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HomeMy WebLinkAbout14293 City Clerk’s Office Item # M-3 Background Paper for Proposed Resolution COUNCIL MEETING DATE: October 15, 2019 TO: President Dennis E. Flores and Members of City Council CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar VIA: Brenda Armijo, City Clerk FROM: Daniel C. Kogovsek, City Attorney SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF GRID ALTERNATIVES COLORADO’S COMMUNITY BASED PROPOSAL IN RESPONSE TO BLACK HILLS ENERGY’S 2019 SOLAR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS SUMMARY: Attached is a resolution supporting GRID Alternative's proposal to Black Hills Energy's Request for Proposals to build a Community Solar Garden Program. A resolution of support from the community is necessary for a proposal to qualify as a community-based project. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On October 10, 2017, by Resolution No. 13798, City Council approved a similar Resolution in support of Grid Alternative’s community-based proposal in response to Black Hills Energy’s 2017 Solar RFP. On August 26, 2019, by Ordinance No. 9516, City Council approved a solar easement and lease agreement with GRID Alternatives for the use of 10 acres of unimproved land owned by the City as a community based solar garden. BACKGROUND: GRID Alternatives is a 501(c)3 certified non-profit organization that brings together community partners, volunteers, and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low- income families, providing valuable hands-on experience and a source of clean, local energy. GRID Alternatives is responding to the Black Hills Energy request for proposal to build a Community Solar Garden Program. State Statute requires a resolution of support from the community the project is in to qualify as a community-based project. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are no financial implications for passing this Resolution. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable to this Resolution. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Not applicable to this Resolution. ALTERNATIVES: If City Council does not approve this resolution, the GRID Alternatives 2019 proposal will not qualify as a community-based project RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Resolution. Attachments: Proposed Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 14293 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF GRID ALTERNATIVES COLORADO’S COMMUNITY BASED PROPOSAL IN RESPONSE TO BLACK HILLS ENERGY’S 2019 SOLAR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WHEREAS, the City of Pueblo recognizes that community solar projects provide clean, locally sourced electricity that can be used by residents of the City of Pueblo; and WHEREAS, the City has been advised that GRID Alternatives Colorado, is a nonprofit solar installer whose mission is to make solar technology and job training accessible to underserved communities, will be submitting a proposal in response to Black Hills Energy Community Solar Gardens 2019 Request for Proposals; and WHEREAS, GRID Alternatives’ proposal is to build a community-based community solar project to serve qualifying low-income households in the City of Pueblo and to generate solar workforce development opportunities for Pueblo County residents and residents of adjacent counties; and WHEREAS, the location of the proposed community solar project has not yet been determined, and any application to build such a community solar project within the City of Pueblo must be reviewed and approved by the City Council through the required development review process, in accordance with all applicable City zoning regulations and development standards with review and discussion at a public hearing as required by law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. City Council supports the proposal of GRID Alternatives in response to Black Hills Energy’s 2019 solar garden request for proposals, provided, however, that this Resolution shall not be construed as a preference for Grid Alternatives’ proposal over those of other bidders who may submit proposals in response to the Black Hills solar garden request for proposals. SECTION 2. The officers and staff of the City are authorized and directed to perform any and all acts consistent with this Resolution which are necessary or appropriate to implement the policies described herein. SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage and approval. INTRODUCED October 15, 2019 BY: Ed Brown MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL APPROVED: PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL ATTESTED BY: CITY CLERK