Title
Resolution to Amend Contract with Clean Energy Coalition (CEC) for Community Energy Program Coordination ($333,962.00)
Memorandum
The US Department of Energy (US DOE) has granted the city a 6-month, no cost extension through March 7, 2013 to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, previously approved in Resolution R-09-501. The grant extension has been submitted to you for approval separately on the agenda for this meeting.
The attached resolution authorizes a contract amendment with the Clean Energy Coalition (CEC), increasing the current $260,000.00 budget by $73,962.00 during the extension period to a total not-to-exceed amount of $333,962.00. This will allow the city to continue to receive consultant services to coordinate the ongoing Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, A2energy.org community energy efficiency efforts, and generate promotional materials and other content that is beneficial to these programs. The budget amendment from the US DOE reduces the PACE loan loss reserve fund (LLRF) to $200,000.00 based on anticipated participation in that program during the first round of projects, which frees up the $73,962.00 for this extension period support without increasing the total grant budget.
This grant continues to be an important component of the City's efforts to reach the renewable energy and greenhouse emission reduction goals set by City Council on May 1, 2006 and updated on April 19, 2011, particularly the ability to contribute to community-wide energy efficiency.
These grant funds will continue to be available for the life of the project regardless of fiscal year, and the Systems Planning Unit will continue to provide grant management services.
Staff
Prepared By: Matthew Naud, Environmental Coordinator and Nathan Geisler, Energy Programs Associate
Reviewed By: Craig Hupy, Interim Public Services Administrator
Approved By: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Sponsored By: John Hieftje, Mayor
Body
Whereas, In December, 2009, the City of Ann Arbor accepted a US Department of Energy (US DOE) award for $1,243,400.00 from the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program;
Whereas, This grant helped establish Ann Arbor's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program to finance commercial energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in the community, the first such program in Michigan;
Whereas, The US DOE has approved an extension of the EECBG grant through March 7, 2013 to allow further time to build nascent programs and complete outstanding projects;
Whereas, There is $73,962.00 in remaining grant funds through a US DOE approved budget amendment available to support Community Energy Coordination, the A2energy.org website, brand marketing, the PACE program, and other community energy efficiency programs in the EECBG Community Energy Efficiency Initiative activity area;
Whereas, It is in the best interest of these programs that the Clean Energy Coalition, which was awarded a contract to perform the role of Community Energy Program Coordinator through RFP-760, approved by Resolution R-10-273 for $260,000.00, continue its consultant services during this extension to support the PACE program and related activities through www.a2energy.org and to help identify sustainable strategies to maintain these programs; and
Whereas, The Clean Energy Coalition received Contract Compliance approval on September 21, 2012 and Living Wage approval on April 30, 2012;
RESOLVED, That the City Council authorize a contract amendment with Clean Energy Coalition to increase the contract amount by $73,962.00 for a new total contract amount not to exceed $333,962.00;
RESOLVED, That the funds be made available without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign the amended contracts after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.