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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 998 - Residential Water Service Shut-Off PresentationSB 998 - Residential WaterService Shutoff for NonpaymentPolicy NOVEMBER 19, 2019 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Public Works Services Department Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director Mandy Jiang, Management Analyst B a c k g r o u n d SENATE BILL 998: Water Shutoff Protection Act S i g n e d i n t o a d o p t i o n b y G o v e r n o r B r o w n i n 2 0 1 8 a n d c o d i f i e d i n t h e C a l i f o r n i a H e a l t h a n d S a f e t y C o d e I n t e n t : t o p r o t e c t C a l i f o r n i a n s f r o m l o s i n g w a t e r a c c e s s d u e t o i n a b i l i t y t o p a y w i t h o u t s u f f i c i e n t n o t i c e a n d t i m e t o c u r e A p p l i e s t o p u b l i c w a t e r s y s t e m s w i t h m o r e t h a n 2 0 0 s e r v i c e c o n n e c t i o n s C i t y o f A r c a d i a w i l l n e e d t o c o m p l y b y F e b r u a r y 1 , 2 0 2 0 S B 9 9 8 R e q u i r e m e n t s The written policy must include the following: The written policy must be translated into Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean and 10% of languages spoken in the service area. The written policy and translations must be posted on the agency website. Requires the adoption of a written policy on water shutoff for nonpayment. D e f e r r e d /r e d u c e d p a y m e n t p l a n s o r a r r a n g e m e n t s A l t e r n a t i v e p a y m e n t s c h e d u l e s F o r m a l m e c h a n i s m f o r a c u s t o m e r t o c o n t e s t o r a p p e a l a b i l l . U t i l i t y t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r f o r c u s t o m e r t o c o n t a c t a n d d i s c u s s o p t i o n s t o a v o i d s h u t o f f Day 105 Service shutoff will occur during regular business hours. B i l l i n g & N o t i f i c a t i o n P r o c e d u r e Day 1 Water bill mailed Day 30 First past due reminder mailed. Day 60 New water bill mailed; second past due reminder included with new bill. Original unpaid balance is 45 days delinquent. Day 15 Unpaid balance past due and considered delinquent. Day 90 Final past due notice mailed.  Original unpaid balance is 75 days delinquent. Written notice is mailed 15 days before shutoff. Day 103 *If the written notice is returned undeliverable, post notice of imminent discontinuation 48 hours before shutoff* TRANSLATE & POST Translate written policy into Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog. Post policy in English and translated versions on the City website.  NOTIFICATION Implement written notification prior to disconnection for nonpayment. Translate written notices into the required languages. CAP FEES Cap service reconnection fees for verified SB 998 low income customers: $50 during operational hours and $150 after hours. PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS Formalize alternative payment arrangements by requiring forms: payment extension, amortization, alternative schedules, payment reduction CONTEST/APPEAL Add a step to the existing bill contest procedure allowing customers to appeal to City Council for review and final decision. N e x t S t e p s T h a n k Y o u