1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:16,320 Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our first hybrid meeting of the Agore Hill City Council, regular 2 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:26,760 meeting of Wednesday, February 9, 2022. As you can see, I am in the council chambers and the council, 3 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:36,760 the rest of the council is calling in. We're trying this out. So if there are any instances where you can't hear me or can't hear anyone else, please, please let us know. 4 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:44,760 Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all city meeting facilities are closed to the public until further notice. 5 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:53,760 Tonight's meeting is being conducted utilizing video conferencing and electronic means consistent with AB361, 6 00:00:53,760 --> 00:01:05,760 and may be viewed live on Zoom by entering the meeting ID and passcode on the agenda, by live stream on YouTube by entering February 9, 2022, 7 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:15,760 or view the live or archived meeting on the city's website at agorehillcity.org and click on the watch meetings online button. 8 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:23,760 In accordance with AB361, public attendance in the council chambers will not be permitted. 9 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:28,760 And now I will defer to City Clerk Rodriguez. 10 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:37,760 Thank you, Mayor Lopez. Written public comments were requested to be emailed by 4pm today during the meeting in accordance with 8361. 11 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:47,760 There will also be an opportunity for the public to speak on each item. If you would like to speak on an item, you may access the Zoom meeting online at Zoom.us 12 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:57,760 and enter the meeting ID and passcode located on the agenda. To request to speak during public comment, please click on the raise hand button on the Zoom toolbar. 13 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:02,760 Request to state must be received prior to the mail closing the public comment portion of the item. 14 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:09,760 For full details, please refer to the public participation section on the agenda. Thank you. 15 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:15,760 Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. And now I will call this meeting to order. 16 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:22,760 And I will defer to council member Weber for the pledge of allegiance. 17 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:38,760 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to be of a vote stand. 18 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:58,760 Thank you, council member Weber. And now I will proceed with a roll call. I will call on each council member. 19 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,760 Council member Buckley Weber. 20 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:04,760 Here. Council member Northrop. 21 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,760 Here. Council member Weber. 22 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:09,760 Mayor. 23 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:11,760 Mayor. 24 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,760 Could hear you, but I see you tried. 25 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,760 Thank you. We have a call for this evening. 26 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:21,760 Thank you. 27 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:29,760 Okay. There was no close session held this evening. So there's no report from that. 28 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:36,760 So we'll move along to the approval of our agenda and we'll the maker of the motion to approve the agenda. 29 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,760 Please state your name along with the second. 30 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:44,760 Council member Buckley Weber goes to the agenda. 31 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:46,760 We'll approve. 32 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:51,760 Okay. Council member Weber will second. 33 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,760 Okay. 34 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,760 I think I have a motion in a second. 35 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:02,760 So I will now call on each council member for their vote. Council member Buckley Weber. 36 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,760 I. Council member Northrop. 37 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:09,760 I. 38 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:12,760 Council member Weber. 39 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:13,760 I. 40 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:14,760 Mayor. 41 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:15,760 Program. 42 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:16,760 Answer. 43 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:17,760 I. 44 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:18,760 And I also vote. 45 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:19,760 I. 46 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:21,760 The motion passes. 47 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,760 Five to zero. 48 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:29,760 Okay. Now here is the most exciting part of this evening. 49 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,760 All aggrow hills volunteer recognition event. 50 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:35,760 And I will turn it over to Nick. 51 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:37,760 Newcirk for. 52 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:39,760 I wonder full presentation. 53 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:20,760 I couldn't hear that. 54 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,760 I don't know if anyone else could. 55 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:28,760 I could not hear it. 56 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,760 Okay. 57 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:34,760 I'm looking at it. 58 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:04,760 Good evening. 59 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:06,760 On behalf of the entire city council. 60 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,760 I would like to thank everyone for attending. 61 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,760 The city of aggrow hills annual volunteer recognition event. 62 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:17,760 This past year has been another incredibly challenging one for everyone. 63 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:22,760 But tonight we want to take the time to recognize our volunteers who continue to contribute. 