05-04-12 BPU RPT 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A T E R €Nd € R G Y , J � - RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: May 4, 2012 ITEM NO: 5 SUBJECT: SEIZING OUR DESTINY - THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSAL FOR THE RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES' CUSTOM ENERGY TECHNOLOGY GRANT ISSUE: That the Board of Public Utilities consider approval of an Energy Technology Grant with the City of Riverside (City), through its Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (Parks and Recreation Department) in the amount of $100,000 to fund the implementation of two SolarBee Solar Powered Floating Aeration Devices (SolarBee) at Fairmount Park's lakes. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council approve a Custom Energy Technology Grant in the amount of $100,000, the program's maximum amount, to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for Fiscal Year 2011-12 to install two SolarBees in Fairmount Park's lake system. BACKGROUND: One of Riverside Public Utilities' (RPU) programs funded from the Public Benefits Funds is the Custom Energy Technology Grant (CETG) Program. The program was created to provide funding for the purpose of promoting the development and demonstration of energy-efficiency, energy conservation and investment in the advancement of renewable energy resource technology within the City of Riverside. Grants are awarded for energy-efficiency projects that are unique to a business or manufacturing process that is not covered under one of RPU's existing rebate or incentive programs. Research and development projects are also eligible under this program. The grant funds must comply with the relevant portions of California Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 385 related to the use of Public Benefits Funds. The amount of grant funding awarded is up to 75% of the project cost with a maximum of $100,000 (whichever is less) per project. There is a 25% matching fund requirement associated with this program. The City has already invested over $300,000 to provide the water quality study and rehabilitate the existing wells. A proposal was recently submitted for grant funding by Ralph Nunez, Director of the City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. In this proposal, the applicant's intention is to improve the circulation and oxygenation of the lake system at Fairmount Park. In 2010, Albert A. Webb Associates was contracted to lead a team of consultants to address the current water quality of the lake, which is not appealing for a park setting, exhibiting poor water clarity, periodic fish-die-offs, noxious odors and it is a potential incubator for avian diseases. The study concluded that adequate oxygen levels and water quality parameters can be reached by implementing aeration and circulation systems, which will help improve this valuable recreational resource. The assessment recommendation was to install SolarBee aeration devices in order to improve the lakes water quality.