Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 162256

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 162256

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-1044-16

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: ASSISTANCE FOR MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER CUSTOMERS

Introduced: 9/28/2016

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 11/1/2016

Agenda Date: 11/1/2016

Agenda Item Number: 11A7

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT CUSTOMERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST QUALIFIED MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT CUSTOMERS FACING TERMINATION OF WATER SERVICE THROUGH A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE BOARD

Indexes:	WATER AND SEWER
	UTILITIES
	DONATION

Sponsors:	Daniella Levine Cava, Prime Sponsor
	Barbara J. Jordan, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	11/1/2016	11A7	Adopted				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Sosa noted the importance of developing criteria for qualified Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department customers who would be receiving assistance under the Voluntary Contribution Program; and of specifying how often any customer would be eligible to receive assistance under this program. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

Metropolitan Services Committee	10/11/2016	2B	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Shannon Summerset-Williams read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Chairwoman Jordan noted she may wish to co-sponsor the item. Commissioner Levine Cava stated that the proposed item would be beneficial to the low-income homeowners’ and residents’ with water bills. She pointed out that one percent of Miami-Dade County’s Water and Sewer Department’s (WASD) customers struggled to pay their bills. Commissioner Levine Cava indicated that the program was modeled on a program that existed in North Miami Beach; and the Community Action and Human Services Department was already partnering with that City on the “I Care Water Donation Program”. Commissioner Levine Cava added that individuals would be encouraged to make voluntary donations to help residents in need. She noted WASD would help develop standards to administer the program. She expressed the hope that the Commission would support the foregoing proposed resolution. Commissioner Diaz noted he supported these types of programs for a number of years; however, there was not enough information on this particular program. He indicated that he understood the North Miami program, and every municipality had similar programs, most particularly the “Lead Program” which helped residents pay their electrical bills. Commissioner Diaz said that he would like to support this legislation; however, more information was needed, for example how donations would be made. He pointed out that the water rates had been raised by the department, and expressed concern that the program may become a hindrance to the department rather than being a help for the residents. Commissioner Edmonson noted she supported this legislation; however, she had a few concerns regarding the program. She inquired how often a resident would be allowed to take advantage of the program, noting she feared that some individuals would abuse the goodwill and have their water bills paid every month. Commissioner Edmonson stressed that the program should stipulate a limited time period during which individuals could obtain assistance; and they would have to wait perhaps six months to a year before making use of the program again. Chairwoman Jordan recalled that a similar program had been implemented previously, sponsored by Commissioner Ferguson. She said she remembered that $2 million dollars had been set into a pool to help residents with water bills, not only for individual but also for multifamily developments. She inquired whether Mr. Lester Sola, Director, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD), had any information or background on the program. Mr. Sola stated that he did not have any background information on the program, which was administered by the Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD). He explained that the proposed program would require the Water and Sewer Department to make available the mechanism by which the customers themselves would contribute voluntarily to the fund. Mr. Sola added that the funds would then go to the CAHSD, which would develop a program with the criteria for the distribution of the funds. Chairwoman Jordan said the program was managed through the CAHSD along with the Water and Sewer department. She expressed her full support for the foregoing proposed resolution. Commissioner Levine Cava indicated that there would be a report within 90 days; at the presentation of this report, the Commission members would be informed on the requirements, and would have the opportunity to address any concerns that were raised particularly by Commissioner Edmonson. Regarding how the funds would be raised, she noted they would be comprised of voluntary contributions from the 435,000 WASD customers, as indicated by Mr. Sola. Commissioner Levine Cava stated that the CAHSD was administering a similar program with North Miami Beach, and was also working on an energy program and other programs. Pursuant to Commissioner Edmonson’s question as to whether the customers would sign up for the program and then pay an additional amount with each bill, Commissioner Levine Cava explained that it could be a onetime payment, and did not have to be a recurring payment. She added that different mechanisms could be used for the contributions Commissioner Edmonson expressed her support for the idea. Commissioner Diaz’ inquired whether the funding for this program would be controlled by the private sector or the Commission; and who would receive this funding. He also inquired whether Commissioner Levine Cava would receive a report detailing the distribution of the funds. Mr. Sola indicated that the legislation requested a report from the Administration on how the program would be implemented. He explained that WASD would serve as the mechanism to collect the voluntary contributions, which would then be transferred to the CAHSD; and CAHSD would determine who would receive the funds to pay their bills. Responding to Commissioner Diaz’ question as to who would administer the program, Mr. Sola noted the CAHSD would obtain the funds; and it was already administering a similar program at North Miami Utility. Commissioner Diaz indicated that he would wait for the report; but in the meantime, he would support the item. Chairwoman Jordan requested to be listed as a co-sponsor for the foregoing proposed resolution. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

County Attorney	9/28/2016		Assigned	Henry N. Gillman		9/28/2016

County Attorney	9/28/2016		Referred	Metropolitan Services Committee		10/11/2016

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT CUSTOMERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST QUALIFIED MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT CUSTOMERS FACING TERMINATION OF WATER SERVICE THROUGH A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE BOARD

BODY
WHEREAS, clean and safe drinking water is a basic necessity; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (�WASD�) provides clean and safe drinking water to over 435,000 retail customers; and
WHEREAS, nonpayment of the water bill may result in the termination of water service; and
WHEREAS, although WASD has one of the lowest water rates in the country, low-income elderly, low-income disabled and other low-income customers may have difficulty paying their water bill due to economic hardships like medical bills, prescription medication costs, school and daycare expenses and other financial challenges; and
WHEREAS, many municipalities in the United States, such as Topeka, Kansas, Houston, Texas and North Miami Beach, Florida offer a voluntary contribution fund wherein water utility customers can provide financial assistance to qualified customers facing termination of service; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to establish a program to enable WASD�s customers to voluntarily contribute to a fund designed to assist qualified and eligible low-income WASD customers who face termination of water service due to economic hardship,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to establish a program (�Voluntary Contribution Program�) that provides Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department customers with the opportunity to contribute to a fund designed to assist qualified and eligible low-income Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department customers who face termination of water service due to economic hardship. The Voluntary Contribution Program shall be operated by the Community Action Agency, which has a strong track record of successfully managing utility customer assistance programs, and shall include specific criteria for eligibility and procedures for accepting customer contributions, collecting and distributing funds. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee shall provide a written report on the Voluntary Contribution Program, including a timeline for implementation, to this Board within 90 days of the effective date of this Resolution and shall place the completed report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.