Mobility and Infrastructure Committee TO: MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE DATE: APRIL 9, 2026 FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES WORKPLAN – FINAL 2025 UPDATE AND APPROVE PROPOSED 2026 ANNUAL WORKPLAN.
ISSUE:
Receive and file the 2025 Board of Public Utilities Workplan – Final Update. Approve the proposed 2026 Workplan for the Board of Public Utilities RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee:
Receive and file the 2025 Annual Board of Public Utilities Workplan – Final Update and; Approve the proposed 2026 Workplan for the Board of Public Utilities BOARD RECOMMENDATION:
On February 9, 2026, the Board of Public Utilities with five members present and Board members Avery, Montgomery and Becker absent voted to receive and file the Board’s 2025 Annual Work Plan – Final Update; and approve items for the Board of Public Utilities 2026 Annual Workplan to be presented at the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee.
BACKGROUND:
The City Manager’s Office requests each board and commission to develop an Annual Workplan to ensure the work of boards and commissions align with the City Charter. Each workplan is taken to the respective City Council Standing Committee for review and approval with the work plans earmarked to begin in March 2026 and conclude in February 2027. Per Resolution 23976, the Board of Public Utilities (Board) is under the purview of the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee. 2025 Annual Work Plan
The Board 2025 Annual Work Plan was approved on January 27, 2025, and presented to the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee for review on February 13, 2025. As part of the discussion, the Board specifically requested that timelines be added to specific requested topics where appropriate. The timeline for discussion of requested topics was updated regularly and provided to the Board monthly in the Master Calendar Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) Board Recurring and Annual Items 2025. Most of the approved 2025 Annual Workplan action items were completed with a few exceptions. The table below provides a status update for each item and if they are being carried into 2026.
Action Items
Description
Status
1. Review and update the Board Standing Rules and Board Policy Guide including review of Board duties, administration, and engagement. Key topics will be scheduled in advance and shared on RPU’s schedule of requested items contained within the meeting minutes and regularly scheduled items. a.
Review of Board Standing Rules
Review of Board Specific Policies A-C
Anticipated to be completed February 2026. Future review in 2028. b.
Review of the Board Policy Guide
Review of current Board Policies
Anticipated to be completed February 2026. Future review in 2028. c.
Review of Purchasing policies and Board authority
Receive an overview of current purchasing policies and the authority the Board has with this process Pending to allow the City Purchasing Division to finalize revisions to the purchasing process.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan.
d.
Proposition 218
Overview of the requirements and impacts on California’s Proposition 218 – Right to Vote on Taxes Act Pending. Staff will coordinate with the City Attorney’s Office to provide this report.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan.
e.
Board Training
Develop structured practice for Board Education and awareness of utility policy and operational matters.
Ongoing.
Education and awareness of utility policy has been provided through new Board member orientations provided by RPU’s Executive Managers, facility tours and opportunities to attend conferences.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan
2. Review and recommend to City Council amendments to utility specific legislative policy; develop recommendations to positions on upcoming bills and actively advocate for grant opportunities. Periodic updates will be provided along with an annual summary. a.
2025 Legislative Policy Engagement
Receive quarterly verbal updates from staff with an annual summary of the legislative session.
Ongoing.
RPU staff provided a mid-session review in July 2025 and a year-end review of 2025 legislation in January 2026.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan and will include updates through the legislative session.
3. Review, discuss and make recommendations relative to the various water, electric, and operational policy and planning documents prepared by the department as presented throughout the year including the Biennial RPU budget, five-year Capital Improvement Plan and updates from and on key performance indicators for work completed by City internal services. Anticipated dates for future discussion topics, projects and events will be shared. a.
Biannual RPU Budget, 5-year CIP projects and KPI’s for internal services Ongoing.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan.
4 Remain engaged and develop advisory reports, as needed, on major utilities’ projects and activities. a.
Major Projects RPU is undertaking
Annual projects that are underway or anticipated that will have a significant impact on the utilities and its customers.
Ongoing.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan.
5. Enhance community engagement and align with the City’s Community Engagement Policy. a.
Citywide Community Engagement Policy
Outreach efforts in 2025
Ongoing.
Item is recommended for 2026 Annual Work Plan
DISCUSSION:
The following Action Items were approved by the RPU Board to be included in the Board’s 2026 Workplan. The majority of the items are continued from 2025 through 2026 since they are ongoing activities. The timelines for discussion of requested topics will be updated regularly and provided to the Board, keeping with the practice established in 2025.
Board of Public Utilities’ 2026 Annual Workplan
Action Item 1
Develop an awareness of utility policy and operational matters through reviewing Board duties, administration, and engagement. Key topics will be scheduled in advance and shared identified as part of the documents prepared for Action Item 3.
CONTINUED: Review of purchasing policies and Board authority CONTINUED: Overview of the requirements and impacts of California’s Proposition 218.
CONTINUED: Continue practice of providing educational opportunities related for the Board including facility tours and continued opportunities for the Board to engage with RPU staff.
NEW ITEM: Review and discuss RPU’s Mission, Vision, and Values that are part of the Board Standing Rules.
Action Item 2
Review and recommend to City Council amendments to utility specific legislative policy; develop recommendations to positions on upcoming bills and actively advocate for grant opportunities. Periodic updates will be provided along with an annual summary.
At a minimum, receive quarterly verbal updates from staff with an annual summary of the legislative session.
Action Item 3
Review, discuss and make recommendations relative to the various water, electric, and operational policy and planning documents prepared by the department as presented throughout the year including the Biennial RPU budget, five-year Capital Improvement Plan and updates from and on key performance indicators for work completed by City internal services. Anticipated dates for future discussion topics, projects and events will be shared.
Action Item 4
Remain engaged and develop advisory reports, as needed, on major utilities’ projects and activities.
Major projects RPU is or will be undertaking will be identified as part of the documents prepared for Action Item 3 and will include projects that are underway or anticipated and that will have a significant impact on the utilities and its customers.
Action Item 5
Enhance community engagement and align with the City’s Community Engagement Policy.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the report.
Prepared by: Tracy Sato, Utilities Assistant General Manager/Strategic Initiatives Approved by: David A. Garcia, Utilities General Manager Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Interim Finance Director Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Interim Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment:
Presentation
2025 Annual Board Workplan-Final Update and 2026 Workplan ● Page 2