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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Bill 3G-CleanEnergyBonds 08/03/2009~ ~ CITY OF PETALUIVIA, CALIFORNIA ~ ° ~~ ~ ~ August 3, 2009 A~end'a Title: Discussion and.Possible Adoption of a Resolution 1Vleeting Date: August 3, 2009 Authorizing the City Manager to Apply .for Clean; Renewable Energy Bonds 1Vleeting Time: 7:00 P1VI Category: ^ .Presentation ^ Appointments ~ Consent ^ Public Rearing ^ Unfinished Business ^ New Business Department: Directo : Contact Parson: Phone Number: Public Works Vincen rengo Larry Zimmer 776-3674 Total:Cost of Proposal or Project: $0 Name of Fund: There is no cost for this application other than insignificant N/A staff time. There is no ideritified project at this time. Account )Number: Amount )Budgeted: $0 Current Fund )Balance: Recommendation: It is recommended that the .City Council take tbe' following actio>m: Adopta resolution authorizing.the City Manager.to apply for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) 1. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved unanimously, or with unanimous vote Co allow posting prior to second reading 2. ^. First reading of Ordinance approved without unanimous vote: Ordinance has 'been published/posted prior to second reading; see Attachment 3. ^ Other action requiringspecial notice: Notice has been given, see Attachment Summary Statement: Solar Sonoma County, anon-profit organization; is offering the City ofPetaluma (and other County agencies) free direct support to determine if solar energy is feasible for three City facilities, and to provide assistance to the City in preparing a CREBs application for funding. The support includes a site assessment. and consulting services to determine whether the project sites are good candidates for solar and whether CREBs financing is the best and most appropriate method of financing. The CREBs application requires little time to complete and is completely non-binding. Attachnae'nts to Agenda Packet Item: 1. Resolution Itevi wed`b Finance Director: ~ Reviewed. by C'it_y Attorney: A roved b Ci IVlana er: =-- a ° ~, ~ . , _.:. Date: ____ Date:. - ~~ d Rev. # Date Last Revis a5 Flle: S:\CIP Division\Programs\Glimate Protection\Solar Sonoma ~~ (:ountv\2009 City agenda bill for CREBs a lication.doc C CI'T'Y OF' PETAI,IJIVIA, CALIFORNIA AUGUST 3, 2009 AGENDA REPORT FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE' ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTIIORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS 1. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution authorizing. the' City Manager to apply for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREB s). 2. BACKGROUND: Staff has been investigating the feasibility of potential solar projects; and more importantly; opportunities for funding solar projects. Solar Sonoma County, anon-profit organization, was formed by the cities and County of Sonoma to assist local .agencies in the process of creating and completing solar projects. Part of that process includes assistance in finding and. assessing potential funding. The organization is offering free assistance to its members to determine if a project is feasible for solar energy ;and CREBs funding, and they assist members in preparing the CREBs funding application. As part of the application-process, the City recently submitted a letter of interest to~ Solar Sonoma County for CREBs funding to install solar energy at the Municipal. Airport, the Swim Center, City Hall, and the Luchessi Community Center. These four facilities potentially meet the criteria for CREBs funding: high energy use and clear space in which to install enough solar panels to generate a large portion of the facility's need. The next step is for .Solar Sonoma County to do a site assessment to determine if he City's projects are good candidates for solar energy and whether CREBs financing is the best and~most appropriate method to finance these projects. New Mexico State University, in partnership with the Department of Energy, is providing technical assistance_to Solar Sonoma County in estimating project costs and feasibility. If the identified projects qualify, the City will submit an application for CREBs funding on August 4; 2009. 3. .DISCUSSION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing staff to apply for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs). 4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS: Solar Sonoma County is providing consultants to prepare a site assessment and evaluate the City's feasibility for CREBs funding.: They wil•1 also assist the City in applying for CREBs funds. The only cost to the .City at'this time is minimal staff time. If the City's application is accepted, project funding, options will be explored with Solar Sonoma County, and options will be presented to the City Council for consideration. 2 S`.\CIP Division\Programs\Climate Protection\Solar Sonoma Counly12009 City agenda bill for CREBs application.doc A"R'ACH~~I'~ '0 IZIESOI.ilTION AIiJ'T)EIOIIIZING TIIE CITY NHAIVAGEIt TO APPLY FOR CLEAN I~1lTEW~I.E ENERGY - - ~Ol~S W)EIEItEAS; Solar Sonoma County, anon-prof t organization, was formed by the cities and County of Sonoma to assist local agencies in obtaining Clean. Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) funding; and WIIEItEAS, the City ofPetaluma is a member of the organization; and WIIEItEAS, Solar Sonoma County will assist the City of Petaluma in determining if the City's projects are feasible for solar energy and CREBs funding; and WIIEItEAS, City staff has been investigating potential solar projects and opportunities for funding; and WIIEItEAS, this is an opportunity for the City to have potential solar projects evaluated and assessed for cost and feasibility; and WIIEItEAS, Solar Sonoma County will assist the City of Petaluma in submitting an application for CREBs funds; and WI~EItEAS, the assistance, evaluation and assessment will be funded by Solar Sonoma County; and WIIEREAS, if the City's application is accepted, different funding options for solar improvements will be provided~for the City Council's review. NOW, TIIICI2EI~'ORE, BE IT ITIESOI.VEID as follows: 1. The City Manager is authorized to submit an application to Solar Sonoma County for CREBs funding. 2. Once potential projects are evaluated and estimated costs and funding options are developed, staff will return to the City Council for direction. 3 S:\CIP Diviion\ProgramslClimate ProtectionlSc~larSonoma Coun1,~12009 City aeenda bill for CREB application.doc