City Council

b. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13.04.130 OF THE SIGNAL HILL\nMUNICIPAL CODE\nSummary:\nThe City of Signal Hill currently provides water service and collects related\nservice fees as permitted by California law. While the City’s Municipal Code\nauthorizes rates to be adopted by resolution, the current Water Service and\nRate structure is set in Title 13 Public Utilities of the Signal Hill Municipal Code,\ntherefore, changes must be adopted by ordinance. Because adopting an\nordinance takes much more time than adopting a resolution, this creates a\nsignificant delay between adoption of service fees and inclusion of those fees in\nthe Municipal Code.\nLegislative changes effective January 1, 2017, allow public agencies to adopt\nnew or increased water service fees by resolution under Health and Safety Code\nSection 5471. The proposed Ordinance would confirm the City can update water\nrates by resolution, while eliminating the requirement of adding water rates to\nthe Municipal Code. This action will eliminate the need for adoption of an\nordinance in addition to the required resolution, thereby streamlining water rate\nsetting in compliance with applicable law.\nIf approved by the City Council, the proposed Ordinance would be introduced\nthis evening and return for the required Second Reading on May 13, 2025.\nAmended Sections 13.04.130(A) and 13.04.130(C) would become effective\nJune 12, 2025.\nStrategic Plan Goal(s):\nGoal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability\nand resilience.\nGoal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical\ninfrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.\nGoal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication,\nrecruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the\neffectiveness and efficiency of City services.\nRecommendation:\nAdopt the following Ordinance, entitled:\nAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL,\nCALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 13.04.130(A) AND 13.04.130(C) OF\nTHE SIGNAL HILL MUNICIPAL CODE TO AUTHORIZE FUTURE RATES FOR\nWATER SERVICE FEES TO BE SET BY RESOLUTION, AND FINDING SAID\nACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY\nACT.