Recommendation Number ____ Recommendation for ECAD enforcement Recommendation: Austin Energy should develop a plan for fully enforcing the entire ECAD ordinance, especially for those multi-family facilities whose electric cost is 150% of average electrical cost, and should present that plan to the Electric Utility Commission, the Resource Management Commission and the City Council for approval. Austin Energy should include funding for full enforcement of ECAD, according to the approved plan in its FY 2017 budget proposal Targeted Underserved Group: Low and moderate-income renters Time Schedule: Implement in 2015 (requirement) and 2016 (funding for enforcement) Budget Impact: cost of enforcement Brief Description: Create an action plan to enforce the ECAD ordinance, particularly the provision mandating Landlords whose facilities incur electric costs greater than 150% of the average cost to make energy efficient improvements to reduce usage by 20%. Community Need: A majority of Austin residents rent and renters as a class have disproportionally lower incomes than homeowners. Rental properties, particularly those with lower rents are often not very energy efficient. Landlords have little incentive to improve energy efficiency at their properties because it’s the tenants who pay the electric bills. Although landlords of multifamily properties (excluding duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and units designated as condominiums) are required to have energy audits conducted on buildings that are at least 10 years old and are required to disclose the results compliance is spotty at best. The status quo is that renters are often blindsided by high electric bills after signing a lease. In some cases, a rental property with higher rent, but lower electric bills would be more affordable overall. Consumers should be provided the information they need to make an educated decision about where to live. Enforcing the ordinance would ensure that prospective tenants would receive the energy guide and audit required under the ECAD ordinance before they decide to rent. Moreover, greater enforcement of the required improvements for multi-family facilities with high electric costs would result in greater energy efficiency, thereby resulting in reduced electric bills. Program Description Austin Energy should develop a plan for fully enforcing the entire ECAD ordinance and present that plan to the Electric Utility Commission, the Resource Management Commission and the City Council for approval. Actions recommended include: creating a marketing campaign to educate the community and community activists; investigating the multi-family facilities to verify whether the elements of the ECAD ordinance are being carried out; and …
Recommendation on Building Codes The Task Force finds that continued improvement in base energy codes to reduce peak and overall energy use is of benefit to low-income and middle-income residents and to Austin Energy overall. By reducing the energy use of new and rehabilitated buildings Austin can lower emissions and water use from existing fossil fuel plants, reduce the need to buy expensive peak power off the market and potentially provide demand response capabilities to meet peak demand or even participate in energy markets. The Task Force reaffirms the goal of making new home construction in Austin, Texas to be net-zero energy capable by the end of 2015, while recognizing there are challenges with fully meeting this goal. We recommend in 2015 that Austin Energy work with the relevant advisory committees, city departments and city council to adopt: 1. The 2015 IECC codes for residential construction, including local amendments to reach the net-zero-energy capable homes approved by City Council in 2007; 2. The local amendments should consider new technologies like making all homes “solar-ready,” incorporating demand response, energy storage and electric vehicle charging technologies as appropriate. 3. City Council should adopt a policy that builders of all new single family homes built after 2016 should offer buyers an optional solar package, either on the rooftop or as part of a community solar project. 4. If Austin Energy allows an alternative compliance path such as a Home Energy Ratings Index (HERS), the number should be set appropriately so as not to undermine the net-zero energy capable goal or overall building envelope performance. 5. Either the 2015 IECC codes for commercial construction – including larger multi-family units -- or an equivalent code such as the ASHREA 90.1 – 2013 code 6. Consider local amendments to the commercial codes to incorporate onsite renewable energy, demand response, storage and electric vehicle charging stations. 7. Consider setting a net-zero capable goal for all other buildings, including commercial buildings by 2020 by creating a task force to research and provide recommendations on achieving net zero energy for all new buildings. 8. Updating our Austin Green Building Programs to inspire builders to go beyond base codes. 9. Improving coordination between the Austin Energy Green Building and code development department and permitting and compliance so that builders actually comply with energy codes. The Task Force believes that by updating our base energy code, Austin can continue to be …
