HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2011-05-23 Item 2A - Funding - Additional Grant Funding for Lighting Upgrades City of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Haggerton
Community Affairs and Parks Committee
FROM: Brandon Miles, Senior Planner
DATE: May 16, 2011
SUBJECT: Lighting Upgrades to City Facilities
Additional Grant Funding Available
ISSUE
Staff would like to pursue additional grant funds from the Washington State Department of
Commerce to undertake additional energy upgrades to various city facilities. If additional funds
can be obtained, staff would like to execute an amendment with the Washington Department of
General Administration to complete an expanded scope of work.
BACKGROUND
In 2007, the City Council adopted Resolution #1649 that outlined the City's commitment to
reduce greenhouse gases. The resulting inventory found that the City was responsible for the
release of 7,041 tons of CO2, over 50% of which was the result of electrical operation at city
buildings, parks, and operations of street lights.
On February 16, 2010, the City Council authorized the acceptance of a grant in the amount of
$129,500 from the Washington State Department of Commerce to complete energy upgrades to
various city facilities. These funds are provided to the Department of Commerce from the
Federal Government as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The proposed
energy upgrades are basic improvements to lighting and installation of motion sensors that will
reduce energy use and costs. The work would occur at City Hall, 6300 Building, the Community
Center and the parking lot lights at Fort Dent'.
On February 22, 2011 the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign an agreement with the
State of Washington Department of General Administration to utilize performance contracting to
complete the scope of work outlined in the City's grant agreement with the Department of
Commerce. Work has begun on our original scope of work, with City Hall and the 6300 Building
being completed and the gym lights at the TCC being replaced with energy efficient lights.
The total project cost for our original scope of work is $163,904, of which $15,387 was originally
forecasted to come from City funds. Due to higher than expected utility rebates, staff is
anticipating that the City's cash contribution to the project will be $3,091. The actual amount will
not be known until Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light have inspected the work.
The Department of Commerce has informed the City that due to some cities choosing not to
utilize their grant funds, additional funds could be made available to the City. Additionally, they
indicated it is unlikely that any entity would get more than $50,000 in additional funds. The
Department of Commerce has asked cities, including Tukwila, if they would be interested in
additional funding to complete even more energy efficient projects.
Per our agreement with Starfire Sports, the City is responsible for the parking lot, including lighting.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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There is no requirement for the Citv to provide a cash match in order to be eligible to
accept additional funds. However, the additional funding would have to be used quickly in
order for the City to close out our agreement with Commerce by the end of August 2011.
Staff has identified additional energy efficiencies that could easily be completed in the next few
months. The following is a list of possible projects:
1. Replace the parking lot lights in City Hall and the 6300 parking lots with energy efficient
lights.
2. Retrofit the indoor lights at Old City Hall. These lights are currently T -12s and these
types of fixtures and bulbs will not be produced after the end of the year and will
eventually have to be replaced.
3. Retrofit the outdoor lights at Tukwila Park, Bicentennial Park and the Golf Course.
4. Install additional occupancy sensors in the 6300 Building, Community Center and public
bathrooms at Park Facilities.
The final scope of work would be determined by the total funding that is made available to the
City. The work that is chosen will be work that generates the greatest amount of energy saved
per dollar spent. There is no assurance that additional funds would be provided.
DISCUSSION
Time is of the essence in order to obtain additional funds. City staff only found out that it was
likely we could get additional funds two weeks ago. If the Department of Commerce were to
offer us additional funds, we would have to act quickly to amend our existing agreements with
the Department of Commerce and the Washington State Department of General Administration
and then complete the work before our grant agreement with the State expires on August 31,
2011. The City Council approved these original agreements on February 16, 2010 and
February 22, 2011.
Completing additional work will allow the City to further reduce our energy consumption and
thus reduce the City's operating costs. The City would also be closer to achieving our goals of
reducing greenhouse emissions as outlined by City Council Resolution #1649.
RECOMMENDATION
The Community Affairs and Parks Committee is being asked to (1) provide approval this
evening for staff to apply for the grant (no City match required); and (2) to forward the contract
amendments to the June 13, 2011 Committee of the Whole and subsequent June 20, 2011
Regular meeting (contingent on funding being awarded).
ATTACHMENTS
Informational Notice regarding recent Energy Upgrades
W:12011 Info Memos\EnergyGrant.doc
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ENERGY SAVINGS: A BRIGHT IDEA
1Y You may have noticed new and improved lights throughout
.i; City Hall, the 6300 Building and the Tukwila Community
Center. The City of Tukwila is currently in the process of
completing lighting upgrades to many City facilities.
The goal of these upgrades is to reduce energy usage and
ultimately save taxpayer dollars. Very little City funding was
used to complete the upgrades. Most of the funding was
provided by the Federal Government through the State
of Washington as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. Additional funding was provided by
Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light. Once the
lighting project is complete, these new lights will reduce
the electric bill paid by Tukwila taxpayers to operate City
buildings. The City has calculated that City funds used in
the project will be paid back in as little as six months from
the energy savings produced.
If you have any questions or would like more information on
completing energy upgrades to your own home or business,
please call Senior Planner Brandon Miles at 206 431 -3684,
or send an email to brandon.milesa- TukwilaWA.aov.
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