HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/20/2020 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE 15-YEAR CAPITAL FOR THE 2020Agenda Item 5
Item # 5 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY March 20, 2020
City Council
STAFF
Terra Sampson, Project Manager, Energy Services
John Phelan, Energy Services Manager
Blaine Dunn, Senior Treasury Analyst
Sean Carpenter, Climate Economy Advisor
John Duval, Legal
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the 15-year Capital for the 2020 Epic Homes Loan Program.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 047, 2020, Making a Supplemental Appropriation from the Light & Power
Fund to be Expended as Loans to Utility Services Customers Under the Epic Loan Program.
B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 048, 2020, Making a Supplemental Appropriation from Unappropriated
Prior Year Reserves in the Light & Power Fund to Make Debt Service Payments Under the Vectra Bank
Line of Credit for the Epic Loan Program.
The purpose of this item is to appropriate funds for the Epic Loan Program in 2020 for 15-year loan issuance to
Fort Collins Utilities electric customers, and anticipated debt service to third-party capital providers. The Epic
Loan Program is part of the Epic Homes comprehensive portfolio for single-family home performance for both
owner- and renter-occupied homes. These appropriations will cover 15-year loan agreements being
considered by the Electric Utility Enterprise Board on March 17 for First Reading and April 7 for Second
Reading and are necessary to formally authorize the disbursement of funds for customer loans. For future
years, staff will include loan issuance and debt service as part of the biennial Budgeting for Outcomes process.
Contingent upon authorization of the 15-year loan agreements by the Enterprise Board, the 2020 appropriation
for 15-year loan issuance is $1,600,000 and the appropriation for debt service is $100,000.
The 15-year capital agreements were presented at the January 27, 2020 Council Finance Committee meeting.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinances on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Epic Homes
In October 2018, Fort Collins became a winner of the 2018 Bloomberg Mayors Challenge and the associated
$1M prize. The 2018 Bloomberg Mayors Challenge involved over 300 cities proposing ideas to address
important issues in their communities. The City’s proposal, Epic Homes, was selected as a winner for its
innovative approach to providing health and equity benefits to residents, specifically for low-to-moderate
income renters, by improving the energy efficiency of rental homes. Residential property owners can take
advantage of Epic Homes’ easy streamlined steps to make their homes more comfortable, healthy and
Agenda Item 5
Item # 5 Page 2
efficient. Partnering with Colorado State University, Fort Collins is also establishing a research study which
links the health and well-being indicators of improved indoor environmental quality.
Epic Homes provides non-energy benefits in addition to efficiency, such as increased comfort, health and
safety. In nearly every energy assessment, energy advisors identify a health and safety hazard in need of
attention. This could vary from a back-drafting water heater, to air leakage pollutants entering the home from
the garage or crawlspace, to combustion appliances that need tuning or replacing producing excess carbon
monoxide. Loans are available for over 25 different types of efficiency measures, including replacing an old
furnace with a new efficient furnace that has important safety features, such as sealed combustion with intake
and exhaust to the outside.
Epic Loans
Fort Collins’ On-Bill Finance program (previously also known as Home Efficiency Loan Program or HELP, and
now called the Epic Loan Program), a component of the Epic Homes portfolio (Attachment 1), supports a
number of community and City Council priorities, including ambitious goals for energy efficiency and renewable
energy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased equity and well-being for residents. Meeting these
objectives will require, among other activities, greater numbers of property owners to undertake
comprehensive efficiency improvements in the coming years, particularly for older, less-efficient rental
properties which make up a significant percentage of the City’s housing stock.
The original On-Bill Finance program issued loans from 2013 through 2016 when the maximum outstanding
loan balance funded through Light & Power reserves was reached ($1.6 million). On-Bill Finance was
revitalized as the Epic Loan Program in August 2018 during the Champions Phase of the Bloomberg Mayors
Challenge. The City has been awarded grants from the Colorado Energy Office ($200,000) and from
Bloomberg Philanthropies ($688,350) for the Epic Loan Program. The Electric Utility Enterprise has also
entered into a $2.5M line of credit loan agreement with U.S. Bank to provide up to 10-year capital for the
Program.
