HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - No. 2009-90RESOLUTION NO. 2009-90
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL
APPROVING PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE NECESSARY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby
approve the following Public Benefit Programs as shown on the project descriptions
marked ExhibitA attached hereto:
1 ) Lodi LivingWise Program - $20,000
2) Lodi Solar Schoolhouse Project- $10,000
3) Lodi On -Line Energy Audit Program- $19,800
4) Lodi CARE Package Program - $50,000
5) Lodi Low -Income Refrigerator Trade -In Program - $70,000
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is hereby authorized and
directed to execute professional services agreements required for each Public Benefit
Program as outlined in Exhibit attached.
Dated: June 17, 2009
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hereby certify that Resolution No. 2009-90 was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held June 17, 2009, by the following
Vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS—Johnson, Mounce, and Mayor Hansen
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS— Hitchcock and Katzakian
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS— None
&RAIJOHL
City Clerk
K1I1Z'31 60(
EXHIBITA
1. Lodi LivinkWise Program: Some 2,900 Lodi students and their families have
participated in this program since 2003. The program provides students and educators at
Lodi area schools with a useful tool that demonstrates energy and water Conservation.
The budget for the 2009-2010 school year (Lodi fiscal year) is $20,000. The funds
allocated are paid to Resource Action Programs of Modesto, California. This firm
provides the energy efficiency kits (please see next paragraph) to the classrooms,
schedules delivery of said kits to meet the individual teacher timeframes and produces a
school-by-schoolreport of efficiency savings once the program year is complete.
For the 2009-2010 school year, Lodi Electric Utility staff is once again proposing to
provide 417 energy and water conservation kits to 6th grade students throughout Lodi.
Each kit contains a compact fluorescent lamp, an Electro luminescent (energy efficient)
Night Light, a low -flow showerhead, faucet aerators, a water leak test for toilets, tips on
energy/water conservation, specific ways to weatherize/insulate the home, and more.
Once the kits are delivered to the classroom, and the teacher has received their training
packet, students are instructed on how/why to implement the contents of the kit at their
home. There are pre -installation and post -installation course discussions that are provided
to the instructors to ensure that the students are fully engaged in the project. After the
students have installed the contents of their kit at home, an assessment is produced by
Resource Action Programs staff to determine projected energy and water savings
associated with the installation of the various energy/water conservation measures. To
"kick-off' the project, an Electric Utility staff member will attempt to visit each
classroom to reinforce the significance of the project and discuss the importance of
energy/water conservation.
While the project educates students on the importance of energy/water conservation, it
also complements the energy education curriculum mandated by the State of California
for all 4` through 6th grade students. Teacher feedback continues to indicate that our
program is an excellent "fit" for portions of their math, science and or energy education
curriculum. The Lodi Living Wise Program was implementedin fifteen (15) sixth -grade
classrooms throughout the community during the 2008-2009 school year. The budget
and contract with Resource Action Programs is $20,000.
2. Lodi Solar Schoolhouse Project: Since 2002, over 1,500 Lodi students have been
involved in one aspect or another of this project. The Lodi Solar Schoolhouse Project is
aimed at educating students in grades 3rd through 12th regarding the importance of
renewable energy resources, like the sun and wind, and the critical role these energy
resources will most likely have on their future.
To assist in implementing this program, Electric Utility staff will again utilize the
professional services of The Rahus Institute, a not-for-profit organization based in
Martinez, California. For the 2009-2010 school year (and Lodi fiscal year), the Lodi
Solar Schoolhouse Project will have several key elements, including: 2nd Annual Solar
Schoolhouse Discovery Day, the Solar Schoolhouse Summer Institute (provides funding
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for two Lodi educators to attend a week-long renewable energy resource training camp),
presentations on clean energy at the Lodi Energy Smart Workshop events, and delivery of
the DVD/book entitled `Teaching Solar' to area educators. In addition, The Rahus
Institute staff will provide in -classroom presentations where requested, as well as
ongoing consulting services to Lodi Electric Utility staff regarding solar and wind energy
issues. The budget and contract with The Rahus Institute for this program is $10,000.
