM
Importance: High
From: Thomas Saito
Date: April 9, 2022 at 11:43:40 AM PDT
To: City Council DL <[email protected]
>
Subject: Proposed BWP rate increases
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I would like to protest the proposed BWP rate increases and express my disdain for the lack of transparency provided by BWP in its latest attempts to justify the necessity for the excessive increases.
BWP now says that the challenges of climate change must be addressed after ignoring the looming catastrophe for more than 40 years.
It has opposed widespread implementation of
rooftop solar and aggressive conservation campaigns. Why should we trust BWP's stated objectives to be sincere or well planned? It has not disclosed how it plans to cut reliance on fossil fuels even though it opposes rooftop solar. BWP has not addressed important improvements such as installing underground power lines in areas where palm fronds contribute to power outages and increase fire risk.
Regarding water conservation, BWP's tepid response is a complete failure. When the city moved to Stage II of the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance, it was barely publicized and no enforcement was implemented. Many residents use their lawn sprinklers daily or simply at their convenience. WHY AREN'T THERE ANY CONSEQUENCES FOR WATER WASTERS? BWP's lack of involvement in water conservation has clearly contributed to water waste.
BWP has addressed the water infrastructure issue somewhat but has not mentioned saving or utilizing water runoff, particularly in the foothills.
As BWP has done many times in past years, it has tried to justify rate increases by invoking the "rising operational costs" argument. What, specifically, are those "rising operational costs"? Is the phrase merely a euphemism for salary increases or other employee benefits. We would like to know the truth. Please tell us what will really happen to the money, preferably before the rate increases are blindly adopted, Thomas Saito
Burbank
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-9
From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: Reject 2nd Proposed Service Rate Hike
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 12:20:50 PM
Begin forwarded message:
From: Layla
Date: April 11, 2022 at 2:53:07 PM PDT
To: City Council DL <[email protected]>
Subject: Reject 2nd Proposed Service Rate Hike
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
My name is Layla and I have been a resident of Burbank since August 2019.
Recently, I received the notice regarding the public hearing where a second rate hike will be considered for water and other city services in May 2022. If I remember correctly, there was a 6% water rate hike approved within the past year. Incorporating an additional 9% water rate hike would bring the total increase to 15.54% within a single year.
I am writing to you to express my sincerest request to hold off on any such increases to service rates. As I am sure most of you understand, we are all suffering immensely due to the recent substantial increases to the costs of living in California. My husband and I are both well-educated professionals with steady careers—but, even we are struggling to put any money aside at all anymore. Not only was I rejected a raise at work to counteract inflation (because my own boss is also struggling), but my husband took a pay cut this year just to remain at his company.
I completely understand the details of the notice and how the costs would help meet the City’s needs, but I urge you all to come together and make strides toward working with your current budget—just as we’re all forced to do at home during these unprecedented times.
We are all struggling—some of us more than others. Five dollars here, ten dollars there adds up to quite a lot at the end of the month when all things are considered.
Additionally, my husband and I are expecting our first child this year. Please take into consideration situations like ours in your decision-making process. We approved a significant rate hike not too long ago. There are plenty of funds to work with if enough representatives are willing make the necessary changes.
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-10
I will be present at the meeting on on May 17, 2022 at 6PM and will submit a formal written protest as outlined in the notice. However, can you confirm whether or not this meeting will be available live via Zoom? Many Burbank residents are barely able to leave work by 6PM. It would be most fair if the community is invited to join in on the conversation via Web as well as be given the option to attend in person.
Respectfully,
Layla
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-11
From: Castro, Amy
To: Castro, Amy
Subject: FW: Burbank Water, Sewer, Refuse Service
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 8:59:33 AM
From: Sheryl Meline
Date: April 18, 2022 at 8:31:38 AM PDT
To: City Council DL <[email protected]
>
Subject: Burbank Water, Sewer, Refuse Service
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
I received a notice for a proposed rate increase for the Burbank Water, Sewer, Refuse Service.
As a resident we are supposed to conserve water, now the water we use is going to cost more.
The houses in Burbank are at least 1.2 million for a 3 bedroom and 2 bath home. I was born and raised in Burbank.
The prices are going up astronomically. Families like mine are being priced out of our own neighborhood. Now we can’t afford to move to a place that my family of four would be able to live comfortably and the water, sewer and refuse fees are being increased.
How are the long time citizens supposed to be able to afford all these price hikes? Please keep our water, sewer and refuse fees down.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sheryl Meline
Burbank Citizen
Sent from my iPhone
ATTACHMENT 3
A3-12