HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-10; City Council; ; Memorandum of Understanding for a Home Energy Score Demonstration Pilot ProgramCA Review: GH
Meeting Date: Jan. 10, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Katie Hentrich, Senior Program Manager
katie.hentrich@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2623
James Wood, Environmental Sustainability Director
james.wood@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2584
Subject: Memorandum of Understanding for a Home Energy Score Demonstration
Pilot Program
Districts: All
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute a memorandum of
understanding with the Energy Council to develop a home energy score demonstration pilot
program.
Executive Summary
The home energy score, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and its national
laboratories, provides homeowners, buyers and renters information about a home’s energy
use. It is a measurement used in the city’s Building Code to gauge a project’s energy efficiency.
The city currently provides energy score assessments as a free service, using a contractor
certified to perform this technical evaluation.
Staff are recommending the City Council approve a memorandum of understanding with the
Energy Council that would support and promote this program with no additional cost to the
city. The proposed memorandum of understanding requires the City Council’s approval and is
attached to the recommended resolution (Exhibit 1).
Explanation & Analysis
Like a miles-per-gallon rating for a car, the home energy score is based on a standard
assessment of energy-related elements of a home to easily compare energy use across homes.
A home energy score report estimates home energy use and associated costs, and provides
potential energy solutions to cost-effectively improve the home’s efficiency. Each home energy
score is shown on a simple 1-to-10 scale, with a 10 representing the most efficient homes.
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 1 of 11
The city has an existing Home Energy Score Assessment Program1, with an ongoing pilot
program that offers homeowners a free, customized assessment on a first-come, first-served
basis through a designated assessor. Residents can fill out an online form and have the city’s
contracted assessor inspect their home and offer potential energy saving solutions for free.
Certain scores from the Home Energy Score Assessment make home building projects eligible
for exceptions on building permits, depending on the type, size and cost of the project. This
exception was included in the updates to the city’s Building Code that the City Council adopted
in March 2019, which exceeded the requirements in the California Energy Code.
The program is part of Carlsbad’s commitment to sustainability and supports the city’s Climate
Action Plan.
The city has an opportunity to promote and potentially expand its Home Energy Score
Assessment Program without additional cost.
The Energy Council is a California joint powers agency and the governing board of StopWaste2
in Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area. The council seeks funding on behalf of its
member agencies to develop and implement programs and policies that reduce energy
demand, increase energy efficiency, advance the use of clean, efficient and renewable
resources, and help create climate-resilient communities.
The Energy Council is partnering with Pacific Gas & Electric Company to develop a home energy
score demonstration pilot program that will use the Department of Energy’s home energy score
tool to provide homeowners with information about energy use in their home and how to
improve energy efficiency.
The Energy Council recently received funding from the Bay Area Regional Energy Network to
develop and implement a home energy score pilot program in jurisdictions outside of the Bay
Area. Under the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, the Energy Council would help
expand Carlsbad’s existing pilot program by providing additional policy support, program
promotion, training assessors, database project tracking, incentive funding coordination and
other related services.
The training of assessors will help increase the local pool of technicians certified to perform
these home assessments.
There is no cost to the city for these services.
By leveraging the Energy Council and the Bay Area Regional Energy Network’s experience
managing similar programs in several jurisdictions, the city’s Home Energy Score Assessment
Program could reach more residents and get more assessments performed than the city’s
ongoing pilot program. Due to funding limitations, the Energy Council’s assistance is only
available through June 2023.
1 Information about the program can be found at: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/community-
development/building/home-energy-score-assessment-program
2 StopWaste is a public agency responsible for reducing the waste stream in Alameda County and is jointly
governed by three boards, one of which is the Energy Council.
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 2 of 11
Fiscal Analysis
The Energy Council will provide support services at no cost to the city. No additional city
funding is being requested.
Options
Staff are recommending the City Council approve the memorandum of understanding under
which the Energy Council will provide policy support for the city’s Home Energy Score
Assessment Program, promote the program, train assessors, perform database project tracking,
coordinate funding for incentives and other related services. This will enable the program to
serve more homeowners without additional city funding. Not approving the proposed
resolution would mean the city could not avail itself of these services.
