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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-010 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING A $185,000 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY (CSE) FOR SUPPORT IN IMPLEMENTING THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA'S SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Staff has prepared a two-party agreement with the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) for support in implementing the City of Chula Vista's Sustainable Communities Program. The purpose of the agreement is to perform a variety of tasks, such as education and training, code coaching, inspections, pre-construction meetings and updates to the Sustainability Center website that will promote energy efficiency and reduced green house gas emissions as part of the planning and building process.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed agreement for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project is exempt, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA guidelines. The implementation of the SCP, including education and training, code coaching, inspections, pre-construction meetings, and updates to the Sustainability Center website, will not cause a significant environmental effect. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City is part of a Local Government Partnership (LGP) with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) to promote energy efficiency in Chula Vista. As part of our LGP, the City of Chula Vista established a Sustainable Communities Program in 2009, to investigate and update existing programs, guidelines and regulations to reflect the advances that have been made in both green building and energy conservation for buildings as well as community- and project-level site planning considerations. Because technologies and standards are constantly evolving, the City's SCP also emphasizes ongoing education and support for staff, developers and permit applicants. The City entered into an agreement with SDGE for the 2015 funding cycle, with certain goals and objectives for its Sustainable Communities Program.
Qualifications
Due to CSE's unique qualifications and energy efficiency expertise, the City accomplished the following in 2014: held 15 trainings on various energy efficiency topics (trained over 200 attendees), provided one-on-one support for energy efficient design to staff and the development community, and developed educational tools such as energy code and green building code correction lists, checklists, and website updates (CVMC 2.56.070.B.4). Based on this experience, the Center for Sustainable Energy has been selected to continue assisting the City in its Sustainable Communities efforts for 2015.
Scope of Work
The following summarizes the proposed scope of work to be performed by CSE team, in accordance with the LGP agreement:
· Training of staff and development community
· Code coaching and Sustainability Desk staffing
· Secondary inspections for Energy Code compliance
· Pre-construction Meetings to promote opportunities for meeting and exceeding energy goals
· Updates to Sustainability Center website
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 18704.2(a)(1), 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. Implementation of the SCP supports the Healthy Community goal, as the SCP seeks to promote energy efficiency and reduce green house gas emissions by infusing sustainable practices into the planning and building process.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no net fiscal impact to the General Fund resulting from the proposed agreement. The cost for the proposed scope of work is $185,000. The funds for the Sustainable Communities Program have been appropriated and are provided through the Local Government Partnership with SDGE; staff has confirmed that the proposed work is an eligible expense under the Partnership Agreement.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Two-Party Agreement with CSE
Attachment 2 - Resolution for CSE Agreement
Staff Contact: Janice Kluth, Senior Project Coordinator, Development Services Dept.