Staff has been working to develop third-party capital agreements to scale impact for owners and renters in Fort
Collins. This has included presentations with the Council Finance Committee to discuss the Request for
Proposals for third-party capital providers, discuss the capital strategy and review proposed capital agreement
terms.
An ongoing and attractive financing structure to support energy efficiency retrofits will be a critical element for
success moving forward. Through 2019, Fort Collins Utilities has serviced 211 on-bill loans to support energy
efficiency upgrades in residential homes and overcome financial barriers for making these important upgrades.
Detailed information regarding the Epic Homes program and loan terms can be found at
https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/epichomes/.
2020 15-Year Capital Appropriation for Loan Issuance and Anticipated Debt Service
These appropriations will cover 15-year loan agreements being considered by the Electric Utility Enterprise
Board on March 17 for First Reading and April 7 for Second Reading and are necessary to formally authorize
the disbursement of funds for customer loans. The Epic Loan Program will have available $1,600,000 from 15-
year capital sources being considered by the Electric Utility Enterprise Board, and contingent upon
authorization of the loan agreements, for loan issuance to support energy efficiency upgrades in Fort Collins’
owner- and renter-occupied homes. The capital available is summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. 15-year Capital Sources for Loan Issuance in 2020
Capital Source Amount
Vectra Bank Colorado $800,000 (of $2,500,000 line of credit)
Colorado Energy Office $800,000
Total $1,600,000
Agenda Item 5
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The Epic Loan Program blends various capital sources to meet customer demand and offer attractive interest
rates for customers, including grants, Light and Power reserves, and third-party market capital. The third-party
capital will have associated debt service, anticipated to be up to $100,000 in 2020 for the Vectra Bank
Colorado loan. The Colorado Energy Office loan will not require debt service in 2020. The anticipated debt
service is summarized in Table 2. The source of funding for the associated debt service will be from prior years
reserves in the Light & Power Fund.
Table 2. Anticipated 15-Year Capital Debt Service in 2020
Interest Rate Anticipated 2020
Borrowing
Anticipated 2020
Debt Service
Vectra Bank
Colorado
10-year US Treasury +
2.75% (4.30% Currently)*
Up to $730,435 Up to $100,000
Colorado Energy
Office
0% Up to $389,565 None until 2035
*As of February 18, 2020; subject to change.
These appropriations are in addition to the appropriations authorized in Ordinance No. 004 and 005, 2020. For
future years, staff will include loan issuance and debt service as part of the biennial Budgeting for Outcomes
process.
The City Manager recommended the appropriations described in both Ordinances and the City Finance
Department determined that the total amount of these appropriations, together with all previous appropriations
from the Light & Power Fund for this fiscal year, will not cause the total amount appropriated in the Light &
Power Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received in the Light &
Power Fund during this fiscal year.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Staff projects the Program will be cashflow positive. Staff also projects the Ordinances under consideration will
meet the projected demand in loans for 2020 and anticipated debt service for loan terms up to 15 years. The
Ordinances are not anticipated to affect electric rates.
Risks include lack of customer demand for energy upgrade loans and/or risk of customer default if borrowers
choose not to repay their Epic Loans. Customer default risk is considered de minimis based on lack of defaults
over the 6-year history of the Program and the default protections the City already has in place. Customer
demand risk is difficult to assess however the line of credit model helps ensure that principal borrowed
matches the Epic Loan volumes as closely as possible.
Core tenants of the loan program are to ensure no negative impact on Light & Power planned debt offerings,
and to protect the Utilities credit rating and broadband coverage covenants.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The 15-year loan agreement details and capital sources were discussed at the January 27, 2020, Council
Finance Meeting (Attachment 2)
ATTACHMENTS
1. Epic Homes Structure and Components Diagram (PDF)
2. Council Finance Committee Minutes, January 27, 2020 (excerpt) (PDF)
ATTACHMENT 1
FUTURE ACTION ITEM: When we have capacity, I think at some point it would be good to talk with Council
Finance about these relationships and providers and to delve into their ability to serve. How do we go about
having those providers coming in to talk about their ability to serve as well and how we are aligning with the city
objectives -they are separate entities. Kevin Gertig’s teams are working very closely with these providers on a
daily basis sometimes but I don’t think we have good alignment on a policy standpoint.
