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Notwithstanding Charter sections 2.109, 3.100 and 4.102 or any ordinance (including, without limitation, Administrative Code ), the Public Utilities Commission shall set rates, fees and other charges in connection with providing the utility services under its jurisdiction, subject to rejection – within 30 days of submission – by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. If the Board of Supervisors fails to act within 30 days the rates shall become effective without further action.
In setting retail rates, fees and charges the Commission shall:
1. Establish rates, fees and charges at levels sufficient to improve or maintain financial condition and bond ratings at or above levels equivalent to highly rated utilities of each enterprise under its jurisdiction, meet requirements and covenants under all bond resolutions and indentures, (including, without limitation, increases necessary to pay for the retail water customers' share of the debt service on bonds and operating expenses of any state financing authority such as the Regional Water System Financing Authority), and provide sufficient resources for the continued financial health (including appropriate reserves), operation, maintenance and repair of each enterprise, consistent with good utility practice;
2. Retain an independent rate consultant to conduct rate and cost of service studies for each utility at least every five years;
3. Set retail rates, fees and charges based on the cost of service;
4. Conduct all studies mandated by applicable state and federal law to consider implementing connection fees for water and clean water facilities servicing new development;
5. Conduct studies of rate-based conservation incentives and/or lifeline rates and similar rate structures to provide assistance to low income users, and take the results of such studies into account when establishing rates, fees and charges, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws;
6. Adopt annually a rolling 5-year forecast of rates, fees and other charges; and
7. Establish a Rate Fairness Board consisting of seven members: the City Administrator or his or her designee; the Controller or his or her designee; the Director of the Mayor's Office of Public Finance or his or her designee; two residential City retail customers, consisting of one appointed by the Mayor and one by the Board of Supervisors; and two City retail business customers, consisting of a large business customer appointed by the Mayor and a small business customer appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
The Rate Fairness Board may:
i. Review the five-year rate forecast;
ii. Hold one or more public hearings on annual rate recommendations before the Public Utilities Commission adopts rates;
iii. Provide a report and recommendations to the Public Utilities Commission on the rate proposal; and
iv. In connection with periodic rate studies, submit to the Public Utilities Commission rate policy recommendations for the Commission's consideration, including recommendations to reallocate costs among various retail utility customer classifications, subject to any outstanding bond requirements.
These provisions shall be effective January 3, 2003 for the setting of retail rates, fees and charges related to the clean water system. If the voters approve bonds for the Public Utilities Commission's Capital Improvement Program at the November 5, 2002 election then the provisions of this section shall take effect on July 2, 2006 for the setting of retail rates, fees and charges related to the water system. If the voters do not approve such bonds then this section will take effect on January 3, 2003.
(Added November 2002)
(a) The General Manager shall be selected under the provisions of Charter sections 3.100 and 4.102. The General Manager may be employed under an individual contract. His or her compensation shall be comparable to the compensation of the chief executive officers of the public water, wastewater and/or power systems in the United States that the Commission, after an independent survey, determines most closely resemble the Public Utilities Commission in size, mission, and complexity. In addition, the Public Utilities Commission may provide an incentive compensation bonus plan for the General Manager based on performance goals established by the Commission.
(b) The General Manager may negotiate an individual contract with the employee appointed to perform the duties of general infrastructure management and oversight of the Capital Improvement Program subject to approval by the Commission and notwithstanding Charter Section A8.409 et seq.
(c) For purposes of approving individual employment contracts the Public Utilities Commission may exercise all powers of the City and County, the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, and the Director of Human Resources under Article XI of this charter. Individual employment contracts shall utilize and shall not alter or interfere with, the Retirement or Vacation provisions of this Charter or the Health Plans established by the City's Health Service Board; provided however, that the Commission may contribute toward defraying the cost of the employee's health premiums and retirement pick-up.
(Added November 2002)
Notwithstanding Charter Section 9.118 or any ordinance, the Public Utilities Commission shall have the sole authority to enter into agreements for the purchase of water; the sale of water to wholesale customers; and agreements necessary to implement Joint Powers Agreements with any wholesale water customer.
In order to promote labor stability and to ensure the Capital Improvement Program is completed expeditiously and efficiently, the Public Utilities Commission is authorized, to the extent legally appropriate, to enter into project labor agreements, with appropriate Building Construction and Trades Councils, covering significant capital projects.