BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss Potential Customer Assistance Alternatives During COVID-19 Pandemic.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Discuss potential customer assistance alternatives that could be undertaken in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and provide direction to staff as necessary.
Body
SUMMARY:
At the April 28, 2020 Board meeting, the Board discussed alternative actions and plans related to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 Budget, Water Charges and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that could be undertaken in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. At that meeting, the Board requested staff to develop more details on several alternatives and to bring back a follow up discussion. Accordingly, staff has prepared a more thorough discussion on the following alternatives:
1. Partner with the Silicon Valley Strong Partnership;
2. Pursue Partnerships with local municipalities to Assist with Water Related Activities; and
3. Targeted assistance to end customers via a loan program to retailers.
In addition, staff would like to discuss a fourth alternative as follows:
4. Opportunities to initiate near term Valley Water work to be carried out by Small Businesses.
Partner with the Silicon Valley Strong Partnership
After preliminary discussions with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which operates as the fiscal agent of the Silicon Valley Strong Partnership, it has been determined that they could establish a fund for Valley Water to utilize for a specific purpose such as water bill relief for those impacted economically by the pandemic. However, Valley Water would need to fundraise and/or solicit donations for that specific fund; additional analysis is needed to provide greater operational detail on this option.
Pursue partnerships with local municipalities to assist with water related activities
Staff has identified several partnership opportunities that would allow Valley Water to provide financial or other assistance to local municipali...
Click here for full text