Title
Resolution to Rescind Resolution R-25-383 and Approve a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190 to Lead Workforce Development as Part of the U.S. Department of Energy District Geothermal Grant in the Bryant Neighborhood ($560,000.00)
Memorandum
In preparing the resolution and subrecipient agreement for City Council’s consideration at the October 6, 2025 meeting, City staff erroneously listed UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. as the counterparty for the award. This was incorrect as the proper entity is United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190. This resolution corrects this mistake so that the City can enter into a subrecipient grant agreement with the proper entity.
All elements of this project are the same as what was proposed in Resolution R-25-383:
“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. [United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190] 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 […].
As such, the City is seeking authorization to enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with [United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190] and to provide a subaward of funds from the U.S. Department of Energy geothermal grant to cover [United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190]’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 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, United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190 is and has been one of the strategic partners on this project, serving as the project’s lead for all workforce development elements of the project;
Whereas, United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190’s support will be essential as the project team moves from design into formal implementation of the networked geothermal systems in the Bryant Neighborhood;
Whereas, Staff erroneously named UA 190 - IBEW 252, L.L.C. as the subrecipient for the award in Resolution R-25-383, which Council adopted at their October 6, 2025 meeting; and
Whereas, The proper name for the subrecipient is United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190;
RESOLVED, That City Council rescind Resolution R-25-383;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a Subrecipient Grant Agreement with United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190 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 United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 190 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