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.
Staff
Prepared By: Matthew Naud, Environmental Coordinator
Reviewed By: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Administrator
Approved By: Tom Crawford, Acting City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is a core member of the Urban Sustainability Director's Network;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and City of Dearborn were awarded a $20,000.00 Innovation Grant from the Urban Sustainability Director's Network to develop a regional network of local governments working on sustainability;
Whereas, The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment has awarded the City of Ann Arbor a $50,000.00 Michigan Green Communities Planning Grant to continue developing this state-wide network of local government and university sustainability staff;
Whereas, Funds for the City's $10,000.00 match is available via in-kind staff time from the Environmental Coordinator and other Systems Planning Staff. In addition to the $30,000.00 in-kind staff time from Dearborn and the Michigan Municipal League and $12,500.00 from a University of Michigan Master's student project team;
Whereas, the Systems Planning Unit will provide grant management services for this grant;
RESOLVED, That the City accept the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment grant of $50,000.00 effective September 1, 2011;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to sign the grant agreements after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That the grant funds be appropriated to the FY12 Energy Office Grant Fund (Fund 00MG) for the life of the project, regardless of fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, The City Administrator be authorized and directed to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.