AGENDA #4c

 

MEMORANDUM

 

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Acceptance of Solar Grant

 

DATE:             November 25, 2002

 

 

The attached resolution would authorize the acceptance of a U.S. Department of Energy Grant awarded to the Town of Chapel Hill in the amount of $4,000. 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The N.C. Solar Center has announced that the Town of Chapel Hill has been awarded a $4,000 grant to be used for solar projects proposed by the Chapel Hill Solar Roofs Committee (please see Attachment 1). The Solar Roofs Committee is finalizing its budget for using the funds, which must be spent by March 31, 2003.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Solar Roofs Committee will use the money to develop and install a solar energy informational display on the grounds of the Hargraves Community Center to draw attention to the existing photovoltaic system the Town installed on the Center’s roof in 1999. The Committee hopes to include Hargraves in a Triangle area green buildings tour in March 2003.

 

The Committee plans to use any remaining funds to develop a web site and purchase materials for publishing solar educational pamphlets/brochures.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of the U.S. Department of Energy Grant, and enact the attached ordinance amending the budget to reflect the $4,000 award.

 

ATTACHMENT

 

1.             October 28, 2002 letter from Eric Soderberg, N.C. Solar Center (p. 4).

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GRANT (2002-11-25/R-3)

 

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 $4,000; and

 

WHEREAS, the grant funds would be used for a solar display at Hargraves Community Center and other projects, such as the publication of informational materials and the development of a web site;

 

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 and to make all necessary assurances.

 

This the 25^th day of November, 2002.

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2002” (2002-11-25/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, 2002” as duly adopted on July 26, 2002, be and the same is hereby amended as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
APPROPRIATIONS	Current Budget	Increase	Decrease	Revised Budget
GENERAL FUND
Planning	1,008,717	4,000		1,012,717
ARTICLE II
REVENUES	Current Budget	Increase	Decrease	Revised Budget
GENERAL FUND
Grants	516,510	4,000		520,510

 

This the 25^th day of November, 2002.