Questions for Austin Energy 1. The 2012 GDS report provided the Task Force stated at p. 2 that AE uses “Salesforce.com” to store data. a. Please explain how AE uses “Salesforce.com” including an explanation of what data is stored and how it is stored. b. How does, if at all, AE track pre and post weatherization installations consumption involving its customers (include energy performance star) c. Has AE formatted its billing histories so that it can pull up by energy efficiency program pre and post EE program installations consumptions? If not, why not and what would AE need to do to be able to create a data base that could be accessible by EE program. (I am assuming the use of billing data aggregated by EE program and not individual customer data). 2. Please verify that the attached documents were created by AE. For each document, please identify when it was created and its purpose. 3. Please provide copies of any histories of AE low income weatherization program,. The following questions Nos. 4-6 do not have to be answered if AE has provided the information in any histories of the program in no. 3 above Please just note that where in the proffered document the answer is located. 4. When did AE start providing low income weatherization? 5. For each year since it has started providing low income weatherization, how has AE funded the program? (if AE provided utility funding in addition to D.O.E. grant funds, please break out) 6. What EE services for the low income weatherization program have been provided since the start of the low income weatherization program? Please note changes and the times the changes were made. 7. Please describe how AE tracks the demographics of its customers who participate in AE’s EE programs. In your description, please address whether AE is tracking applications as well as participations. If AE is not tracking application demographics, please explain why not? If AE is not currently tracking the demographics of its customers but it is intending to in the near future, please describe how it plans to do so.
MEMORANDUM TO: Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force (LICATF) FROM: Denise Kuehn , Director of Energy Efficiency Services DATE: July 17, 2015 SUBJECT: DOE Better Buildings Grant Loan – Loan Loss Reserve Question by Member: Tim Arndt The following information is in response to questions that member Tim Arndt requested in regards to the DOE Better Buildings grant loan – loss reserve fund. Per member Mr. Arndt’s email request on June 2015: “Please provide me with an update on the use of funds associated with the Better Buildings DOE grant. Council approved an ordinance to Council authorization will allow Austin Energy to move funds from its Better Buildings Grant Fund to its Enterprise Fund to continue this highly successful program by promoting, developing and offering similar financing mechanisms, including a lower credit score threshold for customers. Associated RCA: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=222774 Current fund balances: committed; and funding available for loans along with the budget for staffing who are charging their time to this enterprise fund.” Staff Response: The loan loss reserve funds were established by the Better Buildings grant and are deposited at the Velocity Credit Union. Of the total initial amount invested, $5,015,000, approximately $3,700,000 is currently used to secure existing loans. Over $5.6M loans have been authorized to 600 qualifying applicants since October 2012. As of May 2014, the funds had been totally committed which resulted in changes to the Home Performance Loan program in order to allow the fund to rebuild from repayments. The current available balance is approximately $1,300,000 which can be used to secure new loans, surety bond expenses, and other approved DOE expenses. Currently, no staff is charging time against the Velocity Credit Union funds. Any use of these funds other than under the current program criteria, must be approved by DOE. AE must provide an official request and allow 90 days for DOE consideration of various factors including any additional risk associated with the repayments of the loans. 2 There recently have been staffing changes at Velocity Credit Union (VCU). Austin Energy (AE) is working with VCU and other City agencies to develop financing mechanisms that would provide options for low and moderate income customer. Preliminary discussions with new staff at VCU include the ability to have less than a dollar leverage option which has not been an option in the past.
