Title
Resolution to Approve a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. to Lead Workforce Development as Part of the U.S. Department of Energy District Geothermal Grant in the Bryant Neighborhood ($560,000.00)
Memorandum
This subrecipient grant is intended to fulfill the terms outlined in the City of Ann Arbor's successful application to the U.S. Department of Energy for funding to install a district geothermal system in the neighborhood surrounding the Bryant Community Center. UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. is the project's workforce development lead and will be responsible for the ongoing and sustained workforce development efforts as outlined in the City’s successful grant application. All funding for this work is coming from the U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant, also before Council for authorization.
As such, the City is seeking authorization to enter into a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. and to provide a subaward of funds from the U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant to cover UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C.’s project-related expenses as outlined in the scope of services.
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 the 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, UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. is and has been one of the strategic partners on this project, serving as the project’s lead for all workforce development elements; and
Whereas, UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C.’s support will be essential as the project team moves from design into formal implementation of the networked geothermal systems in the Bryant Neighborhood and for future work by helping to build a pipeline for good-paying, family-sustaining jobs related to thermal energy deployment;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. in the amount of $560,000.00 as pass through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant to lead workforce development around geothermal, inside and beyond the Bryant Neighborhood;
RESOLVED, That any remaining funding in the FY26 expenditure budget related to this Subrecipient Agreement with UA 190 - IBEW 252, LLC 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