WATER ENERGY I LIFE
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DECISION
ITY O
RIVERSIDE
PUBLIC UTILITIES
December 18, 2023
Dianna Koster
2639 Braden Place
Riverside, CA 92503
Re: Account 11-5273.302
Service Address: 2639 Braden Place, Riverside, CA 92503 Dear Ms. Dianna Koster:
Per Water Rule 17 Disputed Bill Appeal Process, customers must receive a written decision of the Board of Public Utilities by personal delivery or certified mail within 15 calendar days following the appeal hearing.
You received notification of the December 11, 2023, agenda date, address and time of the hearing via regular and certified mail on November 6, 2023. On December 7, 2023, you sent an email stating that you would not attend the December 11, 2023, meeting.
At the December 11, 2023, Board of Public Utilities, the hearing you requested was conducted to dispute of the findings from the Summary of Investigation Results letter dated September 11, 2023, for the water billing dispute. You did not attend or call into the meeting. Your December 7, 2023, email was provided to the Board and included as part of the official record.
The Board of Public Utilities upheld the staff recommendation to deny the appeal from Dianna Koster of 2639 Braden Place, Riverside, 92503, for water services for the account at the same address and uphold the Public Utilities Department finding that the billings were calculated accurately.
Per Water Rule 17, the City Council has designated the Board of Public Utilities as the appropriate governing body to decision on the appeal however any adverse decision by the Board is subject to appeal to the City Council pursuant to the Public Utilities Code. You have the right to appeal this decision to the City Council within ten (10) days of receiving this letter by contacting Riverside Public Utilities Executive Assistant Rosalie Ruiz at (951) 826-5197, or via email [email protected] or Deputy City Clerk Diana Alegria at (951) 826-5557.
If you have any questions, please call me at (951) 826-5607 or email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Assistant General Manager
Attachments:
1. Water Rule 17
2. December 11, 2023, Board of Public Utilities Draft Minutes Riverside Public Utilities | RiversidePublicUtilities.com City of Riverside 17-1
Public Utilities Department Disputed Bill Appeal Process WATER RULE 17
DISPUTED BILL APPEAL PROCESS
A. Customers who believe their utility bill is in error must first contact the Customer Service Division by telephone, in writing, in person, by electronic mail, or on any Utility mobile or webpage forms after receiving the bill, but on or before the bill due date to dispute the bill. Unless stated otherwise herein, the contact information is as follows: 3901 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501, or [email protected], or (951) 782-0330.
Utility Services will not be discontinued for nonpayment of a disputed bill pending the outcome of a timely filed dispute. The Utility may require that an amount equal to an average bill for a comparable period of time be deposited with the Utility pending outcome of the investigation of the disputed bill. Failure to make the deposit as and when due shall constitute abandonment of the dispute to the bill. Subsequent utility bills, which are not disputed, must be paid to the Utility within the time allowed to avoid discontinuance of service.
B. If, after contact with the Customer Service Division, the Customer believes the bill is still incorrect, the Customer must, within 10 calendar days after receiving the explanation from the Customer Service Division, contact the Customer Service Manager, Collections Supervisor, or Customer Service Supervisor by telephone, in writing, in person, by electronic mail, or on any Utility mobile or webpage form regarding the disputed bill.
C. A Review Manager will be designated to conduct an investigation of the Customer's billing dispute. The Review Manager will be the Customer Service Manager, or Customer Service Supervisor, and the investigation may involve other staff at a higher level in the Utility. The investigation will include consideration of whether the Customer may amortize the unpaid balance over a reasonable period of time, not to exceed twelve months, but usually over a shorter time period. The results of this determination will be communicated to the Customer in writing within 10 calendar days.
D. If the disputed bill is not resolved, the Customer may appeal by telephone, in writing, or in person, by electronic mail, or on any Utility mobile or webpage form within 10 calendar days following mailing of the results of the investigation. The Customer must send thisappeal to the Assistant General Manager, Customer Service/Business Services, 3750 University Avenue, 5th floor, Riverside, CA 92501, or [email protected], or (951) 782-0330.
