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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 60965CSC No. 60965 TXU energy TXU ENERGY AID BUSINESS GUIDELINES This TXU Energy Aid Business Guidelines, is effective as of the 30th day of January, 2024, by and between TXU Energy Retail Company LLC ("Company") and The City of Fort Worth, a home -rule municipality of the State of Texas, by and through the Director of the Parks and Community Services Department (`Agency"). It is understood between the parties that the guidelines set forth herein are intended to be a framework under which the TXU Energy Aid Program will be administered and is not a binding contractual agreement. Company and Agency recognize the need for providing charitable assistance to persons in financial distress to meet energy related costs essential to their health and welfare. Company has developed the TXU Energy Aid Program ("Energy Aid") as a supplement to government and community aid programs designed to assist persons in financial distress to meet their energy related costs. Agency is organized, inter alia, to provide charitable assistance to persons in financial distress and Agency recognizes that Energy Aid is a program for providing charitable assistance to individuals. Company will act merely as a conduit for contributions made by others so that Agency and such other nonprofit charitable organizations can use and apply such contributions for the charitable purposes of Energy Aid in meeting the needs of the poor, disabled, sick and disadvantaged for electricity service. In consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, Company and Agency hereby agree as follows: 1. Energy Aid Agency acknowledges that Company has established Energy Aid and that said program is funded by voluntary contributions from Company, its customers, employees and third parties. Without limitation, Agency further acknowledges that the policies and procedures governing the collection and the disbursement of the funds contributed to Energy Aid (the "Energy Aid Funds") shall be established and may be modified by Company at its sole discretion. 2. Funds Company from time to time will allocate a portion of the Energy Aid Funds to Agency. All monies so allocated will be either in the form of a credit to Agency or a payment to the Agency. Agency will use said funds as provided herein. OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX Company reserves the right to request that Agency refund to Company all Energy Aid Funds not distributed by Agency. If the Energy Aid Funds were paid directly to Agency, the Agency will forward payment to Company within thirty (30) days of receipt of Company's request. Company reserves the right to cease distribution of Energy Aid funds to Agency at Company's discretion. 3. Fund Guidelines 3.1 A person seeking assistance (a "Beneficiary") from Agency does not have to meet federal poverty income guidelines in order to be eligible to receive Energy Aid Funds. 3.2 A Beneficiary must be the named person or full-time resident on the electric account for which assistance is being requested. 3.3 Energy Aid Funds may only be used to pay Company electricity bills. 3.4 A Beneficiary will be entitled to receive Energy Aid Funds only one (1) time per calendar year; provided, however, Agency may, on a case by case basis, make exceptions for specific Beneficiaries, if in Agency's reasonable opinion such exceptions are warranted given the circumstances. 3.5 A Beneficiary will not be entitled to receive Energy Aid Funds unless the Beneficiary has executed an information release form granting Agency the right to contact third parties in order to obtain information regarding the Beneficiary. 4. Energy Aid Monthly Report Agency will complete the Energy Aid Monthly Report attached hereto and return the same to Company no later than the tenth (101h) day of the month following the month for which the report is being submitted. Company may from time to time amend the form, content and information requested in the Energy Aid Monthly Report by providing ten (10) days advance written notice to Agency. 5. Energy Aid File Agency will maintain a file and record of each and every transfer of Energy Aid Funds. Such file shall contain, without limitation, the following: (i) A copy of all checks evidencing monies received from Company or third parties or in conjunction with Energy Aid; (ii) A copy of each completed Energy Aid Report; and (iii) Such other information as Company may from time to time notify Agency should be kept in the file. 6. Right to Audit Company and its designated agents, representatives, accountants and attorneys shall have full access, at all reasonable times, to the properties, books and records of Agency for examination of Agency's administration of Energy Aid Funds; provided however, this Section shall not be interpreted as granting Company the right to control how Agency determines which Beneficiaries will be entitled to receive Energy Aid Funds or how Agency governs its day to day business. 7. Compliance with Codes Agency represents and warrants that it is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and it Regulations as they now exist or as they may be amended from time to time (the "Code"), is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code, and contributions to Agency are deductible from federal income taxes as the donor within limits and guidelines of section 170 of the Code. Agency covenants and agrees that it will take no action or omit to perform any act that will prejudice its status under said provisions of the Code. Agency will immediately notify Company if at any time during the term of this document any of the representations made in this Section cease to be true. 8. Non-exclusive Agency acknowledges that Company may work with other charitable organizations, including charitable organization located within Agency's service area, pursuant to which such organization will be eligible to participate in Energy Aid. 9. Term and Termination Either Agency or Company may terminate this arrangement, with or without cause, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party. 10. Miscellaneous 10.1 Governing Law. These Business Guidelines are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas. The parties mutually consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in Dallas County, Texas and agree that any action, suit or proceeding concerning, related to or arising out of this document will be brought only in a federal or state court in Dallas County, Texas and the parties agree that they will not raise any defense or objection or file any motion based on lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, inconvenience of the forum or the like in any case filed in a federal or state court in Dallas County, Texas. 10.2 Waiver. The rights and remedies of the parties are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by either party in exercising any right, power or privilege under these Business Guidelines will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of these Business Guidelines can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this document. 10.3 Binding Effect; Delegation of Duties Prohibited. These Business Guidelines inures to the benefit of, and is binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives, including any entity with which the Company may merge or consolidate or to which all or substantially all of its assets may be transferred. The duties and covenants of the Agency, being personal, may not be delegated. 