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Council approves first reading of ordinance to take $57,974.49 0% PG&E retrofit loan for LED upgrades
Summary
Piedmont City Council on Oct. 20 approved the first reading of Ordinance 785NS to accept a PG&E 0% retrofit loan of $57,974.49 to convert eligible lighting at several city facilities to LEDs.
The City Council on Oct. 20 approved the first reading of Ordinance 785NS to authorize borrowing $57,974.49 at 0% interest through the PG&E Energy Efficiency Retrofit Loan Program to replace lighting at City Hall, the Fire Department, Veterans Hall, the Police Department and 801 Magnolia (the Piedmont Center for the Arts).
Denise Aragon, the city’s sustainability program manager, presented the project and said the retrofit targets about 68 fixtures and mostly replaces compact fluorescent lamps with LEDs; chandeliers at 801 Magnolia and many Veterans Hall fixtures were excluded from the scope. The work will also include installing 13 emergency drivers for temporary backup power where appropriate. “All of this conversion to LED does provide us with...55% energy savings from our lighting through this program and saving the city an estimated, over $6,000 a year in electricity costs at current rates,” Aragon told the council.
Under the loan terms presented, repayment is roughly $500 per month over a 9.58‑year term. Staff said predicted energy savings slightly exceed the repayment amount. The program uses PG&E‑preauthorized vendors that provide turnkey services, including procurement and installation; staff reported references from Fort Bragg and a Bay Area municipality indicating smooth implementation.
Council asked staff whether the Piedmont Center for the Arts (at 801 Magnolia) and performing users would have input on light color and controls; staff said most upgraded fixtures will be dimmable or adjustable and that staff would coordinate preferences in advance. Council also asked why HVAC measures were not included; staff said equipment eligibility and a 10‑year payback requirement limited eligible HVAC projects under the program.
The council voted unanimously to approve the first reading and authorized the city administrator to execute related agreements. If the ordinance proceeds as scheduled, staff will return Nov. 3 for final action and the ordinance would take effect Dec. 3, 2025.