Page 1 of 3 MEMORANDUM TO: Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force (LICATF) FROM: Denise Kuehn, Director of Energy Efficiency Services DATE: July 17, 2015 SUBJECT: ECAD Questions by Member: Lanetta Cooper from June 19th, 2015 Meeting The following information is in response to questions that member Lanetta Cooper requested regarding Austin City Code Chapter 6-7, Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) Ordnance (No. 200110421-02) Amended April 21, 2011. Question 1: Who enforces ECAD? (What department and what City offices?) Staff Response: Austin Energy is committed to implementation and Austin Municipal Courts handles a complaint-driven process when citizen complaints are filed. Question 2: How many full-time employees are dedicated to enforcement? Staff Response: The Austin City Code defines enforcement as a complaint-driven process that capitalizes existing resources and procedures. As such, no dedicated City personnel are required to accomplish enforcement. Austin Energy’s (AE) Customer Energy Solutions division (including: Energy Efficiency Services, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, Green Building, Key Account Management), AE’s Corporate Communication and Marketing Communications divisions, Austin Water Conservation division and City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability personnel resources are committed at different levels of support with implementation and community education campaigns of the Austin City Code. 2 Question 3: How many multifamily rental units as defined by ECAD exist in Austin and how many of those have been verified to the in full compliance with ECAD? Staff Response: Preliminary ECAD 2014 Multifamily Market Statistics. Fiscal Year Apartment Properties Within the Austin City Limits Apartment Properties Exempt from Ordinance Apartment Properties Not Exempt from Ordinance Apartment Properties Audited Non Exempt Properties Audited FY 2014 1,369 368 1,001 850 85% Question 4: How many single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and condo’s are rented in Austin? Staff Response: Austin Energy is not responsible for collecting housing data. It is the responsibility of the City Demographer. The City Demographer has provided the attached TENURE BY UNITS IN STRUCTURE, Universe: Occupied housing units, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimate. The provided American Community Survey includes housing unit estimates, for both owner-occupied and renter-occupied. It is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns, and estimates of housing units for states and counties. Question 5: How many enforcement actions have been taken? Staff Response: Currently, no legal actions have been taken through the Austin Municipal Court processes. …
MEMORANDUM TO: Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force FROM: Liz Jambor, Manager, DABI DATE: July 17, 2015 SUBJECT: Multifamily Retrofit Report ______________________________________________________________________________ Summary In 2014, a paper, "Hard to Reach Markets: Delivering Comprehensive Retrofits in the Multifamily Sector", was submitted to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) covering work in the multifamily segment performed as part of the Better Buildings grant. This paper was written with the sole purpose of sharing the unique efforts undertaken, and experiences gained, when providing comprehensive retrofits in multifamily communities. The development of the paper, from data gathering and analysis, to report writing and presentation, required the work of 3 grant employees, covering over 150 staff hours. The final result was a well-accepted presentation at the 2014 ACEEE Summer Study Conference as well as the electronic publication of the paper by ACEEE. The paper was never designed to be an ongoing report, but rather to share some of the grant experiences with others in the utility sector. The LICATF has requested further information regarding this report. While we will not be updating the paper, we can provide information regarding the properties that were upgraded through the Better Buildings efforts as compared to similar properties. This information demonstrates the impact of the efficiency improvements. It also coordinates the information with the ongoing rebate/rent impact report provided to Council via Resolution No. 20130523-069. Overall, the data shows an approximate 10% decrease in energy consumption as measured by an annual Energy Use Index (EUI) for those apartment complexes that had energy efficiency upgrades made through the Better Buildings grant. There are several factors in the multifamily space that impact energy use, most importantly, the transitory nature of apartment dwellers. That a 10% decrease was seen is a positive outcome. Additionally, while not weather-normalized, the data anecdotally shows a decrease in energy consumption from a cooler summer to a hotter summer, a trend opposite of what is expected with an increase in summer temperatures. In other words, these efficiency-improved buildings used less energy during a warmer summer. 2 From the initial report and the current EUI data, we can conclude that energy savings is possible in the multifamily sector through comprehensive energy efficiency improvements. We will continue to evaluate our multifamily rebate program to ensure the provision of quality retrofits at a sustainable dollar per kW cost. Data Analysis To best conduct the comparative analysis, apartment …
Page 1 of 2 MEMORANDUM TO: Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force (LICATF) FROM: Denise Kuehn, Director of Energy Efficiency Services DATE: July 17, 2015 SUBJECT: On-Bill Repayment Questions by Members: Lanetta Cooper, Cyrus Reed, and Dan Pruett from June 19, 2015 Meeting The following information is a response to questions that members Lanetta Cooper, Cyrus Reed, and Dan Pruett requested at the June 19, 2015 LICATF meeting in regards to on-bill repayment. Lanetta Cooper: 1. How would a customer's partial payment be applied? 2. Can a customer be disconnected for failure to pay on the loan? 3. Will a late payment penalty fee be assessed against the loan repayment portion of the bill? 4. If the EE savings assumed for setting the amount of loan repayment are not realized, what happens to the loan repayment amount? (Can there be a re-negotiation?) 5. How realistic is this proposal? Will loan entities actually request this service? Cyrus Reed: 1. Is it focused on all buildings or only multifamily? 2. Does the loan follow the person or meter and how do they disclose to the next person? 3. How does AE get credit in its goals for any savings that result from repayment program? Dan Pruett: 1. Who pays third party? 2. Who determines credit worthiness? Staff Response On-bill repayment is not a current offering of Austin Energy. Currently, this potential program is being further investigated with the key stakeholders including other City agencies. 2 Questions such as loan criteria, credit scores, assessment of the amount of risk to the City, and the impact on electrical service if bill is unpaid are all being discussed and reviewed with respect to current City of Austin polices. Additional discussions are being held with Velocity Credit Union with regard to their lending practices, processes, and other considerations. We have met with Austin Energy Accounts Payable, Finance and Customer Care to review the technical aspects. Ongoing research will continue.