64 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,760 Countless hours of their time and energy. 65 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:30,760 Into making the city of aggrow hills a better community through these trying times. 66 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:34,760 I would like to start by thanking all volunteers of 2021. 67 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:36,760 Whether you served on a committee. 68 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:37,760 Volunteer to an event. 69 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,760 Or work in the library to help get books out to people. 70 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:44,760 Your environment was truly impressive and valued. 71 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:50,760 Each volunteer offers their own unique skills in a variety of groups and committees. 72 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:54,760 Tonight we will honor some extraordinary people for going above and beyond. 73 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:56,760 They are called for civic duty. 74 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,760 We are thrilled to offer gifts to all of you tonight. 75 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:06,760 This year each volunteer will receive an umbrella with a newly adopted 40th anniversary logo on it. 76 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:10,760 You will be able to pick them up at the aggrow hills recreation and events center. 77 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:12,760 Beginning on Monday February 21st. 78 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:20,760 Please know that myself and the entire city council as well as city staff could not be more grateful for your efforts. 79 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:28,760 We have for your enjoyment a presentation highlighting all of the groups and participants that volunteered in some way in 2021. 80 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:33,760 It's people like you that make the city of aggrow hills a great place to live. 81 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,760 Again from the bottom of our hearts we thank you. 82 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:55,760 Thank you very much. 83 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:25,760 Thank you very much. 84 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:55,760 Thank you very much. 85 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:40,760 This is Jeremy and I love volunteering because I feel like it actually makes a difference in our community and keeps aggrow such a beautiful and wonderful place to be. 86 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:55,760 Thank you very much. 87 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:25,760 Thank you very much. 88 00:10:50,760 --> 00:11:03,760 Hi, my name is Randy Paler and I've been volunteering for the city of aggrow hills for over 30 years. 89 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:08,760 The reason why volunteers that I'd love to give back and I'd love to be part of this awesome community. 90 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:14,760 I've had the great privilege to be the chair of raise the dovi days for the last 18 years. 91 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:21,760 It's a great way to meet so many of my wonderful neighbors and to share my excitement and love of the city with them. 92 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:26,760 I appreciate the support and opportunity that the city has given me. 93 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:32,760 I want to thank city council members, city staff and most important community service staff. 94 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:35,760 It's an awesome group of people to work with. 95 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:47,760 I am committed to bringing spirit and love to our community and I'm looking forward to raise the dovi days 2022. 96 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:10,760 Thank you very much. 97 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:40,760 Thank you very much. 98 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:12,760 Thank you very much. 99 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:59,760 All right, I heard at that time I hope everyone could hear and see the wonderful, long, long list of volunteers that we've had in the city of aggrow hills even through COVID, which is so, so telling. 100 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:07,760 And just to let everyone know, you know, I just met with about 20 volunteers on Zoom right before this meeting. 101 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:14,760 We had a little meet and greet on Zoom just so we could offer some personal thanks to those who wanted to pop in. 102 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:22,760 And you know, really hoping that we can do this in person again next year because it's such a lovely, lovely way to recognize our volunteers. 103 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:25,760 So thank you to staff for making that presentation. 104 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:29,760 And by the way, when we picked the umbrellas, it was pouring rain. 105 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:34,760 So here's a little rain dance that maybe we'll get a little more rain again. 106 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,760 So thank you so much volunteers. 107 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:48,760 Okay, with that, we move to intergovernmental and special purpose committee and departmental reports. 108 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:57,760 And it's time I know you've all been waiting for two more of the 40 facts for 40 years. 109 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,760 So I think we're mirror half. 110 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:15,000 As a few slides he's going to put up. All right, the first front fact, which I'm sure we all know, but really, I'm surprised at how many people in the area don't know. 111 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:29,000 But there is a 14-foot statue of someone called Chief White Eagle right on the south side of a war road in between Chesbro and Canaan. 112 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:43,000 He has been there for over 80 years. I used it when we lived in the San Fernando Valley and we would drive up the Santa Barbara that that Chief White Eagle would be on the little hilltop. 113 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:51,000 It was all you could see and now he's actually a little bit hard to find because of all the building that's coming around it over the past 80 years. 114 00:15:51,000 --> 00:16:15,000 But the interesting thing about this statue is that it was dedicated by an artist to the Tumash, but as you can see the depiction of Chief White Eagle is not particularly an accurate portrayal of our local Tumash tribes. 