What is Loveland / Fort Collins water district’s 10-year capital plan? What is their financial capacity?
What should we be aware of? There should be a bright light on that
Mayor Troxell; same presentation as we just had.
Ross Cunniff; I think we do have an obligation to understand the other utility districts; their capital plans -
provide for those utilities - I support having that discussion. Policies regarding conservation, energy, river
health, etc.
B. EPIC 15 Year Loan Program
Blaine Dunn, Sr. Treasure Analyst
Sean Carpenter, Climate Economy Advisor
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Epic Homes 15-Year Capital
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item will provide updated details to Council Finance regarding the proposed Epic Homes 15-year capital
sources. Staff will present on two capital agreements with attractive terms and no associated City financial
policy exceptions. One agreement is for a fixed-interest rate loan up to $2.5M with a Denver-based bank and the
other is for an $800k interest-free loan from the Colorado Energy Office.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Does the Committee support presentation of the proposed 15-year capital agreements to the Electric Utility
Enterprise Board on February 18th?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Epic Homes
In October 2018, Fort Collins became a winner of the 2018 Bloomberg Mayors Challenge and the associated
$1M prize. The 2018 Bloomberg Mayors Challenge involved over 300 cities proposing ideas to address important
issues in their community. The City’s proposal, Epic Homes, was selected as a winner for its innovative approach
to providing health and equity benefits to residents, specifically for low-to-moderate income renters, by
improving the energy efficiency of rental homes. Residential property owners can take advantage of Epic
Homes’ easy streamlined steps to make their homes more comfortable, healthy and efficient. Partnering with
Colorado State University, Fort Collins is also establishing a research study which links the health and well-being
indicators of improved indoor environmental quality.
Epic Homes provides non-energy benefits in addition to efficiency, such as increased comfort, health and safety.
In nearly every energy assessment, energy advisors identify a health and safety hazard in need of attention. This
could vary from a back-drafting water heater, to air leakage pollutants entering the home from the garage or
crawlspace, to combustion appliances that need tuning or replacing producing excess carbon monoxide. Loans
Council Finance Committee January 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Excerpt: Epic 15-Year Loan Program/ Details P. 16-21
ATTACHMENT 2
17
are available for over 25 different types of efficiency measures, including replacing an old furnace with a new
efficient furnace that has important safety features, such as sealed combustion with intake and exhaust to the
outside.
Epic Loans
Fort Collins’ On-Bill Finance program (previously also known as Home Efficiency Loan Program or HELP, and now
called the Epic Loan Program), a component of the Epic Homes portfolio (Attachment 1), supports a number of
community and City Council priorities, including ambitious goals for energy efficiency and renewables, reduced
greenhouse gas emissions and increased equity and well-being for residents. Meeting these objectives will
require, among other activities, greater numbers of property owners to undertake comprehensive efficiency
improvements in the coming years, particularly for older, less-efficient rental properties which make up a
significant percentage of the City’s housing stock.
The original On-Bill Finance program issued loans from 2013 through 2016 when the maximum outstanding loan
balance funded through Light & Power reserves was reached ($1.6 million). On-Bill Finance was revitalized as the
Epic Loan Program in August 2018 during the Champions Phase of the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge. The City
has been awarded grants from the Colorado Energy Office ($200,000) and from Bloomberg Philanthropies
($688,350) for the Epic Loan Program. The Electric Utility Enterprise has also entered into a $2.5M line of credit
loan agreement with U.S. Bank to provide up to 10-year capital for the Epic Loan Program.
Staff has been working to develop third-party capital agreements to scale impact for owners and renters in Fort
Collins. This has included presentations with the Council Finance Committee to discuss the Request for Proposals
for third-party capital providers, discuss the capital strategy and review proposed capital agreement terms. The
proposed ‘capital stack’ is provided below in Table 1 and the customer interest rates based on third-party capital
terms are provided in Table 2.
An ongoing and attractive financing structure to support energy efficiency retrofits will be a critical element for
success moving forward. Through 2019, Fort Collins Utilities has serviced 211 on-bill loans to support energy
efficiency upgrades in residential homes and overcome financial barriers for making these important upgrades.