Next Steps
With City Council approval, staff will begin working with the Energy Council on the tasks
outlined in the scope of work in Attachment A of Exhibit 1. The Energy Council and PG&E
partnership is expected to conclude June 30, 2023. Staff will use the information and outreach
conducted during this partnership to continue improving the city’s Home Energy Score
Assessment Program over time.
Environmental Evaluation
Approving the memorandum of understanding with the Energy Council does not require
environmental review because it does not constitute a project within the meaning of the
California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065 because it has
no potential to cause either a direct or indirect physical change in the environment, or a
reasonable, foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Public Notification
This document was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for
public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to scheduled meeting date.
Exhibit
1. City Council resolution
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 3 of 11
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-002
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE ENERGY COUNCIL TO
DEVELOP A HOME ENERGY SCORE DEMONSTRATION PILOT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Energy Council, which is a California joint exercise of powers agency, is
partnering with Pacific Gas & Electric, which is a combined natural gas and electric company based in
San Francisco, on a home energy score demonstration pilot program using the U.S. Department of
Energy's home energy score tool for use in reach codes (i.e., local requirements that exceed the
California Energy Code) of local jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the Energy Council has received funding to pilot a program using the Department of
Energy's home energy score tool through the Bay Area Regional Energy Network; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. CS-347 on March 12, 2019, which includes
a "reach code" that references the home energy score as an option for compliance or exemption from
other energy efficiency requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Energy Council has received funding through the Bay Area Regional Energy
Network for development and implementation of a home energy score pilot program in local
jurisdictions located outside of the San Francisco Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, the city has an existing Home Energy Score Assessment Program with a current pilot
that provides free, customized scores to residents on a first-come, first-served basis; and
WHEREAS, the city and the Energy Council desire to enter into a formal agreement for the
Energy Council to provide the city with policy support and home energy score pilot program
development, assessor trainings, database project tracking, incentive funding coordination, outreach
development and other related services for a term of one year with an option to extend for one
additional one-year period or parts thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the City Manager or designee is hereby authorized and directed to execute the
Memorandum of Understanding, attached hereto as Attachment A, with the Energy
Council for a Home Energy Score Pilot Program.
Exhibit 1
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 4 of 11
3.That the City Manager or designee is hereby authorized to extend the Memorandum of
Understanding as described in Attachment A.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 10th day of January, 2023, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder.
None.
None.
None.
Kf lTH BLACKBURN, Mayor
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 5 of 11
A.Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance. Insurance written on an
"occurrence" basis, including personal & advertising injury, with limits no less than
$2,000,000 per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general
aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location or the general aggregate
limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.
B.Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability. Workers' Compensation limits
as required by the California Labor Code. Workers' Compensation will not be required if
Energy Council has no employees and provides, to City's satisfaction, a declaration stating
this.
C.Professional Liability. Errors and om1ss10ns liability appropriate to Energy
Council's profession with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per claim. Coverage must bemaintained for a period of five years following the date of completion of the work.
D.Additional Provisions. Energy Council will ensure that the policies of insurance
required under this MOU contain, or are endorsed to contain, the following provisions:
E.The City will be named as an additional insured on Commercial General Liability
which shall provide primary coverage to the City.
F.Energy Council wi11 obtain occurrence coverage, excluding Professional Liability,
which will be written as claims-made coverage.
G.This insurance will be in force during the life of the MOU and any extensions of it
and will not be canceled without thirty (30) days prior written notice to City sent by
certified mail pursuant to the Notice provisions of this MOU.
H.Nothing in this section shall prohibit Energy Council from being self-insured in
the manner and to the extent that Energy Council self-insures for similar risks with
respect to its operations, equipment and property. The manner in which such self-insured
is provided and the extent of such self-insurance shall be set forth in a letter of selfinsurance, delivered to City and signed by an authorized representative of EnergyCouncil, which fully describes the self-insurance program and how the program covers
the risks set forth herein. If, at any time during the term of this MOU, Energy Council
elects not to self-insure, Energy Council shall notify the City and the insurance
requirements specified herein shall apply.
