HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet 1-16-19 Work SessionJanuary 16, 2019, Work Session
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
January 16, 2019
12:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Meeting of January 16, 2019;
Her Honor Mayor Lucy Vinis Presiding
Councilors Mike Clark Betty Taylor Greg Evans Chris Pryor Emily Semple Claire Syrett Jennifer Yeh Alan Zelenka
12:00 p.m. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
1. WORK SESSION: Single-Use Containers and Utensils
2.WORK SESSION: Home Energy Score
January 16, 2019, Work Session
For the hearing impaired, an interpreter can be provided with 48 hours' notice prior to the meeting. Spanish-language interpretation will also be provided with 48 hours' notice. To arrange for these services, contact the receptionist at 541-682-5010. City Council meetings are telecast live on Metro Television, Comcast channel 21, and rebroadcast later in the week. El consejo de la Ciudad de Eugene agradece su interés en estos asuntos de la agenda. El lugar de la reunión tiene acceso para sillas de ruedas. Se puede proveer a un intérprete para las personas con discapacidad auditiva si avisa con 48 horas de anticipación. También se puede proveer interpretación para español si avisa con 48 horas de anticipación. Para reservar estos servicios llame al 541-682-5010. Las reuniones del consejo de la ciudad se transmiten en vivo por Metro Television, Canal 21 de Comcast y son retransmitidas durante la semana.
For more information, contact the Council Coordinator at 541-682-5010 or visit us online at www.eugene-or.gov.
January 16, 2019, Work Session – Item 1
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Work Session: Single-Use Containers and Utensils Meeting Date: January 16, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 1 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Michael Wisth
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-6835
ISSUE STATEMENT Single-use restaurant and grocery items—such as to-go boxes, bags, cups, straws and utensils—have gained considerable attention over the past few years for their impacts on the environment. By some accounts, single-use items account for up to 15 percent of all ocean plastic litter. In response to this, many governmental bodies have taken various forms of actions to limit single-use items availability.
BACKGROUND Litter in the form of single-use items and serviceware has gained attention from community groups and local governments over the past few years. Litter cleanup data from SOLVE volunteers revealed 15 percent of litter by count consists of single-use plastics from packaging associated with take-out and delivery of food and drink. Plastic straws are the sixth most frequently occurring litter in the United States, according the Ocean Conservancy. In 2012, City Council adopted a bag ban limiting the distribution of single-use plastic bags throughout Eugene. Globally, over one hundred governments have adopted a similar ban for plastic bags and many others—including Vancouver (British Columbia), New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Berkeley, Boulder and Portland—already have or are in the process of restricting straws and other single-use items. This work session will serve as an introduction to the issue. Staff will review various points of consideration prior to instituting a ban, such as different types of materials associated with single-use containers and serviceware, exemptions for those in need of single-use items and other considerations. Staff will also provide an overview of proposed statewide bans and the regulatory approaches taken by other cities, primarily Seattle, Berkeley and Portland.
RELATED CITY POLICIES In 2012, Eugene City Council voted to implement Ordinance 20498, banning retailers from using single-use plastic bags. The City of Eugene regulates licensed garbage and recycling hauling activities within the city limits. These activities are guided by Oregon Revised Statues as well as the Eugene City Code. In particular, ORS 459a outlines the “Opportunity to Recycle” for all Oregonians and sets a baseline for counties’ and their affiliated municipalities’ garbage diversion rates.
January 16, 2019, Work Session – Item 1
COUNCIL OPTIONS This is an informational work session only.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION None at this time.
SUGGESTED MOTION None at this time.
ATTACHMENTS None.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Michael Wisth Telephone: 541-682-6835 Staff E-Mail: mwisth@eugene-or.gov
January 16, 2019, Work Session – Item 2
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Work Session: Home Energy Score Meeting Date: January 16, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Mark Nystrom
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5017
ISSUE STATEMENT This work session provides an overview of the Home Energy Score program that provides energy use information of a residential unit to potential buyers or renters. In 2017, the Eugene Sustainability Commission’s requested City Council hold a work session related to the HES program, including requesting council to adopt an ordinance that requires home sellers to post a HES score in sale materials for home listing or tours.
BACKGROUND The US Department of Energy created the HES in 2010 to help home buyers better assess a home's energy use for consideration in buying decisions. A HES is a value given to a home by a contracted inspector that estimates the energy-related use, associated costs and cost-effective solutions to improve the home’s efficiency. A HES is similar to the fuel efficiency rating (i.e., miles per gallon) when purchasing a car. The State of Oregon has created a certification program for individuals that would like to obtain HES, with Eugene Water & Electric Board currently providing optional HES to residents in Eugene. Several cities around the country have implemented a mandatory HES program including Austin, Berkeley, Santa Fe, Boulder, and Portland. As will be discussed during the work session, the adoption of a HES program has the potential to incentivize home owners to invest in energy efficiency improvements, potentially lowering greenhouse gases. Based on the Eugene’s 2015 greenhouse gas emission inventory and using the GHG reduction forecasts completed as part of the Climate Action Plan 2.0 process, residential units account for a small portion of percent of Eugene’s total ghg emissions. Additionally, many of the adopted HES programs focus only on residential single-family homes. In Eugene, from a Triple Bottom Line standpoint and recognizing the growth in residential units will include multifamily units, staff recommends the consideration of a program that provides energy use information for all types of residential units.
