ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Chief Innovation Officer with a Request to AUTHORIZE the City Manager to Execute a GRANT AGREEMENT with NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC. for EDWARDS SETTLEMENT FUND GRANT AWARD Funding for the Installation of a 38.25 Kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System for the New Fire Station 4, in the Amount of $96,550.00.
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BACKGROUND: In November of 2019, City staff were notified on the availability of $8.6 million in funding for public health and environmental projects to benefit the greater Peoria region - particularly Communities of Concern - through the Edwards Settlement Fund. This included a category of projects to install solar power in the Peoria-area, with an emphasis on schools, government buildings, buildings that provide affordable housing, and/or homes owned by people with low or fixed income.
In January of 2020, the City submitted a grant proposal for the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the new Fire Station 4 that would offset 100% of the anticipated electricity consumption for the future public building. The proposal was selected for funding to receive up to $96,550 for implementation.
The funding provides for the purchase and installation of a 38.25-kilowatt (kW) direct current solar PV system on the roof of the City of Peoria’s new Fire Station Number 4, to be built at the corner of Western and Howett on Peoria’s Southside. The PV system is sized to offset 100% of the station’s anticipated electricity use and enable the Station to operate as a net zero electricity consumption building. The PV system will offset approximately 37 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution annually. The new Fire Station 4 is designed to meet the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and will be the first net zero electricity public building in the region.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $96,550 of EDWARDS SETTLEMENT FUND GRANT AWARD funding will be used to install the solar PV system resulting in significant reductions in operating costs for the new Fire Station 4 for the life of the system equipment.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None at this time.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The solar PV system will be included in the construction of the new Fire Station 4.
IMPACT IF DENIED: EDWARDS SETTLEMENT FUND GRANT AWARD funding will not be available for use on the new Fire Station 4 project.
ALTERNATIVES: None identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Safe Peoria
3. Grow Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Support sustainability.
2. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
3. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office