Title
Resolution to Accept Grant and Appropriate Funds from the US Department of Energy for Solar America Cities Project ($200,000.00 Federal Funds) and Approve Sub-Grants (8 votes required)
Memorandum
The attached resolution authorizes a grant agreement with the US Department of Energy (DOE) and accept a $200,000.00 two-year grant for the City of Ann Arbor to lead an effort to integrate solar energy throughout the Ann Arbor community by 2015. Ann Arbor was one of 13 cities in the United States chosen as a member of the Solar America Cities Project. This federal program has a goal of establishing a core group of cities to serve as examples to the rest of the nation on how to implement successful solar energy programs at the municipal level. For this grant the City has engaged 11 partners who, along with the City, have committed to providing a total of $235,245.00 in matching funds and in-kind services. In addition, the Ann Arbor grant application included support letters from DTE Energy, the Ann Arbor Energy Commission, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Governor Granholm. This grant will help Ann Arbor meet its renewable energy goals and is expected to draw national recognition to Ann Arbor and jobs to Michigan. The resolution also approves two of the sub-grantee agreements because they exceed $25,000. Clean Energy Coalition will receive a sub-grant of $80,000 and provide an in kind match of $10,400.00. NextEnergy will not receive a sub-grant, but will provide an in kind match of $50,000. All other sub-grants are $25,000 or less.
The City of Ann Arbor has committed a total of $93,003.00 dollars in funds and in-kind match for this grant. A cash commitment of $60,000.00 will come from the Ann Arbor Municipal Energy Fund and will be used to install solar energy on City owned facilities. An additional $33,003.00 of in-kind staff time match has been committed over the two-year grant period; $24,992.00 from the Energy Office, $1,861.00 from Emergency Preparedness and $6,150.00 from Community Development. The chart below shows all the match commitments for this grant. All partners listed below will be required to sign sub-grantee agreements legally defining their commitments to this grant.
SOLAR AMERICA CITIES FUNDING
City of Ann Arbor Funding
City of Ann Arbor - Solar Project $60,000.00
City of Ann Arbor - Energy Office $24,992.00
City of Ann Arbor - Emergency Preparedness $ 1,861.00
City of Ann Arbor - Community Development $ 6,150.00
Total City Commitment $93,003.00
Solar Cities Grant Partners
NexEnergy $50,000.00
United Solar Ovonic $25,000.00
U of M Phoenix Energy Center $15,000.00
Washtenaw County $13,755.00
Clean Energy Coalition $10,400.00
Michigan Energy Office $10,000.00
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Coalition $ 6,800.00
Hands on Museum $ 3,287.00
Downtown Development Authority $ 3,000.00
Ecology Center $ 3,000.00
Ann Arbor District Library $ 2,000.00
Total Partner Commitment $142,242.00
TOTAL LOCAL FUNDS $235,245.00
FEDERAL FUNDS $200,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDS $435,245.00
Through a strong, extensive public-private partnership, this initiative demonstrates a true Ann Arbor community commitment to lead the way to a clean sustainable energy future.
Staff
Prepared By: David Konkle, Energy Coordinator
Reviewed By: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Administrator
Approved By: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor set ambitious renewable energy goals at the May 1, 2006 City Council meeting;
Whereas, The US Department of Energy has awarded the City of Ann Arbor a two-year, $200,000.00 Solar America Cites Project grant to lead an effort to integrate solar energy throughout the Ann Arbor community by 2015;
Whereas, This grant brings together a strong, extensive public/private partnership in the Ann Arbor community and demonstrates a true commitment by this community to move to clean, sustainable energy for our future;
Whereas, The City has engaged 11 community partners to commit a total of $235,245.00 in matching funds and in-kind services making a project total of $435,245.00;
Whereas, Funds for the City's $60,000.00 cash match for solar installations at City owned facilities available in the Municipal Energy Fund;
Whereas, Funds for the City's commitments for in-kind staff time match are included in the FY2008 budgets of the Energy Office ($24,992.00), Emergency Preparedness ($1,861.00) and Community Development ($6,150.00);
Whereas, The City will enter into sub-grantee agreements with all parties to ensure that the $142,242.00 in committed match, along with roles and responsibilities related to this grant, are legally defined;
Whereas, The sub-grantee agreements with Clean Energy Coalition and with NextEnergy each exceeds $25,000; and
Whereas, The Energy Office will provide grant management services for this grant;
RESOLVED, That the City accept the US Department of Energy grant of $200,000.00 to integrate solar energy throughout the Ann Arbor community by 2015;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign the grant agreement with the United States Department of Energy after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign the sub-grant agreements with Clean Energy Coalition and with NextEnergy after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the grant funds be appropriated to the FY08 Energy Office Grant Fund for the life of the project, regardless of fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to sign all sub-grant agreements of $25,000 or less after approval as to form by the City Attorney and be authorized to take all other necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.