115 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:27,000 I think the person who the artist who was trying to pay homage was the spirit was right, but I think the research was a little bit off as you can see. 116 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:44,000 So it is meant to be really an honor bestowed upon our local tribes although the look of it is a belief more east coast tribal. 117 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:48,000 So anyway, look for Chief White Eagle going on a go-on road. 118 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:56,000 Right about, is it Lewis, if you turn on Lewis maybe, you can see him off upon a hill. 119 00:16:56,000 --> 00:17:02,000 So that's the one fact, and you can let me know on social media tomorrow if you've seen Chief White Eagle. 120 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:13,000 And fact number two is about John Ballard, and because February is Black History Month, 121 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:25,000 I thought it was really important to bring awareness to John Ballard, who was the first known African American landowner in our area. 122 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:37,000 He came out West, he was a former slave, and he was the first African American to own property, and his ancestors are actually still in the area. 123 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:48,000 The interesting thing about John Ballard is, you can imagine he faced incredible racism, his house was burned down a few times, and he persevered. 124 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:55,000 Interestingly, an mountain was named after him, and it was named after him with a slur. 125 00:17:55,000 --> 00:18:07,000 So the mountain was named with a very ugly title that is often attributed to the African American population. 126 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:15,000 And you can even see that on some older maps, and thankfully, in 2010 the peak was renamed Ballard Mountain. 127 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:24,000 In 2018, his descendants came to the area and honored his legacy, and now Ballard Mountain is here on our maps to stay. 128 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:28,000 So I thought everyone would be interested in this for Black History Month. 129 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:42,000 If you got my newsletter, you got a little heads up on this, and I love that we take this, and we put it on social media right after these meetings, and the community really seems to love it as they learn more about our city. 130 00:18:42,000 --> 00:19:07,000 So thank you very much for Mr. Deva for those slides, and we will move on on our agenda. Next on our agenda, we will be bringing in Marisol Espinoza from Southern California Gas to discuss some of the issues that have been going on in the, in our area on our gas bills, etc. 131 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:11,000 So turn it over to you, Ms. Espinoza. 132 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:23,000 Great. Wonderful. I'm going to share my screen, so let me know once you can see it. 133 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,000 Got it. 134 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:28,000 Thank you, Ms. Espinoza. Great. 135 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:36,000 I've given you my year members of the City Council for the staff, and congrats to a boy house on 40 years as a city. 136 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:40,000 I really appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today. 137 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:47,000 We're going to primarily focus on winter bills, because I understand and know that you've been getting quite a few calls about this. 138 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:53,000 For those who might not know me, my name is Marisol Espinoza, and I'm a book affairs manager at St. Calgas. 139 00:19:53,000 --> 00:20:06,000 I've been there for a few years now, but for anyone who might not also know my background, I don't know my work at St. Calgas, I worked for over 10 years for city and state elected officials in the San Fernando Valley. 140 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:16,000 So I definitely know and understand constituent service, and that it's key and incredibly important to get stakeholders timely and accurate information about issues that affect them. 141 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:31,000 And like I said, we know that you've been getting calls about, you know, increases in their winter gas bills and, you know, your constituents are our customers, and it's really important that we share information. 142 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:40,000 So I can empathize that it was quite surprising, especially when you're used to your gas bill being one of the lowest ones that you see each month. 143 00:20:40,000 --> 00:21:00,000 I've been able to my parents for those seniors, and I know that the strain of higher bills can, that it can cause obviously we're in the city, you know, in a global pandemic and cost of everything has been going up and it's been hard for individuals and families for the last couple of years. 144 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:06,000 And so seeing another high bill can be extremely difficult for families. 145 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:12,000 I want to just start by giving a little bit of background about so Calgas for 150 years. 146 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:20,000 We have been proud to provide clean, affordable and reliable energy to our customers in the city of the Gore Hills and throughout our service territory. 147 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:35,000 We operate and maintain the largest natural gas distribution system in the country, which includes more than 100,000 miles of pipeline, standing a territory of 20,000 square miles and serving 22 million customers from Fresno down to San Diego. 148 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:54,000 So I'm going to see that is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission of CQC and every three years we file a request with the CQC called the general rate case and that there are precedes that take place, which include public areas, the testimony from. 149 00:21:54,000 --> 00:22:02,000 From so called gas that we care advocates and various environmental groups and others. 150 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:06,000 There are quite a few factors that might be contributing to the higher bills. 151 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:13,000 I'm here to tell you a little bit about what some of those are and to provide some information on how you might be able to save on your bill. 152 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:22,000 I'll be going into each one in a little more detail, but these are the basic factors that couldn't be contributing. 153 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,000 The gas prices haven't increased. 