Title
Resolution to Accept Michigan Green Communities Planning Grant and Appropriate Funds from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment ($50,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The attached resolution authorizes a grant agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to accept a $50,000.00 Michigan Green Communities Planning Grant for the City of Ann Arbor to (1) further develop and expand a peer learning network of Michigan local government and university staff working on sustainability; (2) hold an annual conference in 2011 and 2012 among Michigan Green Community members; and (3) develop challenge grant opportunities with local governments and Michigan foundations.
In July of 2010, the cities of Ann Arbor and Dearborn were awarded a $20,000.00 innovation grant from the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network to form the Midwest Regional Sustainability Network among local governments in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. As part of this project, the City created a successful partnership with the Michigan Municipal League and their existing Michigan Green Communities Challenge to develop a strong network of local government and university staff working to further sustainability in their communities. The first Michigan Green Community Conference was held in December of 2011 with 60 attendees from 40 Michigan communities.
This grant will fund primarily temporary staff time to perform grant tasks. The grant will also fund the Green Community annual conferences in 2011 and 2012.
Matching funds are available in the form of in-kind staff time from Systems Planning staff, as well as in-kind time from project partners; the City of Dearborn, the Michigan Municipal League, and several other community staff on the Michigan Green Community Advisory Committee.
Grant funds will be available for the life of the project regardless of fiscal year. The Systems Planning Unit will provide grant management services.
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