Title
Acceptance of a Grant in the Amount of $183,070 from the State Department of Commerce for Installation of Solar Panels on City Hall
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to accept a grant in the amount of $183,070 from the Department of Commerce's Energy Efficiency and Solar Grant Program, and authorize the City Manager to sign necessary documents to receive and spend the funds.
Report
Issue:
Whether to accept the grant.
(Note: there is a companion staff report on First Reading requesting approval to appropriate project funds.)
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Deputy Public Works Director, 360.753.8494
Presenter(s):
None - consent calendar.
Background and Analysis:
(Note: This is the same background information contained in the staff report requesting appropriation of the project funds, which is a separate Consent Calendar/Other Business item.)
In January 2014, Public Works applied for a solar grant through the Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce). Commerce notified the City we were awarded a grant for $183,070. The City received one of eleven solar grants awarded statewide. The goal of Commerce's Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants program is to stimulate Washington's economy by creating jobs. Longer-term goals include reducing energy use and operating costs for local governments.
The City will use the grant to add 92 Washington-manufactured solar panels onto the roof at City Hall. The panels will tie in to the existing electrical system at City Hall and produce an estimated 23,598 kWh annually, saving approximately $2,500 per year in energy costs and reducing greenhouse gases by over 16 metric tons per year. This will be the third City-owned building using solar as a renewable energy source. Other buildings include the Farmer's Market and the Timberland Regional Library.
Under an existing Interlocal Agreement for Energy Savings Performance Contracting Services with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, DES will manage this project on the City's behalf. Construction is anticipated to start in the late summer and be finished by the end of December.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Thurston Climate Action Team, who recently completed a countywide greenhouse gas inventory, is a proponent of local renewable energy projects.
Disruptions at City Hall will be minimal, as the majority of the work will be on the roof. The contractor will have a crane onsite for one day to load materials to the roof. It may be necessary to block off parking near City Hall to accommodate the crane and maintain safety around the loading site.
Options:
1. Move to accept a grant in the amount of $183,070 from the Department of Commerce's Energy Efficiency and Solar Grant Program, and authorize the City Manager to sign necessary documents to receive and spend the funds.
2. Do not accept the grant.
Financial Impact:
The City's required match is $50,000. The funds will be appropriated from the City Hall Construction Fund.
Commerce Grant $183,070
City Match $ 50,000
Total Project Cost $233,070