154 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:28,000 There's a transportation rate change that was approved in 2019. 155 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:37,000 Another increase in the clients usage number of days within the building cycle and small factor that could play. 156 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:42,000 That was a past due amounts. 157 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:51,000 So winter natural gas market prices are regionally and nationally have been higher and more variable. 158 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:54,000 They have increased significantly since December. 159 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,000 They're nearly double that they were a year ago. 160 00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:00,000 This is honestly one of the primary drivers right now. 161 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:10,000 We've seen the process of so many things go up some groceries to cars, construction materials across the globe and a lot of it's driven by demand. 162 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,000 It will be dealt. 163 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,000 We don't produce gas. 164 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,000 We are a delivery system. 165 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:21,000 And so whenever there's colder weather in the east, the need for gas is higher. 166 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:24,000 And there's higher price for it. 167 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:35,000 So I think right now there's we're competing with these coasts to purchase gas and the prior price is really based on demand. 168 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:39,000 There is no market to the customer. 169 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:45,000 We don't make a private from higher natural gas prices. 170 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,000 And just I just a few details. 171 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:55,000 If just to you know give you a sense of the of the increase last December 2021. 172 00:23:55,000 --> 00:24:00,000 The price of natural gas per term was 36 cents. 173 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:03,000 And 36.15 cents. 174 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:08,000 And this past December it was 65.129 cents per term. 175 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:14,000 In January it went up to 83.5 cents per term. 176 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:18,000 But we do see that for February as a February first. 177 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:24,000 It has gone back down to 60.65 cents per term. 178 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:27,000 So hopefully that's a good trend. 179 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:37,000 You know we'll definitely keep you posted on the updating information as we get further further information. 180 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:46,000 The other thing is there was a transportation rate change approved in 2019 that became effective on January 1st. 181 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:51,000 This is an evidential average residential rate increase of about 6%. 182 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:56,000 And for small businesses an average increase of about 14%. 183 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:02,000 And the busy rate changes that are going to allow us to modernize and upgrade our natural gas pipelines. 184 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:07,000 You know some of the things that we're doing across our territory. 185 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:12,000 But we've seen it in the glory houses as well a couple of distribution mainline replacements. 186 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:21,000 We're continuing to invest in capital projects and maintaining pipeline integrity, testing and upgrading sections about pipeline. 187 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:32,000 And this helps us retain responsible for trade and ease and support the growth of diverse energy options. 188 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:41,000 So during winter we do see that customers can use 3 to 7 times more natural gas which can lead to higher monthly bills. 189 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:46,000 Cloud water also makes water heaters look longer and harder than in this summer. 190 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:51,000 And this is because the water coming into the water heater is colder during winter. 191 00:25:51,000 --> 00:26:03,000 Space heating is often the number one component of energy expense for most residential customers during the winter and that's usually more than half of the total natural gas bill. 192 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:09,000 So it has been colder which is contributing to increase usage. 193 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:21,000 But a couple of other factors that might play a small amount of small over but could be customers could be seeing an impact is during the holidays. 194 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:26,000 We see that sometimes the billing cycle can be a few days longer. 195 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:34,000 But typically there's 29 to 32 days in a cycle depending on the number of days in a month and a holiday. 196 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:40,000 Power days can add up to 4 days to customers building cycles so that could also contribute. 197 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:50,000 And then this one is just someone mentioned that they had noticed that their passive amount was still on their bill and so it was showing higher. 198 00:26:50,000 --> 00:27:00,000 So just you always want to double check that there's no pending passive amount on the bill that makes it look like it's even higher. 199 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:07,000 These are some ways to serve on your bill and I don't I'll go into a talk about a couple of them. 200 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:12,000 I'll definitely make this presentation available to the city. 201 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,000 If you want to share it on the website. 202 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,000 But all this is also on our website as well. 203 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,000 But here are just some things that you can do. 204 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:20,000 It's better for the start. 205 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,000 And it's the state degrees during the day that we've had at night. 206 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:24,000 If you're health permits it. 207 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:27,000 If you lower your thermostat through the five degrees. 