CCMIN 01192021 - Laserfiche WebLink

MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Testa to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted and as noted. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arkin, Balch, Narum, Testa, Mayor Brown Noes: None Absent: None MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 14. Public Comment Terry Young expressed her desire to see affordable housing be a priority in this year's agenda, specifically rezoning areas to allow for quick construction of new affordable housing. Monith Ilavarasan expressed support for affordable housing, especially due to the impact of the pandemic making the community financially out of reach to local workers. Anirudh Murugesan noted Foothill High School and Amador Valley High School are hosting a "New Year, New Gear" drive on January 30 asking for donations of slightly used shoes, equipment, and clothes for those in need. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS 15. Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to purchase Renewable 100 as the default electricity product for Pleasanton's municipal accounts and designating Brilliant 100 as the default product for residential, commercial, industrial accounts Management Analyst Zachary Reda stated for background that in 2019 the City Council voted unanimously to join East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) with residents, businesses, and municipal facilities to begin receiving EBCE electricity in April 2021. He added tonight's presentation is to identify the preferred default EBCE product for those customers. He noted Council reserves the ability to change this default in the future. EBCE is comprised of Alameda County, all cities in Alameda County except for the City of Alameda, and the City of Tracy in San Joaquin County and began delivering power in 2018. The not-for-profit community choice aggregation program purchases electricity, has it delivered by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and maintains the grid while also handling billing. EBCE reinvests in the communities to create clean power programs and energy-sector jobs. He added residents and business owners have an opportunity to opt-up their service, opt-down, or return to PG&E with no fee either before enrollment or within the first year of service. Mr. Reda noted the three EBCE service options - Bright Choice (50.3% carbon-free and 1% lower cost than PG&E), Brilliant 100 (100% carbon-free and the same price as PG&E), and Renewable 100 (100% renewable and carbon-free and about $5.00 more costly per month than PG&E for residents. In addition to these three options, the Council can elect to make the default product either Brilliant 100 or Renewable 100 and opt residents enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA), along with medical baseline accounts into Bright Choice. The Council also has the option to set a different default for municipal accounts. Renewable 100 would cost an extra $90,000 annually, Brilliant 100 would cost the same and Bright Choice would have $20,000 annually. He stated staff would collaborate with EBCE to launch a public outreach campaign to prevent misinformation from spreading, including options for opting up, down, or out of EBCE service. This outreach would start in February and EBCE will have a Pleasanton-specific page on its website to help ensure a smooth transition. City Council Minutes Page 3 of 17 January 19, 2021