HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 19, 2002 I-01AGENDA TITLE: Adopt resolution authorizing the City Manager to provide funding in the amount of
$35,000 to fund the Public Benefits Program Grant- Lodi Solar Education Outreach
Pilot Project (EUD)
MEETING DATE: June 19, 2002
PREPARED BY: Electric Utility Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to
provide funding in the amount of $35,000 to fund the Public Benefits Program
Grant - Lodi Solar Education Outreach Pilot Project (EUD)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In conjunction with the Rahus Institute, a non-profit organization, the
City of Lodi Electric Utility is proposing the Lodi Solar Education
Outreach Pilot Project. The pilot project is designed to provide hands-
on solar educational materials and technology kits to both private and public school students in Lodi (the
targeted student grade levels include 2nd through 61h grade). These technology kits will contain various
solar experiments, allowing educators and students to learn first-hand how the sun may serve as a
renewable energy resource.
The $35,000 Public Benefits Program Grant will be expended on the following:
➢ to purchase fourteen (14) Solar Technology Kits (these kits mini -solar panels, a solar control panel,
mini -fan, lights, appropriate wiring, and other related solar experiment materials/equipment);
➢ to purchase seven (7) Teacher Technology Kits (background material on solar generation, handout
materials, brochures, etc.);
➢ to purchase seven (7) Mini -Module Solar Cells/Motors Classroom Sets;
➢ provide teacher training workshops (two to be conducted by the City of Lodi Electric Utility and
representatives from the Rahus Institute); and
➢ to develop solar education curriculum with Lodi Unified School District, as well as the local private
schools, as requested.
The Rahus Institute, based in Walnut Creek, California, is a non-profit organization focusing attention on
renewable energy resources. The organization devotes the majority of its time to creating partnerships
between local electric utility providers and educators, promoting solar energy technology.
After receiving enthusiastic support during our series of meetings with private school principals and
representatives from Lodi Unified School District, the City of Lodi Electric Utility respectfully recommends
approval of this pilot project. As identified by the California Energy Commission, this pilot project is a
qualifying component of the City of Lodi Public Benefits Program, under the category of Renewable
Energy Resources & Technologies.
APPROVED: S
'7� c4a,
H- Dixon Flynn - C' Manager
FUNDING: 164608 — Public Benefits Fund (Category: Renewable Energy Resources & Technologies)
Funding Approval:
Vicky McAthie, Finance Director
All�daL
Alan N. Vallow
Electric Utility Director
PREPARED BY: Rob Lechner, Manager of Customer Programs
ANV/RUlst
C: City Attorney
—14
APPROVED:
H. Dixon Flynn - City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-133
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF
$35,000.00 TO FUND THE PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAM GRANT —
LODI SOLAR EDUCATION OUTREACH
PILOT PROJECT
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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 pilot project is designed to provide hands-on solar educational materials
and technology kits to both private and public school students in Lodi, grade levels 2nd through
6"' grade. These technology kits will contain various solar experiments, allowing educators and
students to learn first-hand how the sun may serve as a renewable energy resource; and
WHEREAS, the $35,000 Public Benefits Program Grant will be expended on the
following:
➢ to purchase fourteen (14) Solar Technology Kits (mini -solar panels, a solar
control panel, mini -fan, lights, appropriate wiring, and other related solar
experiment materials/equipment);
➢ to purchase seven (7) Teacher Technology Kits (background material on solar
generation, handout materials, brochures, etc.);
➢ to purchase seven (7) Mini -Module Solar Cells/Motors Classroom Sets;
➢ to provide teacher training workshops (two to be conducted by the City of Lodi
Electric Utility and representatives from the Rahus Institute); and
➢ to develop solar education curriculum with Lodi Unified School District, as well as
the local private schools, as requested.
WHEREAS, the Rahus Institute, based in Walnut Creek, California, is a non-profit
organization focusing attention on renewable energy resources. The organization devotes the
majority of its time to creating partnerships between local electric utility providers and educators,
promoting solar energy technology; and
WHEREAS, after receiving enthusiastic support from private school principals and
representatives from Lodi Unified School District, the City of Lodi Electric Utility respectfully
recommends approval of this pilot project. As identified by the California Energy Commission,
this pilot project is a qualifying component of the City of Lodi Public Benefits Program, under the
category of Renewable Energy Resources & Technologies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lodi City Council hereby authorizes
the City Manager to provide Public Benefits Program grant funding in the amount of $35,000.00
to fund the Lodi Solar Education Outreach Pilot Project.
Dated: June 19, 2002
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2002-133 was passed and adopted by the Lodi City
Council in a regular meeting held June 19, 2002 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
2002-133