Three new EV charging stations have made their appearance next to the Library this week. Final inspections were made this morning and the stations are now fully operational.

The grant was awarded in early December. Originally staff was told the City would be responsible for paying approximately $4,000 for the installation, but the Grantor was able to procure extra funds from the California Energy Commission to cover the installation. Staff is working on getting signage to designate the parking spaces for EV parking.

The grants were funded in part by the U. S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission (CEC). The charging stations have been provided by Coulomb Technologies.

The Library, with its close proximity to City Hall, a busy Sports park and both 580 and 680 make it a good location. In addition, there are currently at least two car dealers in Dublin selling electric vehicles. The new charging stations employ the latest “smart” technology which allows utilities and consumers to remotely monitor their performance. An electric vehicle owner with a cell phone can start or stop a charge, find a station with their GPS, and even check to see which ones are in use.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
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The building permit activity in the first half of this fiscal year exceeded the City’s expectations. The City’s has issued building permits with a valuation of $185,739,927, and collected building permit fees of over $1,700,000. This represents 90% of the valuation and 73% of the building permit fees for all of last fiscal year and already exceeds the budgeted valuation and permit fees for this fiscal year. The valuation is the estimated cost for the improvements or new buildings and is used by the County Assessor to assist in determining property value changes due to the improvements

In just the first six months the City has issued over 900 building permits. These include 164 permits for new residential buildings, which represents 499 new dwellings units; 423 residential permits for additions, remodels and landscape work; 1 new commercial building (BJ’s Brew House); 79 tenant improvement and sign permits; and, 243 mechanical, electrical or plumbing permits for new heaters, water heaters or electrical panels.

As a result of all the permits issued, building inspections have also increased beyond our projections. In the first 6 months, Staff has performed over 6,400 inspections. This is an increase of 21% over last year at this time. Currently, Staff is performing over 1,100 building inspections per month. This is anticipated to increase as the recently-permitted projects increase productivity and the soon to be permitted projects get started. These projects include: Amador Pointe & Crossroads at Emerald Vista, Piazza, Arrivare and La Solara in Sorrento East, Calarosa, Calabria and Cortona 2 @ Positano, the Summit at Schaefer Ranch, and Jordan Ranch.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
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An Energy Upgrade California forum will be held on January 19, 2011, at the Amador Recreation Center for Dublin and other Tri-Valley homeowners (4455 Black Avenue, Pleasanton). Residents will learn how to get up to $4,000 in rebates on home energy efficiency upgrades, and Tri-Valley residents can save up to 75% on an energy assessment and 10% on any energy upgrades. In addition, local schools can earn cash rewards when residents upgrade their home through the program!

Participating contractors who are trained and ready to work on residents’ homes will be there to answer questions. Information about the workshop has been posted on the City website and marketed within the area.

Tags: Dublin Updates by Tim Sbranti
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