SUBJECT: General Business
Title
A Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Erie Approving a Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Regional Grant Application Coordinated by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Lotus Engineering
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works, Sustainability
PRESENTER: Tyler Kesler, Sustainability & Water Conservation Specialist
TIME ESTIMATE:
5 minutes
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: $10,000 (cash) and $10,000 (in-kind) to access up to $150,000 in technical support
Balance Available: $15,000 (cash) / $44,000 (in-kind)
Budget Line Item Number: 100-70-780-560100-000000 (cash) / 100-70-780-500000-000000 (in-kind salaries)
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution authorizing Town staff to join a regional collaboration joint grant application to Colorado Department of Local Affairs Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In coordination with the Comprehensive Plan update timeline, Town’s Building Division will be reviewing the 2021 editions to various codes, including the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with the goal of adopting them in 2022. The Town has identified long-term visionary and implementation plans or “Roadmaps” as being needed to supplement the Comprehensive Plan update for: renewable energy generation/electrification; electric vehicle and solar-ready development; SolSmart Designation; and an Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Roadmap. These roadmaps will address the 2021 Work Plan’s items #6 and #30, as well as help achieve all 18 Strategies listed in the Energy Sector of the Sustainability Master Plan. This grant will provide up to $150,000 worth of technical support needed to complete these Roadmaps.
The proposed approach includes a collaboration with neighboring communities to complete three primary project components, each customizable to the individual community needs: 1) adoption of the 2021 IECC; 2) development of a roadmap to achieve net zero energy new construction; and 3) development of a roadmap to achieve the Town’s desired percent renewable electricity.
To optimize funding, learn with and from neighboring communities, and better understand and leverage any needed support from the Town’s utility providers (Xcel Energy, United Power, Black Hills Energy) to achieve desired community goals, Boulder County has offered to be the lead organization for this multi-jurisdictional application with project coordination from Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) and Lotus Engineering. Other communities signing on and contributing to this technical assistance grant application are Lafayette, Louisville, and Northglenn (5 total with Boulder County and Erie). Based on the financial contributions proposed below, the Town would contribute $20,000; we have the funds available within the existing budget:
DOLA indicated a Letter of Support satisfies the initial application. However, they may request a MOU from each community committing to implementing the 2021 IECC Updates with local amendments by 2022.
The EIAF grant schedule is:
Application period opens: February 1, 2021
Application period closes: March 1, 2021
Award/no award letters: Early May, 2021
Contracts signed: Mid-Summer, 2021
The grant application recommends the Board of Trustees authorize the application submittal, in this case through a Letter of Support. The proposed Letter of Support and supporting documents is attached to this agenda item. The Resolution provided authorizes the Town’s contribution and submittal of the application.
Fiscal Impact:
The Town has budgeted $15,000 for a Community Solar Campaign via Consultation Services in 2021. $10,000 of this will be used as the cash matching commitment. If the Town is awarded the grant, it would allow for a Roadmap to be created and initiate easier public adoption for solar and electric vehicle-ready housing stock. This grant will augment the Town’s $15,000 budget for solar adoption in to a more impactful campaign as well as achieve additional Work Plan and Sustainability Master Plan Goals. The $10,000 in-kind commitment will be met with Sustainability staff effort.
Board Priority(s) Addressed:
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 21-024
2. Letter of Support