Detailed information regarding the Epic Homes program and loan terms can be found at fcgov.com/epichomes.
Table 1. Epic Loan Capital Stack Summary
Capital
Type
Provider Term Rate Amount
Internal &
Grant
Previously authorized Light &
Power reserves
Ongoing 0% $1,600,000
Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant 0% $688,350
Colorado Energy Office –
Grant
Grant 0% $200,000
Internal Subtotal $2,488,350
External
Market
Colorado Energy Office – Loan 15 year 0% $800,000
18
U. S. Bank 5 & 10
year
76% of Prime
(3.99% Currently)
Up to $2,500,000
Denver Based Bank 15 year 10-year US
Treasury + 2.75%
(4.55% Currently)
Up to $2,500,000
External Subtotal $5,800,000
Total $8,288,350
Table 2. Customer Interest Rate
Loan Term Customer Rate (Effective
Aug. 2019)
3 or 5 years 3.75%
7 or 10 years 4.25%
15 years* 4.75%
*The 15-year loan option is currently paused until external capital is secured.
Council Finance Meetings Review
An overview of Council Finance Committee presentations and discussions related to Epic Homes is provided
below in Table 3.
Table 3. Overview of Council Finance Committee Items Related to Epic Homes
Date Topic Outcomes
November 2018 Program background and issuing
an RFP for third-party capital
sources
• City issued RFP #8842 in December 2018
• Staff pursued conversations and negotiations
with respondents and other potential capital
providers
May 2019 Capital strategy, potential capital
sources and next steps for
bringing capital agreements to
Council
• Staff continued negotiations with potential
capital providers (including a locally
managed national bank, a regional bank,
Colorado Clean Energy Fund, and the CEO)
• Received Legal and Purchasing review of
draft contracts
July 2019 Capital agreement terms • Staff directed to bring two of the three
capital sources to full Council for
consideration (US Bank Loan authorized by
Electric Utility Enterprise Board in Ordinance
007 & 008, 2019)
• Staff directed to provide additional
information on interest rate swaps and 15-
year capital to Council Finance
August 2019 15-year capital and interest rate
swaps
• Staff directed to bring third capital source to
full Council for consideration (Staff reached
impasse in terms with capital provider and is
proposing new 15-year capital sources)
19
Importance of 15-year Capital
During prototyping for the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge, rental property owners reported that no-money-down,
affordable monthly payments are critical considerations, in particular for owners with multiple units. OBF 1.0
(also known as HELP) proved these factors are also important for owner-occupied properties, where many
homeowners preferred longer term loans which often allow for more comprehensive projects and/or solar
installations with affordable monthly payments. In 2016, Fort Collins Utilities implemented the Efficiency Works
Neighborhood pilot, with nearly 60 long term loans issued totaling over $750,000. Additionally, of those that
used a loan during the pilot, 80% of customers stated they would not have done a project without the attractive
on-bill loan option.
Throughout the on-bill financing history (2013-2016 and 2018-2019), 50% of customers have used longer loan
terms to reduce monthly payments and/or undertake more comprehensive energy efficiency projects (Table 4).
As a result, the longer-termed loans account for a larger percentage of the on-bill loan portfolio value, at 60%.
Longer term loans are generally used for bigger, more comprehensive projects that can generate increased
benefits for the people who live in and own those homes, as well as positively impacting overall City goals.
Table 4. Summary of On-Bill Financed Projects by Loan Term
Loan Terms 3 & 5 year 7 & 10 year 15 (& 20) year Total
Projects Using OBF by
Term
41 71 99 211
Percentage of Total 19% 34% 47% 100%
In order to keep monthly payments low and make energy retrofit projects attractive, longer loan terms are
required. The average on-bill long-term loan amount is $13,000, with monthly payments of $101. Heating,
ventilation and cooling (HVAC) projects are an example of higher cost projects where longer loan terms are
more attractive. The average HVAC project loan in Epic Loans is $14,000. With a 10-year loan, the monthly
payment is $143; however, with a 15-year loan, the monthly payment is $109, a 30% lower monthly payment
that is much more attractive and feasible. These attractive monthly payments are critical for overcoming cost
barriers for home and rental property owners considering energy upgrades.
