EXHIBIT 18-A

 

List of Suggestions for Improving Understanding and Cooperation between California American Water and the MPWMD

February 13, 2007

 

 

   1.      Conduct a televised workshop on August 30, 2007 that would provide Steven Leonard, General Manager of the Monterey Division, California American Water (CAW), the opportunity to educate the Board and public about how a regulated utility is operated and funded. He could describe: (a) the physical system including the number of tanks, pumps and customers CAW serves locally; (b) the regulatory process; (c) operating costs and the interaction between capital and operations; (d) how capital budgets are developed and the associated priorities; and (e) how the Public Utility Commission regulates profits through a public process.  Mr. Leonard would like to explain why customers pay higher rates for less water, and that rates pay for maintenance and operation of the entire water system, even if only 60 percent of the available water is utilized.  Mr. Leonard suggested that another subsequent workshop could be focused on describing the tiered rate system.  Mr. Leonard shall submit an outline of the presentation to the Public Outreach Committee for review prior to the August 30, 2007 workshop.

 

2.         Mr. Leonard invited the District Board members to tour CAW facilities to increase their understanding of the complicated system they are regulating.  The Board should make a visit to San Clemente Dam and view the siltation that has occurred.  Directors should also see the Seaside Basin wells.  These tours could be arranged without the participation of the press.

 

3.         CAW could inform the District before it begins infrastructure improvements, such as replacement of a water main in a sensitive area.  The District would then be prepared to make statements in support of the work.  This would alleviate confusion among members of the public as to whether or not the District was in someway responsible for the project.

 

4.         CAW and the District should jointly develop press releases on projects they are developing cooperatively.

 

5.         When issues arise that could be reported in the public as potential disagreements, CAW and the District should discuss and establish a common understanding of the facts and issues they agree and disagree on.  Because an issue is viewed one way by the regulator (MPWMD), and another way by the company that is regulated (CAW) it does not mean there is always a disagreement. 

 

 

 

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