January 16, 2019, Work Session – Item 2
Based on preliminary research of other communities, HES has the potential for several TBL impacts:
• provides home purchasers data when budgeting the true cost of ownership,
• potentially lower ghg emissions through investments in energy efficiency improvements,
• potential job creation due to increased demand in assessors and home repairs,
• improved comfort for home owners, and
• potential impact on home prices—increases due to additional investments or decreases due to increased financing options.
RELATED CITY POLICIES Climate Recovery Ordinance
COUNCIL OPTIONS 1. Direct the City Manager to develop HES program options to be considered for adoption by council 2. Take no action.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION No council action or motions are suggested.
SUGGESTED MOTION No motion is provided.
ATTACHMENTS A. Sustainability Commission recommendation
FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Mark Nystrom, Climate Recovery Analyst Deveron Musgrave, Waste Prevention and Green Building Coordinator Telephone: Mark: 541-682-5017 Deveron: 541-682-6842 Staff E-Mail: mnystrom@eugene-or.gov , dmusgrave@eugene-or.gov
To: Mayor Vinis and Eugene City Council
From: City of Eugene Sustainability Commission
CC: Housing Policy Board
Date: 11/15/17
Subject: Proposal to Implement Home Energy Scoring Requirement for Home Sales
and Rentals
Introduction
The City of Eugene Sustainability Commission, at its November 15, 2017, adopted the following
recommendations for consideration by the Eugene City Council and the Lane County Poverty and
Homelessness Board. These recommendations, if implemented, will result in progress toward
making housing more affordable and meeting the requirements of the City of Eugene Climate
Recovery Ordinance.
Problem
Housing affordability, including the cost of energy, is an important issue in our community.
There is currently a lack of information available to renters and buyers about future home
energy costs when they are making important decisions about where to buy or rent a home and,
for buyers, about what improvements to make at the time of purchase.
Recommended Council Action
Require home-sellers include a home energy score in listing materials for homes and
provide the score when a home is toured
Require property owners to include a home energy score in listing materials for rentals
and provide the score when a rental is toured
Background
The US Department of Energy created the Home Energy Score in 2010 to help home buyers
better assess a home's energy use for consideration in buying decisions
(https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/home-energy-score).
The State of Oregon has a certification program for individuals that would like to provide Home
Energy Scores (https://www.oregon.gov/CCB/licensing/Pages/homenenergyassessor.aspx).
ATTACHMENT A
January 16, 2019, Work Session - Item 2
Eugene partnered with the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) and the University of
Oregon (UO) to conduct a pilot Home Energy Score program for rental units in Eugene. Several
UO students earned State certification to provide Home Energy Scores and evaluated 226 rental
units. Almost 1/3 of the rentals evaluated received the lowest possible score.
Cost
According to the City of Portland, Oregon's, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, energy
assessments currently cost from $150-250 and experience from Austin, Texas, suggests that as
the volume of assessments increase the costs come down, with prices there currently stable at
$125.
Recommendations for Outreach
In the drafting of a Home Energy Score Policy, the Sustainability Commission recommends
reaching out to a broad set of stakeholders including, but not limited to, the following:
Consumers
EWEB
Energy Efficiency Contractors
Realty Stakeholders (Appraisers, Lenders, Inspectors, Multiple Listing Services, Builders,
Rental Unit Owners)
Equity Stakeholders (Elderly, English as Second Language, Tenants, Low-Income,
Communities of Color, Housing Advocates)
January 16, 2019, Work Session - Item 2
Home Energy Score Policy for Eugene Fact Sheet
Why pursue a Home Energy Score policy?
Providing a Home Energy Score, similar to a mpg rating for cars, when a home is listed for sale or
rent can help prospective buyers and renters better assess expected energy cost and increase the
likelihood that improvements will happen at the time of property transfer, lowering future
energy costs for residents.
What is a “home energy performance report”?
A home energy performance report is defined in Oregon Revised Statutes 469.703 and 469.040
and in Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 330-063-0000, and includes the following information:
A score and an explanation of the score.
An estimate of the total annual energy used in the home, by fuel type.
An estimate of the total monthly or annual cost of energy purchased for use in the home, in
dollars, by fuel type.
The current average annual utility retail energy price, by fuel type.
What Does a Home Energy Score Cost (from Portland BPS)?
