IV.6. Center for Energy and the Environment Home Energy Squad Enhanced Visits – Contract Agreement; Beekman (CR2016-129)
December 20, 2016 Council Report 2016-129
Center for Energy and the Environment Home Energy Squad Enhanced Visits –
Contract Agreement
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve a contract
through 2019 between the City of Hopkins and Center for Energy and the Environment
regarding the Home Energy Squad Enhanced Program.
Overview
The Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE) is a nonprofit that provides a range
of programs and resources for homeowners, businesses, and governments designed to
reduce energy consumption. Their programs include energy audits, consulting,
recommendations on qualified contractors, and access to financing for energy
improvements. They offer access to other state-wide loan programs such as the Fix-up
Loan Program and the Energy Conservation Loans that GMHC also offers. In addition,
they offer loan programs and engineering services for rental properties and businesses
interested in lowering their energy costs.
The City of Hopkins has had a partnership with CEE since 2014 to offer the Home
Energy Squad Enhanced Program to Hopkins residents. Currently the cities of
Minneapolis, Bloomington, New Hope, Richfield, St. Louis Park, and Edina participate in
the program. Residents of partnering cities have access to a 2-hour visit that includes
an energy audit, a review of utility bills, immediate installation of a range of energy
savings devices, and a report of the home’s energy use with recommendations on how
to further improve energy performance. The report includes an energy score for the
home and other resources for the homeowner to improve the energy efficiency of the
home. In addition, residents who participate in the program gain access to financing
through CEE at special financing rates from 0%-2.99% to complete any improvements
to the home, as well as access to CEE’s other lending products.
The program is partially funded by Centerpoint Energy and Xcel. Participating residents
pay $50 per visit, and the partnering city pays $50 per visit. CEE bills their partnering
cities monthly based on the number of visits completed.
Since the inception of the partnership, 158 Hopkins homeowners have taken advantage
of the program. Approval of this agreement would extend the program for an additional
three years to the end of 2019.
Council Report 16-129
Page 2
Supporting Information
• Agreement to Perform Home Energy Squad Enhanced Visits in the City of
Hopkins
___________________________
Meg Beekman
Community Development Coordinator
Financial Impact: $3,500 Budgeted: Y/N Y Source: ED Fund
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): _______________________________________
Notes: _______________________________________________________________
Alternatives
The Council has the following alternatives:
• Approve the Agreement
• Approve Agreement with changes
• Deny Agreement and opt not to partner with CEE
AGREEMENT to Perform
Home Energy Squad Install and Enhanced Visits
In the City of Hopkins
This Agreement is made by and between the City of Hopkins with offices at 1010 1st Street South, Hopkins,
Minnesota, 55343 and the Center for Energy and Environment (“CEE”), with offices at 212 3rd Avenue North, Suite
560, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401.
The following agreement is for the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to deliver Home Energy Squad Install
and Enhanced visits to residents of the City of Hopkins.
PROGRAM SCOPE
The purpose of the Home Energy Squad Install and Enhanced visits are to promote energy conservation in
residential properties. Home Energy Squad Install visits offer energy efficient installs, and Home Energy Squad
Enhanced visits offer installs, diagnostic tests, and follow-up services. CEE will perform Home Energy Squad
Install and Enhanced visits for $50 for residents per the fee schedule listed below.
ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
Properties must be residential (from 1-4 units) and located within the geographical boundaries of the City of
Hopkins. Individual owners of condominiums or town homes are eligible for funding.
CEE TASKS
1. Conduct Home Energy Squad Install Visits. CEE will conduct Home Energy Squad Install visits to help
homeowners identify and implement energy savings opportunities in their homes. The visit will include the
direct install of energy-saving materials where possible, including high-efficiency showerheads, faucet
aerators, door weather stripping, a water heater blanket, programmable thermostats and LED light bulbs.
2. Conduct Home Energy Squad Enhanced Visits. CEE will conduct Home Energy Squad Enhanced visits to
help homeowners identify and implement energy savings opportunities in their homes. The Enhanced visit
will include the direct install of energy-saving materials where possible, including high-efficiency
showerheads, faucet aerators, door weather stripping, a water heater blanket, programmable thermostats
and LED light bulbs. In addition, it will include a blower door test to check for air leaks, visual inspection
of insulation levels with use of infrared camera as weather permits, heating system and hot water heater
combustion safety tests and a report to the homeowner on recommended energy upgrades (if resident is a
renter, permission from the landlord may be required for doing these additional diagnostic services).
The co-pay and exact package of services are subject to change based on programmatic considerations,
including CEE’s agreement with utilities and other factors which are outside the bounds of this agreement.
CEE will notify the City of Hopkins prior to any changes taking effect. CEE will lead a community-based
marketing campaign to promote the program. The City of Hopkins shall provide assistance in developing
and implementing this campaign.
3. Providing Air Sealing and Insulation quotes. If air sealing and/or insulation are recommended at a Home
Energy Squad Enhanced visit, CEE may provide a quote to the resident that would be honored by
participating insulation contractors. CEE is an independent third party to any transaction between the
resident and the insulation contractor. CEE does not receive any compensation from insulation contractors,
nor does CEE or CenterPoint Energy accept any liability for any work performed by these contractors. Any
agreement for work done by the contractors is solely between the contractor and the resident.
Type of Home Energy Visit City payment Resident co-pay
Home Energy Squad Install visit $20 $50
Home Energy Squad Enhanced visit $50 $50
4. Follow-up services and insulation contractor assistance. If major upgrades (air sealing, insulation and
furnace or boiler replacement) are recommended at the visit, CEE will follow-up with homeowners through
email or by phone to encourage implementation. When a quote is provided CEE has the ability to schedule
insulation work directly with a qualified contractor making it easier for homeowner to move forward with
recommendations. CEE will also provide contact information to program participants who have follow-up
questions after the home visit.
CITY TASKS
1. Assist and coordinate with CEE on marketing activities. This includes working with CEE on press
releases, articles in CITY newsletters, water bill inserts, promoting program on CITY website, CITY email
lists, assistance in coordinating with neighborhood and other CITY leaders, assistance in reserving
workshop and event space as needed.
PAYMENT
CEE shall submit regular invoices to the City of Hopkins for activity performed under this agreement. Invoices will
be emailed to Meg Beekman.
The City of Hopkins will reimburse CEE $20 for every Home Energy Squad Install visit completed and $50 for
every Home Energy Squad Enhanced visit completed, not to exceed $3,500 per year without further authorization
from the City.
CONTACTS
The following individuals shall be contacts for this program:
CITY OF HOPKINS CONTACT PERSON
Meg Beekman, City of Hopkins
Community Development Coordinator
mbeekman@hopkinsmn.com or 952-548-6343
CEE CONTACT PERSON
Stacy Boots Camp, Center for Energy and Environment
Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator
sbootscamp@mncee.org or 612-244-2429
TERM
The project shall run from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 and may be extended upon mutual
agreement by the parties.
In witness thereof, the parties have executed this work order as of the date written below.
CITY OF HOPKINS CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
By: By:
Date: Date:
TAX ID 41-1647799