Denver Based Bank Overview
Staff previously presented a 15-year capital source with a Midwest-based commercial bank through the
Colorado Clean Energy Fund, which included some uncommon terms for City loan agreements, such as a
required collateral deposit and variable interest rate resulting in the need for a derivative instrument. After
presentation of this capital source to the Council Finance Committee, staff reached an impasse in terms with the
capital provider as the terms became unfavorable for the City. Staff was able to find a new source for 15-year
capital from an in-state commercial bank with highly desirable terms, including a fixed interest rate at the time
of closing, no collateral requirements, and no debt policy exceptions needed.
Staff has reviewed a draft loan agreement with the Denver Based bank for 15-year capital. The terms include:
• Amount: Up to $2,500,000
• Length: 17-years inclusive of draw period
• Draw period: Up to 2 years, with draw timing and amounts based on program / customer demand
• Fixed rate: 10-year US Treasury + 2.75% (4.55% Currently); Rate set at time of loan closing
20
• Collateral: None
• Pre-pay: City may pre-pay in whole or in part after 2027 with no penalty. No prepayment is allowed
prior to 2025, and between 2025 and 2027 there is a 1% prepayment fee.
• Repayment position: Senior pledge on customer loan repayments and subordinate position on Electric
Utility revenues, after the more senior pledge held by revenue bondholders
Colorado Energy Office Overview
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) showed support of Epic Loans in 2018 with a $200,000 grant. Staff have also
negotiated a $800,000 loan from CEO. Terms of the agreement include:
• Amount: $800,000
• Length: 15-years
• Draw period: None
• Fixed Rate: 0%
The principal will be due at the end of the 15-year period and any program income may be used for
administrative expenses and/or issuing new loans. Any unused program income will also be due at the time of
principal repayment.
Next Steps
Staff seeks approval from Council Finance to proceed for Electric Utility Enterprise Board consideration of the
proposed 15-year agreements. If supported, staff is scheduled to present the 15-year agreements on February
18, 2020.
Discussion / Next Steps:
Better, cleaner deal / better partner / lower cost - eliminated complexity - no collateral required
These will be through the electric enterprise - we will need to go through the Electric Enterprise Board
Will be able to draw in tranches up to once per quarter in the 2-year period. We will make those decisions
based on the demand. The rate when we close will be the rate for the duration of the loan and will include all
tranches. We will pay Interest only during 2-year draw period – then it will turn into a 15-year loan (principle
and interest)
Mike Beckstead; this is a rate risk question - before we had talked about locking in at stages.
There is a little rate risk - policy change risk went away - much better terms overall
No debt policy exception or interest rate swap instrument needed for this program as was for the previous
program.
21
No draw period - 0% total principle will be due at end of loan - one-time balloon payment
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Does the Committee support presentation of the proposed 15-year capital agreements to the Electric Utility
Enterprise Board on February 18th?
Results:
Ross Cunniff; yes - this sounds great. Thank you for finding this and bringing it to us. I enthusiastically support
this.
Mayor Troxell and Ken Summers also support going forward.
Good meeting - US Mayor’s Challenge oversite perspective this is viewed as a good project
Sean Carpenter; we are excited to get the financing in place so we can move aggressively into outreach - start
getting projects done.
