Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Washtenaw 2030 District to Continue Program Development, Outreach, Engagement, and Support for Commercial Building Decarbonization ($300,000.00)
Memorandum
Washtenaw 2030 District has been a key collaborator to the City’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations (“OSI”) for the last three years, helping implement programs ranging from the City’s Commercial Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance and the Commercial Solar program, to assisting in the design of Commercial Rebates and advising on the design of the Green Rental Housing Program. To support this programmatic work, in July 2023, City Council authorized a Professional Services Agreement with the 2030 District in the amount of $75,000.00 per year for a three-year period.
As this three-year period is drawing to a close, OSI has been evaluating the services and support provided by Washtenaw 2030 District and is requesting to continue and expand this collaboration. More explicitly, since its inception, the collaboration with Washtenaw 2030 District has delivered meaningful results, enhanced capacity, and helped demonstrably move climate action work forward, especially with the business community, houses of worship, and nonprofits. This work has been instrumental in moving climate action forward in these key market segments while also freeing up staff capacity to do the supporting work such as regulation creation, incentive design and implementation, stakeholder outreach, and new program development.
Given the success of the initial work with Washtenaw 2030 District plus the need for more support services, especially as it relates to commercial decarbonization efforts, OSI is seeking a new, 3-year Professional Services Agreement with Washtenaw 2030 District. In particular, OSI would like to update the working relationship with Washtenaw 2030 District so it is authorized to continue providing the critical services we’ve utilized the last three years and to expand its services to provide technical assistance support to commercial businesses and support with recruiting and guiding commercial and business enterprises through our new commercial rebate program (expected to be launched in early FY27).
The updated scope of work includes six key tasks:
1. Commercial Energy and Water Benchmarking Assistance
2. Commercial / Business Energy Saving Recruitment and Program Assistance Administration
3. Ongoing Outreach and Engagement with Commercial and Business Entities into OSI Programs and Initiatives
4. Reporting and Accountability Support
5. On-Demand Support Related to Commercial Decarbonization
6. Metrics Tracking
The staff recommends a three-year contract with Washtenaw 2030 District in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 ($100,000.00 per year) with two optional one-year extensions.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding to support this work with Washtenaw 2030 District was integrated into the Office of Sustainability and Innovations FY27 Council adopted budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Valerie Jackson, City Attorney - Sustainability
Reviewed by: Kim Hoenerhoff, Financial Analyst
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In 2022 Ann Arbor residents voted to pass the Community Climate Action Millage;
Whereas, Just over 20% of Ann Arbor’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the commercial sector;
Whereas, A portion of Community Climate Action Millage funds were intended to support commercial and business decarbonization efforts;
Whereas, For nearly three years the Office of Sustainability and Innovations has been working with Washtenaw 2030 District to design and implement programs aimed at supporting commercial and business sustainability activities;
Whereas, Washtenaw 2030 District has been a strong collaborator with the City on designing, implementing, and supporting the City’s energy and water benchmarking ordinance;
Whereas, Washtenaw 2030 District, on its 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 Washtenaw 2030 District a strategic collaborator with and trusted broker to commercial properties;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a three-year Professional Services Agreement with Washtenaw 2030 District in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for work related to decarbonizing the commercial sector;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize two optional one-year extensions of the Professional Services Agreement, upon approval by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to sign the Professional Services 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 necessary actions to implement this resolution.