To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ryan Pedrotti 521-6209 and Trisha Meisler 547-1926
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Update and Implement an Energy Education Program with Sonoma Clean Power Authority
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s (Sonoma Water) General Manager to execute an agreement with Sonoma Clean Power Authority (Authority), in a form approved by County Counsel, for Sonoma Water to update and implement an Energy Education Program through June 30, 2025, in the amount of $600,000 (Authority is paying Sonoma Water) and, consistent with other agreements, authorize the General Manager to amend or terminate the agreement with approval of County Counsel.
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma Water’s Water Education Program reaches roughly 13,000 students annually, providing field trips and classroom visits. This item requests authorization for Sonoma Water to enter into an agreement with the Authority to continue implementing the Energy Education Program.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water’s Education Program is an expansive program with established connections to teachers in schools throughout Sonoma and Marin counties. Teachers consistently apply for and provide excellent reviews of field and classroom programs, workshops, and assemblies. The classroom programs are aligned to current “Next Generation Science Standards,” which are a multi-state effort designed to improve science education for all students.
As one of the largest energy users in Sonoma County, Sonoma Water strived to become carbon neutral by 2015. Sonoma Water achieved carbon neutral status, but climate change and energy efficiency remain high priorities for Sonoma Water. In 2011, the Water Education Program began teaching about climate change and the water/energy nexus.
California’s landmark climate action law, Assembly Bill 32, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The County’s Five-Year Strategic Plan’s Climate Action and Resiliency Pillar establishes a goal of making Sonoma County carbon neutral by 2030. Statewide, 20% of energy use involves treating and transporting water. Energy education provides teachers locally based curriculum and teaches students the water/energy nexus, about the transition to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the effects of climate change. Hands-on, science-based energy and water education programs allow students to become informed and accountable citizens who make a positive impact.
Sonoma Water sought partners to offset the costs of developing energy education programs and has collaborated with Authority to develop a scope of work for the Energy Education Program.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED FOR AUTHORITY BY SONOMA WATER
Under the proposed agreement, Authority will pay Sonoma Water to update and implement an Energy Education Program. Services to be provided under the agreement include the following:
1) Market energy education programs in print, digitally via social media, and on Sonoma Water’s website.
2) Implement musical assembly to increase awareness on topics related to water and energy.
3) Continue to refine, update, and implement elementary school education programs.
4) Provide free school supplies to teachers with Authority’s logo and messaging.
5) Refine and implement middle and secondary school education programs.
6) Refine and deliver lessons for extracurricular education events.
7) Implement a small grants program (A Call to Action) to provide funds for teachers and their students to carry out solutions-based projects that address a water or energy related environmental challenge in their community.
8) Continue to incorporate content on the nexus between water and energy into Sonoma Water’s fifth grade program entitled Water Connects Us All.
9) Conduct climate literacy teacher summer workshops in 2023 and 2024.
10) Develop monthly summaries and end-of-year reports.
Under the agreement, Sonoma Water will invoice Authority for services at the same rates Sonoma Water allocates to its internal projects and programs up to a maximum of $600,000. Sonoma Water is recovering its actual costs of providing services to Authority with no mark-up. The agreement terminates on June 30, 2025.
Funding for costs under the agreement after July 1, 2024, is subject to approval by Authority’s Board of Directors of a budget including such funding. Authority may terminate the agreement if such funding is not approved.
REQUEST FOR SONOMA WATER GENERAL MANAGER AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION AUTHORITY
Staff recommend that the Board authorize Sonoma Water’s General Manager to amend or terminate the agreement with approval of County Counsel.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
07/20/2021: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Clean Power Authority to update and implement an energy education program. Cost $600,000; term end June 30, 2023.
08/13/2019: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Clean Power Authority to develop and implement an energy education program. Cost $550,000; term end June 30, 2021.
08/14/2018: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Clean Power Authority to develop and implement an energy education program. Cost $275,000; term end June 30, 2019.
09/19/2017: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma Clean Power Authority to develop and implement an energy education program. Cost $275,000; term end June 30, 2018.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$300,000 |
$300,00 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $300,000 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Fund. FY 2024/2025 appropriations in the amount of $300,000 will be made in the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Fund. Offsetting revenue in the amount of $600,000 will be from Sonoma Clean Power Authority.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None