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary II. Background III. Recommendations a. Residential i. History of low income energy efficiency programs ii. Appliances iii. Weatherization iv. Financing v. solar b. Multi-family i. History of multi-family low and moderate income multi-family energy efficiency programs ii. Appliances iii. Weatherization iv. Financing v. solar c. Structural d. Miscellaneous IV. Appendix INTRODUCTION The Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force was created by Council resolution adopted August 28, 2014. The Task Force was directed: to look for and recommend improvements to current low and moderate income energy efficiency programs; to consider and recommend new programs and new approaches for low and moderate energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; and to set program funding and demand savings goals for low and moderate income energy efficiency programs. Over this past year the Task Force has heard from the community and City departments. Many of their comments were incorporated into the recommendations provided in this report. The report commences with a short section on background information about the Task Force and about Austin Energy’s low and moderate income customers. The recommendations set out in this report are organized into four categories. The first category addresses residential energy efficiency programs including both homeowners and tenants living in single family residences. The second category involves multifamily facilities. Structural recommendations comprise the third category. These recommendations seek systematic changes to effect greater economical and energy efficiencies and to improve customer service. A miscellaneous category is included in this report to catch concerns not within the direct purview of this Task Force’s directives but involve issues and ideas that were raised many times by the community. An appendix of significant documents is attached. All documents referenced in this report as well as all other documents provided the Task Force over the course of this past year are posted on the Task Force’s website at: http://low-income-consumer-advisory-task-force. A Table of contents and an executive summary complete the report. This report is limited by the facts available to the Task Force. We found the data for the energy efficiency programs and for the energy efficiency rates funding these programs was not always consistently reported. Some data was not collected or not formatted in a manner to be meaningful or to be accessible. Consequently, the report applied the data in a conservative manner using tempering factors and noting when underlying data resources had been collected at different …
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary II. Background III. Recommendations a. Residential i. History of low income energy efficiency programs ii. Appliances iii. Weatherization iv. Financing v. solar b. Multi-family i. History of multi-family low and moderate income multi-family energy efficiency programs ii. Appliances iii. Weatherization iv. Financing v. solar c. Structural d. Miscellaneous IV. Appendix INTRODUCTION The Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force was created by Council resolution adopted August 28, 2014. The Task Force was directed: to look for and recommend improvements to current low and moderate income energy efficiency programs; to consider and recommend new programs and new approaches for low and moderate energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; and to set program funding and demand savings goals for low and moderate income energy efficiency programs. Over this past year the Task Force has heard from the community and City departments. Many of their comments were incorporated into the recommendations provided in this report. The report commences with a short section on background information about the Task Force and about Austin Energy’s low and moderate income customers. The recommendations set out in this report are organized into four categories. The first category addresses residential energy efficiency programs including both homeowners and tenants living in single family residences. The second category involves multifamily facilities. Structural recommendations comprise the third category. These recommendations seek systematic changes to effect greater economical and energy efficiencies and to improve customer service. A miscellaneous category is included in this report to catch concerns not within the direct purview of this Task Force’s directives but involve issues and ideas that were raised many times by the community. An appendix of significant documents is attached. All documents referenced in this report as well as all other documents provided the Task Force over the course of this past year are posted on the Task Force’s website at: http://low-income-consumer-advisory-task-force. A Table of contents and an executive summary complete the report. This report is limited by the facts available to the Task Force. We found the data for the energy efficiency programs and for the energy efficiency rates funding these programs was not always consistently reported. Some data was not collected or not formatted in a manner to be meaningful or to be accessible. Consequently, the report applied the data in a conservative manner using tempering factors and noting when underlying data resources had been collected at different …
