August 6 Newsletter
Cal Water rate case moves to "rate making" phase: The City Council authorized the appropriation of $50,000 for additional legal fees for special Counsel to assist the City with the Cal Water rate case and the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) process. Ultimately, it is the CPUC that will make the determination on California Water Service's request for a 28.3% rate increase. At a time when Visalians are conserving more, and Cal Water is delivering less water, both its corporate and district expenses are increasing at rates considerably higher than inflation. On Wednesday, July 31, Cal Water announced that the Board of Directors declared the company's 274th consecutive quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.16 per common share will be payable to stockholders later this month. In its 2012 annual report, Cal Water reported its net income increased 29.5% to $48.8 million, revenues increased 11.6% to $560 million, and the annual dividend increased 2.4% to $0.63 per share in 2012.
The case has moved into the "rate making" phase which will determine how the amount of the revenue approved by the Commission will be charged on the water bills. As an intervener in the case, the City has been involved in discussing the issues that directly affect Visalia, and has provided information to DRA and Cal Water relating to local conditions that may help reduce costs. The City
is not negotiating with Cal Water.
The components of the Cal Water rate increase are indicated on the chart at the right. The largest part of this projected increase is for Cal Water to recoup lost income as a result of inaccurate sales projections. Staff is confident that the City's involvement in the process will result in lower rates than first proposed based on proposed capital reductions and revisions, but it is not known at this time what the actual impact will be on the final rate.
It is also important to note that the City is not negotiating with Cal Water. The rate case is still in the settlement phase. The parties involved, primarily Cal Water, the Division of Rate Payer Advocates (DRA), and The Utility Reform Network (TURN), a non-profit that focuses on utlity issues, discuss the rate case issues and see if they can "settle" on a position. Any "settlement" reached is presented to the CPUC's Administrative Law Judge and those issues can't be disputed during the hearing phase.
Cal Water, DRA and TURN have been in daily discussions to discuss company-wide issues associated with the requested increase, as well as individual issues associated with each District. Staff and special counsel have been involved in issues that related specifically to Visalia, especially costs related to capital projects, to the subsidies for low income ratepayers, and to company-wide issues where the City's assistance was requested to provide data, expertise, or local condition information. To view the staff report, click here.
Council approves contract for Construction Management Services for new 911 Communications Center/Public Safety Facility Project: Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with the consulting firm of Griffin Structures, Inc., for construction management services for the new 911 Communications Center/Emergency Operations Center Facility Project (also known as the Visalia Emergency Communications Center). The contract was for an amount not to exceed $505,440, and an allowance for soils and materials texting and inspection not to exceed $150,000. The construction cost is estimated to be $10 million, and the fee for these services is roughly 6.5% of the construction cost. To view the staff report, click here.
Other Council news: Council approved appropriating $100,000 in the general fund for the mid-year hire of an Economic Development Manager. The Blue Ribbon Task Force gave this position high priority for its potential in creating jobs and additional tax revenues. Council approved hiring this position now as opposed to waiting for the mid-year financial report. Council also approved one additional police officer in Measure T-Police. To view the staff report, click here.
Road work ahead: A new 4-way stop will be in place by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Riggin Avenue and Mooney Boulevard. It is being installed due to a demonstrated need from the new commercial complex on the northwest corner of Mooney and Riggin, and is being installed prior to the beginning of the school year to allow drivers to become familiar with stopping at this intersection for the safety of pedestrians crossing. The new stop applies to traffic in the east/west direction of Riggin Avenue.
As part of the installation of a street improvement and traffic signal project at Walnut and Santa Fe, a road closure is scheduled on Walnut Avenue on Tuesday, August 13. Walnut Avenue will be closed to thru traffic from the east side of Santa Fe Street to Tipton Court from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastbound traffic on Walnut will be detoured north on Santa Fe Street and east on Tulare Avenue. Westbound traffic on Walnut will be detoured north on Ben Maddox Way and west on Tulare Avenue. Owners and residents living along Walnut Avenue will have access to their properties throughout the closure period.
Loop Bus numbers triple: The sun isn't the only thing that has shined this summer on Parks & Recreation programs. The Loop Bus has averaged over 40 riders every day, triple over last year. Over 600 local youth have been taking advantage of the program. The Loop Bus is open to youth and teens 6 to 17 years of age, runs Monday through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and makes stops at the Anthony Community Center, The Boys and Girls Club, the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center, and the Wittman Village Community Center. In addition, over 500 lunches have been served every week through the Summer Lunch Program. The program is free and available at the City's community centers through Aug. 9. For more information on these programs, go to www.liveandplayvisalia.com.
Building permits up 8% for 2013; value up 32%: Building permits issued through July 31 of 2013 are up 8% over the same time period last year. Permits for single family dwellings jumped 58%, from 126 in 2012, to 199 in 2013, and permit value increased 67%. Total permit valuation is up 32%, from $69,506,018 in 2012 to $91,847,643 in 2013.
Mayor Holds Office Hours: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, August 7, for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the conference room at City Hall, at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled in advance by contacting Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314. Shuklian also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
Save the Date for "The State": The annual "State of the City" presentation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Charter Oak Ballroom of the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave. The presentation will include updates on the City's financial picture, projects, economic development and challenges that lay ahead. The meeting is open to the public, and will be broadcasted on "Visalia Today", which broadcasts on the Local Cable Affiliate Channel 14 for Comcast TV.
Salute to the City: A shout-out to Rosalinda Verde, founder of the Visalia Opera Company, for her positive editorial "Visalia Is the Perfect Size to Get Things Done" in the July 31 issue of the Fresno Bee. To read her editorial, click here.