As of July 2016, the market rate cost to obtain a home energy performance report is between
$150 and $250. This is the cost of having a trained, certified home energy assessor conduct a 45-
minute, in-home assessment and generate the report based on the data gathered from the home
visit. The information obtained through a home energy assessment goes beyond a typical home
inspection, including a review of the home’s mechanical systems, insulation, air sealing and
opportunities for cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades. Sellers pay a private-sector home
energy assessor for the cost of the home energy performance report, not the City. Home energy
scores are a market-based solution for making home energy performance more transparent in
the home buying process.
Experience from Austin, Texas suggests that as the volume of home energy assessments
increases, the retail cost of the assessment declines. The cost of a home energy performance
assessment in Austin is currently stable at $125.
What other cities have passed similar policies (from Portland BPS)?
Several U.S. cities have passed similar disclosure policies for the homes market, including Austin,
Texas; Berkeley, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Boulder, Colorado. Internationally,
residential disclosure policies are in effect in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Australia.
Relation to Poverty and Homelessness
In April 2016, the Lane County Poverty and Homelessness Board (PHB) adopted a strategic plan
which, in part, addresses the need to increase the availability and access to coordinated
supportive housing, shelter, and services. The strategic plan identified the lack of affordable January 16, 2019, Work Session - Item 2
housing in Eugene as an issue of concern. According to 2015 US Census data, the gross cost of
rental housing in Eugene, including utilities, is $851 per month. Energy costs are one piece of this
cost that can be addressed through increased information and greater investment in the current
building stock.
Relation to Climate Recovery Ordinance
The City of Eugene Council adopted the Climate Recovery Ordinance (CRO) in 2014 which was
later amended in 2016. The CRO established targets and benchmarks including a community-
wide 50 percent reduction in fossil fuel usage of 2010 levels by 2030. To achieve CRO targets
and benchmarks, all sectors in Eugene including housing will need to reduce fossil fuel usage.
One of the large contributors to GHG emissions in Eugene is home heating, including heating
water. In 2015 residential natural gas use represented approximately 7% of the Eugene's Scope
1 emissions (Eugene's 2015 GHG Inventory - market-based Electricity accounting methodology).
Reducing energy use in buildings is an important step in reducing the City’s overall GHG
emissions that can be achieved while also lowering costs.
Currently, the City of Eugene is updating the 2010 Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) which
will identify actions that will be necessary for meeting CRO requirements. Eugene’s 2010 CEAP
recommended the adoption of a Home Energy Score Policy, but it was never implemented. The
updated CEAP is expected to be finalized by late 2018.
Current Lack of Incentives
Currently, there is little incentive for property owners to improve energy efficiency in rental
units. Electricity is almost always paid by the tenants, who have little access to information
about likely costs prior to renting, and many energy efficiency improvements are not easily
visible to prospective renters, limiting property owners ability to market the added value. A
home energy score program would provide information to prospective renters and buyers on
energy efficiency, allowing them to make better decisions, while providing owners with an
incentive to make improvements prior to posting a unit for rent or sale.
Additional Actions
The Commission also recommends that EWEB develop a system in which prospective renters
can obtain information on historic electricity consumption at a rental unit. We acknowledge that
there are likely privacy issues related to disclosing this kind of information. However, there may
be ways to convey this kind of information while protecting the privacy of previous tenants.
January 16, 2019, Work Session - Item 2
Triple Bottom Line Analysis for Home Energy Score Policy
Environmental Health
One of the large contributors to GHG emissions in Eugene is home heating (including hot water).
In 2015 residential natural gas use, primarily for heating, represented approximately 7% of the
City's Scope 1 GHG emissions (Eugene's 2015 GHG Inventory - market-based Electricity
accounting methodology). A well-designed Home Energy Score program should help renters and
buyers get access to energy information at times when important decisions affecting the homes
energy use can be made and improve the energy efficiency of the City’s building stock over time.
For homes that use fossil fuels or are updating heating systems, low-carbon heat pumps are
encouraged over fossil fuels.
Economic Prosperity
Home Energy Scores provide an opportunity to increase energy efficiency of the City’s building
stock while also lowering total cost for renters and home buyers. The program encourages
energy efficiency investments in properties, which creates local jobs, healthier homes, and
reduced energy burden for customers. Reducing energy burden keeps families in homes which
benefits the community overall.
Social Equity
Rental units are often inefficient and poorly insulated, with high energy costs coming as a
surprise for some tenants and few incentives for landlords to improve. Providing energy usage
information early in the rental process can help tenants assess the total cost of living in a unit,
including energy, before they move in. Requiring this information be made available to potential
renters incentivizes landlords to act to improve the efficiency of their rentals and lower total
cost. Similar benefits are shared by home-buyers, including first time buyers, who are better able
to assess the total cost of living in a home before purchase. It also gives home buyers access to
information that can help them roll potential improvements into their mortgage, lowering total
cost. The recommendations of Equity Stakeholders including Elderly, ESL, Tenant, Low-Income,
Communities of Color, and Housing Advocates should be sought in the policy drafting process.
January 16, 2019, Work Session - Item 2