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TREE POWER PROGRAMCity CouncilJanuary 28, 2025 Public Utilities RiversideCA.gov2
BACKGROUNDOffered since 1999Program Goals:1. Conserve energy (163 kWh/tree)2. Reduce summer cooling costs3. Enhance the City’s green spacesRPU electric customers: $40 per qualified shade treeCustomers receive up to six trees1. Five trees through regular rebate 2. One through March back of bill 1 2
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BACKGROUND
Dual Marketing ApproachTree Power Rebate Program(up to 5 trees per year)Free Shade Tree Coupon Campaign(1 free tree per year) RiversideCA.gov4
DISCUSSION – BACK-OF-BILL CAMPAIGNOriginally Launched in 2001Program Goals:1. Reach all residential customers2. Increase program participation3. Spur local economic stimulusCoupon printed on the back of the March bill for redemption at:1. Louie’s Nursery2. Parkview – Chicago3. Parkview – Jackson 3 4
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TREES DISTRIBUTED2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 202414,861 14,000 13,984 15,340 12,446 16,970 12,657 13,708 12,794 11,312 11,68002,0004,0006,0008,00010,00012,00014,00016,00018,000 RiversideCA.gov6
SOFTWARE TO MANAGE TREE POWER1. Tree pricing was increasing and customers were challenged with economic conditions2. Current program is paper and labor intensivea. Create Back-of-Bill couponb. Artworkc. Postaged. Collection of couponse. Counting & verifying coupons Support for the Administration of Current ProgramAverage of 12,000 Trees Per Year1. Increase in incentive amount due to economic conditionsa. Increase in incentive was approved by City Council in February 20232. The ability to manage program with a software tool created by the Arbor Day FoundationChallengesSolutions5 6 1/9/2025
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) 23251. RFP 2325 was issued by the City Purchasing Division to identify all available software tools to support RPU’s management of the Tree Power Programa. Released on November 9, 2023 b. Closed on December 1, 2023 with only one respondent, the Arbor Day Foundation2. Requirements of the RFP include:a. Customer support phone number to provide support for RPU, participating nurseries and program participants b. Electronic communication with program participants c. Annual satisfaction surveyd. Access to the software tool in multiple languagese. Energy savings reporting to RPUf. Have the ability to issue coupons in various formats RiversideCA.gov8
RFP RESULTS1. The RFP closed on December 1, 2023, with one response2. The Arbor Day Foundation was found to be responsive andresponsible.Number of VendorsAction500External Vendors Notified237City of Riverside Vendors Notified21Vendors who downloaded the RFP1Proposals received7 8 1/9/2025
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ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION SOFTWAREGIS Platform that allows customers to see their home RiversideCA.gov10
ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION SOFTWAREOutline the building structure for accuracy 9 10
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ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION SOFTWARESelect a climate appropriate tree RiversideCA.gov12
ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION SOFTWARESelect optimal planting location by seeing expected annual energy savings 11 12
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ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION SOFTWARE
Annual energy savingsStormwater filtrationCarbon sequestrationAir pollution absorbed RiversideCA.gov14
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENTStrategic Priority 4 - Environmental StewardshipGoal 4.1 –Rapidly decrease Riverside’s carbon footprint by acting urgently to reach a zero-carbon electric grid with the goal of reaching 100% zero-carbon electricity production by2040 while continuing to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy for all residents.Goal 4.3 –Implement local and support regional proactive policies and inclusive decision-making processes to deliver environmental justice and ensure that all residents breath healthyand clean air with the goal of having zero days of unhealthy air quality per the South Coast AirQuality District’s Air Quality Index (AQI).
Community Trust
Equity
Fiscal Responsibility
Innovation
Sustainability & Resiliency
Cross-Cutting Threads13
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That the City Council:1. Approve the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Tree Power Program Free Shade Tree CouponCampaign in the amount of $462,968;2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to issue purchase orders and changeorders to Parkview Nursery, 4377 Chicago Avenue; Parkview Nursery, 3841Jackson Street; and Louie’s Nursery, 18550 Van Buren Boulevard based on thevariable product demand of each nursery for the Tree Power Program’s FreeShade Tree Coupon campaign in a collective amount of $462,968;3. Approve the Professional Consultant Services Agreement from Request forProposal No. 2325 for software to administer the Tree Power Program to Arbor DayFoundation for $525,000 with a 10% contingency of $52,500 for a total not toexceed amount of $577,500;4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Professional ConsultantServices Agreements, execute the optional extensions at $175,000 annually, andincluding making minor and non-substantive changes to the agreements.RECOMMENDATIONS15