As is the case with the Lodi Living Wise Program, the Lodi Solar Schoolhouse Project
complements the energy education curriculum mandated by the State of California,
allowing numerous Lodi educators to fulfill this educational requirement.
3. Lodi On -Line EnerQy Audit Program: Lodi Electric Utility offers both on-site and
on-line energy audits for residential customers (on-site audits are also provided for small
and medium-sized commercial customers). The on-line service, known as the
HomeEnergySuite, is provided by the firm APOGEE Interactive. The on-line tool
provides customers with the ability to determine how their monthly energy dollars are
expended. The tool also provides access to lighting and appliance calculators, an
educational `Kids Korner' and an energy conservation reference library. On average,
fifty to seventy-five customers per month utilize this free service. The contract with
APOGEE Interactive for the 2009-2010 fiscal year is in the amount of $19,800. In
addition to maintaining the database/on-line tool, APOGEE Interactive also provides
monthly updates on customer "hits" (how many customers are utilizing the service) and
continually updates the energy conservation reference library with new and emerging
energy technologies. New for the 2009-2010 fiscal year is the addition of a small
business on-line energy audit program, which will allow customers to identify energy use
patterns via the computer, similar to the aforementioned residential on-line audit
program.
4. Lodi CARE Package Program: Since late 2004, the City of Lodi has provided a
special grant program designed to assist Lodi families in paying their monthly utility bill.
To qualify for a grant, a customer must earn less than the published federal income
guidelines. Specifically, the Lodi CARE Package Program will provide a relief payment
of up to $125.00" for eligible families/customers. Other program specifics include:
➢ a customer in need will be interviewed by staff of the Lodi Salvation Army at the
Lockeford Street facility; the family/customer must meet eligibility requirements, as
listed on `Attachment A/B;'
R if approved for a relief payment, the Salvation Army will notify the City of Lodi
Finance Department of eligible customer name, and the exact amount of the relief
payment;
➢ the Salvation Army will also notify the City of Lodi Electric Utility Department of
approved customers; these customers will automatically be enrolled in the Lodi
Energy Audit Program and receive a free in-home energy audit;
➢ customers are eligible to receive a maximum grant amount of $125.00 every six
months;
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➢ a set of income guidelines has been developed for this program, and will be utilized
as part of the assessment process conducted by the Salvation Army (please see
`Attachment B');
➢ in order to receive the maximum relief payment of $125.00, a customer must have
no past due amounts owed to the City of Lodi, and must be able to pay the
remaining portion of their current City of Lodi utility statement (the water and
wastewater charges).
The following two entities are providing the funds available for the relief payments:
➢ City of Lodi Electric Utility - $50,000 total; of this amount, $43,000 is earmarked
for relief payments to the customers in need. The $43,000 is ONLY for payment of
the electric utility component of customer bills. $7,000 is earmarked as the
payment due to the SalvationArmy for their assessment services.
➢ WMO Waste Management - $5,000 total; these funds will be designated solely for
the purpose of paying the refuse component of a customer's bill (maximum
payment is $25.00 per customer; one such payment every six months).
Since the program's inception, 939 Lodi customers have participated in the program and
received a grant payment. The intent of the Lodi CARE Package Program is to assist
those customers — currently living on wages 20 percent below the published federal
income guidelines — in paying their monthly City of Lodi utility bill, particularly when
the customer is facing a difficult period. The program is a "safety net" of sorts for
customers experiencing a particularly difficult or unexpected financial hardship.
In order to adequately qualify customers for a relief payment, Lodi Electric Utility will
again utilize the Lodi Salvation Army (S.A.) to serve as the day-to-day administrator of
the program. The S.A. will charge the City of Lodi a fee of $20.00 per customer
assessment (not to exceed $7,000.00 during the 2009-2010 fiscal year). The S.A. has
provided the same assessment services for this program since late 2004.
