231493
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
221233
Sponsor
ALD. DIMITRIJEVIC
Title
Substitute resolution relating to acceptance of a sub-grant from Slipstream, Inc. from the federal Department of Energy’s Buildings UP prize in support of the Environmental Collaboration Office’s development of a program to assist small and medium-sized commercial buildings to become more energy-efficient and reduce carbon pollution
Analysis
This resolution authorizes the Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO) to accept a sub-grant from Slipstream, Inc. from the federal Department of Energy’s Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) in the amount of $65,000, as part of a larger $400,000 planning prize. The purpose of this sub-grant is to support the planning of a program to facilitate and streamline the process for owners of small and medium-sized commercial buildings to make them more energy-efficient and reduce or eliminate their use of fossil fuels, a process often called “decarbonization.” The program will provide connections and resources to such building owners, including connections to in-depth building energy assessments with energy efficiency improvement quotes included, and connections to grant and low-cost financing opportunities. This program is also helping to development and upskill the workforce that is needed to make such improvements to small and medium-sized commercial buildings at a much larger scale.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office was part of a team that has been awarded a $400,000 Buildings UP Prize from the US Department of Energy; and
Whereas, the City of Milwaukee adopted a Climate and Equity Plan in June 2023, with goals of reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while creating good-paying green jobs that pay at least $40,000 per year with a focus on recruiting workers of color into these green jobs;
Whereas, the commercial building sector creates approximately 25% of greenhouse gas emissions produced community-wide in the City of Milwaukee each year;
Whereas, owners of small and medium-sized commercial buildings, including multi-family buildings, houses of worship and small businesses, should have the opportunity to reduce their buildings’ energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce their monthly utility bills and make their buildings more comfortable to reside and work in;
Whereas, for a number of reasons, owners of such buildings are often challenged to secure the financing and obtain adequate assistance with energy assessments and contractor cost estimates to make such energy efficiency, clean energy, and decarbonization improvements to their buildings; and
Whereas, the workforce needed to make such efficiency, clean energy, and decarbonization improvements to small and medium-sized buildings must grow to match the need for such improvements; and
Whereas, the City will work with local non-profits Slipstream, Inc., BlocPower, EcoBalance Technologies, West Care and Walnut Way Conservation Corp., among many other community partners, to develop all components of this program;
Whereas, the operation of this grant from 11/01/2023 to 06/30/2025 would cost $65,000 of which 100% would be provided by this sub-grant and 0% would be provided by the city; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Environmental Collaboration Office shall accept this sub-grant without further approval unless the terms of the grant change as indicated in Section 304-81, of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances; and, be it
Further Resolved that the City Comptroller is authorized to:
1. Commit funds within the Project/Grant Parent of the 2021 Special Revenue-Grant and Aid Projects the following amount for the project titled: Buildings UP Planning:
Project/Grant GR0002400000
Fund 0150
Org 9990
Program 0001
Budget Year 0000
Sub Class R999
Account 000600
Project Grantor Share
Amount $65,000
2. Create the necessary Grant and Aid Project/Grant and Project/Grant levels; budget against these Project/Grant values the amount required under the grant agreement;
3. Establish the necessary City Share Project Values; and, be it
Further Resolved, that these funds are budgeted for the Department of Administration- Environmental Collaboration Office which is authorized to:
1. Expend from the amount budgeted for specified purposes as indicated in the grant budget and incur costs consistent with the award date.
Requestor
Department of Administration - Environmental Collaboration Office
01/22/2024