-1-
ORDINANCE NO. 047, 2020
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
MAKING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FROM THE LIGHT
AND POWER FUND TO BE EXPENDED AS LOANS TO UTILITY
SERVICES CUSTOMERS UNDER THE EPIC LOAN PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City has previously established and funded a program to assist certain
Electric Utility customers of Fort Collins Utility Services (“Utility Services”) in financing home-
energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements for single-family residential properties
they own by making loans to these customers, whether their properties are owner- or renter-
occupied (“Epic Loan Program”); and
WHEREAS, two new sources of funds for such loans in the Epic Loan Program have
recently become available to Utility Services through an anticipated $800,000 loan to be
obtained by the City’s Electric Utility Enterprise (the “Enterprise”) from the Colorado Energy
Office (the “CEO Loan”) and an anticipated $2.5 million line-of-credit to be obtained by the
Enterprise from Vectra Bank Colorado (the “Vectra Bank Line of Credit”); and
WHEREAS, for loans under the Epic Loan Program in 2020, Utility Services expects to
need all $800,000 of the proceeds from the CEO Loan and to draw up to $800,000 from the
Vectra Bank Line of Credit; and
WHEREAS, this $1.6M in total proceeds from the CEO Loan and the Vectra Bank Line
of Credit will be deposited into the City’s Light and Power Fund established in City Code
Section 8-77 (the “Light & Power Fund”); and
WHEREAS, City Charter Article V, Section 8 allows an appropriation to be made by
City Council based upon anticipated revenues, reserves or other funds provided such
appropriation does not exceed those anticipated revenues, reserves or other funds; and
WHEREAS, City Charter Article V, Section 9 permits the City Council, upon
recommendation of the City Manager, to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any
time during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations,
in combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year, do not exceed the current
estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the appropriations described herein and
determined that the total amount of these appropriations, together with all previous
appropriations from the Light & Power Fund for this fiscal year, will not cause the total amount
appropriated in the Light & Power Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated
revenues to be received in the Light & Power Fund during this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, this appropriation benefits the public’s health, safety and welfare and serves
the utility and public purposes of improving the energy efficiency of older homes in Fort Collins,
thereby benefiting Electric Utility ratepayers and the health, safety and comfort of the inhabitants
of the improved homes.
-2-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated from the Light & Power Fund, in
anticipation of receiving the proceeds from the CEO Loan and the Vectra Bank Line of Credit,
the sum of ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,600,000) to be
expended as loans to Utility Services customers under the Epic Loan Program.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
March, A.D. 2020, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of April, A.D. 2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 7th day of April, A.D. 2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
-1-
ORDINANCE NO. 048, 2020
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
MAKING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FROM UNAPPROPRIATED PRIOR
YEARS RESERVES IN THE LIGHT & POWER FUND TO MAKE DEBT SERVICE
PAYMENTS UNDER THE VECTRA BANK LINE OF CREDIT
FOR THE EPIC LOAN PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City has previously established and funded a program to assist certain
Electric Utility customers of Fort Collins Utility Services (“Utility Services”) in financing home-
energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements for single-family residential properties
they own by making loans to these customers, whether their properties are owner- or renter-
occupied (“Epic Loan Program”); and
WHEREAS, as one source of funds for the Epic Loan Program, the City’s Electric Utility
Enterprise (the “Enterprise”) anticipates obtaining a $2.5 million line-of-credit from Vectra Bank
Colorado (“Vectra Bank Line of Credit”); and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that up to $800,000 will be drawn from the Vectra Bank
Line of Credit in 2020 by the Enterprise and then loaned to eligible Utility Services customers
under the Epic Loan Program, thereby requiring a debt service payment in 2020 from the City to
Vectra Bank Colorado in an amount of up to $100,000; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance authorizes the appropriation of this $100,000 from
unappropriated prior years’ reserves in the Light and Power Fund established in City Code
Section 8-77 (the “Light & Power Fund”); and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter permits the City Council, upon
recommendation of the City Manager, to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any
time during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations,
in combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year, do not exceed the current
estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the appropriation described herein and
determined that the total amount of this appropriation, together with all previous appropriations
from the Light & Power Fund for this fiscal year, will not cause the total amount appropriated in
the Light & Power Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be
received in the Light & Power Fund during this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the City Charter also permits the City Council to
appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be
available from reserves accumulated in prior years in the Light & Power Fund, notwithstanding
that such reserves were not previously appropriated; and
WHEREAS, this appropriation benefits the public’s health, safety and welfare and serve
the utility and public purposes of improving the energy efficiency of older homes in Fort Collins,
thereby benefiting Electric Utility ratepayers and the health, safety and comfort of the inhabitants
of the improved homes.
-2-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated from unappropriated prior years reserves
in the Light & Power Fund the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000)
to be used for the payment of debt service under the Vectra Bank Line of Credit.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
March, A.D. 2020, and to be presented for final passage on the 7th day of April, A.D. 2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 7th day of April, A.D. 2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk