AGENDA 12a(2)

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:          Sustainability, Energy and Environment Committee

                               Council Member Bill Strom

                               Council Member Dorothy Verkerk

                               Council Member Jim Ward

 

SUBJECT:     Sustainable Community Development Project Grant Application

 

DATE:           May 12, 2003

 

 

The attached resolution would express Town Council endorsement of a Sustainable Community Development Project grant application, which would fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at Fire Station Number 1, and plan for the establishment of an “Energy Bank.” The grant requires a 25 percent local match.

 

Also attached is a resolution authorizing the Mayor to send a letter of endorsement for a Sustainable Community Development Project grant application that would fund a half-time Energy Coordinator for Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, beginning January 1, 2004.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The State Energy Office has issued a Sustainable Community Development Project Request for Proposals for renewable energy, energy efficiency and other sustainability projects in North Carolina.

 

The Energy Office anticipates awarding between four to eight awards for projects costing up to $175,000, including the required local match of 25 percent. A maximum grant award of $131,250 would require a Town match of $43,750, though in-kind contributions can lower the amount of cash needed for the match.

 

The Request for Proposals encourages submitters “to develop and submit innovative projects that provide real and sustainable benefits for their community.” Project goals in the Request for Proposals are:

 

 

The deadline for submitting a proposal was extended last week from May 13, 2003 to May 27, 2003.

DISCUSSION

 

We have reviewed options for proceeding with a grant application. Two proposals would provide benefits to Chapel Hill if funded:

 

  1. We propose to develop a grant proposal to install energy efficiency improvements and solar panels at Fire Station Number 1 and fund a study for establishing the Energy Bank concept in the Town (please see Attachment 1 for a brief description of the proposal). We recommend applying for the grant maximum, which would require the Town to provide a match of as much as $43,750 if fully funded.

 

The grant proposal would include the following:

 

 

  1. A proposal initiated by a Durham County group would fund an energy coordinator position based half-time in Durham County and half-time in Orange County, as discussed at the Assembly of Governments meeting on April 29, 2003. The position would provide services to Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The cost to the Town, applying a population-based formula to determine each jurisdiction’s share, would be about $5,200.

 

The two grant proposals would fund projects that complement each other if funded. For example, a part-time energy coordinator could build on lessons learned from the Fire Station Number 1 project. However, the projects are competing in the sense that the State will be awarding grants to just four to eight projects statewide.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend the Council adopt Resolution 8a endorsing the Town’s grant application for Fire Station Number 1 and pledging a local commitment of up to $43,750 as the Town’s match.

 

Further, we recommend the Council adopt Resolution 8b authorizing the Town Manager to write a letter of support for the grant application which would fund a part-time energy coordinator for Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. (Attachment 2 is a copy of a sample letter of endorsement drafted by Orange County.)

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

  1. Sustainable Community Project Grant Proposal (p. 5).
  2. Sample Letter (p. 6).

 

 

A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE TOWN’S APPLICATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANT (2003-05-12/R-8a)

 

WHEREAS, the N.C. Energy Office has issued a Sustainable Community Development Project Request for Proposals for funding energy efficiency, renewable energy and similar projects across the State; and

 

WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council on April 22, 2002, established the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Committee; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill’s Comprehensive Plan recommends policies that “encourage site planning, landscaping, and structure design which maximize the potential for energy conservation by reducing the demand for artificial heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting, and maximize the use of solar and other renewable energy resources;” and,

 

WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Million Solar Roofs Action Plan adopted by the Council recommends pursuing outside funding sources for solar projects, continuing funding energy efficiency projects in the Town Budget, hiring an energy auditor/educator and install solar technologies at a “highly visible public building;”

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby endorses the Town’s grant application to fund an Energy Bank study and energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at Fire Station Number 1, with a commitment of up to $43,750 in Town funds for the required local match.

 

This the 12th day of May, 2003.

A RESOLUTION ENDORSING DURHAM COUNTY’S INCLUSION OF A HALF-TIME ENERGY COORDINATOR FOR ORANGE COUNTY IN ITS APPLICATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANT (2003-05-12/R-8b)

 

WHEREAS, the N.C. Energy Office has issued a Sustainable Community Development Project Request for Proposals for funding energy efficiency, renewable energy and similar projects across the State;

 

WHEREAS, Durham County’s Community Development Project proposal would provide a half-time energy coordinator position for Orange County, including a portion of time for Chapel Hill; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town would benefit from the services of an energy coordinator;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to write a letter of endorsement supporting Durham County’s Sustainable Community Development Project’s proposal to provide Chapel Hill the services of an energy coordinator who would work half-time in Orange County.

 

This the 12th day of May, 2003.

ATTACHMENT 1

 

Sustainable Community Project Grant Proposal: Town of Chapel Hill Green Building Retrofit and Energy Bank Demonstration Project

 

Project Description, in Brief

 

The proposed Green Building Retrofit and Energy Bank Demonstration Project would convert the Town of Chapel Hill’s Fire Station Number 1 into an energy-efficient “green building” and help the Town establish a new “energy bank” that would fund future energy efficiency projects.

 

The project at Fire Station Number 1 would start with an energy audit followed by the installation of energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy equipment. The project would include the installation of solar hot water and photovoltaic panels, energy-efficient windows and light fixtures, improved building insulation, and workstation timers/power saving devices. The project also would add water-efficient landscaping (“xeriscaping”) at the site to reduce water consumption and set an example for the community.

 

Another significant element of the project is the establishment of an “energy bank,” a new concept that would capture energy savings from energy efficiency improvements at Town facilities to pay for future energy efficiency projects at Town facilities. The savings could possibly help cover future costs of an energy coordinator position to pursue energy efficiency and other sustainability projects throughout Chapel Hill.

 

The project would include consultant or contract help to manage the project and help plan the Energy Bank concept.

 

The project would save taxpayers money, provide environmental benefits and raise community awareness about green building practices. The lessons learned from the project will be important because the Town Council is considering proceeding with a “green infrastructure” bond referendum this fall to pay for energy efficiency projects throughout town, bicycle and pedestrian improvements and other projects.

 

The project is called a “demonstration project” because it would serve as an example for completing sustainability projects at other Town facilities, including four fire stations, as well as provide lessons for other North Carolina communities.

 

Estimated Cost

 

The cost of the projects in the grant proposal is under development; preliminary estimates suggest that the projects could cost $150,000 (a local match of $37,500) or more, about half of which would be for energy efficiency projects.

 

 

 

-Prepared by Chapel Hill Planning Department, May 8, 2003

ATTACHMENT 2

 

 

SAMPLE LETTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Energy Office

North Carolina Department of Administration

1830 Tillery Place, Suite A

Raleigh NC 27604

 

RE:  RFP #13‑38950

 

Dear State Energy Office personnel:

 

Orange County is writing in support of the proposal being submitted by the County of Durham pursuant to the above Request for Proposals.

 

The proposed project would provide energy audits and technical assistance aimed at improving energy efficiency in Orange County public facilities, potentially including our public schools. This project would be consistent with recent air quality discussions of the Board of Commissioners and of considerable assistance to Orange County as it strives to reduce costs, increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

 

Thank you very much for giving serious consideration to this proposal.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

John Link, Jr.

County Manager