Title
Resolution of Intent on the Use and Administration of the Community Climate Action Millage
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Manager
Approved by: Milton Dohoney, Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, If approved by the voters, the Community Climate Action Millage on the May 3, 2022, ballot would provide funding for climate action programs and services as outlined in A2ZERO and enumerated in detail in Attachment A; and
Whereas, The City Council wants to adopt policy guidelines for the use of the funds if the Community Climate Action Millage is approved by the voters at the May 3, 2022 election and wants to inform the voters of those policy guidelines;
RESOLVED, That City Council adopt the Community Climate Action Millage Use and Administration Guidelines as stipulated in Attachment A.
RESOLVED, That while all City revenue and expenditures are subject to the annual budgeting process, Attachment B reflects a potential and practical FY23 allocation of 2022 Community Climate Action Millage proceeds that would be consistent with the below Community Climate Action Millage Use and Administration Guidelines.
Attachment A:
NEW CLIMATE ACTION FUND USE AND ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES
If the millage is approved, providing up to 1 mills annually for climate action (the “2022 Community Climate Action Millage”):
1. The 2022 Community Climate Action Millage may be used for programs and services identified in the living A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality Plan, which include, without limitation:
a. Create, enhance, and provide services that move the city toward a zero waste, circular economy. This includes efforts to expand and increase use of composting, recycling, and reuse services and programs, support for local and sustainable food generation and use, construction waste recovery programs, and enhancement of reuse programs and services.
b. Advance the deployment and utilization of renewable energies such as solar and geothermal in the community. This includes educational activities, community solar programs, bulk discount programs, low-income renewable energy programs, programs that help lower and/or remove barriers to accessing renewable energy, especially for low-income households, and seeding a rate-funded clean energy utility. Monies may be used for the design and construction of renewable energy installations at municipal and public sites, including installations designed to be community solar programs.
c. Support energy efficiency and weatherization programs designed to aid residents and businesses in improving the energy and water efficiency of their homes and businesses while also improving comfort and affordability. This includes things such as programs to help seniors age in place, greening rental infrastructure, expansion of weatherization services, green business programs, and the creation of an energy concierge service. At least 40% of the funding in this purpose would go towards low-income residents, affordable housing sites, and other rental energy and water efficiency programs.
d. Advancing neighborhood and community resilience and preparedness to climate change and natural disasters. This includes efforts to foster neighborhood community and resilience centers, neighborhood emergency preparedness activities, community resource sharing, and enhanced heat and flood monitoring and management systems.
e. Expand, create, and sustain the City's nonmotorized transportation network and improve transit service. This includes the installation of protected bike lanes, crosswalk infrastructure, and neighborhood walking paths and the creation and expansion of multi-modal transportation systems.
f. Create and implement programs and services to support energy waste reduction and energy efficiency. This includes bulk-buy/discount initiatives, rental housing weatherization assistance, and educational forums/workshops for residents, businesses, property owners, and tenants to improve the efficiency, comfort, and affordability of their homes and buildings.
g. Create and sustain home and transportation-related electrification programs. This includes support for building and installing electric vehicle charging stations at public sites, multi-family residential sites, and in commercial areas throughout the City as well as education, training, and programs focused on supporting appliance and vehicle electrification, including fleet electrification. This also includes programs and services aimed at lowering upfront costs to accessing electrified transit and transportation, especially for low-to-moderate income households.
2. The 2022 Community Climate Action Millage will be used, to the fullest extent possible, to advance equity by ensuring that Ann Arbor’s low-income residents and communities of color are centered in the creation and implementation of climate action programs.
3. The 2022 Community Climate Action Millage may be used to support educational efforts as well as all administrative and ancillary costs required to complete the aforementioned programs and services and administer such programs and services.
4. The 2022 Community Climate Action Millage may be used as local cost share to state, federal, and private grants where necessary to unlock additional financial resources.
The approval of the 2022 Community Climate Action Millage will not supplement the need for continued investments in climate action, including from the City’s General Fund, state and federal agencies, and philanthropic sources. As such, it is expected the City will continue to seek additional internal and external resources to fully implement the A2ZERO Plan, leveraging the 2022 Community Climate Action Millage to the fullest extent possible.
Attachment B: Attached
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor