Title
Resolution to Fund Pilot of Net Zero Energy Affordable Housing Initiative, Electric Vehicle Chargers, Resilience Hubs, and Municipal Clean and Renewable Strategy Initiative (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The following resolution appropriates $215,000.00 from the General Fund Reserve that the Office of Sustainability and Innovations (“OSI”) may use on to work with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (“Commission”) and the City’s Fleet Manager on two pilot projects: 1) a net zero energy affordable housing program and 2) the City’s green fleets program (“Projects”). These projects are part of OSI’s Work Plan (attached), which outlines OSI’s planned core programs and activities over the next 5 years.
The Projects are the subject of this resolution because of their broad community support, potential to immediately impact municipal and community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, and timeliness. The net zero energy program, for example, can immediately support renovations at the Broadway site that will: a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, b) improve air quality, c) reduce operating expenditures (which could, for example, be reallocated for more affordable housing units), and d) support our community’s values around equity and “One Community.”
Particulars of the Projects are:
• Net Zero Affordable Housing - The $200,000.00 will cover the cost of solar, equipment electrification, and any unplanned energy upgrades on the Commission’s affordable housing units at Broadway. These units are slated for retrofitting this fiscal year. The Commission is assembling an RFP for a sewer replacement and upgrades (e.g., installing insulation). This already-planned and -approved work presents a perfect opportunity for immediate, additional investments to approach net zero energy.
• Electric Vehicle (“EV”) Charging Stations - The $15,000.00 will allow the purchase of 3 EV charging stations for municipal and public use. As background, City Council approved a resolution to fund the City’s first 3 EVs at the October 15th meeting. There is not, however, funding available to install the charging infrastructure. This budget adjustment would remedy that omissions and ensure the City’s first 3 EVs may operate upon delivery.
• Resilience Hubs - $10,000 seed funding to start the first Ann Arbor resilience hub which will help foster community social cohesion while also providing resources for the community in advance of, during, and post disaster. We are also actively seeking funding to support full-scale implementation of this program.
• Municipal Clean and Renewable Strategy Implementation - $25,000 to support feasibility studies, legal analyses, and any other pre-work necessary before implementing large-scale solar installations on city properties (see the draft strategy for 100% Clean & Renewable Municipal Operations, attached, for more information).
Budget Impact: Funding for these programs is requested from the General Fund Reserve balance.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Office of Sustainability and Innovations
Reviewed by: Marti Praschan, Public Services Area Administrator
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, CFO
Approved by: Howard Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, By adopting the Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2012, the City Council committed to an ambitious, multi-strategy vision to address Climate Change by reducing community-wide greenhouse emissions (8% by 2015, 25% by 2025, and 90% by 2050 relative to year 2000 baseline carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions levels);
Whereas, City Council unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to climate action in adopting Resolution R-17-238 (“Resolution Committing the City of Ann Arbor to Adopt, Honor and Uphold Paris Climate Agreement Goals”);
Whereas, Mayor Christopher Taylor has endorsed and signed onto the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and U.S. Climate Mayors initiatives;
Whereas, City Council unanimously voted to approve the One Community initiative, thereby establishing equity as a priority for all city decision making;
Whereas, City Council unanimously adopted a resolution committing the city of Ann Arbor to using 100% clean and renewable energy for municipal operations;
Whereas, The Office of Sustainability and Innovations (“OSI”) was created in FY19 in order to actualize the goals created and reaffirmed by City Council;
Whereas, Despite promotion of climate action and sustainability being important goals to the City and its residents, insufficient resources have traditionally existed to advance these goals;
Whereas, City Council realizes that climate change has direct and pressing impacts on all aspects of public health, including mental health; and
Whereas, The OSI is requesting a $250,000.00 appropriation to be paid through the General Fund balance to finance four pilot projects related to net zero energy affordable housing, City’s green fleets efforts, resilience hubs, and municipal clean and renewable strategy implementation;
RESOLVED, That the City Council approve an appropriation of $250,000.00 from the General Fund balance to increase revenue and expenditure budgets in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That the Office of Sustainability and Innovations staff be authorized to move forward with implementing the work plan related to these four programs, as outlined; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Eaton, Bannister, Ackerman and Mayor Taylor
As Amended and Approved by Ann Arbor City Council on November 19, 2018.