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Bellflower council sets public hearing on renewing Bellflower Somerset water franchise
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 26-07 on March 9 to set a public hearing and begin the process for granting a new franchise to Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company after staff said the previous franchise expired in 2021 but operations and fee payments continued.
The Bellflower City Council voted March 9 to adopt Resolution 26-07, which sets a public hearing and outlines the schedule to consider granting a new franchise to Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company.
City staff said the prior franchise had expired in 2021 but Bellflower Somerset continued operations and paid annual franchise fees. Staff said the Public Utilities Commission formula for franchise fees (2% of gross sales receipts) determines the fee calculation in these cases. Because the previous franchise lapsed, staff said the city needs to start the administrative process anew, beginning with the resolution that sets public hearing and subsequent ordinance introduction and adoption dates.
Mr. Gorecki told the council that the public hearing notice would start on March 13, with an ordinance introduction scheduled for April 13 and second reading and adoption slated for April 27. Council member Dutton moved to adopt the resolution and council member Coops seconded; the item passed on a roll call vote.
The resolution does not itself grant the franchise; it initiates the public-notice and hearing process necessary under state and local procedures. Council members asked whether the lapsed franchise had caused fiscal impacts; staff said Bellflower Somerset continued to pay the required franchise fee and there was no fiscal loss to the city.
