Fremont City Council Meeting: 09/01/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Parks Planning and Design Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Grants
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5779) DOC ID: 5779
Updated: 8/27/2026 9:07 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 Acceptance of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant - Accept Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in the Amount of $254,040 and Appropriate Funds to the Central Park Tennis Center Lighting and Electrical Project (PWC8853) and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Documents Necessary to Accept and Implement the Grant;.
Contact Persons:
Name: Eva Lee Kim Beranek
Title: Landscape Designer II Community Services Director Div/Dept: Parks Planning and Design Community Services
Phone: 510-494-4776 510-494-4330
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: Staff is seeking authority to accept the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) equipment rebate voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and appropriate the grant funds to support the implementation of the Central Park Tennis Center Lighting and Electrical Project.
Background: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to expand energy efficiency and conservation initiatives, including the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The EECBG Program received $550 million in IIJA funding and is administered by DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP).
Under the EECBG Program, eligible local governments may elect to receive an equipment rebate and/or technical assistance voucher in lieu of a traditional formula grant. The voucher option is intended to simplify and streamline access to EECBG funding. Technical assistance vouchers provide access to subject matter experts in areas such as energy efficiency, transportation, and related energy initiatives. Equipment rebates support the purchase and installation of eligible energy-related equipment that advances the goals of the EECBG Program.
On April 29, 2024, the City of Fremont was determined to be eligible for an EECBG Program formula allocation and elected to receive an equipment rebate voucher in the amount of $254,040. The equipment rebate voucher will reimburse eligible costs associated with the Central Park Tennis Center Council Staff Report (ID # 5779) Meeting of September 1, 2026 Updated: 8/27/2026 9:07 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 Lighting and Electrical Project, which will replace the existing tennis court lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures. Acceptance of the voucher will allow the City to access federal reimbursement for eligible project costs in accordance with DOE program requirements.
Discussion/Analysis: The proposed Central Park Tennis Center Lighting and Electrical Project will replace the existing tennis court light fixtures, security light fixtures, and lighting control system with new energy-efficient LED lighting and controls. The project will improve lighting quality and reliability, reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, and enhance the safety and functionality of the tennis facility for users.
The EECBG equipment rebate voucher will provide up to $254,040 in federal reimbursement for eligible material and installation costs associated with the project. The remaining project costs will be funded through the City's General Fund and Recreation Cost Center budget. Acceptance of the equipment rebate voucher will enable the City to offset project costs while advancing the City's energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
Fiscal Impact: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the $254,040 EECBG equipment rebate voucher and appropriate the grant funds to the Central Park Tennis Center Lighting and Electrical Project (PWC8853) in Federal Capital Grants Fund (Fund 522).
Environmental Review: The recommended funding actions are is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because funding actions are not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5), and/or because the funding actions have no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment, as specified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance. The construction of the project will undergo environmental review in compliance with CEQA.
Recommendation:
1. Accept EECBG grant funds in the amount of $254,040 and appropriate the funds to the Central Park Tennis Center Lighting and Electrical Project, PWC8853-522.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any documents necessary to accept the EECBG equipment rebate voucher from the U.S.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5779) Meeting of September 1, 2026 Updated: 8/27/2026 9:07 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 Department of Energy for the Central Park Tennis Center Lighting and Electrical Project in the amount of $254,040.