SR-092308-1I~~
City Council Report
City of
Santa bionica'°
City Council Meeting: September 23, 2008
Agenda Item: ~ _-
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: Solar Santa Monica Demonstration Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with EcoMotion to provide project
development and implementation services for the Solar Santa Monica program.
Executive Summary
On January 22, 2008, City Council approved Phase 2 of the Solar Santa Monica
program and a $236,050 contract modification to Contract 8634 (CCS) with EcoMotion
to cover the first six months of development and implementation of Phase 2. A
minimum of 1,500 kW of new solar capacity will be installed during the 3-year Phase 2;
increasing the photovoltaic capacity in Santa Monica from 393 kW to 2,193 kW, a 300%
gain. The EcoMotion contract will be for FY 2008-09. EcoMotion will work with
prospective program participants, provide marketing and public outreach, project site
management, and assist in the preparation of a community-wide solar loan program for
Council approval. Funds for this contract are available in the adopted budget.
Discussion
On September 12 2006, City Council authorized a professional services agreement
with EcoMotion for $532,098 to provide project development, marketing and public
outreach, and implementation services fora 2 year Solar Santa Monica demonstration
project. The demonstration project's goal was to facilitate the deployment of solar and
energy efficiency in 50 residential, commercial, and institutional buildings throughout the
community with the intention of demonstrating how Santa Monica could become a "net
zero electricity importer" by 2020. Solar. Santa Monica was publicly launched on
1
January 17, 2007. After successfully achieving the demonstration project goals in 18
months, Council approved Phase 2 of the Solar Santa Monica program on January 22
2008 and also approved a $236,050 modification to EcoMotion's contract (8634 CCS) to
fund the first six months of development and implementation of Phase 2. Phase 2 of
Solar Santa Monica will extend the program for three years, 2008-2010, and add at
least 500 kW of solar installations per year for three years; increasing the photovoltaic
capacity in Santa Monica from 693 kW to 2,193 kW, a 300% gain.
During FY 2008-09, EcoMotion will focus on the following areas: assisting commercial
building property owners and multi-tenant building owners with the complexities of
purchasing solar, developing a specialist network of contractors with specific expertise
in energy efficiency and solar systems, project facilitation and site management, and
overall program support. In addition, Solar Santa Monica is considering creating a
special solar assessment district that would allow property owners to access the City's
capacity to provide loans for the cost of solar systems and efficiency installations that
would. be repaid through charges on the individual property tax bills of participating
owners. This approach will be implemented by the cities of Berkeley and Palm Desert,
and staff will be coming to Council for approval of a resolution that will direct staff to
prepare a solar assessment district plan.. EcoMotion will assist in the preparation of the
plan.
Consultant/Consultant Selection
In April, 2008, the City's Energy and Green Building Program Office sent a Request for
Proposals to four companies for program development, marketing and public outreach,
and site management services for Phase 2 of the Solar. Santa Monica program. Two
proposals were received. Staff interviewed both firms and selected EcoMotion as the
best proposal based upon the comprehensive scope of services proposed, previous
experience implementing effective .energy efficiency and solar programs, and
EcoMotion's lower proposed budget. EcoMotion developed the City of Palm Desert's
new "Energy Independence Loan Program" which will loan City funds to property
2
owners for energy efficiency and solar upgrades. The Palm Desert program will serve
as the model for a similar program in Santa Monica.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract amount to be awarded to EcoMotion is $450,000. A 10% contingency in
the amount of $45,000 is also proposed for a total of $490,000. Funds are available in
Account 01226.555060.55100W.
Prepared by: Susan Munves, Energy and Green Building Programs Administrator
Approved: Forwarded
Dean Kubani P. L ont well
.Manager, Office of Sustainability and the Ci Manager
Environment
3
Reference Amendment to
Contract No. 8634 (CCS)