VI.TERM. The term of this MOU shall extend for a period of one (1) year from the date first
above written. The MOU may be extended upon mutual agreement of the parties for one (1)
additional one (1) year period or parts thereof, and executed by the City Manager or designee,
based on the availability of funding for the pilot program. The parties will prepare a written
amendment indicating the effective date and length of the extended MOU.
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 8 of 11
Vil. TERMINATION. This MOU may be tenninated at any time by either party upon seven (7)
calendar days written notice to the other party.
VIII.AMENDMENT. This MOU may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
TX. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This MOU, together with any other document refened to or
contemplated herein, embody the entire agreement and understanding between the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof. Neither this MOU nor any provision hereof may be amended,
modified, waived or discharged except by an instrument in writing executed by the party against
which enforcement of such amendment, waiver or discharge is sought.
X.SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this MOU are severable. Should any provision herein
be found or deemed to be invalid, this MOU shall be construed as not containing such provision
and all other provisions which are otherwise lawful shall remain in full force and effect.
XI.COUNTERPARTS. This MOU may be executed in counterpart, all of which when put
together shall constitute one and the same document.
XII.NOTICE. The name of the persons who are authorized to give written notice or to receive
written notice on behalf of City and on behalf of the Energy Council under this MOU.
For City
Name Katie Hentrich ________ _
Title Senior Program Manager ____ _
Department
Address
Environmental Sustainability
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Ave.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone No. 442-339-2623
Email katie.hentrich@carlsbadca.gov
ForEner�y Council
Name Emily Alvarez _________ _
Title Program Manager _________ _
Address 103 7 Webster St.
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone No. 510-891-6585
Email EAlvarez@stopwaste.org
Each party will notify the other immediately of any changes of address that would require any notice or delivery to be directed to another address.
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 9 of 11
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU on the date first abovewritten.
ENERGY COUNCIL CIT OF CARLSBAD, a municipalco oration of the State of California
By:
(sign here)Byscotitl�CK, Cicy Manag�
(print name/title)
ATTEST:
By:
(sign here)� SHERRY PREISINGER, City Clerk
(print name/title)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CINDIE McMAHON, City Attorney
,,✓,fl:_._ l �--C..__, � City Attorney
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 10 of 11
Exhibit "A"
Scope of Services
Energy Council will providing the following services to the City:
•Set a goal for number of assessors needed to meet the City's program goals;•Utilize DOE HES partnership to enroll and support local assessors to complete scores,
process scores, and comply with the DOE requirements for QA of scores;•Train assessors (in-person) and provide required DOE mentorship (in person or virtual) to
grow a pool of qualified assessors in the North County San Diego region;•Create and maintain a qualified professionals list of assessors;•Advise on the design of and funding incentives to kickstart use of the pilotprogram;•Determine database customization needs, and customizing existing HES database for
generating and tracking scores to include climate zone, utility, and other information as
needed;
Develop a custom HES report with jurisdiction branding, desired recommendations, and
connections to local incentive or upgrade programs;•Design collateral and messaging for HES program outreach;•Publish monthly dashboards highlighting program participation and accomplishments;
and
Draft pilot program reporting, including evaluation, accomplishments, suggestions for
improvements, and creating a transition plan for implementation of HES program at the
conclusion of pilot program.
City staff will coordinate with Energy Council as follows:
Engage City decision-makers and seek to secure relevant approvals for pilot program
implementation;
Coordinate with City staff responsible for Reach Code implementation, such as building
departments, sustainability staff, and permit counter staff;
Present the policy before City Council and key stakeholder groups, as needed;
Implement the requirements of the City's Reach Code, including processing HES projects
when they are triggered by existing Reach Code policies;
Help coordinate logistics of in-person assessor trainings, including contacting local work
force and securing training locations; •Design and seek to offer pilot program incentives;
Determine database and report customization needs;•Utilize and co-branding outreach materials provided by Energy Council;•Participate in regularly scheduled project team meetings; and
Determine whether to phase-out or continue implementation of HES program after the
pilot program concludes.
Jan. 10, 2023 Item #2 Page 11 of 11