Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar for the Purchase and Installation of a Solar System and EV Chargers at Bicentennial Park ($364,600.00)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor has set a series of aggressive goals related to climate action and sustainability, including powering all municipal facilities with 100% clean and renewable energy. Over the last two years, the City has been moving forward with installing solar, EV chargers, and storage systems at viable City sites.
In late 2022, the City’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations was successful in working with Congresswoman Dingell to secure $2.5 million dollars to continue scaling the amount of solar, energy storage, and EV charging at City facilities. This funding is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). Throughout 2024, the Office of Sustainability and Innovations worked with NOVA Consultants, Inc. (“NOVA”) to design a series of solar and energy storage systems at five City facilities through this HUD award (this was worked was authorized by City Council per R-23-426).
In early 2025, NOVA completed its designs for solar installations at Bicentennial Park (which includes EV charging stations), City Hall / Justice Center, Fire Station 6 (storage only), Fire Station 1 (solar only), and Fire Station 3 (solar only). Upon receipt of the designs, a decision was made to competitively bid four of the sites for immediate installation: Bicentennial Park, City Hall / Justice Center, Fire Station 1, and Fire Station 6. To do this, the City used NOVA’s designs and issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB 4766). Bids were received in April 2025. The lowest responsible bidder for Bicentennial Park was Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar with a bid of $364,600.00. As such, staff recommend proceeding with a construction contract with Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar for the construction of solar and EV charger installations at Bicentennial Park.
Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar has submitted all required Non-Discrimination, Prevailing Wage, Living Wage, and Conflict of Interest Disclosure forms and complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding is available for this contract in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Kim Buselmeier, Financial Manager
Reviewed by: Valerie Jackson, Assistant City Attorney - Sustainability
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has adopted an aggressive and bold goal to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030;
Whereas, City municipal government operations account for approximately 1.5% of total community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, but municipal leadership on climate action can help catalyze community-wide action;
Whereas, City Council committed in R-17-442 to powering City facilities with 100% clean and renewable energy;
Whereas, In 2023 the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations launched a request for proposals (RFP 23-426) to hire a consultant to design solar at multiple City buildings;
Whereas, NOVA Consultants, Inc. was selected through this competitive procurement process;
Whereas, NOVA Consultants, Inc. worked with City staff in 2024 to design solar, storage, and/or electric vehicle charging stations at five City sites;
Whereas, In early 2025, the designs finalized by NOVA Consultants, Inc. were included in an Invitation to Bid (ITB 4766) to select firms to build the designs as approved by staff;
Whereas, Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar was the lowest responsible bidder for the construction of solar and electric vehicle charger installations at Bicentennial Park;
Whereas, The Office of Sustainability and Innovations secured funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to cover the full costs of this project; and
Whereas, Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the Construction Contract with Homeland Builders of Michigan LLC d/b/a Homeland Solar for solar and electric vehicle charger installations in the amount of $364,600.00;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a contingency in the amount of $36,400.00;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said agreement after approval by the City Administrator and the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution.