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18. Accepted report on implementation of a Solar Cities Program, developed jointly by the Cities of Pleasanton and Livermore, to promote the installation of residential photovoltaic systems and authorized development of graphic design and outreach material for the program Assistant City Manager Julie Yuan-Miu, recognized Scott Baker who worked on the program over the last year, gave the staff report, said Council directed staff to increase community awareness on the benefits of installing PV systems and to develop a marketing campaign which would focus on disseminating solar energy information to the community. Staff selected Spectrum Energy, Inc. who gathered data, conduct an analysis and incorporate it into a final plan for each of the participating cities. Two workshops were held with residents and businesses and staff recommends focusing on residential installations as they are the most immediate need and will derive the greatest benefit from the program. Ms. Yuan-Miu described the program's marketing, outreach and education elements, the RFQ process, the permitting and inspection process and the evaluation process. She presented solar projects and future projects, and staff from Pleasanton and Livermore will work to create branding material, introduce the program, and return to Council with an update on the project in the fall. Councilmember McGovern questioned if the Livermore Council asked their staff to look at one preferred vendor but also pre-qualifying others. Ms. Yuan-Miu said their Council approved the resolution to move forward with the program but asked staff to do research on how other agencies handle multiple versus single vendors. Councilmember McGovern disagreed with choosing a preferred single vendor and recommended identifying and compiling a list of multiple qualified vendors. She referred to the potential for people saving 10% and 20% on the cost, but the report wants us to spend more money and start a solar buyers club where this is where the 10-20% savings was quoted. She is supportive of the project, but hoped to achieve those savings. Mayor Hosterman opened the item for public comment. Tom Reitter said primary objectives include having homeowners more comfortable with the idea of installing a solar PV system, felt allowing City purchasing power would help and to get a volume discount he recommended a single preferred vendor be used. Bruce Karney, Solar City, spoke about his experience last year in installing solar PV systems in a concentrated effort and the discount provided. He said his job is to travel around the United States and find cities willing to do create energy efficiency systems and discussed their future efforts to advertise their services to Livermore and Pleasanton. Jacob Averbuck, RAC Solar, congratulated staff for working on the program and endorsed a single provider through an RFP process which Livermore has done. Kent Halliburton said fundamentally the program would be made much more successful through a single source vendor through an RFP process, believed an RFP creates an even playing field through competition, provides a resource to residents and felt single source vendor pricing would create great savings for residents on a price per watt basis. City Council Minutes 8 February 5, 2008