208 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:29,000 You can save up to 10% on feeding costs. 209 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:32,000 You know, make sure you test your urbex for weeks. 210 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:34,000 Check ready hot water. 211 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:38,000 Any, you know, fixy weeks that rookie faucets and pipes. 212 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:45,000 That could be causing extra demand on your water heater. 213 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:54,000 We do also offer various programs for customers that need financial assistance or help paying their natural gas bills. 214 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,000 We offer a wide range of services. 215 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:04,000 For example, we have a care program where eligible participants can feed 20% on their natural gas bill. 216 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:11,000 And we also have an energy savings assistance program where eligible residents can qualify for no cost home improvements. 217 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:17,000 And we have medical baseline allowance which provides additional natural gas at the baseline rate. 218 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:22,000 We're so Cal Gas customers with certain medical conditions to help keep the house warm. 219 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:27,000 We do also offer, you know, if anybody has trouble paying a bill. 220 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:33,000 We work out payment plans and make arrangements if you call our 800 number. 221 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:36,000 And we have various other programs. 222 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:48,000 We've partnered with the United Way of Greater LA to provide customers who are having trouble paying their bill with a grant to, you know, for the amount of their gas bill. 223 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:59,000 And we also have an energy management plan where eligible customers can apply to have their past due balance forgiven. 224 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:08,000 I know one of the questions that we received was in regards to outreach and, you know, how we notified customers. 225 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:13,000 Definitely, you know, we do our best to communicate about winter bills through various channels. 226 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:20,000 Some of these included bill inserts, postcards emails to residential and small business customers. 227 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:25,000 Again, communicating about winter bills with social media press releases. 228 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:30,000 But we're definitely, I know that, you know, not everybody always will get from that we'll share the message. 229 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:35,000 So we're open to ideas and suggestions is how to improve communication. 230 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:36,000 You know, your city best. 231 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:43,000 And so always appreciate feedback on how to best communicate with residents and businesses and to go ahead. 232 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:59,000 And, you know, whether it be working with staff to share information on the website or posting on social media or how we can get this to, you know, I know that sooner rather than later is definitely what we aim for. 233 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:11,000 We also have Twitter account that I try to post updates on or following the so-called gas Twitter account on social media as well. 234 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:27,000 So, please, there are just some ideas that, again, open to partnering or open to having further discussion on how we can better communicate with our customers and your constituents. 235 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:37,000 You know, just wanted to also let you know and like customers know if there are any questions or if someone needs assistance, you know, going over their bill. 236 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:44,000 Our customer contact center is always available 247-800-427-2200. 237 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:56,000 This is the website, so cowgas.com, of slash code, and that will direct you to all of our various programs as well as some of the information that I've shared today. 238 00:30:56,000 --> 00:31:08,000 So, I'm happy to answer questions and just appreciate the opportunity to update you and to see while hopefully set soon, we'll be able to connect them personally, again. 239 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,000 Thank you. 240 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:33,000 Thank you so much, not only for the presentation but for being available, when I know I got a lot of messages, phone calls, emails, when the bills were so far out of the normal range. 241 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:38,000 Does any council member have any questions for Ms. Espinoza? 242 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:47,000 No, but thank you, Marissa, for coming today. We really appreciate it. 243 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:49,000 Thank you. 244 00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:53,000 Thank you, Marissa. 245 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:54,000 Thank you. 246 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:56,000 Can we make a comment or two? 247 00:31:56,000 --> 00:31:58,000 Of course. 248 00:31:58,000 --> 00:31:59,000 Thank you. 249 00:31:59,000 --> 00:32:02,000 I appreciate Marissa all of you being here. 250 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:07,000 I know you've been coming to us in the past as well. 251 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:21,000 And I just want to say that my dealing with Southern California gas has always been extremely, extremely well received the leadership setting or excellent. 252 00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:26,000 And I appreciate you being here and talking to us tonight. 253 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:32,000 Honestly, I was surprised when I got my gas bills. 254 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:48,000 But then my wife and I were discussing it and we realized that I didn't be personally, I've been working from home almost two years now and during the closed spells that we use it more. 255 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:57,000 When we go to work, you wouldn't worry about 68 degrees. Maybe it was 50, 60. 256 00:32:57,000 --> 00:33:00,000 So I know that I'm guilty of this. 257 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:04,000 And so I'm understanding for the increase. 258 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:11,000 And I personally have, and not got any calls from the residents regarding the bills. 