Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jasneet W. Sharma, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with San Mateo County Office of Education for the San Mateo County Energy Watch Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Authorizing an amendment to an agreement with the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) to assist the County in recommending projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to K-12 school districts for the San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) program, extending the agreement end date to December 31, 2027, and increasing the amount by $200,000 for a new not to exceed total of $350,000; and
B) Authorizing the waiver of the competitive process for this agreement, as recommended by the Procurement Director or designee because SMCOE is a public agency acting within its statutory authority; and
C) Authorizing the Director of the County of San Mateo Sustainability Department, or designee(s), to execute the amendment to the agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) program is a Local Government Partnership (LGP) between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG). PG&E provides funding for the SMCEW program under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, funded by ratepayers. The County of San Mateo Sustainability Department (County) administers the SMCEW program for C/CAG.
The SMCEW program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change by assisting K-12 public school districts, local governments, special districts, and small businesses in San Mateo County access technical assistance and financing programs to advance projects that increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their facilities and operations.
On August 21, 2024 the Director of the Sustainability Department signed an agreement with the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) to assist the County in meeting SMCEW key performance indicators for K-12 public schools for the term September 2, 2024 through December 31, 2025 for a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000. On October 31, 2024, the Director of the Sustainability Department signed Amendment 1 with SMCOE to change the start date of the contract to July 1, 2024 to align with quarterly billing timeframes.
DISCUSSION:
The County’s agreement with SMCOE helps connect K-12 school districts with program funding to remove cost barriers towards purchasing facilities-related equipment that would lower greenhouse gas emissions.
SMCOE’s tasks for the original contract included:
• Help County SMCEW staff schedule site visits with school district personnel to catalog methane gas equipment with the goal of scheduling visits at 80% of all K-12 public school facilities in San Mateo County. With support from SMCOE, County SMCEW staff completed the methane gas cataloging project in 2025, which enabled the County to then analyze trends and identify opportunities for decarbonization across the school district facilities.
• Support County SMCEW staff in scheduling meetings/presentations with school district decision-makers.
• Share information provided by County SMCEW staff with school district personnel about energy-related trainings, programs, and other opportunities through SMCOE communication channels.
• Meet with County SMCEW staff at least once a month to discuss task progress and provide feedback about SMCEW offerings and share insights about school district barriers and opportunities.
Current contract scope:
In 2026 and 2027, SMCOE will support the ongoing tasks from the above list and collaborate with County SMCEW staff on strategy development, including supporting SMCEW’s goal of converting at least 80% of domestic-size methane gas water heaters in K-12 public schools to electric equivalents. This will include helping school districts access targeted programs and funding to install heat pump water heaters at no cost to the school district.
This proposed amendment would extend the agreement end date to December 31, 2027 and add $200,000 for a new not-to-exceed amount of $350,000.
In accordance with County procurement policy, the Procurement Director or designee has recommended that this Board approve the waiver of the competitive process for this agreement because SMCOE is a public agency acting within its statutory authority.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
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Measure |
Target |
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Schedule and facilitate meetings with school district decision-makers to enable SMCEW to discuss customized energy recommendations. |
15 meetings in 2026-27 |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
SMCEW serves K-12 public school districts across the county, assisting districts that historically have not had access to energy efficiency and emissions reduction programs, and connects them with funding sources to bridge significant financial burdens preventing them from otherwise completing such initiatives.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Amendment 2 will increase funding to SMCOE by $200,000 for a new not to exceed amount of $350,000 and extend the contract term to December 31, 2027. Funding for this agreement comes from C/CAG via their SMCOE Local Government Partnership with PG&E. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.
Funding for the SMCEW program for the 2026-2027 time period is partially included in the Sustainability Department’s FY 2025-26 Approved Budget and is planned for the FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Recommended Budgets.