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Sady Bartlett at Austin Energy Department, 513-322-6123, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force, please contact Sady Bartlett at 512-322-6123. LOW INCOME CONSUMER ADVISORY TASK FORCE JUNE 19, 2015 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM TOWN LAKE CENTER – ROOM 100 721 BARTON SPRINGS ROAD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78704 For more information: http://www.austintexas.gov/content/low-income-consumer-advisory-task-force AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER a. Review, discussion and possible amendment of operating procedures 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS a. The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve minutes from June 1, 2015 meeting b. Approve minutes from June 5, 2015 meeting 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on on-bill financing and/or repayment b. Discussion and possible action on amendments to the multifamily energy efficiency program 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on low income energy efficiency program, goals, and cost benefit analysis 5. BRIEFINGS & REPORTS a. Briefing and discussion on Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, and records retention b. Austin Energy staff update on the weatherization program job status c. Status of data requests d. Committee Reports – possible reports from the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program Committee, Low-Moderate Income Energy Efficiency Program Committee, and/or Affordable Rental Property Committee 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Discussion regarding future agenda items including a schedule of topics and issues and topics raised during briefings and citizen communications ADJOURNMENT
Page 1 of 3 LOW INCOME CONSUMER ADVISORY TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES June 19, 2015 The Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force convened in a regular meeting at Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Road, Room 100, in Austin, Texas. Chairperson, Carol Biedrzycki called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Task Force Members in Attendance: Carol Biedrzycki , Tim Arndt, Lanetta Cooper, Karen Hadden, Richard Halpin, Dan Pruett, Cyrus Reed, and Chris Strand. Member Kelly Weiss was not in attendance. Staff in Attendance: Austin Energy (AE) staff included Sady Bartlett, Toye Goodson-Collins, Liz Jambor, Debbie Kimberly, and Denise Kuehn. 1. CALL TO ORDER a. Review, discussion and possible amendment of operating procedures-The Chair discussed the Task Force’s current operating rules and processes. She distributed the interim report that was submitted to Council on June 12, 2015. The Chair wanted input from the members regarding different procedures to reduce the current hectic process of submitting recommendations. Members discussed and offered comments. The Chair introduced Cynthia Tom with the City of Austin Law Department. She would provide a presentation on the Public Information Act (PIA), Records Retention, and the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). She informed members that as the Task Force is coming towards the end of their work, they needed to keep the following guidelines in mind: • A report from the Task Force needs to be supported by a vote of the quorum. • Deliberations are not to happen behind closed doors or via email. • Recommendations need to be voted on prior to finalizing the report. • Members could convene in working groups of 4 or less. • The report should not be distributed to the group unless it is in an open meeting; this allows the entire group to be able vote on the final report. Debbie Kimberly, VP of Customer Energy Solutions noted the amount of work done by both the group and staff. She supported the idea of giving more time to review the report in an open meeting and emphasized that Austin Energy (AE) staff’s role is to advise the Task Force. Member Strand asked the Chair to formally invite AE staff to sit at the discussion table. Staff joined the members at the table. Members Reed and Pruett wanted staff responses regarding the final report throughout the process. Member Cooper recommended Member Halpin to be parliamentarian to help facilitate and ensure clarity …
City of Austin Low-Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Operating Rules January 9, 2015 1. Meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order. 2. Chair and/or Austin Energy staff will notify members of scheduled meetings at least 5 days prior to meeting time. All meetings will also be announced to the public via the City of Austin website at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting. Time certain for meetings will be every first and third Friday with some exceptions. The Task Force may schedule additional meetings at other times and will reconsider the list of meeting dates in March. The list of meeting dates is as follows: January 9, 2015 January 16, 2015 February 6, 2015 February 20, 2015 March 6, 2015 March 27, 2015 April 10, 2015 April 17, 2015 May 1, 2015 May 15, 2015 June 5, 2015 June 19, 2015 July 17, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 21, 2015 September 4, 2015 September 18, 2015 3 The Task Force meetings will be tape recorded and copied and made available to members if requested. 4. Staff shall take meeting notes and make them available to members. 5. A quorum is a majority of Task Force’s current membership. A quorum (five members) must be present to take any official action. 6. Official action must be approved by at least a majority of the members (five members). Official action can only occur on meeting days scheduled in advance and attended by a quorum of members. 