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<br />December 21, 2009 Section 7: Implementation <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 63 <br />Municipal Operations <br />Some of the City facilities do not have energy management systems (EMS) which impedes the <br />ability to control individual zones of lighting and heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) for the <br />most efficient building operations. Currently, upgrading these controls is recommended as the <br />highest priority for reducing energy consumption and improving occupant comfort in City <br />facilities. Another significant opportunity may be to retrofit street lights with LED or other energy <br />efficient fixtures, which could reduce electricity use by up to 40 percent. <br />Other actions identified include reducing waste related to City operations through a green policy <br />for refreshment catering and food disposal at all City events, as is done at the Farmer‘s Market <br />and green building events. This would include requiring large recycling containers, prominent <br />signage, recyclable and compostable plates and tableware. The City is also recommended to <br />more aggressively promote existing water conservation programs available to the community <br />and to adopt the Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance. <br />Summary of near-term priority actions related to municipal operations: <br /> Complete facility upgrades, including new building controls to support energy efficiency <br />and LED or inductive street lights <br /> Institute green policy for refreshment catering and food disposal at City events. <br /> Reduce energy use at the WPCP through community water efficiency programs <br /> Adopt the Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance <br />7.4.2 Mid-term Implementation <br />Recommendations are also included for implementation as a medium priority. <br />Building Energy Use <br />To support homeowners and local businesses interested in efficiency and renewable energy <br />projects, California law AB 811 authorizes all cities and counties in California to designate areas <br />within which willing property owners could enter into contractual assessments to finance the <br />installation of distributed renewable generation, as well as energy efficiency improvements, that <br />are permanently fixed to the property owner's residential, commercial, industrial, or other real <br />property. These financing arrangements would allow property owners to finance renewable <br />generation and energy efficiency improvements through low-interest loans that would be repaid <br />as an item on the property owner's property tax bill. Since revenue must be raised in order to <br />fund these loans, options include using the general fund, issuing municipal bonds, partnering <br />with a utility to get financing or setting up private financing.