HomeMy WebLinkAbout15. 20-155 APRIL 14, 2020 20-155 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 7-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: TEMPORARILY SUSPEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN RELATION
TO PUBLIC UTILITIES DURING THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, a novel strain of the coronavirus, named COVID-19 has spread
throughout numerous countries including the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Health and Human Services has
declared a Public Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin has declared a Public Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council for the City of Oshkosh ratified the Declaration
of Emergency for the City of Oshkosh on March 18, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Federal, State and Local Declarations of Emergency have resulted
in significant disruption of public access to government facilities and of citizens'
everyday routines; and
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
have suspended certain provisions related to public water utilities within the State
including waiver of late fees, suspension of non-safety related disconnections, and
expansion of the ability to enter into deferred payment agreements during the period of
the declared COVID-19 Emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh recognizes the economic burdens placed upon all
utility customers as a result of this emergency and desires to provide temporary relief for
all City of Oshkosh utility customers during the COVID-19 Emergency including
stormwater and sanitary utility customers.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council for the City of
Oshkosh that consistent with State of Wisconsin Orders pertaining to water utility service,
the City of Oshkosh public utilities for wastewater and stormwater shall provide for the
waiver of late fees and enter into appropriate deferred payment agreements during the
period of the declared COVID-19 Emergency for the City of Oshkosh.
Oshkosh
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Russ Van Compel, Finance Director
DATE: April 8, 2020
RE: Temporary Suspend Certain Provisions in Relation to Public Utilities
during the COVID-19 Emergency
BACKGROUND
On March 22, the Governor of Wisconsin ordered the suspension of certain Public
Service Commission (PSC) administrative rules which included the ability to authorize
public utilities to waive late fees, temporary suspend the disconnections for non-
payment, ensure that deferred payment agreements are available not only to residential
customers but also commercial and industrial customers, and streamline the process for
customers to apply for utility service.
For the City of Oshkosh, the only public utility regulated by the PSC is the Water
Utility. The Sewer Utility and Stormwater Utility are not regulated by the PSC.
The City Attorney is recommending that a resolution be considered by the City Council
to make all utilities consistent and to approve the administrative rules for the late fees of
the non-regulated utilities consistent with the regulated utility administrative rules.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt this resolution.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved:
Russ Van Compel Mark Rohloff
Finance Director City Manager
Finance Department
City Hell,215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh,WI 54903-1130 920.236.5005 http://www,ci.oshkosh.wi.us