The Final Word on Measure B and the DWP MOU from Soledad Garcia

Dear Colleagues,

Many emails have been circulating on Section 6.2 of the MOU as to whether 14 days advance notice to DWP is applicable to Measure B. The Oversight Committee did not initiate clarification because it is already a ballot initiative. Additionally, DWP denies having any accountability for Measure B. The DWP gives full credit to the Mayor and to the City Council.

In my opinion, NCs that have not voted to oppose Measure B, should decide for themselves if they wish to extend DWP a courtesy notification by adding one day to the normal 72 hours, as advance notice to the DWP Liaison.

As Chair of the NC/LADWP Oversight Committee, I seek the continued implementation of the MOU through established MOU channels. Likewise, should the DWP wish to change the Document, there is an established MOU procedure. Disagreements with DWP's interpretation of the Document and lack of compliance will continue to be brought before the MOU Oversight Committee and submitted to the LADWP.

Sincerely,


Soledad S. Garcia
Chair, NC/DWP MOU Oversight

NC/DWP MOU Oversight Committee

Soledad Garcia Responds to Jim Alger on Measure B and the MOU

In response to enquiries re Jim Alger and NC/LADWP MOU Oversight Committee, Jim is a well intentioned former member of Northridge W. NC and the initiator of the MOU Taskforce five years ago.

But, he is not authorized to speak or write for me or the Oversight Committee; he is not a member of the OSC Board or a Board Member of a NC. He has written to DWP as an individual. Procedures for communication between the MOU Oversight Committee were not followed by the DWP Public Relations Administrator.

Relative to the MOU 6.2. It is our opinion that it does not apply in this case because Measure B is not an LADWP issue. Measure B came from City Council and should Measure B pass, the Charter amendments that the Council has had prepared, relieves DWP from the responsibility of accepting, rejecting or modifying Solar plans, business decisions and management decisions. The Ordinance is contained in Measure B. The only Workforce will be the DWP IBEW #18.

DWP General Manager did not know about the Solar Initiative until about six months ago. The DWP Commission President and Board were not informed until three months ago. The President of the Board of Commissioners, Nick Patsaouras resigned in October 08 upon being informed that DWP had been bypassed.

Under normal conditions, energy and water plans are within the purview of DWP. The Department plans for significant issues; they go through the DWP Committee, Board process and provide notification to the public and NCs. Neighborhood Councils are provided the opportunity to give input before a decision leaves the Commission and on to City Council Committees and Council of the Whole. Measure B did not go through this process.

Whereas it is true that it should be an LADWP issue, the fact is that Working Californians (IBEW DWP Union) brought the plan to the Mayor and to members of the Council. President of the Council Garcetti, Chair of Energy and Environment /Energy Committee Perry and Councilmember Greuel moved the solar motion on October 15, 2008. Three weeks later, at the November 7th Van Nuys Council meeting, the Council moved that the Solar Measure be placed on the March 3, 2009, ballot. The Working Californians have Public Relations Consultants handling the outreach and promotion of the Measure. This is not being done by DWP. LADWP CANNOT ADVOCATE FOROR AGAINST MEASURE B.

Recall that had it not been for the LA Times keeping abreast of the City Council solar plan actions, none of us would have known of their intentions to control thethe process and ownership of the Plan. Measure B does not belong to DWP, but to the City Council.

This is my message. Neighborhood Councils have their procedures which are followed accordingly. Measure B is no exception. The Brown Act must be followed to agendize and vote. It is recommended that Forums on Measure B have both sides. For information on Measure B, visit http://votenomeasureb.com/