A RESOLUTION confirming that Seattle City Light may extend residential rate assistance electric rates under Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.040 to its low-income customers who reside in subsidized units of the Seattle Housing Authority, the Housing Authority of the County of King or the federal government that do not receive allowances or assistance with their electric utility bills.

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle's municipal utilities currently offer their low-income customers some of the most comprehensive and generous rate assistance programs in the nation; and,

WHEREAS, the City seeks to ensure full participation by eligible customers in these programs; and,

WHEREAS, a City Council review of these programs revealed that Seattle City Light's current interpretation of Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.040 (D) limiting the application of residential electric rate assistance to any low-income residents in subsidized units of the Seattle Housing Authority, the Housing Authority of the County of King, or the federal government is overly restrictive because the language intends to limit the application of the rate assistance only to those subsidized units that already receive allowances for, or assistance with, electric utility bills; and,

WHEREAS, extending residential rate assistance to certain lowincome customers in subsidized units who do not receive assistance with their electric utility bills is more in line with the intent of the original legislation;

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. Council confirms that Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.040(D) only limits application of residential rate assistance for electric utility bills to low-income customers residing in subsidized units of the Authorities that actually receive allowances for, or assistance with, their electric utility bills, and confirms that Seattle City Light may extend residential rate assistance to low-income customers of housing Authorities who reside in subsidized rental units that do not receive allowances for, or assistance with, their electric utility bills.

Section 2. The Superintendent of Seattle City Light, or his designee, shall work with the City's Human Services Department to implement any necessary changes to the application or eligibility criteria pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.040(B) to effectuate this Resolution.

Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2011, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day

of ______________________, 2011.

_________________________________

President ___________of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING:

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2011.

____________________________________

Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)

Sahar Fathi/SF LEG -Low Income Assistance-RES July 13, 2011 Version #2