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HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution Approving Rate Recommendation Report 2023RESOLUTION OF THE RATE COMMISSION OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT APPROVING A RATE RECOMMENDATION REPORT ON THE WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER RATE CHANGE PROPOSAL AND RELATED MATTERS WHEREAS, the Rate Commission of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (the "District") is directed by § 7.040 of the Charter Plan, as approved and amended by the voters of the City and County of St. Louis, to review and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees of the District regarding proposed changes in wastewater rates, stormwater rates and tax rates or changes in the structure of any of the rates; and WHEREAS, the District, on March 24, 2023, referred a rate change proposal to increase the District's wastewater and stormwater rates for review by the Rate Commission; and WHEREAS, any change in a rate recommended to the Board of Trustees by the Rate Commission is to be accompanied by a statement complying with the provisions of §§ 7.040 and 7.270 of the Charter Plan; and WHEREAS, in order to conduct its proceedings with utmost expedition consistent with procedural fairness to the parties, the Rate Commission, pursuant to the Charter Plan, (i) adopted Restated Operational Rules on March 4, 2019; (ii) amended its Restated Operational Rules on February 21, 2023; and (ii) adopted a Procedural Schedule governing the proposed rate change on March 24, 2023; and WHEREAS, the Rate Commission received written testimony, exhibits, conducted technical conferences and public hearings, received legal and other memoranda, and has conducted these proceedings in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Charter Plan, the Restated Operational Rules (as amended) and Procedural Schedule (the "Proceedings"); and WHEREAS, the Rate Commission discussed and considered each of the facts and circumstances disclosed during the Proceedings; and WHEREAS, the Rate Commission has considered a statement specifically responsive to the criteria and factors set forth in §§ 7.040 and 7.270 of the Charter Plan (the "Rate Recommendation Report") to the Board of Trustees. NOW, THEREFORE, the Delegates of the Rate Commission do hereby resolve, determine and order as follows: Section 1. Findings. The Delegates of the Rate Commission hereby find and detel wine those matters set forth in the preambles hereof as fully and completely as if set out in full in this Section 1. 1 Section 2. Charter Plan Requirements. The Delegates of the Rate Commission fi nd and determine that the Rate Recommendation Report in the fowl attached hereto as Exhibit "A" considered at this meeting satisfies the requirements of the Charter Plan. Section 3. Rate Recommendation Report. The Delegates of the Rate Commission hereby approve the Rate Recommendation Report, inclusive of minority reports, attached hereto as Exhibit "A", in substantially the form presented to and amended at this meeting, and the officers of the Rate Commission are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver and attest, respectively, the Rate Recommendation Report, and are hereby further authorized and directed to make any such changes, modifications, insertions and omissions as may be consistent with the intent of this Resolution and as may be deemed necessary or desirable to effect the Rate Recommendation Report, with the necessity or desirability of such changes, modifications, insertions and omissions being conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof. Section 4. Minority Reports. (a) The Rate Commission hereby receives the Minority Report of Commissioners Goss, Palans, Stein, and Toenjes Regarding the District's Debt Service Coverage Requirement relating to the Wastewater Rate Change. (b) The Rate Commission hereby receives the Minority Report of Commissioners Jearls, Palans, and Stein Regarding the Appropriate Allocation of Infiltration/Inflow Costs relating to the Wastewater Rate Change. (c) The Rate Commission hereby receives the Minority Report of Commissioners Palans and Stein Regarding the Phasing-In of Extra Strength Surcharge Increases relating to the Wastewater Rate Changes. (d) The Rate Commission hereby receives the Minority Reports of Commissioners Palans and Stein regarding: (i) the Stormwater Rate Change Proposal being Consistent with Constitutional, Statutory or Common Law; (ii) the Stoiiâ–ºiwater Rate Change Proposal Impairing the Ability of the District to Comply with Applicable Federal or State Laws or Regulations; and (iii) the Stormwater Rate Change Proposal Failing to consider the Financial Impact on All Classes of Ratepayers in Determining a Fair and Reasonable Burden. Section 5. Actions of Officers Authorized. The officers of the Rate Commission shall be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to deliver to the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District the Rate Recommendation Report and the Minority Reports and to take such actions as they may deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out and perform the purposes of this Resolution and to make ministerial alterations, changes or additions in the foregoing documents herein approved, authorized and confirmed which they may approve and the execution or taking of such action shall be conclusive evidence of such necessity or advisability. Section 6. Severability. It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Rate Commission that each and every part, section and subsection of this Resolution shall be separate 2 of any other part, section and subsection. In the event that any part, section or subsection of this Resolution shall be determined to be or to have been unlawful or unconstitutional, the remaining parts, sections and subsections shall be and remain in full force and effect, unless the court making such finding shall determine that the valid portions standing alone are incomplete and are incapable of being executed in accordance with the intent of this Resolution. Section 7. Governing Law. This Resolution shall be governed exclusively by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Missouri. Section 8. No Personal Liability. No Delegate of the Rate Commission, officer, professional, consultant or agent of the Rate Commission shall have any personal liability for acts taken in accordance with this Resolution. Section 9. Expenses. The Finance Committee is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be paid all costs, expenses and fees incurred in connection with or incidental to this Resolution. Section 10. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. ADOPTED by the Delegates of the Rate Commission of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District this 25th day of August, 2023. ATTEST: tailik,u4S. 020,-i-ke-- Its Secretary RATE COMMISSION OF THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DIS 3 Its Chairman