ORDINANCE NO. 180500
Establishing
a Water Utilities Advisory Board appointed by the Mayor and amending Chapter 2,
Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Boards, Commissions and
Committees,” by enacting a new Division 21 consisting of Sections 2-970.50
through 2-970.60 entitled “Water Utilities Advisory Board” to review and make annual recommendations to the City Council and the
Water Services Department for the services, financial policies, rates,
charges, and fees used to support the annual budget of Kansas City’s municipally
owned Water, Wastewater and Stormwater utilities.
WHEREAS, Kansas
City is committed to providing excellent water services through its water,
wastewater, and stormwater utilities that ensure the health and safety of its
citizens while safeguarding regional water resources for future generations;
and
WHEREAS, Kansas
City has built data-driven and fiscally responsible water utilities that
protect the environment and life’s most precious resource – water; and
WHEREAS, many
municipally owned water, wastewater and stormwater utilities in the United
States have an appointed advisory board; and
WHEREAS, such
advisory boards exist to evaluate the utilities' needs for annual rate
adjustments to meet the costs and demands associated with delivering service to
end users; and
WHEREAS, the
City of Kansas City should reflect best practices with an advisory board having
industry expertise to evaluate the cost of service and recommend rates, fees,
and charges for water services to the City Council on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS,
establishing an advisory board would increase transparency and the opportunity
for public input in the rate setting process, benefiting the citizens of Kansas
City; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED
BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code
of Ordinances, entitled “Boards, Commissions and Committees,” is amended by
enacting a new Division 21 consisting of Sections 2-970.50 through 2-970.60
entitled “Water Utilities Advisory Board” to review and make recommendations to the City Council for the services,
financial policies, rates, charges, and fees used to support the annual budget
of Kansas City’s municipally owned Water, Wastewater and Stormwater utilities,
said sections to read as follows:
DIVISION 21. WATER UTILITIES ADVISORY BOARD
Sec 2-970.50. Establishment
and Purpose.
There is hereby
created the Water Utilities Advisory Board, whose purpose is to review and make recommendations to the City Council and the Water
Services Department for the services, financial policies, rates,
charges, and fees used to support the annual budget of Kansas City’s
municipally owned Water, Wastewater and Stormwater utilities. If requested by
the City Council, the Board shall review and make recommendation on other
matters related to the water utilities.
Sec 2-970.51. Establishment;
membership; appointment and qualification of
members.
The Board shall
consist of five (5) voting members who shall be appointed by the Mayor and a
liaison member, the Director of Water Services or their delegate, who shall
have no voting rights. The Board’s voting members shall consist of
representatives recruited from among business and residential communities which
represent the City’s customer base, demonstrate industry expertise, and shall
be allocated as follows:
(1)
two (2) members shall be residential customers residing in Kansas City;
(2)
two (2) members shall be business customers located in Kansas City; and
(3)
one (1) member shall be from the City at-large.
Sec. 2-970.52. Terms.
Voting members
shall serve staggered five-year terms, with initial appointments being as
follows: one (1) member shall serve a five-year term, one (1) member shall
serve a four-year term, one (1) member shall serve a three-year term, one (1)
member shall serve a two-year term, and one (1) member shall serve a one-year
term. Following the initial appointments, all members shall serve five year
terms. The Mayor may appoint a member to complete the remaining term of any
vacant position. Voting members, at the end of their term, may be reappointed
at the pleasure and discretion of the Mayor. Voting members shall be subject
to removal by the Mayor.
Sec. 2-790.53. Duties.
The Board shall
hold at least four (4) regular meetings each year, and call special meetings as
required. The Board shall provide recommendations to the City Council and the
Water Services Department for the services,
financial policies, rates, charges, and fees that support the annual budget
process of Kansas City’s municipally owned water, wastewater and stormwater
utilities.
Sec. 2-790.54. Rules and
Procedures.
The Board may
adopt, from time to time, rules governing its own procedures and fixing the
time and place of its meetings to effectuate its purpose and govern its
affairs. However, three absences in a single year from meetings shall be
deemed to be a resignation from the Board. The Board shall elect a chair and a
vice chair from among its members. The terms of the chair and vice-chair shall
be for one (1) year with eligibility for re-election.
Sec. 2-790.55. Compensation.
The members of
the Board shall serve without compensation.
Sec. 2-790.56. Staff Support
and Supplemental Training.
The Water
Services Department shall provide clerical and administrative services for the
Board. Voting Members’ industry expertise shall be supplemented by receiving
cost-of-service or similar water utility financial management training.
_____________________________________________
Approved
as to form and legality:
_______________________________
Charlotte
Ferns
Assistant
City Attorney