May 2016
Almost sold out!  Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to keynote 25th Annual General Assembly & Leadership Address
This year is WRCOG's 25th Anniversary and we are excited to invite you to celebrate with us, but you better hurry. The General Assembly & Leadership Address will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa and we are thrilled to welcome Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia (2010 to 2013), as this year's Keynote Speaker. Prime Minister Gillard was the first woman to serve as Australia's Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and was central to the successful management of Australia's economy, the 12th largest in the world, during the global financial crisis. Sponsorship and Ad opportunities are still available, but spots are filling up fast, and we know that you don't want to be left out. Please contact Rebekah Manning at [email protected] to learn more.
Coming soon...Regional Streetlight Program Testbed
Coming to a local street near you in Summer 2016 ... an illuminating new opportunity, a well-lit and exciting community experience that is both good for the eyes and our night skies ... WRCOG's Regional Streetlight Program: Rise of the Testbed!
 
Jurisdictions in Western Riverside County are in the process of acquiring the approximately 63,000 streetlights in the region.  Once acquisition occurs, older, inefficient bulbs will be replaced with new, energy efficient streetlights, which will reduce maintenance costs and save on local city and county utility bills.  Before "changing-out" the old bulbs for the new ones, WRCOG is arranging for the implementation of a regional Testbed.  The Testbed, to be located in Hemet, will showcase more than 100 different LED (light emitting diode) streetlights for comparison side-by-side on major roadways, commercial streets, and residential areas.  The Testbed will allow community stakeholders from across the region to experience and comment on the variety of LED technologies in a "real-life" context, and will aid in helping local communities make lighting selections that are both functional and pleasing to the eye.  As we get close to the Testbed launch date, WRCOG will release an electronic survey so that community stakeholders and interested parties can provide their opinions, comments, and streetlight preferences.
 
For more information on WRCOG's Regional Streetlight Program please contact Tyler Masters at (951) 955-8378 or [email protected] .
 
Western Riverside Energy Leader Partnership (WRELP)
One of the many benefits of the Western Riverside Energy Leader Partne rs hip ( WR ELP) is providing outreach programs to WRCOG's member jurisdictions. Later t h is sum mer, Direct Install, a Program providing no cost energy efficient upgrades (s u ch as lighting, signage, refrigeration, reflectors and door closers) to small- and medium-sized businesses that use less than 200kW per month, will be available to selected jurisdictions located in the WRCOG subregion. The goal of the Program is to educate and assist local businesses with the replacement of outdated energy inefficient equipment with newer energy efficient equipment.

Additionally, through the WRELP Partnership these same energy efficient improvements are available to municipally-owned facilities as well! Nearly $250,000 in energy efficient upgrades were installed in the cities listed below between 2013 and 2015, resulting in significant energy, greenhouse gas, and utility bill savings.  

WRELP Jurisdiction 
Gross KwH Savings 
Gross kW Savings 
Incentive 
Calimesa  6,966   1.65  $3,988
Canyon Lake  10,239   2.44  $7,674
Hemet  142,863   33.87  $88,367
Lake Elsinore   62,267  14.69  $21,102
Murrieta   73,569  16.82  $39,232
Perris   50,576  12.03  $36,718
Temecula   50,012  9.17  $29,987
Wildomar   4,478  2.2  $6,725
Total
400,970
92.87
$233,793
Community Choice Aggregation Program Feasibility Study underway
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) allows cities and counties to purchase electricity for its constituents, often at lower rates and / or with a "greener" energy mix than is currently the case.  In January 2016, the WRCOG's Executive Committee directed staff to pursue the feasibility of CCA for both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in partnership with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG).  WRCOG recently entered into an agreement with Bevilacqua-Knight, Inc. (BKi) to conduct the Feasibility Study for the two-county area.  The Study should be completed by August 2016, with recommendations on whether CCA is feasible, how it could be implemented, and governance options.
Transportation activities
TUMF revenues and completed projects:  TUMF Program revenues are increasing as building activity in the subregion is on the rise.  Fiscal Year 2015/2016 revenues are likely to reach $40 million, which is the highest level since 2008.   Since inception, the TUMF Program has funded 86 completed projects.
                       
