City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: February 4, 2025
From: Todd Dusenberry, General Manager of Public Utilities Department: Public Utilities
Submitted by: Adriana Ramos, Senior Management Analyst
Subject
Payment to California Municipal Utilities Association
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the issuance of a payment to the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) for Vernon Public Utilities’ participation in a Bill Comparison and Rate Forecasting Project for a total amount not-to-exceed $10,000.
Background
The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) is a non-profit association comprised of publicly owned electric and water utilities (POUs) in California. CMUA represents its members’ interests on energy and water issues before the California Legislature, the Governor’s Office and regulatory bodies, such as the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board, the Department of Water Resources, the California Independent System Operator, and the State Water Resources Control Board. These POUs are responsible for the planning, financing, development, acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance of projects related to the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy. Their goal is to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible electric services to their customers.
As a member of CMUA, Vernon Public Utilities (VPU) can contract with vendors who have competitively bid for a specific scope of projects and services. Any service contract subsequently entered into by CMUA could be utilized directly by the interested Members to serve their respective utilities’ needs. The service and work products would be ordered and approved directly by CMUA and/or the applicable Members and the billing would be administered through CMUA.
VPU, along with 13 other POUs, participated in a Bill Comparison and Rate Forecasting Project with the CMUA. Pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.110(A)(5)(b), this participation is exempt from competitive bidding since the services were provided in cooperation with CMUA, which offers competitively bid contracts to its member utilities. VPU’s contribution to participate in the project was $10,000.
Staff recommends approval to issue $10,000 in payment to CMUA for its participation in a Bill Comparison and Rate Forecasting Project. Per VMC 3.32.030(B), City Council approval is required if, in the twelve (12) months preceding the effective date of a proposed new, renewed, or otherwise amended contract, the City has paid or awarded the vendor more than $100,000.
Within the past twelve (12) months, the City has paid or awarded CMUA a total of approximately $105,241.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is not-to-exceed $10,000. Sufficient funds are available in the Electric Fund, L&P Administration, Professional Services - Other Account No. 055-050-580-529215 for the current fiscal year.
Attachments
1. California Municipal Utilities Association – Invoice No. 250307