Upon timely receipt of the written statement, the Director, or designee, will determine if the Review Manager's investigation was thorough and Adopted by Board of Public Utilities: April 25, 2022 Board Resolution No. 2022-2 Approved by City Council: June 14, 2022 Council Resolution No: 23861 Effective Date: June 14, 2022
City of Riverside 17-2
Public Utilities Department Disputed Bill Appeal Process complete, addressing the aspects of the billing dispute. The results of this determination will be communicated to the Customer in writing, within 10 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.
E. If the Customer is not satisfied with the determination of the Director, or designee, the Customer may appeal to the Board of Public Utilities. The appeal must be submitted either by telephone, in writing, in person, by electronic mail, or on any Utility mobile or webpage forms to the Director, as Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities, with the reasons for the dispute of the bill within 10 calendar days following mailing of the Director's response. In the absence of a timely filed appeal, the decision of the Director will be final. Upon receipt of a timely appeal, the matter will be reviewed by the Board of Public Utilities at a public Board meeting within 45 calendar days of receipt.The customer will receive notification of the hearing date, time and location. The Board's decision will be made at the public meeting and the customer will receive a written decision of the Board of Public Utilities by certified mail within 15 calendar days following the appeal hearing. The City Council has designated the Board of Public Utilities as the appropriate governing body to decide on the appeal; however any adverse decision by the Board is subject to appeal to the City Council pursuant to the Public Utilities Code 10010.
Adopted by Board of Public Utilities: April 25, 2022 Board Resolution No. 2022-2 Approved by City Council: June 14, 2022 Council Resolution No: 23861 Effective Date: June 14, 2022
City of Riverside Public Utilities
Administrative Office
3750 University Ave. 3 FI.
Board of Public Utilities Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 826-2135
CITY OF
RIVERSIDE
City of Arts & Innovation Agenda - Draft
Meeting Date: Monday, January 8, 2024 6:30 PM City Hall - Art Pick Council Chamber Publication Date: Friday, December 15, 2023 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA www.RiversideCA.gov/Meeting or
www.WatchRiverside.com
MISSION STATEMENT
The City of Riverside is committed to providing high quality municipal services to ensure a safe, inclusive, and livable community
The City of Riverside Public Utilities Department is committed to the highest quality water and electric services at the lowest possible rates to benefit the community.
Face coverings are strongly recommended.
For virtual Public Comment, two options are available:
VIA TELEPHONE:
Call (669) 900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 926 9699 1265 Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak.
Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 to speak.
VIA ZOOM:
Use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265
Select the "raise hand" function to request to speak.
An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak.
Public comments are limited to 3 minutes.
Please follow along via the telephone or Zoom options above to ensure you call in at the appropriate time for your items).
Public comments regarding items on this agenda or any matters within the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities can be submitted by eComment at www.RiversideCA.gov/Meeting until two hours before the meeting.
Email comments to [email protected].
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City of Riverside Page 1
Board of Public Utilities Agenda - Draft January 8, 2024 Pursuant to the City Council Meeting Rules adopted by Resolution No. 23976, members of all Boards and Commissions and the public are reminded that they must preserve order and decorum throughout the meeting. In that regard, members of all Boards and Commissions, as well as the public participants are advised that any delay or disruption in the proceedings or a refusal to obey the orders of the City Council, Boards and commissions, or their presiding officer constitutes a violation of these rules.
The City of Riverside is committed to fostering a respectful workplace that requires all employees and external stakeholders to embrace a culture of transparency and inclusivity. This includes acceptable behavior from everyone; a workplace that provides dignity, respect, and civility to our employees, customers, and the public they serve. City meetings should be a place where all members of our community feel safe and comfortable to participate. While there could be a high level of emotion associated with topics on this agenda, the City would like to set the expectation that all members of the public use language appropriate to a collaborative, professional, and respectful public environment.
The City is resolute in its commitment to eliminate any form of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in the workplace. The City maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in compliance with new harassment and discrimination laws.