2016 TUMF Nexus Study:  WRCOG, member jurisdictions, and Parsons Brinkerhoff are currently updating the Nexus Study for release later this year. The Nexus Study serves as the technical basis for the update of the TUMF fee. This update includes the use of new socio-economic data, updates to key fee calculation variables, revised cost assumptions, and updates to the roadway network. WRCOG is also reviewing previous comments to verify that all of the comments received previously are addressed in the Nexus Study Update. The schedule for the TUMF Nexus Study is as follows:
  • Summer 2016 - Release of draft 2016 TUMF Nexus Study
  • Fall 2016 - Additional outreach on the draft 2016 TUMF Nexus Study
  • Winter 2016 - Executive Committee to take action on the 2016 Nexus Study
  • July 2017 - Updated TUMF Schedule takes effect
Fee analysis study :  In response to comments received on the draft 2015 TUMF Nexus Study on the impact of TUMF on the regional economy, WRCOG is conducting a study to determine the role TUMF plays in a developer's decision to locate in Western Riverside County.  A series of development prototypes will be used to conduct a comparison analysis of fees assessed in and around the WRCOG subregion.  Additionally, the study will review the effects of other development costs (labor, land cost, interest rates) and the economic benefit of transportation infrastructure. 

Active transportation

WRCOG recently received funding from the California Transportation Commission to develop a Western Riverside County Active Transportation Plan (ATP).  The Plan will set objectives to increase safety and effectiveness of the non-motorized system, incorporate local Safe Routes to Schools planning efforts, and identify economic indicators that include education, disadvantaged communities, and federal air quality non-attainment zones.
 
WRCOG and ATP consultant, Fehr & Peers, developed a survey for the community and member jurisdiction staff to determine the needs, concerns, and values of the region in regard to active transportation. Links to the survey are below:

Community Survey (English):  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WRCOG_ATP_Eng 
Community Survey (Spanish):  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WRCOG_ATP_Spa 
Staff Survey (English):  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WRCOG_ATP_Staff

In addition to the plan, WRCOG received funding to conduct Bicycle Safety Education workshops.  The workshops will occur over a three-day period and include instruction at an RCC Campus, followed by a ride with the instructor along City streets to test the student's knowledge.  The first class will be held the weekend of May 20th in the City of Riverside and June 3rd in the City of Moreno Valley.  Click here to register for the City of Riverside workshop.
  
WRCOG will be providing further information about the registration for the workshop that will be held in the City of Moreno Valley on its website when the information becomes available.
 
HERO Program
New improvements to HERO :  Beginning on June 9, 2016, after a property owner applies for HERO and within their three day "right to cancel," he or she will receive a phone call from HERO to verify the project, terms, and financing details.  This service was previously only available to seniors and property owners who did not speak English as a primary language, but will now be available to all participants in the WRCOG and California HERO Programs.  This "call back" service will help ensure that HERO property owners fully understand the terms and conditions of the financing.  It will also allow for staff to receive immediate feedback regarding customer / contractor interactions, and allow for any intervention to occur before the project has begun. 


HERO will also launch the "Know Before You Owe" form on June 9, 2016.  This standalone form will disclose all rates, fees, and costs associated with a HERO Project.  This form will be provided to all property owners applying for HERO before the project begins.

WRCOG's Consumer Protections being embraced nationally :  On May 11, 2016, it was announced that PACENation, the national umbrella organization for commercial and residential PACE programs and the PACE industry as a whole, adopted a set
of consumer protection policies based on the Consumer Protections Policy adopted by   WRCOG in December 2015.  This adoption is significant, as it will help strengthen HERO's efforts to create PACE industry standards for other providers in California and beyond, and enforce our commitment to upholding the public's trust.  The
policies address the  
following areas:  Eligibility and Risk, Disclosures and Documentation, Financing Terms, Operations, Post-Funding Support, Data Security, Privacy, Marketing and Communications, Protected Classes, Registered Contractors, Eligible Products, Pricing, Reporting, and Closing & Funding.  

