HomeMy WebLinkAbout14737
City Clerk’s Office Item # M-11
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: October 12, 2021
TO: President Dennis E. Flores and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar
VIA: Marisa Stoller, 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
2021 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. 13748, City Council approved a comparable Resolution
in support of Grid Alternative’s community-based proposal in response to Black Hills Energy’s
2017 Solar RFP. Similarly, on October 15, 2019, by Resolution No. 14293, City Council approved
a comparable Resolution in support of Grid Alternative’s community-based proposal in response
to Black Hills Energy’s 2019 Solar RFP.
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 2021 proposal will not
qualify as a community-based project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Resolution.
Attachments:
Proposed Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 14737
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF GRID ALTERNATIVES
COLORADO’S COMMUNITY BASED PROPOSAL IN
RESPONSE TO BLACK HILLS ENERGY’S 2021 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 2021 Request for Proposals; and
WHEREAS, GRID Alternatives’ proposal is to build a community based 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 City is currently subscribed to a 2 MW project developed by GRID
Alternatives in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Pueblo and is
benefitting from the project through savings on its electric utilities bills; 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 2021 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 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 12, 2021
BY: Ed Brown
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY:
CITY CLERK