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Ordinance Fact Sheet
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: November 25, 2024 FROM: City Attorney
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 13.04 TO INCREASE ELECTRIC UTILITY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM MONTHLY BENEFITS AND RELATED CHANGES
TITLE 0£ PROPOSED ORDINANCE:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE LIGHT AND POWER RATE ORDINANCE, TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.04 OF THE
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE:
The City's Department of Water and Power is recommending an enhancement to the Electric Utility Assistance Program ("EUAP") to increase the monthly basic benefit (monthly bill credit) for income-qualified customers. The ordinance would raise the $10 monthly basic benefit to be equal to the fixed charge rate components of residential electric rates.
The City Council first authorized the EUAP in March 2006, establishing a basic benefit (monthly bill credit) of $5 per month for income-qualified customers, or those with qualifying medical devices, plus a bill credit equal to the Public Benefit Charge ("PBC") for income-qualified customers meeting age or disability requirements. The City Council has subsequently increased the monthly basic benefit to $7.50 in 2009,and to $10 in 2019. If the ordinance is adopted, the benefit would increase from $10 to $13.46 effective January 1, 2025, or as soon as practicable thereafter.
REASONS WHY LEGISLATION IS NEEDED:
The Light and Power Rate Ordinance, Chapter 13.04 of the Pasadena Municipal Code prescribes the rates to be charged and collected for furnishing and delivering electrical energy; the terms, provisions and conditions respecting such rates and delivery of electrical energy; and the services supplied by the Water an^Eo^gr Departmfint nfthp City to customers served by the department.
MEETING OF 11/25/2024
AGENDA ITEM NO. 15
As directed by the City Council on October 28, 2024, this ordinance implements and codifies amendments to the Pasadena Municipal Code related to the Electric Utility Assistance Program.
On November 18, 2024, the City Council voted to adopt the ordinance that was directed on October 28, 2024. However, due to an inadvertent omission, a prior version was approved that did not include Section 2 of this ordinance (Residential multi-family service). This corrected ordinance replaces the previously approved ordinance.
PROGRAMS. DEPARTMENTS OR GROUPSAFFECTED:
The Water and Power Department will implement this ordinance. Affected groups are income-quatified residential electric customers participating in the department's Electric Utility Assistance Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The recommended action, amending the light and power rate ordinance, is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges).
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the ordinance would result in approximately $206,064 in fiscal year 2025 in additional expenses to the Public Benefits Fund (410). There is no impact to the General Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
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Prepared by:
MICHELE BEAL BA
City Attorney
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LISA HOS^
Assistant City Attorney
Concurred by:
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MIGU&t-l/IARQUEZ
City Manager