Title
Resolution to Accept Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Energy for Turning the Bryant Community Center into a Carbon Neutral Building and Living Learning Laboratory of Climate Action and Approve an Assistance Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy ($182,360.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution seeks City Council acceptance of a U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Funds and approval of an Assistance Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to fund the decarbonization of the Bryant Community Center and to turn the center into a living, learning laboratory of climate change, and appropriate these funds without regard to City fiscal year.
This EECBG grant was part of a direct allocation that the City of Ann Arbor received through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy activities in the City. The direct allocation was determined based on the City’s population and amounted to a one time allocation of $182,360.00.
The City had to officially apply to receive these funds and submitted an application focused on making the Bryant Community Center fully carbon neutral by undertaking deep weatherization improvements (e.g., insulation installation, window replacement, installation of programmable thermostats), beneficial electrification (e.g., installing an induction cooktop and replacing other gas appliances with electric alternatives), installing more renewable energy (expanding the existing solar system and installing geothermal), and adding to the existing energy storage system. In addition, the grant funds will support educational opportunities so that the public can interact with the various technologies, practices, and strategies implemented in the Bryant Community Center and learn about actions they can take in their homes, places of worship, employment centers, and others to advance climate action.
Acceptance and appropriation of this award will allow the City to get started on implementing the aforementioned tasks in partnership with Community Action Network and the residents of Bryant.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: No matching funds are required for acceptance of this grant award and all proposed work is expected to be covered by the grant.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Marti Praschan, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the City of Ann Arbor a $182,360.00 grant through their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant program for making the Bryant Community Center carbon neutral and a living, learning laboratory of climate action;
RESOLVED, That City Council accepts a grant of $182,360.00 from the U.S. Department of Energy and appropriates $182,360.00 to the FY24 Major Grants Program Fund with the source of revenue being the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy;
RESOLVED, That all amounts herein are without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves an Assistance Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for these funds;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the grant agreement following approval as to form by the City Attorney and as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution.