HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11152011 - C.56RECOMMENDATION(S):
ACCEPT report from Public Works Director on the status of the Main Street Power solar
panel project at the West County Justice Center.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Undetermined. Under its contracts with the County, Main Street Power will pay the entire
cost to acquire, construct, and maintain the solar panel system on the County facilities. The
total estimated electricity cost savings to the County over the 20-year term of the contracts
is approximately $516,000. Examination of alternative sites for the solar panel installation
and mitigation for the tree removal at the West County Justice Center site and evaluation of
potential cost implications are currently underway.
BACKGROUND:
Main Street Power has two contracts with the County for installation of solar panel systems
at twelve County-owned sites. The installation work is being done by local contractors
hired by Main Street Power.
The original installation plan at the West County Justice Center called for both
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 11/15/2011 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
ABSENT:Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Contact: Julie Bueren, (925)
313-2201
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: November 15, 2011
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C.56
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:November 15, 2011
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Status Report on Solar Panel Project at the West County Justice Center
roof-mounted
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
and ground-mounted panels. At the site initially selected for the ground-mounted panels,
there was a grove of eucalyptus trees that was removed to accommodate the panel
installation. That initial site is adjacent to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Park and served
as a visual buffer between the park and the detention facility. The removal of the trees
caused concerns about the appropriateness of the initial site and the esthetics of the project.
In response, Public Works/General Services staff directed Main Street Power to stop all
work on the ground-mounted site at the West County Justice Center and, on October 4,
2011, staff gave a report to the Board of Supervisors on the solar panel project. The October
4 report reviewed all of the solar project sites with respect to vegetation removal and visual
impacts and also provided the status of installation at each site. At the October 4 meeting,
the Board directed staff to report back in November with an update of the progress in
resolving the issues at the West County Justice Center site.
Staff has asked Main Street Power to look at alternative designs that may include
ground-mounted panels at other locations on the property or a carport structure in the
parking lot. Staff has also had preliminary discussions with East Bay Regional Park District
and has initiated a project to mitigate the loss of the trees and replace the visual buffer. We
will continue to involve the Park District in the project planning and design. We will also
engage in public outreach to the surrounding communities and park users.
The Public Works Department will make a full report to the Board of Supervisors as soon as
we have developed recommendations on both alternative locations for the solar panel
installation and the mitigation planting project at the West County Justice Center and have
an understanding of the potential costs associated with each component.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not Applicable