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LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES are available for the deaf and hard of hearing-please see City Clerk. The City of Riverside wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities, as required by 42 U.S.C. §12132 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City's ADA Coordinator at 951-826-5427 at least 72 hours before the meeting, if possible.
TTY users call 7-1-1 for telecommunications relay services (TRS).
Agenda related writings or documents provided to the Board are available in the Office of the City Clerk, at www.RiversideCA.gov/Meeting, and in the binder located near the entrance of the Art Pick Council Chamber while the meeting is in session.
PLEASE NOTE-The numerical order of items on this agenda is for convenience of reference. Items may be taken out of order upon request of the Chair or Members of the : Board.
Clty of Riverside Page 2
Board of Public Utilities Agenda - Draft January 8, 2024 6:30 P.M.
CHAIR CALLS MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT
Audience participation is encouraged. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. 1 To comment on any matters within the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities, you are invited to participate via telephone at (669) 900-6833 and enter Meeting ID:
926 9699 1265. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 when you are ready to speak.
To participate via ZOOM, use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265, select the "raise hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the CONSENT CALENDAR are considered routine by the Board of Public Utilities and may be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless, before the Board of Public Utilities votes on the motion to adopt, Members of the Board of Public Utilities or the Public Utilities General Manager, or his designee, request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action.
2 Minutes of December 11, 2023
3 Recommend excusing absence of Board Member Gujral from November 13, 2023, and November 27, 2023, meetings
4 Recommend excusing absence of Board Chair Oceguera from November 27, 2023, • meeting
5 Approve cancellation of regularly scheduled Board of Public Utilities meetings for March 25, May 27, October 14, November 11, and December 23, 2024, due to holidays
6 Recommend City Council approve First Amendment to Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Sharp Electronics Corporation, New York, total citywide fiscal impact of $2,250,000, fiscal impact for Public Utilities of $528,750 from Admin, Electric, and Water Accounts for Managed Print Services for five-year term City of Riverside Page 3
Board of Public Utilities Agenda - Draft January 8, 2024 ending December 31, 2028
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
This portion of the Board of Public Utilities Agenda is for all matters where staff and public participation is anficipated. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. Via phone:
Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak when the discussion item is called. Via Zoom: Select the "Raise Hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak.
7 Riverside Public Utilities Mission Square Audit Report and Financial Results for Fiscal Years of 2016-2021
8 Approve increase in capital expenditure for Work Order 1329385 in amount of $5,504,698 for total of $23,513,694 to extend participation in Enhanced Recharge Project in San Bernardino Basin Area associated with Seven Oaks Dam - Recommend City Council authorize budget transfer in amount of $5,504,698 from Public Utilities/Water Transmission Mains Account to Seven Oaks Dam Account 9 Recommend City Council approve Riverside Public Utilities 2023 Annual Audit and Financial Report
10 Recommend City Council approve legal budget for law firm of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth in amount not to exceed $60,000 to defend City in appeal of case entitled Pongs v. City of Riverside, a reverse validation lawsuit challenging validity of City-issued municipal bonds - Approve increase in legal budget for trial stage of litigation in amount not to exceed $16,252.23, for specialized legal assistance for new total of $125,302.23 from Public Utilities Account
BOARD MEMBER/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
11 Systematic reporting on meetings, conferences, and seminars by Board members and/or staff
12 Items for future Board of Public Utilities consideration as requested by members of the Board. Only items that fall within the powers and duties of the Board of Public Utilities as set forth in the City Charter and/or the Riverside Municipal Code will be agendized for future discussion.
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT
13 WA-12 Agricultural Service Water Rate report as of November 30, 2023 14 Water Supply Report for November 2023
15 Power Supply Report - October 2023
16 Customer Engagement Report updates through November 2023 City of Riverside Page 4
Board of Public Utilities Agenda - Draft January 8, 2024 17 Southern California Public Power Authority Agenda
18 Upcoming City Council and Board meetings
19 Electric/Water Utility Acronyms
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The next regular Board of Public Utilities meeting
is scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2023
For live Webcast of the Board Meeting:
RiversideCA.gov/Meeting or WatchRiverside.com
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