AR 062006 Mutual Assistance Agreement

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ITEM #7 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2006 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR and COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Jeannette Olko, Electric Utility General Manager SUBJECT: Recommend Approval to enter into Mutual Assistance Agreement DATE: June 12, 2006 BACKGROUND: The SCPPA Ad Hoc Transmission and Distribution Engineering and Operating (T&D E&O) Committee has been reviewing various mutual assistance agreements for the benefit of SCPPA members. There have been agreements among neighboring utilities such as Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena, and Anaheim and Riverside, as well as agreements between utilities in Southern and Northern California. Mutual aid following a natural disaster such as an earthquake continues to be the driving factor for regional and/or statewide mutual aid agreements. These agreements were established in the late 1980's and early 1990's, and fortunately have rarely been used. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The T&D E&O Committee reviewed existing agreements among certain members and contemplated crafting a new agreement for SCPPA members. Upon review of California Utilities Emergency Association's (CUEA) Mutual Assistance Agreement, however, it was decided that this particular agreement satisfied all requirements of SCPPA members. CUEA's mission is to 'ensure the members of the association are better prepared to respond to, and recover from, a localized emergency or statewide disaster with minimal disruption.' The CUEA offers an up-to- date standardized mutual aid agreement that is accepted widely across the state by both public and private utilities. CUEA members have access to the resources of the State of California through the Office of Emergency Services. Parties to the CUEA agreement include Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Cities of Anaheim, Healdsburg, LADWP, Redding, Palo Alto, Riverside, Roseville, Santa Clara, Shasta Lake, Bear Valley Electric, SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E. Participating in the agreement requires joining CUEA; membership dues will be less than $1,000 per year. There are specific procedures outlined in Exhibit C of the agreement which the city will have to follow when requesting aid from another member, which include providing an annual update of the authorized representative and alternate representative; coordinating and facilitating meetings of the parties to the agreement as necessary; assisting and guiding utilities interested in becoming a party to the agreement; and facilitating any necessary reviews of the agreement. Other terms of the agreement include the following: The agreement provides no assurances that aid will be provided, but only puts the procedures in place for requesting and providing such aid when available