*This relief payment was derived by assessing the average bill of a utility customer currently receiving a
rate discount as part of the Lodi SHARE Program (the SHARE rate discount provides eligible customers
with a monthly 30% rate discount on their City of Lodi electric bill). Two months were used as part of the
assessment (July and November 2008). Of these two months, the average July utility bill for electric only
was $90.00, while the average November utility bill for electric only was $55.00. Based upon this
assessment, it was determined that the electric utility component of the relief payment be capped at
$100.00. Also during this aforementioned assessment process, it was determined that the average refuse
component of a City of Lodi utility statement is $22.00 (hence, a cap of $25.00 is recommended as the
refuse component of the relief payment). The two relief components, electric and refuse, then equal a
maximum grant of $125 per eligible customer.
**The S.A. was selected to serve as the screening agent for this program for two reasons: 1) their
experience and expertise in providing services of a similar nature for other entities (PG & E, San Joaquin
County); and 2) the S.A. has served successfully as the administrator of the "Lodi C.A.R.E. Package
Program" since 2005 — this is a utility grant payment program funded through Lodi's Public Benefits
Program.
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5. Lodi Low Income Refrigerator Trade -In Program: This is a new program for the
2009-2010 fiscal year, with a budget and contract for services of $70,000 with the San
Joaquin County Human Services Agency (HAS). Specifically, the Public Benefit
Program funds earmarked are for the purchase and installation of high efficiency
(EnergyStar(D) refrigerators for low-income residential families in Lodi. While trained
staff from the San Joaquin County HAS provide various in-home energy conservation
weatherization services, they will also determine if the family is in need (qualifies) for a
new, energy efficient refrigerator. Approximately 85 energy efficient refrigerators will
be available for those families identified through this program during the 2009-2010
fiscal year. Note: the weatherization services provided by the San Joaquin County HSA
include the installation of attic insulation, door sweeps, weather -striping, and other
materials as needed to ensure the conservation of energy year-round. These services are
provided at no cost to the customer.
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Lodi C.A.R.E. Package
EIBIT "A
Eli ibil Requirements:
S , must meet income guidelines as established in Exhibit "B;°'
> customer has not received assistance through. the Lodi CARE Package Program in
the past six (6) months;
➢ customer must present (in person) appropriate documentation of the following in
order to qualify for a relief payment -
current City of Lodi utility statement;
- ID/Social Security Cards CwALL members o fthe household, and driver's
license or California ID card of the person listed on the utility account;
proof of current income (i.e.: pay stub, grant letter, etc.)- handwritten notes
are not acceptable;
- copy of rental agreement (if applicable);
proof of unexpected expenses (within the last sixty days), resulting in the
inability to or hardship in paying City of Lodi utility account;
City of Lodi receipt for customer's co -payment, if applicable/necessary;
➢ customer must consent to a free, in-home energy audit, once their reliefpayment has
been approved;
the available grant i s for up to $125, which only pays for the electric utility
component and the refuse component of the customer's City of Lodi utility Bill;
customer is required to demonstrate ability to pay for all other fixed charges (water,
wastewater, sewer) on their City of Lodi utility bili MOR to grant payment being
authorized by the SalvationArmy;
contact the Lodi SalvationArmy to determine eligibility; the number is 369-5896,
Lodi CARE Package
EE IBIT "B7
Benefit Levels:
$125.00 per eligible customer service address/account; of this amount,
up to $100 is for the electric utility component, and up to $25 is for
the refuse component of the utility statement;
➢ one relief payment in a six-month period; no more than two (2) relief
payments in 12 months.
Lodi CARE Paekaae Income Levels:
> 1-2 persons in household $17,600 (maximum)
> 3 persons in household $209720 (" )
> 4 persons in household $249880 ( )
> Each additional member $ 63,240
(NOTE: the income guidelines listed above are 20% less than the income
guidelines utilized for the Lodi SHARE Discount Program.)