The case has moved into the "rate making" phase which will determine how the amount of the revenue approved by the Commission will be charged on the water bills. As an intervener in the case, the City has been involved in discussing the issues that directly affect Visalia, and has provided information to DRA and Cal Water relating to local conditions that may help reduce costs. The City
is not negotiating with Cal Water. The components of the Cal Water rate increase are indicated on the chart at the right. The largest part of this projected increase is for Cal Water to recoup lost income as a result of inaccurate sales projections. Staff is confident that the City's involvement in the process will result in lower rates than first proposed based on proposed capital reductions and revisions, but it is not known at this time what the actual impact will be on the final rate.
It is also important to note that the City is not negotiating with Cal Water. The rate case is still in the settlement phase. The parties involved, primarily Cal Water, the Division of Rate Payer Advocates (DRA), and The Utility Reform Network (TURN), a non-profit that focuses on utlity issues, discuss the rate case issues and see if they can "settle" on a position. Any "settlement" reached is presented to the CPUC's Administrative Law Judge and those issues can't be disputed during the hearing phase.
Cal Water, DRA and TURN have been in daily discussions to discuss company-wide issues associated with the requested increase, as well as individual issues associated with each District. Staff and special counsel have been involved in issues that related specifically to Visalia, especially costs related to capital projects, to the subsidies for low income ratepayers, and to company-wide issues where the City's assistance was requested to provide data, expertise, or local condition information. To view the staff report, click here.
Council approves contract for Construction Management Services for new 911 Communications Center/Public Safety Facility Project: Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with the consulting firm of Griffin Structures, Inc., for construction management services for the new 911 Communications Center/Emergency Operations Center Facility Project (also known as the Visalia Emergency Communications Center). The contract was for an amount not to exceed $505,440, and an allowance for soils and materials texting and inspection not to exceed $150,000. The construction cost is estimated to be $10 million, and the fee for these services is roughly 6.5% of the construction cost. To view the staff report, click here.
Other Council news: Council approved appropriating $100,000 in the general fund for the mid-year hire of an Economic Development Manager. The Blue Ribbon Task Force gave this position high priority for its potential in creating jobs and additional tax revenues. Council approved hiring this position now as opposed to waiting for the mid-year financial report. Council also approved one additional police officer in Measure T-Police. To view the staff report, click here.
Road work ahead: A new 4-way stop will be in place by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Riggin Avenue and Mooney Boulevard. It is being installed due to a demonstrated need from the new commercial complex on the northwest corner of Mooney and Riggin, and is being installed prior to the beginning of the school year to allow drivers to become familiar with stopping at this intersection for the safety of pedestrians crossing. The new stop applies to traffic in the east/west direction of Riggin Avenue.
As part of the installation of a street improvement and traffic signal project at Walnut and Santa Fe, a road closure is scheduled on Walnut Avenue on Tuesday, August 13. Walnut Avenue will be closed to thru traffic from the east side of Santa Fe Street to Tipton Court from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastbound traffic on Walnut will be detoured north on Santa Fe Street and east on Tulare Avenue. Westbound traffic on Walnut will be detoured north on Ben Maddox Way and west on Tulare Avenue. Owners and residents living along Walnut Avenue will have access to their properties throughout the closure period.
Loop Bus numbers triple: The sun isn't the only thing that has shined this summer on Parks & Recreation programs. The Loop Bus has averaged over 40 riders every day, triple over last year. Over 600 local youth have been taking advantage of the program. The Loop Bus is open to youth and teens 6 to 17 years of age, runs Monday through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and makes stops at the Anthony Community Center, The Boys and Girls Club, the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center, and the Wittman Village Community Center. In addition, over 500 lunches have been served every week through the Summer Lunch Program. The program is free and available at the City's community centers through Aug. 9. For more information on these programs, go to www.liveandplayvisalia.com.
Building permits up 8% for 2013; value up 32%: Building permits issued through July 31 of 2013 are up 8% over the same time period last year. Permits for single family dwellings jumped 58%, from 126 in 2012, to 199 in 2013, and permit value increased 67%. Total permit valuation is up 32%, from $69,506,018 in 2012 to $91,847,643 in 2013.
Mayor Holds Office Hours: Visalia Mayor Amy Shuklian will hold her regular office hours on Wednesday, August 7, for Visalia residents to discuss issues of concern. Walk-ins are welcome from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the conference room at City Hall, at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Appointments from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. can be scheduled in advance by contacting Gladys Ruiz at 713-4314. Shuklian also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 8313, or by email at [email protected].
Donuts and Discussion with Council Member Gubler: Enjoy Donuts and Discussion with Council Member Warren Gubler and Police Chief Colleen Mestas from 7 to 8:30 am Saturday, Aug. 24, at Paneras, 4103 S. Mooney Blvd., in Visalia. This informal gathering allows any citizen to address their concerns or ask questions one-on-one with Council Member Gubler or Police Chief Mestas. Drop-ins are welcome at any time. Council Member Gubler also can be reached through 713-4400, then enter 3313, or by email at [email protected].
Steve Salomon's Sunset Soiree set for Aug. 23: After 16 years as City Manager, Steve Salomon will retire on Sept. 13. A "Sunset Soiree" will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave. The cost is $5, and RSVPs are requested by August 16.Save the Date for "The State": The annual "State of the City" presentation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Charter Oak Ballroom of the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave. The presentation will include updates on the City's financial picture, projects, economic development and challenges that lay ahead. The meeting is open to the public, and will be broadcasted on "Visalia Today", which broadcasts on the Local Cable Affiliate Channel 14 for Comcast TV.
Salute to the City: A shout-out to Rosalinda Verde, founder of the Visalia Opera Company, for her positive editorial "Visalia Is the Perfect Size to Get Things Done" in the July 31 issue of the Fresno Bee. To read her editorial, click here.