AGENDA #4e

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Acceptance of Solar Grant

 

DATE:             February 23, 2004

 

 

The attached resolution would authorize the acceptance of a U.S. Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs grant awarded to the Town of Chapel Hill in the amount of $10,800. 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The N.C. Solar Center and N.C. State University have announced that the Town of Chapel Hill has been awarded a $10,800 Million Solar Roofs program grant to be used for solar projects proposed by the Chapel Hill Solar Roofs Committee (please see Attachment 1).

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Committee submitted the application for the grant in October 2003. The Town received official notice of the award this month.

 

The grant-funded projects the Chapel Hill Solar Roofs Committee proposes to complete are listed in the Committee’s work statement and fee schedule (see Attachment 2). Projects include the development of a comprehensive inventory of existing solar energy systems in the Chapel Hill area, upgrades to the www.chapelhillsolar.org website, design and construction of an informational sign highlighting solar hot water panels being installed at the Chapel Hill Community Center, and implementation of outreach efforts including workshops on solar technologies.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of the grant, and enact the attached ordinance amending the budget to reflect the $10,800 award.

 

ATTACHMENT

 

1.      February 4, 2004 Letter to Cal Horton Re: Grant Award (p. 4).

2.      Statement of Work and Fee Schedule (2003-04 Million Solar Roofs Grant) (p. 7).

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GRANT (2004-02-23/R-5)

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Energy has made funds available for implementing projects that raise the public’s awareness of the benefits of solar energy; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town’s grant application, submitted on behalf of the Chapel Hill Solar Roofs Committee, was approved by the N.C. Solar Center in the amount of $10,800; and

 

WHEREAS, the grant funds would be used for developing an inventory of solar energy systems in the Chapel Hill area and a variety of public outreach efforts aimed at increasing the use of solar energy in Chapel Hill;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to accept the U.S. Department of Energy grant administered by N.C. State University and to make all necessary assurances.

 

This the 23^rd day of February, 2004.

 

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2003 (2004-02-23/O-1)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2003” as duly adopted on June 9, 2003, be and the same is hereby amended as follows:

 

This the 23^rd of February, 2004.