AGENDA #4i

 

MEMORANDUM

 

 TO:                 Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:      Acceptance of Solar Grant

 

DATE:            June 27, 2005

 

 

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 $5,000. 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The N.C. Solar Center has notified the Town of Chapel Hill of its intent to award the Town a $5,000 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 March 2005. The Town has received notice of the Solar Center’s intent to award the Town the funding during Fiscal Year 2005-06.

 

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 outreach efforts including hosting “meet-ups” and workshops on solar energy, updating an inventory of solar energy systems installed throughout Orange County, conducting the 2005 Solar and Green Homes Tour, and developing a solar award program.

 

Funding for the grant is included in the Recommended 2005-06 Budget to be considered tonight.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of the $5,000 grant award and inclusion of the funding in the 2005-06 Budget.

           

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.      June 14, 2005 Letter from N.C. Solar Center (p. 3).

2.       Statement of Work and Fee Schedule (p. 4).
 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GRANT (2005-06-27/R-7)

 

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 N.C. Solar Center has announced that the Town’s $5,000 grant application, submitted on behalf of the Chapel Hill Solar Roofs Committee, will be approved during Fiscal Year 2005-06; and

 

WHEREAS, the grant funds would be used for a variety of projects including 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 the N.C. Solar Center and to make all necessary assurances.

 

This the 27th day of June, 2005.