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Council approves first reading of 0% PG&E loan for LED upgrades to city facilities
Summary
Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 785 to accept a PG&E 0% energy‑efficiency retrofit loan (about $57,974.49) to convert lighting in multiple city buildings to LED, with projected 55% lighting energy savings and roughly $6,000 in annual electricity savings.
The Piedmont City Council voted on Oct. 20 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 785, authorizing the city to enter a PG&E Energy Efficiency Retrofit Loan for lighting upgrades across multiple city facilities and to authorize the city administrator to execute related agreements.
Denise Ergen, sustainability program manager, told the council the package covers City Hall, the fire department, Veterans Hall, the police department and 801 Magnolia, and would upgrade 68 fixtures to LEDs, convert many CFL bulbs, and install 13 emergency drivers. "It's a 0 interest loan," Ergen said, adding the project is just under $57,974.49 and is expected to deliver roughly 55% energy savings from lighting and save the city an estimated "over $6,000 a year in electricity cost at current rates." Staff said the loan repayment would be about $500 per month over roughly 9.58 years, and that the ordinance would return to council on Nov. 3 and take effect Dec. 3, 2025 if adopted on second reading.
Council members asked whether arts users at 801 Magnolia (Piedmont Center for the Arts) had been consulted and whether fixtures would allow warm vs. cool light; staff said many retrofit fixtures will be dimmable and that staff will coordinate settings with users in advance. Staff also explained that some HVAC measures were not eligible under the PG&E program because projects must fit a 10‑year payback threshold.
What happens next: the ordinance was approved on first reading and will return to council for the second reading; staff may execute contracts with the vendor if the loan proceeds as proposed.
