COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

November 19, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 9, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Lighting Retrofit at the San Mateo Medical Center (Project No. P6Y05)

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution:

1.

Adopting the construction plans, specifications, and conformance with prevailing wage scale requirements for the Lighting Retrofit project at the San Mateo Medical Center; and

2.

Authorizing the publication of a Notice to contractors twice in a local newspaper; and

3.

Authorizing the Director of Public Works to call for bids and to set the bid opening date, time and place (Project No. P6Y05).

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

Your Board’s adoption of the proposed resolution will result in cost savings and a net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with providing energy efficient lighting at the San Mateo Medical Center, and will demonstrate your Board’s continuing commitment to conserve energy and practice environmental stewardship.

BACKGROUND:

Previously the Board of Supervisors authorized the County’s participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Lights Program, a Federal program which commits the participating agencies to replace existing building lighting systems with more energy efficient lighting systems; and the County’s participation in the Sustainable Silicon Valley Initiative with the goal of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

In October of 2007, the Board adopted the Cool Counties Declaration. The Declaration committed the County to developing a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory for County operations and an emissions reduction action plan. The County also committed to supporting regional GHG reduction targets, measuring our progress toward those goals and advocating for federal action on climate change.

DISCUSSION:

Public Works Facilities staff has evaluated the San Mateo Medical Center Facility in conjunction with Local Government Energy Partnership (LGEP). Staff has estimated that the County can save 321,107 kilowatt hours per year, and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by 79 tons per year, by retrofitting the existing light fixtures and using third generation T-8 lamps with a high energy efficient ballasts.

A resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The work is estimated to cost between $200,000 and $250,000. This project is included in the 2008-2009 Capital Projects Budget for energy projects.

The project also qualifies for approximately $31,000 in energy rebates from Local Government Energy Partnership (LGEP), which will be received through Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) after the work is completed.

There is a positive impact to the General Fund as energy savings will continue after the 6.5 years pay back period based on the current cost of kilowatt-hours.