259 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:22,000 But I know having listened to some of the folks that I'm sure it's been, it's been an issue for some of them. 260 00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:25,000 But I guess I would say, again, thank you. 261 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:34,000 And I guess my, with the way I feel about taxes, is that I guess I'm more worried about the gas, putting my car. 262 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:36,000 The state you've grazing the taxes all the time. 263 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:39,000 So just an editorial comment. 264 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:53,000 But I appreciate you coming in. I know that you've always been available for the council to discuss things and I, again, I appreciate your time. 265 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:58,000 I do have a couple of additional questions from when we spoke last. 266 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:04,000 And again, thank you for being available to me when that when I was going on the messages. 267 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:10,000 We talked about the outreach to our residents. 268 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:18,000 How much advanced noticed you have when the rates are skyrocketing like they did? 269 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:25,000 Because I know I know a bit more on the electric side where we know what's coming. 270 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:33,000 We see it coming and we are able to give people a chance to change their behavior if they want to. 271 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:35,000 And adapt to the higher prices. 272 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:44,000 I mean, I'm lived in a warehouse for 25 years almost and we've had cold winters and we've had longer billing cycles. 273 00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:47,000 So this was really new. I think that was the shock. 274 00:34:47,000 --> 00:35:03,000 So why why was it different than winters passed in terms of that and how much lead time did you have that next time maybe we can give people heads up if they want to alter their behavior at all for usage. 275 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:10,000 Yeah, so I'm not sure exactly how much lead time to something I could look into for you, but I do know. 276 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:19,000 So we did a press release on winter bills back in it was at the very end of October. 277 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:28,000 And so I think that you know at that time we always anticipate that those are going to be higher because of higher usage. 278 00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:38,000 And I think natural gas prices were slightly increasing, but I'm going to have to get back to you on you know specifically when how much notice we have. 279 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:47,000 You know when it comes to the market I know there's there's a group called that gas acquisition that deals specifically with. 280 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:57,000 You know acquiring the gas that we provide so I'll get back to you because I want to make sure I get you correct information. 281 00:35:57,000 --> 00:36:09,000 Okay, thank you. And then my last question is so right after the people got these bills that were sometimes two or three higher times higher than they were used to. 282 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:17,000 There's been some pretty negative articles in the newspaper about some penalties that were. 283 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:32,000 I'm pleased on Southern California gas because of some violations using rate payer money to advocate for or against some changes in our climate plans. 284 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:45,000 So I got questions from residents saying is this why our rates are higher because just so cow gases using our money to pay penalties or to use it for advocacy. 285 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:48,000 Can you speak to that at all. 286 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:57,000 Yeah, so that wouldn't be the penalty penalties that would be incurred and we're still reviewing that decision. 287 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:03,000 And we know we look forward to looking at the security of the CQC on that but that would not. 288 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:17,000 Come out of rate paid dollars so we did check on that that's from being that is coming out of rate paid dollars so you know again more information will this is I think coming. 289 00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:22,000 But as of right now or started you in that decision. 290 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:25,000 Okay, and the increase has. 291 00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:28,000 The increase has nothing to do with. 292 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:38,000 Using some of those funds for so cow gases advocacy in the gas market that's that's what the question was about not about the future penalties but okay. 293 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:41,000 Yeah, no that's not. 294 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:52,000 Yeah, the the think the type of six percent and the trend that's the transportation rate and that is the cost of delivering of natural gas. 295 00:37:52,000 --> 00:38:04,000 And so that includes you know like the pipeline of grades and you know there's the projects related to the greater infrastructure. 296 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:06,000 Okay, thank you. 297 00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:21,000 If there are no other questions, then we can say goodbye and once again, thank you for stopping by and helping us understand so that we can explain to our residents when they reach out to us. 298 00:38:21,000 --> 00:38:25,000 Thank you so much for having. 299 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:27,000 Thank you. 300 00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:39,000 So still in the intergovernmental special purpose committee and departmental reports does any council member have any reports. 301 00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:48,000 Okay, I do have one quick update one quick report from clean power alliance. 302 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:59,000 As as you know and hopefully our residents know when when you're on clean power alliance, which most of our residents are at this point. 303 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:07,000 You have two bills on your southern California Edison bill, you've got the procurement, which is the cost of. 304 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:15,000 You know, procuring a generating the energy and then you've got the delivery and that is the infrastructure side of it. 305 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:22,000 So most of us rely on clean power alliance to procure the energy at various green rates. 