Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with 2030 Districts Network to Develop Programs, Outreach, Engagement, and New Initiatives to Support Commercial Decarbonization ($225,000.00)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor has set the ambitious and essential goal of a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030 (known as A2ZERO). Guiding this goal is the City’s “Living Carbon Neutrality Plan,” which includes seven strategies and forty-four actions. Three of the strategies outlined in A2ZERO relate to energy usage: Strategy 1: powering our community with 100% renewable energy; Strategy 2: converting our appliances and vehicles to electric; and Strategy 3: improving the efficiency of our homes/businesses/etc. Over the last several years, the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability has built infrastructure to support residents with embracing the above solutions. However, commercial businesses have not historically been an area of focus for this work. That is why the City is looking to contract with the 2030 District, as they are extremely experienced at working directly with commercial properties and are aligned with the goal of full decarbonization by 2030. To help expand our programmatic offerings and support services for commercial properties, OSI will work with the 2030 Districts Network on five tasks:.
1. Energy benchmarking assistance
2. Commercial energy saving assistance
3. Conduct energy education and engagement with commercial entities
4. Reporting and accountability
5. On demand support related to commercial decarbonization
The staff recommends a three-year contract with 2030 Districts Network with two, one-year, administrative options to extend.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding to support this work with 2030 District Network was integrated into the Office of Sustainability and Innovations 2024 Council adopted budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In June 2020 Ann Arbor City Council unanimously adopted the A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality Plan, which set the goal of community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030;
Whereas, Just over 20% of Ann Arbor’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the commercial sector;
Whereas, Most work to-date by the Office of Sustainability and Innovations has focused on assisting the residential sector advance climate action;
Whereas, The 2030 Districts Network has been a strong collaborator with the City on designing, implementing, and supporting the City’s energy and water benchmarking ordinance;
Whereas, The 2030 Districts Network, on their own, launched an A2ZERO lunch and learn series to engage architects, builders, and commercial property owners in the movement to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030;
Whereas, Interest in helping the commercial sector reduce emissions has been growing but staff capacity to support work in this area is lean; and
Whereas, The Office of Sustainability and Innovations considers the 2030 District Network a strategic collaborator and trusted broker with and to commercial properties;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves a three-year Professional Services Agreement with 2030 Districts Network in the amount of $225,000.00 for work related to decarbonizing the commercial sector;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize two optional one-year extensions of the agreement, upon approval by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to sign the 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.