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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Introduction of the Ordinance Authorizing Issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds.
1. Ordinance authorizing issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds 2025.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for May 20, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Glendale Water and Power’s (GWP) financial plan intends to issue revenue bonds in three tranches of approximately $166 million. The first tranche of $166.9 million was issued in February 2024, the second tranche was issued in August 2024, and the third tranche is expected to be issued in August 2025. The funds will be used primarily to support the Grayson Repowering Project, as well as provide funding as necessary for the Scholl Biogas Renewable Generation Project, City-Owned Solar Projects, and certain distribution system improvements as they relate to the City’s Zero-Carbon Energy initiatives.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the herein-requested actions to authorize staff to proceed with the preparation and issuance of the Electric Revenue Bonds 2025 by introducing the Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds.
ANALYSIS
The electric utility seeks to complete the construction of the Grayson Repowering Project, the Scholl Canyon Landfill Biogas Renewable Generation Project, and to acquire and/or construct, as necessary, certain improvements to the City’s electric public utility, such as 4kV to 12kV feeder upgrades, solar generation facilities installed on city properties, substation improvements, meter upgrades, vault replacement and transmission and distribution improvements and pole replacements. As GWP does not have unrestricted cash reserves to fund these efforts and they cannot be funded through operations alone, GWP proposes to issue debt in the form of electric revenue bonds. GWP intends to issue approximately $500 million of revenue bonds in three separate issues. The first issuance of $166.9 million closed in February 2024, the second issue closed in August 2024 and the third issuance is planned to close in August of 2025.
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Additionally, the electric revenue bonds will provide funds to make a deposit to a debt service reserve fund, and to pay the costs of issuance of the New Money Bonds. The maximun debt service is projected to increase to approximately $43.5 million after the third bond issuance.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Not Applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
The issuance of the revenue bonds is projected to increase interest cost approximately $4.0 million in fiscal year 2026, and issuance costs are estimated to be $500,000.
Future expenses will be requested as part of the annual budget process.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not applicable for the action requested as the action does not involve a project for the purposes of California Environmental Quality Act.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1: Choose not to authorize the actions requested and recommended in this report, in which case the third series of bonds will not be issued and several capital projects including, but not limited to, the Grayson Repowering Project will need to be suspended. 2: Consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Scott K. Mellon, P.E., Acting General Manager - Glendale Water and Power
Prepared by:
Adrine Isayan, Assistant General Manager - Finance and Risk Management David Davis, Utility Finance Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS / ATTACHMENTS
None.