7. All Task Force meetings shall include a time of 15 minutes for public input at the beginning of the meeting. However, unless a majority of the Task Force agrees, input from the public will be limited to three minutes per speaker. The Task Force may extend City of Austin Low-Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Operating Rules January 9, 2015 the total 15-minute time period as needed or hold special meetings to obtain more public input as needed. 8. The Chair shall set the agenda of the meetings but must seek input from other Task Force members. At least three members may propose or agree to a Request for Study or Presentation from staff or other third party. Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes- not including questions from Task Force members. 9. Task Force members may themselves request to make a presentation, but must limit their presentation to no more than 10 …
AMEND THE MULTI-FAMILY PROGRAM Recommendation Number _____1 Targeted Underserved Group: Renters Living in Older Multi-Family and Rental Properties Brief Description: Restructure the Multi-family Program to provide a more comprehensive approach to energy efficiency and increase the efficiency of air conditioners in rental properties. The lifecycle of central HVAC equipment is 15 years and energy performance should be recognized for incentives. Time Schedule: Implementation in 2016 Budget impact: Anticipates using funds currently allocated to the Multi-Family program. Community Need: Over half-- 55%--of Austin residents live in rental housing.2 Most housing units –61%--were built before 1990 and 40% were built between 1970 -1989.3 Census data further indicate than households who rent have lower income than those who own their own homes. Approximately 22% of owners have income below $25,000 compared to 33% of renters.4 Approximately 47% of owners have income under $50,000 compared to almost 64% for renters.5 Providing a greater amount of energy efficiency program activity in rental property is highly likely to benefit low and low moderate income customers. Tracking of demographic data for participants is highly encouraged to help determine the distribution of energy efficiency benefits to different income groups. The inability of many renters to pay their utility bills is because of high usage that could be reduced with energy efficiency improvements. These are improvements that make living in the apartment unit more affordable for the tenant and contribute to Austin Energy’s energy efficiency and climate protection goals. The current multi-family program through high rebates (85 to 90% of project costs) to owners of rental properties has been successful in promoting air infiltration measures, duct sealing, insulation, solar screens, pipe wrap, compact fluorescent lighting and low-flow water devices. However, the program does not appear have success in having landlords replace air conditioning 1 Number will be assigned in final report. 2 2014 Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis City of Austin Final Report, July 31, 2014 Prepared for City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, 1000 E 11 St. Austin, TX 78702 by BBC Research an Consulting, 1999 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202-9750 p. 9. 3 Idid., p. 6. 4 U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, S2503 FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS, 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 5 Ibid. units that are the drivers of high bills for many low and low moderate income renter households. A majority of program resources have been allocated to newer larger apartment communities. This …
1 Proposed Recommendation Number _____ Recommendation for Vulnerable Populations Recommendation: A residential low income energy efficiency program should be created to provide window heating and/or cooling units including installation to low income families served by Austin Energy with at least one member: aged 62 or older, disabled, or a child who is six years of age or younger. This program would be implemented through the use of contractor rebates and the provision of energy efficient window cooling and/or heating units purchased in bulk by AE. Targeted Underserved Group: Homeowners and tenants whose household income qualifies for the emergency home repair program provided by the City of Austin Neighborhood Housing & Community Development and who meet the qualifications stated above. Time Schedule: Implement in 2016. Brief Description: Provide emergency heating and/or cooling relief to vulnerable populations through the provision of energy efficiency cooling and/or heating window units. Program Description: This program would be provided in conjunction with the City of Austin’s emergency Home Repair Program which is part of the City of Austin’s Neighborhood Housing & Community Development Client Service’s Programs. Contractors certified by Austin Energy would perform the work. Austin Energy would certify that the window unit(s) is (are) needed before the window unit is installed. Once that determination is made, Austin Energy would provide the window unit(s). After installation, Austin Energy would review the household to ensure the window unit was installed and installed properly. A rebate check issued to the contractor to cover the cost of installation would be provided after the final Austin Energy review. Budget: There are two funding components to this proposed program: 1. One-time funding to establish a contingency reserve to provide payment to the manufacturer-retailer if the guaranteed minimum level of cooling and/or heating appliances are not purchased; and 2. Funding for rebates.
