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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 19, 2001 E-12u,��► LOo COUNCIL CITY OF LODI COMMUNICATION �</FOPS AA AGENDA TITLE: Adopt resolution approving a Public Benefits Program Grant and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a two-year contractual agreement with Enercom/Hometown Connections to provide software for the new Lodi Energy Audit Program (L.E.A.P.) ($23,200) (EUD) MEETING DATE: December 19, 2001 PREPARED BY: Electric Utility Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council adopt a resolution approving a Public Benefits Program Grant and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a two-year contractual agreement with Enercom/Hometown Connections to provide software for the new Lodi Energy Audit Program (L.E.A.P.) in the amount of $23,200. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The requested Public Benefits Grant will be utilized to purchase a software program known as Energy Depot. The web -based program will provide residential and small commercial customers (G-1) with a tool enabling them to better understand their energy consumption, and reduce utility costs. Customers will be able to access an online, do-it-yourself home and business energy audit that combines billing histories with information from a questionnaire completed online by the customer. Other features of the software include: ➢ An Energy Library, which includes a wide selection of fact sheets that address home and business energy systems, appliances and products; and ➢ An Energy Quick Calculator, which allows customers to calculate the energy use and costs from energy systems and appliances without completing a full energy audit; and ➢ An Energy Advisor, an e -mail -based inquiry tool, that customers use to ask personal energy questions. These inquires can be directed to the City of Lodi Electric Utility Department; and ➢ The City will receive an American Public Power Association discount totaling $7,200 over the course of the contract. Since early 1999, the City of Lodi has offered free home energy surveys and audits, utilizing a computer program known as VoltViewtech. To date, in excess of 400 customers have participated. This new product, Energy Depot, offered by Enercom/Hometown Connections, will allow for a greater range of services and products that the utility feels customers will find invaluable. FUNDING: 164605 — Public Benefits Program (Category — Demand-side Management) Funding Available: t � _�1 �— Vicky McAthie, IFinance Director Alan N. Vallow Electric Utility Director PREPARED BY: Rob Lechner, Manager of Customer Programs ANV/RUlst C: City Attorney Finance Director APPROVED: H. Dixon Flynn - City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 2001-291 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A PUBLIC BENEFITS GRANT, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A TWO-YEAR CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH ENERCOM/HOMETOWN CONNECTIONS TO PROVIDE SOFTWARE FOR THE NEW LODI ENERGY AUDIT PROGRAM ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- WHEREAS, the state has mandated that beginning January 1, 1998, the City of Lodi is obligated to fund various programs through a Public Benefits Charge (PBC) based on a historical electric revenue requirement; and WHEREAS, the requirement amounts to approximately $1 M per year that must be dedicated to qualifying programs such as energy efficiency. A further stipulation is that these efforts must be done on the customer's side of the meter in order to qualify; and WHEREAS, the City of Lodi's Public Benefits Program is comprised of four segments or customer groups: commercial/industrial, residential, community/non-profit, and municipal; and WHEREAS, this Public Benefits Grant will be utilized to purchase a software program known as Energy Depot. The web -based program will provide residential and small commercial customers (G1) with a tool enabling them to better understand their energy consumption, and reduce utility costs; and WHEREAS, customers will be able to access an online do-it-yourself home and business energy audit that combines billing histories with information from a questionnaire completed online by the customer. Other features of the software include: • An Energy Library, which includes a wide selection of fact sheets that address home and business energy systems, appliances, and products; and • An Energy Quick Calculator, which allows customers to calculate the energy use and costs from energy systems and appliances without completing a full energy audit; and • An Energy Advisor, an e -mail -based inquiry tool that customers use to ask personal energy questions. These inquires can be directed to the City of Lodi Electric Utility Department; and • The City will receive an American Public Power Association discount totaling $7,200 over the course of the contract. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lodi City Council hereby approves a Public Benefits Program Grant, and authorizes the City Manager to execute a two-year contractual agreement with Enercom/Hometown Connections to provide software for the new Lodi Energy Audit Program in the amount of $23,200.00. Dated: December 19, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2001-291 was passed and adopted by the Lodi City Council in a regular meeting held December 19, 2001 by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Hitchcock, Howard, Land, Nakanishi, and Mayor Pennino NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None SUSAN J. BLACKSTON City Clerk 2001-291