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Ayes: Councilmembers Brown, Cook-Kallio, Pentin, Mayor Thorne <br /> Noes: None <br /> Absent: One Vacancy <br /> 11. Adoption of a resolution concerning participation in Alameda County Waste Management <br /> Authority's proposed Joint Exercise Powers Agreement for the Energy Council <br /> Assistant City Manager Bocian presented the staff report, stating that the resolution relates to a <br /> request from Stopwaste.org that the City consider joining a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for a <br /> countywide energy council. The Alameda County Waste Management Authority, which is one facet of <br /> Stopwaste.org, has been analyzing opportunities to coordinate energy related matters on a <br /> countywide basis. The Authority has settled on a JPA model and requested all cities as well as the <br /> county itself to provide feedback indicating its position regarding the JPA. <br /> He reviewed the purpose of and opportunities provided by the JPA, which include: the creation of a <br /> clear structure to be used for a wide range of energy related activities and projects; securing large <br /> grants and other funding opportunities for which individual cities might not be qualified; and <br /> coordinated arrangement of technical expertise. The proposed JPA would serve as an independent <br /> legal entity with the ability to enter into contracts, exercise legal actions, prepare an annual budget, <br /> secure professional services, and implement various programs. The structure is defined to include a <br /> governing body comprised of each city's representative on stopwaste.org. All member agencies would <br /> have one representative and one vote, with exception of Oakland which would have one <br /> representative and three votes as well as Alameda County, Fremont and Hayward which would have <br /> one representative and two votes. <br /> Councilmember Pentin noted that if all agencies opted in, the four agencies with weighted votes would <br /> have the ability to split a vote regardless of what the other cities might do. <br /> Mr. Bocian stated that staff has analyzed the proposal and identified several issues. The first is that <br /> the JPA creates a new regional agency with broad powers that may determine the policy direction of <br /> energy matters throughout the county. Staff is also concerned about the City's pro rata share of <br /> funding, which is distributed consistent with the voting structure, the weighted voting structure that <br /> might minimize Tri-Valley needs and interests, Stopwaste.org's lack of expertise in the area of energy, <br /> and the potential for duplicating other agencies and efforts. He noted that, perhaps most importantly, <br /> the City is well equipped and experienced in carrying out its own energy policy and obtaining its own <br /> funding. <br /> Mr. Smith continued the staff report. He explained that he and the City's Energy Manager have been <br /> talking with other local cities about their plans regarding the JPA. He reported that the Dublin City <br /> Council is considering the item tonight and their staff is recommending the city not join the JPA at this <br /> time. He said they have also been discussing the potential for a smaller scale and more locally <br /> focused JPA amongst the three Tri-Valley cities. <br /> He agreed with Mr. Bocian's assessment of the city's existing energy policy and plans, which have <br /> been executed very successfully. As part of developing the Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy <br /> required for ARA funds, staff produced a great report that identified a number of groundbreaking <br /> opportunities the city has already begun to implement. This strategy led to a memorandum of <br /> understanding with PG&E that is still unique throughout California and it is this partnership that has <br /> allowed the city to implement programs that are similar to but much more effective than those <br /> attempted by Stopwaste.org. He explained that because the City's own programs are much more <br /> locally focused, they have been able to make much more efficient usage of funds. As an example, the <br /> City allowed $25,000 in grant funds to join Stopwaste.org's green packages program. However, the <br /> program was fairly expensive, targeted more at demographics over the hill, arid resulted in only 7 <br /> installations. In contrast, the $250,000 that the Council allotted in solar and other efficiency <br /> City Council Minutes Page 9 of 11 April 2, 2013 <br />