Cost effectiveness test of energy efficiency and renewable incentives for low to moderate income households in homeowner and rental properties: Everyone pays into the Community Benefits Charge on their electric bill from Austin Energy on kWh used. The cost effectiveness test Austin Energy uses to only measures peak kW demand reduction based on the cost of building a new power plant. Other factors should be considered like kWh reduction that increases affordability, Health and Safety that improves the quality of life of a resident through better indoor air quality or reduced risk of fire. Energy efficiency also creates local jobs. The City of Austin Sustainability Office uses a Triple Bottom Line for evaluating purchasing recommendations. The graphic below is from a presentation developed to deliver to Council by Zach Baumer (March 2015): Sustainability Triple Bottom Line Recommendation: The taskforce recommends that the cost test also consider the energy and non-energy benefits not included in current calculations. Economic/ Prosperity Environmental/ Planet Social/ People & Equity Cost of energy (kWh) Employment Industry expansion Energy grid purchases and security (ERCOT energy purchases) Market demand Climate resilience GHG emissions Water use and impact Air quality (including indoor) Land use impacts Affordability Fair distribution of Community Benefit Charge Funds Health impacts Education opportunities Energy access Safety and security Energy security We further recommend that funds in the CAP and free weatherization program be used during the cooler months (September through April) when the work demand for the Austin Energy contractors is at its lowest. This will keep their employees busy thus maximizing the economic benefit of the use of public funds.
Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Public Information Act Records Retention Texas Open Meetings Act June 19, 2015 Purpose of Presentation •Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force is set to dissolve October 1, 2015, if not sooner •As work of the task force is wrapping up, keep in mind requirements of the Public Information Act and records retention •Refresher on requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act Purpose of Presentation •This presentation is intended to be a general overview •For individual questions, please contact me for a one-on-one conversation –Cindy Tom –Assistant City Attorney –(512) 974-3042 –cynthia.tom@austintexas.gov What Is The Public Information Act? The Public Information Act is a Texas statute that gives the public the right to ask for government information. This body is subject to the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). What does PIA Compliance Require? The Public Information Act requires that the city and its officials provide certain documents regarding city business upon written request. Documents may be paper or electronic format. Any email – including city business on your personal email account – or social media communication regarding city business is subject to the Public Information Act. 5 Records Retention Requirements •Records retention guidelines let us know when it is ok to dispose of a document. •Please allow city staff to determine whether you may dispose of a document. 6 What is the Texas Open Meetings Act? The Texas Open Meetings Act is a Texas statute that provides for public access to meetings of governmental bodies. This body is subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act (Res. No. 20140828-158; City Code 2-1-3(D)). What does TOMA Compliance Require? Meeting notice (agenda) must be posted, and… –72-hour notice –Must include subject of what will be discussed –General citizen communication cannot be discussed 8 What does TOMA Compliance Require? Discussions of official business by a quorum or more must occur in public: –Exchanges by email and social media can constitute an inappropriate discussion of official business –Do not “reply all” to emails sent to entire panel –Walking quorums –Working groups must be made up of less than a quorum –Official business does not include ceremonies/social events 9 Questions? Thank you very much for your service!