WRCOG-area HERO activity update :  The table below provides a summary of the total estimated economic and environmental impacts for projects completed in the WRCOG HERO Program to date:        
   

Solid waste and recycling outreach activities  
WRCOG's Solid Waste Program assists member jurisdictions with addressing state laws that require diversion of waste from landfills in order to extend landfill life and increase recycling.  While certain aspects of these state requirements have been modified over the years with legislation defining the kinds of materials that count towards diversion and how to calculate the diversion rate for jurisdictions, the intent of the law remains. 

Castle View Elementary's Dragon 
As part of educating the youth in Western Riverside County about recycling, WRCOG partnered with The Magic of Recycling Show to conduct elementary sch ool assemblies in the City of Riverside on April 13, 2016.  Castle View Elementary students enjoyed two educational assemblies in their large Multi-Purpose Room to learn about how a nd why they should recycle. 
 
The Solid Waste Program also has a Regional Used Oil component designed to assist member jurisdictions in educating and promoting proper recycling and disposal of used oil, oil filters, and household hazardous waste (HHW) to the community.
 
WRCOG has recently engaged in a number of recycling and used oil outreach and education activities in the community.  Oil and water may not mix, but WRCOG's Used Oil Program and miniature ponies and tiny cars do!  More than 200 oil containers were distributed to Motte Museum Car Show attendees on April 30, 2016.
  
Motte Museum Car Show, Menifee.

WRCOG's Used Oil Program team also recently attended the Riverside "Show and Go" in Downtown Riverside on April 23, 2016, the Riverside Tamale Festival in White Park on April 9, 2016, and at the Calimesa Street Fair on May 7, 2016.
 
Riverside Show and Go Used  
Oil event.

Other events that WRCOG recently participated in include:
  • March 5, 2016 - City of Riverside, Auto Zone, La Sierra Ave.
  • March 12, 2016 - City of Perris, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Nuevo Road
  • March 19, 2016 - City of Eastvale, Auto Zone, Schleisman Road
  • March 26, 2016 - City of San Jacinto, Auto Zone, San Jacinto Ave.
  • April 9, 2016 - City of Hemet, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, West Florida Ave.
    Don't be this.
As p art of our "Don't be a Dipstick" campaign, residents who are "Do It You rselfers " al s o brought in their used oil filters in exchange for a free new oil filter.  Co ntai ne r s for st oring used oil, shop rags, oil filter wrenches, funnels, regional used oil informational brochures , and Riverside County household hazardous waste fliers were also distributed to attendees.


Healthy Communities Brief No. 4:  Chronic Disease
As an ongoing effort to communicate topics related to healthy communities, WRCOG has released a 4th "Be Healthy" Policy Brief on Chronic Disease & Social Determinants of Health .  Lifestyle habits and behaviors are primary causes of chronic diseases, which account for 7 out of 10 deaths in the U.S.  The good news is that they are preventable! This brief addresses the challenges, opportunities, and success stories for chronic disease prevention.  Take a look at how instances of chronic disease can be reduced for enhanced quality of life, work, and play.  For information on all of WRCOG's healthy communities activities, please visit our website .

Public engagement workshop for local government representative set for June 1, 2016   
Calling all City and County staff, elected officials, school district leaders, water agency officials, and others!  WRCOG invites you to a Public Engagement Workshop presented by the Davenport Institute of Pepperdine University.  This workshop will provide you with vital leadership skills, teach you how to involve your residents and constituents, and much more!  This event will take place on June 1, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will be held at the City of Temecula Conference Center.  Tickets are $30 each and includes lunch.  Click here for more information.  To register, email Rebekah Manning at [email protected].

Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency 
On April 6, 2016, RCHCA staff attended the California Trails and Greenways Conference. The mission of the California Trails Conference Foundation is to inspire recreational trail leadership. As part of the conference a walking tour was held at the Sycamore Canyon Reserve in the City of Riverside. Sycamore Canyon is an RCHCA Core Reserve for the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat.
 
Conference attendees on Sycamore Canyon Reserve walking tour.
RCHCA staff gave presentations to the conference attendees and shared information on the benefits and challenges of trail systems at the Sycamore Canyon Reserve and other areas in Riverside County.   Staff also built relationships and established a network of people who share the vision of building support for trail endeavors.

Recognition  
WRCOG Vice-Chair Ben Benoit, SCAG President Cheryl Viegas-Walker, WRCOG Transportation Director Chris Gray, WRCOG 2nd Vice-Chair Debbie Franklin, WRCOG Transportation Analyst Daniel Ramirez-Cornejo, and SCAG 2nd Vice-President Margaret E. Finlay.

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) recognized the WRCOG TUMF Program with its "Achievement in Integrated Land Use and Transportation Planning" award, presented during SCAG's General Assembly on May 5, 2016.
 
On May 19, 2016, the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association (APA) will acknowledge WRCOG with two awards including: 
  • "Best Practices Award" for WRCOG's recently-completed Land Use, Transportation, and Water Quality Framework
  • "Implementation Award" for WRCOG's TUMF Program

Executive Director's Column 
Do energy and water conservation improvements increase property values, or not? 
 
When WRCOG developed its Economic Development and Sustainability Framework document a few years ago, two of the six core components identified as being critical for expanding the region's economy in the future were energy and water.  And for good reason.  Without energy and water certainty, the region's ability to fulfill the economic potential for the next one million people who will live here is shaky.  In the midst of what could be a prolonged drought, Californians are increasingly realizing that drought and/or the state's dry climate is now the rule, and not an exception.  The same goes for energy.  The region's rapid growth, the recent shut down of the San Onofre nuclear generating station, and the political and environmental hurdles that often accompany the construction of new energy generation and transmission facilities make our future energy certainty...less than certain.
 
In Western Riverside County there are tens of thousands of properties that were constructed prior to 2000, which by today's standards makes them relatively energy inefficient.  Studies show that over 30% of all residential energy demand is the result of energy waste from homes built to low standards of efficiency.  WRCOG initiated the HERO Program - which provides financing to property owners to make energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements to their homes and businesses - as a voluntary, market-driven offering to not only help people improve their properties but also address a number of public policy objectives, among them ensuring future water and energy supplies.
 
Making energy efficient, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements to homes gives property owners the benefits increased comfort, reduced energy and water usage, utility bill savings (assuming their pre- and post-improvement habits are unchanged), and improved property appearance.  They also might make older homes more appealing to future homebuyers as well.  A few years ago Sacramento area realtors , recognizing reluctance among homebuyers to purchase energy-guzzling homes, created a program to provide cash to homebuyers to help them make energy efficient improvements.
 
There are indications that millennials, who represent a large segment of the next wave of homeowners in this subregion, are placing increased importance on energy efficiency in the properties they will consider buying.  Numerous articles and studies, including those from the National Association of Realtors , Bankrate , and HousingWire , report on the desire for energy-efficient and eco-friendly homes among this demographic.  It only makes sense that when this region's older properties are improved with energy and water conserving products, it expands the desirability of the overall housing supply to these future buyers.  And, preliminary data indicates that energy efficient homes might even sell faster compared to their counterparts, providing an obvious benefit to sellers and to realtors alike.

But what about increasing property values?  Evidence is growing in support of the notion that reducing energy costs in a home can actually result in an increase in that home's value.  Outcomes from a number of recent studies are supporting comments like those made by Steve Brown, 2014 President of the National Association of Realtors, who stated that energy efficient improvements could "make the property more appealing, more marketable to a future buyer...and make the property a little bit more valuable than other homes that don't have these energy efficiencies..." For example, a 2012 study prepared by professors from UCLA and Maastricht University in the Netherlands tracked 1.6 million homes sold in California between 2007 and 2012.  Of those, the 4,321 homes that sold with green certification labels (Energy Star, LEED, or GreenPoint, for example) saw an average of 9% added to the selling price compared to similar but less-efficient homes.  In 2010, the Appraisal Institute released a paper entitled "Valuing High Performance Houses."  The paper provided guidelines for calculating the value that energy efficiency contributes to real estate, and found that a new home that saves $60 monthly in energy costs over a comparable home may appraise for up to $9,000 more. And a U.S. News and World Report article summarizing a 2015 survey conducted by the National Association of Homebuilders titled "What Home Buyers Really Want" reported that 84% of prospective home buyers indicated they would be willing to pay 2 to 3 percent more for an energy-efficient home.
 