10.4 Notices. Whenever it is provided that any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication be given to or served upon any of the parties by another, such notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given (i) when received if personally delivered, (ii) when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy (except that telecopies transmitted after 5:00 p.m. in the recipient's time zone will be deemed delivered the next business day), electronic or digital transmission method, (iii) the business day after it is sent, if sent for next business day delivery to a domestic address by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (i.e. Federal Express) and (iv) three business days after it is sent, if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. In each case notice will be sent to: If to the Company: TXU Energy Energy Assistance Group P. O. Box 650257 Dallas, TX 75265-0257 1-800-645-4601 1-800-556-6753 (fax) energyassistance@txu.com If to Agency: The City of Fort Worth 200 Texas St. Fort Worth, TX 76102 or at such other address as the intended recipient will from time to time designate by written notice delivered in accordance herewith. 10.5 Entire Business Guidelines; Amendments. These Business Guidelines contains the entire arrangement between the parties with respect to subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior documents and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. These Business Guidelines may not be amended orally, but only in writing signed by each of the parties hereto. 10.6 Section Headings and Construction. The headings of Sections in these Business Guidelines are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references to "Section" refer to the corresponding Section of these Business Guidelines unless otherwise specified. All words used in this document will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the word "including" does not limit the preceding words or terms. 10.7 Severabilitv. If any provision of these Business Guidelines are held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this document will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of the Business Guidelines held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable. 10.8 Counterparts. These Business Guidelines may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this document and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same document. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered these Business Guidelines as of the date above first written above. THE CITY OF FORT WORTH Fernando Costa Assistance City Manager TXU ENERGY 114 Cdu- Kim Campbell Sr. Manager Customer Advocacy OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 2024 TXU ENERGY AID PROGRAM CONTRACT CSC No. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: a),aa.� J //essika Williams Assistant City Attorney 0o Dunn ATTEST: �o dV8 °=A /� adQp PEXA`�o 0 nnuuvob Jannette Goodall City Secretary M&C: M&C 22-0451 Dated: June 14,2022 TXU ENERGY By: Kim Campbell (signed electronically -see attached contract) Title: Sr. Manager, Customer Advocacy Contract Compliance Manager: By signing below, I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including ensuring all performance and reporting requirements. Victor Turner, Director Neighborhood Services OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX M&C Review Page 1 of 2 A CITY COUNCIL AGEND Create New From This M&C DATE: 6/14/2022 REFERENCE NO.: **M&C 22-0451 LOG NAME: CODE: C TYPE CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING: Official site of the City of Fort Worth, Texas FoRT WORTH 19TXU ENERGY AID 2022 M SUBJECT: (ALL) Ratify Extension of the 2015-2020 Agreement with TXU Energy Retail Company, LLC for its Energy Aid Program to Extend the term to December 31, 2021, Authorize Execution of a New Agreement in an Amount Up to $700,000.00 for the TXU Energy Aid Program from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2027, and Adopt Attached Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Ratify the extension of the 2015-2020 Agreement with TXU Energy Retail Company, LLC for its Energy Aid Program to extend the term of the Agreement to December 31,2021; 2. Authorize the acceptance of interest earned for the advanced funds in the amount of $1,243.96; 3. Authorize the execution of a new Agreement with TXU Energy Retail Company, LLC in an amount up to $700,000.00 for the Energy Aid Program from January 1,2022 through December 31, 2027; and 4. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount of $701,243.96, for the purpose of funding the TXU Energy Aid Program. DISCUSSION: TXU Energy Retail Company, LLC. (TXU Energy), has developed the Energy Aid Program as a supplement to government and community aid programs designed to assist persons in financial distress to meet their energy -related costs. Since 2004, the City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services Department's Community Action Partners Program, an Energy Aid Program recipient, has received funds from TXU Energy to assist low-income TXU Energy customers with their electric bills. On April 07, 2015, (M&C C-27257) the City Council authorized an agreement with TXU Energy in an amount up to $700,000.00, which ended on December 31, 2020. The Energy Aid Program has been extended through December 31, 2021. Therefore, staff requests approval to extend the term of the City's arrangement with TXU Energy to December 31, 2021 to coincide with the extended term of the program. To avoid untimley agreement renewals, NSD staff will monitor the terms in PeopleSoft's reporting module. Additionally, Staff requests authorization for the execution of a new contract with TXU Energy in the amount up to $700,000.00 for the Energy Aid Program from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2027. During the period of April 2015 to March 31, 2022, the City received a total amount of $425,000.00 from TXU Energy in the form of advanced funds. These funds earned interest earnings of $1,243.96 which need to be appropriated by the City for the program. A total of 1,319 Tarrant County households have been assisted under this program with grant funds totaling $380,002.11. It is projected that under the new agreement, up to 3,000 qualified households will receive assistance. This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS and remaining parts of Tarrant County. http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc review.asp?ID=30004&councildate=6/14/2022 2/12/2024 M&C Review Page 2 of 2 FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations, and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Other Fund. The Neighborhood Services Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to expenditures being incurred, Neighborhood Services has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is an advance grant. TO Fund Department Account Project I Program I Activity Budget Reference # Amount ID I ID Year (Chartfield 2) FROM Fund Department Account I Project Program Activity Budget Reference # Amount ID ID Year (Chartfield 2) Submitted for Citv Manager's Office by Oriqinatinq Department Head: Additional Information Contact: Fernando Costa (6122) Victor Turner (8187) Sonia Singleton (5774) Benedict George (7339) ATTACHMENTS 19TXU ENERGY AID 2022 21003 A022(r4).docx (Public) G00205 TXU EA 03312022.iDdf (CFW Internal) TXU EA FID table.xlsx (CFW Internal) http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc review.asp?ID=30004&councildate=6/14/2022 2/12/2024