306 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:31,000 We all rely on southern California Edison to deliver the rates and we are build for both of those through southern California Edison. 307 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:46,000 So due to some calendar sinking issues between SE and the billing manager of all types of consumer. 308 00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:52,000 Clean the clean power alliance and the similar agencies throughout the state CCAs. 309 00:39:52,000 --> 00:40:00,000 There was a disconnect and a lot of people in the gorhoza was I believe 66% of the people. 310 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:03,000 Who are on clean power alliance. 311 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:14,000 Did not get built for their clean power alliance portion on their December bill for December and then they got built for December and January in January. 312 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:23,000 So that means that your December bill would have been lower than it should have been in your January bill was higher because it included that December bill. 313 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:30,000 And again, I'm told that a gorhoza was actually the area that was one of the most affected by that. 314 00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:37,000 Again, this was something that occurred across the state with all CCAs, including clean power alliance. 315 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:42,000 Edison is working on making sure it doesn't happen again. 316 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:49,000 And again, I just want to make sure that everyone knows that nobody was built twice. 317 00:40:49,000 --> 00:40:56,000 But that December portion of the procurement ended up on the January bill for two thirds of us. 318 00:40:56,000 --> 00:41:05,000 So if anyone is having a problem being that bill because it's higher than expected because it wasn't spread out like normal. 319 00:41:05,000 --> 00:41:10,000 You can call SE and they'll work with you and there's no penalties charged. 320 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:18,000 So just wanted to make sure everyone knew that in case you hear about that from our residents at all happy to answer any questions. 321 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:24,000 Anybody has any? 322 00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:29,000 Madam Mayor, I have a question not about clean power alliance but I was just wondering. 323 00:41:29,000 --> 00:41:37,000 We haven't had a report on the cog in a while and I would like to get one at the next meeting if possible. 324 00:41:37,000 --> 00:41:40,000 Thank you. 325 00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:47,000 Note it, we will work with our cog representatives and we'll have that on the next agenda. 326 00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:52,000 I see Mayor Pratem and instead nodding, he's writing something down. 327 00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:55,000 Thank you. 328 00:41:55,000 --> 00:42:03,000 All right, with that we will move to public comments for items not listed on the agenda. 329 00:42:03,000 --> 00:42:09,000 This section is reserved for items not listed on the agenda that are under the subject matter jurisdiction of the city council. 330 00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:14,000 Written public comments were requested to be emailed in advance of tonight's meeting. 331 00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:19,000 If you wish to speak, please click the raise hand button on the Zoom toolbar now. 332 00:42:19,000 --> 00:42:27,000 Public testimony is limited to three minutes per speaker and a speaker's time may not be transferred to another speaker. 333 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:33,000 And now I'll defer to City Clerk Rodriguez to see if we have any public comments. 334 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:41,000 Thank you, Mayor Lopez. The city did not receive any written public comments and there are no hands raised at this time. 335 00:42:41,000 --> 00:42:44,000 Okay, thank you. 336 00:42:44,000 --> 00:42:48,000 Then we will move on to the consent calendar. 337 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:52,000 This section is reserved for items on the consent calendar. 338 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:57,000 Written public comments were requested to be emailed in advance of tonight's meeting. 339 00:42:57,000 --> 00:43:02,000 If you wish to speak, please click the raise hand button on the Zoom toolbar now. 340 00:43:02,000 --> 00:43:10,000 Public testimony is limited to three minutes per speaker and a speaker's time may not be transferred to another speaker. 341 00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:17,000 Once again, I will defer to City Clerk Rodriguez to see if we have any public comments for our consent calendar. 342 00:43:17,000 --> 00:43:19,000 Thank you, Mayor Lopez. 343 00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:24,000 The city did not receive any written public comments and there are no hands raised for live testimony. 344 00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:27,000 Great, thank you. 345 00:43:27,000 --> 00:43:38,000 And now I will call on each council member to see if they have any questions or comments about the consent calendar or wish to roll anything to discuss separately. 346 00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:41,000 Council member Buckley Webber. 347 00:43:41,000 --> 00:43:46,000 I have no questions and no comments. Thank you. 348 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:49,000 Okay, council member Northrop. 349 00:43:49,000 --> 00:43:51,000 No questions or comments. 350 00:43:51,000 --> 00:43:54,000 Thank you, council member Webber. 351 00:43:55,000 --> 00:43:57,000 No questions, no comments. 352 00:43:57,000 --> 00:44:00,000 Okay, Mayor Patem, answering. 353 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:02,000 No questions or comments. 354 00:44:02,000 --> 00:44:09,000 Thank you. I also do not have any questions or comments about the items on the consent calendar. 355 00:44:09,000 --> 00:44:21,000 So now I will ask for a motion and will the maker of the motion to adopt the consent calendar along with the second please state your names. 356 00:44:22,000 --> 00:44:27,000 Thank you. 357 00:44:27,000 --> 00:44:31,000 Thank you. 358 00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:37,000 We have a motion and a second to adopt and approve the following four consent calendar items. 359 00:44:37,000 --> 00:44:40,000 Number one, approve demand warrant register. 360 00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:42,000 Number eight 65. 361 00:44:42,000 --> 00:44:49,000 Number two, authorized purchase of very small aperture terminal visa equipment from McKay, 362 00:44:50,000 --> 00:44:52,000 Communication Inc. 363 00:44:52,000 --> 00:44:58,000 SMMC emergency operations, wildfire, resiliency grant. 