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Recommendation to adopt resolution in support of, and authorize City Manager to execute documents, accepting grant funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) under the Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant Program (EECBG);
Increase appropriations in the General Capital Projects Fund (CP 201) in the Department of Public Works (PW), in the amount of $3,838,473, representing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) funds that have been awarded for the Municipal Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit project; and
Allocate to the Development Services Fund (SR 137) in the Department of Development Services (DS) the amount of $559,027, representing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) funds that have been awarded for the Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate project. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On June 22, 2009, the City of Long Beach submitted an application for the Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant Program (EECBG), which was provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 (ARRA). The City of Long Beach was eligible for $4,397,500 through the EECBG Program.
The purpose of the EECBG Program is to create and implement strategies to reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities, improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors and reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable.
The City submitted the EECBG application to fund two programs: 1) Municipal Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program ($3,838,473) and, 2) Energy Efficiency Residential Rebate Program ($559,027), both of which were eligible uses for funding under the EECBG Program.
The Municipal Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program, which will fund energy efficient lighting, sensors and HV AC equipment at City facilities, is a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Public Works.
The Energy Efficiency Residential Rebate Program, which will fund rebates for energy efficient devices, such as solar and tank-less hot water heaters and will fund rebates on building permits, is a partnership between the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Development Services.
This item was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on January 28, 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY
The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions are buildings, and securing stimulus dollars helps make energy efficiency retrofits and installations feasible. The EECBG Program is an important step toward reducing the City and community's carbon footprint, benefiting all of Long Beach. Municipal building energy efficiency retrofits will save money, reduce the City's electricity use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Residential rebates for installing energy efficient devices/systems will support green jobs, create a market for energy efficient products/supplies and save residents mqney on their electric bill. . .
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on February 16, 2010, to authorize commencement of these projects. EECBG Program funds were awarded on December 7, 2009, and the grant funding is for the period beginning December 7, 2009 and ending December 7, 2012. The period of performance for these grants will be 36 months and the City of Long Beach is required to obligate/commit all funds within 18 months from the effective date of the award. The City is then required to complete all projects within 36 months from grant award.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total project costs are limited to the grant amount of $4,397,500. The funding for this project is American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the federal Department of Energy (DOE). Since these funds are not yet appropriated, an appropriation increase of $3,838,473 is requested in the General Capital Projects Fund (CP201) in the Department of Public Works (PW). The $559,027 for the Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate project will be deposited in the Development Services Fund (SR137) in the Department of Development Services (DV) and, when utilized, appropriation increases will be requested through quarterly budget adjustments.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH IN SUPPORT OF AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING UNDER THE AMERICAN RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) FOR THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (EECBG)
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER