Title
Resolution to Approve Contract with the Clean Energy Coalition for Community Climate and Energy Programs ($85,000.00)
Memorandum
Beginning with the City's first Energy Plan in 1981, the City of Ann Arbor has made major strides over the last thirty years to advance energy efficiency and related issues. More recently, the emergence of climate change as a generational issue of international importance and urgency has placed further attention on the need to advance energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources while also recognizing the inherent economic development value of the many approaches available to communities to address these matters. Many of these approaches have been included among the strategies in the Ann Arbor Climate Action Plan (CAP).
City Council recognized the importance and the opportunity for greater community-scale energy efficiency and climate readiness action through its support of the CAP in Resolution R-12-572 approved on December 17, 2012. The attached resolution authorizes consultant support to continue progress on projects that were initiated with the support of federal funds that have since expired, as well as on other emerging initiatives that will keep the City of Ann Arbor at the forefront of innovation in sustainability at the municipal and community levels. Among the activities included in this work are: the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and other revolving loan and incentive programs that double as economic development strategies; community solar initiatives; community engagement with and by the Ann Arbor Climate Partnership (www.a2energy.org/climate) to involve the public and promote efforts with a common brand; energy benchmarking for buildings; and, other activities included in the Climate Action Plan. Greenhouse gas (GHG) savings estimates will also be included across all activities to measure progress towards CAP reduction targets.
The work performed under this contract significantly furthers several of the City's goals defined in the Sustainability Framework adopted by City Council as an element of the City Master Plan in February 2013. The Sustainability Framework identifies 16 overarching goals to help Ann Arbor become more sustainable. The Sustainability Framework builds on goals developed from over 30 plans and 20 years of planning on the part of city residents, staff, boards and commissions, and City Council. The work performed under this contract will further progress towards the Sustainability Framework goals of Energy Conservation, Sustainable Buildings, Diverse Housing, Economic Vitality, Sustainable Energy, and Engaged Community, through tasks such as:
· The City's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and technical support for Energy Star benchmarking furthers energy efficiency in the city's commercial and multi-family building stock and lead to economic savings. These savings to property-owners have a larger economic multiplier than funds spent on energy, which leave the local economy.
· Community solar work will develop a model for expanding private investment in solar power for those residents and businesses that may not be able to install this technology on their own properties.
· Ann Arbor Climate Partnership funding supports educating the public about the climate changes measured to date and the practical steps available to both mitigate and adapt to expected changes.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
Funds for this work are derived from the Ellsworth Corridor Transportation Study's ($50,000.00) removal from the FY 15 General Fund Capital budget and direct use of $75,000.00 of General Fund balance during final adoption of the FY15 annual budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Nathan Geisler, Energy Programs Analyst
Matthew Naud, Environmental Coordinator
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, City Council adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) on December 17, 2012 (R-12-572) that sets mid- and long-range targets for reducing community greenhouse gas emissions and outlines strategies to adapt to current and expected climate changes;
Whereas, the City's Sustainability Framework containing multiple Climate and Energy goals for the City is an approved element of the Ann Arbor Master Plan and directs efforts and priority towards actions that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases community-wide, and the Framework additionally has related goals for Economic Vitality, Engaged Community and Diverse Housing that can be achieved through community energy initiatives;
Whereas, dedicated resources are needed to implement strategies in the CAP and as such City Council passed a budget amendment ("Increase General Fund budget for Community-Facing Climate Action Programs") for FY15 allocating $125,000.00 for community energy efficiency and climate work in furtherance of the Climate Action Plan using General Fund balance ($75,000.00) and removing the Ellsworth Corridor Transportation Study ($50,000.00) during final adoption of the budget;
Whereas, these funds are available in the Systems Planning Unit's General Fund budget;
Whereas, existing grant-supported city staff efforts within Washtenaw County's HUD Sustainable Communities grant for greening rental housing that expires in January 2015 will continue with a portion of these funds with the remainder used to hire consultants;
Whereas, RFP 911 was issued on August 19, 2014 seeking consultant services to achieve the goals described in the FY15 budget amendment dedicated to CAP and community energy related activities in a staff-developed scope of work;
Whereas, one response to RFP 911 was received and the Clean Energy Coalition (with partner Ecology Center) was the selected response for the services sought;
Whereas, the scope of work for the attached contract contains numerous tasks including but not limited to: PACE financing, revolving loan programs, community solar, energy benchmarking, and community engagement; and
Whereas, the Clean Energy Coalition received Contract Compliance approval on April 28, 2014, Living Wage approval on May 5, 2014, and Conflict of Interest approval on April 28, 2014.
RESOLVED, that City Council authorize a contract with the Clean Energy Coalition for an amount not-to-exceed $85,000.00 for community climate and energy program work, and 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 contract after approvals 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.