364 00:44:58,000 --> 00:45:00,000 Number three, request. 365 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:14,000 For a progression of funds for SUMAC Park Restroom, Rehabilitation Project, NIB-21-02, and number 4, approve and make 366 00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:25,000 AB361 findings for special Brown Act requirements for teleconference meetings. And I will now call on each council member for their vote on the consent calendar. 367 00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:27,000 Council member, Buckley Webber. 368 00:45:27,000 --> 00:45:29,000 Aye. 369 00:45:29,000 --> 00:45:31,000 Council member, North-Rip. 370 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:33,000 Aye. 371 00:45:33,000 --> 00:45:35,000 Council member, Webber. 372 00:45:35,000 --> 00:45:37,000 Aye. 373 00:45:37,000 --> 00:45:39,000 Mayor, Portem, Amsterdam. 374 00:45:39,000 --> 00:45:41,000 Aye. 375 00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:49,000 I also vote in favor and the motion passes five to zero. Thank you very much. 376 00:45:49,000 --> 00:46:03,000 So now we will move to staff comments. Does anyone on our staff have any comments for the council or the public? 377 00:46:03,000 --> 00:46:09,000 Mayor, if I could just remind the public that we have our vaccine clinic coming up tomorrow, 378 00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:15,000 the 10th from 1pm to 5pm. And if you visit our website, if you 379 00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:19,000 need information on where it's lined up, but that'll be at our recreation events center. 380 00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:23,000 Wonderful. Thank you. 381 00:46:23,000 --> 00:46:31,000 Not seeing any other staff members pop on. I will now call on each council member to see if they have any comments. 382 00:46:31,000 --> 00:46:35,000 Council member, Buckley Webber. 383 00:46:35,000 --> 00:46:41,000 My only comment is to also join in thanking all of our volunteers in this city. I don't know how many 384 00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:47,000 are still on this program, but if anybody's listening. Thank you for all the work that you do. 385 00:46:47,000 --> 00:46:49,000 It's more important than ever. 386 00:46:49,000 --> 00:46:55,000 And the wonderful thing about volunteering is it brings us together as a community rather than spread us apart. 387 00:46:55,000 --> 00:47:03,000 You volunteer for what you want to do and it's not political and it's not people taking sides on one thing or another. 388 00:47:03,000 --> 00:47:07,000 It's just working together to make our community a better place to live. 389 00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:13,000 So thank you for all that you do and hopefully next year, I know we said this last year, 390 00:47:13,000 --> 00:47:17,000 but hopefully next year we'll all be together again. 391 00:47:17,000 --> 00:47:21,000 Thank you. Council member Northrup. 392 00:47:21,000 --> 00:47:31,000 I think I'm just going to say ditto to that and looking forward to better times like that as the number seen to be moving in the right direction. 393 00:47:31,000 --> 00:47:35,000 Thank you. Council member Webber. 394 00:47:35,000 --> 00:47:43,000 I will join my two colleagues in there in their comments. 395 00:47:43,000 --> 00:47:49,000 When you think about the number of volunteers, I think the last time I took account of it, 396 00:47:49,000 --> 00:47:59,000 and so 250 men, women and children all pitch into do so many wonderful things for our city. 397 00:47:59,000 --> 00:48:03,000 So I appreciate them and God bless them. Thank you. 398 00:48:03,000 --> 00:48:07,000 Thank you and Mayor Pertem and Stan. 399 00:48:07,000 --> 00:48:13,000 Yes, I also want to just personally thank all of volunteers again for all of our work this year. 400 00:48:13,000 --> 00:48:19,000 And past year as many people have been doing the volunteer activities for many years in a row. 401 00:48:19,000 --> 00:48:27,000 And I especially just want to put a shout out to the Gor village subcommittee that I was privileged to participate in. 402 00:48:27,000 --> 00:48:37,000 I know every member on that subcommittee spent many hours kind of reviewing policies and reviewing documents in addition to the meetings. 403 00:48:37,000 --> 00:48:43,000 And I want to just thank them personally for all their time that they put in into that subcommittee. 404 00:48:43,000 --> 00:48:49,000 So thank you again for everybody's volunteer. 405 00:48:49,000 --> 00:48:53,000 Thank you and of course I echo all of the comments about our volunteers. 406 00:48:53,000 --> 00:49:01,000 I will wrap up my comments by saying GoRams. 407 00:49:01,000 --> 00:49:09,000 I think the residents are really learning that I don't know if they knew. 408 00:49:09,000 --> 00:49:15,000 I certainly didn't know for a little bit of time that the Rams are headquartered in the city of a Gor Hills. 409 00:49:15,000 --> 00:49:21,000 It's something I love to tease our A-Kong reporter Cal Jory about because they they practice in 1000 Oaks. 410 00:49:21,000 --> 00:49:23,000 But where they headquartered, Gor Hills. 411 00:49:23,000 --> 00:49:27,000 So there are the Gor Hills Rams in our eyes. 412 00:49:27,000 --> 00:49:31,000 And we wish them the best of luck this Sunday. So go Rams. 413 00:49:31,000 --> 00:49:33,000 All right. 414 00:49:33,000 --> 00:49:39,000 With that, the next regular city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. 415 00:49:39,000 --> 00:49:43,000 Wednesday, February 3rd, 2022. 416 00:49:43,000 --> 00:49:50,000 It is anticipated that all meetings will be held by video conference and in-person attendance by the public in the council chambers. 417 00:49:50,000 --> 00:49:52,000 We'll not be permitted. 418 00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:56,000 So we'll take a motion to adjourn and we'll the maker of the motion. 419 00:49:56,000 --> 00:49:58,000 And the second please state your name. 420 00:49:58,000 --> 00:50:01,000 Now, remember Buckley Webber. 421 00:50:01,000 --> 00:50:04,000 Moved to adjourn tonight's meeting. 422 00:50:04,000 --> 00:50:06,000 Mayer probe to adjourn. 423 00:50:06,000 --> 00:50:08,000 Second. 424 00:50:08,000 --> 00:50:12,000 Okay. Hopefully our city clerk got that. 425 00:50:12,000 --> 00:50:14,000 I got a little overlap there. 426 00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:18,000 And I will now call on each council member for their vote. 427 00:50:18,000 --> 00:50:20,000 Remember Buckley Webber. 428 00:50:20,000 --> 00:50:21,000 Aye. 429 00:50:21,000 --> 00:50:22,000 Council member Northrup. 430 00:50:22,000 --> 00:50:24,000 Aye. 431 00:50:24,000 --> 00:50:26,000 Council member Webber. 432 00:50:26,000 --> 00:50:28,000 Aye. 433 00:50:28,000 --> 00:50:30,000 Mayor Patam Anston. 434 00:50:30,000 --> 00:50:32,000 Gorams. 435 00:50:32,000 --> 00:50:34,000 Yet. 436 00:50:34,000 --> 00:50:36,000 And I also vote aye. 437 00:50:36,000 --> 00:50:40,000 And the motion passes 5 to 0 and the meeting is now adjourned. 438 00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:42,000 Thank you. 439 00:50:42,000 --> 00:50:44,000 Have a good night. 440 00:50:48,000 --> 00:50:50,000 Thank you.