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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-135 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AND THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY FOR EXPANSION OF THE FREE RESOURCE AND ENERGY BUSINESS EVALUATION PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista has been successfully implementing its Free Resource and Energy Business Evaluation program since 2009, which annually helps over 800 local businesses identify opportunities to save energy and water. With funding support from San Diego Gas & Electric, the City created the South Bay Energy Action Collaborative in 2013 to assist smaller neighboring cities with their energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. As such, Chula Vista and National City are working to expand the Free Resource and Energy Business Evaluation program into National City as outlined in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 8 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15308 [Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment] of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposal seeks to implement strategies aimed at reducing energy use and lower fossil fuel emissions. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
As part of its Climate Action Plan update in 2009, the City of Chula Vista created its Free Resource and Energy Business Evaluation (FREBE) program, which required storefronts and offices to participate in a no-cost energy and water evaluation when a new business license is issued (and every four years thereafter). Through the program, trained City staff perform over 800 on-site evaluations annually, which may include a review of a building’s systems, envelope, office equipment, appliances, operational procedures, and utility bills. With the evaluation results, detailed strategies are recommended to each business to help them reduce their energy and water use through voluntary efficiency upgrades and/or operational changes. On average, approximately 65% of participating businesses implement one of the City’s recommendations and over 95% would recommend the FREBE program to other businesses.
In 2013, San Diego Gas & Electric expanded the City of Chula Vista’s Local Government Partnership to support a new South Bay Energy Action Collaborative (SoBEAC). SoBEAC was created to provide Chula Vista’s smaller neighboring cities with peer-to-peer assistance in implementing their energy efficiency and sustainability priorities. As such, Chula Vista staff has completed street light inventories for Coronado, created Library Energy Kits for National City, launched a small business outreach initiative in Imperial Beach, and participated in numerous community events in all four South Bay cities. SoBEAC has since received statewide recognition as an innovative approach to energy efficiency program delivery and is being replicated by the San Diego Association of Governments in other parts of the region.
Based on the success of Chula Vista’s FREBE program, National City has expressed interest in implementing a similar program for its local businesses under SoBEAC. The anticipated roles and responsibilities for each jurisdiction in expanding the FREBE program have been outlined in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding. Generally, Chula Vista staff would manage and conduct the evaluation process, while National City would coordinate formal notices and address any non-compliance issues. The FREBE program expansion into National City would be fully supported through existing SDG&E Local Government Partnership funding.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18705.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. The FREBE program supports the Healthy Community goal as it seeks to reduce community energy use thereby leading to improved local air quality (from reduced power generation demand).
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The approval of the Memorandum of Understanding and the resulting expansion of the Free Resource and Energy Business Evaluation program would be funded through Chula Vista’s existing Local Government Partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric and the California Public Utilities Commission; therefore, there would be no new impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There would be no new, ongoing impact to the General Fund because the SDG&E Local Government Partnership would continue to support FREBE program implementation.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Memorandum of Understanding with National City
Staff Contact: Robert Beamon, Administrative Services Manager