Title
Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Contract with the Clean Energy Coalition Supporting Community Facing Climate Programs and to Appropriate ($85,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
From the City’s first Energy Plan in 1981 to the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) approved by City Council in 2012, the City Council has supported work to advance energy conservation and energy efficiency, and to address greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the local level for many years. This support was recently demonstrated with an amendment to the FY16 budget that allows for continuing programs previously launched based on the CAP. Attached for review and consideration is Amendment No. 1 for services from the Clean Energy Coalition (CEC), and their partner the Ecology Center, to continue progress on these programs which is being performed under a contract awarded to CEC in the fall of 2014 by Council Resolution R-14-348.
Amendment No. 1 will continue the current contracted services. CEC has a distinct knowledge of and familiarity with the CAP strategies listed in that approved plan; has coordinated the City’s launch of a Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) to fund energy efficiency, which was the first PACE program in the State of Michigan; and developed the City’s community energy program “a2energy” launched in partnership with the City, as well as other CAP related projects.
The work performed under this contract Amendment No. 1 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 track and achieve a local vision for sustainability. 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 Amendment No. 1 furthers Sustainability Framework goals: Energy Conservation, Sustainable Buildings, Diverse Housing, Economic Vitality, Sustainable Energy, and Engaged Community, through continued support of tasks, including:
• 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 imported energy, which leave the local economy.
• Community solar models expand private investment in solar energy for those residents and businesses that may not have conditions suitable for installing solar on their own properties.
• Ann Arbor Climate Partnership support in educating the public about the climate changes measured to date and practical steps available to mitigate and adapt to expected climate impacts, as outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan. The Partnership engages non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with expertise and commitments to reach the Plan’s objectives.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
Funds for this work are included in the approved FY 16 Systems Planning General Fund Operations and Maintenance budget, which was an amendment proposed and approved by City Council during final adoption of the FY16 annual budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Nathan Geisler, Systems Planning
Matthew Naud, Systems Planning
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 contains multiple Climate and Energy goals for the City and is an approved element of the Ann Arbor Master Plan;
Whereas, The Sustainability Framework Climate & Energy goals direct efforts and priority towards actions that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases community-wide, and has related goals for Economic Vitality, an Engaged Community and Diverse Housing that can be achieved through community climate and energy initiatives;
Whereas, the Clean Energy Coalition (with partner the Ecology Center) was awarded a contract in resolution R-14-348 for consultant services to achieve the goals described in the CAP and community energy related activities in a staff-developed scope of work;
Whereas, several successful outcomes have been achieved under this contract including: a queue of large-scale projects planning to utilize PACE financing to do energy efficiency upgrades in 2016; continued participation in small revolving loan programs, including a dedicated program for rental housing; progress towards community solar including finance models and mechanisms; and, the community-wide engagement and implementation prioritization of the Ann Arbor Climate Partnership comprised of local stakeholders;
Whereas, As part of the FY 16 budget process City Council approved the allocation of $85,000.00 to the System Planning General Fund Operations and Maintenance budget for continued community energy efficiency and climate work in furtherance of the Climate Action Plan;
Whereas, the City seeks to continue this work with the local non-profit organizations engaged now in advancing these current and future projects with Amendment No.1 to the existing contract; and
Whereas, the Clean Energy Coalition has Conflict of Interest approval through April 14, 2016, Living Wage approval through April 30, 2016, and Non-Discrimination approval through April 4, 2016.
RESOLVED, that City Council authorize Amendment No. 1 to the contract with the Clean Energy Coalition for an amount not-to-exceed $85,000.00 for community climate and energy program work;
RESOLVED, That the $85,000.00 included in the System Planning General Fund Operations and Maintenance budget be transferred to fund 00CP, General Capital Fund, to establish a project budget for Community Facing Climate Programs;
RESOLVED, That the revenue and expense budgets of fund 00CP by increased by $85,000.00;
RESOLVED, That these appropriated 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.