Title
Resolution to Approve a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with Community Action Network to Lead Community Engagement as Part of the U.S. Department of Energy District Geothermal Grant in the Bryant Neighborhood ($150,000.00)
Memorandum
This subrecipient grant is to fulfill the terms outlined in the City of Ann Arbor's successful proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy to install a district geothermal system in the neighborhood surrounding the Bryant Community Center. Community Action Network is the project's engagement lead and will be responsible for the ongoing and sustained community engagement outlined in the City’s successful grant application. All funding for this work is coming from the successful U.S. Department of Energy grant, also before Council for authorization.
As such, the City is seeking authorization to enter into a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with Community Action Network and to provide a subaward of funds from the U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant to cover Community Action Network’s project-related expenses as outlined in our assistance agreement.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: All funding is coming from the successful U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Valerie Jackson, Assistant City Attorney - Sustainability
Reviewed by: Shoshannah Lenski, Sustainable Energy Utility Executive Director
Reviewed by: Kim Hoenerhoff, Financial Analyst
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has set the goal of achieving community-wide carbon neutrality in a just and equitable way by the year 2030;
Whereas, Finding solutions to fully decarbonize heating and cooling is a key element of the City’s carbon neutrality work;
Whereas, The U.S. Department of Energy ran a nationally competitive grant competition in late 2022 through early 2023 for communities interested in designing networked geothermal systems;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations pulled together a team composed of twelve local and national community partners to submit for this U.S. Department of Energy funding opportunity, with a focus on designing a geothermal system in the Bryant Neighborhood capable of handling 75% of the heating and cooling load and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the neighborhood by 40%;
Whereas, The City won this stage one award from the U.S. Department of Energy and was then able to submit a downselect application for funding to support implementation of the City’s designed geothermal system;
Whereas, This phase two grant for implementation of the designed geothermal system was selected for funding from the U.S. Department of Energy;
Whereas, Community Action Network is and has been one of the strategic partners on this project, serving as the project’s community engagement lead and helping ensure all design work centers the needs and desires of residents; and
Whereas, Community Action Network’s support will be essential as the project team moves from design into formal implementation of the networked geothermal system in the Bryant Neighborhood;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with Community Action Network in the amount of $150,000.00 as pass through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant to lead community engagement in the Bryant Neighborhood;
RESOLVED, That any remaining funding in the FY26 expenditure budget related to this Subrecipient Grant Agreement with Community Action Network be carried forward without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to sign the Subrecipient Grant Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution, including signing all necessary documents and sub-agreements.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor and Councilmember Radina