Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Agreement with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Accept Grant Funds from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity in the Amount of $248,653.00 for the Ann Arbor Climate Corps AmeriCorps Program, and Appropriate Funds ($671,492.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor applied, through the State of Michigan, to the national AmeriCorps program for the creation of an Ann Arbor Climate Corps (A2C2) program that includes funding to support 10 AmeriCorps members in Ann Arbor. Each member will serve for 1700 hours between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, with the members focusing on conducting community education and engagement around climate action (i.e., ways to participate in A2ZERO), and providing stewardship support to enhance natural system preservation. This is the second year of our A2C2 program, with the first year being the first time the City has ever had an AmeriCorps program - meaning a significant number of lessons were learned.
This spring, the City was notified that its application was chosen to receive $248,653.00 to advance the A2C2 program. In the application, the City agreed to a $240,564.00 cost share (provided through the local Community Climate Action Millage - which was budgeted in the FY25 budget) and $182,275.00 in in-kind staff support time to manage and work with the members.
This resolution seeks City Council authorization to approve a Grant Agreement with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and to accept and appropriate a grant award of $248,653.00 for the Ann Arbor Climate Corps program.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The City will be reimbursed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for $248,653.00 of expenditures related to this award. The local match of $422,839.00 has already been budgeted in the FY25 budget within the Community Climate Action Millage fund.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Kim Hoenerhoff, Financial Budget Analyst
Reviewed by: Valerie Jackson, Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is committed to achieving a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality as outlined in the A2ZERO plan;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is working on multiple community facing programs and initiatives to advance the goals outlined in A2ZERO;
Whereas, Staff capacity to educate and engage with a large portion of the public around A2ZERO is limited;
Whereas, In fiscal year 2024 the City’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations received funding to launch an Ann Arbor Climate Corps AmeriCorps program to undertake deep and more sustained engagement around sustainability;
Whereas, The City applied to the national AmeriCorps program for a second year of the Ann Arbor Climate Corps program to support 10 AmeriCorps members who will advance community education and engagement around A2ZERO, and to enhance natural system preservation initiatives;
Whereas, The City’s application was chosen for an award in the amount of $248,653.00, with a local match of $240,564.00 which was budgeted in the FY25 Community Climate Action Millage fund, along with $182,275.00 in in-kind staff support which will be provided by staff in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations and the Natural Area Preservation team to support the Ann Arbor Climate Corps program; and
Whereas, The City has received the final Grant Agreement from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity outlining the terms of this award;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the Grant Agreement with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity;
RESOLVED, That City Council accept a grant award in the amount of $248,653.00 from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for the purpose of creating the Ann Arbor Climate Corps program;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriate $671,492.00 in the FY25 Major Grants Fund with the source of revenue being $248,653.00 from the grant award from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and $422,839.00 as a transfer from the Community Climate Action Millage;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Administrator to execute all documents necessary to complete the Grant requirements, including but not limited to the Grant Agreement, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That all amounts herein are without regard to fiscal year, and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary actions to implement this resolution.