Agenda

Return

C. 61

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services
Date:	September 12, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2015 - 2017 Low Income Weatherization Program Services Funding, Amendment #6

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/12/2017

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:	CSB, 925-681-6381
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: September 12, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment & Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with California Department of Community Services and Development, for energy assistance and weatherization services programs effective August 1, 2017, to increase the payment limit by $2,278 to new limit $289,935 and change the end of the term from September 30, 2017 to December 31, 2017.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The agreement payment limit is increased by $2,278 to allow the State to reimburse the County for qualified April 2017 expenditures that are eligible for payment with the Supplemental Low Income Weatherization Program funding. This is funded by the State of California Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) through State of California Department of Community Services and Development.There is no County match requirement.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 20 years wherein the county provides energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to county residents who are income-eligible to receive said services. The funding sources include Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), and the Department of Energy (DOE).

The County receives the money via the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD). EHSD, in turn, partners with the County Department of Conservation and Development to provide energy saving home improvements to low-income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s nineteen cities.

The energy savings measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, fluorescent 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 a carbon monoxide alarm.

The program uses income based eligibility. The income levels used for this revenue source are based on the Federal Fiscal Year 2014 Poverty Guidelines because the contract originated in January 2015. Once eligibility is determined, clients with no hot water, no heat, or who are in danger of having their power shut off are served as emergency cases. Service is then prioritized based on clients with the lowest income, highest energy burden and families with at least one resident who is considered vulnerable population.

The Board approved receipt of funding on February 3, 2015 (C.28). The Board approved receipt of additional funding on July 7, 2015 (C.73). The Board approved a second amendment to this contract on April 19, 2016 (C.26) to extend the term of the contract by one month. The Board approved a third amendment on July 19, 2016 (C.39) to change the term end date from June 30, 2016 to December 31, 2016 and to reduce the payment limit due to the State Department of Community Services and Development reallocating monies from Senate Bill 535 proceeds. The Board approved a fourth amendment on February 7, 2017 (C.36) to extend the term to May 15, 2017 and to incorporate solar water heater replacements as an allowable activity. A fifth amendment, approved by the Board on June 6, 2017 (C.73) extended the term to September 30, 2017. This amendment reflects an increase in funds of $2,278 and extends the term to December 31, 2017.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, the County will not receive additional funding to operate the weatherization program.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Employment & 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.