Agenda

Return

C. 55

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	December 10, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Department of Energy / Weatherization Assistance Program Contract Amendment 2

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/10/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Nelly Ige (925) 681-6334
cc:	Nelly Ige Sam Mendoza

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 10, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with the California Department of Community Services and Development, to decrease the payment limit to the County by $74,000 to $402,486 for the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income households, with no change to the term June 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This grant is funded 100% by Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, passed though the California Department of Community Services and Development Department. There is no net County cost.

CFDA No. 84.042. The Contra Costa County contract number for this grant is 39-800-22.

BACKGROUND:

The County routinely receives funds from the California Department of Community Services and Development to manage a Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance program. Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 23 years, wherein the County provides energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to County residents who are income-eligible to receive these services. The funding source is Federal funding from the Department of Energy, passed through by the California Department of Community Services and Development. The County receives the money via the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD). In turn, EHSD partners with the County's Department of Conservation and Development to provide direct services to clients through energy saving home improvements.

Energy saving measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, florescent light bulbs, weather stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with carbon monoxide alarms. The program uses income-based eligibility as per the Federal poverty guidelines for that program year. Once eligibility is determined, clients with no hot water, no heat, or are in danger of having their power shut off are served as emergencies. Services are then based on clients with the lowest income, highest energy burden, and those with one household member who is considered in the vulnerable population.

The board approved the original agreement on May 22, 2018 (c.43) and approved an amendment on May 7, 2019 (c.59). This board order to to approve a second amendment to decrease the payment limit. The State has requested that all funded agencies voluntarily reduce their contract allocation for agencies that need the additional Department of Energy funds.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, the Department will not be able to execute the agreement amendment for operation of the weatherization assistance program in Contra Costa County.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Employment and Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau energy program supports one Contra Costa County community outcome - Outcome #4: "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing." This outcome is supported by the provision of home energy assistance to keep households warm in winter and to increase household energy efficiency.