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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-284 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 (FREBE)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista has been implementing it Free Business Energy Evaluation program since 2009. Over the past year, in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric’s South Bay Energy Action Collaboration, Chula Vista has been assisting our smaller neighboring cities with their energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. National City is pleased with the program implementation and would like to renew the Memorandum of Understanding for five years, in correlation to the term of Chula Vista’s Local Government Partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Project qualifies for a Class 8 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Thus no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
As part of the Climate Action Plan update in 2009, the City of Chula Vista created its Free Resource and Energy Business Evaluation (FREBE) program, which requires 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). 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. SoBEAC has 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 upon the success of the program National City is requesting a renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chula Vista and expanding it for five (5) years in correlation with Chula Vista’s five (5) year Local Government Partnership Agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric. The renewal term of this MOU with National City will be fully supported through SDG&E Local Government Partnership funding.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100,et seq.).
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 air quality (from reduced power generation demand).
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The approval of the new five (5) year MOU with National City to continue the SoBEAC program will be funded through the SDG&E Local Government Partnership and the California Public Utilities Commission; 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 funding would continue to support the program implementation.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Memorandum of Understanding with National City
Staff Contact: Lynn France, Environmental Services Manager