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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1981/08/25 Item 7.,J ~. COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Item ~ ,,// Meeting Date 8"25--81 ITEM TITLE: Resolution ~0~6f`'Approving revised agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric Co. for conversion of company-owned street lights to high pressure sodium vapor SUBMITTED gY;City Engineer (4/5ths Vote: Yes NoX ) On August 18, 1981, I presented to Council a report on a SDG&E proposal to change the utility underground allocation form ula. A secondary issue addressed in this report was the utility's proposal to use and erground allocation fund s to convert SDG&E Co. owned street lights to high pressure sodium vapor. Council, however, postponed consideration of the report until the August 26, 1981, Council conference and ordered staff to prepare (for that date) a revised underground program. We have been working with SDG&E staff to form ulate a revised underground program which will provide for the street light conversion program and the proposed allocation reduction. We anticipate having such a revised program ready for the September 24, 1981, Council Conference. Due to the com plexity of the allocation program, I believe it appropriate to separate the formula change issue from the street light conversion funding decision. In order to obtain a high priority in the lighting conversion program by SDG&E Co., Chula Vista must first authorize use of its allocated funds for such conversion. This conversion will save the City approximately $42,000 per year in energy costs. Therefore, it is my RECOMMENDATION: That Council 1) adopt a resolution approving the revised agreement (concerning use of allocated funds for conversions) with San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and 2) postpone the presentation of the underground allocation formula change from the Council Conference of August 27, 1981, to the Council Conference of September 24, 1981. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable. DISCUSSION: On August I2, I980, by Resolution No. 10235, City Council approved an agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric Co. for conversion of company-owned street lights from mercury vapor to high pressure sodium vapor. Per this agreement, SDG&E Co. was to I Form A-113 (Rev. 11/79) 4 ~ '~ i 1 Page 2, Item ~ Meeting Date 7-25-81 convert their 1,063 175-watt and 110 400-watt mercury vapor street lights within the City. Conversion cost was to be borne by the utility and was to result in a $42,000 per year energy cost saving s to the City. Due to financial problems, SDG&E Co. has postponed implementation of the conversion program for about three years. SDG&E Co., however, proposed to revise the approved agreement to provide for use of underground allocation funds to pay for their street light conversion cost. Conversion would be accom plished during a two- year period at an estimated total cost of about $230,000. The primary benefit to the City would be the $42,000/year energy cost savings (at total conversion) from the City budget. To obtain this saving, the City will utilize approximately one half of the 1981 allocation funds. Thus, we will be postponing our underground conversion program by about half a year. This postponement, however, will have no significant effect on our overall program. By prom ptly approving the proposed revised agreement, we will assure a high priority on the SDG&E Co. street light conversion program. The utility anticipates that their conversion program will be performed on a first come first served basis. Therefore, by being among the first agencies to approve an agreement, we will be among the first to start realizing the energy savings. Attached is a copy of the revised agreement for Council information. SDG&E officials will be present at this meeting and will be read y to further describe the conversion program and to answer any questions. FISCAL IMPACT: The conversion to hig h pressure sodium vapor will cost the City no money. It will utilize about one half of the City's 1981 underground allocation funds which otherwise would have been used typically to fund one underground conversion project of about 1320 lineal feet or one city block. Upon completion of the conversion program, the City budget will be red uced by approximately $42,000 per year. RS:nr/ ~n-/D ~D~ 2