Digging a bit deeper and getting more specific, what impacts might PACE programs, like HERO, have on property values?  A recent study published in the Journal of Structured Finance found that HERO / PACE projects increase home values, even after the cost of financing is factored in.  Homes with HERO upgrades were found to have higher net resale values, ranging from $199 - $8,882, compared to homes without HERO upgrades. According to the study, conducted by economist Laurie Goodman, a homeowner who implemented a HERO / PACE project typically recovered more than 100% of their investment.  By comparison, typical home renovations, such as bathroom and kitchen remodeling and roof and siding replacements, recover only 58 - 66% of their full costs at the time of sale.
 
Granted, it is still early.  But these and others studies are beginning to confirm the expected benefits that energy efficient, renewable energy and water conserving retrofits can have on the region's older housing stock.  We know that they can improve the appearance and comfort of a property.  We know that they can reduce energy and water use.  We know that they can help to reduce utility bills.  And, it is becoming increasingly evident that they can have a positive impact on the value of a property as well.  
 
 

Calendar of events 
May 12
WRCOG Public Works Committee (2:00 p.m.), Transportation Annex, 14th Street, Conf. Room #3, Riverside.
 
May 19
WRCOG Technical Advisory Committee (9:30 a.m.), County of Riverside Admin. Ctr., 5th Floor, Conf. Room C, Riverside.
 
May 20
Bicycle Safety Workshops (6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.), Riverside Community College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside.
 
May 21
Bicycle Safety Workshops (8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.), Riverside Community College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside.
 
May 21                       
City of Riverside Spring into Health Fair (11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), Arlington Park, 3860 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside.
 
May 26
WRCOG Finance Directors' Committee (10:00 a.m.), Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore.
 
May 31
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Residential Electric Rate Forum (6:00 p.m.), City of San Bernardino City Hall (300 North D Street, San Bernardino.
 
June 3
Bicycle Safety Workshops (6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.), Moreno Valley Campus, 16130 LaSalle Street, Moreno Valley.
 
June 4
Bicycle Safety Workshops (8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.), Moreno Valley Campus, 16130 LaSalle Street, Moreno Valley.
 
June 4 
Used Oil and Filter Exchange Event (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.), O'Reilly's Auto Parts Store, City of Menifee, 25894 Newport Avenue, Menifee.
 
June 6
WRCOG Executive Committee (2:00 p.m.), County of Riverside Admin. Ctr., 1st Floor Board Chambers, Riverside.
 
June 8
WRCOG Administration & Finance Committee (12:00 p.m.), County of Riverside Admin. Ctr., 5th Floor, Conf. Room C, Riverside.
 
June 9
DARK: WRCOG Planning Directors' Committee (9:00 a.m.).
 
June 9
WRCOG Public Works Committee (2:00 p.m.), Transportation Annex, 14th Street, Conf. Room #3, Riverside.
 
June 15
WRCOG Solid Waste Committee (1:00 p.m.), location to be determined.
 
June 15
7th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th Street, Riverside.
 
June 16
7th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.), Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th Street, Riverside.

June 19
Used Oil and Filter Exchange Event (7:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.), Father's Day Car Show, City of Murrieta, California Sports Park, 40550 California Oaks Road, Murrieta. 
 
June 23
WRCOG General Assembly (6:00 p.m.), Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa Ball Room, 49500 Seminole Drive, 26th Floor, Cabazon.
 
June 24
WRCOG Executive Committee (10:00 a.m.), Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, 360 Lounge, 26th Floor, Cabazon.
 
July 11
WRCOG Executive Committee (2:00 p.m.), County of Riverside Admin. Ctr., 1st Floor Board Chambers, Riverside.
 
July 13
WRCOG Administration & Finance Committee (12:00 p.m.), County of Riverside Admin. Ctr., 5th Floor, Conf. Room C, Riverside.
 
July 14
WRCOG Planning Directors' Committee (9:00 a.m.), location to be determined.
 
July 14
WRCOG Public Works Committee (2:00 p.m.), Transportation Annex, 14th Street, Conf. Room #3, Riverside.
 
July 21
WRCOG Technical Advisory Committee (9:30 a.m.), County of Riverside Admin. Ctr., 5th Floor, Conf. Room C, Riverside.
 

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